<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-17-285225.txt : 20170914
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-17-285225.hdr.sgml : 20170914
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20170914170704
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-17-285225
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	497
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20170914
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20170914
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20170914

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ELLSWORTH GROWTH & INCOME FUND LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000793040
		IRS NUMBER:				133345139
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		497
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-219322
		FILM NUMBER:		171086217

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		65 MADISON AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 550
		CITY:			MORRISTOWN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07960
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(973) 631-1177

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		65 MADISON AVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 550
		CITY:			MORRISTOWN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07960

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ELLSWORTH FUND LTD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20060330

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ELLSWORTH CONVERTIBLE GROWTH & INCOME FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>497
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d453269d497.htm
<DESCRIPTION>ELLSWORTH GROWTH AND INCOME FUND LTD.
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>ELLSWORTH GROWTH AND INCOME FUND LTD. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Filed Pursuant to Rule 497(c) <BR>Registration Statement No. 333-219322 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(To Prospectus dated
August&nbsp;31, 2017) </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14.5pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>$30,000,000 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14.5pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>1,200,000 Shares </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14.5pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>5.25% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14.5pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Liquidation Preference $25.00 per share) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:3%; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Ellsworth Growth
and Income Fund Ltd. (the &#147;Fund&#148;) is offering 1,200,000&nbsp;shares of 5.25% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share (the &#147;Series A Preferred Shares&#148;). Investors in Series A Preferred Shares will be
entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by, or under authority granted by, the Fund&#146;s Board of Trustees, out of funds legally available therefor, cumulative cash dividends and distributions at the rate of 5.25% per annum of the $25.00 per
share liquidation preference on the Series A Preferred Shares. Dividends and distributions on Series A Preferred Shares will be payable quarterly on March&nbsp;26,&nbsp;June&nbsp;26,&nbsp;September&nbsp;26 and December&nbsp;26 in each year
commencing on December&nbsp;26, 2017. The Series A Preferred Shares will rank on parity with any future preferred shares and senior to our common shares with respect to dividend and distribution rights and rights upon our liquidation. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:3%; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Series A Preferred Shares are redeemable at our option on or after September 18, 2022 and are subject to mandatory redemption by us in
certain circumstances. See &#147;Special Characteristics and Risks of the Series A Preferred Shares&nbsp;&#151;&nbsp;Redemption.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:3%; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The
Fund is a diversified, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the &#147;1940 Act&#148;). The Fund invests primarily in convertible securities,
with the objectives of providing income and the potential for capital appreciation (which objectives the Fund considers to be relatively equal, over the long term, due to the nature of the securities in which it invests). Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in convertible securities (that is, bonds, debentures, corporate notes or preferred stock that are convertible into common stock) and common stock received upon conversion or exchange of
securities and retained in the Fund&#146;s portfolio to permit orderly disposition or to establish long-term holding periods for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under normal market conditions, the remaining 35% or less of the Fund&#146;s total
assets may be invested in other securities, including <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-convertible</FONT> equity and debt securities, options, warrants, U.S. government or agency obligations, or repurchase agreements, or they may be held as cash
or cash equivalents. See &#147;Investment Objectives and Policies&#148; in the accompanying prospectus (the &#147;Prospectus&#148;). Gabelli Funds, LLC (the &#147;Investment Adviser&#148;) serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Previously,
Dinsmore Capital Management Co. (&#147;Dinsmore Capital&#148;) served as the Fund&#146;s investment adviser. Gabelli Funds, LLC became the Fund&#146;s investment adviser in connection with a strategic alliance agreement pursuant to which former
personnel of Dinsmore Capital joined Gabelli Funds, LLC. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:3%; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Our common shares are listed on the NYSE American LLC (&#147;NYSE American&#148;)
under the symbol &#147;ECF.&#148; On September 13, 2017, the last reported sale price of our common shares was $9.13. The net asset value of the Fund&#146;s common shares at the close of business on September 13, 2017 was $10.24 per share. As of the
date hereof, the Fund has outstanding 12,869,252 common shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:3%; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Application has been made to list the Series A Preferred Shares on the NYSE
American. If the application is approved, the Series A Preferred Shares are expected to commence trading on the NYSE American under the symbol &#147;ECF Pr A&#148; within thirty days of the date of issuance. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:3%; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman">An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors. We cannot assure you that the Fund&#146;s investment objectives will be
achieved. You should read this prospectus supplement (the &#147;Prospectus Supplement&#148;) and the accompanying Prospectus before deciding whether to invest in Series A Preferred Shares and retain them for future reference. The Prospectus
Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus contain important information about us. Material that has been incorporated by reference and other information about us can be obtained from us by calling <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">800-GABELLI</FONT>
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(422-3554)</FONT> or from the Securities and Exchange Commission&#146;s (&#147;SEC&#148;) website (http://www.sec.gov). </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Investing in
Series A Preferred Shares involves certain risks that are described in the &#147;Special Characteristics and Risks of the Series A Preferred Shares&#148; section of this Prospectus Supplement and the &#147;<A HREF="#pro453269_7">Risk Factors and Special
 Considerations</A>&#148; section beginning on page&nbsp;43 of the accompanying Prospectus. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:3%; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="68%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="64%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Per&nbsp;Share</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Total</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Public offering price</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">25.00</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">30,000,000</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Underwriting discounts and commissions</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.7875</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">945,000</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Proceeds, before expenses, to the Fund
<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">24.2125</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">29,055,000</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(1)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The aggregate expenses of the offering (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) are estimated to be $160,000. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:3%; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The underwriters are expected to deliver the Series A Preferred Shares in book-entry form through the Depository Trust Company on or about
September 18, 2017. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:13pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Morgan Stanley </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:13pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>G.research, LLC </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>The date
of this Prospectus Supplement is September 13, 2017. </B></P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus. Neither the Fund nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the
offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying
Prospectus, respectively. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. In this Prospectus Supplement and in the accompanying Prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, &#147;Fund,&#148;
&#147;us,&#148; &#147;our&#148; and &#147;we&#148; refer to Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd., a Delaware statutory trust. This Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus also includes trademarks owned by other persons. </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:18pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-2 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="toc"></A>TABLE OF CONTENTS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Prospectus Supplement </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


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<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#supptoc453269_1">CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">P-4</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#supptoc453269_2">SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">P-5</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#supptoc453269_3">DESCRIPTION OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">P-8</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#supptoc453269_4">USE OF PROCEEDS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">P-9</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#supptoc453269_5">CAPITALIZATION</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">P-10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#supptoc453269_6">DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">P-11</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#supptoc453269_7">ASSET COVERAGE RATIO</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">P-11</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#supptoc453269_8">SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED
SHARES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">P-11</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#supptoc453269_9">CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN AND IRA CONSIDERATIONS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">P-18</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#supptoc453269_10">UNDERWRITING</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">P-20</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#supptoc453269_11">LEGAL MATTERS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">P-22</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#supptoc453269_12">FINANCIAL STATEMENTS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">P-22</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Prospectus </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


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<TD WIDTH="95%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Page</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_1">PROSPECTUS SUMMARY</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_2">SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">26</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_3">FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">28</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_4">USE OF PROCEEDS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">31</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_5">THE FUND</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">31</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_6">INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">31</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_7">RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">43</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_7a">HOW THE FUND MANAGES RISK</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">67</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_8">MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">67</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_9">PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">70</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_10">DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">70</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_11">AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PAYMENT PLAN</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">72</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_12">DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">73</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_13">ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUND&#146;S GOVERNING
DOCUMENTS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">85</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_14"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">CLOSED-END</FONT> FUND
STRUCTURE</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">86</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_15">REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">87</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_16">RIGHTS OFFERINGS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">87</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_17">TAXATION</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">88</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_18">CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">91</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_19">PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">91</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_20">LEGAL MATTERS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">93</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_21">INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">93</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_22">ADDITIONAL INFORMATION</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">93</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_23">PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">94</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_24">SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">94</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_25">TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">95</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_26">CORPORATE BOND RATINGS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">A-1</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-3 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><A NAME="supptoc453269_1"></A>CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information (the &#147;SAI&#148;) contain
&#147;forward-looking statements.&#148; Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words &#147;may,&#148; &#147;will,&#148; &#147;intend,&#148; &#147;expect,&#148; &#147;estimate,&#148; &#147;continue,&#148; &#147;plan,&#148;
&#147;anticipate,&#148; and similar terms and the negative of such terms. Such forward-looking statements may be contained in this Prospectus Supplement as well as in the accompanying Prospectus and SAI. 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 our actual results are the performance of the portfolio of
securities we hold, the price at which our shares (including the Series A Preferred Shares) will trade in the public markets and other factors discussed in our periodic filings with the SEC. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Although we believe that the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially
from those projected or assumed in our forward-looking statements. Our 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 &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#148; section of the accompanying Prospectus and &#147;Special Characteristics and Risks of the Series A Preferred Shares&#148; in this Prospectus Supplement. All
forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus or SAI are made as of the date of this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus or SAI, as the case may be.
Except for our ongoing obligations under the federal securities laws, we do not intend, and we undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying
Prospectus and SAI are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section&nbsp;27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Currently known risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the
factors described in the &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#148; section of the accompanying Prospectus as well as in the &#147;Special Characteristics and Risks of the Series A Preferred Shares&#148; section of this Prospectus
Supplement. We urge you to review carefully those sections for a more detailed discussion of the risks of an investment in the Series A Preferred Shares. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-4 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>


<div style ="BORDER-BOTTOM:1.00pt solid #000000;BORDER-LEFT:1.00pt solid #000000;BORDER-RIGHT:1.00pt solid #000000;BORDER-TOP:1.00pt solid #000000;MARGIN-LEFT:0px;MARGIN-RIGHT:0px;max-width:100%"><div style="width:97%; margin-top:1.5%; margin-left:1.5%; margin-right:-1.25%">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="supptoc453269_2"></A>SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>This Prospectus Supplement sets forth certain terms of the Series A Preferred Shares that we are offering pursuant to this
Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus that is attached to the back of this Prospectus Supplement. This section outlines certain specific legal and financial terms of the Series A Preferred Shares that are more generally described
under the headings &#147;Special Characteristics and Risks of the Series A Preferred Shares&#148; and &#147;Description of the Series A Preferred Shares&#148; herein and in the accompanying Prospectus under the heading &#147;Description of the
Securities.&#148; Capitalized terms used in this Prospectus Supplement and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the accompanying Prospectus or in the Statement of Preferences (as defined herein) governing and
establishing the terms of the Series A Preferred Shares. </I></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>The Fund</B> </P></TD>
<TD>Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. is a diversified, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust. Throughout this Prospectus Supplement, we refer to Ellsworth Growth
and Income Fund Ltd. as the &#147;Fund&#148; or as &#147;we.&#148; On February&nbsp;17, 2006, the Fund was reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust from a Maryland corporation. The Fund invests primarily in convertible securities with the objective
of providing income and the potential for capital appreciation (which objective the Fund considers to be relatively equal, over the long term, due to the nature of the securities in which it invests). See the accompanying Prospectus under the
heading &#147;Investment Objectives and Policies&#148; for additional information. Gabelli Funds, LLC (the &#147;Investment Adviser&#148;) serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Previously, Dinsmore Capital Management Co. (&#147;Dinsmore
Capital&#148;) served as the Fund&#146;s investment adviser. Gabelli Funds, LLC became the Fund&#146;s investment adviser in connection with a strategic alliance agreement pursuant to which former personnel of Dinsmore Capital joined Gabelli Funds,
LLC. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Fund&#146;s outstanding common shares, par value $0.01 per share, are listed on the NYSE American LLC (&#147;NYSE American&#148;) under the symbol &#147;ECF.&#148; On September&nbsp;13, 2017, the last reported sale
price of our common shares was $9.13. The net asset value of the Fund&#146;s common shares at the close of business on September&nbsp;13,&nbsp;2017 was $10.24 per share. As of the date hereof, the Fund has outstanding 12,869,252 common shares. As of
March&nbsp;31, 2017, the net assets of the Fund attributable to its common shares were $128,461,695. As of March&nbsp;31, 2017, the Fund had outstanding 12,876,498 common shares. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Securities Offered</B> </P></TD>
<TD>1,200,000&nbsp;shares of 5.25% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares (the &#147;Series A Preferred Shares&#148;). The Series A Preferred Shares will rank on parity with any future preferred shares and senior to our common shares with respect to
dividend and distribution rights and rights upon our liquidation. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Dividend Rate</B> </P></TD>
<TD>Dividends and distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares are cumulative from their original issue date at the annual rate of 5.25% of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference on the Series A Preferred Shares. </TD></TR></TABLE>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P></div><br clear="All"></div><br clear="All">

 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-5 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>


<div style ="BORDER-BOTTOM:1.00pt solid #000000;BORDER-LEFT:1.00pt solid #000000;BORDER-RIGHT:1.00pt solid #000000;BORDER-TOP:1.00pt solid #000000;MARGIN-LEFT:0px;MARGIN-RIGHT:0px;max-width:100%"><div style="width:97%; margin-top:1.5%; margin-left:1.5%; margin-right:-1.25%">


<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Dividend Payment Date</B> </P></TD>
<TD><B></B>Holders of Series A Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by, or under authority granted by, the Fund&#146;s Board of Trustees (the &#147;Board&#148;), out of funds legally available therefor, cumulative
cash dividends and distributions at the rate of 5.25% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference on the Series A Preferred Shares. Dividends and distributions will be paid quarterly on March&nbsp;26, June&nbsp;26, September&nbsp;26 and
December&nbsp;26 in each year, commencing on December&nbsp;26, 2017. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Liquidation Preference</B> </P></TD>
<TD>$25.00 per share. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Use of Proceeds</B> </P></TD>
<TD>The Fund estimates the total net proceeds of the offering to be $28,895,000, based on the public offering price of $25.00 per share and after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Fund will use the net proceeds from the offering of Series A Preferred Shares to purchase portfolio securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies. The Investment Adviser anticipates that the
investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund&#146;s investment objectives and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to be substantially completed within approximately three months
of the issue date. Pending such investment, the proceeds of the offering of the Series A Preferred Shares will be held in high quality short term debt securities and similar instruments. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">See &#147;Use of Proceeds.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Call</FONT> Period/Redemption</B> </P></TD>
<TD>The Series A Preferred Shares generally may not be called for redemption at the option of the Fund prior to September 18, 2022. The Fund reserves the right, however, to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares at any time if it is necessary, in the
judgment of the Board, to maintain its status as a regulated investment company (a &#147;RIC&#148;) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the &#147;Code&#148;). The Fund may also be required under certain circumstances
to redeem Series A Preferred Shares before or after September 18, 2022, in order to meet certain regulatory or rating agency asset coverage requirements. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Commencing September 18, 2022, and thereafter, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Delaware law, the Fund may at any time, upon notice of redemption, redeem the Series A Preferred Shares in whole or in part at
the liquidation preference per share plus accumulated unpaid dividends through the date of redemption. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Stock Exchange Listing</B> </P></TD>
<TD> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><B></B>Application has been made to list the Series A Preferred Shares on the NYSE American. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for
Series A Preferred Shares or any other series of preferred shares of the Fund. If the application is approved, it is anticipated that </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P></div><br clear="All"></div><br clear="All">

 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-6 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>


<div style ="BORDER-BOTTOM:1.00pt solid #000000;BORDER-LEFT:1.00pt solid #000000;BORDER-RIGHT:1.00pt solid #000000;BORDER-TOP:1.00pt solid #000000;MARGIN-LEFT:0px;MARGIN-RIGHT:0px;max-width:100%"><div style="width:97%; margin-top:1.5%; margin-left:1.5%; margin-right:-1.25%">


<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:0%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
trading on the NYSE American will begin within thirty days from the date of this Prospectus Supplement under the symbol &#147;ECF Pr A.&#148; Before the Series A Preferred Shares are listed on
the NYSE American, the underwriters may, but are not obligated to, make a market in Series A Preferred Shares. Consequently, it is anticipated that, prior to the commencement of trading on the NYSE American, an investment in Series A Preferred
Shares will be illiquid. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Taxation</B> </P></TD>
<TD>See &#147;Taxation&#148; in the accompanying Prospectus and SAI for a discussion of U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and holders of Series A Preferred Shares. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>ERISA</B> </P></TD>
<TD>See &#147;Certain Employee Benefit Plan and IRA Considerations.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Dividend Disbursing Agent</B> </P></TD>
<TD>American Stock Transfer&nbsp;&amp; Trust Company. </TD></TR></TABLE>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P></div><br clear="All"></div><br clear="All">

 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-7 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="supptoc453269_3"></A>DESCRIPTION OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following is a brief description of the terms of the Series A Preferred Shares. This is not a complete description and is subject to and
entirely qualified by reference to the Fund&#146;s Statement of Preferences for the Series A Preferred Shares (the &#147;Statement of Preferences&#148;). The Statement of Preferences will be attached as an exhibit to post-effective amendment number
1 to the Fund&#146;s registration statement. Copies may be obtained as described under &#147;Additional Information&#148; in the accompanying Prospectus. Any capitalized terms in this section and the &#147;Special Characteristics and Risks of the
Series A Preferred Shares&#148; section of this Prospectus Supplement that are not defined have the meaning assigned to them in the Statement of Preferences. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund&#146;s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the &#147;Declaration of Trust&#148;) provides that the Board may
authorize and issue classes of shares with designation rights and preferences as determined by the Board, by action of the Board without the approval of the holders of the common shares. Currently, an unlimited number of the Fund&#146;s shares are
available for classification by the Board as preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share. The Statement of Preferences authorizes the issuance of up to 1,200,000 Series A Preferred Shares. All Series A Preferred Shares will have a liquidation
preference of $25.00 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by, or under authority granted by, the Board, out of funds legally available therefor,
cumulative cash dividends and distributions at the rate of 5.25% per annum (computed on the basis of a 360 day year consisting of twelve 30 day months) of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference on the Series A Preferred Shares. Dividends and
distributions on Series A Preferred Shares will accumulate from the date of their original issue, which is expected to be September 18, 2017. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Series A Preferred Shares, when issued by the Fund and paid for pursuant to the terms of this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying
Prospectus, will be fully paid and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-assessable</FONT> and will have no preemptive, exchange or conversion rights. Any Series A Preferred Shares purchased or redeemed by the Fund will, after such purchase or
redemption, have the status of authorized but unissued preferred shares. The Board may by resolution classify or reclassify any authorized and unissued Series A Preferred Shares from time to time by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or
other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and distributions, and qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of such shares. So long as any Series A Preferred Shares are outstanding, the Fund may not, without the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares outstanding at the time, voting separately as one class, amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Statement of Preferences so as to in
the aggregate adversely affect the rights and preferences of any preferred shares of the Fund. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, in the event that more than one series of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares are outstanding, the Fund will not
effect any of the actions set forth in the preceding sentence which in the aggregate adversely affects the rights and preferences for a series of preferred shares differently than such rights and preferences for any other series of preferred shares
without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares outstanding of each series adversely affected (each such adversely affected series voting separately as a class to
the extent its rights are affected differently). The holders of the Series A Preferred Shares are not entitled to vote on any matter that affects the rights or interests of only one or more other series of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares. The Fund
will notify the relevant Rating Agency 10 Business Days prior to any such vote described above. Unless a higher percentage is required under the Governing Documents (as defined in the Statement of Preferences) or applicable provisions of the
Delaware Statutory Trust Act or the 1940 Act, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding preferred shares, including Series A Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, will be
required to approve any plan of reorganization adversely affecting the Fund&#146;s preferred shares or any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section&nbsp;13(a) of the 1940 Act. The class vote of holders of the Fund&#146;s preferred
shares described above will in each case be in addition to a separate vote of the requisite percentage of common shares and preferred shares, including Series A Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, necessary to authorize the action
in question. An increase in the number of authorized preferred shares pursuant to the Governing Documents or the </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-8 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
issuance of additional shares of any series of preferred shares (including Series A Preferred Shares) pursuant to the Governing Documents shall not in and of itself be considered to adversely
affect the rights and preferences of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Any dividend payment made on the Series A Preferred Shares will
first be credited against the dividends and distributions accumulated with respect to the earliest Dividend Period for which dividends and distributions have not been paid. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>The disclosure set forth in this Description of the Series A Preferred Shares and under the heading &#147;Special Characteristics and Risks
of the Series A Preferred Shares&#148; is intended to be a summary of the material provisions of the Series A Preferred Shares. Since this Description of the Series A Preferred Shares is only a summary, you should refer to the Statement of
Preferences for a complete description of the obligations of the Fund and your rights. The disclosure set forth in this Description of the Series A Preferred Shares and under the heading &#147;Special Characteristics and Risks of the Series A
Preferred Shares&#148; supplements the description of the preferred shares set forth under the caption &#147;Description of the Securities &#150; Preferred Shares&#148; in the accompanying Prospectus, and in the event that any provision described in
the disclosure set forth in this Description of the Series A Preferred Shares and under the heading &#147;Special Characteristics and Risks of the Series A Preferred Shares&#148; is inconsistent with any description contained in the accompanying
Prospectus, the disclosure set forth in this Description of the Series A Preferred Shares and under the heading &#147;Special Characteristics and Risks of the Series A Preferred Shares&#148; will apply and supersede the description in the
accompanying Prospectus. </I></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="supptoc453269_4"></A>USE OF PROCEEDS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund estimates the total net proceeds of the offering to be $28,895,000, based on the public offering price of $25.00 per Series A
Preferred Share and after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Investment Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund&#146;s investment objectives
and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to be substantially completed within approximately three months of the issue date. Pending such investment, the proceeds of the offering of the Series A Preferred
Shares will be held in high quality short term debt securities and similar instruments. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-9 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="supptoc453269_5"></A>CAPITALIZATION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following table sets forth (i)&nbsp;the audited capitalization of the Fund as of September&nbsp;30, 2016, (ii) the unaudited
capitalization of the Fund as of March&nbsp;31, 2017 and (iii)&nbsp;the unaudited adjusted capitalization of the Fund assuming the issuance of the 1,200,000 Series A Preferred Shares offered in this Prospectus Supplement and the use of proceeds
thereof. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="6" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>As of September&nbsp;30, 2016</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="6" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>As of March&nbsp;31, 2017</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Actual</B><br><B>(audited)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>As adjusted</B><br><B>(unaudited)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Actual</B><br><B>(unaudited)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>As adjusted</B><br><B>(unaudited)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Preferred shares, $0.01 par value per share, unlimited shares authorized</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(The &#147;Actual&#148; column reflects the Fund&#146;s outstanding capitalization as of
September&nbsp;30, 2016 and March&nbsp;31, 2017, respectfully; the &#147;As adjusted&#148; column assumes the issuance of 1,200,000 Series A Preferred Shares at $25.00 liquidation preference per share)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">30,000,000</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">30,000,000</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Shareholders&#146; equity applicable to common shares:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Common shares, $0.01&nbsp;par value per share; unlimited shares authorized</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(The &#147;Actual&#148; and &#147;As adjusted&#148; columns reflect the Fund&#146;s outstanding
capitalization of 12,910,353 and 12,876,498 common shares outstanding as of September&nbsp;30, 2016 and March&nbsp;31, 2017, respectfully)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">129,104</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">129,104</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">128,765</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">128,765</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Paid-in</FONT> surplus*</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">112,774,943</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">111,669,943</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">112,481,703</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">111,376,703</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Distributions in excess of net investment income</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(4,947,093</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(4,947,093</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(4,398,919</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(4,398,919</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Accumulated net realized gain on investments</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">3,419,400</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">3,419,400</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">4,122,493</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">4,122,493</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on investments</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">12,528,650</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">12,528,650</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">16,127,653</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">16,127,653</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net assets applicable to common shares</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">123,905,004</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">122,800,004</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">128,461,695</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">127,356,695</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Liquidation preference of preferred shares</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">30,000,000</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">30,000,000</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net assets, plus the liquidation preference of preferred shares</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">123,905,004</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">152,800,004</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">128,461,695</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">157,356,695</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">*</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">As adjusted <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">paid-in</FONT> surplus reflects a deduction for the estimated underwriting discounts of $945,000 and estimated offering costs of $160,000 for the Series A Preferred Shares.
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">For financial reporting purposes, the Fund will deduct the liquidation preference of its outstanding preferred shares from
&#147;net assets,&#148; so long as the senior securities have redemption features that are not solely within the control of the Fund. For all regulatory purposes, the Fund&#146;s preferred shares will be treated as equity (rather than debt). </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-10 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="supptoc453269_6"></A>DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following information regarding the Fund&#146;s authorized shares is as of the date hereof. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="84%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="64%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:44.80pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Title of Class</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Amount<BR>Authorized</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Amount<BR>Held by<BR>Fund or<BR>for its<BR>Account</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Amount<BR>Outstanding<BR>Exclusive of<BR>Amount<BR>Held by<BR>Fund</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Common Shares</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">Unlimited</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">12,869,252</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Series A Preferred Shares</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1,200,000</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Other Series of Preferred Shares</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">Unlimited</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="supptoc453269_7"></A>ASSET COVERAGE RATIO </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund generally will not be permitted to declare any dividend, or declare any other distribution, upon any
outstanding common shares, purchase any common shares, or issue preferred shares, unless, in every such case, all preferred shares issued by the Fund have at the time of declaration of any such dividend or distribution or at the time of any such
purchase or issuance an asset coverage of at least 200% (&#147;1940 Act Asset Coverage Requirement&#148;) after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase price, as the case may be. As of the date of this Prospectus Supplement,
all of the Fund&#146;s outstanding preferred shares are expected to have asset coverage on the date of issuance of the Series A Preferred Shares of approximately 539%. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition to the 1940 Act Asset Coverage Requirement, the Fund is expected to be subject to certain restrictions on investments imposed by
guidelines of one or more rating agencies that are expected to issue ratings for the Series A Preferred Shares. See &#147;Special Characteristics and Risks of the Series A Preferred Shares &#151; Risks &#151; Credit Rating Risk&#148; in this
Prospectus Supplement. As a condition of the underwriters&#146; obligation to purchase the Series A Preferred Shares, the Series A Preferred Shares must be rated at a minimum level by Moody&#146;s Investors Service, Inc. (&#147;Moody&#146;s&#148;).
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="supptoc453269_8"></A>SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Dividends </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Holders of Series A Preferred
Shares shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by, or under authority granted by, the Board, out of funds legally available therefor, cumulative cash dividends and distributions at the rate of 5.25% per annum (computed on the basis of
a 360 day year consisting of twelve 30 day months) of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference on the Series A Preferred Shares. Dividends and distributions on Series A Preferred Shares will accumulate from the date of their original issue, which
is expected to be September 18, 2017. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dividends and distributions will be payable quarterly on
March&nbsp;26,&nbsp;June&nbsp;26,&nbsp;September&nbsp;26 and December&nbsp;26 in each year (each a &#147;Dividend Payment Date&#148;) commencing on December&nbsp;26, 2017 (or, if any such day is not a business day, then on the next succeeding
business day) to holders of record of Series A Preferred Shares as they appear on the share register of the Fund at the close of business on the fifth preceding business day (each, a &#147;Record Date&#148;). Dividends and distributions on Series A
Preferred Shares that were originally issued on the Date of Original Issue (i.e., the Series A Preferred Shares to be issued in this offering) shall accumulate from the Date of Original Issue. Dividends and distributions on all other Series A
Preferred Shares (i.e., any additional Series A Preferred Shares that may be issued in future offerings) will accumulate from (i)&nbsp;the date on which such shares are originally issued if such date is a Dividend Payment Date, (ii)&nbsp;the
immediately preceding Dividend Payment Date if the date on which such shares are originally issued is other </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-11 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
than a Dividend Payment Date and is on or before a Record Date or (iii)&nbsp;the immediately following Dividend Payment Date if the date on which such shares are originally issued is during the
period between a Record Date and a Dividend Payment Date. Each period beginning on and including a Dividend Payment Date (or the date of original issue, in the case of the first dividend period after the first issuance of the Series A Preferred
Shares) and ending on but excluding the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date is referred to herein as a &#147;Dividend Period.&#148; Dividends and distributions on account of arrears for any past Dividend Period or in connection with the redemption
of Series A Preferred Shares may be declared and paid at any time, without reference to any Dividend Payment Date, to holders of record on such date as shall be fixed by the Board that is not more than 30&nbsp;days before the Dividend Payment Date.
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">No full dividends or distributions will be declared or paid on Series A Preferred Shares for any Dividend Period or part thereof unless
full cumulative dividends and distributions due through the most recent Dividend Payment Dates therefor on all outstanding shares of any series of preferred shares of the Fund ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Shares as to the payment
of dividends and distributions have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid through the most recent Dividend Payment Dates therefor. If full cumulative dividends and distributions due have not been paid on all of the Fund&#146;s outstanding
preferred shares, any dividends and distributions being paid on such preferred shares (including the Series A Preferred Shares) will be paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of dividends and distributions
accumulated but unpaid on each such series of preferred shares on the relevant Dividend Payment Date. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Restrictions on Issuance, Dividend, Redemption
and Other Payments </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue preferred shares (such as the Series A Preferred Shares)
unless immediately after such issuance the Fund will have an asset coverage of at least 200% (or such other percentage as may in the future be specified in or under the 1940 Act as the minimum asset coverage for senior securities representing stock
of a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> investment company as a condition of declaring distributions, purchases or redemptions of its stock). In general, the term &#147;asset coverage&#148; for this purpose means the ratio which the
value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness of the Fund plus the aggregate of the involuntary
liquidation preference of the preferred shares. The involuntary liquidation preference refers to the amount to which the preferred shares would be entitled on the involuntary liquidation of the Fund in preference to a security junior to them. The
Fund also is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its common shares or purchase its common shares unless, at the time of such declaration or purchase, the Fund satisfies this 200% asset coverage requirement after
deducting the amount of the dividend, distribution or purchase price, as applicable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, the Fund may be limited in its ability
to declare any cash distribution on its shares (including the Series A Preferred Shares) or purchase its capital stock (including the Series A Preferred Shares) unless, at the time of such declaration or purchase, the Fund has an asset coverage on
its indebtedness, if any, of at least 300% after deducting the amount of such distribution or purchase price, as applicable. The 1940 Act contains an exception, however, that permits dividends to be declared upon any preferred shares issued by the
Fund (including the Series A Preferred Shares) if the Fund&#146;s indebtedness has an asset coverage of at least 200% at the time of declaration after deducting the amount of the dividend. In general, the term &#147;asset coverage&#148; for this
purpose means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness of the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The term &#147;senior security&#148; does not include any promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness in any case where such a loan is
for temporary purposes only and in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund at the time when the loan is made. A loan is presumed under the 1940 Act to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is
not extended or renewed; otherwise it is presumed not to be for temporary purposes. For purposes of determining whether the 200% and 300% asset coverage </P>
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requirements described above apply in connection with dividends or distributions on or purchases or redemptions of Series A Preferred Shares, the asset coverages may be calculated on the basis of
values calculated as of a time within 48 hours (not including Sundays or holidays) next preceding the time of the applicable determination. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition to those circumstances described in the accompanying Prospectus under &#147;Description of the Securities &#151; Preferred Shares
&#151; Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions for the Preferred Shares,&#148; the Fund may not pay any dividend or distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in common shares or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe
for or purchase common shares) in respect of the common shares or call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any common shares (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of the Fund ranking junior to the
preferred shares as to the payment of dividends or distributions and the distribution of assets upon liquidation), unless after making the distribution, the Fund meets applicable asset coverage requirements described under &#147;&#151;Rating Agency
Guidelines&#148; below. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Voting Rights </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Except as otherwise provided in the Fund&#146;s Governing Documents (including the Statement of Preferences) or a resolution of the Board, or
as required by applicable law, holders of Series A Preferred Shares will have no power to vote on any matter except matters submitted to a vote of the Fund&#146;s common shares. In any matter submitted to a vote of the holders of the common shares,
each holder of Series A Preferred Shares will be entitled to one vote for each Series A Preferred Share held and the holders of the outstanding preferred shares of the Fund, including Series A Preferred Shares, and the common shares will vote
together as a single class; provided, however, that the holders of the outstanding preferred shares of the Fund, including Series A Preferred Shares, shall be entitled, as a separate class, to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities and
classes of capital shares of the Fund, to elect two of the Fund&#146;s Trustees. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">During any period in which any one or more of the
conditions described below shall exist (such period being referred to herein as a &#147;Voting Period&#148;), the number and/or composition of Trustees constituting the Board will be automatically adjusted as necessary to permit the holders of
outstanding preferred shares of the Fund, including the Series A Preferred Shares, voting separately as one class (to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of capital shares of the Fund) to elect the number of Trustees
that, when added to the two Trustees elected exclusively by the holders of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares as described in the above paragraph, would constitute a simple majority of the Board as so adjusted. The Fund and the Board will take all
necessary actions, including effecting the removal of Trustees or amendment of the Declaration of Trust, to effect an adjustment of the number and/or composition of Trustees as described in the preceding sentence. A Voting Period shall commence:
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(i)&nbsp;if at any time accumulated dividends and distributions (whether or not earned or declared, and whether or not funds are then
legally available in an amount sufficient therefor) on the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares equal to at least two full years&#146; dividends and distributions shall be due and unpaid and sufficient cash or specified securities shall not have
been deposited with American Stock Transfer&nbsp;&amp; Trust Company and its successors or any other dividend disbursing agent appointed by the Fund for the payment of such accumulated dividends and distributions;&nbsp;or </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(ii)&nbsp;if at any time holders of any other preferred shares of the Fund are entitled to elect a majority of the Trustees of the Fund under
the 1940 Act or statement of preferences creating such shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Additional voting rights are described in &#147;Description of the Series
A Preferred Shares.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Rating Agency Guidelines </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund anticipates Moody&#146;s will initially rate the Series A Preferred Shares. The Fund expects that it will be required under the
applicable rating agency guidelines to maintain assets having in the aggregate a discounted value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount (as defined in the Statement of Preferences) for its </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-13 </P>


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outstanding preferred shares, including the Series A Preferred Shares. To the extent any particular portfolio holding does not satisfy the applicable rating agency&#146;s guidelines, all or a
portion of such holding&#146;s value will not be included in the calculation of discounted value (as defined by such rating agency). The Moody&#146;s guidelines also impose certain diversification requirements and industry concentration limitations
on the Fund&#146;s overall portfolio, and apply specified discounts to securities held by the Fund (except certain money market securities). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If the value of the Fund&#146;s assets, as discounted in accordance with the rating agency guidelines, is less than the Basic Maintenance
Amount, the Fund is required to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cure such failure. If the Fund does not cure in a timely manner a failure to maintain a discounted value of its portfolio equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount in accordance
with the requirements of the applicable rating agency or agencies then rating the Fund&#146;s preferred shares, including the Series A Preferred Shares, at the request of the Fund, the Fund will be required to mandatorily redeem its preferred
shares, including the Series A Preferred Shares, as described below under &#147;&#151;Redemption.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Any rating agency providing a
rating for the Fund&#146;s preferred shares, including the Series A Preferred Shares, at the request of the Fund may, at any time, change or withdraw any such rating. The Board, without further action by the Fund&#146;s shareholders, may amend,
alter, add to or repeal any provision of the statements of preferences for the preferred shares, including the Statement of Preferences for the Series A Preferred Shares, that has been adopted by the Fund pursuant to the rating agency guidelines or
add covenants and other obligations of the Fund to the statements of preferences, if the applicable rating agency confirms that such amendments or modifications are necessary to prevent a reduction in, or the withdrawal of, a rating of the
Fund&#146;s preferred shares, including the Series A Preferred Shares, and such amendments and modifications do not adversely affect the rights and preferences of and are in the aggregate in the best interests of the holders of the Fund&#146;s
preferred shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As described by Moody&#146;s or any other rating agency then rating a series of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares at the
Fund&#146;s request, the ratings assigned to each series of preferred shares, including the Series A Preferred Shares, are assessments of the capacity and willingness of the Fund to pay the obligations of each such series. The ratings on these
series of preferred shares are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell shares of any series, inasmuch as the ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The rating agency guidelines also do not address
the likelihood that an owner of preferred shares will be able to sell such shares on an exchange, in an auction or otherwise. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Moody&#146;s or any other rating agency then rating a series of
the Fund&#146;s preferred shares at the Fund&#146;s request by the Fund and the Investment Adviser and information obtained from other sources. The ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of,
such information. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A rating agency&#146;s guidelines apply to each series of preferred shares, including the Series A Preferred Shares,
only so long as such rating agency is rating such series at the request of the Fund. The Fund will pay fees to Moody&#146;s for rating the Series A Preferred Shares. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Redemption </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Mandatory
Redemption.</I>&nbsp;Under certain circumstances, the Series A Preferred Shares will be subject to mandatory redemption by the Fund out of funds legally available therefor in accordance with the Statement of Preferences and applicable law. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If the Fund fails to have asset coverage, as determined in accordance with Section&nbsp;18(h) of the 1940 Act, of at least 200% with respect
to all outstanding senior securities of the Fund which are stock, including all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares (or such other asset coverage as may in the future be specified in or under the 1940 Act as the minimum asset coverage for senior
securities which are stock of a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> investment company as a condition of declaring dividends on its common stock), as of the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year in
which any Series A Preferred Shares are outstanding, and such failure </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-14 </P>


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is not cured as of the cure date specified in the Statement of Preferences (49 days following such Business Day), (i)&nbsp;the Fund shall give a notice of redemption with respect to the
redemption of a sufficient number of its preferred shares, which at the Fund&#146;s determination (to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Delaware law) may include any proportion of Series A Preferred Shares, to enable it to meet such asset
coverage requirements, and, at the Fund&#146;s discretion, such additional number of Series A Preferred Shares or any other series of preferred shares in order for the Fund to have asset coverage with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares and any
other series of preferred shares of the Fund remaining outstanding after such redemption of as great as 220%, and (ii)&nbsp;deposit an amount with American Stock Transfer&nbsp;&amp; Trust Company, and its successors or any other dividend-disbursing
agent appointed by the Fund, having an initial combined value sufficient to effect the redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares or other series of preferred shares to be redeemed. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If the Fund is required to redeem any preferred shares (including Series A Preferred Shares) as a result of a failure to maintain such minimum
1940 Act asset coverage as of an applicable cure date, then the Fund shall, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Delaware law, by the close of business on such cure date fix a redemption date that is on or before the 30<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">th</SUP> Business Day after such cure date and proceed to redeem the preferred shares, including the Series A Preferred Shares. The Fund may fix a redemption date that is after the 30<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">th</SUP> Business Day after such cure date if the Board determines, in good faith, that extraordinary market conditions exist as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not
reasonably practicable, or is not reasonably practicable at fair value. On such redemption date, the Fund shall redeem, out of funds legally available therefor, (i)&nbsp;the number of its preferred shares, which, to the extent permitted by the 1940
Act and Delaware law, at the option of the Fund may include any proportion of Series A Preferred Shares or shares of any other series of preferred shares of the Fund, is equal to the minimum number of shares the redemption of which, if such
redemption had occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on such cure date, would have resulted in the Fund having asset coverage immediately prior to the opening of business on such cure date in compliance with the 1940 Act or
(ii)&nbsp;if asset coverage cannot be so restored, all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, in each case at a price equal to $25.00 per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends and distributions (whether or not earned or declared by the
Fund) through and including the date of redemption. In addition, as reflected above, the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem an additional number of preferred shares (including Series A Preferred Shares) which, when aggregated with all other
preferred shares redeemed by the Fund, permits the Fund to have with respect to the preferred shares (including Series A Preferred Shares) remaining outstanding after such redemption a 1940 Act asset coverage of as great as 220%. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Similarly, as reflected above under &#147;&#151;Rating Agency Guidelines,&#148; so long as Moody&#146;s or another rating agency is rating the
Fund&#146;s preferred shares (including the Series A Preferred Shares) at the request of the Fund, the Fund will be required to maintain, on the last Business Day of each month, assets having in the aggregate a discounted value at least equal to the
Basic Maintenance Amount. So long as Moody&#146;s or another rating agency is rating the Fund&#146;s preferred shares (including the Series A Preferred Shares) at the request of the Fund, if the Fund fails to have assets having in the aggregate a
discounted value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount as of the last Business Day of any month, and such failure is not cured as of the cure date specified in the Statement of Preferences (10 Business Days following such Business Day), the
Fund shall similarly follow the redemption protocol summarized above to restore compliance with the Basic Maintenance Amount, and the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem an additional number of preferred shares (including Series A Preferred
Shares) which, when aggregated with all other preferred shares redeemed by the Fund, permits the Fund to have with respect to the preferred shares (including Series A Preferred Shares) remaining outstanding after such redemption assets having in the
aggregate a discounted value equal to as great as 110% of the Basic Maintenance Amount. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Optional Redemption.</I> Prior to September
18, 2022, the Series A Preferred Shares are not subject to optional redemption by the Fund unless the redemption is necessary, in the judgment of the Board, to maintain the Fund&#146;s status as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. Commencing
September 18, 2022, and thereafter, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Delaware law, the Fund may at any time upon notice in the manner provided in </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-15 </P>


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the Statement of Preferences redeem the Series A Preferred Shares in whole or in part at a price equal to the liquidation preference per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends and
distributions through and including the date of redemption. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Redemption Procedures.</I> Redemptions of Series A Preferred Shares will
be made subject to the procedures described in the Prospectus under &#147;Description of the Securities &#151; Preferred Shares &#151; Redemption Procedures,&#148; except that a notice of redemption with respect to an optional redemption will be
given to the holders of record of Series A Preferred Shares selected for redemption not less than 15 days (subject to NYSE American requirements), nor more than 40 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Holders of Series A Preferred Shares may
receive shorter notice in the event of a mandatory redemption. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Liquidation </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Fund, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Series
A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders, after satisfying claims of creditors but before any distribution or payment shall be made in respect of the Fund&#146;s common
shares or any other shares of the Fund ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to liquidation payments, a liquidation distribution in the amount of $25.00 per share (the &#147;Liquidation Preference&#148;), plus an amount equal to all
unpaid dividends and distributions accumulated to and including the date fixed for such distribution or payment (whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but excluding interest thereon), and such holders shall be entitled to no further
participation in any distribution or payment in connection with any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If, upon any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Fund, whether voluntary or involuntary, the assets of the Fund available for distribution among the holders of all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and all outstanding shares of any
other series of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Shares as to payment upon liquidation shall be insufficient to permit the payment in full to such holders of Series A Preferred Shares of the
Liquidation Preference plus accumulated and unpaid dividends and distributions and the amounts due upon liquidation with respect to all outstanding shares of such other series of preferred shares of the Fund, then such available assets shall be
distributed among the holders of Series A Preferred Shares and such other series of preferred shares of the Fund ratably in proportion to the respective preferential liquidation amounts to which they are entitled. Unless and until the Liquidation
Preference plus accumulated and unpaid dividends and distributions has been paid in full to the holders of Series A Preferred Shares, no dividends or distributions will be made to holders of the Fund&#146;s common shares or any other shares of the
Fund ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to liquidation. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Stock Exchange Listing </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Application has been made to list the Series A Preferred Shares on the NYSE American. If the application is approved, the Series A Preferred
Shares are expected to commence trading on the NYSE American under the symbol &#147;ECF Pr A&#148; within thirty days of the date of issuance. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Risks
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Risk is inherent in all investing. Therefore, before investing in the Series A Preferred Shares you should consider the risks
carefully. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#148; in the accompanying Prospectus. Primary risks associated with an investment in the Series A Preferred Shares include: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Market Price Risk.</I> The market price for the Series A Preferred Shares will be influenced by changes in interest rates, the perceived
credit quality of the Series A Preferred Shares and other factors, and may be higher or lower than the liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Shares. There is currently no market for the Series A Preferred Shares of the Fund. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-16 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Liquidity Risk.</I> Currently, there is no public market for the Series A Preferred Shares of
the Fund. As noted above, an application has been made to list the Series A Preferred Shares on the NYSE American. However, during an initial period which is not expected to exceed thirty days after the date of its issuance, the Series A Preferred
Shares will not be listed on any securities exchange. Before the Series A Preferred Shares are listed on the NYSE American, the underwriters may, but are not obligated to, make a market in the Series A Preferred Shares. No assurances can be provided
that listing on any securities exchange or market making by the underwriters will occur or will result in the market for Series A Preferred Shares being liquid at any time. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Redemption Risk.</I> The Fund may at any time redeem Series A Preferred Shares to the extent necessary to meet regulatory asset coverage
requirements or requirements imposed by credit rating agencies. For example, if the value of the Fund&#146;s investment portfolio declines, thereby reducing the asset coverage for the Series A Preferred Shares, the Fund may be obligated under the
terms of the Series A Preferred Shares to redeem some or all of the Series A Preferred Shares. In addition, commencing September 18, 2022, the Fund will be able to call the Series A Preferred Shares at the option of the Fund. Investors may not be
able to reinvest the proceeds of any redemption in an investment providing the same or a higher dividend rate than that of the Series A Preferred Shares. Precipitous declines in the value of the Fund&#146;s assets could result in the Fund having
insufficient assets to redeem all of the Series A Preferred Shares for the full redemption price. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Subordination Risk. </I>The Series A
Preferred Shares are not a debt obligation of the Fund. The Series A Preferred Shares are junior in respect of distributions and liquidation preference to any indebtedness incurred by the Fund, and will have the same priority with respect to payment
of dividends and distributions and liquidation preference as any other preferred shares that the Fund may issue. The Series A Preferred Shares are subject to greater credit risk than any of the Fund&#146;s debt instruments, which would be of higher
priority in the Fund&#146;s capital structure. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Credit Rating Risk.</I> The Fund is seeking a credit rating on the Series A Preferred
Shares. Any credit rating that is issued on the Series A Preferred Shares could be reduced or withdrawn while an investor holds Series A Preferred Shares. A reduction or withdrawal of the credit rating would likely have an adverse effect on the
market value of the Series A Preferred Shares. In addition, a credit rating does not eliminate or mitigate the risks of investing in the Series A Preferred Shares. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Distribution Risk.</I> The Fund may not meet the asset coverage requirements or earn sufficient income from its investments to make
distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Interest Rate Risk</I>. The Series A Preferred Shares pay dividends at a fixed rate.
Prices of fixed income investments tend to vary inversely with changes in market yields. The market yields on securities comparable to the Series A Preferred Shares may increase, which would likely result in a decline in the value of the Series A
Preferred Shares. Additionally, if interest rates rise, securities comparable to the Series A Preferred Shares may pay higher dividend rates and holders of the Series A Preferred Shares may not be able to sell the Series A Preferred Shares at their
liquidation preference and reinvest the proceeds at market rates. Market interest rates recently have been significantly below historical average rates, which may increase the risk that these rates will rise in the future. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-17 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="supptoc453269_9"></A>CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN AND IRA CONSIDERATIONS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the purchase of the Series A Preferred Shares by employee benefit plans
that are subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (&#147;ERISA&#148;), plans, individual retirement accounts (&#147;IRAs&#148;) and other arrangements that are subject to Section&nbsp;4975 of the Code,
and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include &#147;plan assets&#148; of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a &#147;Benefit Plan&#148;). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Benefit Plan and prohibit certain transactions involving the
assets of a Benefit Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of such a Benefit Plan or the management or disposition of
the assets of such a Benefit Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to such a Benefit Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the Benefit Plan. Moreover, governmental plans (as defined in Section&nbsp;3(32)
of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section&nbsp;3(33) of ERISA), and foreign plans (as described in Section&nbsp;4(b)(4) of ERISA) (each such governmental, church and foreign plan referred to as a
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;Non-ERISA</FONT> Plan,&#148; and together with Benefit Plans, referred to herein as &#147;Plans&#148;), are not subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of Title I of ERISA or Section&nbsp;4975 of the
Code, but may be subject to state, federal or other laws or regulations substantively similar to such portions of ERISA or Section&nbsp;4975 of the Code (&#147;Similar Law&#148;). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In considering an investment in the Series A Preferred Shares of a portion of the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary or other person considering
the investment should determine whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, Section&nbsp;4975 of the Code and Similar Law including, without limitation, the
prudence, diversification, delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and the Code. The purchase of Series A Preferred Shares by a fiduciary for a Plan should be considered in light of such requirements. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, Section&nbsp;406 of ERISA and Section&nbsp;4975 of the Code prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of a Benefit Plan
and certain persons (referred to as &#147;parties in interest&#148; for purposes of ERISA and &#147;disqualified persons&#148; for purposes of the Code) having certain relationships to such Benefit Plans, unless a statutory or administrative
exemption is applicable to the transaction. A party in interest or disqualified person who engaged in a nonexempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and/or the Code (or with respect
to certain Benefit Plans, such as IRAs, a prohibited transaction may cause the Benefit Plan to lose its <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-exempt</FONT> status). In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued certain prohibited
transaction class exemptions (&#147;PTCEs&#148;) that may apply to the purchase of the Series A Preferred Shares. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">84-14</FONT> respecting transactions
determined by independent qualified professional asset managers, PTCE <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">90-1</FONT> respecting insurance company pooled separate accounts, PTCE <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">91-38</FONT> respecting bank collective
investment funds, PTCE <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">95-60</FONT> respecting life insurance company general accounts and PTCE <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">96-23</FONT> respecting transactions determined by
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">in-house</FONT> asset managers, PTCE <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">84-24</FONT> respecting purchases of shares in investment companies) and PTCE <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">75-1</FONT> respecting sales of
securities. In addition, Section&nbsp;408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section&nbsp;4975(d)(20) of the Code each provides a limited exemption, commonly referred to as the &#147;service provider exemption,&#148; from the prohibited transaction provisions of
ERISA and Section&nbsp;4975 of the Code for certain transactions between a Benefit Plan and a person that is a party in interest and/or a disqualified person (other than a fiduciary or an affiliate that, directly or indirectly, has or exercises any
discretionary authority or control or renders any investment advice with respect to the assets of any Benefit Plan involved in the transaction) solely by reason of providing services to the Benefit Plan or by relationship to a service provider,
provided that the Benefit Plan neither receives less, nor pays more, than adequate consideration. Each of the above-noted exemptions contains conditions and limitations on its application. Fiduciaries of Benefit Plans considering acquiring the
Series A Preferred Shares in reliance on these exemptions or any other exemption should carefully review the exemption to assure it is applicable. There can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions or any other exemption
will be satisfied at the time that the Series A Preferred Shares are acquired, or thereafter while the Series A Preferred Shares are held. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-18 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all inclusive. Due to the
complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-exempt</FONT> prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries, or other persons considering
purchasing the Series A Preferred Shares on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section&nbsp;4975 of the Code and Similar Law to such investment and whether an
exemption would be applicable to the purchase and holding of the Series A Preferred Shares and whether the purchase and holding of Series A Preferred Shares otherwise will be in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, Section&nbsp;4975
of the Code and Similar Law. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">By its acquisition of a Series A Preferred Share, each purchaser will be deemed to represent and warrant
that either (i)&nbsp;the purchaser is not acquiring or holding such Series A Preferred Share or an interest therein with the assets of a Plan or (ii)&nbsp;neither the purchase nor the holding (nor disposition) of such Series A Preferred Share or an
interest therein by such purchaser will result in a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-exempt</FONT> prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section&nbsp;4975 of the Code or a similar violation under any applicable Similar Laws. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Further, if the purchaser is a Benefit Plan, such purchaser or subsequent transferee will be deemed to have represented and warranted that
(1)&nbsp;none of the Fund, Morgan Stanley &amp; Co. LLC (&#147;Morgan Stanley&#148;) or any of their respective affiliates (&#147;Transaction Parties&#148;) has acted as the Benefit Plan&#146;s fiduciary (within the meaning of ERISA or the Code), or
has been relied upon for any advice, with respect to the purchaser or transferee&#146;s decision to acquire the Series A Preferred Shares, and none of the Transaction Parties shall at any time be relied upon as the Benefit Plan&#146;s fiduciary with
respect to any decision to acquire, continue to hold or transfer the Series A Preferred Shares, and (2)&nbsp;the decision to purchase the Series A Preferred Shares has been made by a duly authorized fiduciary of the Benefit Plan that (i)&nbsp;is
independent (as that term is used in 29 C.F.R. <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">2510.3-21(c)(1),</FONT> as amended from time to time (the &#147;Fiduciary Rule&#148;)) of the Transaction Parties and there is no financial interest, ownership interest,
or other relationship, agreement or understanding or otherwise that would limit its ability to carry out its fiduciary responsibility to the Benefit Plan; (ii)&nbsp;is a bank, insurance carrier, registered investment adviser, a registered
broker-dealer, or an independent fiduciary that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50&nbsp;million (in each case, as specified in the Fiduciary Rule); (iii) is capable of evaluating investment risks independently,
both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including, without limitation, with respect to the decision to invest in the Series A Preferred Shares); (iv) has been fairly informed that the Transaction Parties
have not and will not undertake to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the purchase of the Series A Preferred Shares; (v)&nbsp;has been fairly informed that the Transaction Parties have
financial interests in the Benefit Plan&#146;s purchase of the Series A Preferred Shares, which interests may conflict with the interest of the Benefit Plan; (vi) is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the decision to
purchase the Series A Preferred Shares and is responsible for exercising (and has exercised) independent judgment in evaluating whether to invest the assets of such Benefit Plan in the Series A Preferred Shares; and (vii)&nbsp;is not paying any
Transaction Party, any fee or other compensation directly for the provision of investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Benefit Plan&#146;s purchase of the Series A Preferred Shares. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The sale of Series A Preferred Shares to a Plan is in no respect a recommendation by the Fund, Morgan Stanley or any of their respective
affiliates with respect to whether any Plan should acquire Series A Preferred Shares or that that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by Plans generally or any particular Plan or that such an
investment is appropriate for Plans generally or any particular Plan. Each purchaser and holder of the Series A Preferred Shares has exclusive responsibility for ensuring that its purchase, holding and subsequent disposition of the Series A
Preferred Shares does not violate the fiduciary or prohibited transaction rules of ERISA, the Code or any applicable Similar Laws. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-19 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="supptoc453269_10"></A>UNDERWRITING </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Morgan Stanley&nbsp;&amp; Co. LLC is acting as representative of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in an underwriting agreement among the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the underwriters, the Fund has agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Fund, the
number of Series A Preferred Shares set forth opposite its name below. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="68%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="74%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="13%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:43.10pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Underwriter</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Number&nbsp;of</B><br><B>Series&nbsp;A&nbsp;Preferred</B><br><B>Shares</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Morgan Stanley&nbsp;&amp; Co. LLC</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1,080,000</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">G.research, LLC</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">120,000</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Total</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1,200,000</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:3.00px double #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:3.00px double #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed,
severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the Series A Preferred Shares sold pursuant to the underwriting agreement if any of the Series A Preferred Shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the
purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund and the
Investment Adviser have each agreed to indemnify the underwriters and their controlling persons against certain liabilities in connection with this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to
payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The underwriters are offering the Series A Preferred
Shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the Series A Preferred Shares, and other conditions contained in the underwriting
agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer&#146;s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We expect that delivery of the Series A Preferred Shares will be made against payment therefor on or about the third business day following
the date of confirmation of orders with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares (this settlement cycle being referred to as &#145;&#145;T+3&#146;&#146;). Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary
market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade prior to the delivery of the Series A Preferred Shares hereunder on the date
hereof will be required, by virtue of the fact that the Series A Preferred Shares initially settle in T+3, to specify an alternative settlement arrangement at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of Series A
Preferred Shares who wish to trade the Series A Preferred Shares prior to their date of delivery hereunder should consult their own advisors. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Commissions and Discounts </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The
representative has advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the Series A Preferred Shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement and to certain dealers at such price
less a concession not in excess of $0.50 per share. Any underwriter may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $0.45 per share to other underwriters or to certain dealers. After the initial offering, the public offering
price, concession or any other term of the offering may be changed. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting
discount, are estimated at $160,000 and are payable by the Fund. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-20 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>No Sales of Similar Securities </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund and the Investment Adviser have agreed that the Fund will not, for a period of 90 days from the date of this Prospectus Supplement,
without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley&nbsp;&amp; Co. LLC, directly or indirectly, issue, sell, offer to contract or grant any option to sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of, any of its preferred shares or securities
exchangeable for or convertible into its preferred shares, except for the Series A Preferred Shares sold to the underwriters pursuant to the underwriting agreement. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>NYSE American </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Application has been made
to list the Series A Preferred Shares on the NYSE American. Prior to the offering, there has been no public market for the Series A Preferred Shares or any other series of preferred shares of the Fund. If the application is approved, the Series A
Preferred Shares are expected to commence trading on the NYSE American under the symbol &#147;ECF Pr A&#148; within thirty days of the date of issuance. Before the Series A Preferred Shares are listed on the NYSE American, the underwriters may, but
are not obligated to, make a market in the Series A Preferred Shares. Consequently, it is anticipated that, prior to the commencement of trading on the NYSE American, an investment in Series A Preferred Shares will be illiquid. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If a secondary trading market develops prior to the commencement of trading on the NYSE American, holders of the Series A Preferred Shares may
be able to sell such shares; however, such shares may trade at discounts from the liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Price
Stabilization, Short Positions </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Until the distribution of the Series A Preferred Shares is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters
and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing the Series A Preferred Shares. However, the representative may engage in transactions that have the effect of stabilizing the price of the Series A Preferred Shares, such as purchases and
other activities that peg, fix or maintain that price. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell Series A
Preferred Shares in the open market. These transactions may include short sales and purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of Series A Preferred
Shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. The underwriters must close out any short position by purchasing Series A Preferred Shares in the open market. A short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned
that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Series A Preferred Shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The underwriters may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when
the representative repurchases Series A Preferred Shares originally sold by that syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters&#146; purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or
maintaining the market price of the Series A Preferred Shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Series A Preferred Shares. As a result, the price of the Series A Preferred Shares may be higher than the price that might
otherwise exist in the open market. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">None of the Fund, the Investment Adviser or any of the underwriters makes any representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the Series A Preferred Shares. In addition, none of the Fund, the Investment Adviser or any of the underwriters makes any
representation that the representative will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-21 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Electronic Distribution </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In connection with this offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">e-mail.</FONT> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Other Relationships </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial
dealings in the ordinary course of business with the Fund, the Investment Adviser or their respective affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of
investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities
may involve securities and/or instruments of the Fund, the Investment Adviser or their respective affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in
respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund anticipates that, from time to time, certain underwriters may act as brokers or dealers in connection with the execution of the
Fund&#146;s portfolio transactions after they have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, may act as brokers while they are underwriters. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>G.research, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Institutional Services Holdings, LLC, which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Associated Capital Group, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, which is, in turn, indirectly majority-owned by Mario J. Gabelli. As a result of these relationships, Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli is a &#147;controlling person&#148; of G.research, LLC.
</I></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The principal business address of Morgan Stanley&nbsp;&amp; Co. LLC is 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036. The principal
business address of G.research, LLC is One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="supptoc453269_11"></A>LEGAL MATTERS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Certain legal matters will be passed on by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher&nbsp;&amp; Flom LLP, New York, New&nbsp;York, our counsel in
connection with the offering of the Series A Preferred Shares. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Simpson Thacher&nbsp;&amp; Bartlett LLP, New York, New York. Simpson Thacher&nbsp;&amp;
Bartlett LLP may rely as to certain matters of Delaware law on the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher&nbsp;
&amp; Flom LLP. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="supptoc453269_12"></A>FINANCIAL STATEMENTS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The audited financial statements included in the annual report to the Fund&#146;s shareholders for the year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016,
together with the report of Tait, Weller&nbsp;&amp; Baker LLP thereon, are incorporated by reference into the SAI. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The unaudited
financial statements included in the semiannual report to the Fund&#146;s shareholders for the six months ended March&nbsp;31, 2017 are incorporated by reference into the SAI. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P-22 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>BASE PROSPECTUS dated August 31, 2017 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>$100,000,000 </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Ellsworth
Growth and Income Fund Ltd. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Common Shares </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Preferred Shares </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Notes
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Subscription Rights to Purchase Common Shares </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Subscription Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Subscription Rights to Purchase Common and Preferred Shares </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Investment Objectives</I>. Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (the &#147;Fund&#148;) is a diversified,
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> management investment company, organized as a Delaware statutory trust, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the &#147;1940 Act&#148;). Gabelli Funds, LLC (the
&#147;Investment Adviser&#148;) serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Previously, Dinsmore Capital Management Co. (&#147;Dinsmore Capital&#148;) served as the Fund&#146;s investment adviser. Gabelli Funds, LLC became the Fund&#146;s investment
adviser in connection with a strategic alliance agreement pursuant to which former personnel of Dinsmore Capital joined the newly established Dinsmore Group of Gabelli Funds, LLC. The Fund invests primarily in convertible securities with the
objectives of providing income and the potential for capital appreciation (which objectives the Fund considers to be relatively equal, over the long term, due to the nature of the securities in which it invests). Under normal market conditions, the
Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in convertible securities (that is, bonds, debentures, corporate notes or preferred stock that are convertible into common stock) and common stock received upon conversion or exchange of securities
and retained in the Fund&#146;s portfolio to permit orderly disposition or to establish long-term holding periods for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Fund may invest in convertible securities rated below investment grade by the established
rating services (&#147;Ba&#148; or lower by Moody&#146;s Investors Service, Inc. (&#147;Moody&#146;s&#148;) or &#147;BB&#148; or lower by Standard&nbsp;&amp; Poor&#146;s Ratings Services (&#147;Standard&nbsp;&amp; Poor&#146;s&#148; or
&#147;S&amp;P&#148;)) or in unrated securities which are in the judgment of the Fund&#146;s investment adviser of equivalent quality. Securities rated below investment grade, commonly referred to as &#147;junk bonds&#148; or &#147;high yield&#148;
securities, are predominantly speculative, involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions and include securities of issuers in default, which are likely to have the lowest rating. The Fund is not required to sell securities for the purpose of
assuring that 65% of its total assets are invested in convertible securities. Under normal market conditions, the remainder of the Fund&#146;s total assets may be invested in other securities, including
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-convertible</FONT> equity and debt securities, options, warrants, U.S. government or agency obligations, or repurchase agreements, or they may be held as cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may invest in
non-convertible equity securities of any market capitalization. The Fund does not intend to participate in derivative transactions other than options transactions as described in this Prospectus. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all
investors. We cannot assure you that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We may offer, from time to time, in one or more
offerings, our common and/or fixed rate preferred shares, each with a par value $0.01 per share (together, &#147;shares&#148;), our promissory notes (&#147;notes&#148;), and/or our subscription&nbsp;rights to purchase our common and/or fixed rate
preferred shares, which we refer to collectively as the &#147;securities.&#148; Securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each, a &#147;Prospectus Supplement&#148;). You should
read this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in our securities. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Our securities may be
offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale
of our securities, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters, or among our underwriters, and the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The Prospectus Supplement relating
to any sale of preferred shares will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-call</FONT> period and other matters. The Prospectus
Supplement relating to any sale of notes will set forth the principal amount, interest rate, interest payment dates, maturities, prepayment protection (if any) and other matters. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any&nbsp;offering of
subscription rights will set forth the number of common and/or preferred shares issuable upon the exercise of each right and the other terms of such rights offering. We may offer subscription rights for common shares, preferred shares or common and
preferred shares. We may not sell any of our securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the particular offering of our securities. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Our common shares are listed on the NYSE American LLC (the &#147;NYSE American&#148;) under the symbol &#147;ECF.&#148; On August 21, 2017,
the last reported sale price of our common shares was $8.90. The net asset value of the Fund&#146;s common shares at the close of business on August 21, 2017, was $9.91 per share. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Shares of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> funds often trade at a discount from net asset value. This creates a risk of
loss for an investor purchasing shares in a public offering. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Investing in the Fund&#146;s securities involves risks. See &#147;<A HREF="#pro453269_7">Risk
 Factors and Special Considerations</A>&#148; beginning on page 43, &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Special Risks to Holders of Common Shares&#148; beginning on page 63, and &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Special
 Risks of Notes to Holders of Preferred Shares&#148; beginning on page 66, for factors that should be considered before investing in securities of the Fund, including risks related to a leveraged capital structure. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or
determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Prospectus may
not be used to consummate sales of securities by us through agents, underwriters or dealers unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Prospectus, together with an applicable Prospectus Supplement, sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that a prospective
investor should know before investing. You should read this Prospectus, together with an applicable Prospectus Supplement, which contains important information about the Fund, before deciding whether to invest in the securities, and retain it for
future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated August 31, 2017, containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this
Prospectus. You may request a free copy of our annual and semiannual reports, request a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information, the table of contents of which is on page 95 of this Prospectus, request other information about us and
make shareholder inquiries by calling (800)&nbsp;GABELLI <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(422-3554)</FONT> or by writing to the Fund, or obtain a copy (and other information regarding the Fund) from the Securities and Exchange Commission&#146;s web
site (http://www.sec.gov). That Statement of Additional Information is only updated in connection with an offering and is therefore not available on the Fund&#146;s website. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Our 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. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement.
The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in
this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of this Prospectus or the date of the applicable Prospectus Supplement. </B></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">ii </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="toc"></A>TABLE OF CONTENTS </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="95%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center"><B>Page</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_1">PROSPECTUS SUMMARY</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_2">SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">26</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_3">FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">28</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_4">USE OF PROCEEDS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">31</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_5">THE FUND</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">31</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_6">INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">31</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_7">RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">43</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#toc453269_7a">HOW THE FUND MANAGES RISK</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">67</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_8">MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">67</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_9">PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">70</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_10">DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">70</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_11">AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PAYMENT PLAN</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">72</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_12">DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">73</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_13">ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUND&#146;S GOVERNING
DOCUMENTS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">85</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_14"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">CLOSED-END</FONT> FUND
STRUCTURE</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">86</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_15">REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">87</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_16">RIGHTS OFFERINGS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">87</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_17">TAXATION</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">88</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_18">CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">91</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_19">PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">91</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_20">LEGAL MATTERS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">93</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_21">INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">93</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_22">ADDITIONAL INFORMATION</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">93</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_23">PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">94</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_24">SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">94</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_25">TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">95</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx453269_26">CORPORATE BOND RATINGS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">A-1</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">iii </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_1"></A>PROSPECTUS SUMMARY </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>This is only a summary. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our securities.
You should review the more detailed information contained in this prospectus (this &#147;Prospectus&#148;), including the section titled &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#148; beginning on page&nbsp;43, the applicable Prospectus
Supplement and the Statement of Additional Information, dated August 31, 2017 (the &#147;SAI&#148;). </I></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>The Fund</B> </P></TD>
<TD>Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. is a diversified, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> management investment company that commenced investment operations in July 1986 and reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust on February
17, 2006. Throughout this Prospectus, we refer to Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. as the &#147;Fund&#148; or as &#147;we.&#148; See &#147;The Fund.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Fund&#146;s outstanding common shares, par value $0.01 per share, are listed on the NYSE American LLC (the &#147;NYSE American&#148;) under the symbol &#147;ECF.&#148; On August 21, 2017, the last reported sale
price of our common shares was $8.90. The net asset value of the Fund&#146;s common shares at the close of business on August 21, 2017 was $9.91 per share. As of July 31,&nbsp;2017, the Fund had outstanding 12,871,281 common shares.
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>The Offering</B> </P></TD>
<TD> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, our common and/or fixed rate preferred shares, $0.01&nbsp;par value per share, our notes, or
our subscription rights to purchase our common or fixed rate preferred shares or both, which we refer to collectively as the &#147;securities.&#148; The securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to
this Prospectus (each a &#147;Prospectus Supplement&#148;). The offering price per common share of the Fund will not be less than the net asset value per common share at the time we make 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 common share of the Fund. You should read this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement
carefully before you invest in our securities. Our securities may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from time to time by us, or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the
offering will identify any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of our securities, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters, or among our
underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of preferred shares will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call
protection or <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-call</FONT> period and other matters. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of notes will set forth the principal amount, interest rate, interest payment dates, maturities, prepayment
</P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">1 </P>


