N-1A 1 d446499dn1a.htm BLACKSTONE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUNDS Blackstone Alternative Investment Funds

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 3, 2012

Securities Act File No. 333-[            ]

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22743

 

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-1A

(CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX OR BOXES)

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933    x
  Pre-Effective Amendment No.    ¨
  Post-Effective Amendment No.    ¨

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

  THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940    x
  Amendment No.    ¨

 

 

BLACKSTONE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUNDS

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

345 Park Avenue

28th Floor

New York, New York 10154

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 583-5000

 

 

COPY TO:

 

Peter Koffler, Esq.

c/o Blackstone Alternative Investment Advisors LLC

345 Park Avenue

28th Floor

New York, New York 10154

 

James E. Thomas, Esq.

Ropes & Gray LLP

Prudential Tower

800 Boylston Street

Boston, MA 02199-3600

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)  

 

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.

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

  ¨ Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
  ¨ On [date] pursuant to paragraph (b)
  ¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
  ¨ On [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
  ¨ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
  ¨ On [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

If appropriate, check the following box:

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

Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Registrant declares that an indefinite number of its shares of common stock are being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 by this registration statement.

This filing relates solely to the Registrant’s Blackstone Alternative Multi-Manager Fund series.

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION    DECEMBER 3, 2012

Blackstone Alternative Multi-Manager Fund

a series of Blackstone Alternative Investment Funds

Class I Shares – [ticker]

Prospectus – [                ], 2012

Blackstone Alternative Investment Advisors LLC

345 Park Avenue

28th Floor

New York, New York 10154

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined whether this Prospectus is accurate or complete. Any statement to the contrary is a crime.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Investment Objective

     3   

Summary of Fees and Expenses

     3   

Principal Investment Strategies

     4   

Principal Investment Risks

     5   

Performance

     11   

Management of the Fund

     11   

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

     11   

Tax Information

     12   

Financial Intermediary Compensation

     12   

More on the Fund’s Investment Strategies, Investments and Risks

     13   

Portfolio Holdings

     28   

More on Fund Management

     28   

Shareholder Information

     30   

Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

     34   

Distribution Arrangements

     38   

Financial Highlights

     38   


BLACKSTONE ALTERNATIVE MULTI-MANAGER FUND

Investment Objective

The investment objective of Blackstone Alternative Multi-Manager Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek capital appreciation.

Summary of Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

 

     Class I Shares  

Shareholder fees

(paid directly from your investment)

  

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases

     [             ]% 

Maximum deferred sales charge (load)

     [             ]% 

Redemption fee

     [             ]% 

Annual fund operating expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

  

Management fee

     [             ]% 

Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees

     [             ]% 

Other expenses1

     [             ]% 

Subsidiary expenses, including Trading Entities’ expenses2

     [            ]%                  

Acquired fund fees and expenses1

     [             ]% 

Gross annual fund operating expenses

     [             ]% 

Fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed3

     [             ]% 

Net annual fund operating expenses after waiving fees and/or reimbursing expenses

     [             ]% 

 

1 

Based on estimates for the current fiscal year.

2

“Subsidiary expenses” include estimated fees and expenses of the Trading Entities (as defined herein) for the current fiscal year which are borne indirectly by the Fund as a result of investing in the Trading Entities through the Subsidiary (as defined herein).

3 

Through [            ], the Advisor has agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund so that the Fund’s “Specified Expenses” will not exceed [            ]% (annualized). The Fund has agreed to repay these amounts, when and if requested by the Advisor, but only if and to the extent that Specified Expenses of the Fund are less than [            ]% (annualized) within the three year period after the Advisor bears the expense. This arrangement cannot be terminated before [            ] without the consent of the Fund’s board of trustees (the “Board”). “Specified Expenses” is defined to include all expenses incurred in the business of the Fund with the exception of (i) Acquired fund fees and expenses, (ii) Subsidiary expenses, including Trading Entities’ expenses, (iii) brokerage and trading costs, (iv) interest payments (including any interest expenses, commitment fees, or other expenses related to any line of credit of the Fund), (v) taxes, (vi) dividends on short positions, (vii) expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization and (viii) extraordinary expenses (as determined in the sole discretion of the Advisor).

 

3


Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that your dividends and distributions have been reinvested. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same as those shown in the table. The [        ] year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 year

   $ [        

3 years

   $ [        

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund has not completed its first fiscal year, and therefore it does not have a portfolio turnover rate to report.

Principal Investment Strategies

Blackstone Alternative Investment Advisors LLC (the “Advisor”) seeks to achieve the Fund’s objective by allocating the Fund’s assets among a variety of non-traditional or “alternative” investment strategies, which may include:

Fundamental Strategies, which employ processes designed to identify attractive opportunities in securities of companies that are undervalued/overvalued or expected to experience high/low levels of growth, including bottom-up analysis of a company’s financial statements.

Global Macro Strategies, which focus on macroeconomic fundamentals in developing investment theses. Monetary policy shifts, fiscal policy shifts, gross domestic product growth or inflation all may be considered in developing a market view.

Opportunistic Trading Strategies, which employ processes designed to identify short-term trading opportunities, including analyzing supply/demand imbalances.

Quantitative Strategies, which employ quantitative techniques that seek gains from anticipated price movements, including models based on valuation, economic fundamentals, changes in economic environments and changes in investor sentiment.

Managed Futures Strategies, which seek to profit from movements in the global financial, commodity and currency markets by investing in futures, options and forward contracts.

Multi-Strategy Strategies, which employ a wide variety of strategies, including some or all of those described above, based upon analysis of macroeconomic variables.

As further described below, the Advisor expects, under normal market conditions, to obtain exposure to the above strategies by allocating its assets as follows:

Assets managed by Sub-Advisers: 50-100% of total assets

Assets managed directly by Advisor: up to 50% of total assets

Investment Funds: up to 25% of total assets

Subsidiary/Trading Entities: up to 25% of total assets

The Advisor expects to allocate a majority of the Fund’s assets among a number of affiliated and unaffiliated sub-advisers (the “Sub-Advisers”). The Advisor is responsible for selecting the strategies, for identifying and retaining Sub-Advisers with expertise in the selected strategies, and for determining the amount of Fund assets to allocate to each Sub-Adviser. The Advisor may adjust allocations from time to time among strategies or Sub-Advisers. The Advisor reviews a number of quantitative and qualitative factors as part of its process for selecting and monitoring Sub-Advisers, as described in “More on Fund Management – Selection of Sub-Advisers”.

 

4


Fund assets not allocated to the Sub-Advisers are managed directly by the Advisor. The Advisor expects to allocate more than 50% of the Fund’s assets to the Sub-Advisers but may manage up to 50% of the Fund’s assets directly. The Advisor may invest up to 25% of the Fund’s assets in unaffiliated hedge funds, funds traded publicly on foreign exchanges and funds that are Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (so-called “UCITS funds”) (collectively, the “Investment Funds”). A portion of the Investment Funds (no more than 15% of the Fund’s assets, taken together with any other illiquid assets held by the Fund) is expected to be “illiquid” (i.e., holdings that the Fund would not be able to sell or dispose of in the ordinary course of business within seven calendar days). The Advisor also expects to obtain for the Fund synthetic exposure to additional investment strategies through the use of one or more total return swaps through which the Fund makes payments to a counterparty (at either a fixed or variable rate) in exchange for receiving from the counterparty payments that reflect the return of an investment account or vehicle managed by a third-party investment manager selected by the Advisor.

In addition, a portion of the Fund’s assets (up to 25%) may be invested in a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”) of the Fund formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Subsidiary is advised by the Advisor and has the same investment objective as the Fund. The Advisor may retain one or more Sub-Advisers to invest the Subsidiary’s assets or the Advisor may invest the Subsidiary’s assets in one or more trading entities (the “Trading Entities”). Each Trading Entity will have a trading program managed on a discretionary basis by a different third-party manager, typically a commodity trading advisor, pursuant to the manager’s managed futures program. Each Trading Entity is wholly-owned by the Subsidiary and thus indirectly wholly-owned by the Fund. The Advisor expects that each Trading Entity will pay its manager both a management fee based on the Trading Entity’s investment exposure (which the Advisor expects will exceed the Trading Entity’s total assets) and a performance fee calculated as a percentage of the Trading Entity’s profits.

The Fund will have investment exposure, directly or indirectly through the Subsidiary, Investment Funds or Trading Entities, in a broad range of instruments, markets and asset classes economically tied to U.S. and foreign markets. Investments may include, but are not limited to, equity securities, fixed income securities and derivative and commodity instruments. The Fund may take both long and short positions in all of its investments. There is no limit on the amount of exposure the Fund may have to any specific asset class or market sector. The Fund may have significant investment leverage as a result of its use of derivatives or its investments in the Subsidiary, Investment Funds or Trading Entities.

The equity securities in which the Fund may invest include equity securities of companies of any market capitalization throughout the world (including the U.S.), which may include common stocks, convertible securities, depositary receipts, exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) and partnership interests.

The fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest include debt securities of governments throughout the world (including the U.S.) as well as their agencies and/or instrumentalities, debt securities of corporations throughout the world (including the U.S.), below investment grade debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”), commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, loan assignments and loan participations.

The derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest include futures and forward contracts; swaps, such as credit default swaps, total return swaps and/or interest rate swaps (including constant maturity swaps); and call and put options including writing (selling) calls against positions in the portfolio (“covered calls”) or writing (selling) puts. Any of these derivatives may be used in an effort to gain economic exposure to one or more alternative investment strategies, to enhance returns or to hedge the Fund’s positions by managing or adjusting the risk profile of the Fund or its individual positions.

Principal Investment Risks

An investment in the Fund should be considered a speculative investment that entails substantial risks; you may lose part or all of your investment or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. An investment in the Fund should be viewed only as part of an overall investment program. No assurance can be given

 

5


that the Fund’s investment program will be successful. The following is a summary description of the principal risks of investing in the Fund, including the indirect risks associated with the Fund’s investments in Investment Funds and the Subsidiary, as well as the Subsidiary’s investments in Trading Entities.

As applicable, references to the “Fund” shall mean any one or more of the Investment Funds, the Trading Entities, the Subsidiary and the Fund and references to a “manager” shall mean any one or more of the Advisor, the Sub-Advisers and the advisers to the Investment Funds and Trading Entities.

 

   

Activist Strategies Risk. The Fund may purchase securities of a company which is the subject of a proxy contest in the expectation that new management will cause the price of the company’s securities to increase. If the proxy contest, or the new management, is not successful, the market price of the company’s securities will typically fall.

 

   

Allocation Risk. The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment goal depends upon the Advisor’s skill in determining the Fund’s strategic asset class allocation and in selecting the best mix of Sub-Advisers, Investment Funds and Trading Entities. The value of your investment may decrease if the Advisor’s judgment about the attractiveness, value or market trends affecting a particular asset class, investment style, manager, Investment Fund, Trading Entity or other issuer is incorrect.

 

   

Arbitrage Strategies Risk. The Fund may purchase securities at prices only slightly below the anticipated value to be paid or exchanged for such securities in a merger, exchange offer or cash tender offer, and substantially above the prices at which such securities traded immediately prior to announcement of the transaction. If there is a perception that the proposed transaction will not be consummated or will be delayed, the market price of the security may decline sharply.

