XML 19 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.24.1.1.u2
N-2 - $ / shares
3 Months Ended
Jun. 24, 2024
Jun. 12, 2024
Mar. 31, 2024
Cover [Abstract]      
Entity Central Index Key 0001282957    
Amendment Flag false    
Entity Inv Company Type N-2    
Document Type N-2    
Document Registration Statement true    
Investment Company Act Registration true    
Investment Company Registration Amendment true    
Investment Company Registration Amendment Number 24    
Entity Registrant Name THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST    
Entity Address, Address Line One One Corporate Center    
Entity Address, City or Town Rye    
Entity Address, State or Province NY    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 10580-1422    
City Area Code (800)    
Local Phone Number 422-3554    
Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to Public From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.    
Dividend or Interest Reinvestment Plan Only false    
Delayed or Continuous Offering true    
Primary Shelf [Flag] true    
Effective Upon Filing, 462(e) false    
Additional Securities Effective, 413(b) false    
Effective when Declared, Section 8(c) false    
New Effective Date for Previous Filing false    
Additional Securities. 462(b) false    
No Substantive Changes, 462(c) false    
Exhibits Only, 462(d) false    
Registered Closed-End Fund [Flag] true    
Business Development Company [Flag] false    
Interval Fund [Flag] false    
Primary Shelf Qualified [Flag] true    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
New CEF or BDC Registrant [Flag] false    
Financial Highlights [Abstract]      
Senior Securities, Note [Text Block]

SENIOR SECURITIES

 

The information contained under the headings “Financial Highlights” and “Additional Fund Information—Summary of Fund Expenses—Selected data for a common share outstanding throughout each year” in the Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference. The information contained under such headings in the Annual Report concerning the Fund’s outstanding senior securities for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is derived from the Fund’s financial statements audited by                            , independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund, whose report on such financial statements, together with the financial statements of the Fund, are included in the Annual Report and are incorporated by reference herein.

   
General Description of Registrant [Abstract]      
Investment Objectives and Practices [Text Block]

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

 

Investment Objective and Policies

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek a consistent level of after-tax total return over the long-term with an emphasis currently on qualifying dividends. The Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets in (i) equity securities (including common stock, preferred stock, convertible stock and options on these securities) of domestic and foreign companies involved to a substantial extent (i.e., at least 50% of the assets, gross income or net profits of a company is committed to or derived from) in providing (a) products, services or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas or water, (b) infrastructure operations such as airports, toll roads and municipal services and (c) telecommunications services such as telephone, telegraph, satellite, cable, microwave, radiotelephone, mobile communication and cellular, paging, electronic mail, videotext, voice communications, data communications and internet (collectively, the “Utilities Industry”) and (ii) securities (including preferred and debt securities, as well as government obligations) of issuers that are expected to periodically pay dividends or interest. The Fund’s 80% policy is not fundamental and shareholders will be notified if it is changed. In addition, under normal market conditions, at least 25% of the Fund’s assets will consist of securities (including preferred and debt securities) of domestic and foreign companies involved to a substantial extent in the Utilities Industry. The remaining Fund assets will generally be invested in other securities that the Investment Adviser views as not being correlated with the Fund’s Utilities Industry investments. Such investments may include convertible securities, securities of issuers subject to reorganization or other risk arbitrage investments, certain derivative instruments including equity contract for difference swap transactions, other debt securities (including obligations of the U.S. Government), and money market instruments. The Fund may invest without limitation in securities of foreign issuers and will generally be invested in securities of issuers located in at least three countries, including the United States. It is anticipated that, under normal market conditions, at least 40% of the Fund’s assets will be invested in foreign securities. Foreign securities are securities of issuers based outside the United States. The Fund considers an issuer to be based outside of the United States if (1) it is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office located in, another country; (2) the principal trading market for its securities is in another country; or (3) it (directly or through its consolidated subsidiaries) derived in its most current fiscal year at least 50% of its total assets, capitalization, gross revenue or profit from goods produced, services performed or sales made in another country. The Fund may purchase sponsored ADRs or U.S. dollar denominated securities of foreign issuers, which will be considered foreign securities for purposes of the Fund’s investment policies. Typically, the Fund will not hold any foreign securities of emerging market issuers and, if it does, such securities are not expected to comprise more than 10% of the Fund’s managed assets. The Fund expects to invest in securities across all market capitalization ranges. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets 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. Securities rated below investment grade, which may be preferred shares or debt, are predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Securities that are rated lower than “BBB” by S&P, or lower than “Baa” by Moody’s or unrated securities considered by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality, are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” or “high yield” securities.