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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:0%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
protection (if any), and other matters. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any offering of subscription rights will set forth the number of common and/or preferred shares issuable upon the
exercise of each right and the other terms of such rights offering. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="38%"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD>While the aggregate number and amount of securities we may issue pursuant to this registration statement is limited to $100,000,000 of securities, our Board of Trustees (each member, a &#147;Trustee,&#148; and collectively, the
&#147;Board&#148;) may, without any action by the shareholders, amend our Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares or the number of shares of any class or series
that we have authority to issue. We may not sell any of our securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the particular offering. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Investment Objectives and Policies</B> </P></TD>
<TD>The Fund invests primarily in convertible securities with the objectives of providing income and the potential for capital appreciation (which objectives the Fund considers to be relatively equal, over the long term, due to the nature of the
securities in which it invests). These investment objectives may be modified in the future by the Board without the approval of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Fund will provide
stockholders with at least 60 days&#146; written notice prior to implementation of any changes to these investment objectives. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">As a fundamental investment policy, the Fund will invest, under normal market conditions, at least 65% of its total assets in
convertible securities (that is, bonds, debentures, corporate notes or preferred stock that are convertible into common stock) and common stock received upon conversion or exchange of securities and retained in the Fund&#146;s portfolio to permit
orderly disposition or to establish long-term holding periods for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Since this policy is fundamental, it may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (voting together as a
single class) of the Fund (which for this purpose and under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented or (ii)&nbsp;more than 50% of the
outstanding shares). If the Fund issues and has outstanding preferred shares, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding preferred shares of the Fund voting as a separate class (which for this
purpose and under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i) 67% of the preferred shares, as a single class, represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the Fund&#146;s outstanding preferred shares are represented or (ii)&nbsp;more than 50% of the
outstanding preferred shares) would also be required to change a </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">2 </P>


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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:0%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
fundamental policy. Unless specifically stated as such, no other investment policy of the Fund is fundamental and each investment policy may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval,
and the Fund will provide notice to shareholders of material changes. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Fund is not required to sell securities for the purpose of assuring that 65% of its total assets are invested in convertible securities. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Convertible securities include debt securities and preferred stocks which are convertible into, or carry the right to purchase, common stock. The debt security or preferred stock may itself be convertible into or
exchangeable for common stock, or the conversion privilege may be evidenced by warrants attached to the security or acquired as part of a unit with the security. A convertible security may also be structured so that it is convertible at the option
of the holder or of the issuer, or subject to mandatory conversion. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Fund may invest in convertible securities rated below investment grade by the established rating services (&#147;Ba&#148; or lower by Moody&#146;s Investors Service, Inc. (&#147;Moody&#146;s&#148;) or &#147;BB&#148;
or lower by Standard&nbsp;&amp; Poor&#146;s Ratings Services (&#147;Standard&nbsp;&amp; Poor&#146;s&#148; or &#147;S&amp;P&#148;)) or in unrated securities which are in the judgment of the Fund&#146;s investment adviser of equivalent quality.
Securities rated below investment grade, commonly referred to as &#147;junk bonds,&#148; or &#147;high yield&#148; bonds, are predominantly speculative in nature, involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions and include securities of issuers in
default, which are likely to have the lowest rating. The average maturity and average duration of the Fund&#146;s investments in debt securities is expected to vary and the Fund does not target any particular average maturity or average duration.
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Under normal market conditions, the remaining 35% or less of the Fund&#146;s total assets may be invested in other securities, including <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-convertible</FONT> equity and debt
securities, options, warrants, U.S. government or agency obligations, or repurchase agreements, or they may be held as cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may invest in non-convertible equity securities of any market capitalization. The Fund does not
intend to participate in derivative transactions other than options transactions as described herein. See &#147;Investment Objectives and Policies&#151;Certain Investment Practices&#151;Options.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets, taken at market value, in securities of foreign issuers, including issuers
located in emerging markets. Securities convertible or exchangeable for common stock of U.S. companies, and U.S. dollar-denominated securities convertible or exchangeable for American Depositary Receipts that at the time of purchase (i)&nbsp;are
listed on the New York Stock Exchange (&#147;NYSE&#148;), NYSE American or the NASDAQ National Market, or (ii)&nbsp;the underlying issuers of which meet the then prevailing earnings requirement for listing on the NYSE and also file
</P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">3 </P>


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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:0%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">20-F</FONT> (or comparable form) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;) are not subject to this limitation.
</P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities that are illiquid. An illiquid investment is a security or other investment that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business
at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the investment. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">While the Fund does not, as a matter of investment policy, seek to gain exposure to any particular sectors, it has recently had significant exposure to the healthcare, information technology and financial services
sectors. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Fund may lend securities representing up to 10% of its total assets, taken at market value, to securities firms and financial institutions such as banks and trust companies and receive therefor collateral in cash or
securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government (&#147;Government Securities&#148;) which are maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. The Fund may lend its
portfolio securities in accordance with its investment policies and restrictions. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The percentage restrictions on investments stated herein apply only at the time an investment is made. Thus, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of portfolio securities or amount
of total assets will not be considered a violation of any of the foregoing restrictions. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">See &#147;Investment Objectives and Policies.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Fund is intended for investors seeking long term growth of capital. It is not intended for those who wish to play short term swings in the stock market. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Investment Adviser </B></P></TD>
<TD>Gabelli Funds, LLC (the &#147;Investment Adviser&#148;) serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Shareholders approved an investment advisory agreement between the Fund and Gabelli Funds, LLC on October&nbsp;19, 2015. Effective November&nbsp;1,
2015, the Fund entered into this investment advisory agreement with Gabelli Funds, LLC. Previously, Dinsmore Capital Management Co. (&#147;Dinsmore Capital&#148;) served as the Fund&#146;s investment manager. The Fund and Gabelli Funds, LLC entered
into this investment advisory agreement in connection with a strategic alliance agreement pursuant to which former personnel of Dinsmore Capital joined the newly established Dinsmore Group of Gabelli Funds, LLC. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Preferred Shares </B></P></TD>
<TD> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">At the Fund&#146;s 2017 Annual Meeting (the &#147;Annual Meeting&#148;), Shareholders approved the Fund&#146;s proposal to revise the Fund&#146;s
fundamental investment restriction regarding borrowing money or </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">4 </P>


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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:0%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
issuing senior securities to permit the Fund to issue preferred shares to the maximum extent permitted by the 1940 Act. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The terms of each series of preferred shares may be fixed by the Board and may materially limit and/or qualify the rights of holders of the Fund&#146;s common shares. If the Fund&#146;s Board determines that it may be
advantageous to the holders of the Fund&#146;s common shares for the Fund to utilize leverage, the Fund may issue series of fixed rate preferred shares (&#147;Fixed Rate Preferred Shares&#148;). Any Fixed Rate Preferred Shares issued by the Fund
will pay distributions at a fixed rate. Leverage creates a greater risk of loss as well as a potential for more gains for the common shares than if leverage were not used. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Special Risks to
Holders of Common Shares&#151;Leverage Risk.&#148; The Fund may also determine in the future to issue other forms of senior securities, such as securities representing debt, subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act. The Fund may also engage in
investment management techniques (i.e., the writing of options) which will not be considered senior securities if the Fund establishes a segregated account with cash or other liquid assets or sets aside assets on the accounting records equal to the
Fund&#146;s obligations in respect of such techniques; the Fund does not intend to use any such investment management techniques other than options transactions as described herein. See &#147;Investment Objectives and Policies&#151;Certain
Investment Practices&#151;Options.&#148; The Fund may also borrow money, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Dividends and Distributions</B> </P></TD>
<TD><I>Preferred Shares Distributions. </I>In accordance with the Fund&#146;s Governing Documents (as defined below) and as required by the 1940 Act, all preferred shares of the Fund must have the same seniority with respect to distributions.
Accordingly, no complete distribution due for a particular dividend period will be declared or paid on any series of preferred shares of the Fund for any dividend period, or part thereof, unless full cumulative dividends and distributions due
through the most recent dividend payment dates for all series of outstanding preferred shares of the Fund are declared and paid. If full cumulative distributions due have not been declared and made on all outstanding preferred shares of the Fund,
any distributions on such preferred shares will be made as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of distributions accumulated but unmade on each such series of preferred shares on the relevant dividend payment date. As
used herein, &#147;Governing Documents&#148; means the Fund&#146;s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Amended and Restated <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">By-Laws,</FONT> together with any amendments or supplements thereto,
including any Statement of Preferences establishing a series of preferred shares. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><B><I>The Fund&#146;s annualized distributions on its preferred shares may contain a return of capital. Preferred shareholders
who receive the payment of a distribution consisting of a return of capital may be</I></B> </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">5 </P>


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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:0%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
<B><I>under the impression that they are receiving net profits when they are not. Shareholders should not assume that the source of a distribution from the Fund is net profit. </I></B>In
addition, any amount treated as a tax free return of capital will reduce a shareholder&#146;s adjusted tax basis in its shares, thereby increasing the shareholder&#146;s potential taxable gain or reducing the potential taxable loss on the sale of
the shares. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Distributions on Fixed Rate Preferred Shares, at the applicable annual rate of the per share liquidation preference, are cumulative from the original issue date and are payable, when, as and if declared by the Board,
out of funds legally available therefor. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Fund had no outstanding preferred shares during the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Common Shares Distributions.</I> In order to allow its common shareholders to realize a predictable, but not assured, level of cash flow and some liquidity periodically on their investment without having to sell
shares, the Fund has adopted a managed distribution policy of paying, on a quarterly basis, a minimum distribution at an annual rate equal to 5% of the Fund&#146;s trailing twelve month average month end market price. If the Fund does not generate
sufficient earnings (dividends and interest income and realized net capital gain) equal to or in excess of the aggregate distributions paid by the Fund in a given year, then the amount distributed in excess of the Fund&#146;s earnings would be
deemed a return of capital. Since this would be considered a return of a portion of a shareholder&#146;s original investment, it is generally not taxable and is treated as a reduction in the shareholder&#146;s cost basis. Under U.S. federal tax
regulations, some or all of the return of capital distributed by the Fund may be taxable as ordinary income in certain circumstances. This may occur when the Fund has a capital loss carry forward, net capital gains are realized in a fiscal year, and
distributions are made in excess of investment company taxable income. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD>The Fund&#146;s distribution policy, including its policy to pay quarterly distributions and the annualized amount that the Fund seeks to distribute, may be modified from time to time by the Board as it deems appropriate, including in light of
market and economic conditions and the Fund&#146;s current, expected and historical earnings and investment performance. Common shareholders are expected to be notified of any such modifications by press release or in the Fund&#146;s periodic
shareholder reports. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Under the Fund&#146;s distribution policy, the Fund declares and pays quarterly distributions from net investment income,
capital gains, and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">paid-in</FONT> capital. The actual source of the distribution is determined after the end of the year. In the event that for any taxable year the total distributions on the Fund&#146;s shares
exceed the Fund&#146;s current and </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">6 </P>


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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:0%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
accumulated earnings and profits, the excess distributions will generally be treated as a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-free</FONT> return of capital to the extent of the
shareholder&#146;s tax basis in the shares (reducing the basis accordingly) and as capital gains thereafter. In determining the extent to which a distribution will be treated as being made from the Fund&#146;s earnings and profits, earnings and
profits will be allocated on a pro rata basis first to distributions with respect to preferred shares, and then to the Fund&#146;s common shares. <B><I>The Fund&#146;s annualized distributions may contain a return of capital and should not be
considered as the dividend yield or the total return of an investment in the Fund. Common shareholders who receive the payment of a distribution consisting of a return of capital may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits when
they are not. Shareholders should not assume that the source of a distribution from the Fund is net profit.</I></B> In addition, the amount treated as a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-free</FONT> return of capital will reduce a
shareholder&#146;s adjusted tax basis in its shares, thereby increasing the shareholder&#146;s potential taxable gain or reducing the potential taxable loss on the sale of the shares. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">For the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016, the Fund made distributions of $0.797 per common share, none of which constituted a return of capital. The composition of each distribution is estimated based on
earnings as of the record date for the distribution. The actual composition of each distribution may change based on the Fund&#146;s investment activity through the end of the calendar year. To the extent the Fund makes distributions consisting of
returns of capital, such distributions will further decrease the Fund&#146;s total assets and therefore have the likely effect of increasing the Fund&#146;s expense ratio as the Fund&#146;s fixed expenses will become a larger percentage of the
Fund&#146;s average net assets. In addition, in order to make such distributions, the Fund may have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when independent investment judgment may not dictate such action. These effects could have a
negative impact on the prices investors receive when they sell shares of the Fund. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Indebtedness</B> </P></TD>
<TD>At the Fund&#146;s Annual Meeting, Shareholders recently approved the Fund&#146;s proposal to revise the Fund&#146;s fundamental investment restriction regarding borrowing money or issuing senior securities to permit the Fund to borrow money and
issue debt securities to the maximum extent permitted by the 1940 Act. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Under applicable state law and our Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, we may borrow money without prior
approval of holders of common and preferred shares. We also may issue debt securities, including notes, or other evidence of indebtedness and may secure any such notes or borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security our
assets to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or rating agency guidelines. Any borrowings, including without limitation any notes, will rank senior to the preferred shares and the common shares. The Prospectus
</P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">7 </P>


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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:0%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
Supplement will describe the interest payment provisions relating to notes. Interest on notes will be payable when due as described in the related Prospectus Supplement. If we do not pay interest
when due, it will trigger an event of default and we will be restricted from declaring dividends and making other distributions with respect to our common shares and preferred shares. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Use of Proceeds</B> </P></TD>
<TD>The Fund will use the net proceeds from the offering to purchase portfolio securities in accordance with its Investment Objectives and Policies. The Investment Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made as appropriate
investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to substantially be completed within three months. 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. See &#147;Use of Proceeds&#148; in the Prospectus. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Exchange Listing</B> </P></TD>
<TD>The Fund&#146;s common shares are listed on the NYSE American under the trading or &#147;ticker&#148; symbol &#147;ECF.&#148; See &#147;Description of the Securities.&#148; The Fund&#146;s common shares have historically traded at a discount to
the Fund&#146;s net asset value. Over the past ten years, the Fund&#146;s common shares have traded at a discount to net asset value as high as 26.8% and as low as 7.6%. Any series of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares or subscription rights issued by the
Fund would also likely be listed on the NYSE American. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Risk Factors and Special Considerations</B> </P></TD>
<TD>Risk is inherent in all investing. Therefore, before investing in the Fund&#146;s securities, you should consider the risks carefully. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD>A summary of certain risks associated with an investment in the Fund is set forth below. It is not complete and you should read and consider carefully the more detailed list of risks described in &#147;Risk Factors and Special
Considerations.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Convertible Securities Risk</I>. Investment in convertible securities forms an important part of the Fund&#146;s investment strategies. Convertible debt securities and preferred stocks may depreciate in value if the
market value of the underlying equity security declines or if rates of interest increase. In addition, although debt securities are liabilities of a corporation which the corporation is generally obligated to repay at a specified time, debt
securities, particularly convertible debt securities, are often subordinated to the claims of some or all of the other creditors of the corporation. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Mandatory conversion securities (securities that automatically convert into equity securities at a future date) may limit the
potential for capital appreciation and, in some instances, are subject to complete loss of invested capital. Other innovative convertibles include &#147;equity-linked&#148; securities, which are securities or derivatives that may have fixed,
variable, or no interest payments prior to maturity, may </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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convert (at the option of the holder or on a mandatory basis) into cash or a combination of cash and common stock, and may be structured to limit the potential for capital appreciation.
Equity-linked securities may be illiquid and difficult to value and may be subject to greater credit risk than that of other convertibles. Moreover, mandatory conversion securities and equity-linked securities have increased the sensitivity of the
convertible securities market to the volatility of the equity markets and to the special risks of those innovations, which may include risks different from, and possibly greater than, those associated with traditional convertible securities. See
&#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Convertible Securities Risk.&#148; </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Credit Risk</I>. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer will fail to pay interest or dividends and principal in a timely manner. Companies that issue convertible securities may be small to <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">medium-size,</FONT> and they often have low credit ratings. In addition, the credit rating of a company&#146;s convertible securities is generally lower than that of its conventional debt securities. Convertible securities
are normally considered &#147;junior&#148; securities&#151;that is, the company usually must pay interest on its conventional debt before it can make payments on its convertible securities. Credit risk could be high for the Fund, because it could
invest in securities with low credit quality. The lower a debt security is rated, the greater its default risk. As a result, the Fund may incur cost and delays in enforcing its rights against the issuer. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special
Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Convertible Securities Risk&#151;Credit Risk.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Market Risk</I>. Although convertible securities do derive part of their value from that of the securities into which they are convertible, they are not considered derivative financial instruments. However, the
Fund&#146;s mandatory convertible securities include features which render them more sensitive to price changes of their underlying securities. Thus they expose the Fund to greater downside risk than traditional convertible securities, but generally
less than that of the underlying common stock. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Convertible Securities Risk&#151;Market Risk.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><I>Interest Rate Risk for Convertible Securities</I>. Market interest rates are currently significantly below
historical average rates, and the Federal Reserve has begun to raise the Federal Funds rate, each of which results in more pronounced interest rate risk in the current market environment. These factors increase the risk that the market interest
rates will rise or continue to rise in the future, with a corresponding decline in the value of convertible securities held by the Fund. Convertible securities are particularly sensitive to interest rate changes when their predetermined conversion
price is much higher than the issuing company&#146;s common stock. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Convertible Securities Risk&#151;Interest Rate Risk for Convertible Securities,&#148; and &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General
Risks&#151;Fixed Income Securities Risks&#151;Duration and Maturity Risk.&#148; </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Sector risk</I>. Sector risk<I> </I>is the risk that returns from the economic sectors in which convertible securities are concentrated will trail returns from other economic sectors. As a group, sectors tend to go
through cycles of doing <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">better-or-worse-than</FONT></FONT> the convertible securities market in general. These periods have, in the past, lasted for as long as several years.
Moreover, the sectors that dominate this market change over time. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Equity Risk</I>. A principal risk of investing in the Fund is equity risk, which is the risk that the securities held by the Fund will fall in market value due to adverse market and economic conditions, perceptions
regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate and the particular circumstances and performance of particular companies whose securities the Fund holds. An investment in the Fund represents an indirect
investment in the securities owned by the Fund, which are for the most part traded on securities exchanges or in the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">over-the-counter</FONT></FONT> markets. The market value of these
securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The net asset value of the Fund may at any point in time be worth less than the amount at the time the shareholder invested in the Fund, even after
taking into account any reinvestment of distributions. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Equity Risk.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Fixed Income Securities Risks.</I> Fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest are generally subject to the following risks: </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Interest Rate Risk. </I>The market value of bonds and other fixed-income or dividend-paying securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of
bonds and other income- or dividend- paying securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low
interest rates and the Federal Reserve&#146;s recent increases in the Federal Funds rate, more of which are expected in the near future. Further, while longer term fixed rate securities may pay higher interest rates than shorter term securities,
longer term fixed rate securities, like fixed rate securities, also tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes and, accordingly, tend to experience larger changes in value as a result of interest rate changes. An increase in market interest
rates will also generally result in a decrease in the price of any of the Fund&#146;s outstanding preferred shares. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><I>Issuer Risk. </I>Issuer risk is the risk that the value of an income- or dividend-paying security may decline
for a number of reasons </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage, reduced demand for the issuer&#146;s goods and services, historical and prospective earnings of the issuer
and the value of the assets of the issuer. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
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<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Credit Risk.</I> Credit risk is the risk that one or more income- or dividend-paying securities in the Fund&#146;s portfolio will decline in price or fail to pay interest/distributions or principal when due because
the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial status. Credit risk is increased when a portfolio security is downgraded or the perceived creditworthiness of the issuer deteriorates. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Prepayment Risk</I>. Prepayment risk is the risk that during periods of declining interest rates, borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled. For income- or dividend-paying
securities, such payments often occur during periods of declining interest rates, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities, resulting in a possible decline in the Fund&#146;s income and distributions to shareholders.
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Reinvestment Risk</I>. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund&#146;s portfolio will decline if the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed income securities at market interest
rates that are below the Fund portfolio&#146;s current earnings rate. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Duration and Maturity Risk.</I> The Fund may incur costs in seeking to adjust the portfolio average duration or maturity. In comparison to maturity (which is the date on which the issuer of a debt instrument is
obligated to repay the principal amount), duration is a measure of the price volatility of a debt instrument as a result in changes in market rates of interest, based on the weighted average timing of the instrument&#146;s expected principal and
interest payments. Specifically, duration measures the anticipated percentage change in Net Asset Value (&#147;NAV&#148;) that is expected for every percentage point change in interest rates. The two have an inverse relationship. Duration can be a
useful tool to estimate anticipated price changes to a fixed pool of income securities associated with changes in interest rates. Duration differs from maturity in that it takes into account a security&#146;s yield, coupon payments and its principal
payments in addition to the amount of time until the security matures. As the value of a security changes over time, so will its duration. There can be no assurance that the Investment Adviser&#146;s assessment of current and projected market
conditions will be correct or that any strategy to adjust duration or maturity will be successful at any given time. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Fixed Income Securities Risks.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Investment</FONT> Grade Securities.</I> The Fund may invest in securities rated below investment grade by recognized statistical rating agencies or unrated securities of
comparable quality. The prices of these lower grade securities are more sensitive to negative developments, such as a decline in the issuer&#146;s revenues or a general economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade securities. Securities of
below investment grade quality&#151;those securities rated below &#147;Baa&#148; by Moody&#146;s or below &#147;BBB&#148; by S&amp;P&#151;are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer&#146;s capacity to pay interest and repay principal
when due and therefore involve a greater risk of default. Securities rated below investment grade commonly are referred to as &#147;junk bonds&#148; or &#147;high yield&#148; securities. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">As part of its investments in <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-investment</FONT> grade securities, the Fund may invest in securities of issuers in default. The Fund will make an investment in securities of issuers
in default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection and the value of these securities will appreciate. By investing in securities of issuers in default, the Fund
bears the risk that these issuers will not continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of the securities will not otherwise appreciate. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Risks&#151;Non-Investment</FONT> Grade Securities.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>U.S. Government Securities and Credit Rating Downgrade Risk. </I>The Fund may invest in direct obligations of the government of the United States or its agencies. Obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
government, its agencies, authorities and instrumentalities and backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. guarantee only that principal and interest will be timely paid to holders of the securities. These entities do not guarantee that the
value such obligations will increase, and, in fact, the market values of such obligations may fluctuate. In addition, not all U.S. government securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; some are the obligation solely of
the entity through which they are issued. There is no guarantee that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies and instrumentalities if not required to do so by law. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">The events surrounding negotiations regarding the U.S. federal government debt ceiling and deficit reduction could adversely
affect the Fund&#146;s ability to achieve its investment objectives. In 2011, S&amp;P lowered its long term sovereign credit rating on the U.S. to &#147;AA+&#148; from &#147;AAA.&#148; The downgrade by S&amp;P increased volatility in both stock and
bond markets, resulting in higher interest rates and higher Treasury yields, and increased the costs of all kinds of debt. Repeat occurrences of similar events could have significant adverse effects on the U.S. economy generally and could result in
significant adverse impacts on issuers of securities held by the Fund itself. The </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
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Investment Adviser cannot predict the effects of similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets or on the Fund&#146;s portfolio. The Investment Adviser monitors
developments and seeks to manage the Fund&#146;s portfolio in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund&#146;s investment objectives, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so and the Investment Adviser may not timely
anticipate or manage existing, new or additional risks, contingencies or developments. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;U.S. Government Securities and Credit Rating Downgrade Risk.&#148;
</P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Foreign Securities Risk</I>. Investing in securities of foreign companies (or foreign governments), which are generally denominated in foreign currencies, may involve certain risks and opportunities not typically
associated with investing in domestic companies. Foreign companies generally are not subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements as those applicable to U.S. companies. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Investing in securities of companies in emerging markets may entail special risks relating to potential political and economic instability and the risks of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or the imposition
of restrictions on foreign investment, the lack of hedging instruments and restrictions on repatriation of capital invested. Emerging securities markets are substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the major
securities markets. The limited size of emerging securities markets and limited trading volume compared to the volume of trading in U.S. securities could cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the quality of the
securities. For example, limited market size may cause prices to be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions. Adverse publicity and investors&#146; perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and
liquidity of portfolio securities, especially in these markets. Many emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates
and corresponding currency devaluations have had and may continue to have negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">The Fund may invest in companies whose securities are denominated or quoted in currencies other than U.S.&nbsp;dollars or have
significant operations or markets outside of the United States. In such instances, the Fund will be exposed to currency risk, including the risk of fluctuations in the exchange rate between U.S.&nbsp;dollars (in which the Fund&#146;s shares are
denominated) and such foreign currencies, the risk of currency devaluations and the risks of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-exchangeability</FONT> and blockage. As <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-U.S.&nbsp;securities</FONT> may be
purchased with and payable in currencies of countries other than the U.S.&nbsp;dollar, the value of these </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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assets measured in U.S.&nbsp;dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control regulations. Fluctuations in currency rates may adversely affect
the ability of the Investment Adviser to acquire such securities at advantageous prices and may also adversely affect the performance of such assets. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">For more details on certain pronounced risks with foreign investing, see &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Foreign Securities Risk.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Industry Concentration Risk</I>. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of a single industry. Should the Fund choose to do so, the net asset value of the Fund will be more susceptible to
factors affecting those particular types of companies, which, depending on the particular industry, may include, among others: governmental regulation; inflation; cost increases in raw materials, fuel and other operating expenses; technological
innovations that may render existing products and equipment obsolete; and increasing interest rates resulting in high interest costs on borrowings needed for capital investment, including costs associated with compliance with environmental and other
regulations. In such circumstances, the Fund&#146;s investments may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuation than a fund that had securities representing a broader range of industries. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special
Considerations&#151;Industry Concentration Risk.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Healthcare Sector Risk</I>. The Fund has in the past invested, and may in the future invest, a significant portion of its total assets in securities issued by companies in the healthcare sector. The profitability of
companies in the healthcare sector may be affected by legislative activities and extensive government regulations, restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, rising costs of medical products and services, pricing pressure, an
increased emphasis on outpatient services, limited number of products, industry innovation, changes in technologies and other market developments. Many healthcare companies are heavily dependent on patent protection. The expiration of a
company&#146;s patents may adversely affect that company&#146;s profitability. Many healthcare companies are subject to extensive civil litigation based on product liability and similar claims. Healthcare companies are subject to competitive forces
that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Many new products in the healthcare sector may be subject to regulatory approvals. The process of obtaining such approvals may be long and costly, and such
efforts ultimately may be unsuccessful. Companies in the healthcare sector may be thinly capitalized and may be susceptible to product obsolescence. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Healthcare Sector Risk.&#148;
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><I>Information Technology Sector Risk.</I> The Fund has in the past invested, and may in the future invest, a significant
portion of its total </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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assets in securities issued by information technology companies. Information technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect
on profit margins. These companies are heavily dependent on patent protection and the expiration of or infringement on patents may adversely affect the profitability of such companies. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The securities of information technology companies tend to exhibit a greater degree of market risk and sharp price fluctuations than other types of securities. These securities may fall in and out of favor with
investors rapidly, which may cause sudden selling and dramatically lower market prices. Technology securities also may be affected adversely by changes in technology, consumer and business purchasing patterns, government regulation, product and/or
service obsolescence, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. In addition, a rising interest rate environment tends to negatively affect information technology companies. These companies having
high market valuations may appear less attractive to investors, which may cause sharp decreases in their market prices. Further, those information technology companies seeking to finance expansion would have increased borrowing costs, which may
negatively impact earnings. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Information Technology Sector Risk.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Financial Services Company Risk</I>. The Fund has in the past invested, and may in the future invest, a significant portion of its total assets in securities issued by financial services companies. Financial services
companies can be significantly affected by changing economic conditions, demand for consumer loans, refinancing activity and intense competition. Profitability can be largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital and the rate of consumer
debt defaults, and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. Profitability can in particular be adversely impacted during periods of rising interest rates. Financial difficulties of borrowers can negatively affect financial services
companies. Financial services companies are subject to extensive government regulation, which can change frequently and may adversely affect the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain, or
may affect them in other ways that are unforeseeable. In the recent past, financial services companies in general experienced considerable financial distress, which led to the implementation of government programs designed to ease that distress. See
&#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Financial Services Company Risk.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><I>Restricted and Illiquid Securities</I>. Unregistered securities are securities that cannot be sold publicly in the United
States without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). An illiquid investment is a security or other investment that cannot be </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the investment. Unregistered securities often can be resold only in
privately negotiated transactions with a limited number of purchasers or in a public offering registered under the Securities Act. Considerable delay could be encountered in either event and, unless otherwise contractually provided for, the
Fund&#146;s proceeds upon sale may be reduced by the costs of registration or underwriting discounts. The difficulties and delays associated with such transactions could result in the Fund&#146;s inability to realize a favorable price upon
disposition of unregistered securities, and at times might make disposition of such securities impossible. The Fund may be unable to sell illiquid investments when it desires to do so, resulting in the Fund obtaining a lower price or being required
to retain the investment. Illiquid investments generally must be valued at fair value, which is inherently less precise than utilizing market values for liquid investments, and may lead to differences between the price a security is valued for
determining the Fund&#146;s net asset value and the price the Fund actually receives upon sale. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Restricted and Illiquid Securities.&#148; </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Leverage Risk.</I> The Fund may use financial leverage for investment purposes by issuing preferred shares and is also permitted to use other types of financial leverage, such as through the issuance of debt
securities and borrowing from financial institutions. As provided in the 1940 Act and subject to certain exceptions, the Fund may issue senior securities (which may be stock, such as preferred shares, and/or securities representing debt) only if
immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund&#146;s total assets, less certain ordinary course liabilities, exceeds 300% of the amount of the debt outstanding and exceeds 200% of the amount of preferred shares and debt outstanding.
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">If the Fund does use leverage, the Fund&#146;s capital structure would create special risks not associated with unleveraged
funds having similar investment objectives and policies. These include the possibility of greater loss and the likelihood of higher volatility of the net asset value of the Fund and the asset coverage for preferred shares. Such volatility may
increase the likelihood of the Fund having to sell investments in order to meet its obligations to make distributions on the preferred shares or principal or interest payments on debt securities, or to redeem preferred shares or repay debt, when it
may be disadvantageous to do so. The Fund&#146;s use of leverage may require it to sell portfolio investments at inopportune times in order to raise cash to redeem preferred shares or otherwise <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">de-leverage</FONT> so
as to maintain required asset coverage amounts or comply with any mandatory redemption terms of any outstanding preferred shares. The use of leverage magnifies both the favorable and unfavorable effects of price movements in the investments made by
the Fund. To the extent that the Fund determines to employ leverage in its investment </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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operations, the Fund will be subject to substantial risk of loss. The Fund cannot assure you that borrowings or the issuance of preferred shares or notes will result in a higher yield or return
to the holders of the common shares. Also, if the Fund utilizes leverage, a decline in net asset value could affect the ability of the Fund to make common share distributions and such a failure to make distributions could result in the Fund ceasing
to qualify as a regulated investment company (&#147;RIC&#148;) under the Code. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Any decline in the net asset value of the Fund&#146;s investments would be borne entirely by the holders of common shares. Therefore, if the market value of the Fund&#146;s portfolio declines, the leverage will result
in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of common shares than if the Fund were not leveraged. This greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common shares. The Fund might
be in danger of failing to maintain the required asset coverage of the borrowings, notes or preferred shares or of losing its ratings on its notes or preferred shares or, in an extreme case, the Fund&#146;s current investment income might not be
sufficient to meet the distribution or interest requirements on the preferred shares or notes. In order to counteract such an event, the Fund might need to liquidate investments in order to fund redemption of some or all of the preferred shares or
notes. (The Fund&#146;s &#147;net&#148; assets for this purpose includes the liquidation of any preferred shares outstanding.) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The issuance of preferred shares or notes causes the net asset value and market value of the common shares to become more volatile. If the interest rate on the notes or the dividend rate on the preferred shares
approaches the net rate of return on the Fund&#146;s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of the common shares would be reduced. If the interest rates on the notes or the dividend rate on the preferred shares plus the
management fee annual rate of 0.80% of the first $100,000,000 of average weekly net assets and 0.55% of average weekly net assets in excess of $100,000,000 exceeds the net rate of return on the Fund&#146;s portfolio, the leverage will result in a
lower rate of return to the holders of common shares than if the Fund had not issued preferred shares or notes. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">In addition, the Fund would pay (and the holders of common shares will bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance
and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares or notes, including any additional advisory fees on the incremental assets attributable to such preferred shares or notes. Holders of preferred shares and notes may have different interests than
holders of common shares and at times may have disproportionate influence over the Fund&#146;s affairs. As provided in the 1940 Act and subject to certain exceptions, the Fund may issue senior securities (which may be stock, such as preferred
shares, and/or securities representing debt, such as notes) only if immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund&#146;s total assets, less certain </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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ordinary course liabilities, exceeds 300% of the amount of the debt outstanding and exceeds 200% of the amount of preferred shares and debt outstanding, which is referred to as the &#147;asset
coverage&#148; required by the 1940 Act. In the event the Fund fails to maintain an asset coverage of 100% for any notes outstanding for certain periods of time, the 1940 Act requires that either an event of default be declared or that the holders
of such notes have the right to elect a majority of the Fund&#146;s Trustees until asset coverage recovers to 110%. In addition, holders of preferred shares, voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect two members of the Board at
all times and in the event dividends become in arrears for two full years would have the right (subject to the rights of noteholders) to elect a majority of the Trustees until the arrearage is completely eliminated. Preferred shareholders also have
class voting rights on certain matters, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion of the Fund to <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">open-end</FONT> status, and accordingly can veto any such changes. See &#147;Risk Factors
and Special Considerations&#151;Special Risks to Holders of Common Shares&#151;Leverage Risk,&#148; &#147;Description of the Securities&#151;Preferred Shares&#151;Asset Maintenance Requirements&#148; and &#147;Description of the
Securities&#151;Notes&#151;Limitations.&#148; </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Market Discount Risk.</I> The Fund is a diversified, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> management investment company. Whether investors will realize gains or losses upon the sale of additional
securities of the Fund will depend upon the market price of the securities at the time of sale, which may be less or more than the Fund&#146;s net asset value per share or the liquidation value of any Fund preferred shares issued. The Fund cannot
predict whether any such securities will trade at, below or above net asset value or at, below or above their public offering price. The risk of a market price discount from net asset value is separate and in addition to the risk that net asset
value itself may decline. The Fund&#146;s securities are designed primarily for long term investors, and investors in the shares should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special
Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Market Discount Risk.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><I>Special Risks to Holders of Preferred Shares</I>. Prior to an offering, there will be no public market for Fixed Rate
Preferred Shares. In the event any series of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares are issued, we expect to apply to list such shares on a national securities exchange, such as the NYSE or the NYSE American. However, during an initial period, which is not
expected to exceed 30&nbsp;days after the date of its initial issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities exchange. During such period, the underwriters may make a market in such shares, although they will have no obligation to do so.
Consequently, an investment in such shares may be illiquid during such period. Fixed Rate Preferred Shares may trade at a premium to or discount from liquidation value for various reasons, including changes in
</P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:0%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
interest rates, perceived credit quality and other factors. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Special Risks to Holders of Preferred Shares.&#148; </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Special Risks to Holders of Notes</I>. An investment in our notes is subject to special risks. Our notes are not likely to be listed on an exchange or automated quotation system. We cannot assure you that any market
will exist for our notes or if a market does exist, whether it will provide holders with liquidity. Broker-dealers that maintain a secondary trading market for the notes are not required to maintain this market, and the Fund is not required to
redeem notes if an attempted secondary market sale fails because of a lack of buyers. To the extent that our notes trade, they may trade at a price either higher or lower than their principal amount depending on interest rates, the rating (if any)
on such notes and other factors. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Special Risks to Holders of Notes.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Special Risks of Notes to Holders of Preferred Shares</I>. As provided in the 1940 Act, and subject to compliance with the Fund&#146;s investment limitations, the Fund may issue notes. In the event the Fund were to
issue such securities, the Fund&#146;s obligations to pay dividends or make distributions and, upon liquidation of the Fund, liquidation payments in respect of its preferred shares would be subordinate to the Fund&#146;s obligations to make any
principal and interest payments due and owing with respect to its outstanding notes. Accordingly, the Fund&#146;s issuance of notes would have the effect of creating special risks for the Fund&#146;s preferred shareholders that would not be present
in a capital structure that did not include such securities. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Special Risks of Notes to Holders of Preferred Shares.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Special Risks to Holders of Notes and Preferred Shares.</I> </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Common Share Repurchases.</I>&nbsp;Repurchases of common shares by the Fund may reduce the net asset coverage of the notes and preferred shares, which could adversely affect their liquidity or market prices. See
&#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Special Risks to Holders of Notes and Preferred Shares&#151;Common Share Repurchases.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Common Share Distribution Policy. </I>In the event the Fund does not generate a total return from dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains in an amount at least equal to its distributions for a
given year, the Fund may return capital as part of its distributions on common shares. This would decrease the asset coverage per share with respect to the Fund&#146;s notes or preferred shares, which could adversely affect their liquidity or market
prices. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Special Risks to Holders of Notes and Preferred Shares&#151;Common Share Distribution Policy.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Credit Quality Ratings</I>. The Fund may obtain credit quality ratings for its preferred shares or notes; however, it is not required to do so and may issue preferred shares or notes without any rating. If rated, the
Fund does not impose any minimum rating necessary to issue such preferred shares or notes. In order to obtain and maintain attractive credit quality ratings for preferred shares or notes, if desired, the Fund&#146;s portfolio must satisfy
over-collateralization tests established by the relevant rating agencies. These tests are more difficult to satisfy to the extent the Fund&#146;s portfolio securities are of lower credit quality, longer maturity or not diversified by issuer and
industry. These guidelines could affect portfolio decisions and may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. A rating (if any) by a rating agency does not eliminate or necessarily mitigate the risks of investing in our preferred shares
or notes, and a rating may not fully or accurately reflect all of the securities&#146; credit risks. A rating (if any) does not address liquidity or any other market risks of the securities being rated. A rating agency could downgrade the rating of
our notes or preferred shares, which may make such securities less liquid in the secondary market. If a rating agency downgrades the rating assigned to notes or preferred shares, we may alter our portfolio or redeem the preferred securities or notes
under certain circumstances. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations &#151; Special Risks to Holders of Notes and Preferred Shares &#151; Credit Quality Ratings.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Special Risk to Holders of Subscription Rights</I>.&nbsp;There is a risk that changes in&nbsp;market conditions may result in the underlying common or preferred shares purchasable upon exercise of the subscription
rights being less attractive to investors at the conclusion of the subscription period.&nbsp;This may reduce or eliminate the value of the subscription rights.&nbsp;Investors who receive subscription rights may find that there is no market to sell
rights they do not wish to exercise.&nbsp;If investors exercise only a portion of the rights, the number of common or preferred shares issued may be reduced, and the common or preferred shares may trade at less favorable prices than larger offerings
for similar securities. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Special Risk to Holders of Subscription Rights.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><I>Dilution</I>. Shareholders who do not exercise their subscription rights may, at the completion of such an offering, own a
smaller proportional interest in the Fund than if they exercised their subscription rights. As a result of such an offering, a shareholder may experience dilution in net asset value per share if the subscription price per share is below the net
asset value per share on the expiration date. If the subscription price per share is below the net asset value per share of the Fund&#146;s shares on the expiration date, a shareholder will experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset
value of such shareholder&#146;s shares if the shareholder does not participate in </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:0%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
such an offering and the shareholder will experience a reduction in the net asset value per share of such shareholder&#146;s shares whether or not the shareholder participates in such an
offering. The Fund cannot state precisely the extent of this dilution (if any) if the shareholder does not exercise such shareholder&#146;s subscription rights because the Fund does not know what the net asset value per share will be when the offer
expires or what proportion of the subscription rights will be exercised. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Long Term Objective; Not a Complete Investment Program.</I> The Fund is intended for investors seeking long term growth of capital. The Fund is not meant to provide a vehicle for those who wish to play short term
swings in the stock market. An investment in shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Each shareholder should take into account the Fund&#146;s investment objectives as well as the shareholder&#146;s other
investments when considering an investment in the Fund. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Long Term Objective; Not a Complete Investment Program.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD><I>Management Risk.</I> The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. The Investment Adviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be
no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Management Risk.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Dependence on Key Personnel.</I> The Investment Adviser is dependent upon the expertise of Mr.&nbsp;Thomas Dinsmore, Mr.&nbsp;James Dinsmore and Ms.&nbsp;Jane O&#146;Keeffe, who serve as the Fund&#146;s portfolio
managers, in providing investment advisory services with respect to the Fund&#146;s investments. If the Investment Adviser were to lose the services of Mr.&nbsp;Thomas Dinsmore, Mr.&nbsp;James Dinsmore or Ms.&nbsp;Jane O&#146;Keeffe, its ability to
service the Fund could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that a suitable replacement could be found for Mr.&nbsp;Thomas Dinsmore, Mr.&nbsp;James Dinsmore or Ms.&nbsp;Jane O&#146;Keeffe in the event of their death, resignation,
retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Investment Adviser. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Dependence on Key Personnel.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><I>Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk</I>. The occurrence of events similar to those in recent years may result in market
volatility, may have long term effects on the U.S. and worldwide financial markets, and may cause further economic uncertainties in the U.S. and worldwide. Any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of
the Fund&#146;s portfolio managers. The Fund does not know how long the securities markets may be affected by similar events and cannot predict the effects of similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets. There can be no
assurance that similar events and other market disruptions will not </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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have other material and adverse implications. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk.&#148; </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Economic Events and Market Risk.</I> Periods of market volatility remain, and may continue to occur in the future, in response to various political, social and economic events both within and outside of the United
States. These conditions have resulted in, and in many cases continue to result in, greater price volatility, less liquidity, widening credit spreads and a lack of price transparency, with many securities remaining illiquid and of uncertain value.
Such market conditions may make valuation of some of the Fund&#146;s securities uncertain and/or result in sudden and significant valuation increases or declines in its holdings. If there is a significant decline in the value of the Fund&#146;s
portfolio, this may impact the asset coverage levels for the Fund&#146;s outstanding leverage. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Risks resulting from any future debt or other economic crisis could also have a detrimental impact on the global economic recovery, the financial condition of financial institutions and our business, financial condition
and results of operation. Downgrades to the credit ratings of major banks could result in increased borrowing costs for such banks and negatively affect the broader economy. Moreover, Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain
interest rates, may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest rates and/or a return to unfavorable economic conditions could impair the Fund&#146;s
ability to achieve its investment objectives. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Economic Events and Market Risk.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Government Intervention in Financial Markets Risk</I>. The U.S. government and certain foreign governments have in the past taken actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the
financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity, including through direct purchases of equity and debt securities. Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory
organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the issuers in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such securities, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund is regulated.
Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Fund&#146;s ability to achieve its investment objectives. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Government Intervention in Financial Markets Risk.&#148;
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><I>Inflation Risk.</I> Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in
the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:0%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
the Fund&#146;s shares and distributions thereon can decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, dividend rates of any debt securities issued by the Fund would likely increase,
which would tend to further reduce returns to common shareholders. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Inflation Risk.&#148; </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Deflation Risk.</I> Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time, which may have an adverse effect on the market valuation of companies, their assets and their revenues. In
addition, deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund&#146;s portfolio. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special
Considerations&#151;Deflation Risk.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Loans of Portfolio Securities</I>. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities in accordance with its investment policies and restrictions. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or
even loss of rights in the securities loaned if the borrower of the securities violates the terms of the loan or fails financially. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Loans of Portfolio Securities.&#148;
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Tax Risk</I>. We cannot assure you what percentage of the distributions paid on the Fund&#146;s shares, if any, will consist of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-advantaged</FONT> qualified dividend income or long
term capital gains or what the tax rates on various types of income will be in future years. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Tax Risk.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Status as a Regulated Investment Company</I>. The Fund has elected to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. Qualification requires, among other things, compliance by the Fund with certain distribution
requirements. Statutory limitations on distributions on the common shares if the Fund fails to satisfy the 1940 Act&#146;s asset coverage requirements could jeopardize the Fund&#146;s ability to meet such distribution requirements. While the Fund
presently intends to purchase or redeem notes or preferred shares, if any, to the extent necessary in order to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements, there can be no assurance that such actions can be effected in time to meet the
Code&#146;s requirements. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General Risks&#151;Status as a Regulated Investment Company.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Anti-takeover Provisions. </I>The Governing Documents include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">open-end</FONT> fund. See &#147;Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Governing Documents.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Management and Fees</B> </P></TD>
<TD> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">The investment advisory agreement between the Fund and the Investment Adviser combines investment advisory and administrative responsibilities in one
agreement. As compensation for its services </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P></div><br clear="All"></div><br clear="All">

