High Income Securities Fund
12/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/16/2024 14:19
Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A)
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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[X]
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
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HIGH INCOME SECURITIES FUND
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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[X]
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No fee required.
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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(1)
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2)
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3)
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4)
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5)
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Total fee paid:
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by the registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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(1)
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Amount Previously Paid:
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(2)
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3)
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Filing Party:
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(4)
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Date Filed:
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High Income Securities Fund
(New York Stock Exchange Trading Symbol: PCF)
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD DECEMBER 27, 2024
Important Notice regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to Be Held on December 27, 2024: The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement are available on the Internet at www.highincomesecuritiesfund.com.
To the Shareholders:
Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting (the "Meeting") of shareholders (herein referred to as "shareholders") of High Income Securities Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), will be held on December 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, at the offices of Bulldog Investors, Park 80 West, 250 Pehle Avenue, Suite 708, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663, for the following purposes:
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(1)
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To elect seven Trustees to serve until the Fund's Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2025 and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified (Proposal 1);
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(2)
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To convert the Fund to an open-end investment company (Proposal 2); and
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(3) |
To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
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The Board of Trustees has fixed the close of business on December 13, 2024 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. The stock transfer books will not be closed.
Copies of the Fund's most recent annual and semi-annual report may be ordered free of charge by any Shareholder by writing to the Fund c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, or by telephone at 1-877-607-0414. The Fund's most recent annual report was mailed to shareholders on November 8, 2024.
You are entitled to vote at the Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof if you owned shares of the Fund at the close of business on December 13, 2024. If you attend the Meeting, you may vote your shares in person. Whether or not you expect to attend the Meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage paid envelope so that a quorum will be present and a maximum number of shares may be voted. You may change your vote at any time by submitting a later-dated proxy or by voting at the Meeting.
By order of the Board of Trustees,
Phillip Goldstein
Chairman of the Board
Chairman of the Board
December 17, 2024
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, PLEASE FILL IN, DATE,
SIGN AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED REPLY ENVELOPE. YOUR
PROMPT RESPONSE WILL ASSURE A QUORUM AT THE MEETING.
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Your vote is important no matter how many shares you own
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Please indicate your voting instructions on the enclosed proxy card, date and sign it, and return it in the postage paid envelope provided. If you sign, date and return the proxy card but give no voting instructions, your shares: (i) will be voted "FOR" the proposal to elect the persons named therein as Trustees (i.e., Proposal 1); (ii) will "ABSTAIN" from voting on the proposal to convert the Fund to an open-end investment company (i.e., Proposal 2) and (iii) will be voted in the proxies' discretion, on any other business that may properly arise at the Meeting. In order to avoid the additional expense to the Fund of further solicitation, we ask your cooperation in mailing in your enclosed proxy card promptly.
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Instructions for signing proxy cards
The following general guidelines for signing proxy cards may be of assistance to you and avoid the time and expense to the Fund in validating your vote if you fail to sign your proxy card properly.
1. Individual accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the proxy card.
2. Joint accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to the name shown in the registration on the proxy card.
3. All other accounts: The capacity of the individual signing the proxy card should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example:
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Registration
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Valid signature
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Corporate accounts
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(1) ABC Corp.
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ABC Corp.
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John Doe, treasurer
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(2) ABC Corp.
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John Doe, treasurer
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(3) ABC Corp. c/o John Doe, treasurer
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John Doe
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(4) ABC Corp. profit sharing plan
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John Doe, trustee
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Partnership accounts
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(1) The XYZ partnership
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Jane B. Smith, partner
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(2) Smith and Jones, limited partnership
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Jane B. Smith, general partner
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Trust accounts
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(1) ABC trust account
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Jane B. Doe, trustee
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(2) Jane B. Doe, trustee u/t/d 12/18/78
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Jane B. Doe
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Custodial or estate accounts
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(1) John B. Smith, Cust. f/b/o
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John B. Smith, Jr. UGMA/UTMA
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John B. Smith
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(2) Estate of John B. Smith
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John B. Smith, Jr., executor
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High Income Securities Fund
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, 4th Floor
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
PROXY STATEMENT
Introduction
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on December 27, 2024
This proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") is furnished to the shareholders of High Income Securities Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund") in connection with the solicitation by the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Board") of proxies to be used at the annual meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders of the Fund to be held on December 27, 2024, 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, at the offices of Bulldog Investors, Park 80 West, 250 Pehle Avenue, Suite 708, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663, or any adjournment or postponement thereof. This Proxy Statement and the related proxy card will first be mailed to shareholders on or about December 17, 2024 and an electronic copy will be available at www.highincomesecuritiesfund.com.
Quorum. The presence, in person or by proxy, of shareholders owning at least thirty percent (30%) of the shares entitled to vote on December 13, 2024 shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting.
Required Vote for Adoption of Proposals. Proposal 1 (to elect the Trustees) requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast, i.e., the nominees receiving the most votes will be elected. Each nominee that receives at least one affirmative vote will be elected.
Proposal 2 (to convert the Fund to an open-end investment company) requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding shares.
As otherwise used herein, "shares" means all of the outstanding transferable units of interest into which the beneficial interest in the Fund shall be divided into from time to time. The owner of each full share is entitled to one vote, and each fractional share is entitled to a proportionate share of one vote.
A broker non-vote occurs when the broker returns a properly executed proxy for shares held by the broker for a customer but does not vote on a matter because the broker does not have discretionary voting authority and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted as shares present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Meeting. With respect to Proposal 1, neither abstentions nor broker non-votes have an effect on the outcome of the proposal. With respect to Proposal 2, abstentions and broker non-votes have the effect of votes against the proposal.