 

 

No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.

 

The information contained under the heading “Additional Fund Information—Investment Objectives and Policies” in the Fund’s Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.

   
Risk Factors [Table Text Block]

RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

 

The information contained under the heading “Additional Fund Information—Risk Factors and Special Considerations” in the Fund’s Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

HOW THE FUND MANAGES RISK

 

Investment Restrictions

 

The Fund has adopted certain fundamental investment policies designed to limit investment risk and maintain portfolio diversification. These limitations are fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (voting together as a single class). In addition, pursuant to the Statements of Preferences of the Fund’s Series A Preferred Shares and Series B Preferred Shares, a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding shares of the Fund (voting separately as a single class) is also required to change a fundamental policy. See “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI and “Additional Fund Information—Investment Restrictions” in the Annual Report 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 fundamental investment restrictions in order to obtain and maintain a desired rating on its preferred shares, if any.

 

Interest Rate Transactions

 

The Fund may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions to manage its borrowing costs, as well as to increase income. The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an interest rate swap, the Fund would agree to pay to the other party to the interest rate swap (which is known as the “counterparty”) periodically a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the fund periodically a variable rate payment that is intended to approximate the Fund’s variable rate payment obligation on its borrowings (or the Fund’s potential variable payment obligations on fixed rate preferred shares that may have certain variable rate features). In an interest rate cap, the Fund would pay a premium to the counterparty to the interest rate cap and, to the extent that a specified variable rate index exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, would receive from the counterparty payments of the difference based on the notional amount of such cap. Interest rate swap and cap transactions introduce additional risk because the Fund would remain obligated to pay interest or preferred shares dividends when due even if the counterparty defaulted. Depending on the general state of short term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at that point in time, such a default could negatively affect the Fund’s ability to make interest payments or dividend payments on the preferred shares. In addition, at the time an interest rate swap or cap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the Fund’s ability to make interest payments or dividend payments on the preferred shares. To the extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the interest rate swap or cap could decline, resulting in a decline in the asset coverage for the borrowings or preferred shares. A sudden and dramatic decline in interest rates may result in a significant decline in the asset coverage. If the Fund fails to maintain the required asset coverage on any outstanding borrowings or preferred shares or fails to comply with other covenants, the Fund may be required to prepay some or all of such borrowings or redeem some or all of these shares. Any such prepayment or redemption would likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap or cap transactions. Early termination of a swap could result in a termination payment by the Fund to the counterparty, while early termination of a cap could result in a termination payment to the Fund.

 

 

The Fund may enter into equity contract for difference swap transactions, for the purpose of increasing the income of the Fund. In an equity contract for difference swap, a set of future cash flows is exchanged between two counterparties. One of these cash flow streams will typically be based on a reference interest rate combined with the performance of a notional value of shares of a stock. The other will be based on the performance of the shares of a stock. Depending on the general state of short term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at the time a swap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction.

 

The Fund will usually enter into swaps or caps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund intends to segregate or earmark cash or liquid assets having a value at least equal to the value of the Fund’s net payment obligations under any swap transaction, marked to market daily. The Fund will monitor any such swap with a view to ensuring that the Fund remains in compliance with all applicable regulatory, investment policy and tax requirements.

 

If the Fund writes (sells) a credit default swap or credit default index swap, then the Fund will, during the term of the swap agreement, designate on its books and records in connection with such transaction liquid assets or cash with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the contract.

 

Further information on the investment objective and policies of the Fund is set forth in the SAI.

   
Share Price [Table Text Block]

Price Range of Common Shares

 

The information contained under the heading “Additional Fund Information—Summary of Fund Expenses—Market, Net Asset Value Information and Unresolved Staff Comments” in the Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference. The following table sets forth for the quarters indicated, the high and low sale prices on the NYSE per share of our common shares and the net asset value and the premium or discount from net asset value per share at which the common shares were trading, expressed as a percentage of net asset value, at each of the high and low sale prices provided.

                   
   Market Price  Corresponding Net Asset
Value (“NAV”) Per Share
  Corresponding Premium or
Discount as a % of NAV

Quarter Ended

   High  Low  High  Low  High  Low
March 31, 2024   $14.58  $13.00  $14.92  $14.13  (2.28)%  (8.00)%
   
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]      
Capital Stock [Table Text Block]

Common Shares

 

The Fund is an unincorporated statutory trust organized under the laws of Delaware pursuant to a Certificate of Trust dated as of March 8, 2004. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 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 non-assessable. Though the Fund expects to pay distributions monthly on the 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 semi-annual reports, including financial statements, to all holders of its shares. In the event of liquidation, each of the Fund’s common shares is entitled to its proportion of the Fund’s assets after payment of debts and expenses and the amounts payable to holders of the Fund’s preferred shares ranking senior to the Fund’s common shares as described below.