 

   

Bank Debt Risk. The Fund may invest in bank loans and participations. Risks associated with these obligations include, but are not limited to, risks involving the enforceability of security interests and loan transactions, inadequate collateral, liabilities relating to collateral securing obligations, and to the liquidity of these loans. The market for corporate loans may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. The corporate loans in which the Fund invests may be rated below investment grade.

 

   

Borrowing Risk. The Fund may borrow money (or engage in transactions that are economically similar to borrowing money) to fund investments, to satisfy redemptions or to obtain investment exposure to various markets or investment styles, which may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund’s return. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. Borrowing also may cause the Fund to be leveraged.

 

   

Collateralized Debt Obligations Risk. Collateralized debt obligations are subject to credit, interest rate, valuation, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying asset.

 

   

Commodities-Related Investments Risk. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in market movements, volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity.

 

   

Conflicts of Interest Risk. The Advisor will have conflicts of interests which could interfere with its management of the Fund. For example, the Advisor (or its affiliates) may manage other investment funds or have other clients that may be similar to, or overlap with, the investment objective and strategy of the Fund, creating potential conflicts of interest in investment decisions regarding investments that may be appropriate for the Fund and the Advisor’s other clients. In addition, the activities in which the Advisor and its affiliates are involved may limit or preclude the flexibility that the Fund may otherwise have to participate in certain investments. Further information regarding conflicts of interest is available in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

 

   

Convertible Securities Risk. If market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock.

 

6


   

Counterparty Risk. The stability and liquidity of many derivative transactions depends in large part on the creditworthiness of the parties to the transactions. If a counterparty to such a transaction defaults, exercising contractual rights may involve delays or costs for the Fund. Furthermore, there is a risk that a counterparty could become the subject of insolvency proceedings, and that the recovery of securities and other assets from such counterparty will be delayed or be of a value less than the value of the securities or assets originally entrusted to such counterparty.

 

   

Debt Securities Risk. Debt securities, such as bonds, involve certain risks, which include:

 

   

Credit Risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a security will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer.

 

   

Event Risk. Event risk is the risk that corporate issuers may undergo restructurings, such as mergers, leveraged buyouts, takeovers, or similar events financed by increased debt. As a result of the added debt, the credit quality and market value of a company’s bonds and/or other debt securities may decline significantly.

 

   

Extension Risk. When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these securities to fall.

 

   

Interest Rate Risk. Generally, the value of fixed income securities will change inversely with changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise, the market value of fixed income securities tends to decrease. Conversely, as interest rates fall, the market value of fixed income securities tends to increase. This risk will be greater for long-term securities than for short-term securities.

 

   

Prepayment Risk. When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields.

 

   

Variable and Floating Rate Instrument Risk. The absence of an active market for these securities could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of them if the issuer defaults.

 

   

Derivatives Risk. The use of derivatives involves the risk that their value may not move as expected relative to the value of the relevant underlying assets, rates, or indices. The Fund may use derivatives for hedging and non-hedging purposes; derivatives can be volatile and illiquid, can be subject to counterparty credit risk and may entail investment exposure greater than their notional amount.

 

   

Distressed Securities Risk. The Fund may purchase distressed securities of business enterprises involved in workouts, liquidations, reorganizations, bankruptcies and similar situations. Since there is substantial uncertainty concerning the outcome of transactions involving such business enterprises, there is a high degree of risk of loss, including loss of the entire investment.

 

   

Equity Securities Risk. The prices of equity securities fluctuate based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions.

 

   

Event-Driven Trading Risk. The Fund may seek to profit from the occurrence of specific corporate events. A delay in the timing of these events, or the failure of these events to occur at all, may have a significant negative effect on the Fund’s performance.

 

7


   

Foreign Investments and Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in securities of non-U.S. issuers, including those located in developing countries, which may involve special risks caused by foreign political, social and economic factors, including exposure to currency fluctuations, less liquidity, less developed and less efficient trading markets, political instability and less developed legal and auditing standards. These risks are heightened for investments in issuers organized or operating in developing countries.

 

   

Government Issued Securities. U.S. government securities are subject to market and interest rate risk. Zero coupon U.S. Treasury securities and zero coupon securities issued by governmental agencies or financial institutions generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.

 

   

Hedging Transactions Risks. The Fund may invest in securities and utilize financial instruments for a variety of hedging purposes. Such hedging transactions may limit the opportunity for gain if the value of the portfolio position should increase. There can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in hedging transactions at any given time, even under volatile market conditions, or that any hedging transactions the Fund engages in will be successful. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to enter into a hedging transaction at a price sufficient to protect its assets. The Fund may not anticipate a particular risk so as to hedge against it.

 

   

Investment Company and ETF Risk. The risks of investment in investment companies and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) typically reflect the risks of types of instruments in which the investment companies and ETFs invest. By investing in another investment company or ETF, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company or ETF and bears its proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the other investment company or ETF.

 

   

Junk Bonds Risk. The Fund may invest in below-investment grade debt or so called “junk bonds.” Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are speculative, high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund.

 

   

Large Redemption Risk. The Fund is expected to be used as an investment in certain asset allocation programs and may have a large percentage of its shares held in such programs. Large redemption activity could result in the Fund incurring additional costs and being forced to sell portfolio securities at a loss to meet redemptions.

 

   

Leverage Risk. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the Fund may borrow money or engage in other transactions, such as investments in derivatives, that create investment leverage for investment or other purposes. Investment leverage may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and other derivatives can allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested.

 

   

Macro Strategy Risk. The profitability of any macro program depends primarily on the ability of its manager to predict derivative contract price movements. Price movements for commodity interests are influenced by, among other things: changes in interest rates; governmental and economic programs, policies and events; weather and climate conditions; changing supply and demand relationships; changes in balances of payments and trade; rates of inflation and deflation; currency devaluations and revaluations; and changes in philosophies and emotions of market participants.

 

   

Market Capitalization Risk. Compared to small- and mid-cap companies, large-cap companies may be less responsive to changes and opportunities. The stocks of small- and mid-cap companies are often more volatile and less liquid than the stocks of larger companies and may be more affected than other types of stocks by the underperformance of a sector or during market downturns.

 

   

Market Risk and Security Selection Risk. Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, possibly down sharply and unpredictably affecting the values of individual securities held by the Fund. Security selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.

 

8


   

Model Risk. The Fund may use model-based strategies that, while historically effective, may not be successful on an ongoing basis or could contain unknown errors. In addition, the data used in models may be inaccurate or the computer programming used to create quantitative models might contain one or more errors.

 

   

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements in interest rates may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities.

 

   

Multi-Manager Risk. The multi-manager strategy employed by the Fund involves special risks, which include:

 

   

Offsetting Positions. Managers may make investment decisions which conflict with each other; for example, at any particular time, one manager may be purchasing shares of an issuer whose shares are being sold by another manager. Consequently, the Fund could indirectly incur transaction costs without accomplishing any net investment result.

 

   

Proprietary Investment Strategy Risk. Managers may use proprietary investment strategies that are based on considerations and factors that are not fully disclosed to the Board or the Advisor. These strategies may involve risks under some market conditions that are not anticipated by the Advisor or the Fund.

 

   

Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company which means that the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer is not limited by the 1940 Act. As a result, the Fund’s investment portfolio may be subject to greater risk and volatility than if investments had been made in the securities of a broad range of issuers.

 

   

New Fund Risk. The Fund is newly organized and has no operating history.

 

   

REIT Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investments trusts (“REITs”) involve unique risks. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume and may be more volatile than other securities.

 

   

Sector Risk. To the extent the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors.

 

   

Short Sales Risk. A short sale of a security involves the theoretical risk of unlimited loss because of increases in the market price of the security sold short. The Fund’s use of short sales, in certain circumstances, can result in significant losses.

 

   

Sovereign Debt Risk. Sovereign debt instruments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt.

 

   

Structured Products Risk. Holders of structured products bear risks of the underlying investments, index or reference obligation and are subject to counterparty risk. In addition to the general risks associated with debt securities, structured products carry additional risks, including, but not limited to: the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; and the possibility that the structured products are subordinate to other classes.

 

   

Subsidiary Risk. By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as expected and could adversely affect the Fund.

 

9


   

Tax Risk. The extent of the Fund’s investments in each of the instruments, markets and asset classes described herein and the manner in which the Fund achieves such investments are limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify for treatment as a “regulated investment company” (a “RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). If the Fund does not appropriately limit such investments or if such investments are, or the income or gain from such investments is recharacterized for U.S. tax purposes, the Fund’s status as a RIC may be jeopardized. In particular, among other requirements, in order to qualify as a RIC the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from sources treated as “qualifying income” under the Code. The Fund intends to take the position that income from its investments in commodity-linked notes and in the Subsidiary will constitute “qualifying income,” but under current law and in the absence of an Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) ruling or other guidance, there can be no certainty in this regard. If the Fund were to fail to qualify for taxation as a RIC in any taxable year, and were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure, the Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as dividend income. The Fund’s failure to qualify and be taxed as a RIC could significantly reduce shareholders’ returns on their investments in the Fund. In addition, if any income earned by the Subsidiary or by a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle in which the Subsidiary invests were treated as “effectively connected” with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (“effectively connected income” or “ECI”), such income would be subject to both a so-called “branch profits tax” of 30% and a federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. corporations, at the entity level. If, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Subsidiary earns ECI in connection with its direct investment activities, or is deemed to earn ECI in respect of the activities of a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle, a portion or all of the Subsidiary’s income could be subject to these U.S. taxes. The imposition of U.S. taxes on ECI, at either the Subsidiary level or the level of a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle in which the Subsidiary invests, could significantly reduce shareholders’ returns on their investments in the Fund. Also, changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and distributions, resulting in reduced returns to shareholders.

Risks Specific to Investments in Investment Funds and Trading Entities. Investment Funds and Trading Entities often involve special risks not present in direct investments. These risks include:

 

   

Duplicative Fees and Expenses. It is expected that investors in the Fund will bear two layers of asset-based management fees (directly at the Fund level and indirectly at the Investment Fund/Trading Entity level) and a single layer of incentive fees (at the Investment Fund/Trading Entity level). Expenses exist at both the Fund level and the Investment Fund/Trading Entity level.

 

   

Estimates. The Fund’s investments in Investment Funds and Trading Entities will be priced, in the absence of readily available market values, based on estimates of fair value, which may prove to be inaccurate; these valuations will be used to calculate fees payable to the Advisor and the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when the Fund is holding fair-valued investments may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher redemption proceeds than they would have received if readily available market values were available for all of the Fund’s investments.

 

   

Exemption from 1940 Act. Investment Funds and Trading Entities generally will not be registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act, and therefore, the Fund will not be able to avail itself of the protections of the 1940 Act with respect to such investments.

 

   

Illiquid Securities Risk. Certain Investment Funds, including unaffiliated hedge funds and UCITS funds, are expected to be subject to transfer or redemption restrictions that will impair the liquidity of these investments. Additionally, some Investment Funds may suspend the withdrawal rights of their shareholders, including the Fund, from time to time. Investment Funds are generally permitted to make payment to withdrawing investors in-kind. Thus, upon the Fund’s withdrawal of all or a portion of its interest from an Investment Fund, the Fund may receive an in-kind distribution of investments that are illiquid or difficult to value. Illiquid investments could prevent the Fund from liquidating unfavorable positions promptly and subject the Fund to substantial losses. Furthermore, the valuation of illiquid investments is complex and uncertain, and there can be no assurance that the Advisor’s valuation will accurately reflect the value that will be realized by the Fund upon the eventual disposition of such investment. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase, particularly during periods of market turmoil.