 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">23 </P>


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<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:0%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
rendered and the related expenses borne by the Investment Adviser, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a monthly fee computed at an annual rate of 0.80% of the first $100,000,000 of average
weekly net assets and 0.55% of average weekly net assets in excess of $100,000,000. The Fund&#146;s average weekly net assets shall be determined at the end of each month on the basis of the Fund&#146;s average net assets for each week during the
month. The assets for each weekly period shall be determined by averaging the net assets at the end of a week with the net assets at the end of the prior week. The value of the Fund&#146;s average weekly net assets shall be deemed to be the average
weekly value of the Fund&#146;s total assets minus the sum of the Fund&#146;s liabilities (such liabilities shall exclude the aggregate liquidation preference of outstanding preferred shares and accumulated dividends, if any, on those shares).
Therefore, the Fund will pay an advisory fee on any assets attributable to certain types of leverage it uses. The Fund&#146;s advisory fee will be higher when certain types of leverage are utilized, giving the Investment Adviser an incentive to
utilize such leverage. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Because the investment advisory fee is based on a percentage of the Fund&#146;s net assets without deduction for the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares, the Investment Adviser may have a conflict
of interest in the input it provides to the Board regarding whether to use or increase the Fund&#146;s use of preferred share leverage. The Board bases its decision, with input from the Investment Adviser, regarding whether and how much preferred
share leverage to use for the Fund on its assessment of whether such use of leverage is in the best interests of the Fund, and the Board seeks to manage the Investment Adviser&#146;s potential conflict of interest by retaining the final decision on
these matters and by periodically reviewing the Fund&#146;s performance and use of leverage. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">See &#147;Management of the Fund.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Repurchase of Common Shares</B> </P></TD>
<TD>The Board has authorized the Fund to consider the repurchase of its common shares in the open market when the common shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more from net asset value (or such other percentage as the Board may determine from
time to time). Although the Board has authorized such repurchases, the Fund is not required to repurchase its common shares. In total through June 30, 2017, the Fund has repurchased and retired 1,426,447 common shares in the open market at an
average investment of $8.47 per investment and at an average discount of approximately 16% from the Fund&#146;s net asset value. Such repurchases are subject to certain notice and other requirements under the 1940 Act. See &#147;Repurchase of Common
Shares.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Anti-Takeover Provisions</B> </P></TD>
<TD> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Certain provisions of the Governing Documents may be regarded as &#147;anti-takeover&#148; provisions. Pursuant to these provisions, only one of three
classes of Trustees is elected each year; an affirmative vote or </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">24 </P>


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<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:0%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
consent of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">66-2/3%</FONT> of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is required for the conversion of the Fund from a
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> to an <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">open-end</FONT> investment company or for the authorization of certain transactions between the Fund and a beneficial owner of 10% or more of the Fund&#146;s
outstanding shares, unless such action has been previously approved by both <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">two-thirds</FONT> of the Board and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">two-thirds</FONT> of the Trustees who are not &#147;interested
persons&#148; of the Fund (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the &#147;1940 Act&#148;)), in which case, an affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) is required;
advance notice to the Fund of any shareholder proposal is required; and any shareholder proposing the nomination or election of a person as a Trustee must supply significant amounts of information designed to enable verification of whether such
person satisfies the qualifications required of potential nominees to the Board of Trustees. The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger with, or the assumption of control by, a principal
shareholder. These provisions may have the effect of depriving the Fund&#146;s common shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium to the prevailing market price. The issuance of preferred shares could make it more difficult for
the holders of common shares to avoid the effect of these provisions. See &#147;Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund&#146;s Governing Documents.&#148; </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Custodian, Transfer Agent, Auction Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent</B> </P></TD>
<TD>State Street Bank and Trust Company (&#147;State Street&#148;), located at 1776 Heritage Drive, North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171, serves as the custodian (the &#147;Custodian&#148;) of the Fund&#146;s assets pursuant to a custody agreement.
Under the custody agreement, the Custodian holds the Fund&#146;s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the Custodian will receive a monthly fee paid by the Fund based upon, among other things, the average value of the total
assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions and out of pocket expenses. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">American Stock Transfer&nbsp;&amp; Trust Company (&#147;American Stock Transfer&#148;), located at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219, serves as the Fund&#146;s dividend disbursing agent, as agent under the
Fund&#146;s automatic dividend reinvestment and cash payment plan and as transfer agent and registrar with respect to the common shares of the Fund. </TD></TR></TABLE>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P></div><br clear="All"></div><br clear="All">

 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">25 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_2"></A>SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following table shows the Fund&#146;s expenses, including preferred shares offering expenses, as a percentage of net assets attributable to
common shares. All expenses of the Fund are borne, directly or indirectly, by the common shareholders. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="93%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Shareholder Transaction Expenses</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.54</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%(1)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund (excluding Preferred Shares Offering Expenses) (as a
percentage of offering price)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.02</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%(1)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan Fees</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Purchase Transactions</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.25</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">One-time Fee for Deposit of Share Certificates</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7.50</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Preferred Shares Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund (as a percentage of net assets attributable
to common shares)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.17</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%(3)&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="83%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="16%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>

<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Percentage&nbsp;of&nbsp;Net<BR>Assets&nbsp;Attributable<BR>to&nbsp;Common&nbsp;Shares</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Management Fees</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.74</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%(4)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">None</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Other Expenses</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.27</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%(6)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Total Annual Expenses</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.01</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dividends on Preferred Shares</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.66</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%(7)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Total Annual Expenses and Dividends on Preferred Shares</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.67</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="line-height:8.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:10%">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(1)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Estimated maximum amount based on offering of $75&nbsp;million in common shares and $25&nbsp;million in preferred shares. The estimates assume a 1.00% sales load on common shares and $767,000 in common offering
expenses, and 3.15% sales load on preferred shares and $329,000 in preferred offering expenses. Actual sales loads and offering expenses may be higher or lower than these estimates and will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement if applicable.
The Fund has no current intention of issuing notes or subscription rights during the one year following the date of this Prospectus. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(2)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Shareholders participating in the Fund&#146;s automatic dividend reinvestment plan do not incur any additional fees. Shareholders participating in the cash payment plan would pay $1.25 plus their pro rata share of
brokerage commissions per transaction to purchase shares and just their pro rata share of brokerage commissions per transaction to sell shares. See &#147;Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(3)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Assumes issuance of $25&nbsp;million in liquidation preference of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares, net assets attributable to common shares of $198.9&nbsp;million (which includes issuance of $75&nbsp;million in common
shares) and $329,000 in preferred offering expenses. The actual amounts in connection with any offering will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement if applicable. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(4)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Investment Adviser&#146;s fee is a monthly fee computed at an annual rate of 0.80% of the first $100,000,000 of average weekly net assets and 0.55% of average weekly net assets in excess of $100,000,000 including
proceeds attributable to any outstanding preferred shares, with no deduction for the liquidation preference of any preferred shares. Consequently, if the Fund has preferred shares outstanding, the investment management fees and other expenses as a
percentage of net assets attributable to common shares may be higher than if the Fund does not utilize a leveraged capital structure. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(5)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Fund has no current intention of borrowing from a lender or issuing notes or subscription rights during the one year following the date of this Prospectus. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(6)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">&#147;Other Expenses&#148; are based on estimated amounts for the current year assuming completion of the proposed issuances. </TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">26 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>


<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(7)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Dividends on Preferred Shares represent the distributions that would be made assuming $25&nbsp;million of preferred shares is issued with a fixed dividend rate of 5.25%. There can, of course, be no guarantee that any
preferred shares would be issued or, if issued, the terms thereof. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The purpose of the table above and the example below is
to help you understand the various costs and expenses that you, as a shareholder, would bear directly or indirectly. For a more complete description of the various costs and expenses a common shareholder would bear in connection with the issuance
and ongoing maintenance of any preferred shares or notes issued by the Fund, see &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Special Risks to Holders of Common Shares&#151;Leverage Risk.&#148; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following example illustrates the expenses (including the maximum estimated sales load on common shares of $10 and on preferred shares of
$31.50, and estimated offering expenses of $5.51 from the issuance of $75&nbsp;million in common shares and $25&nbsp;million in preferred shares) you would pay on a $1,000 investment in common shares, followed by a preferred shares offering,
assuming a 5% annual portfolio total return.* The actual amounts in connection with any offering will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement if applicable. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="74%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>1&nbsp;Year</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>3&nbsp;Years</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>5&nbsp;Years</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>10&nbsp;Years</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Total Expenses incurred</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">38</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">72</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">110</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">214</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="line-height:8.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:10%">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">*</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. The example is based on total Annual Expenses and Dividends on Preferred Shares shown in the table above and assumes that the amounts set forth
in the table do not change and that all distributions are reinvested at net asset value. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. Moreover, the Fund&#146;s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5%
return shown in the example. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>The example includes Dividends of Preferred Shares. If Dividends on Preferred Shares were
not included in the example calculation, the expenses for
the</I><I></I><I><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&nbsp;1-,</FONT></I><I></I><I><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&nbsp;3-,</FONT></I><I></I><I><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&nbsp;5-</FONT></I><I></I><I>&nbsp;and</I><I></I><I><FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&nbsp;10-year</FONT></I><I></I><I>&nbsp;periods in the table above would be as follows (based on the same assumptions as above):</I><I></I>&nbsp;$31, $52, $76 and $142. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">27 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_3"></A>FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The selected data below sets forth the per share operating performance and ratios for the period presented. The financial information was
derived from and should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements of the Fund and Notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference into the SAI. The financial information for the period ended March&nbsp;31, 2017 is unaudited. The
financial information for the fiscal years ended September&nbsp;30, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 has been audited by Tait, Weller &amp; Baker LLP, the Fund&#146;s independent registered public accounting firm, whose unqualified report on such
Financial Statements is incorporated by reference into the SAI. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Selected data for a common share of beneficial interest outstanding
throughout the period: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="43%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ROWSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Six&nbsp;Months&nbsp;Ended<BR>March&nbsp;31, 2017<BR>(Unaudited)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="18" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Year Ended September&nbsp;30,</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2016</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2015</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2014</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2013</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2012</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Operating Performance:</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net asset value, beginning of year</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">9.60</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">9.45</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10.29</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">9.54</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">8.48</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7.46</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net investment income</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.11</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.20</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.13</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.14</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.18</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.19</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.48</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.76</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.35</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.80</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.15</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.08</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Total from investment operations</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.59</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.96</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.22</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.94</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.33</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.27</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Distributions to Common Shareholders:</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net investment income</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.06</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.26</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.25</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.24</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.26</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.25</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net realized gain</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.16</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.53</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.43</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Total distributions to common shareholders</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.22</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.79</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.68</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.24</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.26</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.25</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Fund Share Transactions:</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Decrease in net asset value from common shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.04</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.00<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(a)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.01</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Increase in net asset value from repurchase of common shares (includes transaction costs)</P></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.01</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.02</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.06</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.05</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.00<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(a)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Total Fund share transactions</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.01</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.02</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.06</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.05</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.01</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.00</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Net Asset Value, End of Period</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">9.98</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">9.60</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">9.45</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10.29</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">9.54</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">8.48</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">NAV total return&#134;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">6.36</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10.64</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.78</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10.92</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">16.45</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">17.75</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Market value, end of period</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">8.63</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">8.19</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7.82</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">8.65</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7.87</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7.35</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Investment total return&#134;&#134;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">8.16</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">15.98</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(2.32</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">13.03</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10.84</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">18.41</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">28 </P>


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<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>


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<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ROWSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Six&nbsp;Months&nbsp;Ended<BR>March&nbsp;31, 2017<BR>(Unaudited)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="18" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Year Ended September&nbsp;30,</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2016</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2015</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2014</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2013</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2012</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net assets, end of period (in 000&#146;s)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">128,462</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">123,905</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">120,948</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">135,267</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">128,814</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">114,154</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Ratio of net investment income to average net assets</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">2.21<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(b)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">2.19</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.40</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.30</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.90</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">2.30</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets before reimbursement</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.07<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(b)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets net of reimbursement</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.07<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(b)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Portfolio turnover rate</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">17.0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">38.0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">45.0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">48.0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">48.0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">39.0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="line-height:8.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:10%">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#134;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">For the six months ended March&nbsp;31, 2017, the return was based on net asset value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at net asset value on the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">ex-dividend</FONT>
date. For the fiscal years ended on September&nbsp;30, 2012 through 2015, returns were based on market price on the payable date. Total return for a period of less than one year is not annualized. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#134;&#134;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Based on market value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at prices obtained under the Fund&#146;s dividend reinvestment plan. Total return for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">*</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Based on year to date book income. Amounts are subject to change and recharacterization at year end. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(a)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Amount represents less than $0.005 per share. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(b)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Annualized. </TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">29 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Financial Highlights, cont</I>. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="52%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
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<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
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<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
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<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
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<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="18" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Year Ended September&nbsp;30,</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2011</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2010</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2009</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2008</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>2007</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Operating Performance:</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net asset value, beginning of year</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7.95</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7.15</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7.18</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10.27</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">9.60</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net investment income</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.22</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.26</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.33</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.31</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.33</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.46</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.84</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.04</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(2.24</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.00</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Total from investment operations</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.24</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0.29</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(1.93</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.33</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Less Distributions:</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dividends from net investment income</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.25</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.30</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.32</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.33</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.39</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Distributions from realized gains</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.83</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.27</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Total distributions</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.25</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.30</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.32</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(1.16</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.66</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net asset value, end of year</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7.46</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7.95</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7.15</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7.18</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10.27</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:3.00px double #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:3.00px double #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:3.00px double #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:3.00px double #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:3.00px double #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:3.00px double #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:3.00px double #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:3.00px double #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:3.00px double #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:3.00px double #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Market value, end of year</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">6.43</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7.17</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">6.16</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">5.30</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">9.09</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Total Return (a):</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Market value (%)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(7.13</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">21.9</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">23.9</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(33.3</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">19.6</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net asset value (%)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(2.82</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">16.4</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">6.1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(21.0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">14.4</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Ratios/Supplemental Data:</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Net assets, end of year (in thousands)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">100,008</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">106,233</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">94,973</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">94,497</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">129,952</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.2</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">2.6</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">3.5</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">5.5</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">3.6</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">3.4</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Portfolio turnover rate (%)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">47</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">62</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">71</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">61</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">84</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="line-height:8.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:10%">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(a)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Market value total return is calculated assuming a purchase of Fund shares on the opening of the first business day and a sale on the closing of the last business day of each period reported. Dividends and distributions
are assumed for the purposes of this calculation to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund&#146;s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan. Net asset value total return is calculated on the same basis, except that the
Fund&#146;s net asset value is used on the purchase and sale dates instead of market value. </TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">30 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_4"></A>USE OF PROCEEDS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Investment Adviser expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the offering in high quality short term debt securities and instruments. The
Investment Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund&#146;s investment objectives and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to substantially be
completed within three months. Depending on market conditions and operations, a portion of the cash held by the Fund, including any proceeds raised from this offering to be identified in any relevant Prospectus Supplement, may be used to pay
distributions in accordance with the Fund&#146;s distribution policy. Such distribution may include a return of capital and should not be considered as dividend yield or the total return from an investment in the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_5"></A>THE FUND </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund is a diversified, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The
Fund is organized as a Delaware statutory trust. The Fund commenced its investment operations in July 1986 and was reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust on February 17, 2006. The common shares of the Fund are listed on the NYSE American under
the symbol &#147;ECF.&#148; The Fund&#146;s principal office is located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_6">
</A>INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Investment Objectives </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund invests primarily in convertible securities with the objectives of providing income and the potential for capital appreciation (which
objectives the Fund considers to be relatively equal, over the long term, due to the nature of the securities in which it invests). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">These
investment objectives may be modified in the future by the Board without the approval of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Fund will provide stockholders with at least 60 days&#146; written
notice prior to implementation of any changes to these investment objectives. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Investment Policies </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As a fundamental
investment policy, the Fund will invest, under normal market conditions, at least 65% of its total assets in convertible securities (that is, bonds, debentures, corporate notes or preferred stock that are convertible into common stock) and common
stock received upon conversion or exchange of securities and retained in the Fund&#146;s portfolio to permit orderly disposition or to establish long-term holding periods for U.S. federal income tax purposes. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund is not required to sell securities for the purpose of assuring that 65% of its total assets are invested in convertible securities.
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Convertible securities include debt securities and preferred stocks which are convertible into, or carry the right to purchase, common
stock. The debt security or preferred stock may itself be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, or the conversion privilege may be evidenced by warrants attached to the security or acquired as part of a unit with the security. A
convertible security may also be structured so that it is convertible at the option of the holder or of the issuer, or subject to mandatory conversion. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may invest in convertible securities rated below investment grade by the established rating services (&#147;Ba&#148; or lower by
Moody&#146;s Investors Service, Inc. (&#147;Moody&#146;s&#148;) or &#147;BB&#148; or lower by Standard&nbsp;&amp; Poor&#146;s </P>
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Ratings Services (&#147;Standard&nbsp;&amp; Poor&#146;s&#148; or &#147;S&amp;P&#148;)) or in unrated securities which are in the judgment of the Fund&#146;s investment adviser of equivalent
quality. Securities rated below investment grade, commonly referred to as &#147;junk bonds,&#148; or &#147;high yield&#148; securities, are predominantly speculative, involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions and include securities of
issuers in default, which are likely to have the lowest rating. The average maturity and average duration of the Fund&#146;s investments in debt securities is expected to vary and the Fund does not target any particular average maturity or average
duration. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Under normal market conditions, the remaining 35% or less of the Fund&#146;s total assets may be invested in other securities,
including <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-convertible</FONT> equity and debt securities, options, warrants, U.S. Government or agency obligations, or repurchase agreements, or they may be held as cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may invest in
non-convertible equity securities of any market capitalization. The Fund does not intend to participate in derivative transactions other than options transactions as described herein. See &#147;Investment Objectives and Policies&#151;Certain
Investment Practices&#151;Options.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets, taken at market value, in securities of
foreign issuers, including issuers located in emerging markets. Securities convertible or exchangeable for common stock of U.S. companies, and U.S. dollar-denominated securities convertible or exchangeable for American Depositary Receipts that at
the time of purchase (i)&nbsp;are listed on the NYSE, NYSE American or the NASDAQ National Market, or (ii)&nbsp;the underlying issuers of which meet the then prevailing earnings requirement for listing on the NYSE and also file Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">20-F</FONT> (or comparable form) with the SEC are not subject to this limitation. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may invest up to
20% of its net assets in securities that are illiquid. An illiquid investment is a security or other investment that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued
the investment. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">While the Fund does not, as a matter of investment policy, seek to gain exposure to any particular sectors, it has
recently had significant exposure to the healthcare, information technology and financial services sectors. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may lend securities
representing up to 10% of its total assets, taken at market value, to securities firms and financial institutions such as banks and trust companies and receive therefor collateral in cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the United States
Government (&#147;Government Securities&#148;) which are maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities in accordance with its investment
policies and restrictions. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund&#146;s investment policy of investing at least 65% of its total assets in normal circumstances in
convertible securities is a fundamental policy that cannot be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding voting securities (voting together as a single class) of the Fund (which for this
purpose and under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented or (ii)&nbsp;more than 50% of the outstanding shares). If the Fund issues and has
outstanding preferred shares, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding preferred shares of the Fund voting as a separate class (which for this purposes and under the 1940 Act means the lesser
of (i) 67% of the preferred shares, as a single class, represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the Fund&#146;s outstanding preferred shares are represented or (ii)&nbsp;more than 50% of the outstanding preferred shares) would also be
required to change a fundamental policy. Unless specifically stated as such, no other policy of the Fund is fundamental and each policy may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. The percentage and ratings limitations stated herein
and in the SAI apply only at the time an investment is made. Thus, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in the values of portfolio securities or amount of total assets will not be considered a violation of any of the
foregoing restrictions. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Gabelli Funds, LLC, a New York limited liability company, with offices at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York
10580-1422, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">32 </P>


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<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Convertible Securities</I></B>. The Fund will invest primarily in convertible securities, including bonds, debentures, corporate notes,
preferred stock or other securities which may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of the issuer&#146;s underlying common stock during a specified time period. Prior to their conversion, convertible securities have the same overall
characteristics as <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-convertible</FONT> debt securities insofar as they generally provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of equity securities of the same or similar issuers.
Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in an issuer&#146;s capital structure. They are of a higher credit quality and entail less risk than an issuer&#146;s common stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large
measure upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed income security. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund is also permitted to
invest in certain other securities with innovative structures in the convertible securities market. These include &#147;mandatory conversion&#148; securities, which consist of debt securities or preferred stocks that convert automatically into
common stock of the same or a different issuer at a specified date and conversion ratio. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The market value of a convertible security may
be viewed as comprised of two components: its &#147;investment value,&#148; which is its value based on its yield without regard to its conversion feature; and its &#147;conversion value,&#148; which is its value attributable to the underlying
common stock obtainable on conversion. The investment value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates and the yield of similar <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-convertible</FONT> securities, with investment value
declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decrease. The conversion value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in the market price of the underlying common stock. If, because of a low price of the underlying
common stock, the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds
the conversion price, the convertible security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value, and the convertible security may sell at a premium over its conversion value to the extent investors place value on the right to acquire the
underlying common stock while holding a fixed income security. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Accordingly, convertible securities have unique investment characteristics
because (i)&nbsp;they have relatively high yields as compared to common stocks, (ii)&nbsp;they have defensive characteristics since they provide a fixed return even if the market price of the underlying common stock declines, and (iii)&nbsp;they
provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A convertible security may
be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the charter provision or indenture pursuant to which the convertible security is issued. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund
will be required to surrender the security for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Before the Fund purchases a convertible security it will review carefully the redemption provisions of the security.
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">There may be additional types of convertible securities with features not specifically referred to herein in which the Fund may invest
consistent with its investment objectives and policies. For a discussion of risk factors of convertible securities, see &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Convertible Securities Risk.&#148; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Equity Securities</I></B>. The Fund invests in equity securities (such as common stock and preferred stock). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Common stocks represent the residual ownership interest in the issuer and holders of common stock are entitled to the income and increase in
the value of the assets and business of the issuer after all of its debt obligations and obligations to preferred shareholders are satisfied. Common stocks generally have voting rights. Common stocks fluctuate in price in response to many factors
including historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity. </P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Equity securities also include preferred stock (whether or not convertible into common stock) and
debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for common or preferred stock. Preferred stock has a preference over common stock in liquidation (and generally dividends as well) but is subordinated to the liabilities of the issuer in all respects.
As a general rule the market value of preferred stock with a fixed dividend rate and no conversion element varies inversely with interest rates and perceived credit risk, while the market price of convertible preferred stock generally also reflects
some element of conversion value. Because preferred stock is junior to debt securities and other obligations of the issuer, deterioration in the credit quality of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value of a preferred stock than in a more
senior debt security with similarly stated yield characteristics. The market value of preferred stock will also generally reflect whether (and if so when) the issuer may force holders to sell their preferred stock back to the issuer and whether (and
if so when) the holders may force the issuer to buy back their preferred stock. Generally speaking, the right of the issuer to repurchase the preferred stock tends to reduce any premium at which the preferred stock might otherwise trade due to
interest rate or credit factors, while the right of the holders to require the issuer to repurchase the preferred stock tends to reduce any discount at which the preferred stock might otherwise trade due to interest rate or credit factors. In
addition, some preferred stocks are <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-cumulative,</FONT> meaning that the dividends do not accumulate and need not ever be paid. A portion of the portfolio may include investments in
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-cumulative</FONT> preferred stocks, whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to its shareholders. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-cumulative</FONT> preferred stocks in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for preferred or common stock are liabilities of the issuer but are generally
subordinated to more senior elements of the issuer&#146;s balance sheet. Although such securities also generally reflect an element of conversion value, their market value also varies with interest rates and perceived credit risk. Many convertible
securities are not investment grade, that is, not rated &#147;BBB&#148; or better by S&amp;P or &#147;Baa&#148; or better by Moody&#146;s or considered by the Investment Adviser to be of similar quality. Preferred stocks and convertible securities
may have many of the same characteristics and risks as nonconvertible debt securities. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;General <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Risks&#151;Non-Investment</FONT> Grade Securities.&#148; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Investment</FONT> Grade Securities.</I></B> The Fund may invest in securities rated below
investment grade by recognized statistical rating agencies or unrated securities of comparable quality, including securities of issuers in default, which are likely to have the lowest rating. These securities, which may be preferred shares or debt,
are predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Securities that are rated lower than &#147;BBB&#148; by S&amp;P or lower than &#147;Baa&#148; by Moody&#146;s or unrated securities considered by the Investment
Adviser to be of comparable quality are referred to in the financial press as &#147;junk bonds&#148; or &#147;high yield&#148; securities. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Generally, such <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-investment</FONT> grade securities and unrated securities of comparable quality offer a
higher current yield than is offered by higher rated securities, but also (i)&nbsp;will likely have some quality and protective characteristics that, in the judgment of the rating organizations, are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk
exposures to adverse conditions, and (ii)&nbsp;are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer&#146;s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The market values of certain of these
securities also tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher quality securities. In addition, such comparable unrated securities generally present a higher degree of credit risk. The
risk of loss due to default by these issuers is significantly greater because such <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-investment</FONT> grade securities and unrated securities of comparable quality generally are unsecured and frequently are
subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. In light of these risks, the Investment Adviser, in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issue, whether rated or unrated, will take various factors into consideration, which may include, as
applicable, the issuer&#146;s operating history, financial resources and its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the market support for the facility financed by the issue, the perceived ability and integrity of the issuer&#146;s
management and regulatory matters. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, the market value of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-investment</FONT> grade
securities is more volatile than that of higher quality securities, and the markets in which such lower rated or unrated securities are traded are more limited than those </P>
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in which higher rated securities are traded. The existence of limited markets may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio
and calculating its net asset value. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Moreover, the lack of a liquid trading market may restrict the availability of securities for the
Fund to purchase and may also have the effect of limiting the ability of the Fund to sell securities at their fair value in order to respond to changes in the economy or the financial markets. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-investment</FONT> grade securities and unrated securities of comparable quality also present risks based
on payment expectations. If an issuer calls the obligation for redemption (often a feature of fixed-income securities), the Fund may have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Also, as
the principal value of nonconvertible bonds and preferred stocks moves inversely with movements in interest rates, in the event of rising interest rates the value of the securities held by the Fund may decline proportionately more than a portfolio
consisting of higher rated securities. Investments in zero coupon bonds may be more speculative and subject to greater fluctuations in value due to changes in interest rates than bonds that pay interest currently. Interest rates are at historical
lows and the Federal Reserve has been increasing the federal funds rate and, therefore, it is likely that interest rates will continue to rise in the future. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may purchase securities of companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies
involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Although such investments may result in significant financial returns to the Fund, they involve a substantial degree of risk. The level of analytical sophistication, both
financial and legal, necessary for successful investments in issuers experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. There can be no assurance that the Fund will correctly evaluate the value of the assets
collateralizing its investments or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio investment, the Fund may lose all or part of its investment or may be
required to accept collateral with a value less than the amount of the Fund&#146;s initial investment. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As part of its investments in <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-investment</FONT> grade securities, the Fund may invest in securities of issuers in default. The Fund will make an investment in securities of issuers in default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such
issuers will honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection and the value of these securities will appreciate. By investing in securities of issuers in default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not continue to honor
their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of the securities will not otherwise appreciate. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition to
using statistical rating agencies and other sources, the Investment Adviser also performs its own analysis of issues in seeking investments that it believes to be underrated (and thus higher yielding) in light of the financial condition of the
issuer. Its analysis of issuers may include, among other things, current and anticipated cash flow and borrowing requirements, value of assets in relation to historical cost, strength of management, responsiveness to business conditions, credit
standing and current anticipated results of operations. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Investment Adviser may also consider general business conditions, anticipated changes in interest rates and the outlook for specific industries. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced. In addition, it is possible
that statistical rating agencies might change their ratings of a particular issue to reflect subsequent events on a timely basis. Moreover, such ratings do not assess the risk of a decline in market value. None of these events will require the sale
of the securities by the Fund, although the Investment Adviser will consider these events in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the securities. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Fixed income securities, including lower grade securities, frequently have call or <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">buy-back</FONT> features
that permit their issuers to call or repurchase the securities from their holders, such as the Fund. If an issuer exercises these rights during periods of declining interest rates, the Fund may have to replace the security with a lower yielding
security, thus resulting in a decreased return for the Fund. </P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The market for <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-investment</FONT> grade and comparable
unrated securities has experienced periods of significantly adverse price and liquidity several times, particularly at or around times of economic recession. Past market recessions have adversely affected the value of such securities and the ability
of certain issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon or to refinance such securities. The market for those securities may react in a similar fashion in the future. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Investment Grade Securities</I></B>. The Fund may also invest in investment grade
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-convertible</FONT> securities. Such securities include those rated at &#147;Baa&#148; and higher by Moody&#146;s or at &#147;BBB&#148; and higher by S&amp;P. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Warrants</I></B>. The Fund may invest in warrants. Warrants are, in effect, longer-term call options. They give the holder the right to
purchase a given number of shares of a particular company at specified prices within certain periods of time. The purchaser of a warrant expects that the market price of the security will exceed the purchase price of the warrant plus the exercise
price of the warrant, thus giving him a profit. Since the market price may never exceed the exercise price before the expiration date of the warrant, the purchaser of the warrant risks the loss of the entire purchase price of the warrant. Warrants
generally trade in the open market and may be sold rather than exercised. Warrants are sometimes sold in unit form with other securities of an issuer. Units of warrants and common stock may be employed in financing young, unseasoned companies. The
purchase price of a warrant varies with the exercise price of the warrant, the current market value of the underlying security, the life of the warrant and various other investment factors. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Foreign Securities</I></B>. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets, taken at market value, in securities of foreign issuers,
including issuers located in emerging markets. Foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange control regulations. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company
than about a U.S. company, and foreign companies may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. Securities of some foreign companies may be less liquid
or more volatile than securities of U.S. companies, and foreign brokerage commissions and custodian fees are generally higher than in the United States. Investments in foreign securities may also be subject to other risks different from those
affecting U.S. investments, including local political or economic developments, expropriation or nationalization of assets and imposition of withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>American Depositary Receipts</I></B>. The Fund may invest in American Depositary Receipts (&#147;ADRs&#148;). The Fund&#146;s investment
in ADRs is subject to its overall limitation on investing in foreign securities, unless certain conditions pertaining to ADRs are met. Such investment may entail certain risks similar to foreign securities. ADRs are certificates representing an
ownership interest in a security or a pool of securities issued by a foreign issuer and deposited with the depositary, typically a bank, and held in trust for the investor. The economies of many of the countries in which the issuer of a security
underlying an ADR principally engages in business may not be as developed as the United States&#146; economy and may be subject to significantly different forces. Political or social instability, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, and
limitations on the removal of funds or other assets could adversely affect the value of the Fund&#146;s investments in such securities. The value of the securities underlying ADRs could fluctuate as exchange rates change between U.S. dollars and the
currency of the country in which the foreign company is located. In addition, foreign companies are not registered with the SEC and are generally not subject to the regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is
generally less publicly available information about foreign companies than is available about domestic companies. Foreign companies are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements
comparable to those applicable to domestic companies. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Loans, Participation Interests and Assignments.</I></B> The Fund may invest
in loans, including assignments and participation interests. A loan in which the Fund may invest typically is originated, negotiated and structured by a syndicate of lenders consisting of commercial banks, thrift institutions, insurance companies,
finance companies or other financial institutions, which is administered on behalf of the syndicate by an agent bank. The investment by the Fund in a loan may take the form of participation interests or assignments. Participation interests may be
</P>
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acquired from a lender or other participants. If the Fund purchases a participation interest either from a lender or a participant, the Fund will not have established any direct contractual
relationship with the borrower. The Fund would be required to rely on the lender or the participant that sold the participation interest not only for the enforcement of the Fund&#146;s rights against the borrower but also for the receipt and
processing of payments due to the Fund under the loans. The Fund is thus subject to the credit risk of both the borrower and a participant. Lenders and participants interposed between the Fund and a borrower, together with agent banks, are referred
to herein as &#147;Intermediate Participants.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On the other hand, if the Fund purchases an assignment from a lender, the Fund will
generally become a &#147;lender&#148; for purposes of the relevant loan agreement, with direct contractual rights thereunder and under any related collateral security documents in favor of the lenders. An assignment from a lender gives the Fund the
right to receive payments of principal and interest and other amounts directly from the borrower and to enforce its rights as a lender directly against the borrower. The Fund will not act as an agent bank guarantor, sole negotiator or sole
structurer with respect to a loan. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Because it may be necessary to assert through an Intermediate Participant such rights as may exist
against the borrower, in the event the Borrower fails to pay principal and interest when due, the Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would be involved if the Fund could enforce its rights directly
against the borrower. Moreover, under the terms of a participation, the Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the Intermediate Participant (rather than of the borrower), so that the Fund may also be subject to the risk that the Intermediate
Participant may become insolvent. Further, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the borrower, the obligation of the borrower to repay the loan may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by such borrower as a result of
improper conduct by the agent bank or Intermediate Participant. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Restricted and Illiquid Securities</I></B>. The Fund may invest up
to 20% of its net assets in securities that are illiquid. Illiquid securities include securities legally restricted as to resale, such as commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the &#147;Securities
Act&#148;) and securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder. Section&nbsp;4(a)(2) and Rule 144A securities may, however, be treated as liquid by the Investment Adviser pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board, which require
consideration of factors such as trading activity, availability of market quotations and number of dealers willing to purchase the security. If the Fund invests in Rule 144A securities, the level of portfolio illiquidity may be increased to the
extent that eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing such securities. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">It may be difficult to sell such securities at a price
representing the fair value until such time as such securities may be sold publicly. Where registration is required, a considerable period may elapse between a decision to sell the securities and the time when it would be permitted to sell. Thus,
the Fund may not be able to obtain as favorable a price as that prevailing at the time of the decision to sell. The Fund may also acquire securities through private placements under which it may agree to contractual restrictions on the resale of
such securities. Such restrictions might prevent their sale at a time when such sale would otherwise be desirable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>U.S. Government
Obligations</I></B>. U.S. government securities in which the Fund invests include debt obligations of varying maturities issued by the U.S. Treasury or issued or guaranteed by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government. Some U.S. government
securities, such as U.S. Treasury bills, Treasury notes and Treasury bonds, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance, are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Others are supported only by:
(i)&nbsp;the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as securities of the Federal Home Loan Banks; (ii)&nbsp;the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency&#146;s obligations, such as securities of the
Federal National Mortgage Association; or (iii)&nbsp;only the credit of the issuer. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support in the future to U.S. government agencies, authorities or instrumentalities that
are not supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Securities guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities include: (i)&nbsp;securities for which the payment of
principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government or any of its </P>
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agencies, authorities or instrumentalities; and (ii)&nbsp;participations in loans made to <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-U.S.</FONT> governments or other entities that are so guaranteed.
The secondary market for certain of these participations is limited and, therefore, may be regarded as illiquid. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Short
Sales</I></B>. The Fund may make short sales of securities which it owns or which it has the right to acquire through conversion or exchange of other securities it owns. In a short sale the Fund does not immediately deliver the securities sold and
does not receive the proceeds from the sale. The Fund is said to have a short position in the securities sold until it delivers the securities sold, at which time it receives the proceeds of the sale. The Fund may not make short sales or maintain a
short position if, after giving effect to such short sale, or if, as a result of maintaining such short position, more than 25% of the Fund&#146;s total assets, taken at market value, are held as collateral for such sales. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">To secure its obligation to deliver the securities sold short, the Fund will deposit in escrow in a separate account with its custodian an
equal amount of the securities sold short or securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities. The Fund will normally close out a short position by purchasing and delivering an equal amount of the securities sold short, rather than by
delivering securities already held by the Fund. The Fund may, however, close out any short sale of common stock through the conversion or exchange of securities or the exercise of warrants or rights it owns, or through the delivery of common stock
already held by the Fund. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The short sale of a security is considered a speculative investment technique. The Fund may make a short sale
in order to hedge against market risks when it believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a long position the Fund may have in such security or a security convertible into or exchangeable for such security,
or when, for tax or other reasons, the Fund does not want to sell the security it owns. In such case, any future losses in the Fund&#146;s long position should be reduced by a gain in the short position. Conversely, any gain in the long position
should be reduced by a loss in the short position. The extent to which such gains or losses are reduced will depend upon the amount of the security sold short relative to the amount the Fund owns, either directly or indirectly, and, in the case
where the Fund owns convertible securities, changes with the conversion premiums. When the Fund makes a short sale, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale in order to satisfy
its obligation to deliver the security upon conclusion of the sale. The Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and is often obligated to deliver any payments received on such borrowed securities, such as dividends. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the
Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss will be increased, by the transaction costs incurred by the Fund, including the costs associated with providing
collateral to the broker-dealer (usually cash, U.S. government securities or other highly liquid debt securities) and the maintenance of collateral with its custodian. Although the Fund&#146;s gain is limited to the price at which it sold the
security short, its potential loss is theoretically unlimited. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Lending of Portfolio Securities</I></B>. The Fund may lend
securities representing up to 10% of its total assets, taken at market value, to securities firms and financial institutions such as banks and trust companies and receive therefor collateral in cash or Government Securities which are maintained at
all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. The purpose of such loans, generally, is to permit the borrower to use such securities for delivery to purchasers when such borrower has sold short.
If cash collateral is received by the Fund, it is invested in short-term money market securities, and a portion of the yield received in respect of such investment is retained by the Fund. Alternatively, if securities are delivered to the Fund as
collateral, the Fund and the borrower negotiate a rate for the loan premium to be received by the Fund for lending its portfolio securities. In either event, the total yield on the Fund&#146;s portfolio is increased by loans of its portfolio
securities. The Fund intends to retain record ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise beneficial rights such as voting rights, subscription rights and rights to dividends, interest or other distributions. Such loans are terminable at any
time. The Fund may pay reasonable finder&#146;s, administrative and custodial fees in connection with such loans. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit, consist
</P>
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of possible delay in recovery of the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. In determining whether the Fund will lend securities to a
particular borrower, the Fund will consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Repurchase Agreements</I></B>. As part of its strategy for the temporary investment of cash balances, the Fund may enter into repurchase
agreements with maturities of not more than seven days, pertaining to Government Securities with member banks of the Federal Reserve System or &#147;primary dealers&#148; (as designated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York) in such securities.
Repurchase agreements may be seen as loans by the Fund collateralized by underlying securities. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires an underlying security for a relatively short period (not more than one week)
subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the security at an agreed price and time. This arrangement results in a fixed rate of return to the Fund that is not subject to market fluctuations during the holding
period. The Fund bears a risk of loss in the event that the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed in or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities, including the
risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period in which it seeks to assert these rights. The Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets, taken at market value, in repurchase agreements with any
single vendor. The Investment Adviser, acting under the supervision of the Board, reviews the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements to evaluate these risks and monitors on an ongoing basis
the value of the securities subject to repurchase agreements to ensure that the value is maintained at the required level. The Fund does not enter into repurchase agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Temporary Defensive Investments</I></B>. The assets of the Fund are normally invested in convertible securities. However, when a
temporary defensive posture is believed by the Investment Adviser to be warranted (&#147;temporary defensive periods&#148;), the Fund may without limitation hold cash or invest all or a portion of its assets in money market instruments and
repurchase agreements in respect of those instruments. The money market instruments in which the Fund may invest are obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; commercial paper rated
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;A-1&#148;</FONT> or higher by S&amp;P or <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;Prime-1&#148;</FONT> by Moody&#146;s; and certificates of deposit and bankers&#146; acceptances issued by domestic branches of
U.S. banks that are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. During temporary defensive periods, the Fund may also invest to the extent permitted by applicable law in shares of money market mutual funds. Money market mutual funds are
investment companies and the investments in those companies by the Fund are in some cases subject to certain fundamental investment restrictions and applicable law. As a shareholder in a mutual fund, the Fund will bear its ratable share of its
expenses, including management fees, and will remain subject to payment of the fees to the Investment Adviser, with respect to assets so invested. The Fund may find it more difficult to achieve its investment objectives during temporary defensive
periods. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Options</I></B>. The Fund may from time to time, to a limited extent, invest its net assets in put options on common stock
or market indices and may write covered call options and may purchase call options to close out written covered call options. The Fund may not sell (write) call options on more than 25% of its total assets, taken at market value, and then only if
such options are covered, or invest more than 2% of its total assets, taken at market value, in the purchase of put options on common stocks owned by the Fund or which it has an immediate right to acquire through the conversion or exchange of other
securities which it owns, or on one or more broadly based stock market indices. The Fund may only write or purchase options listed on a national securities exchange. Except as stated herein, the Fund may not engage in options transactions. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A call option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right to buy from the writer of the call option, in return for a premium,
the security underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. The writer of the call option has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the
exercise price during the option period. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">39 </P>


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premium, to sell to the seller the underlying security at a specified price. The seller of the put option has the obligation to buy the underlying security upon exercise at the exercise price. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may write covered call options in order to receive additional income in the form of premiums which it is paid for writing options,
and for hedging purposes in order to protect against possible declines in the market values of the stocks or convertible securities held in its portfolio. A call option is &#147;covered&#148; if the Fund owns the underlying instrument covered by the
call or has an immediate right to acquire that instrument upon conversion or exchange of other instruments held in its portfolio.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If the Fund has written an option, it may terminate its obligation by effecting a closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished by
purchasing an option of the same series as the option previously written. However, once the Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to effect a closing purchase transaction. Similarly, if the Fund is the holder of an
option it may liquidate its position by effecting a closing sale transaction. This is accomplished by selling an option of the same series as the option previously purchased. There can be no assurance that either a closing purchase or sale
transaction can be effected when the Fund so desires. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund realizes a profit from a closing transaction if the price of the
transaction is less than the premium received from writing the option or is more than the premium paid to purchase the option; the Fund realizes a loss from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is more than the premium received from
writing the option or is less than the premium paid to purchase the option. Since call option prices generally reflect increases in the price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call option may also be wholly or
partially offset by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security. Other principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price and price volatility of the
underlying security and the time remaining until the expiration date. Gains and losses on investments in options depend, in part, on the ability of the Investment Adviser to predict correctly the effect of these factors. The use of options cannot
serve as a complete hedge since the price movement of securities underlying the options will not necessarily follow the price movements of the portfolio securities subject to the hedge. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">An option position may be closed out only on an exchange which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series or in a private
transaction. Although the Fund generally purchases or writes only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option. In
such event it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, so that the Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur brokerage commissions upon the exercise of call options and
upon the subsequent disposition of underlying securities for the exercise of put options. If the Fund, as a covered call option writer, is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the
underlying security until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security upon exercise or otherwise covers the position. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The
Fund may also purchase put options on one or more broadly based stock market indices when it wishes to protect all or part of its portfolio securities against a general market decline. The put on the index will increase in value if the level of the
index declines; any such increase in value would serve to offset in whole or in part any decline in the value of the Fund&#146;s portfolio. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund&#146;s purchase and sale of put options on stock indices will be subject to the same risks described above with respect to
transactions in stock options on individual stocks. In addition, the distinctive characteristics of options on indices create certain risks that are not present with stock options. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund&#146;s ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio in anticipation of or during a market decline
through transactions in put options on stock indices depends on the degree to which price </P>
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movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements in the Fund&#146;s portfolio securities. Since the Fund&#146;s portfolio securities will not duplicate the components of an
index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, the Fund will bear the risk that the prices of its portfolio securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of the Fund&#146;s put options on the stock indices. It is
also possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and the Fund&#146;s portfolio securities which would result in a loss on both such portfolio securities and the put options on stock indices acquired by the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">There are several risks associated with transactions in options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities markets
and the options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation among these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment,
and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events. The ability of the Fund to utilize options successfully will depend on the Investment Adviser&#146;s ability to predict
pertinent market investments, which cannot be assured. Although the Investment Adviser will attempt to take appropriate measures to minimize the risks relating to the Fund&#146;s writing of put and call options, there can be no assurance that the
Fund will succeed in any option-writing program it undertakes. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Leverage</I></B><B>. </B>At the Annual Meeting, shareholders
approved the Fund&#146;s proposal to revise the Fund&#146;s fundamental investment restriction regarding borrowing money or issuing senior securities to permit the Fund to borrow money or issue senior securities to the maximum extent permitted by
the 1940 Act. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may therefore use leverage, including as a result of any issuances of preferred shares or notes pursuant to an
applicable Prospectus Supplement. As provided in the 1940 Act and subject to certain exceptions, the Fund may issue senior securities (which may be stock, such as preferred shares, and/or securities representing debt) only if immediately after such
issuance the value of the Fund&#146;s total assets, less certain ordinary course liabilities, exceeds 300% of the amount of the debt outstanding and exceeds 200% of the amount of preferred shares and debt outstanding. Any such preferred shares may
be convertible in accordance with the SEC staff guidelines, which may permit the Fund to obtain leverage at attractive rates. The use of leverage magnifies the impact of changes in net asset value. Such volatility may increase the likelihood of the
Fund having to sell investments in order to meet its obligations to make distributions on the preferred shares or principal or interest payments on debt securities, or to redeem preferred shares or repay debt, when it may be disadvantageous to do
so. The Fund&#146;s use of leverage may require it to sell portfolio investments at inopportune times in order to raise cash to redeem preferred shares or otherwise <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">de-leverage</FONT> so as to maintain required asset
coverage amounts or comply with any mandatory redemption terms of any outstanding preferred shares. In addition, if the cost of leverage exceeds the return on the securities acquired with the proceeds of leverage, the use of leverage will diminish
rather than enhance the return to the Fund. The use of leverage generally increases the volatility of returns to the Fund. See &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Special Risks to Holders of Common Shares&#151;Leverage Risk.&#148;
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In the event the Fund had both outstanding preferred shares and senior securities representing debt at the same time, the Fund&#146;s
obligations to pay dividends or distributions and, upon liquidation of the Fund, liquidation payments in respect of its preferred shares would be subordinate to the Fund&#146;s obligations to make any principal and/or interest payments due and owing
with respect to its outstanding senior debt securities. Accordingly, the Fund&#146;s issuance of senior securities representing debt would have the effect of creating special risks for the Fund&#146;s preferred shareholders that would not be present
in a capital structure that did not include such securities. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Additionally, the Fund may enter into derivative transactions that have
economic leverage embedded in them. Derivative transactions that the Fund may enter into and the risks associated with them are described elsewhere in this Prospectus and in the SAI. The Fund cannot assure you that investments in derivative
transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them will result in a higher return on its common shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">To the extent the terms of
such transactions obligate the Fund to make payments, the Fund may earmark or segregate cash or liquid assets in an amount at least equal to the current value of the amount then payable by the </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">41 </P>


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Fund under the terms of such transactions or otherwise cover such transactions in accordance with applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC. If the current value of the amount then
payable by the Fund under the terms of such transactions is represented by the notional amounts of such investments, the Fund would segregate or earmark cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to such notional amounts, and if the
current value of the amount then payable by the Fund under the terms of such transactions is represented by the market value of the Fund&#146;s current obligations, the Fund would segregate or earmark cash or liquid assets having a market value at
least equal to such current obligations. To the extent the terms of such transactions obligate the Fund to deliver particular securities to extinguish the Fund&#146;s obligations under such transactions the Fund may &#147;cover&#148; its obligations
under such transactions by either (i)&nbsp;owning the securities or collateral underlying such transactions or (ii)&nbsp;having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities or collateral without additional cash consideration (or, if
additional cash consideration is required, having earmarked or segregated an appropriate amount of cash or liquid assets). Such earmarking, segregation or cover is intended to provide the Fund with available assets to satisfy its obligations under
such transactions. As a result of such earmarking, segregation or cover, the Fund&#146;s obligations under such transactions will not be considered senior securities representing indebtedness for purposes of the 1940 Act, or considered borrowings,
but may create leverage for the Fund. To the extent that the Fund&#146;s obligations under such transactions are not so earmarked, segregated or covered, such obligations may be considered &#147;senior securities representing indebtedness&#148;
under the 1940 Act and therefore subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">These earmarking, segregation or cover requirements can
result in the Fund maintaining securities positions it would otherwise liquidate, segregating or earmarking assets at a time when it might be disadvantageous to do so or otherwise restrict portfolio management. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Investment Restrictions</I></B>. The Fund has adopted certain fundamental investments policies designed to limit investment risk and
maintain portfolio diversification. See &#147;Investment Restrictions&#148; in the SAI for a complete list of the fundamental policies of the Fund. Fundamental policies may not be changed without the vote of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act,
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (voting together as a single class subject to class approval rights of any preferred shares). The Fund may become subject to rating agency guidelines that are more limiting than its current investment
restrictions in order to obtain and maintain a desired rating on its preferred shares, if any. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund&#146;s investment objectives are
not fundamental and may be modified by the Board without shareholder approval. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Portfolio Turnover</I></B>. The Fund will buy and
sell securities to accomplish its investment objectives. The investment policies of the Fund may lead to frequent changes in investments, particularly in periods of rapidly fluctuating interest or currency exchange rates. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Portfolio turnover generally involves some expense to the Fund, including brokerage commissions or dealer
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">mark-ups</FONT> and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and reinvestment in other securities. The portfolio turnover rate is computed by dividing the lesser of the amount of the securities purchased or
securities sold by the average monthly value of securities owned during the year (excluding securities whose maturities at acquisition were one year or less). Higher portfolio turnover may decrease the
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">after-tax</FONT> return to individual investors in the Fund to the extent it results in a decrease of the long term capital gains portion of distributions to shareholders. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate will generally not exceed 100%. For the fiscal years ended September&nbsp;30,
2015 and September&nbsp;30, 2016, the portfolio turnover rates of the Fund were 45% and 38%, respectively. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Further information on the
investment objectives and policies of the Fund is set forth in the SAI. </P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_7"></A><A NAME="pro453269_78"></A>RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Investors should consider the following risk factors and special considerations associated with investing in the Fund, each of which
is noted as either a &#147;principal&#148; risk or a &#147;non-principal&#148; risk: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>General Risks </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Convertible Securities Risk</I></B> <B><I>(Principal)</I></B>. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields
than <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-convertible</FONT> securities of similar quality. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In the absence
of adequate anti-dilution provisions in a convertible security, dilution in the value of the Fund&#146;s holding may occur in the event the underlying stock is subdivided, additional equity securities are issued for below market value, a stock
dividend is declared or the issuer enters into another type of corporate transaction that has a similar effect. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The value of a
convertible security is influenced by the value of the underlying equity security. Convertible debt securities and preferred stocks may depreciate in value if the market value of the underlying equity security declines or if rates of interest
increase. In addition, although debt securities are liabilities of a corporation which the corporation is generally obligated to repay at a specified time, debt securities, particularly convertible debt securities, are often subordinated to the
claims of some or all of the other creditors of the corporation. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Mandatory conversion securities (securities that automatically convert
into equity securities at a future date) may limit the potential for capital appreciation and, in some instances, are subject to complete loss of invested capital. Other innovative convertibles include &#147;equity-linked&#148; securities, which are
securities or derivatives that may have fixed, variable, or no interest payments prior to maturity, may convert (at the option of the holder or on a mandatory basis) into cash or a combination of cash and common stock, and may be structured to limit
the potential for capital appreciation. Equity-linked securities may be illiquid and difficult to value and may be subject to greater credit risk than that of other convertibles. Moreover, mandatory conversion securities and equity-linked securities
have increased the sensitivity of the convertible securities market to the volatility of the equity markets and to the special risks of those innovations, which may include risks different from, and possibly greater than, those associated with
traditional convertible securities. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Preferred stocks are equity securities in the sense that they do not represent a liability of the
corporation. In the event of liquidation of the corporation, and after its creditors have been paid or provided for, holders of preferred stock are generally entitled to a preference as to the assets of the corporation before any distribution may be
made to the holders of common stock. Debt securities normally do not have voting rights. Preferred stocks may have no voting rights or may have voting rights only under certain circumstances. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Credit Risk</I>. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer will fail to pay interest or dividends and principal in a timely manner. Companies that issue convertible securities may be small to <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">medium-size,</FONT> and they often have low credit ratings. In addition, the credit rating of a company&#146;s convertible securities is generally lower than that of its conventional debt securities. Convertible securities
are normally considered &#147;junior&#148; securities&#151;that is, the company usually must pay interest on its conventional debt before it can make payments on its convertible securities. Credit risk could be high for the Fund, because it could
invest in securities with low credit quality. The lower a debt security is rated, the greater its default risk. As a result, the Fund may incur cost and delays in enforcing its rights against the issuer. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Market Risk</I>. Although convertible securities do derive part of their value from that of the securities into which they are convertible, they are not considered derivative financial instruments. However, the
Fund&#146;s mandatory convertible securities include features which render them more sensitive to price changes of their underlying securities. Thus they expose the Fund to greater downside risk than traditional convertible securities, but generally
less than that of the underlying common stock. </TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Interest Rate Risk for Convertible Securities. </I>Market interest rates are currently significantly below historical average rates, and the Federal Reserve has begun to raise the Federal Funds rate, each of which
results in more pronounced interest rate risk in the current market environment. These factors increase the risk that the market interest rates will rise or continue to rise in the future, with a corresponding decline in the value of convertible
securities held by the Fund. Convertible securities are particularly sensitive to interest rate changes when their predetermined conversion price is much higher than the issuing company&#146;s common stock. See &#147;&#151;Fixed Income Securities
Risks&#151;Duration and Maturity Risk.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Sector Risk</I>. Sector risk is the risk that returns from the economic sectors in which convertible securities are concentrated will trail returns from other economic sectors. As a group, sectors tend to go through
cycles of doing <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">better-or-worse-than</FONT></FONT> the convertible securities market in general. These periods have, in the past, lasted for as long as several years. Moreover, the
sectors that dominate this market change over time. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Equity Risk</I></B><B> </B><B><I>(Principal)</I></B><B>.</B>
Investing in the Fund involves equity risk, which is the risk that the securities held by the Fund will fall in market value due to adverse market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held
by the Fund participate and the particular circumstances and performance of particular companies whose securities the Fund holds. An investment in the Fund represents an indirect economic stake in the securities owned by the Fund. The market value
of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The net asset value of the Fund may at any point in time be worth less than the amount at the time the shareholder invested in the Fund,
even after taking into account any reinvestment of distributions. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Common Stock Risk (Principal).</I></B> Common stock of an issuer
in the Fund&#146;s portfolio may decline in price for a variety of reasons, including if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial
condition. Common stock in which the Fund invests is structurally subordinated as to income and residual value to preferred stock, bonds and other debt instruments in a company&#146;s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and
therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stock or debt instruments of such issuers. In addition, while common stock has historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, common stock has also
experienced significantly more volatility in those returns. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Preferred Stock Risk (Principal).</I></B> There are special risks
associated with the Fund&#146;s investing in preferred securities, including: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Deferral</I>. Preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer dividends or distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. If the Fund
owns a preferred security that is deferring its dividends or distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes although it has not yet received such income. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Cumulative</FONT> Dividends.</I> Some preferred securities are <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-cumulative,</FONT> meaning that the dividends do not accumulate and need not
ever be paid. A portion of the portfolio may include investments in <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-cumulative</FONT> preferred securities, whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to its shareholders. Should an
issuer of a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-cumulative</FONT> preferred security held by the Fund determine not to pay dividends or distributions on such security, the Fund&#146;s return from that security may be adversely affected. There is no
assurance that dividends or distributions on <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-cumulative</FONT> preferred securities in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Subordination</I>. Preferred securities are subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in an issuer&#146;s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore will
be subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt security instruments. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Liquidity</I>. Preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks or U.S. government securities. </TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">44 </P>