 

Offerings of shares require approval by the Fund’s Board. Any additional offerings of shares will require approval by the Fund’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’s common shareholders.

 

The Fund’s outstanding common shares are listed and traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “GLU.” The Fund’s common shares have historically traded at a discount to the Fund’s net asset value. Since the Fund commenced trading on the NYSE American, the Fund’s common shares have traded at a maximum discount to net asset value of (19.77)% and a maximum premium of 6.13%. The average weekly trading volume of the common shares on the NYSE American trading during the period from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 was 79,677 shares.

 

Unlike open-end funds, closed-end 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.

 

Shares of closed-end 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 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.

 

Subject to the rights of the outstanding preferred shares, the Fund’s common shares vote as a single class on election of Trustees and on additional matters with respect to which the 1940 Act, the Fund’s Declaration of Trust, By-Laws or resolutions adopted by the Trustees provide for a vote of the Fund’s common shares. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”

 

The Fund is a closed-end, non-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’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). 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.

 

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’s expense ratio. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, the Fund did not repurchase and retire any shares in the open market.

 

Book-Entry

 

The common shares will initially be held in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). The Fund will treat Cede & 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.

 

Preferred Shares

 

The 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 might be issued.

 

Currently, an unlimited number of the Fund’s shares have been classified by the Board of Trustees as preferred shares, par value $0.001 per share. The terms of such preferred shares may be fixed by the Board of Trustees and would materially limit and/or qualify the rights of the holders of the Fund’s common shares. As of December 31, 2023, the Fund had outstanding 20,349 Series A Preferred Shares and 744,411 Series B Preferred Shares.

 

Distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares, which are fixed rate preferred shares, are cumulative from the date of original issuance thereof, currently accumulate at annual rate of 3.8% of the liquidation preference of $50.00 per share, and are payable quarterly on March 26, June 26, September 26 and December 26 of each year. The Series A Preferred Shares are not rated by any rating agency. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Delaware law, the Fund may at any time upon notice 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 through the date of redemption. The Series A Preferred Shares are listed and traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “GLU Pr A.”

 

Distributions on the Series B Preferred Shares, which are fixed rate preferred shares, currently accumulate at an annual rate of 5.20% of the liquidation preference of $50 per share, are cumulative from the date of original issuance thereof, and are payable quarterly on March 26, June 26, September 26 and December 26 of each year (each, a “Dividend Payment Date”). As used herein, each period beginning on and including a Dividend Payment Date and ending on but excluding the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date is referred to as a “Dividend Period.” The Dividend Period beginning on March 26, 2019, the date of original issue, which constitutes the first Dividend Period, together with the next three Dividend Periods, are referred to herein as “Year 1,” the next four Dividend Periods are referred to as “Year 2,” and so on. The Series B Preferred Shares paid distributions at an annualized rate of 7.00% on the $50 per share liquidation preference for the quarterly dividend periods ended on or prior to December 26, 2019 (Year 1). During the last dividend period of Year 1, the Board determined that the dividend rate for the next eight quarterly dividend periods (Year 2 and Year 3) would be 4.00%. During the last dividend period occurring in Year 3, the Board determined that the dividend rate for all dividend periods thereafter will be 5.20%. The Series B Preferred Shares are not rated by any rating agency.

 

The Fund redeemed and retired 51,968 and 460.602 shares of Series B Preferred where shareholders properly submitted for redemption during the 30 day period to each of December 26, 2021 and December 26, 2023 respectively. The Fund may redeem all or any part of the Series B Preferred Shares, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, at the Liquidation Preference, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends, at any time commencing on December 20, 2023 and thereafter, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Delaware law.

 

The Series B Preferred Shares are listed and traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “GLU Pr B.”

 

If the Fund publicly issues additional fixed rate 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.

 

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’s creditors but before any distributions with respect to the Fund’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’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’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.

 

Redemption, Purchase and Sale of Preferred Shares By the Fund. The terms of any preferred shares are expected to provide that (i) 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) the Fund may tender for or purchase preferred shares and (iii) 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.