 

10


   

Limited Information Rights. The Advisor will be dependent on information, including performance information, provided by the Investment Funds and Trading Entities, which if inaccurate could adversely affect the Advisor’s ability to accurately value the Fund’s shares. In most cases, the Advisor has little or no means of independently verifying this information. In addition, shareholders of the Fund will have no right to receive information about the Investment Funds, the Trading Entities or their managers, and will have no recourse against Investments Funds, the Trading Entities or their managers. Managers may use proprietary investment strategies that are not fully disclosed to the Advisor, and which may involve risks under some market conditions that are not anticipated by the Advisor.

 

   

Performance Fees. Incentive fees charged by advisers of Investment Funds and Trading Entities may create incentives for such advisers to make investments that are riskier or more speculative than in the absence of these fees. Because these fees are often based on both realized as well as unrealized appreciation, the fee may be greater than if it were based only on realized gains. In addition, the advisers of Investment Funds and Trading Entities may receive compensation for positive performance of an Investment Fund or Trading Entity even if the Fund’s overall returns are negative.

 

   

Waiver of Voting Rights. The Fund intends to purchase non-voting securities of, or to contractually forego the right to vote in respect of, Investment Funds in order to prevent the Fund from becoming an “affiliated person” of the Investment Fund for purposes of the 1940 Act and becoming subject to the prohibitions on transactions with affiliated persons contained in the 1940 Act. Consequently, the Fund will not be able to vote to the full extent of its economic interest on matters that require approval of investors in each Investment Fund, including matters that could adversely affect the Fund’s investment.

Performance

The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus. Accordingly, performance data are not included.

Management of the Fund

Investment Manager: Blackstone Alternative Investment Advisors LLC (“BAIA” or the “Advisor”)

Sub-Advisers:

[                    ] (each, a “Sub-Adviser” and together, the “Sub-Advisers”).

Portfolio Managers:

 

Name

  

Portfolio Manager of the Fund Since

  

Title

Gideon Berger

   2013    Senior Managing Director

Greg Geiling

   2013    Senior Managing Director

John McCormick

   2013    Senior Managing Director

Scott Soussa

   2013    Senior Managing Director

Stephen Sullens

   2013    Senior Managing Director

Robert Jordan

   2013    Managing Director

Alberto Santulin

   2013    Managing Director

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

There is no minimum investment requirement.

You may purchase or redeem shares of the fund each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open, at the Fund’s net asset value determined after receipt of your request in good order.

 

11


Class I Shares are offered for investors who are clients of investment advisors, consultants, broker dealers or other financial intermediaries who: (a) charge such clients fees for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services and (b) have entered into an agreement with Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P. (the “Distributor”) to offer Class I Shares. Class I Shares may also be offered for investment by personnel of the Advisor, and as may be determined by the Board.

For more information about how to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, you should contact your financial intermediary, or, if you hold your shares or plan to purchase shares through the Fund, you should contact the Fund by phone at [            ] or by mail at [            ].

Tax Information

The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain, except where your investment is through an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged account.

Financial Intermediary Compensation

If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s web site for more information.

 

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More on the Fund’s Investment Strategies, Investments and Risks

Investment Objective

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek capital appreciation. This investment objective may be changed without shareholder approval.

Investment Strategy

Blackstone Alternative Investment Advisors LLC (the “Advisor”) seeks to achieve the Fund’s objective by allocating the Fund’s assets among a variety of non-traditional or “alternative” investment strategies, which may include:

Fundamental Strategies, which employ processes designed to identify attractive opportunities in securities of companies that are undervalued/overvalued or expected to experience high/low levels of growth, including bottom-up analysis of a company’s financial statements.

Global Macro Strategies, which focus on macroeconomic fundamentals in developing investment theses. Monetary policy shifts, fiscal policy shifts, gross domestic product growth or inflation all may be considered in developing a market view.

Opportunistic Trading Strategies, which employ processes designed to identify short-term trading opportunities, including analyzing supply/demand imbalances.

Quantitative Strategies, which employ quantitative techniques that seek gains from anticipated price movements, including models based on valuation, economic fundamentals, changes in economic environments and changes in investor sentiment.

Managed Futures Strategies, which seek to profit from movements in the global financial, commodity and currency markets by investing in futures, options and forward contracts.

Multi-Strategy Strategies, which employ a wide variety of strategies, including some or all of those described above, based upon analysis of macroeconomic variables.

As further described below, the Advisor expects, under normal market conditions, to obtain exposure to the above strategies by allocating its assets as follows:

Assets managed by Sub-Advisers: 50-100% of total assets

Assets managed directly by Advisor: up to 50% of total assets

Investment Funds: up to 25% of total assets

Subsidiary/Trading Entities: up to 25% of total assets

The Advisor expects to allocate a majority of the Fund’s assets among a number of affiliated and unaffiliated sub-advisers (the “Sub-Advisers”). The Advisor is responsible for selecting the strategies, for identifying and retaining Sub-Advisers with expertise in the selected strategies, and for determining the amount of Fund assets to allocate to each Sub-Adviser. The Advisor may adjust allocations from time to time among strategies or Sub-Advisers. The Advisor reviews a number of quantitative and qualitative factors as part of its process for selecting and monitoring Sub-Advisers, as described in “More on Fund Management – Selection of Sub-Advisers”.

Fund assets not allocated to the Sub-Advisers are managed directly by the Advisor. The Advisor expects to allocate more than 50% of the Fund’s assets to the Sub-Advisers but may manage up to 50% of the Fund’s assets directly. The Advisor may invest up to 25% of the Fund’s assets in unaffiliated hedge funds, funds traded publicly on foreign exchanges and funds that are Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (so-called “UCITS funds”) (collectively, the “Investment Funds”). A portion of the Investment Funds (no more than 15% of the Fund’s assets, taken together with any other illiquid assets held by the Fund) is expected to be “illiquid” (i.e., holdings that the

 

13


Fund would not be able to sell or dispose of in the ordinary course of business within seven calendar days). The Advisor also expects to obtain for the Fund synthetic exposure to additional investment strategies through the use of one or more total return swaps through which the Fund makes payments to a counterparty (at either a fixed or variable rate) in exchange for receiving from the counterparty payments that reflect the return of an investment account or vehicle managed by a third-party investment manager selected by the Advisor.

In addition, a portion of the Fund’s assets (up to 25%) may be invested in a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”) of the Fund formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Subsidiary has the same investment objective of the Fund. As with the Fund, the Advisor is responsible for the Subsidiary’s day-to-day business pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Subsidiary. Under this agreement, the Advisor provides the Subsidiary with the same type of management services as the Advisor provides to the Fund, although the Advisor receives no additional compensation for providing such services.

The Advisor may retain one or more Sub-Advisers to invest the Subsidiary’s assets or the Advisor may invest the Subsidiary’s assets in one or more trading entities (the “Trading Entities”). Each Trading Entity will have a trading program managed on a discretionary basis by a different third-party manager, typically a commodity trading advisor, pursuant to the manager’s managed futures program. Each Trading Entity is wholly-owned by the Subsidiary and thus indirectly wholly-owned by the Fund. The Advisor expects that each Trading Entity will pay its manager both a management fee based on the Trading Entity’s investment exposure (which the Advisor expects will exceed the Trading Entity’s total assets) and a performance fee calculated as a percentage of the Trading Entity’s profits.

The Fund will have investment exposure, directly or indirectly through the Subsidiary, Investment Funds or Trading Entities, in a broad range of instruments, markets and asset classes economically tied to U.S. and foreign markets. Investments may include, but are not limited to, equity securities, fixed income securities and derivative and commodity instruments. The Fund may take both long and short positions in all of its investments. There is no limit on the amount of exposure the Fund may have to any specific asset class or market sector. The Fund may have significant investment leverage as a result of its use of derivatives or its investments in the Subsidiary, Investment Funds or Trading Entities.

The equity securities in which the Fund may invest include equity securities of companies of any market capitalization throughout the world (including the U.S.), which may include common stocks, convertible securities, depositary receipts, exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) and partnership interests.

The fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest include debt securities of governments throughout the world (including the U.S.) as well as their agencies and/or instrumentalities, debt securities of corporations throughout the world (including the U.S.), below investment grade debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”), commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, loan assignments and loan participations.

The derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest include futures and forward contracts; swaps, such as credit default swaps, total return swaps and/or interest rate swaps (including constant maturity swaps); and call and put options including writing (selling) calls against positions in the portfolio (“covered calls”) or writing (selling) puts. Any of these derivatives may be used in an effort to gain economic exposure to one or more alternative investment strategies, to enhance returns or to hedge the Fund’s positions by managing or adjusting the risk profile of the Fund or its individual positions.

Temporary Investments

The Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions in attempting to respond to adverse market, political or other conditions. For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest all or some of its total assets in U.S. government securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, repurchase agreements, non-convertible preferred stocks, corporate bonds, money market instruments, cash, cash equivalents and ETFs tracking the performance of high yield and investment grade bond indexes. When the Fund’s assets are invested in these instruments, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

 

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Risks

An investment in the Fund should be considered a speculative investment that entails substantial risks; you may lose part or all of your investment or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. An investment in the Fund should be viewed only as part of an overall investment program. No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment program will be successful. The following is a description of the risks of investing in the Fund, including the indirect risks associated with the Fund’s investments in Investment Funds and the Subsidiary, as well as the Subsidiary’s investments in Trading Entities. The Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the risks of investing the Fund.

As applicable, references to the “Fund” shall mean any one or more of the Investment Funds, the Trading Entities, the Subsidiary and the Fund and references to a “manager” shall mean any one or more of the Advisor, the Sub-Advisers and the advisers to the Investment Funds and Trading Entities.

Principal Investment Risks

Activist Strategies Risk. The Fund may purchase securities of a company which is the subject of a proxy contest in the expectation that new management will be able to improve the company’s performance or effect a sale or liquidation of its assets so that the price of the company’s securities will increase. If the incumbent management of the company is not defeated or if new management is unable to improve the company’s performance or sell or liquidate the company, the market price of the company’s securities will typically fall, which may cause the Fund to suffer a loss.

In addition, where an acquisition or restructuring transaction or proxy fight is opposed by the subject company’s management, the transaction often becomes the subject of litigation. Such litigation involves substantial uncertainties and may impose substantial cost and expense on the Fund.

Allocation Risk. The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment goal depends upon the Advisor’s skill in determining the Fund’s strategic asset class allocation and in selecting the best mix of Sub-Advisers, Investment Funds and Trading Entities. The value of your investment may decrease if the Advisor’s judgment about the attractiveness, value or market trends affecting a particular asset class, investment style, manager, Investment Fund, Trading Entity or other issuer is incorrect.

Arbitrage Strategies Risk. The Fund may purchase securities at prices only slightly below the anticipated value to be paid or exchanged for such securities in a merger, exchange offer or cash tender offer, and substantially above the prices at which such securities traded immediately prior to announcement of the merger, exchange offer or cash tender offer. If the proposed transaction appears likely not to be consummated or is delayed, the market price of the security to be tendered or exchanged may be expected to decline sharply, which would result in a loss to the Fund. In addition, if the manager determines that the offer is likely to be increased, either by the original bidder or by another party, the Fund may purchase securities above the offer price; such purchases are subject to a high degree of risk.