The individuals named as proxies on the enclosed proxy card will vote in accordance with your direction as indicated thereon if your proxy card is received properly executed by you or by your duly appointed agent or attorney-in-fact. If you give no voting instructions, your shares will be voted FOR Proposal 1, will ABSTAIN on Proposal 2, and will be voted in the proxies' discretion, either FOR or AGAINST any other business that may properly be presented at the Meeting (e.g., adjourning the Meeting to a later date).
You may revoke any proxy card by (i) submitting a written notice of revocation to the Fund prior to the Meeting being convened, (ii) by properly executing and submitting a later-dated proxy, or (iii) by attending the annual meeting and voting in person. If your shares are held in street name through a bank, broker or other financial intermediary, please check your voting instruction form or contact your bank, broker or other financial intermediary for instructions on how to change or revoke your vote.
Your vote is being solicited by the board of trustees of the Fund. The cost of soliciting these proxies will be borne by the Fund. The Fund will reimburse brokerage firms and others for their expenses in forwarding proxy materials to the beneficial owners and soliciting them to execute proxies.
The trustees and officers of the Fund, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the stock transfer agent to the Fund, and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, the administrator to the Fund, may be involved in the solicitation of proxies. The Fund does not reimburse such persons for the solicitation of proxies. The Fund expects that the solicitation will be primarily by mail, but also may include telephone, electronic, oral or other means of communication. The cost of soliciting the proxies will be borne by the Fund.
As of the record date, December 13, 2024, the Fund had outstanding 18,716,450 shares.
No Appraisal Rights. Shareholders who object to any proposal in this proxy statement will not be entitled under Massachusetts law or the Fund's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust to demand payment for, or an appraisal of, their shares.
The Fund's annual report containing financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2024 has previously been mailed to shareholders. Shareholders may request, without charge, additional copies of the Fund's annual report, the most recent semi-annual report preceding such annual report by writing the Fund, c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, 777 East Wisconsin Avenue, 4th Floor, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202. These reports are also available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Fund's most recent annual report was mailed to Stockholders on or about November 8, 2024.
Board Recommendation
With respect to Proposal 1, the Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote to elect the nominees named herein as Trustees. The Board makes no recommendation regarding how the shareholders should vote with respect to Proposal 2.
PROPOSAL 1.
TO ELECT SEVEN TRUSTEES TO SERVE UNTIL THE FUND'S ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS IN 2025 AND UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS HAVE BEEN DULY ELECTED AND QUALIFIED
TO ELECT SEVEN TRUSTEES TO SERVE UNTIL THE FUND'S ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS IN 2025 AND UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS HAVE BEEN DULY ELECTED AND QUALIFIED
The Board of Trustees currently consists of seven members. At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to vote for the re-election of Messrs. Phillip Goldstein, Andrew Dakos, Rajeev Das, Richard Dayan, Gerald Hellerman, Ben H. Harris, and Moritz Sell, as trustees to serve until the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders or thereafter until each of their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each nominee has indicated that he will serve if elected. If any nominee should become unable to serve, the proxyholders will vote for his replacement if nominated by the Board.
Required Vote. Each Trustee must be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shareholders. All nominees receiving a plurality of the votes cast will be elected as Trustees of the Fund. Under a plurality vote, if a quorum is established, the seven candidates who receive the highest number of "For" votes will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as shares present for quorum purposes, but otherwise will have no effect on the plurality vote required for each Trustee.
Trustees and Officers
Set forth below are the Trustees, nominees for Trustees and officers of the Fund, and their respective ages, business addresses, positions and terms of office, principal occupations during the past five years, and other directorships held by them on December 1, 2024. Messrs. Hellerman, Sell, Dayan and Harris are each not considered an "interested person" of the Fund within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (each an "Independent Trustee"). Messrs. Dakos, Goldstein and Das are each considered an "interested person" of the Fund (each an "Interested Trustee") because of their affiliation with Bulldog Investors, LLP (the "Adviser") and, in the case of Messrs. Dakos and Goldstein, their positions as officers of the Fund. To our knowledge, there have been no legal proceedings that are material to an evaluation of the ability or integrity of any nominee, trustee or officer of the Fund within the past ten years and none are pending. Each nominee may be contacted by writing to him c/o High Income Securities Fund, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
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Name, Address and Age
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Position(s) with the Fund
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Term of Office And Length of Time Served
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Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years |
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee*
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Other Directorships held by
Nominee During the Past Five Years |
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INTERESTED TRUSTEE NOMINEES
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Andrew Dakos (58)
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President
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1 Year; Since 2018
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Partner of the Adviser since 2009; Partner of Ryan Heritage, LLP since 2019; a Principal of the former general partner of several private investment partnerships in the Bulldog Investors group of private funds.
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1
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Director, Special Opportunities Fund, Inc.; Chairman, Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.; Director, Brookfield DTLA Fund Office Trust Investor, Inc.; Director, BNY Mellon Municipal Income Inc.; Trustee, Crossroads Liquidating Trust (until 2020)
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Phillip Goldstein (79)
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Chairman and Secretary
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1 Year; Since 2018
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Partner of the Adviser since 2009; Partner of Ryan Heritage, LLP since 2019; a Principal of the former general partner of several private investment partnerships in the Bulldog Investors group of private funds.
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1
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Chairman, The Mexico Equity & Income Fund, Inc.; Chairman, Special Opportunities Fund, Inc.; Director, Brookfield DTLA Fund Office Trust Investor Inc.; Director, Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.; Director, BNY Mellon Municipal Income Inc.; Trustee, Crossroads Liquidating Trust (until 2020); Director, MVC Capital, Inc. (until 2020).
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Rajeev Das (55)
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--
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1 Year; Since 2018
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Since 2004, Mr. Das has been a Principal of the entities previously serving as the general partner of the private investment partnerships in the Bulldog Investors group of investment funds; Head Trader of the Adviser since its inception in 2009, and Principal of Ryan Heritage, LLP, an affiliate of the Adviser; Secretary of the Swiss Helvetia Fund; Vice President of Special Opportunities Fund, Inc.