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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Limited Voting Rights</I>. Generally, preferred security holders (such as the Fund) have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of
periods, at which time the preferred security holders may be entitled to elect a number of directors to the issuer&#146;s board. Generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no longer have voting rights.
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Special Redemption Rights</I>. In certain varying circumstances, an issuer of preferred securities may redeem the securities prior to a specified date. For instance, for certain types of preferred securities, a
redemption may be triggered by a change in U.S. federal income tax or securities laws. A redemption by the issuer may negatively impact the return of the security held by the Fund. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Warrants and Rights</I></B> <B><I>(Non-Principal)</I></B>. The Fund may invest in warrants and rights (including those acquired in units
or attached to other securities) which entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for or at the end of a specific period of time. The Fund will do so only if the underlying equity securities are deemed appropriate by the
Investment Adviser for inclusion in the Fund&#146;s portfolio. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Investing in rights and warrants can provide a greater potential for
profit or loss than an equivalent investment in the underlying security, and thus can be a riskier investment. The value of a right or warrant may decline because of a decline in the value of the underlying security, the passage of time, changes in
interest rates or in the dividend or other policies of the Fund whose equity underlies the warrant, a change in the perception as to the future price of the underlying security, or any combination thereof. Rights and warrants generally pay no
dividends and confer no voting or other rights other than the right to purchase the underlying security. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Fixed Income Securities
Risks</I></B> <B><I>(Principal)</I></B>. Fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest are generally subject to the following risks: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Interest Rate Risk</I>. The market value of bonds and other fixed-income or dividend-paying securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of
bonds and other income- or dividend-paying securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low interest rates, and the
Federal Reserve has begun to raise the Federal Funds rate, each of which results in more pronounced interest rate risk in the current market environment. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other income- or
dividend-paying securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund&#146;s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will
be reflected in the Fund&#146;s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short term or long term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at
the option of the obligor, the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only
periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These
basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. government securities. A security backed by the &#147;full faith and credit&#148; of the U.S. government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current
market price. Just like other income- or dividend-paying securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund&#146;s use of leverage will tend to increase the Fund&#146;s interest rate risk. The Fund may invest in variable and floating rate
debt instruments, which generally are less sensitive to interest rate changes than longer duration fixed rate instruments, but may decline in value in response to rising interest rates if, for example, the rates at which they pay interest do not
rise as much, or as quickly, as market interest rates in general. Conversely, variable and floating rate instruments generally will not increase </P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
in value if interest rates decline. The Fund also may invest in inverse floating rate debt securities, which may decrease in value if interest rates increase, and which also may exhibit greater
price volatility than fixed rate debt obligations with similar credit quality. To the extent the Fund holds variable or floating rate instruments, a decrease (or, in the case of inverse floating rate securities, an increase) in market interest rates
will adversely affect the income received from such securities, which may adversely affect the net asset value of the Fund&#146;s common shares. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Issuer Risk</I>. Issuer risk is the risk that the value of an income- or dividend-paying security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial
leverage, reduced demand for the issuer&#146;s goods and services, historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of the assets of the issuer. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Credit Risk</I>. Credit risk is the risk that one or more income- or dividend-paying securities in the Fund&#146;s portfolio will decline in price or fail to pay interest/distributions or principal when due because
the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial status. Credit risk is increased when a portfolio security is downgraded or the perceived creditworthiness of the issuer deteriorates. To the extent the Fund invests in below
investment grade securities, it will be exposed to a greater amount of credit risk than a fund which only invests in investment grade securities. See <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;&#151;Non-Investment</FONT> Grade Securities.&#148; The
degree of credit risk depends on the issuer&#146;s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Prepayment Risk</I>. Prepayment risk is the risk that during periods of declining interest rates, borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled. For income- or dividend-paying
securities, such payments often occur during periods of declining interest rates, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities, resulting in a possible decline in the Fund&#146;s income and distributions to shareholders. This is known
as prepayment or &#147;call&#148; risk. Below investment grade securities frequently have call features that allow the issuer to redeem the security at dates prior to its stated maturity at a specified price (typically greater than par) only if
certain prescribed conditions are met (&#147;call protection&#148;). For premium bonds (bonds acquired at prices that exceed their par or principal value) purchased by the Fund, prepayment risk may be enhanced. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Reinvestment Risk</I>. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund&#146;s portfolio will decline if the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed income securities at market interest
rates that are below the Fund portfolio&#146;s current earnings rate. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><I>Duration and Maturity Risk.</I> The Fund has no set policy regarding portfolio maturity or duration of the
fixed-income securities it may hold. The Investment Adviser may seek to adjust the duration or maturity of the Fund&#146;s fixed-income holdings based on its assessment of current and projected market conditions and all other factors that the
Investment Adviser deems relevant. In comparison to maturity (which is the date on which the issuer of a debt instrument is obligated to repay the principal amount), duration is a measure of the price volatility of a debt instrument as a result in
changes in market rates of interest, based on the weighted average timing of the instrument&#146;s expected principal and interest payments. Specifically, duration measures the anticipated percentage change in NAV that is expected for every
percentage point change in interest rates. The two have an inverse relationship. Duration can be a useful tool to estimate anticipated price changes to a fixed pool of income securities associated with changes in interest rates. For example, a
duration of five years means that a 1% decrease in interest rates will increase the NAV of the portfolio by approximately 5%; if interest rates increase by 1%, the NAV will decrease by 5%. However, in a managed portfolio of fixed income securities
having differing interest or dividend rates or payment schedules, maturities, redemption provisions, call or prepayment provisions and credit qualities, actual price changes in response to changes in interest rates may differ significantly from a
duration-based estimate at any given time. Actual price movements experienced by a portfolio of fixed income securities will be affected by how interest rates move (i.e., changes in the relationship of long term interest rates to short term interest
rates), the magnitude of any move in interest rates, actual and anticipated prepayments of principal through call or redemption </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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features, the extension of maturities through restructuring, the sale of securities for portfolio management purposes, the reinvestment of proceeds from prepayments on and from sales of
securities, and credit quality-related considerations whether associated with financing costs to lower credit quality borrowers or otherwise, as well as other factors. Accordingly, while duration maybe a useful tool to estimate potential price
movements in relation to changes in interest rates, investors are cautioned that duration alone will not predict actual changes in the net asset or market value of the Fund&#146;s shares and that actual price movements in the Fund&#146;s portfolio
may differ significantly from duration-based estimates. Duration differs from maturity in that it takes into account a security&#146;s yield, coupon payments and its principal payments in addition to the amount of time until the security matures. As
the value of a security changes over time, so will its duration. Prices of securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter durations. In general, a portfolio of securities with a
longer duration can be expected to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than a portfolio with a shorter duration. Any decisions as to the targeted duration or maturity of any particular category of investments will be made based on all
pertinent market factors at any given time. The Fund may incur costs in seeking to adjust the portfolio average duration or maturity. There can be no assurance that the Investment Adviser&#146;s assessment of current and projected market conditions
will be correct or that any strategy to adjust duration or maturity will be successful at any given time. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Corporate Bonds Risk (Principal).</I></B> The market value of a corporate bond generally may be expected to rise and fall inversely with
interest rates. The market value of intermediate and longer-term corporate bonds is generally more sensitive to changes in interest rates than is the market value of shorter term corporate bonds. The market value of a corporate bond also may be
affected by factors directly related to the issuer, such as investors&#146; perceptions of the creditworthiness of the issuer, the issuer&#146;s financial performance, perceptions of the issuer in the market place, performance of management of the
issuer, the issuer&#146;s capital structure and use of financial leverage and demand for the issuer&#146;s goods and services. Certain risks associated with investments in corporate bonds are described elsewhere in this prospectus in further detail,
including under &#147;&#151;Fixed Income Securities Risks&#151;Credit Risk,&#148; &#147;&#151;Fixed Income Securities Risks&#151;Interest Rate Risk,&#148; &#147;&#151;Fixed Income Securities Risks&#151;Prepayment Risk,&#148; and &#147;&#151;General
Risks&#151;Inflation Risk.&#148; There is a risk that the issuers of corporate bonds may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument. Corporate bonds of below investment grade
quality are often high risk and have speculative characteristics and may be particularly susceptible to adverse issuer-specific developments. Corporate bonds of below investment grade quality are subject to the risks described herein under <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;&#151;Non-Investment</FONT> Grade Securities.&#148; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Investment</FONT> Grade Securities (Principal).</I></B> The Fund may invest in below
investment-grade securities, also known as &#147;junk bonds&#148; or &#147;high-yield securities.&#148; These securities, which may be preferred stock or debt, are predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions.
Securities that are rated lower than &#147;BBB&#148; by S&amp;P or lower than &#147;Baa&#148; by Moody&#146;s (or unrated securities of comparable quality) are referred to in the financial press as &#147;junk bonds&#148; or &#147;high yield&#148;
securities and generally pay a premium above the yields of U.S. government securities or securities of investment grade issuers because they are subject to greater risks than these securities. These risks, which reflect their speculative character,
include the following:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">greater volatility; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">potentially greater sensitivity to general economic or industry conditions; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">potential lack of attractive resale opportunities (illiquidity); and </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">additional expenses to seek recovery from issuers who default. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, the prices of
these <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-investment</FONT> grade securities are more sensitive to negative developments, such as a decline in the issuer&#146;s revenues or a general economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade
securities. <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-investment</FONT> grade securities tend to be less liquid than investment grade securities. The market </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">47 </P>


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value of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-investment</FONT> grade securities may be more volatile than the market value of investment grade securities and generally tends to reflect the
market&#146;s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and short term market developments to a greater extent than investment grade securities, which primarily reflect fluctuations in general levels of interest rates. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Ratings are relative and subjective and not absolute standards of quality. Securities ratings are based largely on the issuer&#146;s
historical financial condition and the rating agencies&#146; analysis at the time of rating. Consequently, the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer&#146;s current financial condition. In light of
these risks, the Investment Adviser, in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issuer, whether rated or unrated, will take various factors into consideration, which may include, as applicable, the issuer&#146;s operating history, financial resources
and its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the market support for the facility financed by the issue, the perceived ability and integrity of the issuer&#146;s management and regulatory matters. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-investment</FONT> grade rated securities also present risks based on payment expectations. If an issuer
calls the obligation for redemption (often a feature of fixed income securities), the Fund may have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Also, as the principal value of bonds and
dividend-paying securities moves inversely with movements in interest rates, in the event of rising interest rates the value of the securities held by the Fund may decline proportionately more than a portfolio consisting of higher rated securities.
Investments in zero coupon bonds may be more speculative and subject to greater fluctuations in value due to changes in interest rates than bonds that pay interest currently. Interest rates are at historical lows and the Federal Reserve has been
increasing the federal funds rate and, therefore, it is likely that interest rates will continue to rise in the future. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may
purchase securities of companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Although such investments may result in
significant financial returns to the Fund, they involve a substantial degree of risk. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful investments in issuers experiencing significant business and financial
difficulties is unusually high. There can be no assurance that the Fund will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing its investments or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. In any reorganization or
liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio investment, the Fund may lose all or part of its investment or may be required to accept collateral with a value less than the amount of the Fund&#146;s initial investment. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As a part of its investments in <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-investment</FONT> grade securities, the Fund may invest in the securities
of issuers in default. The Fund invests in securities of issuers in default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will honor their obligations and emerge from bankruptcy protection and that the value of such issuers&#146;
securities will appreciate. By investing in the securities of issuers in default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of these securities will
not otherwise appreciate. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition to using statistical rating agencies and other sources, the Investment Adviser will also perform
its own analysis of issues in seeking investments that it believes to be underrated (and thus higher yielding) in light of the financial condition of the issuer. Its analysis of issuers may include, among other things, current and anticipated cash
flow and borrowing requirements, value of assets in relation to historical cost, strength of management, responsiveness to business conditions, credit standing and current anticipated results of operations. In selecting investments for the Fund, the
Investment Adviser may also consider general business conditions, anticipated changes in interest rates and the outlook for specific industries. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced. In addition, it is possible
that statistical rating agencies might change their ratings of a particular issue to reflect subsequent events on a timely basis. Moreover, such ratings do not assess the risk of a decline in market </P>

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value. None of these events will require the sale of the securities by the Fund, although the Investment Adviser will consider these events in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold
the securities. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Fixed income securities, including <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-investment</FONT> grade securities and comparable
unrated securities, frequently have call or <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">buy-back</FONT> features that permit their issuers to call or repurchase the securities from their holders, such as the Fund. If an issuer exercises these rights during
periods of declining interest rates, the Fund may have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, thus resulting in a decreased return for the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The market for <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-investment</FONT> grade and comparable unrated securities has at various times,
particularly during times of economic recession, experienced substantial reductions in market value and liquidity. Past recessions have adversely affected the ability of certain issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon.
The market for those securities could react in a similar fashion in the event of any future economic recession. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>U.S. Government
Securities and Credit Rating Downgrade Risk (Non-Principal).</I></B> The Fund may invest in direct obligations of the government of the United States or its agencies. Obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities
and instrumentalities and backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. guarantee only that principal and interest will be timely paid to holders of the securities. These entities do not guarantee that the value of such obligations will increase,
and, in fact, the market values of such obligations may fluctuate. In addition, not all U.S. government securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; some are the obligation solely of the entity through which they are
issued. There is no guarantee that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies and instrumentalities if not required to do so by law. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The events surrounding negotiations regarding the U.S. federal government debt ceiling and deficit reduction could adversely affect the
Fund&#146;s ability to achieve its investment objectives. In 2011, S&amp;P lowered its long term sovereign credit rating on the U.S. to &#147;AA+&#148; from &#147;AAA.&#148; The downgrade by S&amp;P increased volatility in both stock and bond
markets, resulting in higher interest rates and higher Treasury yields, and increased the costs of all kinds of debt. Repeat occurrences of similar events could have significant adverse effects on the U.S. economy generally and could result in
significant adverse impacts on issuers of securities held by the Fund itself. The Investment Adviser cannot predict the effects of similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets or on the Fund&#146;s portfolio. The
Investment Adviser monitors developments and seeks to manage the Fund&#146;s portfolio in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund&#146;s investment objectives, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so and the
Investment Adviser may not timely anticipate or manage existing, new or additional risks, contingencies or developments. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Smaller
Companies Investment Risk (Non-Principal).</I></B> The Fund may invest in the securities of smaller, less seasoned companies. Smaller companies offer investment opportunities and additional risks. They may not be well known to the investing public,
may not be significantly owned by institutional investors and may not have steady earnings growth. These companies may have limited product lines and markets, as well as shorter operating histories, less experienced management and more limited
financial resources than larger companies. In addition, the securities of such companies may be more vulnerable to adverse general market or economic developments, more volatile in price, have wider spreads between their bid and ask prices and have
significantly lower trading volumes than the securities of larger capitalization companies. As such, securities of these smaller companies may be less liquid than those of larger companies, and may experience greater price fluctuations than larger
companies. In addition, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">small-cap</FONT> or <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">mid-cap</FONT> company securities may not be widely followed by investors, which may result in reduced demand. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As a result, the purchase or sale of more than a limited number of shares of the securities of a smaller company may affect its market price.
The Investment Adviser may need a considerable amount of time to purchase or sell its positions in these securities, particularly when other Investment Adviser-managed accounts or other investors are also seeking to purchase or sell them. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">49 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The securities of smaller capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are
subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization securities or the market as a whole. In addition, smaller capitalization securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, borrowing costs and
earnings. Investing in smaller capitalization securities requires a longer-term view. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Securities of emerging companies may lack an active
secondary market and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than securities of larger, more established companies or stock market averages in general. Competitors of certain companies, which may or may not be in the same industry,
may have substantially greater financial resources than the companies in which the Fund may invest. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Foreign Securities Risk
(Principal).</I></B> Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve certain considerations and risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers and such securities may be more volatile than those of
issuers located in the United States. Foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. Foreign securities exchanges, brokers and
listed companies may be subject to less government supervision and regulation than exists in the United States. Dividend and interest income may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may adversely affect the net return on such
investments. There may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad. In addition, it may be difficult to effect repatriation of capital invested in certain countries. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there are risks
of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. Dividend income the Fund receives from foreign securities may not be eligible for the
special tax treatment applicable to qualified dividend income. Moreover, certain equity investments in foreign issuers classified as passive foreign investment companies may be subject to additional taxation risk. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than a U.S. company. Foreign securities markets may have
substantially less volume than U.S. securities markets and some foreign company securities are less liquid than securities of otherwise comparable U.S. companies. A portfolio of foreign securities may also be adversely affected by fluctuations in
the rates of exchange between the currencies of different nations and by exchange control regulations. Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures that could cause the Fund to encounter difficulties in purchasing and
selling securities on such markets and may result in the Fund missing attractive investment opportunities or experiencing loss. In addition, a portfolio that includes foreign securities can expect to have a higher expense ratio because of the
increased transaction costs on <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-U.S.</FONT> securities markets and the increased costs of maintaining the custody of foreign securities. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund also may purchase ADRs or U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers. ADRs are receipts issued by U.S. banks or trust
companies in respect of securities of foreign issuers held on deposit for use in the U.S. securities markets. While ADRs may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted, many of the risks
associated with foreign securities may also apply to ADRs. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder
communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following provides more detail on certain pronounced risks with foreign investing: </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><I>Foreign Currency Risk</I>. The Fund may invest in companies whose securities are denominated or quoted in
currencies other than U.S. dollars or have significant operations or markets outside of the United States. In such instances, the Fund will be exposed to currency risk, including the risk of fluctuations in the exchange rate between U.S. dollars (in
which the Fund&#146;s shares are denominated) and such foreign currencies, the risk of currency devaluations and the risks of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-exchangeability</FONT> and blockage. As
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-U.S.</FONT> securities may be purchased with and payable in currencies of countries other than the U.S. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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dollar, the value of these assets measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control regulations. Fluctuations in currency rates
may adversely affect the ability of the Investment Adviser to acquire such securities at advantageous prices and may also adversely affect the performance of such assets. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Certain <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-U.S.</FONT> currencies, primarily in developing countries, have been devalued in the past and
might face devaluation in the future. Currency devaluations generally have a significant and adverse impact on the devaluing country&#146;s economy in the short and intermediate term and on the financial condition and results of companies&#146;
operations in that country. Currency devaluations may also be accompanied by significant declines in the values and liquidity of equity and debt securities of affected governmental and private sector entities generally. To the extent that affected
companies have obligations denominated in currencies other than the devalued currency, those companies may also have difficulty in meeting those obligations under such circumstances, which in turn could have an adverse effect upon the value of the
Fund&#146;s investments in such companies. There can be no assurance that current or future developments with respect to foreign currency devaluations will not impair the Fund&#146;s investment flexibility, its ability to achieve its investment
objectives or the value of certain of its foreign currency-denominated investments. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Tax Consequences of Foreign Investing</I>. The Fund&#146;s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward
contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. This treatment could increase or decrease the Fund&#146;s
ordinary income distributions to you, and may cause some or all of the Fund&#146;s previously distributed income to be classified as a return of capital. In certain cases, the Fund may make an election to treat gain or loss attributable to certain
investments as capital gain or loss. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>EMU and Redenomination Risk</I>. As the European debt crisis progressed, the possibility of one or more Eurozone countries exiting the European Monetary Union (&#147;EMU&#148;), or even the collapse of the Euro as a
common currency, arose, creating significant volatility at times in currency and financial markets generally. The effects of the collapse of the Euro, or of the exit of one or more countries from the EMU, on the U.S. and global economy and
securities markets are impossible to predict and any such events could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund&#146;s portfolio. Any partial or complete dissolution of the EMU could have significant adverse
effects on currency and financial markets, and on the values of the Fund&#146;s portfolio investments. If one or more EMU countries were to stop using the Euro as its primary currency, the Fund&#146;s investments in such countries may be
redenominated into a different or newly adopted currency. As a result, the value of those investments could decline significantly and unpredictably. In addition, securities or other investments that are redenominated may be subject to foreign
currency risk, liquidity risk and valuation risk to a greater extent than similar investments currently denominated in Euros. To the extent a currency used for redenomination purposes is not specified in respect of certain <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">EMU-related</FONT> investments, or should the Euro cease to be used entirely, the currency in which such investments are denominated may be unclear, making such investments particularly difficult to value or dispose of.
The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek judicial or other clarification of the denomination or value of such securities. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><I>Emerging Markets Risk</I>. The considerations noted above in &#147;Foreign Securities Risk&#148; are generally
intensified for investments in emerging market countries. Emerging market countries typically have economic and political systems that are less fully developed, and can be expected to be less stable than those of more developed countries. Investing
in securities of companies in emerging markets may entail special risks relating to potential political and economic instability and the risks of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment,
the lack of hedging instruments and restrictions on repatriation of capital invested. Economies of such countries can be subject to rapid and unpredictable rates of inflation or deflation. Emerging securities markets are
</P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets. The limited size of emerging securities markets and limited trading volume compared to the
volume of trading in U.S. securities could cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the quality of the securities. For example, limited market size may cause prices to be unduly influenced by traders who control large
positions. Adverse publicity and investors&#146; perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and liquidity of portfolio securities, especially in these markets. Other risks include high concentration of market
capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of investors and financial intermediaries; overdependence on exports, including gold and natural resources
exports, making these economies vulnerable to changes in commodity prices; overburdened infrastructure and obsolete or unseasoned financial systems; environmental problems; less developed legal systems; and less reliable securities custodial
services and settlement practices. Certain emerging markets may also face other significant internal or external risks, including the risk of war and civil unrest. For all of these reasons, investments in emerging markets may be considered
speculative. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Eurozone Risk. </I>A number of countries in the EU have experienced, and may continue to experience, severe economic and financial difficulties. In particular, many EU nations are susceptible to economic risks
associated with high levels of debt, notably due to investments in sovereign debt of countries such as Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland. As a result, financial markets in the EU have been subject to increased volatility and declines in
asset values and liquidity. Responses to these financial problems by European governments, central banks, and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest, and may limit future growth and economic
recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets, and asset valuations around the world. Greece, Ireland,
and Portugal have already received one or more &#147;bailouts&#148; from other Eurozone member states, and it is unclear how much additional funding they will require or if additional Eurozone member states will require bailouts in the future. One
or more other countries may also abandon the euro and/or withdraw from the EU, placing its currency and banking system in jeopardy. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant
and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">far-reaching.</FONT> </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On March&nbsp;29, 2017, the United Kingdom (the &#147;UK&#148;)
notified the European Council, in accordance with Article 50(2) of the Treaty on European Union (&#147;Article 50&#148;), of the UK&#146;s intention to withdraw from the European Union (the &#147;EU&#148;). In issuing the notice, the UK has begun
the two year process set out in Article 50 for the UK and the EU to negotiate the terms of the UK&#146;s withdrawal from the EU, taking into account the framework for the UK&#146;s future relationship with the EU. In accordance with Article 50 the
UK will cease to be a member of the EU from March&nbsp;30, 2019, absent any agreement between the UK and the EU which results in a change to this date. This historic event is widely expected to have consequences that are both profound and uncertain
for the economic and political future of the United Kingdom and the EU, and those consequences include significant legal and business uncertainties pertaining to an investment in the Fund. Due to the very recent occurrence of these events, the full
scope and nature of the consequences are not at this time known and are unlikely to be known for a significant period of time. At the same time, it is reasonable to assume that the significant uncertainty in the business, legal and political
environment engendered by these events has resulted in immediate and longer term risks that would not have been applicable had the UK not sought to withdraw from the EU (&#147;BREXIT Risks&#148;). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">BREXIT Risks include short and long term market volatility and currency volatility, macroeconomic risk to the UK and European economies,
impetus for further disintegration of the EU and related political stresses (including those related to sentiment against cross border capital movements and activities of investors like the Fund), prejudice to financial services businesses that are
conducting business in the EU and which are based in the UK, disruption to regulatory regimes related to the operations of the Fund and the Investment Adviser, legal uncertainty regarding achievement of
</P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
compliance with applicable financial and commercial laws and regulations in view of the expected steps to be taken pursuant to or in contemplation of Article 50 and negotiations undertaken under
Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and the unavailability of timely information as to expected legal, tax and other regimes. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In view of these risks and their application to the Investment Adviser and the Fund&#146;s portfolio, prospective investors should take into
account the significance of the BREXIT Risks, including the wide ranging and serious nature of these risks, and retain advice as needed, for purposes of evaluating an investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the BREXIT Risks will not
alter, and alter significantly, the attractiveness of an investment in the Fund by, among other things, giving rise to impediments to the intended implementation of the business strategy of the Fund that would have material effects on performance,
including the potential for capital losses, delays, legal and regulatory risk and general uncertainty. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Restricted and Illiquid
Securities Risk</I></B> <B><I>(Principal)</I></B>. Unregistered securities are securities that cannot be sold publicly in the United States without registration under the Securities Act. An illiquid investment is a security or other investment that
cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the investment. Unregistered securities often can be resold only in privately negotiated transactions with a limited
number of purchasers or in a public offering registered under the Securities Act. Considerable delay could be encountered in either event and, unless otherwise contractually provided for, the Fund&#146;s proceeds upon sale may be reduced by the
costs of registration or underwriting discounts. The difficulties and delays associated with such transactions could result in the Fund&#146;s inability to realize a favorable price upon disposition of unregistered securities, and at times might
make disposition of such securities impossible. The Fund may be unable to sell illiquid investments when it desires to do so, resulting in the Fund obtaining a lower price or being required to retain the investment. Illiquid investments generally
must be valued at fair value, which is inherently less precise than utilizing market values for liquid investments, and may lead to differences between the price a security is valued for determining the Fund&#146;s net asset value and the price the
Fund actually receives upon sale. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Special Risks Related to Investment in Derivatives</I></B> <B><I>(Non-Principal)</I></B>. The
Fund may participate in certain derivative transactions, as described herein. Such transactions entail certain execution, market, liquidity, hedging and tax risks. Participation in derivatives transactions involves investment risks and transaction
costs to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. If the Investment Adviser&#146;s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities or other referenced instruments or markets is inaccurate, the consequences
to the Fund may leave the Fund in a worse position than if it had not used such strategies. Risks inherent in the use of derivative transactions include: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">dependence on the Investment Adviser&#146;s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the relevant measure; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">imperfect correlation between the price of the derivative instrument and movements in the prices of the referenced assets; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
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<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the fact that skills needed to use these strategies are different from those needed to select portfolio securities; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at any time; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the possible need to defer closing out certain positions to avoid adverse tax consequences; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the possible inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a security or instrument at a time that otherwise would be favorable for it to do so, or the possible need for the Fund to sell a security or instrument at a
disadvantageous time due to a need for the Fund to maintain &#147;cover&#148; or to segregate securities in connection with the hedging techniques; and </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the creditworthiness of counterparties. </TD></TR></TABLE>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Certain derivatives may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions may not be regulated as
effectively as similar transactions in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities. The value of such
positions also could be adversely affected by (i)&nbsp;other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii)&nbsp;lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii)&nbsp;delays in the ability
of the Fund to act upon economic events occurring in the foreign markets during <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-business</FONT> hours in the United States, (iv)&nbsp;the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and
margin requirements than in the United States and (v)&nbsp;less trading volume. Exchanges on which derivatives are traded may impose limits on the positions that the Fund may take in certain circumstances. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Many <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">over-the-counter</FONT></FONT> (&#147;OTC&#148;) derivatives are valued
on the basis of dealers&#146; pricing of these instruments. However, the price at which dealers value a particular derivative and the price which the same dealers would actually be willing to pay for such derivative should the Fund wish or be forced
to sell such position may be materially different. Such differences can result in an overstatement of the Fund&#146;s net asset value and may materially adversely affect the Fund in situations in which the Fund is required to sell derivative
instruments. Exchange-traded derivatives and OTC derivative transactions submitted for clearing through a central counterparty have become subject to minimum initial and variation margin requirements set by the relevant clearinghouse, as well as
possible margin requirements mandated by the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the &#147;CFTC&#148;). These regulators also have broad discretion to impose margin requirements on <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-cleared</FONT> OTC
derivatives. These margin requirements will increase the overall costs for the Fund. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can
also reduce or eliminate gains. Hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and the underlying security, and there can be no assurance that the Fund&#146;s hedging transactions will be effective. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Derivatives may give rise to a form of leverage and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Recent legislation calls for
new regulation of the derivatives markets. The extent and impact of the regulation is not yet known and may not be known for some time. New regulation may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise
adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Counterparty Risk</I></B> <B><I>(Non-Principal)</I></B>. The Fund will be
subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative contracts purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties,
the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The counterparty risk for cleared derivatives is generally lower than for uncleared OTC derivative transactions since generally a clearing
organization becomes substituted for each counterparty to a cleared derivative contract and, in effect, guarantees the parties&#146; performance under the contract as each party to a trade looks only to the clearing organization for performance of
financial obligations under the derivative contract. However, there can be no assurance that a clearing organization, or its members, will satisfy its obligations to the Fund, or that the Fund would be able to recover the full amount of assets
deposited on its behalf with the clearing organization in the event of the default by the clearing organization or the Fund&#146;s clearing broker. In addition, cleared derivative transactions benefit from daily <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">marking-to-market</FONT></FONT> and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. Uncleared OTC derivative transactions generally do not benefit from such protections. This
exposes the Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem,
thus causing the Fund to suffer a loss. Such &#147;counterparty risk&#148; is accentuated for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where the Fund has concentrated its transactions with a single or
small group of counterparties. </P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Short Sales Risk</I></B> <B><I>(Non-Principal)</I></B>. Short-selling involves selling
securities which may or may not be owned and borrowing the same securities for delivery to the purchaser, with an obligation to replace the borrowed securities at a later date. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of
the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss will be increased, by the transaction
costs incurred by the Fund, including the costs associated with providing collateral to the broker-dealer (usually cash and liquid securities) and the maintenance of collateral with its Custodian. Although the Fund&#146;s gain is limited to the
price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is theoretically unlimited. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Short-selling necessarily involves certain
additional risks. Purchasing securities to close out the short position can itself cause the price of the securities to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. There is the risk that the securities borrowed by the Fund in connection with a
short-sale must be returned to the securities lender on short notice. If a request for return of borrowed securities occurs at a time when other short-sellers of the security are receiving similar requests, a &#147;short squeeze&#148; can occur, and
the Fund may be compelled to replace borrowed securities previously sold short with purchases on the open market at the most disadvantageous time, possibly at prices significantly in excess of the proceeds received at the time the securities were
originally sold short. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In September 2008, in response to spreading turmoil in the financial markets, the SEC temporarily banned short
selling in the stocks of numerous financial services companies, and also promulgated new disclosure requirements with respect to short positions held by investment managers. The SEC&#146;s temporary ban on short selling of such stocks has since
expired, but should similar restrictions and/or additional disclosure requirements be promulgated, especially if market turmoil occurs, the Fund may be forced to cover short positions more quickly than otherwise intended and may suffer losses as a
result. Such restrictions may also adversely affect the ability of the Fund to execute its investment strategies generally. Similar emergency orders were also instituted in <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-U.S.</FONT> markets in response to
increased volatility. In 2010, the SEC adopted amendments to Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act that restrict the ability to engage in short sales at a price that is less than or equal to the current best bid if the price of the covered security
has decreased by 10% or more from the covered security&#146;s closing price as of the end of the prior day. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Industry Concentration
Risk</I></B> <B><I>(Non-Principal)</I></B>. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of a single industry. Should the Fund choose to do so, the net asset value of the Fund will be more susceptible to factors affecting those
particular types of companies, which, depending on the particular industry, may include, among others: governmental regulation; inflation; cost increases in raw materials, fuel and other operating expenses; technological innovations that may render
existing products and equipment obsolete; and increasing interest rates resulting in high interest costs on borrowings needed for capital investment, including costs associated with compliance with environmental and other regulations. In such
circumstances, the Fund&#146;s investments may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuation than a fund that had securities representing a broader range of industries. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Healthcare Sector Risk (Principal). </I></B>The Fund has in the past invested, and may in the future invest, a significant portion of
its total assets in securities issued by companies in the healthcare sector. The profitability of companies in the healthcare sector may be affected by legislative activities and extensive government regulations, restrictions on government
reimbursement for medical expenses, rising costs of medical products and services, pricing pressure, an increased emphasis on outpatient services, limited number of products, industry innovation, changes in technologies and other market
developments. Many healthcare companies are heavily dependent on patent protection. The expiration of a company&#146;s patents may adversely affect that company&#146;s profitability. Many healthcare companies are subject to extensive civil
litigation based on product liability and similar claims. Healthcare companies are subject to competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Many new products in the healthcare sector may
be subject to regulatory approvals. The process of obtaining such approvals may be long and costly, and such efforts ultimately may be unsuccessful. Companies in the healthcare sector may be thinly capitalized and may be susceptible to product
obsolescence. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">55 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Risks Associated with the Implementation or Repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act. </I>In March 2010, the ACA was enacted. The ACA contains a number of provisions that could affect the Fund and its investments over the next several years. These provisions include establishing health insurance exchanges to facilitate the
purchase of qualified health plans, expanding Medicaid eligibility, subsidizing insurance premiums and creating requirements and incentives for businesses to provide healthcare benefits. Other provisions contain changes to healthcare fraud and abuse
laws and expand the scope of the Federal False Claims Act. The ACA contains numerous other measures that could also affect the Fund. For example, payment modifiers are to be developed that will differentiate payments to physicians under federal
healthcare programs based on quality of care. In addition, other provisions authorize voluntary demonstration projects relating to the bundling of payments for episodes of hospital care and the sharing of cost savings achieved under the Medicare
program. In October 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (&#147;CMS&#148;) issued a final rule under the ACA that is intended to allow physicians, hospitals and other health care providers to coordinate care for Medicare
beneficiaries through Accountable Care Organizations (&#147;ACOs&#148;). ACOs are entities consisting of healthcare providers and suppliers organized to deliver services to Medicare beneficiaries and eligible to receive a share of any cost savings
the entity can achieve by delivering services to those beneficiaries at a cost below a set baseline and with sufficient quality of care. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Many of the ACA&#146;s most significant reforms, such as the establishment of state-based and federally facilitated insurance exchanges that
provide a marketplace for eligible individuals and small employers to purchase health care insurance, became effective only recently. On October&nbsp;1, 2013, individuals began enrolling in health care insurance plans offered under these state-based
and federally-facilitated insurance exchanges, notwithstanding significant technical issues in accessing and enrolling in the federal online exchange. Such issues may have delayed or reduced the purchase of health care insurance by uninsured
persons. In order to be covered on the effective date of January&nbsp;1, 2014 individuals were required to enroll and pay their first premium by December&nbsp;24, 2013, however, extensions were granted on a case by case basis depending on specific
circumstances. Uninsured persons who do not enroll in health care insurance plans will be required to pay a penalty to the Internal Revenue Service, unless a hardship exception applied. The patient responsibility costs related to health care plans
obtained through the insurance exchanges may be high, and healthcare companies may experience increased bad debt due to patients&#146; inability to pay for certain services. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The ACA also allows states to expand their Medicaid programs through an increase in the Medicaid eligibility income limit from a state&#146;s
current eligibility levels to 133% of the federal poverty level. It remains unclear to what extent states will expand their Medicaid programs by raising the income limit to 133% of the federal poverty level. As a result of these and other
uncertainties, it is impossible to predict whether there will be more uninsured patients than anticipated when the ACA was enacted. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The
current presidential administration and the majorities of both houses of the U.S. Congress have expressed interest in modifying, repealing, or otherwise invalidating all, or certain provisions of, the ACA. In January 2017, the House and Senate
passed a budget resolution that authorizes congressional committees to draft legislation to repeal all or portions of the ACA and permits such legislation to pass with a majority vote in the Senate. Additionally, President Trump, in January 2017,
issued an executive order in which he stated that it is his administration&#146;s policy to seek the prompt repeal of the ACA and directed executive departments and federal agencies to waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay the implementation
of the provisions of the ACA to the maximum extent permitted by law. In March 2017, the House considered legislation to repeal and replace certain aspects of the ACA. However, that bill was withdrawn before the House vote when it became clear that
there were not enough votes to pass it. In May 2017, the House considered and successfully passed new legislation, the American Health Care Act (the &#147;AHCA&#148;) to repeal and replace certain aspects of the ACA. The U.S. Senate must now pass
the AHCA in order for it to be signed into law by President Trump. As such, there is still uncertainty with respect to whether the AHCA will pass the Senate, what changes might be made in the course of Senate debate and consideration, and the
ultimate form any final legislation might take. Therefore, the impact the current presidential administration and the U.S. Congress may have, if any, on the ACA, and any changes will </P>
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likely take time to unfold and could have an impact on coverage and reimbursement for healthcare items and services covered by plans that were authorized by the ACA. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">It is impossible to predict the ultimate content, timing or effect of any healthcare reform legislation or the impact of potential legislation
on the healthcare industry, which may in turn materially impact the returns available to those who invest in or provide financing to the healthcare industry, such as REITs that own healthcare facilities, age restricted apartments, congregate care
properties, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Information Technology Sector Risk</I></B> <B><I>(Principal)</I></B>. The
Fund has in the past invested, and may in the future invest, a significant portion of its total assets in securities issued by information technology companies. Information technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and
internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. These companies are heavily dependent on patent protection and the expiration of or infringement on patents may adversely affect the profitability of such companies. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The securities of information technology companies tend to exhibit a greater degree of market risk and sharp price fluctuations than other
types of securities. These securities may fall in and out of favor with investors rapidly, which may cause sudden selling and dramatically lower market prices. Technology securities also may be affected adversely by changes in technology, consumer
and business purchasing patterns, government regulation, product and/or service obsolescence, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. In addition, a rising interest rate environment tends to
negatively affect information technology companies. These companies having high market valuations may appear less attractive to investors, which may cause sharp decreases in their market prices. Further, those information technology companies
seeking to finance expansion would have increased borrowing costs, which may negatively impact earnings. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Financial Services Company
Risk (Principal).</I></B>&nbsp;The Fund has in the past invested, and may in the future invest, a significant portion of its total assets in securities issued by financial services companies. Financial services companies can be significantly
affected by changing economic conditions, demand for consumer loans, refinancing activity and intense competition. Profitability can be largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital and the rate of consumer debt defaults, and can
fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. Profitability can in particular be adversely impacted during periods of rising interest rates. Financial difficulties of borrowers can negatively affect financial services companies. Financial
services companies are subject to extensive government regulation, which can change frequently and may adversely affect the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain, or may affect them in
other ways that are unforeseeable. In the recent past, financial services companies in general experienced considerable financial distress, which led to the implementation of government programs designed to ease that distress. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Leverage Risk</I></B><B><I> (Principal)</I></B>. The Fund may use financial leverage for investment purposes. A leveraged capital
structure would create special risks not associated with unleveraged funds that have similar investment objectives and policies. These include the possibility of greater loss and the likelihood of higher volatility of the net asset value of the Fund
and the asset coverage for any preferred shares or debt outstanding. Such volatility may increase the likelihood of the Fund having to sell investments in order to meet its obligations to make distributions on the preferred shares or principal or
interest payments on debt securities, or to redeem preferred shares or repay debt, when it may be disadvantageous to do so. The Fund&#146;s use of leverage may require it to sell portfolio investments at inopportune times in order to raise cash to
redeem preferred shares or otherwise <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">de-leverage</FONT> so as to maintain required asset coverage amounts or comply with any mandatory redemption terms of any outstanding preferred shares. The use of leverage
magnifies both the favorable and unfavorable effects of price movements in the investments made by the Fund. To the extent the Fund is leveraged in its investment operations, the Fund will be subject to substantial risk of loss. The Fund cannot
assure that borrowings or the issuance of preferred shares or notes will result in a higher yield or return to the holders of the common shares. Also, to the extent the Fund utilizes leverage, a decline in net asset value could affect the ability of
the Fund to </P>
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make common share distributions and such a failure to make distributions could result in the Fund ceasing to qualify as a RIC under the Code. For more information regarding the risks of a
leverage capital structure to holders of the Fund&#146;s common shares, see &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#151;Special Risks to Holders of Common Shares&#151;Leverage Risk.&#148; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Market Discount Risk</I></B> <B><I>(Principal)</I></B>. The Fund is a diversified, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT>
management investment company. Whether investors will realize gains or losses upon the sale of additional securities of the Fund will depend upon the market price of the securities at the time of sale, which may be less or more than the Fund&#146;s
net asset value per share or the liquidation value of any Fund preferred shares issued. Since the market price of any additional securities the Fund may issue will be affected by such factors as the Fund&#146;s dividend and distribution levels
(which are in turn affected by expenses), dividend and distribution stability, net asset value, market liquidity, the relative demand for and supply of such securities in the market, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond
the control of the Fund, we cannot predict whether any such securities will trade at, below or above net asset value or at, below or above their public offering price or at, below or above their liquidation value, as applicable. For example, common
shares of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> funds often trade at a discount to their net asset values and the Fund&#146;s common shares may trade at such a discount. This risk may be greater for investors expecting to sell their
securities of the Fund soon after the completion of a public offering for such securities. The risk of a market price discount from net asset value is separate and in addition to the risk that net asset value itself may decline. The Fund&#146;s
securities are designed primarily for long term investors, and investors in the shares should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Long Term Objective; Not a Complete Investment Program</I></B> <B><I>(Principal)</I></B>. The Fund is intended for investors seeking
long term growth of capital. The Fund is not meant to provide a vehicle for those who wish to play short term swings in the stock market. An investment in shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Each shareholder
should take into account the Fund&#146;s investment objectives as well as the shareholder&#146;s other investments when considering an investment in the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Management Risk</I></B> <B><I>(Principal)</I></B>. The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio.
The Investment Adviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Decision-Making Authority Risk (Principal). </I></B>Investors have no authority to make decisions or to exercise business discretion on
behalf of the Fund, except as set forth in the Fund&#146;s governing documents. The authority for all such decisions is generally delegated to the Board, who in turn, has delegated the
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">day-to-day</FONT></FONT> management of the Fund&#146;s investment activities to the Investment Adviser, subject to oversight by the Board. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Dependence on Key Personnel</I></B> <B><I>(Principal)</I></B>. The Investment Adviser is dependent upon the expertise of Mr.&nbsp;Thomas
Dinsmore, Mr.&nbsp;James Dinsmore and Ms.&nbsp;Jane O&#146;Keeffe, who serve as the Fund&#146;s portfolio managers, in providing advisory services with respect to the Fund&#146;s investments. If the Investment Adviser were to lose the services of
Mr.&nbsp;Thomas Dinsmore, Mr.&nbsp;James Dinsmore or Ms.&nbsp;Jane O&#146;Keeffe, its ability to service the Fund could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that a suitable replacement could be found for Mr.&nbsp;Thomas Dinsmore,
Mr.&nbsp;James Dinsmore or Ms.&nbsp;Jane O&#146;Keeffe in the event of their death, resignation, retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Investment Adviser. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk</I></B><I> </I><B><I>(Principal)</I></B><I>.</I> The occurrence of events similar to those in
recent years, such as the aftermath of the war in Iraq, instability in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Russia, Ukraine, North Korea and the Middle East, the ongoing epidemics of infectious diseases in certain parts of the world,
terrorist attacks in the U.S. and around the world, social and political discord, debt crises (such as the Greek crisis), sovereign debt downgrades, or the exit or potential exit of one or more countries from the EU (such as the United Kingdom) or
the EMU, among others, may result in market volatility, may have long term effects on the U.S. and worldwide financial markets, and may cause further economic uncertainties in the U.S. and worldwide. </P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The occurrence of any of the above events could have a significant adverse impact on the value
and risk profile of the Fund&#146;s portfolio. The Fund does not know how long the securities markets may be affected by similar events and cannot predict the effects of similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets. There
can be no assurance that similar events and other market disruptions will not have other material and adverse implications. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Economic Events and Market Risk</I></B> <B><I>(Principal)</I></B>. Periods of market volatility remain, and may continue to occur in the
future, in response to various political, social and economic events both within and outside of the United States. These conditions have resulted in, and in many cases continue to result in, greater price volatility, less liquidity, widening credit
spreads and a lack of price transparency, with many securities remaining illiquid and of uncertain value. Such market conditions may adversely affect the Fund, including by making valuation of some of the Fund&#146;s securities uncertain and/or
result in sudden and significant valuation increases or declines in the Fund&#146;s holdings. If there is a significant decline in the value of the Fund&#146;s portfolio, this may impact the asset coverage levels for the Fund&#146;s outstanding
leverage. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Risks resulting from any future debt or other economic crisis could also have a detrimental impact on the global economic
recovery, the financial condition of financial institutions and our business, financial condition and results of operation. Market and economic disruptions have affected, and may in the future affect, consumer confidence levels and spending,
personal bankruptcy rates, levels of incurrence and default on consumer debt and home prices, among other factors. To the extent uncertainty regarding the U.S. or global economy negatively impacts consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, our
business, financial condition and results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected. Downgrades to the credit ratings of major banks could result in increased borrowing costs for such banks and negatively affect the broader
economy. Moreover, Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates, may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest rates and/or a
return to unfavorable economic conditions could impair the Fund&#146;s ability to achieve its investment objectives. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Government
Intervention in Financial Markets Risk</I></B> <B><I>(Principal)</I></B>. Past instability in the financial markets has led to the U.S. government and certain foreign governments to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain
financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity, including through direct purchases of equity and debt securities. The U.S. government and certain foreign
governments and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations have in the past taken, and may in the future take, legislative and regulatory actions that may affect the Fund, its securities and/or the Fund&#146;s investments in ways
that are unforeseeable. Such legislation or regulation may change the way in which the Fund is regulated and could limit or preclude the Fund&#146;s ability to achieve its investment objectives. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the &#147;Dodd-Frank Act&#148;), signed into law by President Obama on
July&nbsp;21, 2010, contains sweeping financial legislation regarding the operation of banks, private fund managers and other financial institutions. The Dodd-Frank Act includes provisions regarding, among other things, the regulation of
derivatives, the identification, monitoring and prophylactic regulation of systemic risks to financial markets, and the regulation of proprietary trading and investment activity of banking institutions. The continuing implementation of the
Dodd-Frank Act and any other regulations could adversely affect the Investment Adviser and the Fund. The Investment Adviser may attempt to take certain actions to lessen the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and any other legislation or regulation
affecting the Fund, although no assurance can be given that such actions would be successful and no assurance can be given that such actions would not have a significant negative impact on the Fund. The ultimate impact of the Dodd-Frank Act, and any
additional future legislation or regulation, is not yet certain and the Investment Adviser and the Fund may be affected by governmental action in ways that are unforeseeable. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Additionally, the SEC and its staff are also reportedly engaged in various initiatives and reviews that seek to improve and modernize the
regulatory structure governing investment companies. These efforts appear to be </P>
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focused on risk identification and controls in various areas, including imbedded leverage through the use of derivatives and other trading practices, cybersecurity, liquidity, enhanced regulatory
and public reporting requirements and the evaluation of systemic risks. Any new rules, guidance or regulatory initiatives resulting from these efforts could increase the Fund&#146;s expenses and impact its returns to shareholders or, in the extreme
case, impact or limit the Fund&#146;s use of various portfolio management strategies or techniques and adversely impact the Fund. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In the
aftermath of the recent financial crisis, there appears to be a renewed popular, political and judicial focus on finance related consumer protection. Financial institution practices are also subject to greater scrutiny and criticism generally. In
the case of transactions between financial institutions and the general public, there may be a greater tendency toward strict interpretation of terms and legal rights in favor of the consuming public, particularly where there is a real or perceived
disparity in risk allocation and/or where consumers are perceived as not having had an opportunity to exercise informed consent to the transaction. In the event of conflicting interests between retail investors holding shares of common stock of a <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> investment company such as the Fund and a large financial institution, a court may similarly seek to strictly interpret terms and legal rights in favor of retail investors. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Additionally, the recent change in presidential administration could significantly impact the regulation of United States financial markets.
Areas subject to potential change, amendment or repeal include the Dodd-Frank Act, including the Volcker Rule and various swaps and derivatives regulations, the authority of the Federal Reserve and FSOC, and renewed proposals to separate banks&#146;
commercial and investment banking activities. Other potential changes that could be pursued by the new presidential administration could include the United States&#146; withdrawal from, or attempt to renegotiate, various trade agreements or the
taking of other actions that would change current trade policies of the United States. It is not possible to predict which, if any, of these actions will be taken or, if taken, their effect on the economy, securities markets or the financial
stability of the United States. The Fund may be affected by governmental action in ways that are not foreseeable, and there is a possibility that such actions could have a significant adverse effect on the Fund and its ability to achieve its
investment objectives. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Inflation Risk</I></B> <B><I>(Non-Principal)</I></B>. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or
income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund&#146;s shares and distributions thereon can decline. In addition, during any periods of rising
inflation, dividend rates of any debt securities issued by the Fund would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to common shareholders. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Deflation Risk (Non-Principal).</I></B> Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time, which may have
an adverse effect on the market valuation of companies, their assets and their revenues. In addition, deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in
the value of the Fund&#146;s portfolio. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Loans of Portfolio Securities Risk
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(Non-Principal)</FONT></I></B><B>.</B> Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and the Fund&#146;s investment restrictions, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to securities broker-dealers or
financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at any time by the Fund (subject to notice provisions described below), and are at all times collateralized by cash or cash equivalents which are maintained at all times in an amount
equal to at least 100% of the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned securities while at the same time earning interest on the cash amounts
deposited as collateral, which will be invested in short term highly liquid obligations. The Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if such loans are not permitted by the laws or regulations of any state in which its shares are qualified for
sale. The Fund&#146;s loans of portfolio securities will be collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, which means that &#147;cash equivalents&#148; accepted as collateral will be limited to securities issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities or irrevocable letters of credit issued by a bank (other than a borrower of the </P>
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Fund&#146;s portfolio securities or any affiliate of such borrower) which qualifies as a custodian bank for an investment company under the 1940 Act. The Fund&#146;s ability to lend portfolio
securities may be limited by rating agency guidelines (if any). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A loan may generally be terminated by the borrower on one business
day&#146;s notice, or by the Fund at any time thereby requiring the borrower to redeliver the borrowed securities within the normal and customary settlement time for securities transactions. If the borrower fails to deliver the loaned securities
within the normal and customary settlement time for securities transactions, the Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over the value of the collateral pledged by
the borrower. As with any extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities violate the terms of the loan or fail financially. However, these
loans of portfolio securities will only be made to firms deemed by the Investment Adviser to be creditworthy and when the income which can be earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks. The Board will oversee the creditworthiness of the
contracting parties on an ongoing basis. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to the Fund. Any gain or loss in the market price during the loan period would inure to the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The risks associated with loans of portfolio securities are substantially similar to those associated with repurchase agreements. Thus, if the
counterparty to the loan petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Fund&#146;s
ability to sell the collateral and the Fund would suffer a loss. Moreover, because the Fund will reinvest any cash collateral it receives, as described above, the Fund is subject to the risk that the value of the investments it makes will decline
and result in losses to the Fund. These losses, in extreme circumstances such as the 2007-2009 financial crisis, could be substantial and have a significant adverse impact on the Fund and its shareholders. When voting or consent rights which
accompany loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned securities, to be delivered within one day after notice, to permit the exercise of such rights if the matters involved would have a material
effect on the Fund&#146;s investment in such loaned securities. The Fund will pay reasonable finder&#146;s, administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities, and may also pay fees to one or more securities lending agents
and/or pay other fees or rebates to borrowers. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Tax Risk</I></B> <B><I>(Principal)</I></B>. We cannot assure you what percentage of
the distributions paid on the Fund&#146;s shares, if any, will consist of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-advantaged</FONT> qualified dividend income or long term capital gains or what the tax rates on various types of income will be in future
years. See &#147;Taxation&#148; below. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Tax Reform Risk (Principal). </I></B>Legislative or other actions relating to taxes could
have a negative effect on the Fund. The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. According to publicly released
statements, a top legislative priority of the new Congress and presidential administration may be to enact significant reform of the Internal Revenue Code, including significant changes to taxation of business entities and the deductibility of
interest expense and capital investment. There is a substantial lack of clarity around the likelihood, timing and details of any such tax reform and the impact of any potential tax reform on the Fund, its portfolio investments or an investment in
the Fund&#146;s securities. We cannot predict how any changes in the tax laws might affect the Fund, investors or the Fund&#146;s portfolio investments. New legislation, U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions,
with or without retroactive application, could significantly and negatively affect the Fund&#146;s ability to qualify as a RIC or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Fund and its investors of such qualification, or could have other
adverse consequences. Investors are urged to consult with their tax advisor with respect to the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in the Fund&#146;s securities.
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Status as a Regulated Investment Company</I></B> <B><I>(Principal)</I></B>. The Fund has elected to qualify as a regulated
investment company (a &#147;RIC&#148;) under Subchapter M of the Code. Qualification requires, among other things, compliance by the Fund with certain distribution requirements. Statutory limitations on distributions on the
</P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">61 </P>