The consummation of mergers and tender and exchange offers can be prevented or delayed by a variety of factors, including opposition by the management or shareholders of the target company, private litigation or litigation involving regulatory agencies, and approval or non-action of regulatory agencies. The likelihood of occurrence of these and other factors can be very difficult to evaluate.

Bank Debt Risk. The Fund may invest in bank loans and participations. Risks associated with these obligations include, but are not limited to: inadequate perfection of the security interest granted under the loan documents; inadequate collateral; the possible invalidation or compromise of a loan transaction as a fraudulent conveyance or preference under relevant creditors’ rights laws; the validity and seniority of bank claims and guarantees; environmental liability that may arise with respect to collateral securing the obligations; adverse consequences

 

15


resulting from participating in such instruments with other institutions with lower credit quality; long and less certain settlement periods; limitations on the ability of the Fund to directly enforce its rights with respect to participations and illiquidity in the market for the resale of such loans. Leading financial institutions often act as agent for a broader group of lenders, generally referred to as a syndicate. The syndicate’s agent arranges the loan, holds collateral and accepts payments of principal and interest. If the agent develops financial problems, the Fund may not recover its investment or recovery may be delayed. By investing in a loan, the Fund may become a member of the syndicate.

If a loan is acquired through an assignment, the Fund may not be able to unilaterally enforce all rights and remedies under the loan and with regard to any associated collateral. If a loan is acquired through a participation, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation.

Borrowing Risk. The Fund may borrow money (or engage in transactions that are economically similar to borrowing money) to fund investments, to satisfy redemptions or to obtain investment exposure to various markets or investment styles, which may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund’s return. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. Borrowing also may cause the Fund to be leveraged.

Collateralized Debt Obligations Risk. Collateralized debt obligations are subject to credit, interest rate, valuation, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn.

Commodities Related Investments Risk. Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or sectors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. Unlike the financial futures markets, in the commodity futures markets there are costs of physical storage associated with purchasing the underlying commodity. The price of the commodity futures contract will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity, including the time value of money invested in the physical commodity. To the extent that the storage costs for an underlying commodity change while the Fund is invested in futures contracts on that commodity, the value of the futures contract may also change.

Conflicts of Interest Risk. The Advisor will have conflicts of interests which could interfere with its management of the Fund. For example, the Advisor (or its affiliates) may manage other investment funds or have other clients that may be similar to, or overlap with, the investment objective and strategy of the Fund, creating potential conflicts of interest in investment decisions regarding investments that may be appropriate for the Fund and the Advisor’s other clients. In addition, the activities in which the Advisor and its affiliates are involved may limit or preclude the flexibility that the Fund may otherwise have to participate in certain investments. Further information regarding conflicts of interest is available in the SAI.

Convertible Securities Risk. The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock.

Counterparty Risk. The stability and liquidity of repurchase agreements, swap transactions, forwards and over-the-counter derivative transactions depend in large part on the creditworthiness of the parties to the transactions. It is expected that the relevant manager will monitor the creditworthiness of firms with which it will cause the Fund to enter into repurchase agreements, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars or over-the-counter derivatives. If there is a default by the counterparty to such a transaction, the relevant manager will under most normal circumstances have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. However, exercising such contractual rights may involve delays or costs which could result in the value of the Fund being less than if the transaction had not been entered into. Furthermore, there is a risk that any of such counterparties could become insolvent and/or the subject of insolvency proceedings. If one or more of the Fund’s counterparties were to become insolvent or the subject of insolvency proceedings in the United States (either under the Securities Investor Protection Act or the United States Bankruptcy Code), there exists the risk that the recovery of such vehicle’s securities and other assets from such prime broker or broker-dealer will be delayed or be of a value less than the value of the securities or assets originally entrusted to such prime broker or broker-dealer.

 

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In addition, the Fund may use counterparties located in jurisdictions outside the United States. Such local counterparties are subject to the laws and regulations in non-U.S. jurisdictions that are designed to protect their customers in the event of their insolvency. However, the practical effect of these laws and their application to the Fund’s assets are subject to substantial limitations and uncertainties. Because of the large number of entities and jurisdictions involved and the range of possible factual scenarios involving the insolvency of a counterparty, it is impossible to generalize about the effect of their insolvency on the Fund and its assets. Shareholders should assume that the insolvency of any counterparty would result in a loss to the Fund, which could be material.

If the Fund obtains exposure to one or more Investment Funds indirectly through the use of one or more total return swaps, those investments will be subject to counterparty risk.

Debt Securities Risk. Debt securities, such as bonds, involve certain risks, which include:

 

   

Credit Risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a security will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.

 

   

Event Risk. Event risk is the risk that corporate issuers may undergo restructurings, such as mergers, leveraged buyouts, takeovers, or similar events financed by increased debt. As a result of the added debt, the credit quality and market value of a company’s bonds and/or other debt securities may decline significantly.

 

   

Extension Risk. When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these securities to fall. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. The value of longer-term securities generally changes more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, securities may exhibit additional volatility and may lose value.

 

   

Interest Rate Risk. Generally, the value of fixed income securities will change inversely with changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise, the market value of fixed income securities tends to decrease. Conversely, as interest rates fall, the market value of fixed income securities tends to increase. This risk will be greater for long-term securities than for short-term securities. The Fund may take steps to attempt to reduce the exposure of its portfolio to interest rate changes, however, there can be no guarantee that the Fund will take such actions or that the Fund will be successful in reducing the impact of interest rate changes on the portfolio.

 

   

Prepayment Risk. When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayments tends to increase (as does price fluctuation) as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. During such periods, reinvestment of the prepayment proceeds by the management team will generally be at lower rates of return than the return on the assets that were prepaid. Prepayment reduces the yield to maturity and the average life of the security.

 

   

Variable and Floating Rate Instrument Risk. The absence of an active market for these securities could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of them if the issuer defaults.

Defensive Investing Risk. For defensive purposes, the Fund may, as part of its risk management process, allocate assets into cash or short-term fixed income securities without limitation. In doing so, the Fund may succeed in avoiding losses but may otherwise fail to achieve its investment objective. Further, the value of short-term fixed income securities may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in credit ratings of the investments. If the Fund holds cash uninvested it will be subject to the credit risk of the depositary institution holding the cash.

 

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Derivatives Risk. The Fund may use derivatives for hedging and non-hedging purposes; derivatives can be volatile and illiquid, can be subject to counterparty credit risk and may entail investment exposure greater than their notional amount. Recent legislation calls for new regulation of the derivatives markets. The extent and impact of the regulation is not yet known and may not be known for some time. New regulation may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.

Certain of the derivatives in which the Fund may invest may be traded (and privately negotiated) in the “over-the-counter” or “OTC” market. While the OTC derivatives market is the primary trading venue for many derivatives, it is largely unregulated. As a result and similar to other privately negotiated contracts, the Fund is subject to counterparty credit risk with respect to such derivative contracts.

Risks Specific to Certain Derivatives Used by the Fund

 

 

Futures. Futures contracts markets are highly volatile and are influenced by a variety of factors, including national and international political and economic developments. In addition, because of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, a high degree of leverage is typical of a futures trading account. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the trader. Moreover, futures positions are marked to market each day and variation margin payment must be paid to or by a trader.

Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into or through a linked exchange, and no secondary market exists for such contracts.

Although the Fund typically enters into futures contracts only if an active market exists for the contracts, no assurance can be given that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time. Certain futures exchanges do not permit trading in particular futures contracts at prices that represent a fluctuation in price during a single day’s trading beyond certain set limits. If prices fluctuate during a single day’s trading beyond those limits, the Fund could be prevented from promptly liquidating unfavorable positions and thus be subjected to substantial losses.

In addition, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and various exchanges impose speculative position limits on the number of positions a person or group may hold or control in particular commodities. For purposes of complying with speculative position limits, the Fund’s outright positions (i.e., those that are not bona fide hedge positions or spread positions specifically exempted from speculative limits) may be aggregated with positions of certain related persons and, as a result, the Fund may be unable to take positions in particular futures contracts or may be forced to liquidate positions in particular futures contracts.

When used for hedging purposes, an imperfect or variable degree of correlation between price movements of the futures contracts and the underlying investment sought to be hedged may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedging effect or expose the Fund to the risk of loss.

Unlike trading on domestic futures exchanges, trading on non-U.S. futures exchanges is not regulated by the CFTC and may be subject to greater risks than trading on domestic exchanges. For example, some non-U.S. exchanges are principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and a trader may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. In addition, unless the Fund hedges against fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which trading is done on non-U.S. exchanges, any profits that the Fund might realize in trading could be eliminated by adverse changes in the exchange rate, or the Fund could incur losses as a result of those changes.

 

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Forwards. Forward contracts and options thereon, unlike futures contracts, are not traded on exchanges and are not standardized; rather, banks and dealers act as principals in these markets, negotiating each transaction on an individual basis. Forward and “cash” trading is substantially unregulated; there is no limitation on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable. The principals who deal in the forward markets are not required to continue to make markets in the currencies or commodities they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in these markets have refused to quote prices for certain currencies or commodities or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. Disruptions can occur in any market traded by the Fund due to unusually high trading volume, political intervention or other factors. The imposition of controls by governmental authorities might also limit such forward (and futures) trading to less than that which the Fund would otherwise recommend, to the possible detriment of the Fund. Market illiquidity or disruption could result in major losses to the Fund. In addition, the Fund may be exposed to credit risks with regard to counterparties with whom the Fund trade as well as risks relating to settlement default. Such risks could result in substantial losses to the Fund. Some counterparties with whom the Fund transacts may not be rated investment grade.

 

 

Options. Options trading involves certain additional risks. Specific market movements of the option and the instruments underlying an option cannot be predicted. No assurance can be given that a liquid offset market will exist for any particular option or at any particular time. If no liquid offset market exists, the Fund might not be able to effect an offsetting transaction in a particular option. To realize any profit in the case of an option, therefore, the option holder would need to exercise the option and comply with margin requirements for the underlying instrument. A writer could not terminate the obligation until the option expired or the writer was assigned an exercise notice. The purchaser of an option is subject to the risk of losing the entire purchase price of the option. The writer of an option is subject to the risk of loss resulting from the difference between the premium received for the option and the price of the futures contract underlying the option that the writer must purchase or deliver upon exercise of the option. The writer of a naked option may have to purchase the underlying contract in the market for substantially more than the exercise price of the option in order to satisfy his delivery obligations. This could result in a large net loss.

Stock or index options that may be purchased or sold by the Fund may include options not traded on a securities exchange. The risk of nonperformance by the obligor on such an option may be greater and the ease with which the Fund can dispose of or enter into closing transactions with respect to such an option may be less than in the case of an exchange traded option.

 

 

Swap Agreements. The Fund may use equity, interest rate, index and currency swap agreements. The Fund anticipates from time-to-time achieving investment exposure to an investment account or vehicle managed by a third-party investment manager selected by the Advisor through the use of one or more total return swaps. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than a year. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns earned on specified assets, such as the return on, or increase in value of, a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular non-U.S. currency, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary securities transactions. Interest rate swaps, for example, do not typically involve the delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the market risk of loss with respect to an interest rate swap is often limited to the amount of interest payments that the relevant manager is contractually obligated to make on a net basis. The Fund’s use of swaps could create significant investment leverage — see “Leverage Risk” below.

Distressed Securities Risk. The Fund may purchase distressed securities of business enterprises involved in workouts, liquidations, reorganizations, bankruptcies and similar situations. Since there is substantial uncertainty concerning the outcome of transactions involving such business enterprises, there is a high degree of risk of loss, including loss of the entire investment.