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1
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Director, The Mexico Equity & Income Fund, Inc.
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INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE NOMINEES
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Gerald Hellerman (87)
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1 Year; Since 2018
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Chief Compliance Officer of The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc. and Special Opportunities Fund, Inc. (through March 2020)
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1
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Director, The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc.; Director, Special Opportunities Fund, Inc.; Director, Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.; Trustee, Fiera Capital Series Trust; (until August 2023); Director, MVC Capital, Inc. (until 2020); Trustee, Crossroads Liquidating Trust (until 2020).
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Moritz Sell (57)
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--
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1 Year; Since 2018
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Founder and Principal of Edison Holdings GmbH and Senior Advisor to Markston International LLC (through December 2020).
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1
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Director, Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund; Director, Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.; Director, Aberdeen Global Income Fund, Inc.; Director, Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc.; Director, BNY Mellon Municipal Income Inc.; Chairman, Aberdeen Singapore Fund (until 2018); Director, Aberdeen Greater China Fund (until 2018).
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Richard Dayan (81)
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--
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1 Year; Since 2018
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Owner of Cactus Trading.
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1
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Director, Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.; Director of Emergent Capital, Inc. (until 2017).
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Ben H. Harris (55)
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--
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1 Year; Since 2018
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Chief Executive Officer of Hormel Harris Investments, LLC; Principal of NBC Bancshares, LLC; Chief Executive Officer of Crossroads Capital, Inc.; Administrator of Crossroads Liquidating Trust.
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1
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Director, Special Opportunities Fund, Inc.
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OFFICERS
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Andrew Dakos** (58)
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President
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1 Year; Since 2018
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Partner of the Adviser; Partner of Ryan Heritage, LLP since 2019; Principal of the former general partner of several private investment partnerships in the Bulldog Investors group of funds.
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n/a
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n/a
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Thomas Antonucci** (55)
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Treasurer
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1 Year; Since 2018
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Director of Operations of the Adviser and Ryan Heritage, LLP
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n/a
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n/a
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Phillip Goldstein** (79)
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Chairman and Secretary
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1 Year; Since 2018
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Partner of the Adviser; Partner of Ryan Heritage, LLP since 2019; Principal of the former general partner of several private investment partnerships in the Bulldog Investors group of funds.
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n/a
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n/a
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Stephanie Darling** (54)
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Chief Compliance Officer
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1 Year; Since 2018
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General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of Ryan Heritage, LLP, Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Swiss Helvetia Fund and Special Opportunities Fund, Inc.; Principal, the Law Office of Stephanie Darling; Editor-In-Chief, The Investment Lawyer.
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n/a
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n/a
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*
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The Fund Complex is comprised of only the Fund.
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**
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Messrs. Dakos, Goldstein, and Antonucci and Ms. Darling are each considered an "interested person" of the Fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act because of their affiliation with the Adviser and their positions as officers of the Fund.
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The Board believes that the significance of each Trustee's experience, qualifications, attributes or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience that is important for one Trustee may not have the same value for another) and that these factors are best evaluated at the Board level, with no single Trustee, or particular factor, being indicative of the Board's effectiveness. The Board currently does not have a formal diversity policy in place. The Board determined that each of the Trustees is qualified to serve as a Trustee of the Fund based on a review of the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each Trustee. In reaching this determination, the Board has considered a variety of criteria, including, among other things: character and integrity; ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided, to exercise effective business judgment in protecting shareholder interests and to interact effectively with the other Trustees, the Adviser, service providers, counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm ("independent auditors"); and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee. Each Trustee's ability to perform his duties effectively is evidenced by his experience or achievements in the following areas: management or board experience in the investment management industry or companies in other fields, educational background and professional training; and experience as a Trustee of the Fund. Information as of December 1, 2024 indicating the specific experience, skills, attributes and qualifications of each Trustee which led to the Board's determination that the Trustee should serve in this capacity is provided below. In considering whether an individual is qualified to serve as a Trustee, you should consider the experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills of such Trustee on an individual basis.
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Andrew Dakos
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Mr. Dakos has been the President and a Trustee of the Fund since 2018. Mr. Dakos has over 20 years of investment management experience. He is currently a Partner in the Adviser and Ryan Heritage, LLP, each an investment adviser registered with the SEC. He is also a principal of the former general partner of several private investment partnerships in the Bulldog Investors group of private funds. Mr. Dakos is also a director of three other closed-end funds, and one subsidiary of a large commercial real estate company.
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Phillip Goldstein
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Mr. Goldstein has been the Chairman of the Board and the Secretary of the Fund since 2018. Mr. Goldstein has over 30 years of investment management experience. He is currently a Partner in the Adviser, and Ryan Heritage, LLP, each an investment adviser registered with the SEC. He is also a principal of the former general partner of several private investment partnerships in the Bulldog Investors group of funds. Mr. Goldstein is also a director of four other closed-end funds, and one subsidiary of a large commercial real estate company.
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Rajeev Das
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Mr. Das has been a Trustee of the Fund since 2018. He has over 20 years of investment management experience and currently serves as the Head of Trading for the Adviser and Ryan Heritage, LLP, each an investment adviser registered with the SEC. In addition to the Fund, Mr. Das serves as a director of one other closed-end fund. Mr. Das is currently the vice-president of a closed-end fund, where he previously served as a director.
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Gerald Hellerman
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Mr. Hellerman has been a Trustee of the Fund since 2018. Mr. Hellerman has more than 40 years of financial experience, including serving as a Financial Analyst and Branch Chief at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Special Adviser to the U.S. Senate Antitrust and Monopoly Subcommittee and as Chief Financial Analyst at the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice for 17 years. He has served as a director of a number of public companies, including registered investment companies, and as a financial and corporate consultant during the period from 1993 to 2014.