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common shares if the Fund fails to satisfy the 1940 Act&#146;s asset coverage requirements could jeopardize the Fund&#146;s ability to meet such distribution requirements. To qualify and maintain
its status as a RIC, the Fund must, among other things, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources and distribute for each taxable year at least 90% of its &#147;investment company taxable
income&#148; (generally, ordinary income plus excess, if any, of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss). While the Fund presently intends to purchase or redeem notes or preferred shares, if any, to the extent necessary in order
to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements, there can be no assurance that such actions can be effected in time to meet the Code requirements. If the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for any reason, it will be subject to U.S. federal
income tax at regular corporate rates on all of its taxable income and gains. The resulting corporate taxes would materially reduce the Fund&#146;s net assets and the amounts of cash available for distribution to holders of the shares. For a more
complete discussion of these and other U.S. federal income tax considerations, see &#147;Taxation&#148; below. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>1940 Act Regulation
(Non-Principal).</I></B> The Fund is a registered <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> investment company and as such is subject to regulations under the 1940 Act. Generally speaking, any contract or provision thereof that is made, or
where performance involves a violation of the 1940 Act or any rule or regulation thereunder is unenforceable by either party unless a court finds otherwise. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Legislation Risk (Non-Principal).</I></B> At any time after the date of this Prospectus, legislation may be enacted that could
negatively affect the assets of the Fund. Legislation or regulation may change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. The Investment Adviser cannot predict the effects of any new governmental regulation that may be implemented and there can
be no assurance that any new governmental regulation will not adversely affect the Fund&#146;s ability to achieve its investment objectives. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Reliance on Service Providers Risk (Non-Principal).</I></B> The Fund must rely upon the performance of service providers to perform
certain functions, which may include functions that are integral to the Fund&#146;s operations and financial performance. Failure by any service provider to carry out its obligations to the Fund in accordance with the terms of its appointment, to
exercise due care and skill or to perform its obligations to the Fund at all as a result of insolvency, bankruptcy or other causes could have a material adverse effect on the Fund&#146;s performance and returns to shareholders. The termination of
the Fund&#146;s relationship with any service provider, or any delay in appointing a replacement for such service provider, could materially disrupt the business of the Fund and could have a material adverse effect on the Fund&#146;s performance and
returns to shareholders. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Cyber Security Risk (Principal).</I></B> The Fund and its service providers are susceptible to cyber
security risks that include, among other things, theft, unauthorized monitoring, release, misuse, loss, destruction or corruption of confidential and highly restricted data; denial of service attacks; unauthorized access to relevant systems,
compromises to networks or devices that the Fund and its service providers use to service the Fund&#146;s operations; or operational disruption or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Fund and its service
providers. Cyber attacks against or security breakdowns of the Fund or its service providers may adversely impact the Fund and its stockholders, potentially resulting in, among other things, financial losses; the inability of Fund stockholders to
transact business and the Fund to process transactions; inability to calculate the Fund&#146;s NAV; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs; and/or
additional compliance costs. The Fund may incur additional costs for cyber security risk management and remediation purposes. In addition, cyber security risks may also impact issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, which may cause the
Fund&#146;s investment in such issuers to lose value. There can be no assurance that the Fund or its service providers will not suffer losses relating to cyber attacks or other information security breaches in the future. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Misconduct of Employees and of Service Providers Risk (Non-Principal).</I></B> Misconduct or misrepresentations by employees of the
Investment Adviser or the Fund&#146;s service providers could cause significant losses to the Fund. Employee misconduct may include binding the Fund to transactions that exceed authorized limits or present unacceptable risks and unauthorized trading
activities, concealing unsuccessful trading activities (which, in any </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">62 </P>


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case, may result in unknown and unmanaged risks or losses) or making misrepresentations regarding any of the foregoing. Losses could also result from actions by the Fund&#146;s service providers,
including, without limitation, failing to recognize trades and misappropriating assets. In addition, employees and service providers may improperly use or disclose confidential information, which could result in litigation or serious financial harm,
including limiting the Fund&#146;s business prospects or future marketing activities. Despite the Investment Adviser&#146;s due diligence efforts, misconduct and intentional misrepresentations may be undetected or not fully comprehended, thereby
potentially undermining the Investment Adviser&#146;s due diligence efforts. As a result, no assurances can be given that the due diligence performed by the Investment Adviser will identify or prevent any such misconduct. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Anti-Takeover Provisions</I></B> <B><I>(Principal)</I></B>. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust and
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">By-Laws</FONT> of the Fund include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">open-end</FONT> fund.
See &#147;Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund&#146;s Governing Documents.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><A NAME="pro453269_79"></A>Special Risks to Holders of Common Shares
(Principal) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Dilution Risk</I></B>. If the Fund determines to conduct a rights offering to subscribe for common shares, holders
of common shares may experience dilution or accretion of the aggregate net asset value of their common shares. Such dilution or accretion will depend upon whether (i)&nbsp;such shareholders participate in the rights offering and (ii)&nbsp;the
Fund&#146;s net asset value per common share is above or below the subscription price on the expiration date of the rights offering. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Shareholders who do not exercise their subscription rights may, at the completion of such an offering, own a smaller proportional interest in
the Fund than if they exercised their subscription rights. As a result of such an offering, a shareholder may experience dilution in net asset value per share if the subscription price per share is below the net asset value per share on the
expiration date. If the subscription price per share is below the net asset value per share of the Fund&#146;s shares on the expiration date, a shareholder will experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of such
shareholder&#146;s shares if the shareholder does not participate in such an offering and the shareholder will experience a reduction in the net asset value per share of such shareholder&#146;s shares whether or not the shareholder participates in
such an offering. The Fund cannot state precisely the extent of this dilution (if any) if the shareholder does not exercise such shareholder&#146;s subscription rights because the Fund does not know what the net asset value per share will be when
the offer expires or what proportion of the subscription rights will be exercised. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Leverage Risk</I></B>. The Fund may use
financial leverage for investment purposes by issuing preferred shares and is also permitted to use other types of financial leverage, such as through the issuance of debt securities and borrowing from financial institutions. As provided in the 1940
Act and subject to certain exceptions, the Fund may issue senior securities (which may be stock, such as preferred shares, and/or securities representing debt) only if immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund&#146;s total assets, less
certain ordinary course liabilities, exceeds 300% of the amount of the debt outstanding and exceeds 200% of the amount of preferred shares and debt outstanding. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If the Fund does use leverage, the Fund&#146;s capital structure would create special risks not associated with unleveraged funds having
similar investment objectives and policies. These include the possibility of greater loss and the likelihood of higher volatility of the net asset value of the Fund and the asset coverage for preferred shares. Such volatility may increase the
likelihood of the Fund having to sell investments in order to meet its obligations to make distributions on the preferred shares or principal or interest payments on debt securities, or to redeem preferred shares or repay debt, when it may be
disadvantageous to do so. The Fund&#146;s use of leverage may require it to sell portfolio investments at inopportune times in order to raise cash to redeem preferred shares or otherwise <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">de-leverage</FONT> so as to
maintain required asset coverage amounts or comply with any mandatory redemption terms of any outstanding preferred shares. The use of leverage magnifies both the favorable and unfavorable effects of price movements in the investments made by the
Fund. To the extent that the Fund </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">63 </P>


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determines to employ leverage in its investment operations, the Fund will be subject to substantial risk of loss. The Fund cannot assure you that borrowings or the issuance of preferred shares or
notes will result in a higher yield or return to the holders of the common shares. Also, if the Fund utilizes leverage, a decline in net asset value could affect the ability of the Fund to make common share distributions and such a failure to make
distributions could result in the Fund ceasing to qualify as a RIC under the Code. See &#147;Taxation.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Any decline in the net asset
value of the Fund&#146;s investments would be borne entirely by the holders of common shares. Therefore, if the market value of the Fund&#146;s portfolio declines, the leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of
common shares than if the Fund were not leveraged. This greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common shares. The Fund might be in danger of failing to maintain the required asset
coverage of the borrowings, notes or preferred shares, or of losing its ratings on its notes or preferred shares or, in an extreme case, the Fund&#146;s current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the distribution or interest
requirements on the preferred shares, or notes. In order to counteract such an event, the Fund might need to liquidate investments in order to fund a redemption of some or all of the preferred shares or notes. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Preferred Share and Note Risk</I>. The issuance of preferred shares or notes causes the net asset value and market value of the common shares to become more volatile. If the dividend rate on the preferred shares or
the interest rate on the notes approaches the net rate of return on the Fund&#146;s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of the common shares would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the preferred shares or the interest rate
on the notes plus the management fee annual rate of 0.80% of the first $100,000,000 of average weekly net assets and 0.55% of average weekly net assets in excess of $100,000,000 exceeds the net rate of return on the Fund&#146;s portfolio, the
leverage will result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common shares than if the Fund had not issued preferred shares or notes. (The Fund&#146;s &#147;net&#148; assets for this purpose includes the liquidation of any preferred shares
outstanding.) If the Fund has insufficient investment income and gains, all or a portion of the distributions to preferred shareholders or interest payments to note holders would come from the common shareholders&#146; capital. Such distributions
and interest payments reduce the net assets attributable to common shareholders. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of preferred shares will set forth dividend rate on such preferred shares. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, the Fund would pay (and the holders of common shares will bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing
maintenance of the preferred shares or notes, including the advisory fees on the incremental assets attributable to the preferred shares. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Holders of preferred shares and notes may have different interests than holders of common shares and may at times have disproportionate
influence over the Fund&#146;s affairs. As provided in the 1940 Act and subject to certain exceptions, the Fund may issue senior securities (which may be stock, such as preferred shares, and/or securities representing debt, such as notes) only if
immediately after the issuance the value of the Fund&#146;s total assets, less certain ordinary course liabilities, exceed 300% of the amount of the debt outstanding (i.e., for every dollar of indebtedness outstanding, the Fund is required to have
at least three dollars of assets) and exceed 200% of the amount of preferred shares and debt outstanding (i.e., for every dollar in liquidation preference of preferred stock outstanding, the Fund is required to have two dollars of assets), which is
referred to as the &#147;asset coverage&#148; required by the 1940 Act. In the event the Fund fails to maintain an asset coverage of 100% for any notes outstanding for certain periods of time, the 1940 Act requires that either an event of default be
declared or that the holders of such notes have the right to elect a majority of the Fund&#146;s Trustees until asset coverage recovers to 110%. In addition, holders of preferred shares, voting separately as a single class, have the right (subject
to the rights of noteholders) to elect two members of the Board at all times and in the event dividends become two full years in arrears would have the right to elect a majority of the Trustees until such arrearage is completely eliminated.
Preferred shareholders also have class voting rights on certain matters, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion of </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">64 </P>


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the Fund to <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">open-end</FONT> status, and accordingly can veto any such changes. See &#147;Description of the Securities&#151;Preferred Shares&#151;Asset
Maintenance Requirements&#148; and &#147;Description of the Securities&#151;Notes&#151;Limitations.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Restrictions imposed on the
declarations and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of the Fund&#146;s common shares and preferred shares, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair the Fund&#146;s ability to maintain
its qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. While the Fund intends to redeem its preferred shares or notes to the extent necessary to enable the Fund to distribute its income as required to maintain its qualification as a RIC
under the Code, there can be no assurance that such actions can be effected in time to meet the Code requirements. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Portfolio Guidelines of Rating Agencies for Preferred Shares and/or Credit Facility</I>. In order to obtain and maintain attractive credit quality ratings for preferred shares or notes, the Fund must comply with
investment quality, diversification and other guidelines established by the relevant rating agencies. These guidelines could affect portfolio decisions and may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. In the event that a rating on the
Fund&#146;s preferred shares or notes is lowered or withdrawn by the relevant rating agency, the Fund may also be required to redeem all or part of its outstanding preferred shares or notes, and the common shares of the Fund will lose the potential
benefits associated with a leveraged capital structure. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><I>Impact on Common Shares</I>. The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on common share total return, assuming investment portfolio
total returns (comprised of net investment income of the Fund, realized gains or losses of the Fund and changes in the value of the securities held in the Fund&#146;s portfolio) of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">-10%,</FONT> <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">-5%,</FONT> 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns experienced or expected to be experienced by the Fund.
The table further reflects leverage representing 11% of the Fund&#146;s total net assets, the Fund&#146;s current projected blended annual average leverage dividend or interest rate of 5.25%, a management fee at an annual rate of 0.66% of the
liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares and estimated annual incremental expenses attributable to any outstanding preferred shares of 0.03% of the Fund&#146;s net assets attributable to common shares. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="63%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Assumed Return on Portfolio (Net of Expenses)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(5</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">5</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Corresponding Return to Common Shareholder</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(11.97</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(6.35</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0.73</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">4.88</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10.50</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Common share total return is composed of two elements&#151;the common share distributions paid by the Fund
(the amount of which is largely determined by the taxable income of the Fund (including realized gains or losses) after paying interest on any debt and/or dividends on any preferred shares) and unrealized gains or losses on the value of the
securities the Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the table assumes that the Fund is more likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy total return. For example, to assume a total return of 0% the Fund must assume that the income it receives on
its investments is entirely offset by expenses and losses in the value of those investments. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Market Discount Risk</I></B>. As
described above in &#147;&#151;General Risks&#151;Market Discount Risk,&#148; common shares of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> funds often trade at a discount to their net asset values and the Fund&#146;s common shares may trade
at such a discount. This risk may be greater for investors expecting to sell their common shares of the Fund soon after completion of a public offering. The common shares of the Fund are designed primarily for long-term investors and investors in
the shares should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><A NAME="pro453269_80"></A>Special Risks to Holders of Preferred Shares
(Principal) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Illiquidity Prior to Exchange Listing.</I></B> Prior to an offering, there will be no public market for any series
of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares. In the event any series of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares are issued, we expect to apply </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">65 </P>


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to list such shares on a national securities exchange, which will likely be the NYSE American. However, during an initial period, which is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of its
initial issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities exchange. During such period, the underwriters may make a market in such shares, though they will have no obligation to do so. Consequently, an investment in such shares may be
illiquid during such period. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Market Price Fluctuation.</I></B> Fixed Rate Preferred Shares may trade at a premium to or discount
from liquidation value for various reasons, including changes in interest rates, perceived credit quality and other factors. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Special Risks to Holders
of Notes (Principal) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">An investment in our notes is subject to special risks. Our notes are not likely to be listed on an exchange or
automated quotation system. We cannot assure you that any market will exist for our notes or if a market does exist, whether it will provide holders with liquidity. Broker-dealers that maintain a secondary trading market for the notes are not
required to maintain this market, and the Fund is not required to redeem notes if an attempted secondary market sale fails because of a lack of buyers. To the extent that our notes trade, they may trade at a price either higher or lower than their
principal amount depending on interest rates, the rating (if any) on such notes and other factors. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Special Risks of Notes to Holders of Preferred
Shares (Principal) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As provided in the 1940 Act, and subject to compliance with the Fund&#146;s investment limitations, the Fund may
issue notes. In the event the Fund were to issue such securities, the Fund&#146;s obligations to pay dividends or make distributions and, upon liquidation of the Fund, liquidation payments in respect of its preferred shares would be subordinate to
the Fund&#146;s obligations to make any principal and interest payments due and owing with respect to its outstanding notes. Accordingly, the Fund&#146;s issuance of notes would have the effect of creating special risks for the Fund&#146;s preferred
shareholders that would not be present in a capital structure that did not include such securities. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Special Risks to Holders of Notes and Preferred
Shares (Principal) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Common Share Repurchases. </I>Repurchases of common shares by the Fund may reduce the net asset coverage of the
notes and preferred shares, which could adversely affect their liquidity or market prices. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Common Share Distribution Policy.</I> In
the event the Fund does not generate a total return from dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains in an amount at least equal to its distributions for a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of its distribution. This
would decrease the asset coverage per share with respect to the Fund&#146;s notes or preferred shares, which could adversely affect their liquidity or market prices. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">For the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016, the Fund made distributions of $0.797 per common share, none of which constituted a return
of capital. The composition of each distribution is estimated based on earnings as of the record date for the distribution. The actual composition of each distribution may change based on the Fund&#146;s investment activity through the end of the
calendar year. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Credit Quality Ratings.</I> The Fund may obtain credit quality ratings for its preferred shares or notes; however, it
is not required to do so and may issue preferred shares or notes without any rating. If rated, the Fund does not impose any minimum rating necessary to issue such preferred shares or notes. In order to obtain and maintain attractive credit quality
ratings for preferred shares or notes, if desired, the Fund&#146;s portfolio must satisfy over-collateralization tests established by the relevant rating agencies. These tests are more difficult to satisfy to the extent the Fund&#146;s portfolio
securities are of lower credit quality, longer maturity or not diversified by issuer and industry. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">66 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">These guidelines could affect portfolio decisions and may be more stringent than those imposed by
the 1940 Act. A rating (if any) by a rating agency does not eliminate or necessarily mitigate the risks of investing in our preferred shares or notes, and a rating may not fully or accurately reflect all of the securities&#146; credit risks. A
rating (if any) does not address liquidity or any other market risks of the securities being rated. A rating agency could downgrade the rating of our notes or preferred shares, which may make such securities less liquid in the secondary market. If a
rating agency downgrades the rating assigned to notes or preferred shares, we may alter our portfolio or redeem the preferred securities or notes under certain circumstances. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Special Risk to Holders of Subscription Rights (Principal) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">There is a risk that changes in market conditions may result in the underlying common or preferred shares purchasable upon exercise of the
subscription rights being less attractive to investors at the conclusion of the subscription period. This may reduce or eliminate the value of the subscription rights. Investors who receive subscription rights may find that there is no market to
sell rights they do not wish to exercise. If investors exercise only a portion of the rights, the number of common or preferred shares issued may be reduced, and the common or preferred shares may trade at less favorable prices than larger offerings
for similar securities. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_7a"></A>HOW THE FUND MANAGES RISK </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Investment Restrictions </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund has
adopted certain investment limitations designed to limit investment risk and maintain portfolio diversification. These limitations are fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act,
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (voting together as a single class subject to class approval rights of any preferred shares). See &#147;Investment Restrictions&#148; in the SAI for a complete list of the fundamental investment
policies of the Fund. The Fund may become subject to rating agency guidelines that are more limiting than its current investment restrictions in order to obtain and maintain a desired rating on its preferred shares, if any. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_8"></A>MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>General </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund&#146;s Board (who, with
its officers, are described in the SAI) has overall responsibility for the management of the Fund. The Board decides upon matters of general policy and reviews the actions of the Investment Adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC, One Corporate Center, Rye, New
York 10580-1422, and the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Sub-Administrator</FONT> (as defined below). Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between the Fund and the Investment Adviser (the &#147;Investment Advisory Agreement&#148;), the
Investment Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, provides a continuous investment program for the Fund&#146;s portfolio; provides investment research and makes and executes recommendations for the purchase and sale of securities; and provides
all facilities and personnel, including officers required for its administrative management, and pays the compensation of Trustees of the Fund who are officers or employees of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates. As compensation for its
services rendered and the related expenses borne by the Investment Adviser, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a monthly fee, computed an annual rate of 0.80% of the first $100,000,000 of the Fund&#146;s average weekly net assets and 0.55% of the
Fund&#146;s average weekly net assets in excess of $100,000,000. The Fund&#146;s average weekly net assets shall be determined at the end of each month on the basis of the Fund&#146;s average net assets for each week during the month. The assets for
each weekly period shall be determined by averaging the net assets at the end of a week with the net assets at the end of the prior week. The value of the Fund&#146;s average weekly net assets shall be deemed to be the average weekly value of the
Fund&#146;s total assets minus the sum of the Fund&#146;s liabilities (such liabilities do not include the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares and accumulated dividends, if any, on those shares). Therefore, the Fund
will pay an advisory fee on any assets attributable to certain types of leverage it uses. Consequently, if the Fund has preferred shares outstanding, the </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">67 </P>


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investment management fees and other expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares may be higher than if the Fund does not utilize a capital structure leveraged with
preferred equity. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Because the investment advisory fee is based on a percentage of the Fund&#146;s net assets without deduction for the
liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares, the Investment Adviser may have a conflict of interest in the input it provides to the Board regarding whether to use or increase the Fund&#146;s use of preferred share leverage. The Board
bases its decision, with input from the Investment Adviser, regarding whether and how much preferred share leverage to use for the Fund on its assessment of whether such use of leverage is in the best interests of the Fund, and the Board seeks to
manage the Investment Adviser&#146;s potential conflict of interest by retaining the final decision on these matters and by periodically reviewing the Fund&#146;s performance and use of leverage. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>The Investment Adviser </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Gabelli Funds,
LLC (the &#147;Investment Adviser&#148;) serves as the Fund&#146;s investment adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Fund. The Investment Adviser is a New York limited liability company and registered investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and serves as an investment adviser to registered investment companies with combined aggregate net assets approximating $23.2&nbsp;billion as of March&nbsp;31, 2017. The Investment Adviser is a wholly
owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (&#147;GBL&#148;), a New York corporation, whose Class&nbsp;A Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol, &#147;GBL.&#148; Mr.&nbsp;Mario&nbsp;J. Gabelli may be deemed a &#147;controlling
person&#148; of the Investment Adviser on the basis of his controlling interest in GBL. Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli owns a majority of the stock of GGCP, Inc. (&#147;GGCP&#148;), which holds a majority of the capital stock and voting power of GBL. The
Investment Adviser has several affiliates that provide investment advisory services: GAMCO Asset Management, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of GBL, acts as investment adviser for individuals, pension trusts, profit sharing trusts, endowments, and
The GAMCO Mathers Fund, and as a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">sub-adviser</FONT> to certain third party investment funds, which include registered investment companies, having assets under management of approximately of $18.5&nbsp;billion as of
March&nbsp;31, 2017; Teton Advisors, Inc. and its wholly owned investment adviser, Keeley Teton Advisers, LLC, with assets under management of approximately $3.8&nbsp;billion as of March&nbsp;31, 2017, act as investment advisers to The TETON
Westwood Funds, the KEELEY Funds, and separately managed accounts; Gabelli&nbsp;&amp; Company Investment Advisers, Inc. (formerly, Gabelli Securities, Inc.), a majority-owned subsidiary of Associated Capital Group, Inc. (&#147;Associated
Capital&#148;), acts as investment adviser for certain alternative investment products, consisting primarily of risk arbitrage and merchant banking limited partnerships and offshore companies, with assets under management of approximately
$1&nbsp;billion as of March&nbsp;31, 2017; and Gabelli Fixed Income, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of GBL, acts as investment adviser for separate accounts having assets under management of approximately $34&nbsp;million as of
March&nbsp;31, 2017. Teton Advisors, Inc. was spun off by GBL in March 2009 and is an affiliate of GBL by virtue of Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli&#146;s ownership of GGCP, the principal shareholder of Teton Advisors, Inc., as of March&nbsp;31, 2017. Associated
Capital was spun off from GBL on November&nbsp;30, 2015, and is an affiliate of GBL by virtue of Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli&#146;s ownership of GGCP, the principal shareholder of Associated Capital. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Payment of Expenses </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Investment
Adviser is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the services contemplated by the Investment Advisory Agreement, including compensation of and office space for its officers and employees, connected with investment and economic
research, trading and investment management and administration of the Fund (but excluding costs associated with the calculation of the net asset value and allocated costs of the chief compliance officer function and officers of the Fund who are
employed by the Fund and are not employed by the Investment Adviser, although such officers may receive incentive based variable compensation from affiliates of the Investment Adviser), as well as the fees of all Trustees of the Fund who are
officers or employees of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition to the fees of the Investment Adviser, the Fund is
responsible for the payment of all its other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, which include, among other things, underwriting compensation </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">68 </P>


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and reimbursements in connection with sales of the Fund&#146;s securities, expenses for legal and the Fund&#146;s independent registered public accounting firm&#146;s services, stock exchange
listing fees and expenses, costs of printing proxies, share certificates and shareholder reports, charges of the Fund&#146;s Custodian, any <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">sub-custodian</FONT> and any transfer agent and distribution disbursing
agent, expenses in connection with the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan, SEC fees and preparation of filings with the SEC, fees and expenses of Trustees who are not officers or employees of the Investment Adviser or its
affiliates, accounting and printing costs, the Fund&#146;s pro rata portion of membership fees in trade organizations, compensation and other expenses of officers and employees of the Fund (including, but not limited to, the Chief Compliance
Officer, Vice President and Ombudsman) as approved by the Fund&#146;s Trustees, fidelity bond coverage for the Fund&#146;s officers and employees, Trustees&#146; and officers&#146; errors and omissions insurance coverage, interest, brokerage costs,
taxes, expenses of qualifying the Fund&#146;s shares for sale in various states, expenses of personnel performing shareholder servicing functions, litigation and other extraordinary or <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-recurring</FONT> expenses
and other expenses properly payable by the Fund. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Investment Advisory Agreement contains an expense limitation provision where the
Investment Adviser will, for a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">two-year</FONT> period commencing on November&nbsp;1, 2015 (the effective date of the Investment Advisory Agreement), either waive fees or reimburse the Fund to the extent the total
expenses of the Fund (excluding brokerage costs, interest (including in respect of any preferred shares), taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, expenses chargeable to capital, and extraordinary expenses) during any
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">365-day</FONT> period exceed 1.10% of the weekly average assets attributable to common shares plus the liquidation preference of preferred shares of the Fund during such period. Any such waivers or reimbursements
will not be reimbursed by the Fund to the Investment Adviser in the future. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Selection of Securities Brokers </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Investment Advisory Agreement contains provisions relating to the selection of securities brokers to effect the portfolio transactions of
the Fund. Under those provisions, the Investment Adviser may (i)&nbsp;direct Fund portfolio brokerage to G.research, LLC (&#147;G.research&#148;), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, or to other broker-dealer affiliates of the Investment Adviser
and (ii)&nbsp;pay commissions to brokers other than G.research that are higher than might be charged by another qualified broker to obtain brokerage and/or research services considered by the Investment Adviser to be useful or desirable for its
investment management of the Fund and/or its other investment advisory accounts or those of any investment adviser affiliated with it. The SAI contains further information about the Investment Advisory Agreement, including a more complete
description of the investment advisory and expense arrangements, exculpatory and brokerage provisions, as well as information on the brokerage practices of the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Portfolio Managers </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Jane O&#146;Keeffe
joined Gabelli Funds, LLC in 2015. She currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several other funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex. From 1996 to 2015, Ms. O&#146;Keeffe was President and Director of
Dinsmore Capital Management where she was also a Portfolio Manager of Bancroft Fund Ltd. and Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. Prior to joining Dinsmore Capital Management, Ms.&nbsp;O&#146;Keeffe held positions of increasing responsibilities at
IDS Progressive Fund, Soros Fund Management Company, Simms Capital Management, and Fiduciary Trust International. She earned a B.A. from the University of New Hampshire and attended the Lubin Graduate School of Business at Pace University. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Thomas Dinsmore, CFA, joined Gabelli Funds, LLC in 2015. He currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several
funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex. From 1996 to 2015, Mr.&nbsp;Dinsmore was Chairman and CEO of Dinsmore Capital Management; CEO and Portfolio Manager of Bancroft Fund Ltd; and CEO, Portfolio Manager, and <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">co-founder</FONT> of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. He received a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of Business and an M.A. in Economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">69 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">James Dinsmore, CFA, joined Gabelli Funds, LLC in 2015. He currently serves as a portfolio
manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several other funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex. Mr.&nbsp;Dinsmore received a B.A. in Economics from Cornell University and an M.B.A. degree from Rutgers University. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Jane O&#146;Keeffe, Thomas Dinsmore, and James Dinsmore function as a team and are jointly and primarily responsibly for day-to-day management
of the Fund. The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers&#146; compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers and the Portfolio Managers&#146; ownership of securities in the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Resident</FONT> Trustee </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Anthonie C. van Ekris is not a U.S.&nbsp;resident and substantially all of his assets may be located outside of the United States. Mr.&nbsp;van
Ekris does not have an agent for service of process in the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for U.S.&nbsp;investors to effect service of process upon Mr.&nbsp;van Ekris within the United States or to realize judgments of courts of the
United States predicated upon civil liabilities under the federal securities laws of the United States. In addition, it is not certain that civil liabilities predicated upon the federal securities laws on which a valid judgment of a court in the
United States is obtained would be enforceable in the courts of the jurisdictions in which Mr.&nbsp;van Ekris resides. Further, it is not certain that such courts would enforce, in an original action, liabilities against Mr. van Ekris predicated
solely on U.S. federal securities laws. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Sub-Administrator</FONT> </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Investment Adviser has entered into a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">sub-administration</FONT> agreement with BNY Mellon Investment
Servicing (US) Inc. (the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;Sub-Administrator&#148;)</FONT> pursuant to which the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Sub-Administrator</FONT> provides certain administrative services necessary for the Fund&#146;s
operations which do not include the investment and portfolio management services provided by the Investment Adviser. For these services and the related expenses borne by the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Sub-Administrator,</FONT> the Investment
Adviser pays an annual fee based on the value of the aggregate average daily net assets of all funds under its administration managed by the Investment Adviser, GAMCO and Teton Advisors, Inc. as follows: 0.0275%&#151;first $10&nbsp;billion,
0.0125%&#151;exceeding $10&nbsp;billion but less than $15&nbsp;billion, 0.01%&#151;over $15&nbsp;billion but less than $20&nbsp;billion and 0.008% over $20&nbsp;billion. The <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Sub-Administrator</FONT> has its principal
office at 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_9"></A>PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Principal transactions are not entered into with affiliates of the Fund. However, G.research, LLC, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, may
execute portfolio transactions on stock exchanges and in the OTC markets on an agency basis and may be paid commissions. For a more detailed discussion of the Fund&#146;s brokerage allocation practices, see &#147;Portfolio Transactions&#148; in the
SAI. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_10"></A>DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In order to allow its common shareholders to realize a predictable, but not assured, level of cash flow and some liquidity periodically on
their investment without having to sell shares, the Fund has adopted a managed distribution policy of paying, on a quarterly basis, a minimum distribution at an annual rate equal to 5% of the Fund&#146;s trailing twelve month average month end
market price. The Fund&#146;s distribution policy, including its policy to pay quarterly distributions and the annualized amount that the Fund seeks to distribute, may be modified from time to time by the Board as it deems appropriate, including in
light of market and economic conditions and the Fund&#146;s current, expected and historical earnings and investment performance. Common shareholders are expected to be notified of any such modifications by press release or in the Fund&#146;s
periodic shareholder reports. As a RIC under the Code, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">70 </P>


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taxable income that it distributes to shareholders, provided that at least 90% of its investment company taxable income for that taxable year is distributed to its shareholders. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund&#146;s annualized distributions may contain a return of capital and should not be considered as the dividend yield or total return of
an investment in its common or preferred shares. Shareholders who receive the payment of a distribution consisting of a return of capital may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits when they are not. Shareholders should not
assume that the source of a distribution from the Fund is net profit. No portion of the Fund&#146;s common share distributions for the past ten fiscal years have included a return of capital. For the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016, the
Fund made distributions of $0.797 per common share, no portion of which constituted a return of capital. To minimize the U.S. federal income tax that the Fund must pay at the corporate level, the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its
investment company taxable income and previously undistributed cumulative net capital gain. The composition of each distribution is estimated based on earnings as of the record date for the distribution. The actual composition of each distribution
may change based on the Fund&#146;s investment activity through the end of the calendar year. Long term capital gains, qualified dividend income, ordinary income, and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">paid-in</FONT> capital, if any, will be allocated
on a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">pro-rata</FONT> basis to all distributions to common shareholders for the year. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may retain
for reinvestment, and pay the resulting U.S. federal income taxes on its net capital gain, if any, although, as previously mentioned, the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its previously undistributed cumulative net capital gain each
year. In the event that the Fund&#146;s investment company taxable income and net capital gain exceeds the total of the Fund&#146;s annual distributions on any shares issued by the Fund, the Fund intends to pay such excess once a year. If the Fund
does not generate sufficient earnings (dividends and interest income and realized net capital gain) equal to or in excess of the aggregate distributions paid by the Fund in a given year, then the amount distributed in excess of the Fund&#146;s
earnings would be deemed a return of capital. Since this would be considered a return of a portion of a shareholder&#146;s original investment, it is generally not taxable and is treated as a reduction in the shareholder&#146;s cost basis. See
&#147;Taxation.&#148; Under federal tax regulations, some or all of the return of capital distributed by the Fund may be taxable as ordinary income in certain circumstances. This may occur when the Fund has a capital loss carry forward, net capital
gains are realized in a fiscal year, and distributions are made in excess of investment company taxable income. Despite the challenges of the extra recordkeeping, a distribution that incorporates a return of capital may result in a more stable and
consistent cash flow available to shareholders. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">To the extent the Fund makes distributions consisting of returns of capital, such
distributions will further decrease the Fund&#146;s total assets and therefore have the likely effect of increasing the Fund&#146;s expense ratio as the Fund&#146;s fixed expenses will become a larger percentage of the Fund&#146;s average net
assets. In addition, in order to make such distributions, a Fund may have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when independent investment judgment may not dictate such action. These effects could have a negative impact on the
prices investors receive when they sell shares of the Fund. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund, along with other <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT>
registered investment companies advised by the Investment Adviser, is covered by an exemption from Section&nbsp;19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">19b-1</FONT> thereunder permitting the Fund to make periodic
distributions of long term capital gains provided that any distribution policy of the Fund with respect to its common shares calls for periodic distributions in an amount equal to a fixed percentage of the Fund&#146;s average net asset value over a
specified period of time or market price per common share at or about the time of distribution or <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">pay-out</FONT> of a fixed dollar amount. The Fund&#146;s current policy is to make quarterly distributions to holders
of its common shares. The exemption also permits the Fund to make such distributions with respect to any preferred shares in accordance with such shares&#146; terms. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">71 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_11"></A>AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>AND CASH PAYMENT PLAN </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The
Fund has an Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;). Any shareholder may elect to join the Plan by sending an application to: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">American Stock Transfer&nbsp;&amp; Trust Company </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">P.O. Box 922 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Wall Street Station
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">New York, NY 10269-0560 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">You
may also obtain information about the Plan, as well as the Plan application, by calling American Stock Transfer&nbsp;&amp; Trust Company (the &#147;Plan Agent&#148;) toll free at (877)&nbsp;208-9514. If your shares are held by a broker or other
nominee, you should instruct the nominee to join the Plan on your behalf. Some brokers may require that your shares be taken out of the broker&#146;s &#147;street name&#148; and re-registered in your own name. Shareholders should also contact their
broker to determine whether shares acquired through participation in the Plan can be transferred to another broker and thereafter, whether the shareholder can continue to participate in the Plan. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Under the Plan, all dividends and distributions are automatically invested in additional Fund shares. Depending on the circumstances, shares
may either be issued by the Fund or acquired through open market purchases at the current market price or net asset value, whichever is lower (but not less than 95% of market price). For shareholder distributions made with respect to income earned
during each of the first three fiscal quarters, when the market price of a share of Fund beneficial shares is lower than such share&#146;s net asset value, the Plan Agent will combine the distributions of all Plan participants and purchase shares in
the open market, thereby taking advantage of the lower commissions on larger purchases. There is no other charge for this service. For shareholder distributions made with respect to capital gains realized during the fiscal year and income earned
during the fourth fiscal quarter, when the market price of a share of Fund shares is lower than such share&#146;s net asset value, the Fund will issue shares at the market price. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">All dividends and distributions made by the Fund (including capital gain dividends and dividends designated as qualified dividend income,
which are eligible for taxation at lower rates) remain taxable to Plan participants, regardless of whether such dividends and distributions are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund through open market purchases or through the issuance of new
shares. Plan participants will be treated as receiving the cash used to purchase shares on the open market and, in the case of any dividend or distribution made in the form of newly issued shares, will be treated as receiving an amount equal to the
fair market value of such shares as of the reinvestment date. Accordingly, a shareholder may incur a tax liability even though such shareholder has not received a cash distribution with which to pay the tax. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Plan participants may also voluntarily send cash payments of $100 to $10,000 per month to the Plan Agent, to be combined with other Plan
monies, for purchase of additional Fund shares in the open market. You pay only a bank service charge of $1.25 per transaction, plus your proportionate share of the brokerage commission. All shares and fractional shares purchased will be held by the
Plan Agent in your dividend reinvestment account. You may deposit with the Plan Agent any Fund share certificates you hold, for a one-time fee of $7.50. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">At any time, a Plan participant may instruct the Plan Agent to liquidate all or any portion of such Plan participant&#146;s account. To do so,
a Plan participant must deliver written notice to the Plan Agent prior to the record date of any dividend or distribution requesting either liquidation or a share certificate. The Plan Agent will combine all liquidation requests it receives from
Plan participants on a particular day and will then sell shares of the Fund that are subject to liquidation requests in the open market. The amount of proceeds a Plan participant will receive shall be determined by the average sales price per share,
after deducting brokerage commissions, of all shares sold by the Plan Agent for all Plan participants who have given the Plan Agent liquidation requests. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">72 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Plan Agent or the Fund may terminate the Plan for any reason at any time by sending written
notice addressed to the Plan participant&#146;s address as shown on the Plan Agent&#146;s records. Following the date of termination, the Plan Agent shall send the Plan participant either the proceeds of liquidation, or a share certificate or
certificates for the full shares held by the Plan Agent in the Plan participant&#146;s account. Additionally, a check will be sent for the value of any fractional interest in the Plan participant&#146;s account based on the market price of the
Fund&#146;s shares on that date. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_12"></A>DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>The following is a brief description of the terms of the common and preferred shares, notes, and subscription rights. This description does
not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the Fund&#146;s Governing Documents. For complete terms of the common and preferred shares, please refer to the actual terms of such series, which are set forth in the Governing Documents.
For complete terms of the notes, please refer to the actual terms of such notes, which will be set forth in an Indenture relating to such notes (the &#147;Indenture&#148;). For complete terms of the subscription rights, please refer to the actual
terms of such subscription rights which will be set forth in the subscription rights agreement relating to such subscription rights (the &#147;Subscription Rights Agreement&#148;). </I></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Common Shares </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund is an
unincorporated statutory trust organized under the laws of Delaware pursuant to a Certificate of Trust dated as of October&nbsp;17, 2005. The Fund began investment operations in July 1986 and reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust in 2006. The
Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share. Each common share has one vote and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the applicable offering, will be fully
paid and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-assessable.</FONT> Though the Fund expects to pay distributions monthly on its common shares, it is not obligated to do so. All common shares are equal as to distributions, assets and voting privileges
and have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. The Fund will send annual and semiannual reports, including financial statements, to all holders of its shares. In the event of liquidation, each of the Fund&#146;s common shares is
entitled to its proportion of the Fund&#146;s assets after payment of debts and expenses and the amounts payable to holders of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares ranking senior to the Fund&#146;s common shares as described below. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Offerings of shares require approval by the Fund&#146;s Board. Any additional offering of common shares will be subject to the requirements of
the 1940 Act, which provides that common shares may not be issued at a price below the then current net asset value, exclusive of sales load, except in connection with an offering to existing holders of common shares or with the consent of a
majority of the Fund&#146;s common shareholders. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund&#146;s outstanding common shares have been listed and traded on the NYSE
American under the symbol &#147;ECF&#148; since June&nbsp;30, 1986. The Fund&#146;s common shares have historically traded at a discount to the Fund&#146;s net asset value. Over the past ten years, the Fund&#146;s common shares have traded at a
discount to net asset value as high as 26.8% and as low as 7.6%. The average weekly trading volume of the common shares on the NYSE American during the period from October&nbsp;1, 2015 through March&nbsp;31, 2017 was 28,240&nbsp;shares. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Unlike <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">open-end</FONT> funds, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> funds like the Fund do not
continuously offer shares and do not provide daily redemptions. Rather, if a shareholder determines to buy additional common shares or sell shares already held, the shareholder may do so by trading through a broker on the NYSE American or otherwise.
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Shares of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> investment companies often trade on an exchange at prices lower than net
asset value. Because the market value of the common shares may be influenced by such factors as dividend and distribution levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), dividend and distribution stability, net asset value, market liquidity,
relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, unrealized gains, general market and </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">73 </P>


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economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot assure you that common shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than net asset value in the future.
The common shares are designed primarily for long term investors and you should not purchase the common shares if you intend to sell them soon after purchase. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund&#146;s common shareholders vote as a single class to elect the Board and on additional matters with respect to which the 1940 Act,
the Governing Documents or resolutions adopted by the Trustees provide for a vote of the Fund&#146;s common shareholders. See &#147;Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund&#146;s Governing Documents.&#148; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund is a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end,</FONT> diversified, management investment company and as such its shareholders do
not, and will not, have the right to require the Fund to repurchase their shares. The Fund, however, may repurchase its common shares from time to time as and when it deems such a repurchase advisable, subject to maintaining required asset coverage
for each series of outstanding preferred shares. The Board has authorized such repurchases to be made when the Fund&#146;s common shares are trading at a discount from net asset value of 10.0% or more (or such other percentage as the Board of the
Fund may determine from time to time). Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund may repurchase its common shares on a securities exchange (provided that the Fund has informed its shareholders within the preceding six months of its intention to repurchase
such shares) or pursuant to tenders and may also repurchase shares privately if the Fund meets certain conditions regarding, among other things, distribution of net income for the preceding fiscal year, status of the seller, price paid, brokerage
commissions, prior notice to shareholders of an intention to repurchase shares and purchasing in a manner and on a basis that does not discriminate unfairly against the other shareholders through their interest in the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">When the Fund repurchases its common shares for a price below net asset value, the net asset value of the common shares that remain
outstanding will be enhanced, but this does not necessarily mean that the market price of the outstanding common shares will be affected, either positively or negatively. The repurchase of common shares will reduce the total assets of the Fund
available for investment and may increase the Fund&#146;s expense ratio. In total through June&nbsp;30, 2017, the Fund has repurchased and retired 1,426,447 common shares in the open market at an average price of $8.47 per share and at an average
discount of approximately 16% from the Fund&#146;s net asset value. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Book-Entry.</I> The common shares will initially be held in the
name of Cede&nbsp;&amp; Co. as nominee for the Depository Trust&nbsp;Company (&#147;DTC&#148;). The Fund will treat Cede&nbsp;&amp; Co. as the holder of record of the common shares for all purposes. In accordance with the procedures of DTC, however,
purchasers of common shares will be deemed the beneficial owners of shares purchased for purposes of distributions, voting and liquidation rights. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Preferred Shares </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">At the Annual Meeting,
shareholders of the Fund approved the Fund&#146;s proposal to revise the Fund&#146;s fundamental investment restriction regarding borrowing money or issuing senior securities to permit the Fund to issue preferred shares to the maximum extent
permitted by the 1940 Act. The Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that the Board may authorize and issue senior securities with rights as determined by the Board, by action of the Board without the approval of the
holders of the common shares. Holders of common shares have no preemptive right to purchase any senior securities that may be issued, pursuant to this authority. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Currently an unlimited number of the Fund&#146;s shares may be classified by the Board as preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share. The
terms of such preferred shares may be fixed by the Board and would materially limit and/or qualify the rights of holders of the Fund&#146;s common shares. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If the Fund issues preferred shares, it will pay dividends to the holders of the preferred shares at a fixed rate, as described in a
Prospectus Supplement accompanying each preferred share offering. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">74 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Upon a liquidation, each holder of the preferred shares will be entitled to receive out of the
assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders (after payment of claims of the Fund&#146;s creditors but before any distributions with respect to the Fund&#146;s common shares or any other shares of the Fund ranking junior to the
preferred shares as to liquidation payments) an amount per share equal to such share&#146;s liquidation preference plus any accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared, excluding interest thereon) to the date of
distribution, and such shareholders shall be entitled to no further participation in any distribution or payment in connection with such liquidation. Each series of the preferred shares will rank on a parity with any other series of preferred shares
of the Fund as to the payment of distributions and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, and will be junior to the Fund&#146;s obligations with respect to any outstanding senior securities representing debt. The preferred shares carry one
vote per share on all matters on which such shares are entitled to vote. The preferred shares will, upon issuance, be fully paid and nonassessable and will have no preemptive, exchange or conversion rights. The Board may by resolution classify or
reclassify any authorized but unissued capital shares of the Fund from time to time by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions or terms or conditions of
redemption. The Fund will not issue any class of shares senior to the preferred shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Redemption, Purchase and Sale of Preferred
Shares</I><I></I><I>&nbsp;By the Fund.</I>&nbsp;The terms of any preferred shares are expected to provide that (i)&nbsp;they are redeemable by the Fund at any time (either after the date of initial issuance, or after some period of time following
initial issuance) in whole or in part at the original purchase price per share plus accumulated dividends per share, (ii)&nbsp;the Fund may tender for or purchase preferred shares and (iii)&nbsp;the Fund may subsequently resell any shares so
tendered for or purchased. Any redemption or purchase of preferred shares by the Fund will reduce the leverage applicable to the common shares, while any resale of preferred shares by the Fund will increase that leverage. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Rating Agency Guidelines.</I><I></I>&nbsp;Upon issuance, it is expected that any new series of preferred shares may be rated by
Moody&#146;s or Fitch Ratings, Inc. (&#147;Fitch&#148;). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund expects that it will be required under the applicable rating agency
guidelines to maintain assets having in the aggregate a discounted value at least equal to a Basic Maintenance Amount (as defined in the applicable Statement of Preferences and summarized below), for its outstanding preferred shares. To the extent
any particular portfolio holding does not satisfy the applicable rating agency&#146;s guidelines, all or a portion of such holding&#146;s value will not be included in the calculation of discounted value (as defined by such rating agency). The
Moody&#146;s and Fitch guidelines also impose certain diversification requirements and industry concentration limitations on the Fund&#146;s overall portfolio, and apply specified discounts to securities held by the Fund (except certain money market
securities). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The &#147;Basic Maintenance Amount&#148; is generally equal to (a)&nbsp;the sum of (i)&nbsp;the aggregate liquidation
preference of any preferred shares then outstanding plus (to the extent not included in the liquidation preference of such preferred shares) an amount equal to the aggregate accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) in
respect of such preferred shares, (ii)&nbsp;the Fund&#146;s other liabilities (excluding dividends and other distributions payable on the Fund&#146;s common shares) and (iii)&nbsp;any other current liabilities of the Fund (including amounts due and
payable by the Fund pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements and payables for assets purchased) less (b)&nbsp;the value of the Fund&#146;s assets if such assets are either cash or evidences of indebtedness which mature prior to or on the date of
redemption or repurchase of preferred shares or payment of another liability and are either U.S. government securities or evidences of indebtedness rated at least &#147;Aaa,&#148; <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;P-1&#148;,</FONT> <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;VMIG-1&#148;</FONT> or <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;MIG-1&#148;</FONT> by Moody&#146;s or &#147;AAA&#148;, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;SP-1+&#148;</FONT> or
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;A-1+&#148;</FONT> by S&amp;P and are held by the Fund for distributions, the redemption or repurchase of preferred shares or the Fund&#146;s liabilities. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If the value of the Fund&#146;s assets, as discounted in accordance with the rating agency guidelines, is less than the Basic Maintenance
Amount, the Fund expects that it will be required to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cure such failure. If the Fund does not cure in a timely manner a failure to maintain a discounted value of its portfolio equal to the Basic Maintenance
Amount in accordance with the requirements of the applicable </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">75 </P>


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rating agency or agencies then rating the preferred shares at the request of the Fund, the Fund may, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem preferred shares. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Any rating agency providing a rating for the Fund&#146;s preferred shares at the request of the Fund may, at any time, change or withdraw any
such rating. The Board, without further action by the Fund&#146;s shareholders, may amend, alter, add to or repeal any provision of a Statement of Preferences that has been adopted by the Fund pursuant to the rating agency guidelines or add
covenants and other obligations of the Fund to a Statements of Preferences, if the applicable rating agency confirms that such amendments or modifications are necessary to prevent a reduction in, or the withdrawal of, a rating of the Fund&#146;s
preferred shares and such amendments and modifications do not adversely affect the rights and preferences of and are in the aggregate in the best interests of the holders of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As described by Moody&#146;s and Fitch, the ratings assigned to the preferred shares are assessments of the capacity and willingness of the
Fund to pay the obligations of each series of the preferred shares. The ratings on the preferred shares are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell shares of any series, inasmuch as the ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability
for a particular investor. The rating agency guidelines also do not address the likelihood that an owner of preferred shares will be able to sell such shares on an exchange, in an auction or otherwise. The ratings are based on current information
furnished to Moody&#146;s and Fitch by the Fund and the Investment Adviser and information obtained from other sources. The ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, such information. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The rating agency guidelines will apply to the preferred shares, as the case may be, only so long as such rating agency is rating such shares
at the request of the Fund. The Fund would pay fees to Moody&#146;s and Fitch for rating the preferred shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Asset Maintenance
Requirements.</I>&nbsp;In addition to the requirements summarized under, &#147;&#151;Rating Agency Guidelines&#148; above, the Fund must satisfy asset maintenance requirements under the 1940 Act with respect to its preferred shares. Under the 1940
Act, debt or additional preferred shares may be issued only if immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund&#146;s total assets (less ordinary course liabilities) is at least 300% of the amount of any debt outstanding and at least 200% of
the amount of any preferred shares and debt outstanding. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund will be required under the Statement of Preferences of each series of
preferred shares to determine whether it has, as of the last business day of each March, June, September and December of each year, an &#147;asset coverage&#148; (as defined in the 1940 Act) of at least 200% (or such higher or lower percentage as
may be required at the time under the 1940 Act) with respect to all outstanding senior securities of the Fund that are debt or stock, including any outstanding preferred shares. If the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage required under the
1940 Act on such dates and such failure is not cured by a specific time (generally within 49 calendar days), the Fund may, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem preferred shares sufficient to satisfy such asset
coverage. See &#147;&#151;Redemption Procedures&#148; below. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Distributions.</I>&nbsp;Holders of any Fixed Rate Preferred Shares will
be entitled to receive, out of funds legally available therefore, cumulative cash distributions, at an annual rate set forth in the applicable Statement of Preferences or Prospectus Supplement, payable with such frequency as set forth in the
applicable Statement of Preferences or Prospectus Supplement. Such distributions will accumulate from the date on which such shares are issued. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions for the Preferred Shares. </I>So long as any preferred shares are outstanding, the Fund
may not pay any dividend or distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in common shares or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase common shares) in respect of the common shares or call for redemption, redeem,
purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any common </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">76 </P>


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shares (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of the Fund ranking junior to the preferred shares as to the payment of dividends or distributions and the distribution of assets upon
liquidation), unless: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the Fund has declared and paid (or provided to the relevant dividend paying agent) all cumulative distributions on the Fund&#146;s outstanding preferred shares due on or prior to the date of such common shares dividend
or distribution; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the Fund has redeemed the full number of preferred shares to be redeemed pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision in the Fund&#146;s Governing Documents;&nbsp;and </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">after making the distribution, the Fund meets applicable asset coverage requirements described under &#147;Preferred Shares&#151;Asset Maintenance Requirements.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">No complete distribution due for a particular dividend period will be declared or made on any series of preferred shares for any dividend
period, or part thereof, unless full cumulative distributions due through the most recent dividend payment dates therefore for all outstanding series of preferred shares of the Fund ranking on a parity with such series as to distributions have been
or contemporaneously are declared and made. If full cumulative distributions due have not been made on all outstanding preferred shares of the Fund ranking on a parity with such series of preferred shares as to the payment of distributions, any
distributions being paid on the preferred shares will be paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of distributions accumulated but unmade on each such series of preferred shares on the relevant dividend payment
date. The Fund&#146;s obligation to make distributions on the preferred shares will be subordinate to its obligations to pay interest and principal, when due, on any senior securities representing debt. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Mandatory Redemption</I><I></I><I>&nbsp;Relating to Asset Coverage Requirements.</I>&nbsp;The Fund may, at its option, consistent with the
Governing Documents and the 1940 Act, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem preferred shares in the event that: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements specified under the 1940 Act on a quarterly valuation date (generally the last business day of March, June, September and December) and such failure is not
cured on or before a specified period of time, following such failure (typically 49 calendar days);&nbsp;or </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements as calculated in accordance with any applicable rating agency guidelines as of any monthly valuation date (generally the last business day of each month), and
such failure is not cured on or before a specified period of time after such valuation date (typically 10 business days). </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The redemption price for preferred shares subject to mandatory redemption will generally be the liquidation preference, as stated in the
Statement of Preferences of each existing series of preferred shares or the Prospectus Supplement accompanying the issuance of any series of preferred shares, plus an amount equal to any accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or
declared) to the date fixed for redemption, plus any applicable redemption premium determined by the Board and included in the Statement of Preferences. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If the Fund is required to redeem any preferred shares as a result of a failure to maintain such minimum asset coverage amounts as of an
applicable cure date, then the Fund shall, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Delaware law, by the close of business on such cure date fix a redemption date that is on or before the 30th business day after such cure date and proceed to
redeem the preferred shares. The Fund may fix a redemption date that is after the 30th business day after such cure date if the Board determines, in good faith, that extraordinary market conditions exist as a result of which disposal by the Fund of
securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or is not reasonably practicable at fair value. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The number of preferred shares that
will be redeemed in the case of a mandatory redemption will equal the minimum number of outstanding preferred shares, the redemption of which, if such redemption had occurred </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">77 </P>