In bankruptcy, there can be considerable delay in reaching accord on a restructuring plan acceptable to a bankrupt company’s lenders, bondholders and other creditors and then obtaining the approval of the bankruptcy court. Such delays could result in substantial losses to the investments in such company’s securities or obligations. Moreover, there is no assurance that a plan favorable to the class of securities held by the Fund will be adopted or that the subject company might not eventually be liquidated rather than reorganized.

 

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In liquidations (both in and out of bankruptcy) and other forms of corporate reorganization, there exists the risk that the reorganization either will be unsuccessful, will be delayed or will result in a distribution of cash or a new security, the value of which will be less than the purchase price of the security in respect of which such distribution is received. It may be difficult to obtain accurate information concerning a company in financial distress, with the result that the analysis and valuation are especially difficult. The market for securities of such companies tends to be illiquid and sales may be possible only at substantial discounts.

Equity Securities Risk. Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The prices of equity securities will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equities. The value of equity securities purchased by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in decline or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. They may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or an increase in production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. In addition, they may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment.

Event-Driven Trading Risk. The Fund may engage in event driven investing. Event driven investing requires the relevant manager to make predictions about (i) the likelihood that an event will occur and (ii) the impact such event will have on the value of a company’s securities. If the event fails to occur or it does not have the effect foreseen, losses can result. For example, the adoption of new business strategies, a meaningful change in management or the sale of a division or other significant assets by a company may not be valued as highly by the market as the manager had anticipated, resulting in losses. In addition, a company may announce a plan of restructuring which promises to enhance value and fail to implement it, resulting in losses to investors.

Foreign Investments and Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in non-U.S. securities. Non-U.S. securities involve certain factors not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities including risks relating to (i) currency exchange matters, including fluctuations in the rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and the various non-U.S. currencies in which the Fund’s portfolio securities will be denominated, and costs associated with conversion of investment principal and income from one currency into another; (ii) differences between the U.S. and non-U.S. securities markets, including potential price volatility in and relative illiquidity of some non-U.S. securities markets, the absence of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and disclosure requirements and less government supervision and regulation; (iii) certain economic and political risks, including potential exchange control regulations and potential restrictions on non-U.S. investment and repatriation of capital; and (iv) with respect to certain countries, there is a possibility of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividends, interest, capital gains, other income or gross sale or disposition proceeds, limitations on the removal of funds or other assets of the Fund, political or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect investments in those countries.

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

 

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Government Issued Securities. The Fund may invest in U.S. government securities. Generally, these securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. government securities also include Treasury receipts and other stripped U.S. government securities, where the interest and principal components of stripped U.S. government securities are traded independently. These securities are subject to market and interest rate risk. The Fund may also invest in zero coupon U.S. Treasury securities, in zero coupon securities issued by governmental agencies and in zero coupon securities issued by financial institutions, which represent a proportionate interest in underlying U.S. Treasury or governmental agency securities. A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holder during its life, and its value consists of the difference between its face value at maturity and its cost. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.

Hedging Transactions Risks. The Fund may invest in securities and utilize financial instruments, including but not limited to, forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps and floors both for investment purposes and hedging purposes in order to: (i) protect against possible changes in the market value of portfolio positions resulting from fluctuations in the securities markets and changes in interest rates, (ii) protect the unrealized gains in the value of portfolio positions, (iii) facilitate the sale of any such investments, (iv) enhance or preserve returns, spreads or gains on any investment in a portfolio, (v) hedge the interest rate or currency exchange rate on any liabilities or assets, (vi) protect against any increase in the price of any securities which purchase is anticipated at a later date or (vii) for any other reason that the Fund deems appropriate.

Hedging against a decline in the value of a portfolio position does not eliminate fluctuations in the values of portfolio positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions decline, but establishes other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thus moderating the decline in the portfolio positions’ value. Such hedging transactions also limit the opportunity for gain if the value of the portfolio position should increase. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against an exchange rate, interest rate or security price fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to enter into a hedging transaction at a price sufficient to protect its assets from the decline in value of the portfolio positions anticipated as a result of such fluctuations.

The Fund is not required to attempt to hedge portfolio positions and, for various reasons, may determine not to do so. Furthermore, the Fund may not anticipate a particular risk so as to hedge against it. While the Fund may enter into hedging transactions to seek to reduce risk, such transactions may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if the Fund had not engaged in any such hedging transaction. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio position being hedged may vary. For a variety of reasons, the Fund may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Such imperfect correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Fund to risk of loss. The successful utilization of hedging and risk management transactions requires skills complementary to those needed in the selection of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Moreover, it should be noted that a portfolio will always be exposed to certain risks that cannot be hedged, such as credit risk (relating both to particular securities and counterparties), “liquidity risk” and “widening” risk.

Investment Company and ETF Risk. The Fund may invest in shares of investment companies and ETFs, which invest in a wide range of instruments designed to track the price, performance and dividend yield of a particular commodity, security, securities market index (or sector of an index). The risks of investment in these securities typically reflect the risks of the types of instruments in which the investment company and ETF invests. When the Fund invests in investment company securities or ETFs, shareholders of the Fund bear indirectly their proportionate share of their fees and expenses, as well as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses. As a result, an investment by the Fund in an investment company or ETF could cause the Fund’s operating expenses (taking into account indirect expenses such as the fees and expenses of the investment company or ETF) to be higher and, in turn, performance to be lower than if it were to invest directly in the instruments underlying the investment company or ETF. The trading in an ETF may be halted if the trading in one or more of the ETF’s underlying securities is halted.

Junk Bonds Risk. The Fund may invest and transact in lower-rated fixed income securities and other instruments, sometimes referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds. Lower-rated securities may include securities that have the lowest rating or are in default. Investing in lower-rated securities involves special risks in addition to the risks associated with investments in higher-rated fixed income securities, including a high degree of credit risk.

 

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Lower-rated securities may be regarded as predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers/issues of lower-rated securities may be more complex than for issuers/issues of higher quality debt securities. Lower-rated securities may be more susceptible to losses and real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than higher-grade securities. Securities that are in the lowest rating category are considered to have extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing, to have a current identifiable vulnerability to default, and to be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The secondary markets on which lower-rated securities are traded may be less liquid than the market for higher-grade securities. Less liquidity in the secondary trading markets could adversely affect and cause large fluctuations in the value of such investments. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of lower-rated securities, especially in a thinly traded market. Furthermore, with respect to certain residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, it is difficult to obtain current reliable information regarding delinquency rates, prepayment rates, servicing records, as well as updated cash flows. The use of credit ratings as the sole method of evaluating lower-rated securities can involve certain risks. For example, credit ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of lower-rated securities. In addition, credit rating agencies may fail to change credit ratings in a timely fashion to reflect events since the security was rated.

Large Redemption Risk. Large redemption activity could result in the Fund being forced to sell portfolio securities at a loss or before its money managers would otherwise decide to do so. Large redemptions in the Fund may also result in increased expense ratios, higher levels of realized capital gains or losses with respect to the Fund’s portfolio securities, higher brokerage commissions and other transaction costs. The Fund is expected to be used as an investment in asset allocation programs sponsored by certain financial intermediaries. The Fund may have all or a large percentage of its shares owned by such asset allocation programs. Should such financial intermediary change investment strategies or investment allocations such that fewer assets are invested in the Fund or the Fund is no longer used as an investment, the Fund could experience large redemptions of its shares.

Leverage Risk. Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. Futures contracts, options on futures contracts, and forward contracts allow the Fund to obtain large investment exposures in return for meeting relatively small margin requirements. As a result, investments in those transactions may be highly leveraged. In addition, a total return swap on an investment account or vehicle managed by a third party could represent investment exposure by the Fund that far exceeds the fixed amount that the Fund is required to pay the counterparty, creating significant investment leverage. Use of leverage can produce volatility and may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested.

Macro Strategy Risk. The profitability of any macro program depends primarily on the ability of the investment adviser and/or its CTA to predict derivative contract price movements. Price movements for commodity interests are influenced by, among other things: changes in interest rates; governmental, agricultural, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies; weather and climate conditions; natural disasters, such as hurricanes; changing supply and demand relationships; changes in balances of payments and trade; U.S. and international rates of inflation and deflation; currency devaluations and revaluations; U.S. and international political and economic events; and changes in philosophies and emotions of market participants. The managers’ trading methods may not take all of these factors into account.

The global macro programs to which the Fund’s investments are exposed use derivative financial instruments that are actively traded using a variety of strategies and investment techniques that involve significant risks. The derivative financial instruments traded include commodities, currencies, futures, options and forward contracts and other derivative instruments that have inherent leverage and price volatility that result in greater risk than instruments used by typical mutual funds, and the systematic programs used to trade them may rely on proprietary investment strategies that are not fully disclosed, which may in turn result in risks that are not anticipated.

 

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Market Capitalization Risk (Small-, Mid- and Large-Cap Stocks Risk). To the extent the Fund emphasizes small-, mid-, or large-cap stocks, it takes on the associated risks. At any given time, any of these market capitalizations may be out of favor with investors. Compared to small- and mid-cap companies, large-cap companies may be less responsive to changes and opportunities, but their returns have sometimes led those of smaller companies, often with lower volatility. The stocks of small- and mid-cap companies may fluctuate more widely in price than the market as a whole, may be difficult to sell when the economy is not robust or during market downturns, and may be more affected than other types of stocks by the underperformance of a sector or during market downturns. In addition, compared to large-cap companies, small- and mid-cap companies may depend on a more limited management group, may have a shorter history of operations, and may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources. There may also be less trading in small- or mid-cap stocks, which means that buy and sell transactions in those stocks could have a larger impact on a stock’s price than is the case with large-cap stocks.

Market Risk and Selection Risk. Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.

Model Risk. The Fund may use model-based strategies that, while historically effective, may not be successful on an ongoing basis or could contain unknown errors. Any imperfections or limitations in a model could affect the ability of the manager to implement strategies. By necessity, models make simplifying assumptions that limit their efficacy. Models that appear to explain prior market data can fail to predict future market events. Further, the data used in models may be inaccurate and/or it may not include the most recent information about a company or a security. In addition, computer programming used to create quantitative models, or the data on which such models operate, might contain one or more errors. Such errors might never be detected, or might be detected only after the Fund has sustained a loss (or reduced performance) related to such errors.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage-backed securities (residential and commercial) and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Although asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) generally experience less prepayment than residential mortgage-backed securities, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, like traditional fixed-income securities, are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks.

Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. These securities also are subject to the risk of default on the underlying mortgage or assets, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Certain CMBS are issued in several classes with different levels of yield and credit protection. The Fund’s investments in CMBS with several classes may be in the lower classes that have greater risks than the higher classes, including greater interest rate, credit and prepayment risks.

Mortgage-backed securities may be either pass-through securities or collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). Pass-through securities represent a right to receive principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages, which are passed through to security holders. CMOs are created by dividing the principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages into several revenue streams (tranches) with different priority rights to portions of the underlying mortgage payments. Certain CMO tranches may represent a right to receive interest only (“IOs”), principal only (“POs”) or an amount that remains after floating-rate tranches are paid (an inverse floater). These securities are frequently referred to as “mortgage derivatives” and may be extremely sensitive to changes in interest rates. Interest rates on inverse floaters, for example, vary inversely with a short-term floating rate (which may be reset periodically). Interest rates on inverse floaters will decrease when short-term rates increase, and will increase when short-term rates decrease. These securities have the effect of providing a degree of investment leverage. In response to changes in market interest rates or other market conditions, the value of an inverse floater may increase or decrease at a multiple of the increase or decrease in the value of the underlying securities. If the Fund invests in CMO tranches (including CMO tranches issued by government agencies) and interest rates move in a manner not anticipated by Fund management, it is possible that the Fund could lose all or substantially all of its investment.