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Moritz Sell
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Mr. Sell has been a Trustee of the Fund since 2018. Mr. Sell currently serves as Principal of Edison Holdings GmbH, a commercial real estate and venture capital firm. From 1996 to 2013, he served as a Director, Market Strategist and Head of Proprietary Trading (London Branch) of Landesbank Berlin AG and its predecessor, Landesbank Berlin Holding AG (formerly named Bankgesellschaft Berlin AG). Mr. Sell currently serves as a director of Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Swiss Helvetia Fund, Aberdeen Global Income Fund, Aberdeen Asia Pacific Income Fund and BNY Mellon Municipal Income Inc. and previously served as a director of Aberdeen Singapore Fund (including as chairman of the board) and Aberdeen Greater China Fund.
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Richard Dayan
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Mr. Dayan has been a Trustee of the Fund since 2018. Mr. Dayan has been the President and owner of Cactus Trading, an importer and exporter of clothing and accessories since 1990. Mr. Dayan formerly served for fifteen years as controller for Biltmore Textiles, a major textile company. Prior to that, he was an auditor for a public accounting firm.
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Ben H. Harris
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Mr. Harris has been a Trustee of the Fund since 2018. He has extensive experience in the management of private and public entities, highly regulated entities and corporate restructurings. In addition to the Fund, Mr. Harris is currently a director of ten private companies and one other closed-end fund.
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Specific details regarding each Trustee's principal occupations during the past five years are included in the table above. The summaries set forth above as to the experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills of the Trustees do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and do not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board as a whole than would otherwise be the case.
Board Composition and Leadership Structure. The Board currently consists of seven individuals, three of whom are Interested Trustees. The Chairman of the Board, Mr. Goldstein, is an Interested Trustee and is the Secretary of the Fund and is a principal of the Adviser. The Board does not have a lead independent trustee.
The Board believes that its structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Trustees from Adviser and other the service providers with respect to services provided to the Fund, potential conflicts of interest that could arise from these relationships and other risks that the Fund may face. The Board further believes that its structure allows all of the Trustees to participate in the full range of the Board's oversight responsibilities. The Board believes that the orderly and efficient flow of information and the ability to bring each Trustee's talents to bear in overseeing the Fund's operations is important, in light of the size and complexity of the Fund and the risks that the Fund faces. Based on each Trustee's experience and expertise with closed-end funds the Board believes that its leadership structure is appropriate and efficient. The Board and its committees review their structures regularly, to help ensure that they remain appropriate as the business and operations of the Fund, and the environment in which the Fund operates, changes.
Currently, the Board has an Audit & Valuation Committee.
Board's Role in Risk Oversight of the Fund. The Board oversees risk management for the Fund directly and, as to certain matters, through its committees. The Board exercises its oversight in this regard primarily through requesting and receiving reports from and otherwise working with the Fund's senior officers (including the Fund's President, Chief Compliance Officer and Treasurer), portfolio management and other personnel of the Adviser, the Fund's independent auditors, legal counsel and personnel from the Fund's other service providers. The Board has adopted, on behalf of the Fund, and periodically reviews with the assistance of the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer, policies and procedures designed to address certain risks associated with the Fund's activities. In addition, the Adviser and the Fund's other service providers also have adopted policies, processes and procedures designed to identify, assess and manage certain risks associated with the Fund's activities, and the Board receives reports from service providers with respect to the operation of these policies, processes and procedures as required and/or as the Board deems appropriate.
Compensation of Trustees. The Board does not have a standing compensation committee. Currently, each Independent Trustee receives an annual retainer equal to $40,000 for serving as a Trustee and attending the quarterly meetings of the Board, paid quarterly in advance. Each Trustee is entitled to receive such compensation for any partial quarter for which he serves. Effective November 8, 2024, Trustees who are "interested persons" of the Adviser do not receive any compensation for their services as Trustees and/or officers of the Fund.
The Fund does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan. No other entity affiliated with the Fund pays any compensation to the Trustees. The table below details the amount of compensation the Fund's Trustees received from the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2024.
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Aggregate
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Pension or
Retirement
Benefits
Accrued as
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Estimated
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Total Compensation From Fund
and Fund
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Trustee
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Compensation
From
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Part of
Fund
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Annual
Benefits Upon
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Complex(1)
Paid to
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Name of Trustee
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Since
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Fund
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Expenses
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Retirement
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Trustee
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Independent Trustees
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Gerald Hellerman(3)
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2018
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$55,000
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None
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None
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$55,000
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Moritz Sell(2)
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2018
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$54,000
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None
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None
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$54,000
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Richard Dayan(3)
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2018
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$51,500
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None
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None
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$51,500
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Ben H. Harris(3)
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2018
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$50,000
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None
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None
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$50,000
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Interested Trustees
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Andrew Dakos(4)
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2018
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$220,000
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None
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None
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$220,000
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Phillip Goldstein(5)
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2018
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$220,000
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None
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None
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$220,000
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Rajeev Das(6)
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2018
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$115,000
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None
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None
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$115,000
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(1)
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The Fund Complex is comprised of only the Fund.
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(2)
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Includes compensation for service as chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee ($10,000 stipend).