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immediately prior to the opening of business on the applicable cure date, would have resulted in the relevant asset coverage requirement having been met or, if the required asset coverage cannot
be so restored, all of the preferred shares. In the event that preferred shares are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy the 1940 Act asset coverage requirements, the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of preferred shares
so that the Fund&#146;s assets exceed the asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act after the redemption by 10% (that is, 220% asset coverage) or some other amount specified in the Statement of Preferences. In the event that preferred shares
are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy applicable rating agency guidelines, the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of preferred shares so that the Fund&#146;s discounted portfolio value (as determined in accordance with
the applicable rating agency guidelines) after redemption exceeds the asset coverage requirements of each applicable rating agency by up to 10% (that is, 110% rating agency asset coverage) or some other amount specified in the Statement of
Preferences. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If the Fund does not have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is otherwise unable to redeem, all the preferred
shares to be redeemed on any redemption date, the Fund will redeem on such redemption date that number of shares for which it has legally available funds, or is otherwise able to redeem, from the holders whose shares are to be redeemed ratably on
the basis of the redemption price of such shares, and the remainder of those shares to be redeemed will be redeemed on the earliest practicable date on which the Fund will have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is otherwise able to
redeem, such shares upon written notice of redemption. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If fewer than all of the Fund&#146;s outstanding preferred shares are to be
redeemed, the Fund, at its discretion and subject to the limitations of the Governing Documents, the 1940 Act, and applicable law, will select the one or more series of preferred from which shares will be redeemed and the amount of preferred to be
redeemed from each such series. If fewer than all shares of a series of preferred are to be redeemed, such redemption will be made as among the holders of that series pro rata in accordance with the respective number of shares of such series held by
each such holder on the record date for such redemption (or by such other equitable method as the Fund may determine). If fewer than all preferred shares held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption mailed to such holder will
specify the number of shares to be redeemed from such holder, which may be expressed as a percentage of shares held on the applicable record date. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Optional Redemption</I>. Fixed Rate Preferred Shares are not subject to optional redemption by the Fund until the date, if any, specified
in the applicable Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement, unless such redemption is necessary, in the judgment of the Fund, to maintain the Fund&#146;s status as a RIC under the Code. Commencing on such date and thereafter, the Fund may at any time
redeem such Fixed Rate Preferred Shares in whole or in part for cash at a redemption price per share equal to the liquidation preference per share plus accumulated and unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) to the redemption date
plus any premium specified in or pursuant to the Statement of Preferences. Such redemptions are subject to the notice requirements set forth under &#147;Preferred Shares&#151;Redemption&nbsp;Procedures&#148; and the limitations of the Governing
Documents, the 1940 Act and applicable law. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Redemption Procedures</I>. If the Fund determines or is required to redeem preferred
shares, it will mail a notice redemption to holders of the shares to be redeemed. Each notice of redemption will state (i)&nbsp;the redemption date, (ii)&nbsp;the number or percentage of preferred shares to be redeemed (which may be expressed as a
percentage of such shares outstanding), (iii)&nbsp;the CUSIP number(s) of such shares, (iv)&nbsp;the redemption price (specifying the amount of accumulated distributions to be included therein), (v)&nbsp;the place or places where such shares are to
be redeemed, (vi)&nbsp;that distributions on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on such redemption date, (vii)&nbsp;the provision of the Statement of Preferences under which the redemption is being made and (viii)&nbsp;in the case of
an optional redemption, any conditions precedent to such redemption. No defect in the notice of redemption or in the mailing thereof will affect the validity of the redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The redemption date with respect to fixed rate preferred shares will not be fewer than 15 days nor more than 40 days (subject to NYSE American
requirements) after the date of the applicable notice of redemption. Preferred shareholders may receive shorter notice in the event of a mandatory redemption. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">78 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The holders of preferred shares will not have the right to redeem any of their shares at their
option except to the extent specified in the Statement of Preferences. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Liquidation Rights.</I> In the event of any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the holders of preferred shares then outstanding will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution, which is expected to equal the original purchase price per
preferred share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common shares. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the
holders of preferred shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Voting
Rights.</I> Except as otherwise stated in this Prospectus, specified in the Governing Documents or resolved by the Board or as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of preferred shares shall be entitled to one vote per share held on each
matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and will vote together with holders of common shares and of any other preferred shares then outstanding as a single class. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In connection with the election of the Fund&#146;s Trustees, holders of the outstanding preferred shares, voting together as a single class,
will be entitled to elect two of the Fund&#146;s Trustees, and the remaining Trustees will be elected by holders of common shares and holders of preferred shares, voting together as a single class. In addition, if (i)&nbsp;at any time dividends and
distributions on outstanding preferred shares are unpaid in an amount equal to at least two full years&#146; dividends and distributions thereon and sufficient cash or specified securities have not been deposited with the applicable paying agent for
the payment of such accumulated dividends and distributions or (ii)&nbsp;at any time holders of any other series of preferred shares are entitled to elect a majority of the Trustees of the Fund under the 1940 Act or the applicable Statement of
Preferences creating such shares, then the number of Trustees constituting the Board automatically will be increased by the smallest number that, when added to the two Trustees elected exclusively by the holders of preferred shares as described
above, would then constitute a simple majority of the Board as so increased by such smallest number. Such additional Trustees will be elected by the holders of the outstanding preferred shares, voting together as a single class, at a special meeting
of shareholders which will be called as soon as practicable and will be held not less than ten nor more than twenty days after the mailing date of the meeting notice. If the Fund fails to send such meeting notice or to call such a special meeting,
the meeting may be called by any preferred shareholder on like notice. The terms of office of the persons who are Trustees at the time of that election will continue. If the Fund thereafter pays, or declares and sets apart for payment in full, all
dividends and distributions payable on all outstanding preferred shares for all past dividend periods or the holders of other series of preferred shares are no longer entitled to elect such additional Trustees, the additional voting rights of the
holders of the preferred shares as described above will cease, and the terms of office of all of the additional Trustees elected by the holders of the preferred shares (but not of the Trustees with respect to whose election the holders of common
shares were entitled to vote or the two Trustees the holders of preferred shares have the right to elect as a separate class in any event) will terminate automatically. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The 1940 Act requires that, in addition to any approval by shareholders that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a
majority of any outstanding preferred shares (as defined in the 1940 Act), voting separately as a class, would be required to (1)&nbsp;adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the preferred shares, and (2)&nbsp;take any action
requiring a vote of security holders under Section&nbsp;13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other things, changes in the Fund&#146;s classification as a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> investment company or changes in its
fundamental investment restrictions. As a result of these voting rights, the Fund&#146;s ability to take any such actions may be impeded to the extent that there are any preferred shares outstanding. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">So long as any preferred shares are outstanding, the Fund may not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in
the 1940 Act) of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares outstanding at the time, voting separately as one class, amend, alter or repeal the provisions of a Statement of Preferences so as to in the aggregate adversely affect the rights and preferences of
any preferred shares of the Fund. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, in the event that more than one series of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares are outstanding, the </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">79 </P>


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Fund will not effect any of the actions set forth in the preceding sentence which in the aggregate adversely affects the rights and preferences for a series of preferred shares differently than
such rights and preferences for any other series of preferred shares without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares outstanding of each series adversely affected
(each such adversely affected series voting separately as a class to the extent its rights are affected differently). An increase in the number of authorized preferred shares pursuant to the Governing Documents or the issuance of additional shares
of any series of preferred shares pursuant to the Governing Documents shall not in and of itself be considered to adversely affect the rights and preferences of the Fund&#146;s preferred shares. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The class votes of holders of preferred shares described above will in each case be in addition to any other vote required to authorize the
action in question. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The foregoing voting provisions will not apply to any series of preferred shares if, at or prior to the time when the
act with respect to which such vote otherwise would be required will be effected, such shares will have been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient cash or cash equivalents provided to the applicable paying agent to effect such redemption.
The holders of preferred shares will have no preemptive rights or rights to cumulative voting. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Limitation on Issuance of Preferred
Shares.</I> So long as the Fund has preferred shares outstanding, subject to receipt of approval from the rating agencies of each series of preferred shares outstanding, and subject to compliance with the Fund&#146;s investment objectives, policies
and restrictions, the Fund may issue and sell shares of one or more other series of additional preferred shares provided that the Fund will, immediately after giving effect to the issuance of such additional preferred shares and to its receipt and
application of the proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, to the redemption of preferred shares to be redeemed out of such proceeds), have an &#147;asset coverage&#148; for all senior securities of the Fund which are stock, as defined in
the 1940 Act, of at least 200% of the sum of the liquidation preference of the preferred shares of the Fund then outstanding and all indebtedness of the Fund constituting senior securities and no such additional preferred shares will have any
preference or priority over any other preferred shares of the Fund upon the distribution of the assets of the Fund or in respect of the payment of dividends or distributions. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund will consider from time to time whether to offer additional preferred shares or securities representing indebtedness and may issue
such additional securities if the Board concludes that such an offering would be consistent with the Fund&#146;s Governing Documents and applicable law, and in the best interest of existing common shareholders. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Book Entry.</I> Preferred shares may be held in the name of Cede&nbsp;&amp; Co. as nominee for DTC. The Fund will treat Cede&nbsp;&amp; Co.
as the holder of record of any preferred shares issued for all purposes in this circumstance. In accordance with the procedures of DTC, however, purchasers of preferred shares whose preferred shares are held in the name of Cede&nbsp;&amp; Co. as
nominee for the DTC will be deemed the beneficial owners of stock purchased for purposes of distributions, voting and liquidation rights. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Notes
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>General</I>. At the Annual Meeting, shareholders of the Fund recently approved the Fund&#146;s proposal to revise the Fund&#146;s
fundamental investment restriction regarding borrowing money or issuing senior securities to permit the Fund to issue senior securities and borrow money to the maximum extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Accordingly, under applicable state law and our
Agreement and Declaration of Trust, we may borrow money without prior approval of holders of common and preferred shares. We may issue debt securities, including notes, or other evidence of indebtedness and may secure any such notes or borrowings by
mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security our assets to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or rating agency guidelines. Any borrowings, including without limitation any notes, will rank senior to the preferred shares and the common
shares. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">80 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Under the 1940 Act, we may only issue one class of senior securities representing indebtedness,
which in the aggregate must have asset coverage immediately after the time of issuance of at least 300%. So long as notes are outstanding, additional debt securities must rank on a parity with notes with respect to the payment of interest and upon
the distribution of our assets. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A Prospectus Supplement relating to any notes will include specific terms relating to the offering. The
terms to be stated in a Prospectus Supplement will include the following: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the form and title of the security; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the aggregate principal amount of the securities; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the interest rate of the securities; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">whether the interest rate for the securities will be determined by auction or remarketing; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the maturity dates on which the principal of the securities will be payable; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the frequency with which auctions or remarketings, if any, will be held; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">any changes to or additional events of default or covenants; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">any minimum period prior to which the securities may not be called; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">any optional or mandatory call or redemption provisions; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the credit rating of the notes; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance of the notes; and </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">any other terms of the securities. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Interest</I>. The Prospectus Supplement will describe
the interest payment provisions relating to notes. Interest on notes will be payable when due as described in the related Prospectus Supplement. If we do not pay interest when due, it will trigger an event of default and we will be restricted from
declaring dividends and making other distributions with respect to our common shares and preferred shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Limitations</I>. Under the
requirements of the 1940 Act, immediately after issuing any notes the value of our total assets, less certain ordinary course liabilities, must equal or exceed 300% of the amount of the notes outstanding. Other types of borrowings also may result in
our being subject to similar covenants in credit agreements. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Additionally, the 1940 Act requires that we prohibit the declaration of any
dividend or distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in Fund common or preferred shares or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase Fund common or preferred shares) in respect of Fund common or preferred shares, or
call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any such fund common or preferred shares, unless the Fund&#146;s notes have asset coverage of at least 300% (200% in the case of a dividend or distribution on preferred
shares) after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or acquisition price, as the case may be. These 1940 Act requirements do not apply to any promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness issued in consideration of any loan,
extension, or renewal thereof, made by a bank or other person and privately arranged, and not intended to be publicly distributed; however, any such borrowings may result in our being subject to similar covenants in credit agreements. Moreover, the
Indenture related to the notes could contain provisions more restrictive than those required by the 1940 Act, and any such provisions would be described in the related Prospectus Supplement. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">81 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Events of Default and Acceleration of Maturity of Notes.</I> Unless stated otherwise in the
related Prospectus Supplement, any one of the following events will constitute an &#147;event of default&#148; for that series under the Indenture relating to the notes: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">default in the payment of any interest upon a series of notes when it becomes due and payable and the continuance of such default for 30 days; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">default in the payment of the principal of, or premium on, a series of notes at its stated maturity; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of ours in the Indenture, and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after written notice has been given to us by the trustee;
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">certain voluntary or involuntary proceedings involving us and relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">if, on the last business day of each of twenty-four consecutive calendar months, the notes have a 1940 Act asset coverage of less than 100%; or </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">any other &#147;event of default&#148; provided with respect to a series, including a default in the payment of any redemption price payable on the redemption date. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Upon the occurrence and continuance of an event of default, the holders of a majority in principal amount of a series of outstanding notes or
the trustee will be able to declare the principal amount of that series of notes immediately due and payable upon written notice to us. A default that relates only to one series of notes does not affect any other series and the holders of such other
series of notes will not be entitled to receive notice of such a default under the Indenture. Upon an event of default relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws, acceleration of maturity will occur automatically with respect to all
series. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to a series of notes has been made, and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
notes of that series, by written notice to us and the trustee, may rescind and annul the declaration of acceleration and its consequences if all events of default with respect to that series of notes, other than the
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-payment</FONT> of the principal of that series of notes which has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived and other conditions have been met. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Liquidation Rights</I>. In the event of (a)&nbsp;any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation,
reorganization or other similar case or proceeding in connection therewith, relative to us or to our creditors, as such, or to our assets, or (b)&nbsp;any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of us, whether voluntary or involuntary and
whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (c)&nbsp;any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of ours, then (after any payments with respect to any secured creditor of ours outstanding
at such time) and in any such event the holders of notes shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all notes (including any interest accruing thereon after the commencement of any such case
or proceeding), or provision shall be made for such payment in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of the notes, before the holders of any of our common or preferred shares are entitled to receive any
payment on account of any redemption proceeds, liquidation preference or dividends from such shares. The holders of notes shall be entitled to receive, for application to the payment thereof, any payment or distribution of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of ours being subordinated to the payment of the notes, which may be payable
or deliverable in respect of the notes in any such case, proceeding, dissolution, liquidation or other winding up event. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Unsecured
creditors of ours may include, without limitation, service providers including the Investment Adviser, the Custodian, administrator, auction agent, broker-dealers and the trustee, pursuant to the terms of various contracts with us. Secured creditors
of ours may include without limitation parties entering into any </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">82 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
interest rate swap, floor or cap transactions, or other similar transactions with us that create liens, pledges, charges, security interests, security agreements or other encumbrances on our
assets. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A consolidation, reorganization or merger of us with or into any other company, or a sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all of our assets in consideration for the issuance of equity securities of another company shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Voting Rights</I>. The notes have no voting rights, except as mentioned below and to the extent required by law or as otherwise provided in
the Indenture relating to the acceleration of maturity upon the occurrence and continuance of an event of default. In connection with the notes or certain other borrowings (if any), the 1940 Act does in certain circumstances grant to the note
holders or lenders certain voting rights. The 1940 Act requires that provision is made either (i)&nbsp;that, if on the last business day of each of twelve consecutive calendar months such notes shall have an asset coverage of less than 100%, the
holders of such notes voting as a class shall be entitled to elect at least a majority of the members of the Fund&#146;s Trustees, such voting right to continue until such notes shall have an asset coverage of 110% or more on the last business day
of each of three consecutive calendar months, or (ii)&nbsp;that, if on the last business day of each of twenty-four consecutive calendar months such notes shall have an asset coverage of less than 100%, an event of default shall be deemed to have
occurred. It is expected that, unless otherwise stated in the related Prospectus Supplement, provision will be made that, if on the last business day of each of twenty-four consecutive calendar months such notes shall have an asset coverage of less
than 100%, an event of default shall be deemed to have occurred. These 1940 Act requirements do not apply to any promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness issued in consideration of any loan, extension, or renewal thereof, made by a bank or
other person and privately arranged, and not intended to be publicly distributed; however, any such borrowings may result in our being subject to similar covenants in credit agreements. As reflected above, the Indenture relating to the notes may
also grant to the note holders voting rights relating to the acceleration of maturity upon the occurrence and continuance of an event of default, and any such rights would be described in the related Prospectus Supplement. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Market</I>. Our notes are not likely to be listed on an exchange or automated quotation system. The details on how to buy and sell such
notes, along with the other terms of the notes, will be described in a Prospectus Supplement. We cannot assure you that any market will exist for our notes or if a market does exist, whether it will provide holders with liquidity. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Book-Entry, Delivery and Form</I>. Unless otherwise stated in the related Prospectus Supplement, the notes will be issued in book-entry
form and will be represented by one or more notes in registered global form. The global notes will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of Cede&nbsp;&amp; Co., as nominee of DTC. DTC will maintain the notes
in designated denominations through its book-entry facilities. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Under the terms of the Indenture, we and the trustee may treat the persons
in whose names any notes, including the global notes, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Therefore, so long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of the
global notes, DTC or such nominee will be considered the sole holder of outstanding notes under the Indenture. We or the trustee may give effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by DTC or its nominee. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A global note may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in
the global note may be transferred or exchanged for definitive securities in accordance with the rules and procedures of DTC. In addition, a global note may be exchangeable for notes in definitive form if: </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depository and we do not appoint a successor within 60 days; </TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">83 </P>


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<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">we, at our option, notify the trustee in writing that we elect to cause the issuance of notes in definitive form under the Indenture; or </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">an event of default has occurred and is continuing. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In each instance, upon surrender by DTC
or its nominee of the global note, notes in definitive form will be issued to each person that DTC or its nominee identifies as being the beneficial owner of the related notes. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Under the Indenture, the holder of any global note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including its participants and
persons who may hold interests through DTC participants, to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under the Indenture. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Trustee, Transfer Agent, Registrar, Paying Agent and Redemption Agent</I>. Information regarding the trustee under the Indenture, which may
also act as transfer agent, registrar, paying agent and redemption agent with respect to our notes, will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Subscription Rights </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>General.</I>&nbsp;We may issue subscription rights to holders of our common and/or preferred shares to purchase common and/or preferred
shares; provided, however, that the Fund will not issue subscription rights to preferred shareholders to buy common shares at a price less than the current net asset value of the common shares. 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 and/or preferred shares, we would
distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a Prospectus Supplement to our common or preferred shareholders, as applicable, as of the record date that we set for determining the shareholders eligible to receive subscription rights
in such subscription rights offering. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The applicable Prospectus Supplement would describe the following terms of subscription rights in
respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the period of time the offering would remain open (which will be open a minimum number of days such that all record holders would be eligible to participate in the offering and will not be open longer than 120 days);
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the title of such subscription rights; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the exercise price for such subscription rights (or method of calculation thereof); </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the number of such subscription rights issued in respect of each common share; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the number of rights required to purchase a single preferred share; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable and the market on which they may be traded if they are transferable; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights will commence, and the date on which such right will expire (subject to any extension); </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities and the terms of such over-subscription privilege; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">any termination right we may have in connection with such subscription rights offering; and </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">any other terms of such subscription rights, including exercise, settlement and other procedures and limitations relating to the transfer and exercise of such subscription rights. </TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">84 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Exercise of Subscription Rights.</I><I></I>&nbsp;Each subscription right would entitle the
holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such number of shares 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. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Upon expiration of the 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 the Prospectus Supplement we would issue, as soon as practicable, the shares purchased as a result of
such exercise. To the extent permissible under applicable law, we may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such
methods, as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Subscription Rights to Purchase Common and Preferred Shares</I>. The
Fund may issue subscription rights which would entitle holders to purchase both common and preferred shares in a ratio to be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In accordance with the 1940 Act, the common share entitlement would not
exceed one common share for every three rights held. It is expected that rights to purchase both common and preferred shares would require holders to purchase an equal number of common and preferred shares, and would not permit holders to purchase
an unequal number of common or preferred shares, or purchase only common shares or only preferred shares. For example, such an offering might be structured such that three rights would entitle an investor to purchase one common share and one
preferred share, and such investor would not be able to choose to purchase only a common share or only a preferred share upon the exercise of his, her or its rights. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The common shares and preferred shares issued pursuant to the exercise of any such rights, however, would at all times be separately tradeable
securities. Such common and preferred shares would not be issued as a &#147;unit&#148; or &#147;combination&#148; and would not be listed or traded as a &#147;unit&#148; or &#147;combination&#148; on a securities exchange, such as the NYSE American,
at any time. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will set forth additional details regarding an offering of subscription rights to purchase common and preferred shares. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Outstanding Securities </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following
information regarding the Fund&#146;s authorized shares is as of July 31, 2017. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="84%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="56%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:44.80pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Title of Class</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Amount<BR>Authorized</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Amount&nbsp;Held<BR>by Fund or<BR>for&nbsp;its&nbsp;Account</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Amount<BR>Outstanding<BR>Exclusive of<BR>Amount&nbsp;Held<BR>by Fund</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Common Shares</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">Unlimited</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">&#151;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">12,871,281</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_13"></A>ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUND&#146;S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund presently has provisions in its Governing Documents which could have the effect of limiting, in each case, (i)&nbsp;the ability of
other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund, (ii)&nbsp;the Fund&#146;s freedom to engage in certain transactions or (iii)&nbsp;the ability of the Fund&#146;s Trustees or shareholders to amend the Governing Documents or effectuate
changes in the Fund&#146;s management. These provisions of the Governing Documents of the Fund may be regarded as &#147;anti-takeover&#148; provisions. The Board of the Fund is divided into three classes, each having a term of no more than three
years. Each year the term of one class of Trustees will expire. Accordingly, only those Trustees in one class may be changed in any one year, and it would require a minimum of two years to change a majority of the Board. Such system of electing
Trustees may have the effect of maintaining the continuity of management and, thus, make it more difficult for the shareholders of the Fund to </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">85 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
change the majority of Trustees. See &#147;Management of the Fund&#151;Trustees and Officers&#148; in the SAI. A Trustee of a Fund may be removed (i)&nbsp;at any time by written instrument signed
by at least <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">two-thirds</FONT> of the Trustees prior to such removal or (ii)&nbsp;with cause by a vote of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">66-2/3%</FONT> of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at a meeting that
has been called for such purpose. Under the Fund&#146;s <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">By-Laws,</FONT> advance notice to the Fund of any shareholder proposal is required, potential nominees to the Board must satisfy a series of requirements
relating to, among other things, potential conflicts of interest or relationships and fitness to be a Trustee of a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> fund in order to be nominated or elected as a Trustee and any shareholder proposing
the nomination or election of a person as a Trustee must supply significant amounts of information designed to enable verification of whether such person satisfies such qualifications. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Special voting requirements of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">66-2/3%</FONT> of the outstanding voting shares (in addition to any required
class votes) apply to most mergers involving the Fund or a sale of all or substantially all of the Fund&#146;s assets, most liquidations of the Fund, conversion of the Fund into an <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">open-end</FONT> fund and for the
authorization of certain transactions between the Fund and a beneficial owner of 10% or more of the Fund&#146;s outstanding shares, unless such action has been previously approved by both <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">two-thirds</FONT> of the
Board and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">two-thirds</FONT> of the Trustees who are not &#147;interested persons&#148; of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), in which case, an affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
(as defined in the 1940 Act) is required (except for amendments to several provisions of the Declaration of Trust, which still requires the affirmative vote or consent of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">66-2/3%</FONT> of the outstanding voting
shares). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, shareholders have no authority to adopt, amend or repeal <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">By-Laws.</FONT> The
Trustees have authority to adopt, amend and repeal <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">By-Laws</FONT> consistent with the Declaration of Trust (including to require approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares for the election of
Trustees). Reference is made to the Governing Documents of the Fund, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, for the full text of these provisions. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The provisions of the Governing Documents described above could have the effect of depriving the owners of shares in the Fund of opportunities
to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices, by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. The overall effect of the provisions is to render more difficult the
accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control by a principal shareholder. For the full text of these provisions see &#147;Additional Information.&#148; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Governing Documents are on file with the SEC. For access to the full text of these provisions, see &#147;Additional Information.&#148;
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_14"></A><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">CLOSED-END</FONT> FUND STRUCTURE </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund is a diversified, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> management investment company (commonly referred to as a <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> fund). <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Closed-end</FONT> funds differ from <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">open-end</FONT> funds (which are generally referred to as mutual funds) in that <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> funds generally list their common shares for trading on a stock exchange and do not redeem their common shares at the request of the shareholder. This means that if you wish to sell your common shares of
a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> fund you must trade them on the market like any other stock at the prevailing market price at that time. In an <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">open-end</FONT> fund, if the shareholder wishes to
sell shares of the fund, the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">open-end</FONT> fund will redeem or buy back the shares at net asset value. Also, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">open-end</FONT> funds generally offer new shares on a continuous basis
to new investors, and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> funds generally do not. The continuous inflows and outflows of assets in an <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">open-end</FONT> fund can make it difficult to manage the
fund&#146;s investments. By comparison, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> funds are generally able to stay more fully invested in securities that are consistent with their investment objective, to have greater flexibility to make
certain types of investments and to use certain investment strategies such as financial leverage and investments in illiquid securities. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Common shares of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value. Because of this
possibility and the recognition that any such discount may not be in the interest of shareholders, the Board might </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">86 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
consider from time to time engaging in open-market repurchases, tender offers for shares or other programs intended to reduce a discount. We cannot guarantee or assure, however, that the Board
will decide to engage in any of these actions. Nor is there any guarantee or assurance that such actions, if undertaken, would result in the common shares trading at a price equal or close to net asset value per share. We cannot assure you that the
Fund&#146;s common shares will not trade at a discount. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_15"></A>REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund is a diversified, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> management investment company and as such its shareholders do
not, and will not, have the right to require the Fund to repurchase their shares. The Fund, however, may repurchase its common shares from time to time as and when it deems such a repurchase advisable. The Board has authorized, but does not require,
such repurchases to be made when the Fund&#146;s common shares are trading at a discount from net asset value of 10% or more (or such other percentage as the Board of the Fund may determine from time to time). This authorization is a standing
authorization that may be executed in the discretion of the Fund&#146;s officers. The Fund&#146;s officers are authorized to use the Fund&#146;s general corporate funds to repurchase common shares. While the Fund may incur debt to finance common
share repurchases, such debt financing would require further approval of the Board. The Fund has repurchased its common shares under this authorization. See &#147;Description of the Securities&#151;Common Shares.&#148; Although the Board has
authorized such repurchases, the Fund is not required to repurchase its common shares. The Board has not established a limit on the number of shares that could be purchased during such period. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund may repurchase its
common shares on a securities exchange (provided that the Fund has informed its shareholders within the preceding six months of its intention to repurchase such shares) or pursuant to tenders and may also repurchase shares privately if the Fund
meets certain conditions regarding, among other things, distribution of net income for the preceding fiscal year, status of the seller, price paid, brokerage commissions, prior notice to shareholders of an intention to purchase shares and purchasing
in a manner and on a basis that does not discriminate unfairly against the other shareholders through their interest in the Fund. The Fund has not and will not, unless otherwise set forth in a Prospectus Supplement and accomplished in accordance
with applicable law and positions of the SEC&#146;s staff, repurchase common shares (i)&nbsp;immediately after the completion of an offering of common shares (i.e., within sixty days of an overallotment option period) or (ii)&nbsp;at a price that is
tied to the initial offering price. See &#147;Plan of Distribution.&#148; When the Fund repurchases its common shares for a price below net asset value, the net asset value of the common shares that remain outstanding will be enhanced, but this does
not necessarily mean that the market price of the outstanding common shares will be affected, either positively or negatively. The repurchase of common shares will reduce the total assets of the Fund available for investment and may increase the
Fund&#146;s expense ratio. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_16"></A>RIGHTS OFFERINGS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may in the future, and at its discretion, choose to make offerings to its common shareholders or its preferred shareholders of
subscription rights to purchase common and/or preferred shares; provided, however, that the Fund will not issue subscription rights to preferred shareholders to buy common shares at a price less than the current net asset value of the common shares.
A future rights offering may be transferable or non-transferable. Any such future rights offering will be made in accordance with the 1940 Act. Under the laws of Delaware, the Board is authorized to approve rights offerings without obtaining
shareholder approval. The staff of the SEC has interpreted the 1940 Act as not requiring shareholder approval of a transferable rights offering to purchase common stock at a price below the then current net asset value so long as certain conditions
are met, including: (i)&nbsp;a good faith determination by a fund&#146;s Board that such offering would result in a net benefit to existing shareholders; (ii)&nbsp;the offering fully protects shareholders&#146; preemptive rights and does not
discriminate among shareholders (except for the possible effect of not offering fractional rights); (iii)&nbsp;management uses its best efforts to ensure an adequate trading market in the rights for use by shareholders who do not exercise such
rights; and (iv)&nbsp;the ratio of a transferable rights offering does not exceed one new share for each three rights held. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">87 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_17"></A>TAXATION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its common and
preferred shareholders. A more complete discussion of the tax rules applicable to the Fund and its shareholders can be found in the SAI that is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This summary does not discuss the consequences of an
investment in the Fund&#146;s notes or subscription rights to acquire shares of the Fund&#146;s stock. The tax consequences of such an investment will be discussed in a relevant prospectus supplement. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This discussion assumes you are a taxable U.S.&nbsp;person (as defined for U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax purposes) and that you hold your
shares as capital assets (generally, for investment). The discussion is based upon current provisions of the Code, Treasury regulations, judicial authorities, published positions of the Internal Revenue Service (the &#147;IRS&#148;) and other
applicable authorities, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to those set
forth below. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders subject to special tax rules and shareholders owning large positions in
the Fund), nor does this discussion address any state, local or foreign tax concerns. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>The discussion set forth herein does not
constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Taxation of the Fund </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund has
elected to be treated and has qualified as, and intends to continue to qualify annually as, a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, the Fund must, among other things, </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(i)&nbsp;derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from (a)&nbsp;dividends, interest (including <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-exempt</FONT> interest), payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gain
from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (b)&nbsp;net income derived from interests in certain publicly traded partnerships that are treated as
partnerships for U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in (a)&nbsp;above (each a &#147;Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership&#148;);&nbsp;and </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(ii)&nbsp;diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year, (a)&nbsp;at least 50% of the market value of the
Fund&#146;s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S.&nbsp;government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of
the value of the Fund&#146;s total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b)&nbsp;not more than 25% of the value of the Fund&#146;s total assets is invested in the securities (other than
U.S.&nbsp;government securities and the securities of other RICs) of (I)&nbsp;any one issuer, (II)&nbsp;any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same business or similar or related trades or
businesses or (III)&nbsp;any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As a RIC, the Fund generally is not subject to
U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax on income and gains that it distributes each taxable year to shareholders, provided that it distributes at least 90% of the sum of the Fund&#146;s (i)&nbsp;investment company taxable income (which includes, among other
items, dividends, interest, the excess of any net short term capital gain over net long term capital loss, and other taxable income other than any net capital gain (as defined below) reduced by deductible expenses) determined without regard to the
deduction for dividends paid and (ii)&nbsp;net <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-exempt</FONT> interest income (the excess of its gross <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-exempt</FONT> interest income over certain disallowed deductions), if
any. The Fund intends to distribute at least annually substantially all of such income. The Fund will be subject to income tax at regular corporate rates on any investment company taxable income and net capital gain that it does not distribute to
its shareholders. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">88 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may either distribute or retain for reinvestment all or part of its net capital gain
(which consists of the excess of its net long term capital gain over its net short term capital loss). If any such gain is retained, the Fund will be subject to a corporate income tax on such retained amount. In that event, the Fund may report the
retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, each of whom, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long term capital gains, (i)&nbsp;will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as
long term capital gain its share of such undistributed amounts, (ii)&nbsp;will be entitled to credit its proportionate share of the tax paid by the Fund against its U.S. federal income tax liability and to claim refunds to the extent that the credit
exceeds such liability and (iii) will increase its basis in its shares by the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder&#146;s income less the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4%
federal excise tax at the Fund level. To avoid the tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i)&nbsp;98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the
calendar year, and (ii)&nbsp;98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">one-year</FONT> period generally ending on October&nbsp;31 of the calendar year
(unless an election is made to use the Fund&#146;s fiscal year). In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year to avoid the federal excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any under-distribution or
over-distribution, as the case may be, from previous years. For purposes of the excise tax, the Fund will be deemed to have distributed any income on which it paid U.S. federal income tax. Although the Fund intends to distribute any income and
capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% federal excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund&#146;s ordinary income and capital gains will be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of
the tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Certain of the Fund&#146;s investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other
things, (i)&nbsp;disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii)&nbsp;convert lower taxed long term capital gains or qualified dividend income into higher taxed short term capital gains or ordinary income,
(iii)&nbsp;convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v)&nbsp;adversely affect the time as to
when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi)&nbsp;adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (vii)&nbsp;produce income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the 90%
annual gross income requirement described above. These U.S. federal income tax provisions could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If for any taxable year the Fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject
to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Taxation of Shareholders </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund expects to take the position that under present law any preferred shares that it issues will constitute equity rather than debt of the
Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It is possible, however, that the IRS could take a contrary position asserting, for example, that such preferred shares constitute debt of the Fund. The Fund believes this position, if asserted, would be
unlikely to prevail. If that position were upheld, distributions on the Fund&#146;s preferred shares would be considered interest, taxable as ordinary income regardless of the taxable income of the Fund. The following discussion assumes that any
preferred shares issued by the Fund will be treated as equity. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Distributions paid to you by the Fund from its investment company taxable
income (referred to hereinafter as &#147;ordinary income dividends&#148;) are generally taxable to you as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund&#146;s </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">89 </P>


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current or accumulated earnings and profits. Provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met, such distributions (if properly reported by the Fund) may qualify (i)&nbsp;for
the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders to the extent that the Fund&#146;s income consists of dividend income from U.S.&nbsp;corporations, and (ii)&nbsp;in the case of individual shareholders, as qualified dividend
income eligible to be taxed at long term capital gains rates to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign
corporations. There can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund&#146;s distributions will be eligible for the dividends received deduction or for the reduced rates applicable to qualified dividend income. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Distributions made to you from net capital gain (&#147;capital gain dividends&#148;), including capital gain dividends credited to you but
retained by the Fund, are taxable to you as long term capital gains if they have been properly reported by the Fund, regardless of the length of time you have owned your Fund shares. Long term capital gain of individuals is generally subject to
reduced U.S. federal income tax rates. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Distributions in excess of the Fund&#146;s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be
treated as a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-free</FONT> return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax basis of your shares and thereafter will be treated as capital gains. The amount of any Fund distribution that is treated as a <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-free</FONT> return of capital will reduce your adjusted tax basis in your shares, thereby increasing your potential gain or reducing your potential loss on any subsequent sale or other disposition of your shares. In
determining the extent to which a distribution will be treated as being made from the Fund&#146;s earnings and profits, earnings and profits will be allocated on a pro rata basis first to distributions with respect to the Fund&#146;s preferred
shares, and then to the Fund&#146;s common shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The IRS currently requires a RIC that has two or more classes of shares outstanding to
designate to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (e.g., ordinary income, capital gain dividends, qualified dividend income) for each tax year based upon the percentage of total dividends distributed to each class for
such year. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Generally, after the close of its calendar year, the Fund will provide you with a written notice reporting the amount of any
qualified dividend income or capital gain dividends and other distributions. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Except in the case of a redemption or repurchase (the
consequences of which are described in the SAI under &#147;Taxation&#151;Taxation of Shareholders&#148;), the sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to you, and will be long term capital gain or
loss if the shares have been held for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares held for six months or less will be treated as long term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends
received (including amounts credited as undistributed capital gain dividends) by you with respect to such Fund shares. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares are
acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">61-day</FONT> period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of the sale or exchange of the shares. In such
case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dividends and other taxable distributions are
taxable to you even if they are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund are generally treated as received by a shareholder at the time the dividend or distribution is made. If, however, the
Fund pays you a dividend in January that was declared in the previous October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend or distribution will be treated for tax purposes as being
paid by the Fund and received by you on December&nbsp;31 of the year in which the dividend or distribution was declared. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund is
required in certain circumstances to withhold, for U.S. backup withholding tax purposes, a portion of the taxable dividends or distributions and certain other payments paid to <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-corporate</FONT> holders of the
Fund&#146;s shares who do not furnish the Fund (or its agent) with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, generally, their social security number) and certain certifications, or who are otherwise
</P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">90 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to you may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax
liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Shareholders are urged to consult their tax
advisers regarding specific questions as to U.S.&nbsp;federal, foreign, state, local income or other taxes. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_18"></A>CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">State Street Bank and Trust Company, located at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, serves as the custodian of the Fund&#146;s
assets pursuant to a custody agreement. Under the custody agreement, the Custodian holds the Fund&#146;s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the Custodian will receive a monthly fee paid by the Fund based upon, among other
things, the average value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions and out of pocket expenses. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">American Stock Transfer&nbsp;&amp; Trust Company, located at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219, serves as the Fund&#146;s dividend
disbursing agent, as agent under the Fund&#146;s Plan and as transfer agent and registrar for the common shares of the Fund. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">American
Stock Transfer&nbsp;&amp; Trust Company also would be expected to serve as the Fund&#146;s transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent with respect to any preferred shares issued. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_19"></A>PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We may sell securities through underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers, 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 our 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. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The distribution of our 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, provided, however, that the offering price per share in the case of common shares, must equal or exceed the net
asset value per share, exclusive of any underwriting commissions or discounts, of our common shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We may sell our 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. We may use electronic
media, including the Internet, to sell offered securities directly. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In connection with the sale of our securities, underwriters or agents
may receive compensation from us in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell our 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 our securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any
discounts and commissions they receive from us and any profit realized by them on the resale of our 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 from us will be described </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">91 </P>


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in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The maximum commission or discount to be received by any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (&#147;FINRA&#148;) member or independent
broker-dealer will not exceed eight percent. We will not pay any compensation to any underwriter or agent in the form of warrants, options, consulting or structuring fees or similar arrangements. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If a Prospectus Supplement so indicates, we may grant the underwriters an option to purchase additional shares at the public offering price,
less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within 45&nbsp;days from the date of the Prospectus Supplement, to cover any overallotments. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">To facilitate an offering of securities in an underwritten transaction and in accordance with industry practice, the underwriters may engage
in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of the securities. Those transactions may include overallotment, entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions, and reclaiming selling concessions
allowed to an underwriter or a dealer. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">An overallotment in connection with an offering creates a short position in the securities for the underwriter&#146;s own account. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">An underwriter may place a stabilizing bid to purchase the shares for the purpose of pegging, fixing, or maintaining the price of the securities. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Underwriters may engage in syndicate covering transactions to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities subject to the offering by bidding for, and purchasing, the securities or any other
securities in the open market in order to reduce a short position created in connection with the offering. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The managing underwriter may impose a penalty bid on a syndicate member to reclaim a selling concession in connection with an offering when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in
syndicate covering transactions or otherwise. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the
securities above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Any underwriters to whom the offered securities are sold for offering and sale may make a market in the offered securities, but the
underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making at any time without notice. The offered securities may or may not be listed on a securities exchange. We cannot assure you that there will be a liquid trading market
for the offered securities. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Any fixed rate preferred shares sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will likely be listed on the NYSE
American. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of our
securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course
of business. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, we will ourselves, or will authorize underwriters or other persons
acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase our securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contacts may be made include commercial and
savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by us. The obligation of any purchaser under any such contract will be
subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any
responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the commission payable for
solicitation of such contracts. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">92 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
the underwriters may from time to time act as brokers or dealers and receive fees in connection with the execution of our portfolio transactions after the underwriters have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, each may act
as a broker while it is an underwriter. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A Prospectus and accompanying Prospectus Supplement in electronic form may be made available on
the websites maintained by underwriters. The 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. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">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. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_20"></A>LEGAL MATTERS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Certain legal matters will be passed on by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher&nbsp;&amp; Flom LLP, 4 Times Square, New York, New York 10036 in
connection with the offering of the Fund&#146;s securities. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_21"></A>INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Tait, Weller &amp; Baker LLP serves as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund and audits the financial
statements of the Fund. Tait, Weller &amp; Baker LLP is located at 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_22">
</A>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
&#147;Exchange Act&#148;) and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith files, or will file, reports and other information with the SEC. Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Fund with the SEC pursuant to the informational
requirements of the Exchange&nbsp;Act and the 1940 Act can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC, 100&nbsp;F&nbsp;Street, N.E., Washington,&nbsp;D.C. 20549. The SEC maintains a web site at
http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Fund, that file electronically with the SEC. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund&#146;s common shares are listed on the NYSE American under the symbol &#147;ECF.&#148; Reports, proxy statements and other
information concerning the Fund and filed with the SEC by the Fund are available for inspection at the NYSE, 20&nbsp;Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act. This
Prospectus omits certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information with respect to the Fund and the shares offered hereby. Any
statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the
SEC. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations or free of charge through the SEC&#146;s web
site (http://www.sec.gov). </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">93 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_23"></A>PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund is committed to maintaining the privacy of its shareholders and to safeguarding their
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-public</FONT> personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information the Fund collects, how the Fund protects that information and why, in certain cases, the
Fund may share information with select other parties. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Generally, the Fund does not receive any
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-public</FONT> personal information relating to its shareholders, although certain <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-public</FONT> personal information of its shareholders may become available to the Fund. The
Fund does not disclose any <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-public</FONT> personal information about its shareholders or former shareholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service shareholder accounts (for
example, to a transfer agent or third party administrator). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund restricts access to
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-public</FONT> personal information about its shareholders to employees of the Fund, the Investment Adviser, and its affiliates with a legitimate business need for the information. The Fund maintains physical,
electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-public</FONT> personal information of its shareholders. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_24"></A>SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Certain statements in this Prospectus constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the Fund to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, among others, those listed under &#147;Risk Factors and Special Considerations&#148; and elsewhere in this Prospectus. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, no assurance can be given as to the future
results, levels of activity or achievements, and neither the Fund nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of such statements. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">94 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_25"></A>TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">An SAI dated as of August 31, 2017, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. An SAI may be obtained
without charge by writing to the Fund at its address at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422 or by calling the Fund toll-free at (800)&nbsp;GABELLI <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(422-3554).</FONT> The Table of Contents of the SAI is as
follows: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="95%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center"><B>Page</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_1">THE FUND</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_2">INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_3">INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">4</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_4">MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_5">PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">25</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_6">PORTFOLIO TURNOVER</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">26</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_7">TAXATION</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">26</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_8">NET ASSET VALUE</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">33</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_9">BENEFICIAL OWNERS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">35</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_10">GENERAL INFORMATION</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">35</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_11">APPENDIX A</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">38</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">95 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Appendix A </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx453269_26"></A>CORPORATE BOND RATINGS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>MOODY&#146;S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="8%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">Aaa</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">Aa</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">A</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">Baa</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">Ba</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">B</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">Caa</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">Ca</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">C</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>STANDARD&nbsp;&amp; POOR&#146;S RATINGS SERVICES </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="8%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">AAA</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">An obligation rated &#145;AAA&#146; has the highest rating assigned by Standard&nbsp;&amp; Poor&#146;s. The obligor&#146;s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">AA</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">An obligation rated &#145;AA&#146; differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor&#146;s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">A</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">An obligation rated &#145;A&#146; is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor&#146;s capacity to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">BBB</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">An obligation rated &#145;BBB&#146; exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">BB;&nbsp;B; CCC; CC;&nbsp;and C</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Obligations rated &#145;BB&#146;, &#145;B&#146;, &#145;CCC&#146;, &#145;CC&#146;, and &#145;C&#146; are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. &#145;BB&#146; indicates the least degree of speculation and
&#145;C&#146; the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse
conditions.</TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">A-1 </P>


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<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="8%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"></TD></TR>

<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">BB</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">An obligation rated &#145;BB&#146; is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to
the obligor&#146;s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">B</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">An obligation rated &#145;B&#146; is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated &#145;BB&#146;, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or
economic conditions will likely impair the obligor&#146;s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">CCC</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">An obligation rated &#145;CCC&#146; is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event
of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">CC</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">An obligation rated &#145;CCC&#146; is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event
of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">C</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">An obligation rated &#145;C&#146; is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">D</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">An obligation rated &#145;D&#146; is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-hybrid</FONT> capital instruments, the &#145;D&#146; rating category is used when payments on an obligation
are not made on the date due, unless Standard&nbsp;&amp; Poor&#146;s believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The
&#145;D&#146; rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation&#146;s rating is
lowered to &#145;D&#146; if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">NR</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">This indicates that no rating has been requested, or that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard&nbsp;&amp; Poor&#146;s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">A-2 </P>


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 <P STYLE="line-height:4.5pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:2.00pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund
Ltd. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Common Shares </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Preferred Shares </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Notes
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Subscription Rights to Purchase Common Shares </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Subscription Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Subscription Rights to Purchase Common and Preferred Shares </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:72pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PROSPECTUS </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="font-size:72pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:72pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>August 31, 2017 </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:30pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:4.5pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:2.00pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

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 <P STYLE="line-height:2.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:2.00pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:16pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>1,200,000 Shares </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>ELLSWORTH GROWTH AND INCOME FUND LTD. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>5.25% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Liquidation Preference $25.00 per share) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:72pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:72pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Morgan Stanley </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:72pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>G.research, LLC </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:72pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>September 13, 2017 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:30pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:4.5pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:2.00pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>ELLSWORTH GROWTH AND INCOME FUND LTD. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund LTD. (the &#147;Fund&#148;) is a diversified, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the &#147;1940 Act&#148;). The Fund commenced investment operations in July 1986. Gabelli Funds, LLC (the &#147;Investment Adviser&#148;) serves as investment
adviser to the Fund. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Statement of Additional Information (the &#147;SAI&#148;) does not constitute a prospectus, but should be read
in conjunction with the Fund&#146;s prospectus relating thereto dated August 31, 2017, and as it may be supplemented (the &#147;Prospectus&#148;). This SAI does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before investing
in the Fund&#146;s securities, and investors should obtain and read the Prospectus prior to purchasing such securities. This SAI incorporates by reference the entire Prospectus. You may request a free copy of the Prospectus by calling
(800)&nbsp;GABELLI <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(422-3554)</FONT> or by writing to the Fund. A copy of the Fund&#146;s Registration Statement, including the Prospectus and any supplement, may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;) upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at the SEC&#146;s office or via its website (www.sec.gov) at no charge. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Statement of Additional Information is dated August 31, 2017. </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="toc"></A>TABLE OF CONTENTS </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="96%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center"><B>Page</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_1">THE FUND</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_2">INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_3">INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">4</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_4">MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_5">PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">25</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_6">PORTFOLIO TURNOVER</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">26</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_7">TAXATION</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">26</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_8">NET ASSET VALUE</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">33</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_9">BENEFICIAL OWNERS</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">35</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_10">GENERAL INFORMATION</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">35</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#sai453269_11">APPENDIX A</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">38</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="sai453269_1"></A>THE FUND </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund was organized as a statutory trust in Delaware on October 17, 2005 and is a diversified, closed-end management investment company
registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund began investment operations in July 1986 and was reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust in 2006. The common shares of the Fund are listed on the NYSE American LLC (the &#147;NYSE American&#148;) under the
symbol &#147;ECF.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="sai453269_2"></A>INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Additional Investment Policies </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Contingent Convertible Securities.</I></B> One type of convertible security in which the Fund may invest is contingent convertible
securities, sometimes referred to as &#147;CoCos.&#148; CoCos are a form of hybrid debt security issued by banking institutions that are intended to either automatically convert into equity or have their principal written down upon the occurrence of
certain &#147;trigger events,&#148; which may include a decline in the issuer&#146;s capital below a specified threshold level, increase in the issuer&#146;s risk weighted assets, the share price of the issuer falling to a particular level for a
certain period of time and certain regulatory events. CoCos&#146; unique equity conversion or principal write-down features are tailored to the issuing banking institution and its regulatory requirements. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">CoCos are a newer form of instrument and the regulatory environment for these instruments continues to evolve. Because the market for such
securities is evolving, it is uncertain how the larger market for CoCos would react to a trigger event, coupon cancellation, write-down of par value or coupon suspension (as described below) applicable to a single issuer. Following conversion of a
CoCo, because the common stock of the issuer may not pay a dividend, investors in such securities could experience reduced yields or no yields at all. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Loss Absorption Risk</I>. CoCos have fully discretionary coupons. This means coupons can potentially be cancelled at the banking
institution&#146;s discretion or at the request of the relevant regulatory authority in order to help the bank absorb losses. The liquidation value of a CoCo may be adjusted downward to below the original par value or written off entirely under
certain circumstances. The write-down of the security&#146;s par value may occur automatically and would not entitle holders to institute bankruptcy proceedings against the issuer. In addition, an automatic write-down could result in a reduced
income rate if the dividend or interest payment associated with the security is based on the security&#146;s par value. Coupon payments may also be subject to approval by the issuer&#146;s regulator and may be suspended in the event there are
insufficient distributable reserves. Due to uncertainty surrounding coupon payments, CoCos may be volatile and their price may decline rapidly in the event that coupon payments are suspended. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Subordinated Instruments</I>. CoCos will, in the majority of circumstances, be issued in the form of subordinated debt instruments in order
to provide the appropriate regulatory capital treatment prior to a conversion. Accordingly, in the event of liquidation, dissolution or <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">winding-up</FONT> of an issuer prior to a conversion having occurred, the rights
and claims of the holders of the CoCos, such as the Fund, against the issuer in respect of or arising under the terms of the CoCos shall generally rank junior to the claims of all holders of unsubordinated obligations of the issuer. In addition, if
the CoCos are converted into the issuer&#146;s underlying equity securities following a conversion event (i.e., a &#147;trigger&#148;), each holder will be subordinated due to their conversion from being the holder of a debt instrument to being the
holder of an equity instrument. Such conversion may be automatic. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">1 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Unpredictable Market Value Fluctuate</I>. The value of CoCos is unpredictable and will be
influenced by many factors including, without limitation: (i)&nbsp;the creditworthiness of the issuer and/or fluctuations in such issuer&#146;s applicable capital ratios; (ii)&nbsp;supply and demand for the CoCos; (iii)&nbsp;general market
conditions and available liquidity; and (iv)&nbsp;economic, financial and political events that affect the issuer, its particular market or the financial markets in general. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Traditional Preferred Securities.</I></B> Traditional preferred securities generally pay fixed or adjustable rate dividends to investors
and generally have a &#147;preference&#148; over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of a company&#146;s assets. This means that a company must pay dividends on preferred stock before paying any dividends on its common
stock. In order to be payable, distributions on such preferred securities must be declared by the issuer&#146;s board of directors. Income payments on typical preferred securities currently outstanding are cumulative, causing dividends and
distributions to accumulate even if not declared by the board of directors or otherwise made payable. In such a case all accumulated dividends must be paid before any dividend on the common stock can be paid. However, some traditional preferred
stocks are <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-cumulative,</FONT> in which case dividends do not accumulate and need not ever be paid. A portion of the portfolio may include investments in <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-cumulative</FONT>
preferred securities, whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to its shareholders. Should an issuer of a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-cumulative</FONT> preferred stock held by the Fund determine not to pay
dividends on such stock, the amount of dividends the Fund pays may be adversely affected. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on the preferred securities in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Preferred shareholders usually have no right to vote for corporate directors or on other matters. Shares of preferred stock have a liquidation
value that generally equals the original purchase price at the date of issuance. The market value of preferred securities may be affected by favorable and unfavorable changes impacting companies in which the Fund invests and by actual and
anticipated changes in tax laws, such as changes in corporate income tax rates or the &#147;Dividends Received Deduction.&#148; Because the claim on an issuer&#146;s earnings represented by preferred securities may become onerous when interest rates
fall below the rate payable on such securities, the issuer may redeem the securities. Thus, in declining interest rate environments in particular, the Fund&#146;s holdings, if any, of higher rate-paying fixed rate preferred securities may be reduced
and the Fund may be unable to acquire securities of comparable credit quality paying comparable rates with the redemption proceeds. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Trust Preferred Securities.</I></B> The Fund may invest in trust preferred securities. Trust preferred securities are typically issued
by corporations, generally in the form of interest bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics, or by an affiliated business trust of a corporation, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly
structured securities. The trust preferred securities market consists of both fixed and adjustable coupon rate securities that are either perpetual in nature or have stated maturity dates. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Trust preferred securities are typically junior and fully subordinated liabilities of an issuer and benefit from a guarantee that is junior
and fully subordinated to the other liabilities of the guarantor. In addition, trust preferred securities typically permit an issuer to defer the payment of income for five years or more without triggering an event of default. Because of their
subordinated position in the capital structure of an issuer, the ability to defer payments for extended periods of time without default consequences to the issuer, and certain other features (such as restrictions on common dividend payments by the
issuer or ultimate guarantor when full cumulative payments on the trust preferred securities have not been made), these trust preferred securities are often treated as close substitutes for traditional preferred securities, both by issuers and
investors. Trust preferred securities have many of the key characteristics of equity due to their subordinated position in an issuer&#146;s capital structure and because their quality and value are heavily dependent on the profitability of the
issuer rather than on any legal claims to specific assets or cash flows. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">2 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Trust preferred securities include but are not limited to trust originated preferred securities
(&#147;TOPRS<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&reg;</SUP>&#148;); monthly income preferred securities (&#147;MIPS<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&reg;</SUP>&#148;); quarterly income bond securities (&#147;QUIBS<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&reg;</SUP>&#148; ); quarterly income debt securities (&#147;QUIDS<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&reg;</SUP>&#148;); quarterly income preferred securities (&#147;QUIPSSM&#148;); corporate
trust securities (&#147;CORTS<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&reg;</SUP>&#148;); public income notes (&#147;PINES<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&reg;</SUP>&#148;); and other trust preferred securities. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Trust preferred securities are typically issued with a final maturity date, although some are perpetual in nature. In certain instances, a
final maturity date may be extended and/or the final payment of principal may be deferred at the issuer&#146;s option for a specified time without default. No redemption can typically take place unless all cumulative payment obligations have been
met, although issuers may be able to engage in open-market repurchases without regard to whether all payments have been paid. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Many trust
preferred securities are issued by trusts or other special purpose entities established by operating companies and are not a direct obligation of an operating company. At the time the trust or special purpose entity sells such preferred securities
to investors, it purchases debt of the operating company (with terms comparable to those of the trust or special purpose entity securities), which enables the operating company to deduct for tax purposes the interest paid on the debt held by the
trust or special purpose entity. The trust or special purpose entity is generally required to be treated as transparent for Federal income tax purposes such that the holders of the trust preferred securities are treated as owning beneficial
interests in the underlying debt of the operating company. Accordingly, payments on the trust preferred securities are treated as interest rather than dividends for Federal income tax purposes. The trust or special purpose entity in turn would be a
holder of the operating company&#146;s debt and would have priority with respect to the operating company&#146;s earnings and profits over the operating company&#146;s common shareholders, but would typically be subordinated to other classes of the
operating company&#146;s debt. Typically a preferred share has a rating that is slightly below that of its corresponding operating company&#146;s senior debt securities. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Securities of Investment Companies.</I></B> To the extent permitted by law, the Fund may invest in investment company securities,
including preferred shares and the common equity of such companies. Investments in the common equity of investment companies will cause the Fund to bear a ratable share of any such investment company&#146;s expenses, including management fees. The
Fund will also remain obligated to pay management fees to the Investment Adviser with respect to the assets invested in any securities of another investment company. In these circumstances, holders of the Fund&#146;s common shares will be subject to
duplicative investment expenses. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Sovereign Government and Supranational Debt.</I></B> The Fund may invest in all types of debt
securities of governmental issuers in all countries, including emerging market countries. These sovereign debt securities may include: debt securities issued or guaranteed by governments, governmental agencies or instrumentalities and political
subdivisions located in emerging market countries; debt securities issued by government owned, controlled or sponsored entities located in emerging market countries; interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the
investment characteristics of instruments issued by any of the above issuers; or debt securities issued by supranational entities such as the World Bank. A supranational entity is a bank, commission or company established or financially supported by
the national governments of one or more countries to promote reconstruction or development. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Sovereign government and supranational debt
involve all the risks described in the Prospectus and this SAI regarding foreign and emerging markets investments as well as the risk of debt moratorium, repudiation or renegotiation. In addition, investments in sovereign debt involve special risks.
Foreign governmental issuers of debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or pay interest when due. In the event of default, there may be
</P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">3 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
limited or no legal recourse in that, generally, remedies for defaults must be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party. Political conditions, especially a sovereign entity&#146;s
willingness to meet the terms of its debt obligations, are of considerable significance. The ability of a foreign sovereign issuer, especially an emerging market country, to make timely payments on its debt obligations will also be strongly
influenced by the sovereign issuer&#146;s balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credit facilities and investments, fluctuations of interest rates and the extent of its foreign reserves. The cost of servicing
external debt will also generally be adversely affected by rising international interest rates, as many external debt obligations bear interest at rates which are adjusted based upon international interest rates. Also, there can be no assurance that
the holders of commercial bank loans to the same sovereign entity may not contest payments to the holders of sovereign debt in the event of default under commercial bank loan agreements. In addition, there is no bankruptcy proceeding with respect to
sovereign debt on which a sovereign has defaulted and the Fund may be unable to collect all or any part of its investment in a particular issue. Foreign investment in certain sovereign debt is restricted or controlled to varying degrees, including
requiring governmental approval for the repatriation of income, capital or proceeds of sales by foreign investors. These restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude foreign investment in certain sovereign debt and increase the costs and
expenses of the Fund. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="sai453269_3"></A>INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Fundamental Restrictions and Policies </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund operates under the following restrictions that constitute fundamental policies under the 1940 Act that, except as otherwise noted,
cannot be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding voting securities (voting together as a single class) of the Fund. If the Fund issues and has outstanding preferred shares, the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding preferred shares of the Fund voting as a separate class would also be required to change a fundamental policy. Except as otherwise noted, all percentage limitations
set forth below apply immediately after a purchase or initial investment and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market fluctuations does not require any action. The Fund may not: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(1) with respect to 85% of its total assets, taken at market value, invest in securities of any one issuer (other than the United States or its
agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after and as a result of such investment more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund, taken at market value, would be invested in the securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the outstanding
securities, or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities, of such issuer would be owned by the Fund; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(2) invest more than 25% of
its total assets, taken at market value, in the securities of issuers in any particular industry; this restriction does not apply to Government Securities, which the Fund may purchase temporarily and for defensive purposes; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(3) make personal loans or loans to persons who control or are under common control with the Fund, or lend its portfolio securities in excess
of 10% of its total assets, taken at market value; this restriction does not prevent the Fund from purchasing debt obligations, entering into repurchase agreements, or investing in loans, including assignments and participation interests; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(4) invest in repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days or invest more than 5% of its total assets, taken at market value, in
repurchase agreements with any single vendor; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(5) purchase any securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such short-term
credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities; </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">4 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(6) borrow money or issue senior securities to the extent such borrowing or issuance would
violate the 1940 Act; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(7) underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the
Securities Act in selling portfolio securities; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(8) sell (write) call options on more than 25% of its total assets, taken at market value,
and then only if such options are &#147;covered,&#148; i.e., they are written on common stocks owned by the Fund or which the Fund has an immediate right to acquire through conversion or exchange of other securities; or invest more than 2% of its
total assets, taken at market value, in the purchase of put options on common stocks owned by the Fund or which it has an immediate right to acquire through conversion or exchange of other securities and in the purchase of put options on one or more
broadly based stock market indices; the Fund may enter into closing transactions with respect to call options which it has written; the Fund may only write or purchase options listed on a national securities exchange; except as stated above the Fund
may not engage in options transactions; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(9) make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, unless at all times when a short
position is open the Fund owns, or has the immediate right to acquire through conversion or exchange, an equal amount of such securities, and not more than 25% of its total assets, taken at market value, are held as collateral for such sales; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(10) invest more than 10% of its total assets, taken at market value, in the securities of foreign issuers, except that this limitation shall
not apply to (a)&nbsp;securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock of U.S. companies, or (b)&nbsp;U.S. dollar-denominated securities convertible into or exchangeable for American Depositary Receipts that at the time of purchase
(i)&nbsp;are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (&#147;NYSE&#148;), the NYSE American or the NASDAQ National Market, or (ii)&nbsp;the underlying issuers of which met the then prevailing earnings requirement for listing on the NYSE and also file
Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">20-F</FONT> (or comparable form) with the SEC; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(11) make investments for the purpose of exercising
control or management, except in connection with a merger of the Fund and another investment company or the acquisition by the Fund of all or substantially all of the assets or voting securities of another investment company; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(12) purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts; or </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(13) purchase real estate or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments; this restriction
does not prevent the Fund from investing in issuers that invest, deal or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein, including without limitation real estate investment trusts, or investing in securities that are secured by
real estate or interests therein. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">For purposes of restriction (2) above, assets allocated to any bank loan where the Fund does not assume
a contractual lending relationship with the borrower will be treated as being invested in the industry of the applicable financial intermediary and the industry of the borrower. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Fundamental</FONT> Restrictions and Policies </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund has adopted the following <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-fundamental</FONT> restrictions and policies which may be changed by
the Fund&#146;s Board of Directors without the approval of a majority of the Fund&#146;s outstanding voting securities as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund will: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(1) not purchase the securities of an issuer if, after giving effect to such purchase, more than 20% of its net assets would be invested in
illiquid securities; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(2) not purchase or sell interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs; this policy does
not prevent the Fund from investing in issuers that invest, deal or otherwise engage in transactions involving oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs or interests therein, or investing in securities that are secured by oil,
gas or other mineral exploration or development programs or interests therein; and </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">5 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(3) not make loans to any persons; this policy does not prevent the Fund from lending its
portfolio securities to the extent permitted by its fundamental restrictions and policies, or prevent the Fund from purchasing debt obligations, entering into repurchase agreements, or investing in loans, including assignments and participation
interests. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The percentage restrictions on investments set forth above apply only at the time an investment is made. Thus, a later
increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of portfolio securities or amount of total assets will not be considered a violation of any of the foregoing restrictions. Although restriction (3), above, is non-fundamental, the
Fund will not modify the non-fundamental policy set forth in restriction (3) above unless such modification is authorized by a majority of the Fund&#146;s outstanding voting securities (voting together as a single class) as defined in the 1940 Act
(including separate authorization by the holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding preferred shares, if any, of the Fund voting as a separate class). </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">6 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>MA<A NAME="sai453269_4"></A>NAGEMENT OF THE FUND </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Trustees and Officers </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Overall
responsibility for management and supervision of the Fund rests with the Board of Directors (the &#147;Board&#148;). The Board approves all significant agreements between the Fund and the companies that furnish the Fund with services, including
agreements with the Investment Adviser, the Fund&#146;s custodian and the Fund&#146;s transfer agent. The day to day operations of the Fund are delegated to the Investment Adviser. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The names and business addresses of the Trustees and principal officers of the Fund are set forth in the following table, together with their
positions and their principal occupations during the past five years and, in the case of the Trustees, their positions with certain other organizations and companies. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Trustees </I></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="18%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="11%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="28%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="28%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="7%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Name, Position(s),</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:64.35pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Address<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP> and Age</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Term of Office<BR>and Length of<BR>Time&nbsp;Served<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(2)</SUP></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Principal Occupation(s) During<BR>Past Five Years</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Other Directorships Held by Trustee<BR>During Past Five
Years</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Number&nbsp;of<BR>Portfolios in<BR>Fund<BR>Complex<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(3)</SUP><BR>Overseen&nbsp;by<BR>Trustee</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"><U>INTERESTED TRUSTEES</U><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(4)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Mario J. Gabelli</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Chairman</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 75</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since&nbsp;2015***</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer&#151;Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Chief Investment Officer&#151;Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management Inc.; Director/
Trustee or Chief Investment Officer of other registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex; Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc.; Executive Chairman of Associated Capital Group, Inc.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Director of Morgan Group Holdings, Inc. (holding company); Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of LICT Corp. (multimedia and communication services company); Director of CIBL, Inc. (broadcasting and wireless
communications); Director of ICTC Group Inc. (communications); Director of RLJ Acquisition, Inc. (blank check company) (2011-2012)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">32</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>James A. Dinsmore</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">President and
Trustee</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 34</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since 2015**</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Portfolio Manager for Gabelli Funds, LLC; President of the Fund; Executive Vice President of the Bancroft Fund Ltd. (2013-2015); Executive Vice President of the Fund (January 2013-February 2014); Vice President of the Fund and the
Bancroft Fund Ltd. (2009-2012)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">&#151;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">1</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">7 </P>