 

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The mortgage market in the United States recently has experienced difficulties that may adversely affect the performance and market value of certain of the Fund’s mortgage-related investments. Delinquencies and losses on mortgage loans (including subprime and second-lien mortgage loans) generally have increased recently and may continue to increase, and a decline in or flattening of real-estate values (as has recently been experienced and may continue to be experienced in many housing markets) may exacerbate such delinquencies and losses. Also, a number of mortgage loan originators have recently experienced serious financial difficulties or bankruptcy. Reduced investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities and increased investor yield requirements have caused limited liquidity in the secondary market for mortgage-related securities, which can adversely affect the market value of mortgage-related securities. It is possible that such limited liquidity in such secondary markets could continue or worsen.

Asset-backed securities entail certain risks not presented by mortgage-backed securities, including the risk that in certain states it may be difficult to perfect the liens securing the collateral backing certain asset-backed securities. In addition, certain asset-backed securities are based on loans that are unsecured, which means that there is no collateral to seize if the underlying borrower defaults. Certain mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest may also provide a degree of investment leverage, which could cause the Fund to lose all or substantially all of its investment.

Multi-Manager Risk. The multi-manager strategy employed by the Fund involves special risks, which include:

 

 

Offsetting Positions. Managers may make investment decisions which conflict with each other; for example, at any particular time, one manager may be purchasing shares of an issuer whose shares are being sold by another manager. Consequently, the Fund could indirectly incur transaction costs without accomplishing any net investment result.

 

 

Proprietary Investment Strategy Risk. Managers may use proprietary investment strategies that are based on considerations and factors that are not fully disclosed to the Board or the Advisor. These strategies may involve risks under some market conditions that are not anticipated by the Advisor or the Fund.

Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company which means that the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer is not limited by the 1940 Act. As a result, the Fund’s investment portfolio may be subject to greater risk and volatility than if investments had been made in the securities of a broad range of issuers.

New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently formed entity and has no operating history upon which investors can evaluate its performance, although the Advisor generally intends to primarily allocate the Fund’s assets to managers that have established track records.

Regulatory Risk. Legal, tax and regulatory developments that may adversely affect the Fund could occur and may adversely affect the Fund. The regulatory environment for the Fund is evolving, and changes in the regulation of investment funds, their managers, and their trading activities and capital markets may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategy, its ability to obtain leverage and financing and the value of investments held by the Fund. There has been an increase in governmental, as well as self-regulatory, scrutiny of the investment industry in general and the alternative investment industry in particular. It is impossible to predict what, if any, changes in regulations may occur, but any regulations which restrict the ability of the Fund to trade in securities or the ability of the Fund to employ, or brokers and other counterparties to extend, credit in their trading (as well as other regulatory changes that result) could have a material adverse impact on the Fund’s performance.

The Fund and its managers may also be subject to regulation in jurisdictions in which they engage in business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse impact on the value of the investments of the Fund. Shareholders should understand that the Fund’s business is dynamic and is expected to change over time. Therefore, the Fund may be subject to new or additional regulatory constraints in the future. This Prospectus cannot address or anticipate every possible current or future regulation that may affect the Board, the Advisor, the managers, the Fund, the Investment Funds, the Trading Entities, or the businesses of each. Such regulations may have a significant impact on shareholders or the operations of the Fund, including, without limitation, restricting the types of investments the Fund may make, preventing the Fund from exercising its voting rights with regard to certain financial instruments, requiring the Fund to disclose the identity of its investors or otherwise. The Board may, in its sole discretion, cause

 

24


the Fund to be subject to such regulations if it believes that an investment or business activity is in the Fund’s interest, even if such regulations may have a detrimental effect on one or more shareholders. Prospective investors are encouraged to consult their own advisors regarding an investment in the Fund.

REIT Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investments trusts (“REITs”) involve unique risks. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume and may be more volatile than other securities.

Sector Risk. The Fund’s investing approach may dictate an emphasis on certain sectors, industries, or sub-sectors of the market at any given time. To the extent the Fund invests more heavily in one sector, industry, or sub-sector of the market, it thereby presents a more concentrated risk and its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors, industries, or sub-sectors. In addition, the value of the Fund’s shares may change at different rates compared to the value of shares of a fund with investments in a more diversified mix of sectors and industries. An individual sector, industry, or sub-sector of the market may have above-average performance during particular periods, but may also move up and down more than the broader market. The several industries that constitute a sector may all react in the same way to economic, political or regulatory events. The Fund’s performance could also be affected if the sectors, industries, or sub-sectors do not perform as expected. Alternatively, the lack of exposure to one or more sectors or industries may adversely affect performance.

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

Sovereign Debt Risk. Sovereign debt instruments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt, due, for example, to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies. If a governmental entity defaults, it may ask for more time in which to pay or for further loans. There is no legal process for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay nor are there bankruptcy proceedings through which all or part of the sovereign debt that a governmental entity has not repaid may be collected.

Structured Products Risk. Holders of structured products bear risks of the underlying investments, index or reference obligation and are subject to counterparty risk. The Fund may have the right to receive payments only from the structured product, and generally does not have direct rights against the issuer or the entity that sold the assets to be securitized. Certain structured products may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market. In addition to the general risks associated with debt securities discussed herein, structured products carry additional risks, including, but not limited to: the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; and the possibility that the structured products are subordinate to other classes. Structured notes are based upon the movement of one or more factors, including currency exchange rates, interest rates, referenced bonds and stock indices, and changes in interest rates and impact of these factors may cause significant price fluctuations. Additionally, changes in the reference instrument or security may cause the interest rate on the structured note to be reduced to zero.

 

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Subsidiary Risk. By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The instruments held by the Subsidiary (or the Trading Entities in which the Subsidiary intends to invest) are in many respects similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in the prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information and could adversely affect the Fund. For example, the Cayman Islands does not currently impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax on the Subsidiary. If Cayman Islands law changes such that the Subsidiary must pay Cayman Islands taxes, Fund shareholders would likely suffer decreased investment returns. In addition, in late July 2011, the IRS suspended the issuance of private letter rulings relating to the tax treatment of income and gain generated by investments in commodity-linked notes and income generated by investments in controlled foreign corporations, such as the Subsidiary, that invest in commodity-linked derivative instruments.

Tax Risk. The extent of the Fund’s investments in each of the instruments, markets and asset classes described herein and the manner in which the Fund achieves such investments are limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify for taxation as a RIC under the Code. If the Fund does not appropriately limit such investments or if such investments are recharacterized for U.S. tax purposes, the Fund’s treatment as a RIC may be jeopardized. In particular, in order to qualify as a RIC, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income from specified sources (such income, “qualifying income”). Income from direct investments in commodities and certain commodity-related derivatives is not qualifying income. The IRS has indicated in a revenue ruling that income from certain commodity-linked instruments, such as certain structured notes, can constitute “qualifying income,” and the IRS has issued private letter rulings holding that income derived from certain commodity-linked notes constitutes “qualifying income.” In addition, the IRS has issued private letter rulings concluding that income derived by a RIC from a wholly owned subsidiary, such as the Subsidiary, that invests in commodities and commodity-linked derivatives constitutes “qualifying income.” Each of these private letter rulings applies only to the taxpayer that requested it and may not be used or cited as precedent. Moreover, IRS has recently suspended the issuance of such rulings and is reviewing its policy in this area. The Fund has not applied for or received such a ruling from the IRS, and has not determined whether to seek such a ruling if the IRS were to resume issuing such rulings. The Fund intends to take the position that income from its investments in commodity-linked notes and in the Subsidiary will constitute “qualifying income.” In the absence of a ruling, however, there can be no certainty in this regard. It is possible that, as a consequence of its current review of this area, the IRS will reverse its prior position and publish guidance under which it will take the position that these items would not constitute “qualifying income.” The tax treatment of the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary could also be adversely affected by future legislation or Treasury regulations. If income derived by the Fund from its investments in the Subsidiary does not constitute “qualifying income,” the Fund will most likely not qualify as a RIC under the Code. In addition, the Fund’s investments in and through underlying entities such as the Subsidiaries and other investment vehicles may make it difficult for the Fund to meet the RIC qualification requirements regarding the diversification of its assets. Further, the U.S. tax treatment of certain of the Fund’s investments is uncertain; an adverse determination by the IRS regarding the timing, character or amount of the Fund’s income or gains could cause the Fund to fail to meet the distribution requirements for treatment as a RIC. If the Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure any failure to qualify for treatment as a RIC, the Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as dividend income. The Fund’s failure to qualify for treatment as a RIC could therefore significantly reduce shareholders’ returns on their investments in the Fund. In addition, if any income earned by the Subsidiary or by a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle in which the Subsidiary invests were treated as “effectively connected” with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (“effectively connected income” or “ECI”), such income would be subject to both a so-called “branch profits tax” of 30% and a federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. corporations, at the entity level. If, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Subsidiary earns ECI in connection with its direct investment activities, or is deemed to earn ECI in respect of the activities of a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle, a portion or all of the Subsidiary’s income could be subject to these U.S. taxes. The imposition of U.S. taxes on ECI, at either the Subsidiary level or the level of a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle in which the Subsidiary invests, could significantly reduce shareholders’ returns on their investments in the Fund. Also, changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and distributions, potentially affecting the Fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategy in the manner described herein, and potentially resulting in reduced returns to shareholders.

 

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Risks Specific to Investments in Investment Funds and Trading Entities. Investment Funds and Trading Entities often involve special risks not present in direct investments. These risks include:

 

   

Duplicative Fees and Expenses. It is expected that investors in the Fund will bear two layers of asset-based management fees (directly at the Fund level and indirectly at the Investment Fund/Trading Entity level) and a single layer of incentive fees (at both the Investment Fund/Trading Entity level). The Fund does not pay an incentive fee. Expenses exist at the Fund level and the Investment Fund/Trading Entity level.

 

   

Estimates. The Fund’s investments in Investment Funds and Trading Entities will be priced, in the absence of a readily available market values, based on estimates of fair value, which may prove to be inaccurate; these valuations will be used to calculate fees payable to the Advisor and the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when the Fund is holding fair-valued investments may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher redemption proceeds than they would have received if readily available market values were available for all of the Fund’s investments.

 

   

Exemption from 1940 Act. Investment Funds and Trading Entities generally will not be registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act, and therefore, the Fund will not be able to avail itself of the protections of the 1940 Act with respect to such investments.

 

   

Illiquid Securities Risk. Certain Investment Funds, including unaffiliated hedge funds and UCITS funds, are expected to be subject to transfer or redemption restrictions that will impair the liquidity of these investments. Additionally, some Investment Funds may suspend the withdrawal rights of their shareholders, including the Fund, from time to time. Investment Funds are generally permitted to make payment to withdrawing investors in-kind. Thus, upon the Fund’s withdrawal of all or a portion of its interest from an Investment Fund, the Fund may receive an in-kind distribution of investments that are illiquid or difficult to value. Illiquid investments could prevent the Fund from liquidating unfavorable positions promptly and subject the Fund to substantial losses. Furthermore, the valuation of illiquid investments is complex and uncertain, and there can be no assurance that the Advisor’s valuation will accurately reflect the value that will be realized by the Fund upon the eventual disposition of such investment. Disposition of such illiquid investments may also result in distributions in kind to the Fund. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase, particularly during periods of market turmoil.