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(3)
|
Includes compensation for service on the Strategic Planning Committee ($7,500 stipend).
|
||||
|
(4)
|
Includes compensation for service as a Trustee, a member of the Investment Committee and an officer prior to November 8, 2024. As of November 8, 2024, Mr. Dakos will no longer receive this compensation from the Fund.
|
||||
|
(5)
|
Includes compensation for service as a Trustee, a member of the Investment Committee and an officer prior to November 8, 2024. As of November 8, 2024, Mr. Goldstein will no longer receive this compensation from the Fund.
|
||||
|
(6)
|
Includes compensation for service as a Trustee and a member of the Investment Committee prior to November 8, 2024. As of November 8, 2024, Mr. Das will no longer receive this compensation from the Fund.
|
Code of Ethics. The Fund and the Adviser have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Section 204A and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, respectively, that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to each code may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, so long as such investments are made pursuant to the code's requirements. A copy of the Fund's code of ethics is available on the Fund's website at www.highincomesecuritesfund.com. In addition, copies of both codes are available for inspection at the Public Reference Room of the SEC in Washington, D.C. Information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room is available by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Copies of the Fund's and the Adviser's codes of ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and may also be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: [email protected], or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
Management Ownership. To the knowledge of the Fund's management, as of December 1, 2024 the Trustees and officers of the Fund beneficially owned, as a group, less than 2% of the shares of the Fund's common stock. The following table sets forth the aggregate dollar range of equity securities in the Fund that is owned by each Trustee, nominee for Trustee and officer as of December 1, 2024. The information as to beneficial ownership is based on statements furnished to the Fund by each Trustee, nominee for Trustee and principal officer:
|
Name
|
Position
|
Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund
|
Aggregate Dollar
Range of Equity Securities In
All Funds
Overseen by Trustee in Family of
Investment Companies*
|
|
Gerald Hellerman
|
Independent Trustee
|
Over $100,000
|
Over $100,000
|
|
Moritz Sell
|
Independent Trustee
|
Over $100,000
|
Over $100,000
|
|
Richard Dayan
|
Independent Trustee
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
|
Ben H. Harris
|
Independent Trustee
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
|
Andrew Dakos**
|
Interested Trustee and President
|
Over $100,000
|
Over $100,000
|
|
Phillip Goldstein**
|
Interested Trustee and Secretary
|
Over $100,000
|
Over $100,000
|
|
Rajeev Das**
|
Interested Trustee
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
|
Thomas Antonucci**
|
Treasurer
|
None
|
None
|
|
Stephanie Darling**
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
None
|
None
|
|
*
|
The Family of Investment Companies is comprised of only the Fund.
|
|
**
|
Messrs. Dakos, Goldstein, Das and Antonucci and Ms. Darling are each considered an "interested person" of the Fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act.
|
Trustee Transactions with Fund Affiliates. As of December 1, 2024, none of the Independent Trustees, or members of their immediate family, owned securities beneficially or of record in the Adviser or any of its affiliates. Furthermore, over the past five years, none of the Independent Trustees nor members of their immediate family have had any direct or indirect interest, the value of which exceeds $120,000, in the Adviser or any of its affiliates. In addition, since September 1, 2022, none of the Independent Trustees nor members of their immediate family have conducted any transactions (or series of transactions) or maintained any direct or indirect relationship in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and to which the Fund, the Adviser or any of their affiliates was a party.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES, RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 1 TO ELECT EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR TRUSTEE. ANY SIGNED BUT UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE SO VOTED "FOR" THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES.
Additional Information about the Board of Trustees
Board Meetings and Committees.
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2024, the Board met 5 times. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2024, each present Trustee and nominee for Trustee attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and of the Committees of which he is a member, held since his respective election.
Audit & Valuation Committee. The Board has established an Audit & Valuation Committee whose responsibilities are generally: (i) to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Fund and its internal control over financial reporting and, as the Audit Committee deems appropriate, to inquire into the internal control over financial reporting of certain third-party providers; (ii) to oversee the quality and integrity of the Fund's financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (iii) to oversee, or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of, the Fund's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Fund's accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audits; (iv) to approve prior to appointment the engagement of the Fund's independent auditors and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Fund's independent auditors; (v) to act as liaison between the Fund's independent auditors and the full Board; (vi) review all monthly reports and any other interim reports regarding the valuation of securities in the Fund's portfolio, and (vii) review and approve the valuation of all fair valued securities.
Although the Audit & Valuation Committee is expected to take a detached and questioning approach to the matters that come before it, the review of the Fund's financial statements by the Audit & Valuation Committee is not an audit, nor does the Audit & Valuation Committee's review substitute for the responsibilities of the Fund's management for preparing, or the independent auditors for auditing, the financial statements. Members of the Audit & Valuation Committee are not full-time employees of the Fund and, in serving on the Audit & Valuation Committee, are not, and do not hold themselves out to be, acting as accountants or auditors. As such, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Audit & Valuation Committee or its members to conduct "field work" or other types of auditing or accounting reviews. In discharging their duties, the members of the Audit & Valuation Committee are entitled to rely on information, opinions, reports, or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, if prepared or presented by: (1) one or more officers of the Fund whom such Trustee reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented; (2) legal counsel, public accountants, or other persons as to matters the Trustee reasonably believes are within the person's professional or expert competence; or (3) a Board committee of which the Trustee is not a member.
The Audit & Valuation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Hellerman, Sell and Dayan. None of the members of the Audit & Valuation Committee has any relationship to the Fund that may interfere with the exercise of his independence from management of the Fund, and each is independent as defined under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") applicable to closed-end funds. Mr. Hellerman is the Chairman of the Audit & Valuation Committee. The Board has determined that Mr. Dayan is an "audit committee financial expert" as such term is defined by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Board has determined that each of Mr. Hellerman's and Mr. Sell's service on the audit committees of more than three public companies does not impair his ability to effectively serve on the Fund's Audit & Valuation Committee. The Board's Audit & Valuation Committee met 5 times during the year ended August 31, 2024.
Nominees for Trustee. The Board does not have a standing nominating committee. The full Board participates in the process of identifying and selecting qualified individuals to become Board members and members of Board committees. In nominating candidates, the Board believes that no specific qualifications or disqualifications are controlling or paramount, and that there are no specific qualities or skills necessary for each candidate to possess. In identifying and evaluating nominees for Trustee, the Board takes into consideration such factors as it deems appropriate. These factors may include: (i) whether or not the person is an "interested person" as defined in the 1940 Act, meets the independence and experience requirements of the NYSE applicable to closed-end funds and is otherwise qualified under applicable laws and regulations to serve as a member of the Board; (ii) whether or not the person has any relationships that might impair his or her independence, such as any business, financial or family relationships with Fund management or Fund service providers or their affiliates; (iii) whether or not the person is willing to serve, and willing and able to commit the time necessary for the performance of the duties of a Board member; (iv) the person's judgment, skill, diversity and experience with investment companies and other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity and size and subject to similar legal restrictions and oversight; (v) the interplay of the candidate's experience with the experience of other Board members; and (vi) the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committees thereof.