 

Rating Agency Guidelines. The Series A Preferred Shares and the Series B Preferred Shares are not rated by Moody’s and/or Fitch Ratings Inc. (“Fitch”) (or any other rating agency). Upon issuance, any new publicly issued series of preferred shares may be rated by Moody’s or Fitch, in which case the following description of rating agency guidelines would become applicable.

 

The Fund expects that it would be required under any 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, including the Series A Preferred Shares and the Series B Preferred Shares. To the extent any particular portfolio holding does not satisfy the applicable rating agency’s guidelines, all or a portion of such holding’s value will not be included in the calculation of discounted value (as defined by such rating agency). The Moody’s and Fitch guidelines would also impose certain diversification requirements and industry concentration limitations on the Fund’s overall portfolio, and apply specified discounts to securities held by the Fund (except certain money market securities).

 

The “Basic Maintenance Amount” is generally equal to (a) the sum of (i) 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) the Fund’s other liabilities (excluding dividends and other distributions payable on the Fund’s common shares) and (iii) 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) the value of the Fund’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 “Aaa,” “P-1”, “VMIG-1” or “MIG-1” by Moody’s or “AAA”, “SP-1+” or “A-1+” by S&P and are held by the Fund for distributions, the redemption or repurchase of preferred shares or the Fund’s liabilities.

 

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 any applicable rating agency or agencies then rating the preferred shares at the request of the Fund, the Fund may, and in certain circumstances would be required to, mandatorily redeem preferred shares.

 

The Fund may, but would not be required to, adopt any modifications to the rating agency guidelines that may be established by Moody’s and Fitch (or such other rating agency then rating the preferred shares at the request of the Fund) following the issuance of any such rated preferred shares. Failure to adopt any such modifications, however, may result in a change in the relevant rating agency’s ratings or a withdrawal of such ratings altogether. In addition, any rating agency providing a rating for the preferred shares at the request of the Fund may, at any time, change or withdraw any such rating. The Board, without further action by shareholders, may amend, alter, add to or repeal any provision of a Statement of Preferences that have been adopted by the Fund pursuant to rating agency guidelines if the Board determines that such amendments or modifications are necessary to prevent a reduction in, or the withdrawal of, a rating of the preferred shares and are in the aggregate in the best interests of the holders of the preferred shares. Additionally, the Board, without further action by the shareholders, may amend, alter, add to or repeal any provision of a Statement of Preferences adopted pursuant to rating agency guidelines if the Board determines that such amendments or modifications will not in the aggregate adversely affect the rights and preferences of the holders of any series of the preferred shares, provided that the Fund has received advice from each applicable rating agency that such amendment or modification would not adversely affect such rating agency’s then-current rating of such series of the Fund’s preferred shares.

 

As described by Moody’s and Fitch, any 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. Any 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. Any ratings would be based on current information furnished to Moody’s and Fitch by the Fund and the Investment Adviser and information obtained from other sources. Any ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, such information.

 

The rating agency guidelines would 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 expects that it would pay fees to Moody’s and Fitch for rating any preferred shares.

 

Asset Maintenance Requirements. In addition to the requirements summarized under, “—Rating Agency Guidelines” 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’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.

 

The Fund is and likely 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 “asset coverage” (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 60 calendar days or 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 “—Redemption Procedures” below.

 

Distributions. Holders of any fixed rate preferred shares are or will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board, out of funds legally available therefor, 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.

 

Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions for the Preferred Shares. 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 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:

 

the Fund has declared and paid (or provided to the relevant dividend paying agent) all cumulative distributions on the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares due on or prior to the date of such common shares dividend or distribution;
the Fund has redeemed the full number of preferred shares to be redeemed pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision in the Fund’s Governing Documents; and
after making the distribution, the Fund meets applicable asset coverage requirements described under “Preferred Shares—Asset Maintenance Requirements.”

 

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’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.

 

Mandatory Redemption Relating to Asset Coverage Requirements. 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:

 

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 (60 calendar days in the case of the Series A Preferred Shares and the Series B Preferred Shares); or

 

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).

 

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.

 

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 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’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’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.

 

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.

 

If fewer than all of the Fund’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.

 

Optional Redemption. 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’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 “— Redemption Procedures” below and the limitations of the Governing Documents, the 1940 Act and applicable law.