 

   

Limited Information Rights. The Advisor will be dependent on information, including performance information, provided by the Investment Funds and Trading Entities, which if inaccurate could adversely affect the Advisor’s ability to accurately value the Fund’s shares. In most cases, the Advisor has little or no means of independently verifying this information. In addition, shareholders of the Fund will have no right to receive information about the Investment Funds, the Trading Entities or their managers, and will have no recourse against Investments Funds, the Trading Entities or their managers.

 

   

Performance Fees. Incentive fees charged by advisers of Investment Funds and Trading Entities may create incentives for such advisers to make investments that are riskier or more speculative than in the absence of these fees. Because these fees are often based on both realized as well as unrealized appreciation, the fee may be greater than if it were based only on realized gains. In addition, the advisers of Investment Funds and Trading Entities may receive compensation for positive performance of an Investment Fund or Trading Entity even if the Fund’s overall returns are negative.

 

   

Waiver of Voting Rights. The Fund intends to purchase non-voting securities of, or to contractually forego the right to vote in respect of, Investment Funds in order to prevent the Fund from becoming an “affiliated person” of the Investment Fund for purposes of the 1940 Act and becoming subject to the prohibitions on transactions with affiliated persons contained in the 1940 Act. Consequently, the Fund will not be able to vote to the full extent of its economic interest on matters that require approval of investors in each Investment Fund, including matters that could adversely affect the Fund’s investment.

 

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Portfolio Holdings

A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio holdings is available in the SAI.

More on Fund Management

Advisor and Sub-Advisers

Advisor

Blackstone Alternative Investment Advisors LLC (“BAIA” or the “Advisor”) is the Fund’s investment advisor. BAIA, a registered investment adviser located at 345 Park Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, New York 10154, is an affiliate of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management L.P. and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of The Blackstone Group L.P., a publicly traded master limited partnership that has units that trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BX”.

The Fund will pay the Advisor a management fee (the “Management Fee”) at an annual rate of [__]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Advisor receives no additional compensation for providing management services to the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary has also entered into separate contracts for the provision of custody, transfer agency, and audit services and will bear the fees and expenses it incurs in connection with these services.

A discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the Fund’s investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements by the Board will be available in the Fund’s initial shareholder report.

Portfolio Managers

The portfolio managers of the Fund, in conjunction with the Advisor’s Investment Committee and with the support of a team of other individuals employed by the Advisor, are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. Information regarding the portfolio managers is set forth below.

 

Name

  

Since

  

Title and Recent Biography

Gideon Berger

   2013    [______]

Greg Geiling

   2013    [______]

John McCormick

   2013    [______]

Scott Soussa

   2013    [______]

Stephen Sullens

   2013    [______]

Robert Jordan

   2013    [______]

Alberto Santulin

   2013    [______]

Further information regarding the portfolio managers of the Fund, including compensation, other accounts managed and ownership of securities in the Fund, is available in the SAI.

Sub-Advisers

The Advisor engages the following entities as Sub-Advisers to provide investment management services:

 

   

[                    ]

The Advisor compensates the Sub-Advisers out of the Management Fee it receives from the Fund. Each Sub-Adviser makes investment decisions for the assets it has been allocated to manage, subject to the overall supervision of the Advisor. The Advisor oversees the Sub-Advisers for compliance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies, strategies and restrictions, and monitors each Sub-Adviser’s adherence to its investment style.

 

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Selection of Sub-Advisers

The Advisor currently intends to generally consider the following factors as part of its Sub-Adviser screening process, although the factors considered from time to time or with respect to any one Sub-Adviser may vary and may include only some or none of the factors listed below or other factors that are not listed below:

Attractive Long-Term Risk-Adjusted Investment Performance: The Advisor seeks to choose non-traditional Sub-Advisers that it believes will produce attractive long-term risk-adjusted returns over a full market cycle.

Skilled Application of Non-Traditional Investment Techniques: The Advisor believes that attractive risk-adjusted investment returns can sometimes be found outside traditional investment strategies that rely on relative performance against public market equity and fixed income benchmarks. The Advisor may seek to choose Sub-Advisers who use “non-traditional” investment approaches, which often seek to take advantage of market inefficiencies and other factors in order to outperform the underlying markets of their investments.

Opportunistic Approach to Investing: Among the Sub-Advisers sought out by the Advisor may be “opportunistic” Sub-Advisers who are willing to make substantial investments based on the direction the Sub-Adviser anticipates a particular market, markets or individual securities will take. These Sub-Advisers may make “directional investments” and frequently use leverage to attempt to produce attractive returns.

Management Stability and Committed Investment Professionals: The Advisor believes the ability to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns over a full market cycle, especially when the application of sophisticated non-traditional techniques is involved, is dependent upon the performance of committed investment professionals. No matter how appealing the investment concept, attractive risk-adjusted returns can only be generated by committed people operating in a stable environment.

Ongoing Monitoring: Once selected, the performance of each Sub-Adviser is regularly reviewed, and new Sub-Advisers are identified and considered on an on-going basis. In addition, the allocation of the Fund’s assets among Sub-Advisers, approaches and styles will be regularly monitored and, when required by performance results or changing economic conditions, adjusted.

Multi-Manager Structure

The Advisor, subject to oversight by the Board, has ultimate responsibility to oversee the Permitted Sub-Advisers (as defined below) and recommend the hiring, termination and replacement of the Permitted Sub-Advisers. The Advisor and the Fund have applied for an exemptive order from the SEC that will permit the Advisor to engage additional Permitted Sub-Advisers, and to enter into and materially amend an existing or future subadvisory agreement with a Permitted Sub-Adviser, upon the approval of the Board, without obtaining shareholder approval. As a condition to relying on the order, within 90 days after hiring a new Permitted Sub-Adviser, the Fund will provide shareholders with an information statement containing information about the Permitted Sub-Adviser. The initial sole shareholder of the Fund has approved the Fund’s use of this exemptive order once issued by the SEC and the Fund and the Advisor intend to rely on the exemptive order when issued without seeking additional shareholder approval. As used herein, the term “Permitted Sub-Adviser” means any Sub-Adviser that is either unaffiliated with the Advisor or that is a directly or indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of The Blackstone Group L.P.

Assets not allocated to a Sub-Adviser (including, through the Subsidiary) are managed by the Advisor.

Expense Limitation Undertaking

BAIA has voluntarily entered into an “Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement” with the Fund to limit the amount of the Fund’s “Specified Expenses” (as described below) to an amount not to exceed [    ]% per annum of the Fund’s net assets (the “Expense Cap”) (computed and applied on a monthly basis). “Specified Expenses” is defined to include all expenses incurred in the business of the Fund with the exception of: (i) Acquired fund fees and expenses, (ii) Subsidiary expenses, including Trading Entities’ expenses, (iii) brokerage and trading costs, (iv) interest payments (including any interest expenses, commitment fees, or other expenses related to any line of credit of the

 

29


Fund), (v) taxes, (vi) dividends on short positions and (vii) expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization and (viii) extraordinary expenses (as determined in the sole discretion of the Advisor). To the extent that Specified Expenses for the Fund for any month exceed the Expense Cap, BAIA will waive its fees and/or reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess. BAIA may discontinue its obligations under the Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement at any time in its sole discretion after [            ] upon appropriate notice to the Fund. This arrangement cannot be terminated prior to [            ] without the Board’s consent.

The Fund has agreed to repay the amounts borne by BAIA under the Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement within the three year period after BAIA bears the expense, when and if requested by BAIA, but only if and to the extent that the Specified Expenses of the Fund are less than the lower of the Expense Cap and any expense limitation agreement then in effect with respect to the Specified Expenses. BAIA is permitted to receive such repayment from the Fund provided that the reimbursement amount does not raise the level of Specified Expenses of the Fund in the month the repayment is made to a level that exceeds the Expense Cap or any other expense limitation agreement then in effect with respect to the Specified Expenses.

Shareholder Information

Determination of Net Asset Value

The net asset value or “NAV” of the Fund and its shares is determined as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, generally at 4:00 p.m. New York time. The NAV per share of the Fund is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of outstanding shares. NAV is not determined on any days when the NYSE is closed for business. In addition, because the Fund may hold portfolio securities listed on non-U.S. exchanges that trade on days on which the NYSE or the U.S. bond markets are closed, the net asset value of the Fund’s shares may change significantly on days when shares cannot be redeemed.

The Fund may elect not to determine NAV on days when none of its shares are tendered for redemption and it accepts no orders to purchase its shares.

The value of the Fund’s investments is generally determined as follows:

Exchange-traded securities (other than exchange-traded bonds and exchange-traded options)

 

   

Last sale price or

 

   

Official settlement price or

 

   

Average of the bid and ask prices

 

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Exchange-traded bonds

 

   

Average of the bid and ask prices of the security if bid and ask both existed at the last moment of the regular trading session for such security or bid price at the close of trading on such exchange on such day

Exchange-traded options

 

   

Official settlement price of any security for which an official settlement price exists as of the last trading day of the applicable month, or if no official settlement price exists, at the average of the bid and ask prices of the security if bid and ask both existed at the last moment of the regular trading session for such a security, or at the bid price at the close of trading on such exchange on such day

Forwards

 

   

Forward currency contracts are valued at the current forward market prices obtained from brokers or from independent pricing sources

Over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivative contracts and fixed-income instruments

 

   

Such instruments are valued using independent market data providers, counterparty valuations or independent broker quotes. Average of prices obtained from brokers is used where applicable.

Shares of other open-end registered investment companies

 

   

Most recent NAV

The values of non-U.S. securities quoted in non-U.S. currencies, non-U.S. currency balances and non-U.S. forward currency contracts are typically translated into U.S. dollars at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, generally at 4:00 p.m. New York time, at then current exchange rates or at such other rates as the Board or persons acting at its direction may determine in computing net asset value.

Although the Advisor normally does not evaluate pricing sources on a day-to-day basis, it does evaluate pricing sources on an ongoing basis and may change a pricing source at any time. The Advisor monitors erratic or unusual movements (including unusual inactivity) in the prices supplied for a security and has discretion to override a price supplied by a source (e.g., by taking a price supplied by another) when it believes that the price supplied is not reliable. Although alternative pricing sources may be available for securities held by the Fund, those alternative sources are not typically part of the valuation process and do not necessarily provide greater certainty about the prices used by the Fund.

Interests in Investment Funds and Trading Entities

The Fund bases its net asset value on valuations of its interests in the Investment Funds and Trading Entities (collectively, the “Investment Vehicles” and each, an “Investment Vehicle”) as of the time of the Fund’s valuation. Valuations of the Investment Vehicles are reported to the Fund by the applicable managers and their agents, including their administrators, based on each Investment Vehicle’s valuation policies and reported at the time of the Fund’s valuation. Typically, the fair value of the Fund’s interest in an Investment Vehicle represents the amount that the Fund could reasonably expect to receive from an Investment Vehicle were the Fund to withdraw its interest at the time of valuation, based on information reasonably available at the time the valuation is made and that the Fund believes to be reliable. Managers typically have discretion to determine whether market prices or quotations fairly represent the value of particular assets held by the Investment Vehicles, and also typically are authorized to assign a value to these assets that differs from the market prices or quotations for such assets. As a result, information available to the Fund concerning the value of its interests in Investment Vehicles may not reflect market prices or quotations for the underlying assets held by such Investment Vehicles. With respect to Investment Vehicles that do not report a value to the Fund on a timely basis, the Fund determines the fair value of its interest in the Investment Vehicle based on the most recent value reported by the Investment Vehicle, together with any other relevant information available at the time the Fund values its portfolio.