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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="18%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="9%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="7%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Name, Position(s),</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:64.35pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Address<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP> and Age</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Term of<BR>Office&nbsp;and<BR>Length
of<BR>Time&nbsp;Served<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(2)</SUP></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Principal Occupation(s) During<BR>Past Five Years</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Other Directorships Held by Trustee<BR>During Past Five
Years</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Number&nbsp;of<BR>Portfolios in<BR>Fund<BR>Complex<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(3)</SUP><BR>Overseen&nbsp;by<BR>Trustee</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">I<U>NDEPENDENT TRUSTEES</U><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(5)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Kinchen C. Bizzell</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Trustee <BR>Age:
63</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since 2008*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Private Investor; Managing Director of CAVU Securities (securities broker-dealer) (2013-2016); Investor Relations Managing Director (1998- 2013) and Senior Counselor (after 2013) at Burson-Marsteller (global public relations and
communications)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">2</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
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<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Elizabeth C. Bogan</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Trustee</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 72</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since 1990**</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Senior Lecturer in Economics at Princeton University</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">3</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>James P. Conn</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Trustee</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 79</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since 2015*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Former Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Financial Security Assurance Holdings, Ltd. (1992-1998)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">27</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Frank&nbsp;J.&nbsp;Fahrenkopf,&nbsp;Jr.<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(6)</SUP></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>Trustee <BR>Age: 77</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since 2015*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Co-Chairman</FONT> of the Commission on Presidential Debates; Former President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Gaming Association (1995-2013); Former Chairman of the Republican National
Committee (1983-1989)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Director of First Republic Bank (banking)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">12</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Daniel D. Harding</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Trustee</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 65</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since 2007***</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Managing General Partner of the Global Equity Income Fund (private investment fund); Director of TRC (private asset management); General Partner of Latitude Capital Partners, LLC (private investment); Director of Legg Mason
Investment Counsel, LLC and Chair of Investment Committee (2010-2012)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Morristown Medical Center, Atlantic Health Systems, Ocean Reef Community Foundations and Ocean Reef Medical Center Foundation</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">3</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
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<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Michael J. Melarkey</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Trustee</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 67</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since 2015*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Owner in Pioneer Crossing Casino Group; Of Counsel in the law firm of McDonald Carano Wilson LLP; previously partner in the law firm of Avansino, Melarkey, Knobel, Mulligan&nbsp;&amp; McKenzie (1980-2015)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Director of Southwest Gas Corporation (natural gas utility)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">23</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">8 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>


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<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Name, Position(s),</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:64.35pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Address<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP> and Age</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Term of<BR>Office&nbsp;and<BR>Length
of<BR>Time&nbsp;Served<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(2)</SUP></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Principal Occupation(s) During<BR>Past Five Years</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Other&nbsp;Directorships<BR>Held</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>by Trustee During<BR>Past Five Years</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Number&nbsp;of<BR>Portfolios&nbsp;in<BR>Fund<BR>Complex<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(3)</SUP><BR>Overseen<BR>by Trustee</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Kuni Nakamura<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(6)</SUP></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Trustee</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 49</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since 2015***</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">President of Advanced Polymer, Inc. (chemical manufacturing company); President of KEN Enterprises, Inc. (real estate)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">33</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
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<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Nicolas W. Platt</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Trustee</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 64</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since 1997***</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Private Investor; Member of NYSE American LLC Committee on Securities; Former Mayor of Township of Harding, New Jersey; Managing Director of FTI Consulting Inc. (international consulting company) (March 2009 &#150; May 2011)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">2</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
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<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
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<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Anthonie&nbsp;C.&nbsp;van&nbsp;Ekris<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(6) </SUP></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Trustee</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 83</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since 2015**</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BALMAC International, Inc. (global import/export company)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">&#151;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">22</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Officers </I></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="53%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Name, Position with the<BR>Fund, Age, and Business<BR>Address<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Length of Time<BR>Served<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(7)</SUP></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five
Years</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Agnes Mullady</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Vice President</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 58</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Vice President since May 2017; Treasurer from 2015 until May 2017</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Officer of the funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex since 2006; President and Chief Operating Officer of the Fund Division of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2015; Chief Executive Officer of G. distributors, LLC since 2010;
Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2009; Vice President of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2007; Executive Vice President of Associated Capital Group, Inc. since November 2016</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>John C. Ball</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Treasurer</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 41</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since May 2017</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Treasurer of funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex since 2017, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of AMG Funds, 2014-2017; Vice President of State Street Corporation, 2007-2014</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Andrea R. Mango</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Secretary and</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Vice President</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 45</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since 2015</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2016; Counsel of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2013; Secretary of all registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex since 2013; Vice President of all <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex since 2014; Corporate Vice President within the Corporate Compliance Department of New York Life Insurance Company, 2011-2013; Vice President and Counsel
of Deutsche Bank, 2006-2011</TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">9 </P>


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<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>


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<TD WIDTH="27%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="53%"></TD></TR>

<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Richard J. Walz</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Chief Compliance
Officer</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 58</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since 2015</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Chief Compliance Officer of all of the registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex since 2013; Chief Compliance Officer of AEGON USA Investment Management, 2011-2013; Chief Compliance Officer of
Cutwater Asset Management, 2004-2011</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Laurissa M. Martire</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Ombudsman</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 41</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since 2015</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Vice President and/or Ombudsman of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex; Vice President (since 2016) and Assistant Vice President (2003-2016) of GAMCO Investors,
Inc.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Bethany A. Uhlein</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Assistant Vice
President and Ombudsman</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Age: 27</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Since May 2017</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Assistant Vice President and/or Ombudsman of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex since May 2017; Assistant Vice President (since January 2015) and Associate (2013
&#150; January 2015) for GAMCO Asset Management Inc.; Research Analyst for G.research LLC since 2010; Marketing for GAMCO Investors Inc. 2008-2010</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="line-height:8.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:10%">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Address: One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(2)</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Fund&#146;s Board of Trustees is divided into three classes, each class having a term of three years. Each year the term of office of one class expires and the successor or successors elected to such class serve for
a three year term. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(3)</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The &#147;Fund Complex&#148; or the &#147;Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex&#148; includes all the U.S. registered investment companies that are considered part of the same fund complex as the Fund because they have
common or affiliated investment advisers. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(4)</SUP></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>&#147;Interested person&#148; of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. Messrs. Gabelli and Dinsmore are each considered to be an &#147;interested person&#148; of the
Fund because of their affiliation with the Fund&#146;s Investment Adviser. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(5)</SUP></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>Trustees who are not considered to be &#147;interested persons&#148; of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act are considered to be &#147;Independent&#148; Trustees.
None of the Independent Trustees (with the possible exceptions as described in this Statement of Additional Information) nor their family members had any interest in the Investment Adviser or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled
by, or under common control with the Investment Adviser as of December&nbsp;31, 2016. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(6)</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Mr.&nbsp;Fahrenkopf&#146;s daughter, Leslie F. Foley, serves as a director of other funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex. Mr.&nbsp;van Ekris is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., Gabelli
Fund LDC, GAMA Capital Opportunities Master Ltd., and GAMCO International SICAV and Mr. Nakamura is a director of Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust Plc, which may be deemed to be controlled by Mario J. Gabelli and/or affiliates and in that event would be
deemed to be under common control with the Fund&#146;s Investment Adviser. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(7)</SUP></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>Each officer will hold office for an indefinite term until the date he or she resigns and retires or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">*</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Term continues until the Fund&#146;s 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his successor is duly elected and qualifies. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">**</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Term continues until the Fund&#146;s 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his successor is duly elected and qualifies. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">***</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Term continues until the Fund&#146;s 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his successor is duly elected and qualifies. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Board believes that each Trustee&#146;s experience, qualifications, attributes, or skills on an individual basis and in combination with
those of other Trustees lead to the conclusion that each Trustee should serve in such capacity. Among the attributes or skills common to all Trustees are their ability to review critically and to evaluate, question and discuss information provided
to them, to interact effectively with the other Trustees, the Investment Adviser, the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">sub-administrator,</FONT> other service providers, counsel and the Fund&#146;s independent registered public accounting firm, and
to exercise effective and independent business judgment in the performance of their duties as Trustees. Each Trustee&#146;s ability to perform his/her </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">10 </P>


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duties effectively has been attained in large part through the Trustee&#146;s business, consulting, or public service positions and through experience from service as a member of the Board and
one or more of the other funds in the Fund Complex, public companies, or <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-profit</FONT> entities, or other organizations as set forth above and below. Each Trustee&#146;s ability to perform his duties effectively
also has been enhanced by education, professional training, and other experience. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>Interested Trustees </U></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Mario J. Gabelli, CFA</I>. Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli is Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer, and Chief Investment Officer &#150; Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (&#147;GBL&#148;), a NYSE-listed asset manager and financial services company. He is also the Chief Investment Officer of Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC
and GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (&#147;GAMCO&#148;), each of which are asset management subsidiaries of GBL. In addition, Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli is Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer, a director and the controlling shareholder of GGCP, Inc.
(&#147;GGCP&#148;), a private company that holds a majority interest in GBL, and the Chairman of MJG Associates, Inc., which acts as an investment manager of various investment funds and other accounts. He is also Executive Chairman of Associated
Capital Group, Inc. (&#147;Associated Capital&#148;), a public company that provides alternative management and institutional research services, and is a majority-owned subsidiary of GGCP. Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli serves as Overseer of the Columbia
University Graduate School of Business and as a trustee of Boston College and Roger Williams University. He also serves as a director of the Winston Churchill Foundation, The E.L. Wiegand Foundation, The American-Italian Cancer Foundation, and The
Foundation for Italian Art and Culture. He is Chairman of the Gabelli Foundation, Inc., a Nevada private charitable trust. Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli serves as <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Co-President</FONT> of Field Point Park Association, Inc.
Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli received his Bachelor&#146;s degree from Fordham University, M.B.A. from Columbia Business School, and honorary Doctorates from Fordham University and Roger Williams University. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>James A. Dinsmore, CFA</I>. Mr.&nbsp;Dinsmore has been President of the Fund since February 2014, and serves as a portfolio manager of the
Fund and other funds in the Fund Complex. He was Executive Vice President of Bancroft Fund Ltd. from 2013 until 2015. He was Executive Vice President of the Fund from January 2013 until February 2014. He served as Vice President of the Fund and the
Bancroft Fund Ltd. from 2009 through 2012. He received a B.A. degree in Economics from Cornell University and an M.B.A. in Finance and marketing from Rutgers University. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>Independent Trustees </U></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Kinchen C.
Bizzell, CFA</I>. Mr.&nbsp;Bizzell is a private investor. He was a Managing Director of CAVU Securities, a New York institutional securities broker-dealer from 2013 until 2016. At CAVU, Mr.&nbsp;Bizzell was a Compliance Officer and a Financial
Institution Group Investment Banker. From 1998 until 2003, Mr.&nbsp;Bizzell was an Investor Relations Managing Director and later a Senior Counselor at Burson-Marsteller, a global public relations and communications firm. He advised clients on
earnings warnings and restatements, mergers and acquisitions, and bankruptcies. He started his career as a lawyer and was a partner in the New York law firm of Mendes&nbsp;&amp; Mount, counsel to Lloyd&#146;s of London and British insurers.
Mr.&nbsp;Bizzell serves on the Fund&#146;s Audit Committee and in the same capacity for another fund in the Fund Complex. Mr.&nbsp;Bizzell is a member of the New York State Bar. He holds twelve securities licenses from the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority including: Research Analyst (Series 86, 87) and Principal registration for Financial and Operations, General Securities, Municipal Securities and Registered Options (Series 27, 24, 53, 4). Mr.&nbsp;Bizzell received his
Bachelor&#146;s degree from North Carolina State University and Juris Doctor degree from Duke University. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">11 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Elizabeth C. Bogan, Ph.D</I>. Dr.&nbsp;Bogan has been Senior Lecturer in Economics at
Princeton University since 1992. She was formerly Chair of the Economics and Finance Department, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a member of the Executive Committee for the College of Business Administration. Dr.&nbsp;Bogan serves on the
Fund&#146;s Audit Committee and also serves in the same capacity for another fund in the Fund Complex. She received her Bachelor&#146;s degree in Economics from Wellesley College, an M.A. degree in Quantitative Economics from the University of New
Hampshire, and a Ph.D. degree in Economics from Columbia University. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>James P. Conn</I>. Mr.&nbsp;Conn is the Lead Independent Trustee
of the Fund, and a member of the Fund&#146;s <I>ad hoc</I> Proxy Voting Committee. He serves on comparable or other board committees with respect to other funds in the Fund Complex on whose boards he sits. He was a senior business executive of
Transamerica Corp., an insurance holding company, for much of his career including service as Chief Investment Officer. Mr.&nbsp;Conn has been a director of several public companies in banking and other industries, and was lead director and/or chair
of various committees. He received his Bachelor&#146;s degree in Business Administration from Santa Clara University. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Frank J.
Fahrenkopf, Jr</I>. Mr.&nbsp;Fahrenkopf is the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Co-Chairman</FONT> of the Commission on Presidential Debates, which is responsible for the widely-viewed Presidential debates during the quadrennial election cycle.
Additionally, he serves as a board member of the International Republican Institute, which he founded in 1984. Mr.&nbsp;Fahrenkopf is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Gaming Association (&#147;AGA&#148;), the trade
group for the hotel-casino industry. Mr.&nbsp;Fahrenkopf serves on the Fund&#146;s Nominating Committee and on comparable or other board committees with respect to other funds in the Fund Complex on whose boards he sits. He served for many years as
Chairman of the Pacific Democrat Union and Vice Chairman of the International Democrat Union, a worldwide association of political parties from the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Japan, Australia, and twenty other nations.
Prior to becoming the AGA&#146;s first chief executive in 1995, Mr.&nbsp;Fahrenkopf was a partner in the law firm of Hogan&nbsp;&amp; Hartson, where he chaired the International Trade Practice Group and specialized in regulatory, legislative, and
corporate matters for multinational, foreign, and domestic clients. He also served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee for six years during Ronald Reagan&#146;s presidency. Mr.&nbsp;Fahrenkopf is the former Chairman of the Finance
Committee of the Culinary Institute of America and remains a member of the board. For over 30 years, Mr.&nbsp;Fahrenkopf has served on the Board of First Republic Bank and as Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and as a
member of the Audit Committee. Mr.&nbsp;Fahrenkopf received his Bachelor&#146;s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno and his Juris Doctor from Boalt Hall School of Law, U.C. Berkeley. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Daniel D. Harding, CFA</I>. Mr.&nbsp;Harding is the Managing General Partner of the Global Equity Income Fund, a private investment fund.
He is General Partner of Latitude Capital LLC, a private investment firm specializing in asset backed lending and tax lien securities. Mr.&nbsp;Harding serves as Chairman of the Fund&#146;s Audit Committee and is the Fund&#146;s designated Audit
Committee Financial Expert. He serves in the same capacities for another fund in the Fund Complex. Mr.&nbsp;Harding is <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">co-founder</FONT> and was Chief Investment Officer of Harding Loevner Management LP, an
investment advisory firm, from 1989 through 2003. Prior to founding Harding Loevner, he was a Trust Investment Officer at American National Bank and a partner and associate for the Rockefeller Family Office. He is a director of TRC, a private asset
management firm, and was a director of Legg Mason Investment Counsel, LLC and Chair of the Investment Committee from 2010 to 2012. Mr.&nbsp;Harding is engaged in numerous not for profit organizations with fiduciary responsibilities including
Morristown Medical Center, Atlantic Health Systems, Ocean Reef Community Foundations, and Ocean Reef Medical Center Foundation. He received his undergraduate degree from Colgate University, and is a CFA and CIC charterholder. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">12 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Michael J. Melarkey, Esq</I>. Mr.&nbsp;Melarkey, after more than forty years of experience as
an attorney specializing in business, estate planning, and gaming regulatory work, recently retired from the active practice of law, and is of counsel to the firm of McDonald Carano and Wilson in Reno Nevada. He is Chairman of the Fund&#146;s
Nominating Committee and serves as a member of one of the multi-fund <I>ad hoc</I> Compensation Committees. He serves on comparable or other board committees with respect to other funds in the Fund Complex on whose boards he sits. He is currently
Chairman of the Board of Southwest Gas Corporation and serves on its Nominating, Corporate Governance, and Compensation Committees. Mr.&nbsp;Melarkey acts as a trustee and officer for several private charitable organizations, including as a trustee
of The Bretzlaff Foundation and Edwin L. Wiegand Trust. He is an owner of Pioneer Crossing Casino Group consisting of three Nevada casinos and an officer of a private oil and gas company. Mr.&nbsp;Melarkey received his Bachelor&#146;s degree from
the University of Nevada, Reno, Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law, and Masters of Law in Taxation from New York University School of Law. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Kuni Nakamura</I>. Mr.&nbsp;Nakamura is the president of Advanced Polymer, Inc., a chemical manufacturing company, and president of KEN
Enterprises, Inc., a real estate company. He is Chairman of the Fund&#146;s <I>ad hoc</I> Proxy Voting Committee and a member of the Fund&#146;s Audit Committee. Mr.&nbsp;Nakamura serves on comparable or other board committees with respect to other
funds in the Fund Complex on whose boards he sits. Mr.&nbsp;Nakamura was previously a board member of The LGL Group, Inc., a diversified manufacturing company. Mr.&nbsp;Nakamura serves on the Board of Trustees of Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY. He
chairs the Endowment Management Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee. He is also involved in various capacities with The University of Pennsylvania and The Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Mr.&nbsp;Nakamura is a graduate of the University of
Pennsylvania &#150; The Wharton School with a Bachelor&#146;s degree in Economics and Multinational Management. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Nicolas W. Platt</I>.
Mr.&nbsp;Platt is a private investor and former Mayor of the Township of Harding, New Jersey. He is a member of the Fund&#146;s Nominating and <I>ad hoc</I> Proxy Voting Committees. He serves on comparable or other committees for another fund in the
Fund Complex on whose board he sits. Mr.&nbsp;Platt served as Managing Director of FTI Consulting Inc., an international financial consulting company, from March 2009 until May 2011. Prior to March 2009, he was a senior executive with WPP Group, plc
subsidiaries Ogilvy Worldwide and Young&nbsp;&amp; Rubicam &#150; Burson-Marsteller&#146;s corporate practice. He spent thirteen years in leadership roles at both the New York and American Stock Exchanges. At the AMEX, Mr.&nbsp;Platt oversaw the
exchange&#146;s domestic and international listing efforts and was the liaison to the investment banking community. Mr.&nbsp;Platt is a member of the NYSE American LLC Committee on Securities, which reviews the continued listing qualifications for
companies on the NYSE American LLC. He sits on the boards of several <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-public</FONT> organizations. Mr.&nbsp;Platt received his Bachelor&#146;s degree from Skidmore College and an M.A. in Economics from Columbia
University. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Anthonie C. van Ekris.</I> Mr.&nbsp;van Ekris has been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BALMAC International,
Inc., a global import/export company, for over twenty years. He serves on the boards of other funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO/Teton Fund Complex and as Chairman of the GAMCO International SICAV. Mr.&nbsp;van Ekris has over fifty-five years of experience
as Chairman and/or Chief Executive Officer of public and private companies involved in international trading or commodity trading, and served in both of these capacities for nearly twenty years for a large public jewelry chain. Mr.&nbsp;van Ekris is
a former director of an oil and gas operations company. He served on the boards of a number of public companies and for more than ten years on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army of Greater New York. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Trustees &#151; Leadership Structure and Oversight Responsibilities </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Overall responsibility for general oversight of the Fund rests with the Board. Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli, an Interested Trustee, serves as Chairman of
the Board. The Board has appointed Mr.&nbsp;Conn as the Lead Independent Trustee. The Lead Independent Trustee presides over executive sessions of the Trustees and </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">13 </P>


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also serves between meetings of the Board as a liaison with service providers, officers, counsel, and other Trustees on a wide variety of matters including scheduling agenda items for Board
meetings. Designation as such does not impose on the Lead Independent Trustee any obligations or standards greater than or different from other Trustees. The Board has established a Nominating Committee and an Audit Committee to assist the Board in
the oversight of the management and affairs of the Fund. The Board also has an <I>ad hoc</I> Proxy Voting Committee that exercises voting and investment responsibilities on behalf of the Fund in selected situations. From time to time, the Board
establishes additional committees or informal working groups, such as an <I>ad hoc</I> Pricing Committee related to securities offerings by the Fund, to address specific matters, or assigns one of its members to work with trustees or directors of
other funds in the Fund Complex on special committees or working groups that address fund complex-wide matters, such as the multi-fund <I>ad hoc</I> Compensation Committee relating to the compensation of the Chief Compliance Officer for all the
funds in the Fund Complex, and a separate multi-fund <I>ad hoc</I> Compensation Committee relating to compensation of certain other officers of the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">closed-end</FONT> funds in the Fund Complex. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">All of the Fund&#146;s Trustees, other than Messrs. Mario J. Gabelli and James A. Dinsmore, are Independent Trustees, and the Board believes
it is able to provide effective oversight of the Fund&#146;s service providers. In addition to providing feedback and direction during Board meetings, the Independent Trustees meet regularly in executive session and chair all committees of the
Board. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund&#146;s operations entail a variety of risks, including investment, administration, valuation, and a range of compliance
matters. Although the Investment Adviser, the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">sub-administrator,</FONT> and the officers of the Fund are responsible for managing these risks on a day to day basis within the framework of their established risk
management functions, the Board also addresses risk management of the Fund through its meetings and those of the committees and working groups. As part of its general oversight, the Board reviews with the Investment Adviser at Board meetings the
levels and types of risks being undertaken by the Fund, and the Audit Committee discusses the Fund&#146;s risk management and controls with the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Fund. The Board reviews valuation policies
and procedures and the valuations of specific illiquid securities. The Board also receives periodic reports from the Fund&#146;s Chief Compliance Officer regarding compliance matters relating to the Fund and its major service providers, including
results of the implementation and testing of the Fund&#146;s and such providers&#146; compliance programs. The Board&#146;s oversight function is facilitated by management reporting processes that are designed to provide visibility to the Board
regarding the identification, assessment, and management of critical risks, and the controls and policies and procedures used to mitigate those risks. The Board reviews its role in supervising the Fund&#146;s risk management from time to time and
may make changes at its discretion at any time. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Board has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate for the Fund
because it enables the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over matters under its purview, allocates responsibility among committees in a manner that fosters effective oversight, and allows the Board to devote appropriate resources
to specific issues in a flexible manner as they arise. The Board periodically reviews its leadership structure as well as its overall structure, composition, and functioning, and may make changes at its discretion at any time. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Board Committees </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Trustees serving on
the Fund&#146;s Nominating Committee are Messrs. Melarkey (Chairman), Fahrenkopf, Jr., and Platt. The Nominating Committee is responsible for recommending qualified candidates to the Board of Trustees in the event that a position is vacated or
created. The Nominating Committee would consider recommendations by shareholders if a vacancy were to exist. Such recommendations should be forwarded to the Secretary of the Fund. The Nominating Committee met once during the fiscal year ended
September&nbsp;30, 2016. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">14 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Daniel D. Harding (Chairman), Kinchen C. Bizzell, Elizabeth C. Bogan and Kuni Nakamura, who are
not &#147;interested persons&#148; of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act, serve on the Fund&#146;s Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is generally responsible for reviewing and evaluating issues related to the accounting and financial reporting
policies and internal controls of the Fund and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers, overseeing the quality and objectivity of the Fund&#146;s financial statements and the audit thereof and acting as a liaison between
the Board of Trustees and the Fund&#146;s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund also has an <I>ad hoc</I> Proxy Voting Committee, which, if so determined by the Board, is authorized to exercise voting power and/or
dispositive power over specific securities held in the Fund&#146;s portfolio for such period as the Board may determine. The Trustees serving on the Fund&#146;s <I>ad hoc</I> Proxy Voting Committee are Kuni Nakamura (Chairman), Nicholas W. Platt,
and James P. Conn. The <I>ad hoc</I> Proxy Voting Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">15 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Beneficial Ownership of Shares Held in the Fund and the Fund Complex for Each Trustee </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Set forth in the table below is the dollar range of equity securities in the Fund beneficially owned by each Trustee and the aggregate dollar
range of equity securities in the Fund Complex beneficially owned by each Trustee. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="76%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="25%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="25%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:56.85pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Name of Trustee</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Dollar&nbsp;Range&nbsp;of<BR>Equity&nbsp;Securities&nbsp;Held<BR>in the Fund <SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(*)(1)</SUP></B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Aggregate&nbsp;Dollar&nbsp;Range&nbsp;of&nbsp;Equity<BR>Securities Held in the Family of<BR>Investment
Companies<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(*)(1)(2)</SUP></B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>INTERESTED&nbsp;TRUSTEES:</U></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Mario J. Gabelli</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">A</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">E</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">James A. Dinsmore</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">C</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">E</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>INDEPENDENT&nbsp;TRUSTEES:</U></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Kinchen C. Bizzell</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">D</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">D</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Elizabeth C. Bogan</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">E</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">E</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">James P. Conn</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">B</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">E</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">A</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">E</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Daniel D. Harding</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">E</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">E</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michael J. Melarkey</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">C</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">E</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Kuni Nakamura</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">C</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">E</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Nicolas W. Platt</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">B</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">D</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Anthonie C. van Ekris</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">C</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">E</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="line-height:8.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:10%">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(*)</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Key to Dollar Ranges </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A. None </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">B. $1 - $10,000 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">C. $10,001 -
$50,000 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">D. $50,001 - $100,000 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">E. Over $100,000 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">All shares were
valued as of December&nbsp;31, 2016. </P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">This information has been furnished by each Trustee as of December&nbsp;31, 2016. &#147;Beneficial Ownership&#148; is determined in accordance with Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">16a-1(a)(2)</FONT> of the
Exchange Act. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(2)</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The term &#147;Family of Investment Companies&#148; includes two or more registered funds that share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter and hold themselves out to investors as related companies for
purposes of investment and investor services. Currently, the registered funds that comprise the &#147;Fund Complex&#148; are identical to those that comprise the &#147;Family of Investment Companies.&#148; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Set forth in the table below is the amount of interests beneficially owned by each Independent Trustee or his or her immediate family member,
as applicable, in a person, other than a registered investment company, that may be deemed to be controlled by the Investment Adviser and/or affiliates and in that event would be deemed to be under common control with the Investment Adviser. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="43%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:101.95pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Name of Independent Trustee</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Name of</B><br><B>Owner and<BR>Relationships</B><br><B>to Trustee</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Company</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Title of Class</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Value of</B><br><B>Interests<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP></B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Percent<BR>of<BR>Class<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(2)</SUP></B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Kuni Nakamura</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">The&nbsp;LGL&nbsp;Group,&nbsp;Inc.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Common&nbsp;Stock</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">8,715</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">*</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Kuni Nakamura</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">The&nbsp;LGL&nbsp;Group,&nbsp;Inc.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Warrants</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">9</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">*</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Gabelli Associates<BR>Limited II E</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Membership<BR>Interests</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1,187,704</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">*</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michael&nbsp;J.&nbsp;Melarkey</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Gemini Global Partners,<BR>L.P.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Limited<BR>Partner Interest</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">652,874</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">6.26</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michael&nbsp;J.&nbsp;Melarkey</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Morgan&nbsp;Group&nbsp;Holdings,<BR>Inc.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Common Stock</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1,560</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">*</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michael&nbsp;J.&nbsp;Melarkey</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">ICTC Group, Inc.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Common Stock</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">20,280</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">*</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michael&nbsp;J.&nbsp;Melarkey</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">The LGL Group, Inc.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Common Stock</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">36,224</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">*</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">16 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>


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<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:101.95pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Name of Independent Trustee</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Name of</B><br><B>Owner and<BR>Relationships</B><br><B>to Trustee</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Company</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Title of Class</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Value of</B><br><B>Interests<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP></B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Percent<BR>of<BR>Class<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(2)</SUP></B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michael J. Melarkey</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">The&nbsp;LGL&nbsp;Group,&nbsp;Inc.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Warrants</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">36</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">*</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Anthonie C. van Ekris</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">LICT Corp.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Common&nbsp;Stock</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">138,000</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">*</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Anthonie C. van Ekris</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">The LGL Group, Inc.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Common Stock</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">8,032</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">*</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Anthonie C. van Ekris</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">The LGL Group, Inc.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Warrants</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">8</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">*</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Anthonie C. van Ekris</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">CIBL, Inc.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Common Stock</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">32,640</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">*</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Anthonie C. van Ekris</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">ICTC Group, Inc.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Common Stock</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">60</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">*</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Anthonie C. van Ekris</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Same</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Morgan Group<BR>Holdings, Inc.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">Common Stock</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">360</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">*</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">This information has been furnished as of December&nbsp;31, 2016. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(2)</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">As asterisk indicates that the ownership amount constitutes less than 1% of the total interests outstanding. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Remuneration of Trustees and Officers </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund pays each Independent Trustee an annual retainer of $8,500 plus $1,000 for each Board meeting attended. Each Independent Trustee is
reimbursed by the Fund for any out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. All Board committee members receive $500 per meeting attended. In addition, the Audit Committee Chairman receives an annual fee of $2,000, the Nominating Committee
Chairman receives an annual fee of $2,000, and the Lead Independent Trustee receives an annual fee of $1,000. A Trustee may receive a single meeting fee, allocated among the participating funds, for participation in certain meetings on behalf of
multiple funds. The aggregate remuneration (excluding out of pocket expenses) paid by the Fund to such Trustees during the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016 amounted to $122,000. During the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016, the
Trustees of the Fund met four times, all of which were regular Board meetings. Each Trustee then serving in such capacity attended at least 75% of the meetings of Trustees and of any Committee of which he is a member. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation of the Trustees and officers, if any, who were compensated by
the Fund rather than the Investment Adviser, for the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016 and by the Fund Complex for the Fund&#146;s fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>COMPENSATION TABLE </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="84%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="65%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:98.60pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Name of Person and Position</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Aggregate&nbsp;Compensation<BR>from the Fund*</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="6" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Aggregate<BR>Compensation<BR>from the Fund and<BR>Fund Complex<BR>Paid to Trustees<BR>and Officers**</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>INTERESTED TRUSTEES:</U></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Mario J. Gabelli</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Chairman</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">James A. Dinsmore</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">President and Trustee</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES:</U></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Kinchen C. Bizzell</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">12,875</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">23,250</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(2</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Elizabeth C. Bogan</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">19,375</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">28,750</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(2</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">James P. Conn</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">11,125</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">256,250</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(22</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10,875</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">134,750</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(11</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Daniel D. Harding</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">9,875</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">26,750</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(3</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michael J. Melarkey</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10,875</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">110,484</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(10</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Kuni Nakamura</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">11,375</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">201,549</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(20</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Nicolas W. Platt</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">11,375</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">21,250</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(2</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Anthonie C. van Ekris</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10,375</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">213,500</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">(22</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">)&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="line-height:8.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:10%">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">*</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Represents total compensation paid to such persons by the Fund during the Fund&#146;s fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">**</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Represents the total compensation paid to such persons during the Fund&#146;s fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, by investment companies (including the Fund) or portfolios from which such person receives compensation
that are part of the Fund Complex. The number in parentheses represents the number of such investment companies and portfolios. </TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">17 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Limitation of Trustees&#146; and Officers&#146; Liability </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Governing Documents provide that the Fund will indemnify its Trustees and officers and may indemnify its employees or agents against
liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of their positions with the Fund, to the fullest extent permitted by law. However, nothing in the Governing Documents protects or indemnifies a
Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Fund against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject in the event of such person&#146;s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in
the conduct of his or her position. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Investment Advisory and Administrative Arrangements </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Gabelli Funds, LLC (the &#147;Investment Adviser&#148;) serves as the Fund&#146;s investment adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory
Agreement with the Fund. The Investment Adviser, a New York limited liability company and registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, serves as an investment adviser to registered investment companies with
combined aggregate net assets approximating $23.2&nbsp;billion as of March&nbsp;31, 2017. The Investment Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (&#147;GBL&#148;), a New York corporation, whose Class&nbsp;A Common Stock is
traded on the NYSE under the symbol, &#147;GBL.&#148; Mr.&nbsp;Mario&nbsp;J. Gabelli may be deemed a &#147;controlling person&#148; of the Investment Adviser on the basis of his controlling interest in GBL. Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli owns a majority of the
stock of GGCP, Inc. (&#147;GGCP&#148;), which holds a majority of the capital stock and voting power of GBL. The Investment Adviser has several affiliates that provide investment advisory services: GAMCO Asset Management, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of GBL, acts as investment adviser for individuals, pension trusts, profit sharing trusts, endowments, and The GAMCO Mathers Fund, and as a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">sub-adviser</FONT> to certain third party investment funds, which
include registered investment companies, having assets under management of approximately of $18.5&nbsp;billion as of March&nbsp;31, 2017; Teton Advisors, Inc. and its wholly owned investment adviser, Keeley Teton Advisers, LLC, with assets under
management of approximately $3.8&nbsp;billion as of March&nbsp;31, 2017, act as investment advisers to The TETON Westwood Funds, the KEELEY Funds, and separately managed accounts; Gabelli&nbsp;&amp; Company Investment Advisers, Inc. (formerly,
Gabelli Securities, Inc.), a majority-owned subsidiary of Associated Capital Group, Inc. (&#147;Associated Capital&#148;), acts as investment adviser for certain alternative investment products, consisting primarily of risk arbitrage and merchant
banking limited partnerships and offshore companies, with assets under management of approximately $1&nbsp;billion as of March&nbsp;31, 2017; and Gabelli Fixed Income, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of GBL, acts as investment adviser for
separate accounts having assets under management of approximately $34&nbsp;million as of March&nbsp;31, 2017. Teton Advisors, Inc. was spun off by GBL in March 2009 and is an affiliate of GBL by virtue of Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli&#146;s ownership of GGCP
the principal shareholder of Teton Advisors, Inc., as of March&nbsp;31, 2017. Associated Capital was spun off from GBL on November&nbsp;30, 2015, and is an affiliate of GBL by virtue of Mr.&nbsp;Gabelli&#146;s ownership of GGCP, the principal
shareholder of Associated Capital. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">18 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Affiliates of the Investment Adviser may, in the ordinary course of their business, acquire for
their own account or for the accounts of their investment advisory clients, significant (and possibly controlling) positions in the securities of companies that may also be suitable for investment by the Fund. The securities in which the Fund might
invest may thereby be limited to some extent. For instance, many companies in the past several years have adopted <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">so-called</FONT> &#147;poison pill&#148; or other defensive measures designed to discourage or prevent
the completion of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-negotiated</FONT> offers for control of the company. Such defensive measures may have the effect of limiting the shares of the company which might otherwise be acquired by the Fund if the
affiliates of the Investment Adviser or their investment advisory accounts have or acquire a significant position in the same securities. However, the Investment Adviser does not believe that the investment activities of its affiliates will have a
material adverse effect upon the Fund in seeking to achieve its investment objectives. Securities purchased or sold pursuant to contemporaneous orders entered on behalf of the investment company accounts of the Investment Adviser or the investment
advisory accounts managed by its affiliates for their unaffiliated clients are allocated pursuant to procedures, approved by the Board, believed to be fair and not disadvantageous to any such accounts. In addition, all such orders are accorded
priority of execution over orders entered on behalf of accounts in which the Investment Adviser or its affiliates have a substantial pecuniary interest. The Investment Adviser may on occasion give advice or take action with respect to other clients
that differs from the actions taken with respect to the Fund. The Fund may invest in the securities of companies that are investment management clients of GAMCO. In addition, portfolio companies or their officers or directors may be minority
shareholders of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser
manages the portfolio of the Fund in accordance with its stated investment objectives and policies, makes investment decisions for the Fund, places orders to purchase and sell securities on behalf of the Fund and manages its other business and
affairs, all subject to the supervision and direction of the Fund&#146;s Board. In addition, under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund&#146;s business and affairs and
provides, or arranges for others to provide, at the Investment Adviser&#146;s expense, certain enumerated services, including maintaining the Fund&#146;s books and records, preparing reports to the Fund&#146;s shareholders and supervising the
calculation of the net asset value of the Fund&#146;s shares. Expenses of computing the net asset value of the Fund, including any equipment or services obtained solely for the purpose of pricing shares or valuing its investment portfolio,
underwriting compensation and reimbursements in connection with sales of the Fund&#146;s securities, the costs of utilizing a third party to monitor and collect class action settlements on behalf of the Fund, expenses in connection with the
preparation of SEC filings, the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not officers or employees of the Investment Adviser of its affiliates, compensation and other expenses of officers and employees of the Fund (including, but not limited to, the
Chief Compliance Officer, Vice President and Ombudsman) as approved by the Trustees, charges of the custodian, any <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">sub-custodian</FONT> and transfer agent and dividend paying agent, expenses in connection with the
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan, accounting and pricing costs, membership fees in trade associations, expenses for legal and independent accountants&#146; services, costs of printing proxies, share certificates and shareholder
reports, fidelity bond coverage for Fund officers and employees, Trustees&#146; and officers&#146; errors and omissions insurance coverage, and stock exchange listing fees will be an expense of the Fund unless the Investment Adviser voluntarily
assumes responsibility for such expenses. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Investment Advisory Agreement combines investment advisory and certain administrative
responsibilities into one agreement. As compensation for its services rendered and the related expenses borne by the Investment Adviser, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a monthly fee, computed an annual rate of 0.80% of the first $100,000,000
of the Fund&#146;s average weekly net assets and 0.55% of the Fund&#146;s average weekly net assets in excess of $100,000,000. The Fund&#146;s average weekly net assets shall be determined at the end of each month on the basis of the Fund&#146;s
average net assets for each week during the month. The assets for each weekly period shall be determined by averaging the net assets at the end of </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">19 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
a week with the net assets at the end of the prior week. The value of the Fund&#146;s average weekly net assets shall be deemed to be the average weekly value of the Fund&#146;s total assets
minus the sum of the Fund&#146;s liabilities (such liabilities do not include the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares and accumulated dividends, if any, on those shares). Therefore, the Fund will pay an advisory fee
on any assets attributable to certain types of leverage it uses. The Fund&#146;s previous arrangements with Dinsmore Capital provided for an investment advisory fee equal to an annual rate of 0.75% on the first $100,000,000 and 0.5% of the excess
over $100,000,000 of the Fund&#146;s average weekly net asset value, plus an Administrative Services fee of 0.05% of the Fund&#146;s net asset value. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">For the fiscal years ended September&nbsp;30, 2014 and 2015, and for the period from October&nbsp;1 through October&nbsp;31, 2015, the Fund
paid Dinsmore Capital $920,566, $918,251 and $73,016, respectively, for investment advisory services. The Fund also paid Dinsmore Capital $67,402 and $66,766 for the fiscal years ended September&nbsp;30, 2014 and 2015, respectively, and $4,151 for
the period from October&nbsp;1 through October&nbsp;31, 2015 for certain administrative services, such as principal financial officer services; security valuation; daily <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">net-asset-value</FONT> calculations;
preparation of periodic reports (including financial statements and schedules of investments); working with auditors; preparing and filing tax returns; furnishing clerical, bookkeeping and statistical services; maintaining books and records;
evaluating and reporting on the performance of the custodian, transfer agent and other agents; and supervising relationships with stock exchanges. Shareholders approved the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and Gabelli Funds, LLC on
October&nbsp;19, 2015 and the Fund&#146;s investment advisory agreement and administrative services agreement with Dinsmore Capital was terminated, and the Investment Advisory Agreement with Gabelli Funds, LLC was effective, as of November&nbsp;1,
2015. For the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016, the Fund paid the Investment Adviser $818,609 for investment advisory services, which resulted in a total investment advisory fee expense of $891,625 for the fiscal year ended
September&nbsp;30, 2016. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Investment Advisory Agreement contains an expense limitation provision where the Investment Adviser will,
for a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">two-year</FONT> period commencing on November&nbsp;1, 2015 (the effective date of the Investment Advisory Agreement), either waive fees or reimburse the Fund to the extent the total expenses of the Fund
(excluding brokerage costs, interest, (including in respect of any preferred shares) taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, expenses chargeable to capital, and extraordinary expenses) during any <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">365-day</FONT>
period exceed 1.10% of the weekly average assets attributable to common shares plus the liquidation preference of preferred shares of the Fund during such period. Any such waivers or reimbursements will not be reimbursed by the Fund to the
Investment Adviser in the future. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Additionally, the Investment Adviser has entered into a
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">sub-administration</FONT> agreement (the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;Sub-Administration</FONT> Agreement&#148;) with BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (the
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;Sub-Administrator&#148;)</FONT> pursuant to which the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Sub-Administrator</FONT> provides certain administrative services necessary for the Fund&#146;s operations which do not
include the investment and portfolio management services provided by the Investment Adviser. For these services and the related expenses borne by the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Sub-Administrator,</FONT> the Investment Adviser pays an annual
fee based on the value of the aggregate average daily net assets of all funds under its administration managed by the Investment Adviser, GAMCO and Teton Advisors, Inc. as follows: 0.0275% - first $10&nbsp;billion, 0.0125% - exceeding
$10&nbsp;billion but less than $15&nbsp;billion, 0.01% - over $15&nbsp;billion but less than $20&nbsp;billion and 0.008% - over $20&nbsp;billion. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard for
its obligations and duties thereunder, the Investment Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund. As part of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund has agreed that the name
&#147;Gabelli&#148; is the Investment Adviser&#146;s property, and that in the event the Investment Adviser ceases to act as an investment adviser to the Fund, the Fund will change its name to one not including &#147;Gabelli.&#148; </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">20 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Investment Advisory Agreement was approved by a majority of the Board, including a majority
of the Trustees who are not &#147;interested persons&#148; (as defined in the 1940 Act), at an <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">in-person</FONT> meeting of the Board held on July&nbsp;21, 2015. The Investment Advisory Agreement became effective on
November&nbsp;1, 2015 and continues in effect for two years and thereafter will continue for successive annual periods, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. A
discussion regarding the basis for the most recent approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement by the Board is available in the Fund&#146;s Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section&nbsp;14(a) of the Exchange Act, filed with the SEC on
September&nbsp;14, 2015. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Investment Advisory Agreement terminates automatically on its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) and
may be terminated without penalty on 60&nbsp;days&#146; written notice by the Fund&#146;s Board of Trustees, by a vote of a majority of the Fund&#146;s shares or by the Investment Adviser. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">21 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Portfolio Manager Information </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Other Accounts Managed </I></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The information
below lists other accounts for which each portfolio manager was primarily responsible for the day to day management during the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="14%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="51%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:60.80pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Name of Portfolio<BR>Manager or<BR>Team Member</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Type of Accounts</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Total # of<BR>Accounts<BR>Managed</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Total<BR>Assets</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B># of Accounts<BR>Managed<BR>with<BR>Advisory<BR>Fee Based on<BR>Performance</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Total Assets<BR>with<BR>Advisory<BR>Fee Based<BR>on<BR>Performance</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Jane&nbsp;D.&nbsp;O&#146;Keeffe</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Registered Investment Companies:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">2</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">244.0M</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">97.1M</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Other Accounts:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">7</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">5.6M</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Thomas&nbsp;H.&nbsp;Dinsmore</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Registered Investment Companies:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">2</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">244.0M</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">97.1M</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Other Accounts:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">5</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1.4M</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">James&nbsp;A.&nbsp;Dinsmore</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Registered Investment Companies:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">2</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">244.0M</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">97.1M</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Other Accounts:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">3</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">390,500</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">0</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Ownership of Shares in the Fund </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As of September&nbsp;30, 2016, the portfolio managers of the Fund own the following amounts of equity securities of the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="70%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="54%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="24%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:20.00pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Name</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Dollar&nbsp;Range&nbsp;of&nbsp;Equity&nbsp;Securities&nbsp;Held&nbsp;in&nbsp;Fund</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Jane D. O&#146;Keeffe</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">100,001&nbsp;-&nbsp;$500,000</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Thomas H. Dinsmore</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">500,001&nbsp;-&nbsp;$1,000,000</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">James A. Dinsmore</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">$</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">10,001&nbsp;- $50,000</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Potential Conflicts of Interest </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As reflected above, the Portfolio Managers manage accounts in addition to the Fund. Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a
Portfolio Manager also has <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">day-to-day</FONT></FONT> management responsibilities with respect to one or more other accounts. These potential conflicts include: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Allocation of Limited Time and Attention</I>. As indicated above, the Portfolio Managers manage multiple accounts. As a result, they will
not be able to devote all of their time to the management of the Fund. The Portfolio Managers, therefore, may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those accounts as might
be the case if he/she were to devote all of their attention to the management of only the Fund. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Allocation of Limited Investment
Opportunities</I>. As indicated above, the Portfolio Managers manage managed accounts with investment strategies and/or policies that are similar to the Fund. In these cases, if the Portfolio Manager identifies an investment opportunity that may be
suitable for multiple </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">22 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
accounts, a fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity because the opportunity may be allocated among all or many of these accounts or other accounts managed primarily by
other Portfolio Managers of the Investment Adviser, and their affiliates. In addition, in the event a Portfolio Manager determines to purchase a security for more than one account in an aggregate amount that may influence the market price of the
security, accounts that purchased or sold the security first may receive a more favorable price than accounts that made subsequent transactions. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Pursuit of Differing Strategies</I>. At times, the Portfolio Managers may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for
only some of the accounts for which he/she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the Portfolio Manager may
execute differing or opposite transactions for one or more accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of one or more other accounts. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Variation in Compensation</I>. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to the Portfolio Manager
differs among the accounts that he/she manages. If the structure of the Investment Adviser&#146;s management fee or the Portfolio Manager&#146;s compensation differs among accounts (such as where certain accounts pay higher management fees or
performance based management fees), the Portfolio Manager may be motivated to favor certain accounts over others. The Portfolio Manager also may be motivated to favor accounts in which they have an investment interest, or in which the Investment
Adviser, or their affiliates have investment interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance a Portfolio Manager&#146;s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the
Portfolio Manager in affording preferential treatment to those accounts that could most significantly benefit the Portfolio Manager. For example, as reflected above, if the Portfolio Manager manages accounts which have performance fee arrangements,
certain portions of their compensation will depend on the achievement of performance milestones on those accounts. The Portfolio Manager could be incented to afford preferential treatment to those accounts and thereby be subject to a potential
conflict of interest. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Investment Adviser, and the Funds have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are designed to address
the various conflicts of interest that may arise for the Investment Adviser and their staff members. However, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will be able to detect and prevent every situation in which an actual or potential
conflict may arise. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Compensation Structure for Portfolio Managers </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The compensation for the Portfolio Managers for the Fund is structured to enable the Investment Adviser to attract and retain highly qualified
professionals in a competitive environment. The Portfolio Managers receive a compensation package that includes a minimum draw or base salary and incentive based variable compensation based on a percentage of net revenue received by the Investment
Adviser for managing the Fund to the extent that the amount exceeds a minimum level of compensation. Net revenues are determined by deducting from gross investment management fees certain of the firm&#146;s expenses (other than the Portfolio
Managers&#146; compensation) allocable to the Fund (the incentive based variable compensation for managing other accounts is also based on a percentage of net revenues to the Investment Adviser for managing the account). This method of compensation
is based on the premise that superior long term performance in managing a portfolio should be rewarded with higher compensation as a result of growth of assets through appreciation and net investment activity. The level of incentive based variable
compensation is based on an evaluation by the Investment Adviser&#146;s parent, GBL, of quantitative and qualitative performance evaluation criteria. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">23 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Portfolio Holdings Information </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Employees of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates will often have access to information concerning the portfolio holdings of the Fund. The
Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted policies and procedures that require all employees to safeguard proprietary information of the Fund, which includes information relating to the Fund&#146;s portfolio holdings as well as portfolio trading
activity of the Investment Adviser with respect to the Fund (collectively, &#147;Portfolio Holdings Information&#148;). In addition, the Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted policies and procedures providing that Portfolio Holdings
Information may not be disclosed except to the extent that it is (a)&nbsp;made available to the general public by posting on the Fund&#146;s website or filed as part of a required filing on <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Form&nbsp;N-Q</FONT> or <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">N-CSR</FONT> or (b)&nbsp;provided to a third party for legitimate business purposes or regulatory purposes, that has agreed to keep such data confidential under terms approved by the Investment Adviser&#146;s legal
department or outside counsel, as described below. The Investment Adviser will examine each situation under (b)&nbsp;with a view to determine that release of the information is in the best interest of the Fund and their shareholders and, if a
potential conflict between the Investment Adviser&#146;s interests and the Fund&#146;s interests arises, to have such conflict resolved by the Chief Compliance Officer or those Trustees who are not considered to be &#147;interested persons&#148; (as
defined in the 1940 Act). These policies further provide that no officer of the Fund or employee of the Investment Adviser shall communicate with the media about the Fund without obtaining the advance consent of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Operating Officer, or General Counsel of the Investment Adviser. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Under the foregoing policies, the Fund currently may disclose Portfolio
Holdings Information in the circumstances outlined below. Disclosure generally may be either on a monthly or quarterly basis with no time lag in some cases and with a time lag of up to 60&nbsp;days in other cases (with the exception of proxy voting
services which require a regular download of data): </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(1)&nbsp;To regulatory authorities in response to requests for such information and
with the approval of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(2)&nbsp;To mutual fund rating and statistical agencies and to persons
performing similar functions where there is a legitimate business purpose for such disclosure and such entity has agreed to keep such data confidential until at least it has been made public by the Investment Adviser; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(3)&nbsp;To service providers of the Fund, as necessary for the performance of their services to the Fund and to the Board, where such entity
has agreed to keep such data confidential until at least it has been made public by the Investment Adviser. The Fund&#146;s current service providers that may receive such information are its administrator,
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">sub-administrator,</FONT> custodian, independent registered public accounting firm, legal counsel, and financial printers; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(4)&nbsp;To firms providing proxy voting and other proxy services provided such entity has agreed to keep such data confidential until at least
it has been made public by the Investment Adviser; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(5)&nbsp;To certain broker dealers, investment advisers, and other financial
intermediaries for purposes of their performing due diligence on the Fund and not for dissemination of this information to their clients or use of this information to conduct trading for their clients. Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings Information in
these circumstances requires the broker, dealer, investment adviser, or financial intermediary to agree to keep such information confidential until it has been made public by the Investment Adviser and is further subject to prior approval of the
Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund and shall be reported to the Board at the next quarterly meeting;&nbsp;and </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">24 </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(6)&nbsp;To consultants for purposes of performing analysis of the Fund, which analysis may be
used by the consultant with its clients or disseminated to the public, provided that such entity shall have agreed to keep such information confidential until at least it has been made public by the Investment Adviser. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As of the date of this SAI, the Fund makes information about portfolio securities available to its administrator, <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">sub-administrator,</FONT> custodian, and proxy voting services on a daily basis, with no time lag, to its typesetter on a quarterly basis with a ten day time lag, to its financial printers on a quarterly basis with a
forty-five day time lag, and its independent registered public accounting firm and legal counsel on an as needed basis with no time lag. The names of the Fund&#146;s administrator, custodian, independent registered public accounting firm, and legal
counsel are set forth is the Prospectus. The Fund&#146;s proxy voting service is Broadridge Investor Communication Services. Bowne&nbsp;&amp; Co., Inc. and Data Communique provide typesetting services for the Fund and the Fund selects from a number
of financial printers who have agreed to keep such information confidential until at least it has been made public by the Investment Adviser. Other than those arrangements with the Fund&#146;s service providers and proxy voting service, the Fund has
no ongoing arrangements to make available information about the Fund&#146;s portfolio securities prior to such information being disclosed in a publicly available filing with the SEC that is required to include the information. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Disclosures made pursuant to a confidentiality agreement are subject to periodic confirmation by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund that
the recipient has utilized such information solely in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Neither the Fund, nor the Investment Adviser, nor any of the Investment Adviser&#146;s affiliates will accept on behalf of itself, its affiliates, or
the Fund any compensation or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings of the Fund. The Board will review such arrangements annually with the Fund&#146;s Chief Compliance Officer. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="sai453269_5"></A>PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Subject to policies established by the Board, the Investment Adviser is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and the allocation of
brokerage on behalf of the Fund. Transactions in equity securities are in most cases effected on U.S.&nbsp;stock exchanges and involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. There may be no stated commission in the case of securities
traded in over-the-counter markets, but the prices of those securities may include undisclosed commissions or mark-ups. Principal transactions are not entered into with affiliates of the Fund. However, G.research, LLC (&#147;G.research&#148;), an
affiliate of the Investment Adviser, may execute transactions in the over-the-counter markets on an agency basis and receive a stated commission therefrom. To the extent consistent with applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and
exemptions adopted by the SEC thereunder, as well as other regulatory requirements, the Board has determined that portfolio transactions may be executed through G.research and its broker-dealer affiliates if, in the judgment of the Investment
Adviser, the use of those broker-dealers is likely to result in price and execution at least as favorable as those of other qualified broker-dealers, and if, in particular transactions, the affiliated broker-dealers charge the Fund a rate consistent
with that charged to comparable unaffiliated customers in similar transactions and comparable to rates charged by other broker-dealers for similar transactions. The Fund has no obligations to deal with any broker or group of brokers in executing
transactions in portfolio securities. In executing transactions, the Investment Adviser seeks to obtain the best price and execution for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price, size of order, difficulty of execution and operational
facilities of the firm involved and the firm&#146;s risk in positioning a block of securities. While the Investment Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, the Fund does not necessarily pay the lowest commission available.
During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2015 and 2016, the Fund paid aggregate brokerage commissions of $29,552.31, $27,747.83 and $21,702, respectively. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, the Fund paid aggregate brokerage
commissions of $2,434 to G.research. Such amount represents approximately 11.22% of the Fund&#146;s aggregate brokerage commissions paid during the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016. The percentage of the Fund&#146;s aggregate dollar amount
of transactions involving the payment of commissions effected through G.research during the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30, 2016 and was approximately 14.00%. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">25 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Subject to obtaining the best price and execution, brokers who provide supplemental research,
market and statistical information, or other services (e.g., wire services) to the Investment Adviser or its affiliates may receive orders for transactions by the Fund. The term &#147;research, market and statistical information&#148; includes
advice as to the value of securities, and advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities, and furnishing analyses and reports concerning issues, industries,
securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts. Information so received will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Investment Adviser under the Investment
Advisory Agreement and the expenses of the Investment Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental information. Such information may be useful to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates in providing
services to clients other than the Fund, and not all such information is used by the Investment Adviser in connection with the Fund. Conversely, such information provided to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates by brokers and dealers through
whom other clients of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates effect securities transactions may be useful to the Investment Adviser in providing services to the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Although investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those for the other accounts managed by the Investment Adviser and its
affiliates, investments of the kind made by the Fund may also be made for those other accounts. When the same securities are purchased for or sold by the Fund and any of such other accounts, it is the policy of the Investment Adviser and its
affiliates to allocate such purchases and sales in a manner deemed fair and equitable over time to all of the accounts, including the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="sai453269_6"></A>PORTFOLIO TURNOVER </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of an investment company&#146;s annual sales or purchases of portfolio securities
by the monthly average value of securities in its portfolio during the year, excluding portfolio securities the maturities of which at the time of acquisition were one year or less. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater
brokerage commission expense than a lower rate, which expense must be borne by the Fund and indirectly by its shareholders. The portfolio turnover rate may vary from year to year and will not be a factor when the Investment Adviser determines that
portfolio changes are appropriate. For example, an increase in the Fund&#146;s participation in risk arbitrage situations would increase the Fund&#146;s portfolio turnover rate. A higher rate of portfolio turnover may also result in taxable gains
being passed to shareholders sooner than would otherwise be the case. The investment policies of the Fund, including its strategy of writing covered call options on securities in its portfolio, may result in portfolio turnover that is higher than
that of many investment companies and may result in the Fund paying higher commissions than do many investment companies. The Fund&#146;s portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2016 was 45% and 38%,
respectively. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="sai453269_7"></A>TAXATION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its common and
preferred shareholders. This summary does not discuss the consequences of an investment in the Fund&#146;s notes or subscription rights to acquire shares of the Fund&#146;s stock. The tax consequences of such an investment will be discussed in a
relevant prospectus supplement. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">26 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Except as expressly provided otherwise, this discussion assumes you are a U.S.&nbsp;person (as
defined for U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax purposes) and that you hold your shares as capital assets (generally, for investment). The discussion is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the &#147;Code&#148;),
Treasury regulations, judicial authorities, published positions of the Internal Revenue Service (the &#147;IRS&#148;) and other applicable authorities, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive
effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to those set forth below. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax concerns
affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders subject to special tax rules and shareholders owning a large position in the Fund), nor does this discussion address any state, local, or foreign tax concerns. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>The discussions set forth here and in the Prospectus do not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers
with any specific questions relating to U.S.&nbsp;federal, state, local and foreign taxes. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Taxation of the Fund </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund has elected to be treated and has qualified as, and intends to continue to qualify as, a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.
Accordingly, the Fund must, among other things, </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(i)&nbsp;derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from
(a)&nbsp;dividends, interest (including <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-exempt</FONT> interest), payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or
other income (including but not limited to gain from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (b)&nbsp;net income derived from interests in certain publicly
traded partnerships that are treated as partnerships for U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in (a)&nbsp;above (each a &#147;Qualified Publicly Traded
Partnership&#148;);&nbsp;and </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(ii)&nbsp;diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year,
(a)&nbsp;at least 50% of the market value of the Fund&#146;s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S.&nbsp;government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of
any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund&#146;s total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b)&nbsp;not more than 25% of the value of the Fund&#146;s total assets is
invested in the securities (other than U.S.&nbsp;government securities and the securities of other RICs) of (I)&nbsp;any one issuer, (II)&nbsp;any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same business
or similar or related trades or businesses or (III)&nbsp;any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As a RIC, the Fund
generally is not subject to U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax on income and gains that it distributes each taxable year to shareholders, provided that it distributes annually at least 90% of the sum of the Fund&#146;s (i)&nbsp;investment company taxable
income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, the excess of any net short term capital gain over net long term capital loss, and other taxable income, other than any net capital gain (as defined below), reduced by deductible
expenses) determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii)&nbsp;net <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-exempt</FONT> interest income (the excess of its gross <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-exempt</FONT> interest income
over certain disallowed deductions). The Fund intends to distribute at least annually substantially all of such income. The Fund will be subject to income tax at regular corporate rates on any taxable income or gains that it does not distribute to
its shareholders. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">27 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution
requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax at the Fund level. To avoid the tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i)&nbsp;98% of its ordinary income (not taking into
account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, and (ii)&nbsp;98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">one-year</FONT> period generally
ending on October&nbsp;31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to use the Fund&#146;s fiscal year). In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year to avoid the federal excise tax will be increased or decreased to
reflect any under-distribution or over-distribution, as the case may be, from previous years. For purposes of the excise tax, the Fund will be deemed to have distributed any income on which it paid U.S. federal income tax. Although the Fund intends
to distribute any income and capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% federal excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund&#146;s ordinary income and capital gains will be distributed to
avoid entirely the imposition of the tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If the Fund were unable to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement or otherwise were to fail to qualify as a RIC in any year, generally it
would be taxed on all of its taxable income and gains in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to the Fund&#146;s shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. Such distributions would be
taxable to the shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund&#146;s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met, such dividends would be eligible (i)&nbsp;to be
treated as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at long term capital gain rates in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii)&nbsp;for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. To qualify again to
be taxed as a RIC in a subsequent year, the Fund would be required to distribute to its shareholders its earnings and profits attributable to <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-RIC</FONT> years. In addition, if the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC
for a period greater than two taxable years, then, in order to qualify as a RIC in a subsequent year, the Fund would be required to elect to recognize and pay tax on any net <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">built-in</FONT> gain (the excess of
aggregate gain, including items of income, over aggregate loss that would have been realized if the Fund had been liquidated) or, alternatively, to be subject to taxation on such <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">built-in</FONT> gain recognized for a
period of five years. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund qualifies for taxation as a RIC. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Certain of the Fund&#146;s
investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i)&nbsp;disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii)&nbsp;convert lower taxed
long term capital gains or qualified dividend income into higher taxed short term capital gains or ordinary income, (iii)&nbsp;convert an ordinary loss or deduction into capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv)&nbsp;cause the
Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v)&nbsp;adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi)&nbsp;adversely alter the characterization of certain complex
financial transactions and (vii)&nbsp;produce income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the 90% annual gross income requirement described above. These U.S. federal income tax provisions could therefore affect the amount, timing and
character of distributions to shareholders. The Fund will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections and may be required to borrow money or dispose of securities to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of
the Fund as a RIC. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Gain or loss on the sale of securities by the Fund will generally be long term capital gain or loss if the securities
have been held by the Fund for more than one year. Gain or loss on the sale of securities held for one year or less will be short term capital gain or loss. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Foreign currency gain or loss on <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-U.S.&nbsp;dollar-denominated</FONT> securities and on any <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-U.S.&nbsp;dollar-denominated</FONT> futures contracts, options and forward contracts that are not section&nbsp;1256 contracts (as defined below) generally will be treated as ordinary income and loss. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">28 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The premium received by the Fund for writing a call option is not included in income at the time
of receipt. If the option expires, the premium is short term capital gain to the Fund. If the Fund enters into a closing transaction, the difference between the amount paid to close out its position and the premium received is short term capital
gain or loss. If a call option written by the Fund is exercised, thereby requiring the Fund to sell the underlying security, the premium will increase the amount realized upon the sale of the security and any resulting gain or loss will be long term
or short term, depending upon the holding period of the security. The Fund does not have control over the exercise of the call options it writes and thus does not control the timing of such taxable events. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">With respect to a put or call option that is purchased by the Fund, if the option is sold, any resulting gain or loss will be a capital gain
or loss and will be short term or long term, depending upon the holding period for the option. If the option expires, the resulting loss is a capital loss and is short term or long term, depending upon the holding period for the option. If the
option is exercised, the cost of the option, in the case of a call option, is added to the basis of the purchased security and, in the case of a put option, reduces the amount realized on the underlying security in determining gain or loss. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund&#146;s investment in <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">so-called</FONT> &#147;section&nbsp;1256 contracts,&#148; such as regulated
futures contracts, most foreign currency forward contracts traded in the interbank market, options on most stock indices and any <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-equity</FONT> options, are subject to special tax rules. All section&nbsp;1256
contracts held by the Fund at the end of its taxable year are required to be marked to their market value, and any unrealized gain or loss on those positions will be included in the Fund&#146;s income as if each position had been sold for its fair
market value at the end of the taxable year, thereby potentially causing the Fund to recognize gain in advance of a corresponding receipt of cash. The resulting gain or loss will be combined with any gain or loss realized by the Fund from positions
in section&nbsp;1256 contracts closed during the taxable year. Provided such positions were held as capital assets and were not part of a &#147;hedging transaction&#148; nor part of a &#147;straddle,&#148; 60% of the resulting net gain or loss will
be treated as long term capital gain or loss, and 40% of such net gain or loss will be treated as short term capital gain or loss, regardless of the period of time the positions were actually held by the Fund. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Investments by the Fund in certain &#147;passive foreign investment companies&#148; (&#147;PFICs&#148;) could subject the Fund to
U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax (including interest charges) on certain distributions or dispositions with respect to those investments which cannot be eliminated by making distributions to shareholders. Elections may be available to the Fund to
mitigate the effect of the PFIC rules, but such elections generally accelerate the recognition of income without the receipt of cash. Dividends paid by PFICs will not qualify for the reduced tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income, as
discussed below under &#147;Taxation of Shareholders.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may invest in debt obligations purchased at a discount with the
result that the Fund may be required to accrue income for U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax purposes before amounts due under the obligations are paid. The Fund may also invest in securities rated in the medium to lower rating categories of nationally
recognized rating organizations, and in unrated securities (&#147;high yield securities&#148;). A portion of the interest payments on such high yield securities may be treated as dividends for certain U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax purposes. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As a result of investing in stock of PFICs or securities purchased at a discount or any other investment that produces income that is not
matched by a corresponding cash distribution to the Fund, the Fund could be required to include in current income, income it has not yet received in cash. Any such income would be treated as income earned by the Fund and therefore would be subject
to the distribution requirements of the Code. This might prevent the Fund from distributing 90% of its investment company taxable income as is required in order to avoid Fund-level&nbsp;U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax on all of its income, or might
prevent the Fund from distributing enough ordinary income and capital gain net income to avoid </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">29 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
the imposition of Fund-level income or excise taxes. To avoid this result, the Fund may be required to borrow money or dispose of securities at inopportune times or on unfavorable terms, forgo
favorable investments, or take other actions that it would otherwise not take, to be able to make distributions to its shareholders. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If
the Fund does not meet the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act and the Statements of Preferences, the Fund will be required to suspend distributions to the holders of the common shares until the asset coverage is restored. Such a suspension
of distributions might prevent the Fund from distributing 90% of its investment company taxable income as is required in order to avoid Fund-level&nbsp;U.S.&nbsp;federal income taxation on all of its income, or might prevent the Fund from
distributing enough income and capital gain net income to avoid imposition of Fund-level income or excise taxes. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dividends or other
income (including, in some cases, capital gains) received by the Fund from investments in foreign securities may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may
reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. If more than 50% of the Fund&#146;s total assets at the close of its taxable year consist of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect for U.S. federal income tax purposes to treat
foreign income taxes paid by it as paid by its shareholders. The Fund may qualify for and make this election in some, but not necessarily all, of its taxable years. If the Fund were to make such an election, shareholders of the Fund would be
required to take into account an equal an amount equal to their pro rata portions of such foreign taxes in computing their taxable income and then treat an amount equal to those foreign taxes as a U.S. federal income tax deduction or as a foreign
tax credit against their U.S. federal income liability. A taxpayer&#146;s ability to use a foreign tax deduction or credit is subject to limitations under the Code. If the Fund makes this election, it will furnish its shareholders with a written
notice after the close of the taxable year. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Taxation of Shareholders </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may either distribute or retain for reinvestment all or part of its net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long term capital gain
over net short term capital loss). If any such gain is retained, the Fund will be subject to regular corporate income tax on the retained amount. In that event, the Fund may report the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its
shareholders, each of whom (i)&nbsp;will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as long term capital gain its share of such undistributed amounts, (ii)&nbsp;will be entitled to credit its proportionate share of the tax
paid by the Fund against its U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax liability and to claim refunds to the extent that the credit exceeds such liability and (iii)&nbsp;will increase its basis in its shares of the Fund by the amount of undistributed capital
gains included in the shareholder&#146;s income less the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Distributions paid by the
Fund from its investment company taxable income generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund&#146;s current or accumulated earnings and profits (&#147;ordinary income dividends&#148;). Provided that certain holding period and
other requirements are met, such distributions (if properly reported by the Fund) may qualify (i)&nbsp;for the dividends received deduction available to corporations, but only to the extent that the Fund&#146;s income consists of dividend income
from U.S.&nbsp;corporations, and (ii)&nbsp;in the case of individual shareholders, as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at long term capital gain rates to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend
income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations (e.g., generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a qualifying
comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or whose stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A qualified foreign corporation does not include a foreign
corporation that </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">30 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a PFIC. If the Fund lends portfolio securities, the amount received by the Fund that is
the equivalent of the dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned will not be eligible for qualified dividend income treatment. There can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund&#146;s distributions will be eligible for the
dividends received deduction or the reduced rates applicable to qualified dividend income. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Properly reported distributions of net capital
gain (&#147;capital gain distributions&#148;), if any, are taxable to shareholders at the reduced rates applicable to long term capital gain, regardless of how long the shareholder has held the Fund&#146;s shares. Capital gain distributions are not
eligible for the dividends received deduction. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Distributions in excess of the Fund&#146;s current and accumulated earnings and profits
will be treated as a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-free</FONT> return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax basis of your shares and thereafter will be treated as capital gains. The amount of any Fund distribution that is treated as a
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">tax-free</FONT> return of capital will reduce your adjusted tax basis in your shares, thereby increasing your potential gain or reducing your potential loss on any subsequent sale or other disposition of your shares.
In determining the extent to which a distribution will be treated as being made from the Fund&#146;s earnings and profits, earnings and profits will be allocated on a pro rata basis first to distributions with respect to the Fund&#146;s preferred
shares, and then to the Fund&#146;s common shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The IRS currently requires that a RIC that has two or more classes of stock allocate
to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (such as ordinary income, capital gains, and qualified dividend income) based upon the percentage of total dividends paid to each class for the tax year. Accordingly, the Fund
intends each year to allocate capital gain dividends, dividends eligible for dividends received deduction, and dividends that constitute qualified dividend income, if any, between its common shares and preferred shares in proportion to the total
dividends paid to each class with respect to such tax year. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dividends and other taxable distributions are taxable to you even though they
are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund are generally treated under the Code as paid by the Fund and received by you at the time the dividend or distribution is made. If, however, the Fund
pays you a dividend in January that was declared in the previous October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as being paid
by the Fund and received by you on December&nbsp;31 of the year in which the dividend was declared. In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of the Fund&#146;s taxable year may be &#147;spilled back&#148; and treated as paid by
the Fund (except for purposes of the 4% nondeductible excise tax) during such taxable year. In such case, you will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually made. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The price of shares purchased at any time may reflect the amount of a forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing shares just prior to the
record date for a distribution will receive a distribution which will be taxable to them even though it represents in part a return of invested capital. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Except as discussed below in the case of a redemption or repurchase of shares, upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of shares, a
shareholder will generally realize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of other property received and the shareholder&#146;s adjusted tax basis in the shares. Such gain or loss will be
treated as long term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced by substantially identical shares within a <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">61-day</FONT> period beginning 30&nbsp;days before and ending 30&nbsp;days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">31 </P>