The Board will consider nominees recommended by shareholders if a vacancy occurs. In order to recommend a nominee, a shareholder should send a letter to the Chairman of the Board, c/o High Income Securities Fund, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, and indicate on the envelope "Trustee Nominee." The shareholder's letter should state the nominee's name and should include the nominee's résumé or curriculum vitae, and must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board and to serve if elected by shareholders.
Information Concerning the Fund's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Tait, Weller & Baker LLP ("Tait, Weller") audited the Fund's financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2024 and has been selected as the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2025.
A representative of Tait Weller is not expected to be present at the Meeting and therefore will not (i) have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires or (ii) be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Fees. The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by Tait Weller for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023, in each case for professional services rendered to the Fund:
|
Service
|
2024
|
2023
|
||||||
|
Audit Fees
|
$
|
32,500
|
$
|
32,500
|
||||
|
Audit-Related Fees
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
||||||
|
Tax Fees
|
3,400
|
3,400
|
||||||
|
All Other Fees
|
--
|
--
|
||||||
|
Total
|
$
|
37,900
|
$
|
37,900
|
||||
Fees included in the "audit fees" category are those associated with the annual audits of financial statements and services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.
Fees included in the "audit-related fees" category consist of services related to reading and providing comments on the Fund's semi-annual financial statements and the review of profitability report.
Fees included in the "tax fees" category comprise all services performed by professional staff in Tait Weller's tax division, except those services related to the audits. This category comprises fees for review of tax compliance, tax return preparation and excise tax calculations.
For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023, there were no fees billed by Tait Weller for other services provided to the Fund. Fees included in the "all other fees" category would consist of services related to internal control reviews, strategy and other consulting, financial information systems design and implementation, consulting on other information systems, and other tax services unrelated to the Fund.
With respect to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X, there were no audit-related fees, or tax fees that were approved by the Audit & Valuation Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023, and there were no amounts that were required to be approved by the Audit & Valuation Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023, on behalf of the Fund's service providers that relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund.
All of the services performed by Tait Weller, including audit related and non-audit related services, were pre-approved by the Audit & Valuation Committee as required under such committee's charter.
For each of the fiscal years ended August 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023, the aggregate fees billed by Tait Weller for non-audit services rendered on behalf of the Fund, the Adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that provides (or during such fiscal year provided) services to the Fund were $0.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval
The Audit & Valuation Committee charter contained the Audit & Valuation Committee's pre-approval policies and procedures. The Audit Committee Charter can be found on the Fund's website at https://highincomesecuritiesfund.com/corporate-governance/. Reproduced below is an excerpt from the Audit & Valuation Committee charter regarding such policies and procedures:
The Audit & Valuation Committee shall:
approve prior to appointment the engagement of the auditor to provide other audit services to the Fund or to provide non-audit services to the Fund, its investment adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser ("adviser affiliate") that provides ongoing services to the Fund, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit & Valuation Committee has met and held discussions with the Administrator and Tait Weller. Tait Weller represented to the Audit & Valuation Committee that the Fund's financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and the Audit & Valuation Committee has reviewed and discussed the financial statements with the Administrator and Tait Weller. The Audit & Valuation Committee also discussed with Tait Weller matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16.
Tait Weller also provided to the Audit & Valuation Committee the written disclosures required by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526 (Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence), and the Audit & Valuation Committee discussed with Tait Weller its independence, in light of the services Tait Weller is providing.
Based upon the Audit & Valuation Committee's discussion with the Administrator and Tait Weller and the Audit & Valuation Committee's review of the representations of the Administrator and the report of Tait Weller to the Audit & Valuation Committee, the Audit & Valuation Committee recommended that the Board of Trustee include the audited financial statements in the Fund's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2024, to be filed with the SEC.
Respectfully submitted,
Gerald Hellerman, Chairman
Moritz Sell
Richard Dayan
PROPOSAL 2.
TO CONVERT THE FUND TO AN OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANY.
TO CONVERT THE FUND TO AN OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANY.
What is this proposal?
Shareholders will have the opportunity to vote at the meeting on the question of whether the Fund should be converted from a closed-end fund to an open-end fund. If the conversion is approved, the Fund's shares would become redeemable directly from the Fund at NAV, eliminating any discount of market price to NAV. In order to address the organizational changes necessitated by any conversion from closed-end to open-end status, approval of this proposal would also authorize the Trustees to make such amendments to the Fund's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration of Trust") as they may deem necessary or appropriate, generally with a view to conforming the Fund's Declaration of Trust to a form typically used by open-end funds.
Why is this question being submitted to shareholders?
As described further below, as a closed-end fund, the Fund's shares are bought and sold in the securities markets at prevailing prices, which may be equal to, less than, or greater than its NAV per share. Article IX, Section 6 of the Fund's Declaration of Trust includes a requirement that Shareholders be given the opportunity to vote on a proposal to convert the Fund from closed-end to open-end status if the Fund's common shares have traded at an average discount of more than 10% from its NAV per share during the last twelve calendar weeks of the preceding fiscal year (measured as of the last trading day in each such week) (such requirement, the "Mandatory Open-End Conversion Proposal Requirement"). The average discount from NAV per share at which the Fund's shares traded for the relevant period was 11.27%, requiring this proposal to be submitted to shareholders. More recently, the discount from NAV per share at which the Fund's shares traded as of December 13, 2024 was 8.39%.