 

Redemption Procedures. If the Fund determines or is required to redeem preferred shares, it will mail a notice of redemption to holders of the shares to be redeemed. Each notice of redemption will state (i) the redemption date, (ii) the number or percentage of preferred shares to be redeemed (which may be expressed as a percentage of such shares outstanding), (iii) the CUSIP number(s) of such shares, (iv) the redemption price (specifying the amount of accumulated distributions to be included therein), (v) the place or places where such shares are to be redeemed, (vi) that dividends or distributions on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on such redemption date, (vii) the provision of the Statement of Preferences under which the redemption is being made and (viii) 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.

 

The redemption date with respect to fixed rate preferred shares will not be fewer than 30 days nor more than 60 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.

 

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.

 

Liquidation Rights. 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.

 

Voting Rights. 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.

 

In connection with the election of the Fund’s Trustees, holders of the outstanding preferred shares, voting together as a single class, will be entitled to elect two of the Fund’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) at any time dividends and distributions on outstanding preferred shares are unpaid in an amount equal to at least two full years’ 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) 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.

 

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 (i) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the preferred shares, and (ii) take any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other things, changes in the Fund’s subclassification as a closed-end investment company to an open-end company or changes in its fundamental investment restrictions. As a result of these voting rights, the Fund’s ability to take any such actions may be impeded to the extent that there are any preferred shares outstanding. Additionally, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares (as defined in the 1940 Act), voting as a separate class, will be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the provisions of the Statement of Preferences so as to in the aggregate adversely affect the rights and preferences set forth in the Statement of Preferences. The class vote 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.

 

The foregoing voting provisions will not apply to any 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.

 

Limitation on Issuance of Preferred Shares. 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’s investment objective, 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 “asset coverage” 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.

 

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’s Governing Documents and applicable law, and in the best interest of existing common shareholders.

 

Tenders and Repurchases. In addition to the redemption provisions described herein, the Fund may also tender for or purchase preferred shares (whether in private transactions or on the NYSE American) and the Fund may subsequently resell any shares so tendered for or purchased, subject to the provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents and the 1940 Act.

 

Book Entry. Preferred shares may be held in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for DTC. The Fund will treat Cede & 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 & Co. as nominee for the DTC will be deemed the beneficial owners of stock purchased for purposes of distributions, voting and liquidation rights.

   
Other Securities [Table Text Block]

Notes

 

General. 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 also 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.

 

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.

 

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:

 

the form and title of the security;

 

the aggregate principal amount of the securities;

 

the interest rate of the securities;

 

whether the interest rate for the securities will be determined by auction or remarketing;

 

the maturity dates on which the principal of the securities will be payable;

 

the frequency with which auctions or remarketings, if any, will be held;

 

any changes to or additional events of default or covenants;

 

any minimum period prior to which the securities may not be called;

 

any optional or mandatory call or redemption provisions;

 

the credit rating of the notes;

 

if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance of the notes; and

 

any other terms of the securities.

 

Interest. 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.

 

Limitations. 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.

 

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’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.

 

Events of Default and Acceleration of Maturity of Notes. Unless stated otherwise in the related Prospectus Supplement, any one of the following events will constitute an “event of default” for that series under the Indenture relating to the notes:

 

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;

 

default in the payment of the principal of, or premium on, a series of notes at its stated maturity;

 

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;

 

certain voluntary or involuntary proceedings involving us and relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws;

 

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

 

any other “event of default” provided with respect to a series, including a default in the payment of any redemption price payable on the redemption date.

 

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 non-payment 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.

 

Liquidation Rights. In the event of (a) 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) any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of us, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (c) 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.

 

Unsecured creditors of ours may include, without limitation, service providers including the Investment Adviser, 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 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.

 

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.

 

Voting Rights. 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) 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’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) 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.

 

Market. 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.

 

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form. 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 & Co., as nominee of DTC. DTC will maintain the notes in designated denominations through its book-entry facilities.

 

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.

 

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:

 

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depository and we do not appoint a successor within 60 days;

 

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

 

an event of default has occurred and is continuing.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Trustee, Transfer Agent, Registrar, Paying Agent and Redemption Agent. 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.

 

Subscription Rights

 

General. We may issue subscription rights to holders of our (i) common shares to purchase common and/or preferred shares or (ii) preferred shares to purchase preferred shares (subject to applicable law). 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.

 

The applicable Prospectus Supplement would describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered:

 

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);

 

the title of such subscription rights;

 

the exercise price for such subscription rights (or method of calculation thereof);

 

the number of such subscription rights issued in respect of each common share;

 

the number of rights required to purchase a single preferred share;

 

the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable and the market on which they may be traded if they are transferable;

 

if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;

 

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);

 

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;

 

any termination right we may have in connection with such subscription rights offering; and

 

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.