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such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. In addition, any loss realized by a shareholder on the sale of Fund shares held by the shareholder
for six months or less will be treated for tax purposes as a long term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received by the shareholder (or amounts credited to the shareholder as an undistributed capital gain) with respect to
such shares. There are a number of limitations on the use of capital losses under the Code. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In general, a redemption of shares should be
treated as a sale or exchange of such shares under section 302 of the Code, if the distribution of cash (a)&nbsp;is &#147;substantially disproportionate&#148; with respect to the shareholder, (b)&nbsp;results in a &#147;complete redemption&#148; of
the shareholder&#146;s interest, or (c)&nbsp;is &#147;not essentially equivalent to a dividend&#148; with respect to the shareholder. A &#147;substantially disproportionate&#148; distribution generally requires a reduction of at least 20% in the
shareholder&#146;s proportionate interest in the Fund and also requires the shareholder to own less than 50% of the voting power of all classes entitled to vote immediately after the redemption. A &#147;complete redemption&#148; of a
shareholder&#146;s interest generally requires that all common and preferred shares of the Fund owned by such shareholder be disposed of. A distribution &#147;not essentially equivalent to a dividend&#148; requires that there be a &#147;meaningful
reduction&#148; in the shareholder&#146;s proportionate interest in the Fund, which should result if the shareholder has a minimal interest in the Fund, exercises no control over Fund affairs and suffers a reduction in his proportionate interest in
the Fund. In determining whether any of these tests has been met, any common and preferred shares actually owned, as well as shares considered to be owned by the shareholder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in section 318
of the Code, generally must be taken into account. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Certain U.S. shareholders who are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income
exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a part of their &#147;net investment income,&#148; which includes dividends received from the Fund and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of the
Fund&#146;s stock. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Ordinary income dividends, capital gain distributions and gain on the sale of Fund shares also may be subject to
state, local and foreign taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific questions about U.S.&nbsp;federal (including the application of the alternative minimum tax rules), state, local or foreign tax consequences
to them of investing in the Fund. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A shareholder that is a nonresident alien individual or a foreign corporation (a &#147;foreign
investor&#148;) generally will be subject to U.S.&nbsp;federal withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or possibly a lower rate provided by an applicable tax treaty) on ordinary income dividends. A foreign investor generally will not be subject to U.S.
federal income or withholding tax on any gain realized in respect of any distributions of net capital gain (including net capital gain retained by the Fund but credited to shareholders) or upon the sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund.
Different tax consequences may result if the foreign investor is engaged in a trade or business in the United States, or in the case of an individual, if the foreign investor is present in the United States for 183&nbsp;days or more during a taxable
year and certain other conditions are met. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Properly reported ordinary income dividends are generally exempt from U.S.&nbsp;federal
withholding tax where they (i)&nbsp;are paid in respect of a RIC&#146;s &#147;qualified net interest income&#148; (generally, the RIC&#146;s U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a
corporation or partnership in which the RIC is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii)&nbsp;are paid in respect of a RIC&#146;s &#147;qualified short term gains&#148; (generally, the excess of the
RIC&#146;s net short term capital gain over the RIC&#146;s net long term capital loss for such taxable year). Depending on its circumstances, the Fund may report all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest
income or as qualified short term gains, and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a foreign investor would need to comply with
applicable certification </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">32 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
requirements relating to its <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-U.S.&nbsp;status</FONT> (including, in general, furnishing an IRS <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Form&nbsp;W-8BEN</FONT> or <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">W-8BEN-E</FONT></FONT> or substitute Form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund reports the payment as qualified net interest
income or qualified short term gain. Foreign investors should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts. There can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund&#146;s distributions would qualify
for favorable treatment as qualified net interest income or qualified short term gains. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Withholding is generally required at a rate of
30% on dividends in respect of, and after December&nbsp;31, 2018, on gross proceeds from the sale of, the Fund&#146;s shares held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution enters into
an agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to shares in, and accounts maintained by, the institution to the extent such shares or accounts are held by certain U.S.&nbsp;persons or by
certain <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-U.S.&nbsp;entities</FONT> that are wholly or partially owned by U.S.&nbsp;persons and to withhold on certain payments. Accordingly, the entity through which the Fund&#146;s shares are held will affect the
determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of, and after December&nbsp;31, 2018, gross proceeds from the sale of, the Fund&#146;s shares held by an investor that is a
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-financial</FONT> <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-U.S.&nbsp;entity</FONT> will generally be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (i)&nbsp;certifies that such entity does not have
any &#147;substantial United States owners&#148; or (ii)&nbsp;provides certain information regarding the entity&#146;s &#147;substantial United States owners,&#148; which the Fund or other applicable withholding agent will in turn be required to
provide to the Secretary of the Treasury. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury regulations or other guidance, may modify these requirements. Foreign investors are encouraged
to consult with their tax advisers regarding the possible implications of these rules on their investment in the Fund&#146;s shares. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Foreign investors should consult their tax advisers regarding the tax consequences of investing in the Fund&#146;s shares. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund may be required to withhold U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax on all taxable distributions and redemption proceeds payable to <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-corporate</FONT> shareholders who fail to provide the Fund (or its agent) with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject
to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be refunded or credited against such shareholder&#146;s U.S.&nbsp;federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished
to the IRS. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>THE FOREGOING IS A GENERAL AND ABBREVIATED SUMMARY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE CODE AND TREASURY REGULATIONS PRESENTLY
IN EFFECT. FOR THE COMPLETE PROVISIONS, REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE PERTINENT CODE SECTIONS&nbsp;AND THE TREASURY REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER. THE DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE
ACTION, EITHER PROSPECTIVELY OR RETROACTIVELY. PERSONS CONSIDERING AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SHARES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS REGARDING THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF SHARES OF THE FUND. </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="sai453269_8"></A>NET ASSET VALUE </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The net asset value of the Fund&#146;s shares is computed based on the market value of the securities it holds and is determined daily as of
the close of the regular trading day on the NYSE. For purposes of determining the Fund&#146;s net asset value per share, portfolio securities listed or traded on a nationally recognized securities exchange or traded in the U.S.&nbsp;over-the-counter
market for which market quotations </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">33 </P>


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are readily available are valued at the last quoted sale price or a market&#146;s official closing price as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. If there were no
sales that day, the security is valued at the average of the closing bid and asked prices, or, if there were no asked prices quoted on that day, then the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. If no bid or asked prices are quoted
on such day, the security is valued at the most recently available price or if the Board so determines, by such other method as the Board shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Portfolio securities traded on more than one
national securities exchange or market are valued according to the broadest and most representative market, as determined by the Investment Adviser. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Portfolio securities primarily traded on a foreign market are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on the
relevant market, but may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board if market conditions change significantly after the close of the foreign market but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued.
Debt instruments with remaining maturities of 60&nbsp;days or less that are not credit impaired are valued at amortized cost, unless the Board determines such amount does not reflect the securities&#146; fair value, in which case these securities
will be fair valued as determined by the Board. Debt instruments having a maturity greater than 60&nbsp;days for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were no asked
prices quoted on such day, the security is valued using the closing bid price. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Options are valued using market quotations. When market quotations are not readily available, options are valued from broker quotes. In
limited circumstances when neither market quotations nor broker quotes are readily available, options are valued using a Black Scholes model. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as determined by the Board. Fair valuation
methodologies and procedures may include, but are not limited to: analysis and review of available financial and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-financial</FONT> information about the company; comparisons to the valuation and changes in
valuation of similar securities, including a comparison of foreign securities to the equivalent U.S.&nbsp;dollar value ADR securities at the close of the U.S.&nbsp;exchange; and evaluation of any other information that could be indicative of the
value of the security. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund obtains valuations on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service approved by the Board. All other
investment assets, including restricted and not readily marketable securities, are valued in good faith at fair value under procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Fund&#146;s Board. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, whenever developments in one or more securities markets after the close of the principal markets for one or more portfolio
securities and before the time as of which the Fund determines its net asset value would, if such developments had been reflected in such principal markets, likely have more than a minimal effect on the Fund&#146;s net asset value per share, the
Fund may fair value such portfolio securities based on available market information as of the time the Fund determines its net asset value. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>NYSE Closings.</I>&nbsp;The holidays (as observed) on which the NYSE is closed, and therefore days upon which shareholders will not be able
to purchase or sell common shares currently are: New Year&#146;s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.&nbsp;Day, Presidents&#146; Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, and on the preceding Friday or
subsequent Monday when a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">34 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="sai453269_9"></A>BENEFICIAL OWNERS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As of July 31, 2017, the following were known to the Fund to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Fund&#146;s outstanding common
shares: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="84%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="55%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="9%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="9%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="9%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:73.55pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Name and Address of<BR>Beneficial Owner(s)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Title&nbsp;of&nbsp;Class</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Amount&nbsp;of&nbsp;Shares&nbsp;and<BR>Nature of Ownership</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Percent&nbsp;of&nbsp;Class</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>


<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">1585 Broadway</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">New York, NY 10036</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">Common</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">1,213,467</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">9.40</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="top">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">UBS Group AG</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Bahnhofstrasse 45</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">P.O. Box <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">CH-8021</FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Zurich, Switzerland</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">Common</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">850,722</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">6.59</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="top">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff" STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">First Trust Portfolios L.P.</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Wheaton, IL 60187</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">Common</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">648,716</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">5.03</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="top">%&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As of July 31, 2017, the Trustees and Officers of the Fund as a group beneficially owned less than 1% of the
Fund&#146;s outstanding common shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="sai453269_10"></A>GENERAL INFORMATION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Book-Entry-Only Issuance </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Depository
Trust&nbsp;Company (&#147;DTC&#148;) will act as securities depository for the securities offered pursuant to the Prospectus. The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC&#146;s book-entry system is based upon information obtained from
DTC. The securities offered hereby initially will be issued only as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede&nbsp;&amp; Co. (as nominee for DTC). One or more fully-registered global security certificates initially will be issued,
representing in the aggregate the total number of securities, and deposited with DTC. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized
under the New York Banking Law, a &#147;banking organization&#148; within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a &#147;clearing corporation&#148; within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code
and a &#147;clearing agency&#148; registered pursuant to the provisions of section&nbsp;17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities
transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants&#146; accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct DTC
participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust
companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly through other entities. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">35 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Purchases of securities within the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants,
which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC&#146;s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of a security, a beneficial owner, is in turn to be recorded on the direct or indirect participants&#146; records. Beneficial
owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or
indirect participants through which the beneficial owners purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial
owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in securities, except as provided herein. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">DTC has no
knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities being offered pursuant to the Prospectus; DTC&#146;s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts such securities are credited, which may or may not be the
beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct
participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Payments on the securities will be made to DTC. DTC&#146;s practice is to credit direct participants&#146; accounts on the relevant payment
date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC&#146;s records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on such payment date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such participant and not of DTC or the Fund, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of distributions to DTC is the
responsibility of the Fund, disbursement of such payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants. Furthermore each
beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights under the securities. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">DTC may discontinue providing its
services as securities depository with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Fund. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depository is not obtained, certificates representing the
securities will be printed and delivered. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Proxy Voting Procedures </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund has adopted the proxy voting procedures of the Investment Adviser and has directed the Investment Adviser to vote all proxies relating
to the Fund&#146;s voting securities in accordance with such procedures. The proxy voting procedures are attached as Appendix A. They are also on file with the SEC and can be reviewed and copied at the SEC&#146;s Public Reference Room in
Washington,&nbsp;D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(202)&nbsp;551-8090.</FONT> The proxy voting procedures are also available on the EDGAR
Database on the SEC&#146;s internet site (http://www.sec.gov) and copies of the proxy voting procedures may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">E-mail</FONT> address:
publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC&#146;s Public Reference Section, Washington,&nbsp;D.C. 20549-0102. </P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Code of Ethics </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted a Code of Ethics. This Code of Ethics sets forth restrictions on the trading activities of
trustees/directors, officers and employees of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and their affiliates. For example, such persons may not purchase any security for which the Fund has a purchase or sale order pending, or for which such trade is under
consideration. In addition, those trustees/directors, officers and employees that are principally involved in investment decisions for client accounts are prohibited from purchasing or selling for their own account for a period of seven days a
security that has been traded for a client&#146;s account, unless such trade is executed on more favorable terms for the client&#146;s account and it is determined that such trade will not adversely affect the client&#146;s account. Short term
trading by such trustee/directors, officers and employees for their own accounts in securities held by a Fund client&#146;s account is also restricted. The above examples are subject to certain exceptions and they do not represent all of the trading
restrictions and policies set forth by the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics is on file with the SEC and can be reviewed and copied at the SEC&#146;s Public Reference Room in Washington,&nbsp;D.C., and information on the operation of the Public
Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(202)&nbsp;551-8090.</FONT> The Code of Ethics is also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC&#146;s internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of the
Code of Ethics may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">e-mail</FONT> address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC&#146;s Public Reference Section,
Washington,&nbsp;D.C. 20549-0102. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Joint Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted a Joint Code of Ethics that serves as a code of conduct. The Joint Code of Ethics sets forth
policies to guide the chief executive and senior financial officers in the performance of their duties. The Joint Code of Ethics is on file with the SEC and can be reviewed and copied at the SEC&#146;s Public Reference Room in Washington,&nbsp;D.C.,
and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(202)&nbsp;551-8090.</FONT> The Joint Code of Ethics is also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC&#146;s
internet site (http://www.sec.gov), and copies of the Joint Code of Ethics may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">E-mail</FONT> address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by
writing the SEC&#146;s Public Reference Section, Washington,&nbsp;D.C. 20549-0102. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Financial Statements </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The audited financial statements included in the annual report to the Fund&#146;s shareholders for the fiscal year ended September&nbsp;30,
2016, together with the report of Tait, Weller &amp; Baker LLP thereon, are incorporated herein by reference to the Fund&#146;s annual report to shareholders. The unaudited financial statements included in the semi-annual report to the Fund&#146;s
shareholders for the six months ended March&nbsp;31, 2017 are incorporated herein by reference to the Fund&#146;s semiannual report to shareholders. All other portions of the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders are not incorporated herein
by reference and are not a part of the registration statement, the SAI, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">37 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B><A NAME="sai453269_11"></A>APPENDIX A </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND AFFILIATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>THE VOTING OF PROXIES ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Rules <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">204(4)-2</FONT> and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">204-2</FONT> under the Investment Advisers Act of
1940 and Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">30b1-4</FONT> under the Investment Company Act of 1940 require investment advisers to adopt written policies and procedures governing the voting of proxies on behalf of their clients. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">These procedures will be used by GAMCO Asset Management Inc., Gabelli Funds, LLC, Gabelli Securities, Inc., and Teton Advisors, Inc.
(collectively, the &#147;Advisers&#148;) to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by their clients, including the procedures that the Advisers use when a vote presents a conflict between the interests of the
shareholders of an investment company managed by one of the Advisers, on the one hand, and those of the Advisers; the principal underwriter; or any affiliated person of the investment company, the Advisers, or the principal underwriter. These
procedures will not apply where the Advisers do not have voting discretion or where the Advisers have agreed to with a client to vote the client&#146;s proxies in accordance with specific guidelines or procedures supplied by the client (to the
extent permitted by ERISA). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>I. Proxy Voting Committee </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Proxy Voting Committee was originally formed in April 1989 for the purpose of formulating guidelines and reviewing proxy statements within
the parameters set by the substantive proxy voting guidelines originally published in 1988 and updated periodically, a copy of which are appended as Exhibit A. The Committee will include representatives of Research, Administration, Legal, and the
Advisers. Additional or replacement members of the Committee will be nominated by the Chairman and voted upon by the entire Committee. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Meetings are held on an as needed basis to form views on the manner in which the Advisers should vote proxies on behalf of their clients. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In general, the Director of Proxy Voting Services, using the Proxy Guidelines, recommendations of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.
(&#147;ISS&#148;), Glass, Lewis&nbsp;&amp; Co., LLC (&#147;Glass Lewis&#148;) or other third-party services and the analysts of G.research, Inc., will determine how to vote on each issue. For <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-controversial</FONT>
matters, the Director of Proxy Voting Services may vote the proxy if the vote is: (1)&nbsp;consistent with the recommendations of the issuer&#146;s Board of Directors and not contrary to the Proxy Guidelines; (2)&nbsp;consistent with the
recommendations of the issuer&#146;s Board of Directors and is a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-controversial</FONT> issue not covered by the Proxy Guidelines; or (3)&nbsp;the vote is contrary to the recommendations of the Board of Directors
but is consistent with the Proxy Guidelines. In those instances, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Chairman of the Committee may sign and date the proxy statement indicating how each issue will be voted. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">38 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">All matters identified by the Chairman of the Committee, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or
the Legal Department as controversial, taking into account the recommendations of ISS, Glass Lewis or other third party services and the analysts of G.research, Inc., will be presented to the Proxy Voting Committee. If the Chairman of the Committee,
the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department has identified the matter as one that (1)&nbsp;is controversial; (2)&nbsp;would benefit from deliberation by the Proxy Voting Committee; or (3)&nbsp;may give rise to a conflict of
interest between the Advisers and their clients, the Chairman of the Committee will initially determine what vote to recommend that the Advisers should cast and the matter will go before the Committee. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>A. Conflicts of Interest. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Advisers have implemented these proxy voting procedures in order to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing their proxy voting
decisions. By following the Proxy Guidelines, as well as the recommendations of ISS, other third-party services and the analysts of G.research, the Advisers are able to avoid, wherever possible, the influence of potential conflicts of interest.
Nevertheless, circumstances may arise in which one or more of the Advisers are faced with a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest in connection with its vote. In general, a conflict of interest may arise when an Adviser
knowingly does business with an issuer, and may appear to have a material conflict between its own interests and the interests of the shareholders of an investment company managed by one of the Advisers regarding how the proxy is to be voted. A
conflict also may exist when an Adviser has actual knowledge of a material business arrangement between an issuer and an affiliate of the Adviser. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In practical terms, a conflict of interest may arise, for example, when a proxy is voted for a company that is a client of one of the Advisers,
such as GAMCO Asset Management Inc. A conflict also may arise when a client of one of the Advisers has made a shareholder proposal in a proxy to be voted upon by one or more of the Advisers. The Director of Proxy Voting Services, together with the
Legal Department, will scrutinize all proxies for these or other situations that may give rise to a conflict of interest with respect to the voting of proxies. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>B. Operation of Proxy Voting Committee </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">For matters submitted to the Committee, each member of the Committee will receive, prior to the meeting, a copy of the proxy statement, any
relevant third party research, a summary of any views provided by the Chief Investment Officer and any recommendations by G.research, Inc. analysts. The Chief Investment Officer or the G.research, Inc. analysts may be invited to present their
viewpoints. If the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department believe that the matter before the committee is one with respect to which a conflict of interest may exist between the Advisers and their clients, counsel will provide an
opinion to the Committee concerning the conflict. If the matter is one in which the interests of the clients of one or more of the Advisers may diverge, counsel will so advise and the Committee may make different recommendations as to different
clients. For any matters where the recommendation may trigger appraisal rights, counsel will provide an opinion concerning the likely risks and merits of such an appraisal action. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Each matter submitted to the Committee will be determined by the vote of a majority of the members present at the meeting. Should the vote
concerning one or more recommendations be tied in a vote of the Committee, the Chairman of the Committee will cast the deciding vote. The Committee will notify the proxy department of its decisions and the proxies will be voted accordingly. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Although the Proxy Guidelines express the normal preferences for the voting of any shares not covered by a contrary investment guideline
provided by the client, the Committee is not bound by the preferences set forth in the Proxy Guidelines and will review each matter on its own merits. The Advisers subscribe to ISS and Glass Lewis, which supply current information on companies,
matters being voted on, regulations, trends in proxy voting and information on corporate governance issues. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">39 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If the vote cast either by the analyst or as a result of the deliberations of the Proxy Voting
Committee runs contrary to the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the issuer, the matter will be referred to legal counsel to determine whether an amendment to the most recently filed Schedule 13D is appropriate. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>II. Social Issues and Other Client Guidelines </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If a client has provided special instructions relating to the voting of proxies, they should be noted in the client&#146;s account file and
forwarded to the proxy department. This is the responsibility of the investment professional or sales assistant for the client. In accordance with Department of Labor guidelines, the Advisers&#146; policy is to vote on behalf of ERISA accounts in
the best interest of the plan participants with regard to social issues that carry an economic impact. Where an account is not governed by ERISA, the Advisers will vote shares held on behalf of the client in a manner consistent with any individual
investment/voting guidelines provided by the client. Otherwise the Advisers may abstain with respect to those shares. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Specific to the
Gabelli ESG Fund, the Proxy Voting Committee will rely on the advice of the portfolio managers of the Gabelli ESG Fund to provide voting recommendations on the securities held in the portfolio. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>III. Client Retention of Voting Rights </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If a client chooses to retain the right to vote proxies or if there is any change in voting authority, the following should be notified by the
investment professional or sales assistant for the client. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Operations </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Proxy Department </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Investment professional assigned to the account </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In the event that the Board of Directors (or
a Committee thereof) of one or more of the investment companies managed by one of the Advisers has retained direct voting control over any security, the Proxy Voting Department will provide each Board Member (or Committee member) with a copy of the
proxy statement together with any other relevant information including recommendations of ISS or other third-party services. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>IV.
Proxies of Certain <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-U.S.</FONT> Issuers </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Proxy voting in certain countries requires
&#147;share-blocking.&#148; Shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting with a designated depository. During the period in which the shares are held with a depository, shares that will
be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares are returned to the clients&#146; custodian. Absent a compelling reason to the contrary, the Advisers believe that the benefit to the client of exercising the
vote is outweighed by the cost of voting and therefore, the Advisers will not typically vote the securities of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-U.S.</FONT> issuers that require share-blocking. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, voting proxies of issuers in <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-US</FONT> markets may also give rise to a number of
administrative issues to prevent the Advisers from voting such proxies. For example, the Advisers may receive the notices for shareholder meetings without adequate time to consider the proposals in the proxy or after the <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">cut-off</FONT> date for voting. In these cases, the Advisers will look at Glass Lewis or other third-party service for recommendations on how to vote. Other markets require the Advisers to provide local agents with power
of attorney prior to implementing their respective voting instructions on the proxy. Although it is the Advisers&#146; policies to vote the proxies for its clients for which they have proxy voting authority, in the case of issuers in <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-US</FONT> markets, we vote client proxies on a best efforts basis. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">40 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>V. Voting Records </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Proxy Voting Department will retain a record of matters voted upon by the Advisers for their clients. The Advisers will supply information
on how they voted a client&#146;s proxy upon request from the client. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The complete voting records for each registered investment company
(the &#147;Fund&#148;) that is managed by the Advisers will be filed on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">N-PX</FONT> for the twelve months ended June&nbsp;30th, no later than August&nbsp;31st of each year. A description of the Fund&#146;s proxy
voting policies, procedures, and how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by (i)&nbsp;calling <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">800-GABELLI</FONT> <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(800-422-3554);</FONT></FONT> (ii)&nbsp;writing to Gabelli Funds, LLC at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422; or (iii)&nbsp;visiting the SEC&#146;s website at www.sec.gov. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Advisers&#146; proxy voting records will be retained in compliance with Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">204-2</FONT> under the
Investment Advisers Act. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>VI. Voting Procedures </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">1. Custodian banks, outside brokerage firms and clearing firms are responsible for forwarding proxies directly to the Advisers. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Proxies are received in one of two forms: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Shareholder Vote Instruction Forms (&#147;VIFs&#148;)&#151;Issued by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (&#147;Broadridge&#148;). Broadridge is an outside service contracted by the various institutions to issue proxy
materials. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Proxy cards which may be voted directly. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">2. Upon receipt of the proxy, the number of shares each form
represents is logged into the proxy system, electronically or manually, according to security. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">3. Upon receipt of instructions from the proxy committee,
the votes are cast and recorded for each account. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Records have been maintained on the ProxyEdge system. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">ProxyEdge records include: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Security Name and Cusip Number </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Date and Type of Meeting (Annual, Special, Contest) </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Client Name </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Adviser or Fund
Account Number </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Directors&#146; Recommendation </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">How the Adviser voted for the client on item </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">4.
VIFs are kept alphabetically by security. Records for the current proxy season are located in the Proxy Voting Department office. In preparation for the upcoming season, files are transferred to an offsite storage facility during January/February.
</P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">41 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">5. If a proxy card or VIF is received too late to be voted in the conventional matter, every attempt is made to
vote including: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">When a solicitor has been retained, the solicitor is called. At the solicitor&#146;s direction, the proxy is faxed or sent electronically. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">In some circumstances VIFs can be faxed or sent electronically to Broadridge up until the time of the meeting. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">6. In the case of a proxy contest, records are maintained for each opposing entity. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">7. Voting in Person </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">a) At times it may be necessary to vote the
shares in person. In this case, a &#147;legal proxy&#148; is obtained in the following manner: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Banks and brokerage firms using the services at Broadridge: </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Broadridge is notified that we
wish to vote in person. Broadridge issues individual legal proxies and sends them back via email or overnight (or the Adviser can pay messenger charges). A lead-time of at least two weeks prior to the meeting is needed to do this. Alternatively, the
procedures detailed below for banks not using Broadridge may be implemented. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Banks and brokerage firms issuing proxies directly: </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The bank is called and/or faxed and a
legal proxy is requested. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">All legal proxies should appoint: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>&#147;Representative of [Adviser name] with full power of substitution.&#148; </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">b) The legal proxies are given to the person attending the meeting along with the limited power of attorney. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">42 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Appendix A </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proxy Guidelines </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PROXY
VOTING GUIDELINES </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>General Policy Statement </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">It is the policy of GAMCO Investors, Inc, and its affiliated advisers (collectively &#147;the Advisers&#148;) to vote in the best economic interests of our
clients. As we state in our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights, established in May 1988, we are neither for nor against management. We are for shareholders. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">At our first proxy committee meeting in 1989, it was decided that each proxy statement should be evaluated on its own merits within the framework first
established by our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights. The attached guidelines serve to enhance that broad framework. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We do not consider any issue
routine. We take into consideration all of our research on the company, its directors, and their short and long term goals for the company. In cases where issues that we generally do not approve of are combined with other issues, the negative
aspects of the issues will be factored into the evaluation of the overall proposals but will not necessitate a vote in opposition to the overall proposals. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Board of Directors </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We do not
consider the election of the Board of Directors a routine issue. Each slate of directors is evaluated on a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">case-by-case</FONT></FONT> basis. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Factors taken into consideration include: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Historical responsiveness to shareholders </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This may include such areas as: </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Paying greenmail </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Failure to adopt shareholder resolutions receiving a majority of shareholder votes </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Qualifications </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Nominating committee in place </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Number of outside directors on the board </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Attendance at meetings </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Overall performance </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Selection of Auditors </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In general, we support the Board of Directors&#146; recommendation for auditors. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">43 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Blank Check Preferred Stock </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We oppose the issuance of blank check preferred stock. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Blank
check preferred stock allows the company to issue stock and establish dividends, voting rights, etc. without further shareholder approval. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Classified Board </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A classified
board is one where the directors are divided into classes with overlapping terms. A different class is elected at each annual meeting. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">While a classified
board promotes continuity of directors facilitating long range planning, we feel directors should be accountable to shareholders on an annual basis. We will look at this proposal on a
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">case-by-case</FONT></FONT> basis taking into consideration the board&#146;s historical responsiveness to the rights of shareholders. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Where a classified board is in place we will generally not support attempts to change to an annually elected board. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">When an annually elected board is in place, we generally will not support attempts to classify the board. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Increase Authorized Common Stock </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The request to increase the amount of outstanding shares is considered on a
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">case-by-case</FONT></FONT> basis. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Factors taken into consideration include: </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Future use of additional shares </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Stock split </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Stock option or other executive compensation plan </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Finance growth of company/strengthen balance sheet </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Aid in restructuring </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Improve credit rating </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Implement a poison pill or other takeover defense </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Amount of stock currently authorized but not yet issued or reserved for stock option plans </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Amount of additional stock to be authorized and its dilutive effect </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We will support this proposal if a
detailed and verifiable plan for the use of the additional shares is contained in the proxy statement. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Confidential Ballot
</I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We support the idea that a shareholder&#146;s identity and vote should be treated with confidentiality. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">However, we look at this issue on a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">case-by-case</FONT></FONT> basis. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">44 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In order to promote confidentiality in the voting process, we endorse the use of independent Inspectors of
Election. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Cumulative Voting </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In general, we support cumulative voting. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Cumulative voting is
a process by which a shareholder may multiply the number of directors being elected by the number of shares held on record date and cast the total number for one candidate or allocate the voting among two or more candidates. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Where cumulative voting is in place, we will vote against any proposal to rescind this shareholder right. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Cumulative voting may result in a minority block of stock gaining representation on the board. When a proposal is made to institute cumulative voting, the
proposal will be reviewed on a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">case-by-case</FONT></FONT> basis. While we feel that each board member should represent all shareholders, cumulative voting provides minority
shareholders an opportunity to have their views represented. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Director Liability and Indemnification </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We support efforts to attract the best possible directors by limiting the liability and increasing the indemnification of directors, except in the case of
insider dealing. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Equal Access to the Proxy </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The SEC&#146;s
rules provide for shareholder resolutions. However, the resolutions are limited in scope and there is a 500 word limit on proponents&#146; written arguments. Management has no such limitations. While we support equal access to the proxy, we would
look at such variables as length of time required to respond, percentage of ownership, etc. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Fair Price Provisions </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Charter provisions requiring a bidder to pay all shareholders a fair price are intended to prevent <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">two-tier</FONT> tender
offers that may be abusive. Typically, these provisions do not apply to board-approved transactions. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We support fair price provisions because we feel all
shareholders should be entitled to receive the same benefits. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Reviewed on a
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">case-by-case</FONT></FONT> basis. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Golden Parachutes </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Golden parachutes are severance payments to top executives who are terminated or demoted after a takeover. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We support any proposal that would assure management of its own welfare so that they may continue to make decisions in the best interest of the company and
shareholders even if the decision results in them losing their job. We do not, however, support excessive golden parachutes. Therefore, each proposal will be decided on a
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">case-by-</FONT></FONT> case basis. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">45 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Anti-Greenmail Proposals </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We do not support greenmail. An offer extended to one shareholder should be extended to all shareholders equally across the board. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Limit Shareholders&#146; Rights to Call Special Meetings </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We support the right of shareholders to call a special meeting. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Consideration of Nonfinancial Effects of a Merger </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This proposal releases the directors from only looking at the financial effects of a merger and allows them the opportunity to consider the merger&#146;s
effects on employees, the community, and consumers. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As a fiduciary, we are obligated to vote in the best economic interests of our clients. In general,
this proposal does not allow us to do that. Therefore, we generally cannot support this proposal. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Reviewed on a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">case-by-case</FONT></FONT> basis. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Mergers, Buyouts, Spin-Offs, Restructurings </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Each of the above is considered on a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">case-by-case</FONT></FONT> basis. According to the
Department of Labor, we are not required to vote for a proposal simply because the offering price is at a premium to the current market price. We may take into consideration the long term interests of the shareholders. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Military Issues </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Shareholder
proposals regarding military production must be evaluated on a purely economic set of criteria for our ERISA clients. As such, decisions will be made on a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">case-by-case</FONT></FONT>
basis. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In voting on this proposal for our <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-ERISA</FONT> clients, we will vote according to the client&#146;s
direction when applicable. Where no direction has been given, we will vote in the best economic interests of our clients. It is not our duty to impose our social judgment on others. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Northern Ireland </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Shareholder
proposals requesting the signing of the MacBride principles for the purpose of countering the discrimination of Catholics in hiring practices must be evaluated on a purely economic set of criteria for our ERISA clients. As such, decisions will be
made on a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">case-by-case</FONT></FONT> basis. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In voting on this proposal for our <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-ERISA</FONT> clients, we will vote according to client direction when applicable. Where no direction has been given, we will vote in the best economic interests of our clients. It is not our duty to impose our social
judgment on others. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">46 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Opt Out of State Anti-Takeover Law </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This shareholder proposal requests that a company opt out of the coverage of the state&#146;s takeover statutes. Example: Delaware law requires that a buyer
must acquire at least 85% of the company&#146;s stock before the buyer can exercise control unless the board approves. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We consider this on a <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">case-by-case</FONT></FONT> basis. Our decision will be based on the following: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">State of Incorporation </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Management history of responsiveness to shareholders </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Other mitigating factors </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Poison Pill </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In general, we do not endorse poison pills. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In certain cases
where management has a history of being responsive to the needs of shareholders and the stock is very liquid, we will reconsider this position. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Reincorporation </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Generally, we
support reincorporation for well-defined business reasons. We oppose reincorporation if proposed solely for the purpose of reincorporating in a state with more stringent anti-takeover statutes that may negatively impact the value of the stock. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Stock Incentive Plans </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Director
and Employee Stock incentive plans are an excellent way to attract, hold and motivate directors and employees. However, each incentive plan must be evaluated on its own merits, taking into consideration the following: </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Dilution of voting power or earnings per share by more than 10%. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Kind of stock to be awarded, to whom, when and how much. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Method of payment. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Amount of stock already authorized but not yet issued under existing stock plans. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The successful steps taken by management to maximize shareholder value. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Supermajority
Vote Requirements </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Supermajority vote requirements in a company&#146;s charter or bylaws require a level of voting approval in excess of a simple
majority of the outstanding shares. In general, we oppose supermajority-voting requirements. Supermajority requirements often exceed the average level of shareholder participation. We support proposals&#146; approvals by a simple majority of the
shares voting. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">47 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Limit Shareholders Right to Act by Written Consent </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Written consent allows shareholders to initiate and carry on a shareholder action without having to wait until the next annual meeting or to call a special
meeting. It permits action to be taken by the written consent of the same percentage of the shares that would be required to effect proposed action at a shareholder meeting. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Reviewed on a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">case-by-case</FONT></FONT> basis. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;Say-on-Pay&#148;</FONT></FONT> /
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;Say-When-on-Pay&#148;</FONT></FONT></FONT> /
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;Say-on-Golden-Parachutes&#148;</FONT></FONT> </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Required
under the Dodd-Frank Act; these proposals are <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-binding</FONT> advisory votes on executive compensation. We will generally vote with the Board of Directors&#146; recommendation(s) on advisory votes on executive
compensation <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(&#147;Say-on-Pay&#148;),</FONT></FONT> advisory votes on the frequency of voting on executive compensation <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(&#147;Say-When-on-Pay&#148;)</FONT></FONT></FONT> and advisory votes relating to extraordinary transaction executive compensation <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(&#147;Say-on-Golden-Parachutes&#148;).</FONT></FONT> In those instances when we believe that it is in our clients&#146; best interest, we may abstain or vote against executive compensation and/or the frequency of votes on
executive compensation and/or extraordinary transaction executive compensation advisory votes. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Proxy Access </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We generally believe that proxy access is a useful tool to promote board accountability by requiring that a company&#146;s proxy materials
contain not only the names of management nominees, but also any candidates nominated by long-term shareholders holding at least a certain stake in the company. We will review proposals regarding proxy access on a case by case basis taking into
account the provisions of the proposal, the company&#146;s current governance structure, the successful steps taken by management to maximize shareholder value, as well as other applicable factors. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">48 </P>

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