What do the Trustees recommend?
The Trustees of the Fund make no recommendation regarding this proposal. In determining to make no recommendation regarding this proposal, the Board considered that, as noted above, its inclusion as a proposal at the Meeting is required by the terms of the Fund's Declaration of Trust. The Trustees believe that each shareholder should determine how to vote with respect to this proposal.
Are any changes to the Fund currently being contemplated by the Trustees?
There are no changes to the Fund currently being contemplated by the Trustees, other than the recent changes discussed below.
At a special meeting of Fund shareholders which was scheduled to be held on October 18, 2024 and adjourned to November 8, 2024 (the "Special Meeting"), the Fund's shareholders approved (i) an investment management agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser will serves as the investment adviser of the Fund and (ii) certain changes to the Fund's investment objective, investment strategies and investment restrictions (collectively, the "Investment Changes"). The Advisory Agreement and the Investment Changes, which are effective as of November 8, 2024, are more fully described in the Fund's Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 13, 2024.
In addition, the Fund recently completed a tender offer which expired on December 9, 2024 pursuant to which it purchased 10,675,000 of the Funds' common shares of beneficial interest at a price of $7.07 per share (98% of the Fund's NAV on December 9, 2024).
What are differences between a closed-end and an open-end fund?
Shareholders evaluating this proposal may wish to consider the following:
|
•
|
Traded on Open Market. The common shares of the Fund are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, meaning that shareholders are able to trade their shares freely throughout the day in response to their individual needs and market developments. The price at which shares of an open-end fund may be purchased or redeemed is determined once daily, typically at the close of business.
|
|
•
|
Transaction costs (relating to sales and redemptions). As a closed-end fund, the Fund has a stable pool of capital, and does not experience the cash flows associated with sales and redemptions of open-end fund shares. Such cash flows can create transaction costs that are borne by long-term shareholders. These transaction costs include the costs associated with buying securities following shareholder subscriptions into the fund and the costs associated with selling securities to meet shareholder redemptions.
|
|
•
|
Assets at work. Because it is a closed-end fund, the Fund's shares are not redeemable like an open-end fund's shares. As a result, the Fund is not required to hold cash and/or short-term, lower-yielding investments in anticipation of possible redemptions, and generally can be more fully invested in securities that the Adviser believes are appropriate for the Fund. In addition, because the Fund is not engaged in a continuous offering of shares like an open-end fund, it is not required to accept cash subscriptions that may require temporary investment in cash and/or short-term, lower-yielding investments, pending investment in securities that the Adviser believes are appropriate for the Fund.
|
|
•
|
Flexibility with respect to "illiquid" securities. Because they are required to maintain the ability to honor redemption requests, open-end funds are prohibited by the 1940 Act from investing more than 15% of their assets in securities that are deemed illiquid. Closed-end funds such as the Fund are not subject to this restriction.
|
|
•
|
Annual shareholder meetings. The Fund is currently required by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange to hold annual meetings of shareholders. Conversion of the Fund to open-end status would result in termination of the Fund's listing on the New York Stock Exchange, with the result that the Fund would no longer be required to hold annual meetings.
|
|
•
|
Redemption fees. If shareholders approve a conversion to open-end status, the Trustees expect to instate a redemption fee for a period of time following conversion with the purpose of at least partly offsetting the transaction costs that may result from significant redemptions of shares. The terms of any redemption fee would be determined at a later time, but the Trustees do not expect that the fee would exceed 2% or be imposed on redemptions for a period of longer than one year following conversion.
|
|
•
|
Distribution expenses. If shareholders approve a conversion to open-end status, in order to increase assets, the Trustees would likely consider commencing a continuous offering of shares of the Fund and might also recommend, subject to shareholder approval, that the Fund adopt a distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which could be structured to permit distribution fees of up to 0.50% of net assets.
|
What changes will be made to the Fund's Declaration of Trust if shareholders vote to convert the fund to open-end status?
Effect on the Fund's Declaration of Trust. Conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end status would require certain changes to the Fund's Declaration of Trust and, therefore, a vote in favor of such conversion would also authorize the Trustees to amend the Fund's Declaration of Trust to reflect such changes. These changes would bring the Fund's Declaration of Trust in line with those of open-end funds.
The Declaration of Trust would be amended to require the Fund to purchase all shares offered to it for redemption at a price equal to the NAV of the shares next determined, less any redemption fee or other charges fixed by the Trustees. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Fund would be authorized, at its option, to redeem shares held in a shareholder's account at NAV if at any time a shareholder owned shares in an amount either less than or greater than, as the case may be, an amount determined by the Trustees. Notwithstanding this provision, all shares would be redeemable at a shareholder's option.
The Declaration of Trust would also be amended to eliminate certain provisions that relate specifically to the Fund's closed-end status, such as the conversion provision that has necessitated this proposal. In addition, if shareholders were to vote to convert the Fund to open-end status, the provision in the Fund's Declaration of Trust requiring that Trustees be elected annually at the annual shareholder meeting or at a special meeting in lieu thereof would be eliminated. The Trustees would also make certain necessary technical and non-material changes to the Declaration of Trust.
What are other changes that will be made with respect to the Fund if shareholders vote to convert the fund to open-end status?
12b-1 Plan. As a stand-alone closed-end fund, there are no current structures in place for the marketing and distribution of Fund shares. If this proposal is approved by shareholders, to support the marketing of fund shares, the Trustees might also recommend, subject to shareholder approval, that the Fund adopt a distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The plan the Trustees might recommend could provide for annual distribution fees of up to 0.50% of net assets.