 

Exercise of Subscription Rights. 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.

 

Subscription rights would be exercisable as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. 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.

 

Subscription Rights to Purchase Common and Preferred Shares. 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, at least three rights would be required to subscribe for one common share. 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.

 

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 “unit” or “combination” and would not be listed or traded as a “unit” or “combination” on a securities exchange, such as the NYSE, at any time. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will set forth additional details regarding an offering of subscription rights to purchase common and preferred shares.

   
Outstanding Securities [Table Text Block]

Outstanding Securities

 

The following information regarding the Fund’s authorized and outstanding shares is as of June 12, 2024.

 

       Amount     
       Outstanding     
       Amount Held   Exclusive of 
   Amount   by Fund or   Amount Held 
Title of Class  Authorized   for its Account   by Fund 
Common Shares   Unlimited        5,968,911 
Series A Cumulative Puttable and Callable Preferred Shares   1,200,000        18,314 
Series B Cumulative Puttable and Callable Preferred Shares   1,370,433        744,411 
Other Series of Preferred Shares   Unlimited        0 
   
Business Contact [Member]      
Cover [Abstract]      
Entity Address, Address Line One The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust    
Entity Address, Address Line Two One Corporate Center    
Entity Address, City or Town Rye    
Entity Address, State or Province NY    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 10580-1422    
City Area Code (914)    
Local Phone Number 921-5070    
Contact Personnel Name John C. Ball    
Common Stocks [Member]      
General Description of Registrant [Abstract]      
Lowest Price or Bid     $ 13.00
Highest Price or Bid     14.58
Lowest Price or Bid, NAV     14.13
Highest Price or Bid, NAV     $ 14.92
Highest Price or Bid, Premium (Discount) to NAV [Percent]     (2.28%)
Lowest Price or Bid, Premium (Discount) to NAV [Percent]     (8.00%)
Share Price   $ 13.95  
NAV Per Share   $ 15.16  
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]      
Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block]   Common Shares  
Outstanding Security, Not Held [Shares]   5,968,911  
Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]      
Financial Highlights [Abstract]      
Preferred Stock Liquidating Preference   $ 50  
General Description of Registrant [Abstract]      
Share Price   $ 51.60  
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]      
Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block]   Series A Cumulative Puttable and Callable Preferred Shares  
Outstanding Security, Authorized [Shares]   1,200,000  
Outstanding Security, Not Held [Shares]   18,314  
Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]      
Financial Highlights [Abstract]      
Preferred Stock Liquidating Preference   $ 50  
General Description of Registrant [Abstract]      
Share Price   $ 50.54  
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]      
Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block]   Series B Cumulative Puttable and Callable Preferred Shares  
Outstanding Security, Authorized [Shares]   1,370,433  
Outstanding Security, Not Held [Shares]   744,411  
Cumulative Preferred Stocks [Member]      
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]      
Security Voting Rights [Text Block]

Voting Rights. 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.

 

In connection with the election of the Fund’s Trustees, holders of the outstanding preferred shares, voting together as a single class, will be entitled to elect two of the Fund’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) at any time dividends and distributions on outstanding preferred shares are unpaid in an amount equal to at least two full years’ 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) 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.

 

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 (i) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the preferred shares, and (ii) take any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other things, changes in the Fund’s subclassification as a closed-end investment company to an open-end company or changes in its fundamental investment restrictions. As a result of these voting rights, the Fund’s ability to take any such actions may be impeded to the extent that there are any preferred shares outstanding. Additionally, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares (as defined in the 1940 Act), voting as a separate class, will be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the provisions of the Statement of Preferences so as to in the aggregate adversely affect the rights and preferences set forth in the Statement of Preferences. The class vote 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.

 

The foregoing voting provisions will not apply to any 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.

   
Security Liquidation Rights [Text Block]

Liquidation Rights. 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.

   
Preferred Stock Restrictions, Other [Text Block]

Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions for the Preferred Shares. 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 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:

 

the Fund has declared and paid (or provided to the relevant dividend paying agent) all cumulative distributions on the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares due on or prior to the date of such common shares dividend or distribution;
the Fund has redeemed the full number of preferred shares to be redeemed pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision in the Fund’s Governing Documents; and
after making the distribution, the Fund meets applicable asset coverage requirements described under “Preferred Shares—Asset Maintenance Requirements.”

 

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’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.

   
Other Preferred Stocks [Member]      
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract]      
Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block]   Other Series of Preferred Shares  
Outstanding Security, Not Held [Shares]   0