Timing. If this proposal is approved by shareholders, a number of steps would be required to implement the conversion, including the preparation, filing and effectiveness of an open-end fund registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the offering of the Fund's shares (the "Open-End Registration Statement"), the establishment of distribution arrangements, and the negotiation and execution of a new or amended agreement with the Fund's transfer agent. The Fund anticipates that the conversion would become effective during the third quarter of 2025, although there is no assurance of this, and that the discount, if any, at which the Fund's shares trade in relation to its NAV would likely be reduced in anticipation of the ability to redeem shares at NAV upon the completion of the conversion. It is expected that the Fund's amended Declaration of Trust would not be filed and effective until the Open-End Registration Statement has become effective.
Shareholder Approval of Certain Items. Should the Fund convert to an open-end investment company, certain aspects of the operation of the Fund subsequent to its conversion may need to be approved by the Fund's shareholders before the effectiveness of the conversion. These matters may include, among other things, amending its current investment management agreement with the Adviser, making any changes in the Fund's fundamental investment policies, and considering the adoption of a distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
Portfolio Transitioning. If the proposal to convert to an open-end fund is approved, the Fund's portfolio of investments will be reviewed to determine whether any changes are necessary to comply with 1940 Act requirements for open-end funds. The Fund anticipates that any required changes would be made in advance of the effective date of the Fund's conversion to ensure the Fund is in compliance on the effective date. This could result in the Fund disposing of certain investments at inopportune times for unfavorable prices. As noted above, open-end funds are prohibited by the 1940 Act from investing more than 15% of their assets in securities that are deemed illiquid. As of November 1, 2024, approximately 0% of the Fund's portfolio was invested in illiquid securities. Based on the Fund's portfolio as of November 1, 2024, which is subject to change, there would be no required portfolio transitioning. The costs (including brokerage and tax) of any required portfolio transitioning will be borne by the Fund.
What are the anticipated costs to the Fund and its shareholders if the proposal to convert to an open-end fund is approved?
Certain legal, accounting and other costs would be borne by the Fund (and its shareholders) in connection with the conversion of the Fund to open-end status. These direct costs are currently estimated to be between $150,000 to $200,000, although there is no guarantee that the direct costs would fall within this range. These direct costs would be in addition to any portfolio transitioning costs (discussed above) and any ongoing additional redemption and distribution fees (discussed above) that would be incurred by the Fund's shareholders if the Fund was converted to an open-end fund.
What is the voting requirement for approving the conversion?
Approval of the conversion of the Fund to open-end status and of the related amendments to the Fund's Declaration of Trust requires the "yes" vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding shares. If approved, the conversion would become effective following compliance with all necessary regulatory requirements under federal and state law. The Fund would seek to complete this process as soon as reasonably practicable. Until the conversion, the Fund's shares would continue to be listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
If the conversion is not approved, will the Fund continue in its current form?
Yes. In the event that shareholders do not approve the conversion of the Fund to open-end status, the Fund would continue to operate as a closed-end fund.
The Trustees make no recommendation regarding how the Fund's shareholders vote with respect to the conversion of the Fund to open-end status at this time.
OTHER INFORMATION
Beneficial Ownership of Shares
Beneficial Ownership of Shares. Based solely upon a review of public filings, the Fund's management knew of the following persons who owned, as of December 1, 2024, 5% or more of the shares of the Fund.
|
Name and address of beneficial owner
|
Amount and nature of
beneficial ownership
|
Percent of
class*
|
|
Genstar Capital LLC
|
1,723,345
|
5.86%**
|
|
Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc.
|
1,552,621
|
5.28%***
|
* Percent of class is based on the number of shares outstanding as of December 1, 2024.
** Based on the most recent information (as of December 1, 2024) provided by Bloomberg L.P.
*** As reported to the SEC on Schedule 13G filed on October 2, 2024.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,
The Fund is not aware of any outstanding report required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by any trustee or officer.
Investment Adviser
At a special meeting of the Fund's shareholders scheduled on October 18, 2024 and adjourned to November 8, 2024, shareholders of the Fund approved a new investment management agreement with the Adviser. The new investment management agreement for the Fund became effective November 8, 2024. The Adviser has its principal office at Park 80 West, 250 Pehle Avenue, Suite 708, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663.
Fund Administrator
The address of the Fund's administrator, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, is 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Shareholder Proposals
The Meeting is an annual meeting of the Fund's shareholders. Any shareholder who wishes to submit proposal to be considered at the Fund's next annual meeting of shareholders in 2025 should send such proposals to the Secretary of High Income Securities Fund, c/o the Administrator, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202. Shareholder proposals must be received by the Fund no later than the close of business on August 19, 2025 to receive consideration for inclusion in the Fund's proxy materials relating to that meeting under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act. Shareholder proposals that are submitted in a timely manner will not necessarily be included in the Fund's proxy materials. Inclusion of such proposals is subject to limitations under the federal securities laws and informational requirements of the Fund's Amended and Restated Bylaws, as in effect from time to time.
In order for a shareholder to bring a proposal (other than proposals sought to be included in the Fund's proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act) before the 2025 annual meeting, such shareholder must deliver a written notice of such proposal to the Secretary of High Income Securities Fund, c/o the Administrator, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, between September 28, 2025 and October 28, 2025.
Shareholders are advised to review the Fund's Amended and Restated Bylaws, which contains additional requirements about advance notice of shareholder proposals.
Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on December 27, 2024:
The notice of annual meeting of shareholders and this Proxy Statement, along with the Fund's annual report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2024, are available free of charge at www.highincomesecuritiesfund.com.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Fund's management does not know of any other business which may come before the Meeting other than the matters set forth in this Proxy Statement, but should any other matter requiring a vote of shareholders arise, including any questions as to the adjournment of the Meeting, the proxies will vote thereon according to their discretion. Shareholders can send communications to the Board or Fund management, c/o the High Income Securities Fund, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
By order of the Board of Trustees,
Phillip Goldstein
Chairman of the Board
Chairman of the Board
December 17, 2024
|
It is important that you execute and return your proxy promptly.
|