 

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There are uncertainties in the valuations reported by the manager or agent of an Investment Vehicle, upon which the Fund calculates its own net assets. As a result, the Fund’s net assets (and net asset value) may be subject to later adjustment, based on information reasonably available at such later time that shows earlier conclusions regarding the valuation of one or more Investment Vehicles were inaccurate. Valuation determinations that are later shown to be inaccurate may have an adverse effect on the Fund or individual shareholders by affecting the amount of fees paid by the Fund, causing purchasing or redeeming shareholders to pay or receive too little or too much for their shares and causing the interests of remaining shareholders to become overvalued or diluted.

For example, fiscal year-end net asset value calculations of the Investment Vehicles typically would be audited by their independent auditors and may be revised as a result of such audits. Other adjustments may occur from time to time. Adjustments or revisions, whether increasing or decreasing the net asset value of the Fund at the time they occur, because they relate to information available only at the time of the adjustment or revision, will not affect the amounts received from the Fund by investors who redeemed their shares before such adjustments. As a result, to the extent that subsequently adjusted valuations from the manager or agent of an Investment Vehicle or revisions to the net asset value of an Investment Vehicle adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value, the shares will be adversely affected by previous redemptions to the benefit of shareholders who redeemed their shares at a net asset value higher than the adjusted amount. Conversely, any increases in the net asset value resulting from such subsequently adjusted valuations will be entirely for the benefit of the then-outstanding shares and to the detriment of shareholders who previously redeemed their shares at a net asset value lower than the adjusted amount. The same principles apply to the purchase of shares.

“Fair Value” Pricing

For all other assets and securities, including derivatives, and in cases where market quotations are not readily available or circumstances make an existing methodology or procedure unreliable, the Fund’s investments are valued at “fair value,” as determined in good faith by the Board or pursuant to procedures approved by the Fund’s Board.

With respect to the Fund’s use of “fair value” pricing, you should note the following:

 

   

In some cases, a significant portion of the Fund’s assets may be “fair valued.” The values of assets that are “fair valued” are determined by the Board or persons acting at the Board’s direction pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Factors that may be considered in determining “fair value” include, among others, the value of other financial instruments traded on other markets, trading volumes, changes in interest rates, observations from financial institutions, significant events (which may be considered to include changes in the value of U.S. securities or securities indices) that occur after the close of the of the relevant market and before the Fund’s net asset value is calculated, other news events, and significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). Because of the uncertainty inherent in fair value pricing, the fair value determined for a particular security may be materially different from the value realized upon its sale.

 

   

The Fund may also fair value securities that trade in securities markets that close prior to the close of the NYSE due to time zone differences. For example, the Fund may fair value its international equity holdings as a result of significant events that occur after the close of the relevant market and before the time the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. In these cases, the benchmark or index may use the local market closing price, while the Fund uses an adjusted “fair value” price.

 

   

The Fund’s use of fair value pricing may cause the Fund’s returns to differ from those of its benchmark or other comparative index more than would otherwise be the case. The use of fair value pricing may reduce the opportunity for arbitrageurs to profit from frequent trading in the Fund.

Additional Information about the Purchase and Sale of Shares

The Fund currently offers one class of Shares, Class I Shares, which is being offered by this Prospectus.

Class I Shares are offered for investors who are clients of investment advisors, consultants, broker dealers or other financial intermediaries who: (a) charge such clients fees for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services and (b) have entered into an agreement with Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P. (the “Distributor”) to offer Class I Shares. Class I Shares may also be offered for investment by personnel of the Advisor, and as may be determined by the Board. At the time of the Fund’s commencement of operations, it is expected that shares of the Fund may be held exclusively by a single financial advisor who will hold the shares on behalf of its clients.

 

32


Financial intermediaries who offer Class I Shares typically charge fees from their clients and/or offer the shares subject to policies that are in addition to those described in this Prospectus. You should contact your financial intermediary for information regarding such fees and/or policies.

You may purchase or redeem shares of the fund each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open, at the Fund’s net asset value determined after receipt of your request in good order.

The Fund may reject for any reason, or cancel as permitted or required by law, any purchase orders, including transactions deemed to represent excessive trading, at any time.

Excessive trading of Fund shares can harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs to the Fund (such as brokerage commissions), disrupting portfolio management strategies, and diluting the value of the shares in cases in which fluctuations in markets are not fully priced in the Fund’s NAV.

Buying Shares

The price to buy one share of the Fund is its NAV. The Fund’s shares are sold without a sales charge.

Shares will be bought at the NAV next calculated after an order is received in proper form.

The Fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.

Under applicable anti-money laundering regulations and other federal regulations, purchase orders may be suspended, restricted, or canceled and the monies may be withheld.

Redemption of Shares

Shares will be redeemed at the NAV next calculated after an order is received in proper form. Normally, redemptions will be processed by the next business day following the day they are received in proper form, but it may take up to seven days to pay the redemption proceeds if making immediate payment would adversely affect the Fund.

Redemptions may be suspended or payment dates postponed when the NYSE is closed (other than weekends or holidays), when trading on the NYSE is restricted, or as permitted by the SEC.

Redemption proceeds may be paid in securities or other property (or cash and securities and other property) rather than in cash if the Advisor determines it is in the best interests of the Fund.

When you terminate your relationship with your financial intermediary, your shares may be sold at the NAV next calculated, in which case your financial intermediary would send the redemption proceeds to you.

Under applicable anti-money laundering regulations and other federal regulations, redemption requests may be suspended, restricted, canceled, or processed and the proceeds may be withheld.

Exchanging Shares

The Fund has no exchange privilege with any other fund.

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Shares

Frequent purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares may inhibit the efficient management of the Fund’s portfolio by the Advisor, increase portfolio transaction costs, and have a negative effect on the Fund’s long term shareholders. For example, in order to handle large flows of cash into and out of the Fund, the Advisor may need to

 

33


allocate more assets to cash or other short-term investments or sell securities, rather than maintaining full investment in securities selected to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Frequent trading may cause the Fund to sell securities at less favorable prices. Transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and market spreads, can detract from the Fund’s performance.

Funds (such as this Fund) that invest in foreign securities may be at a greater risk for excessive trading. Investors may attempt to take advantage of anticipated price movements in securities held by the Fund based on events occurring after the close of a foreign market that may not be reflected in the Fund’s NAV (referred to as “price arbitrage”). In addition, if the Fund invests in certain smaller capitalization companies that are, among other things, thinly traded, traded infrequently, or relatively illiquid, there is the risk that the current market price for the securities may not accurately reflect current market values. A shareholder may seek to engage in short-term trading to take advantage of these pricing differences. To the extent that the Fund does not accurately value securities, short-term arbitrage traders may dilute the NAV of the Fund, which negatively impacts long-term shareholders. Although the Fund has adopted fair valuation policies and procedures intended to reduce the Fund’s exposure to price arbitrage and other potential pricing inefficiencies, there remains potential for short-term arbitrage trades to dilute the value of the Fund’s shares.

Because of the potential harm to the Fund and its long term shareholders, the Board has approved policies and procedures that are intended to discourage and prevent excessive trading and market timing abuses through the use of various surveillance techniques. Under these policies and procedures, the Fund may limit additional purchases of shares by shareholders who are believed by the Fund to be engaged in these abusive trading activities. The intent of the policies and procedures is not to inhibit legitimate strategies, such as asset allocation, dollar cost averaging or similar activities that may nonetheless result in frequent trading of shares. For this reason, the Board has not adopted any specific restrictions on purchases and sales of shares, but the Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase of shares with or without prior notice to the account holder. In cases where surveillance of a particular account establishes what the Fund identifies as market timing, the Fund will seek to block future purchases of shares by that account. Where surveillance of a particular account indicates activity that the Fund believes could be either abusive or for legitimate purposes, the Fund may permit the account holder to justify the activity. The policies and procedures will be applied uniformly to all shareholders and the Fund will not accommodate market timers.

The Fund’s policies provide for ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of current policies and surveillance tools, and the Board reserves the right to modify these or adopt additional policies and restrictions in the future. Shareholders should be aware, however, that any surveillance techniques currently employed by the Fund or other techniques that may be adopted in the future, may not be effective, particularly where the trading takes place through certain types of omnibus accounts. As noted above, if the Fund is unable to detect and deter trading abuses, the Fund’s performance, and its long term shareholders, may be harmed. In addition, shareholders may be harmed by the extra costs and portfolio management inefficiencies that result from frequent trading of shares, even when the trading is not for abusive purposes.

Cost Basis Reporting

Upon the redemption or sale of your shares in the Fund, the Fund or, if you purchase your shares through a financial intermediary, your financial intermediary generally will be required to provide you and the IRS with cost basis information. Please see the Fund’s website at [            ] or contact the Fund at [            ], or consult your financial intermediary, as appropriate, for more information regarding available methods for cost basis reporting and how to select a particular method. Please consult your tax advisor to determine which available cost basis method is best for you.

Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

Dividends and Distributions

The Fund earns dividends, interest and other income from its investments, and distributes this income (less expenses) to shareholders as dividends. The Fund also realizes capital gains from its investments, and distributes these gains (less any losses) to shareholders as capital gain distributions.

 

34


The Fund normally pays dividends and capital gain distributions in December but may make additional distributions at other times.

Your dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund or, if you elect, paid to you in cash.

Tax Considerations

The following tax discussion offers only a brief outline of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the Fund and is based on the federal tax laws in effect on the date hereof. Such tax laws are subject to change by legislative, judicial or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. Further, this discussion does not address tax consequences to specific types of shareholders such as tax-deferred retirement plans or foreign shareholders (defined below). The SAI provides more detailed information regarding the tax consequences of investing in the Fund.

Dividends paid out of the Fund’s investment income will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned or is considered to have owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long you have owned your shares. Distributions from the sale of investments that the Fund owned for more than one year and that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends are taxable to you as long-term capital gains. Distributions from the sale of investments that the Fund owned for one year or less are taxable to you as ordinary income.

Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals have been temporarily reduced—in general to 15%, with lower rates applying to taxpayers in the 10% and 15% rate brackets—for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2012. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend these reduced rates for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013 or what the terms of such extension would be.

For taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2012, distributions reported by the Fund as derived from “qualified dividend income” (“QDI”) will be taxed to individual shareholders at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund level. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend the special tax treatment of QDI for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013 or what the terms of such extension would be. In addition, if a portion of the Fund’s income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations, a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund level. The Fund cannot predict at this time what portion, if any, of its dividends will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or for treatment as QDI.

Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, a new 3.8% Medicare contribution tax will be imposed on the “net investment income” of individuals, estates and trusts whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Net investment income generally includes for this purpose dividends paid by the Fund, including any capital gain dividends, and net capital gains recognized on the sale, redemption or exchange of shares of the Fund. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in the Fund.

The ultimate tax characterization of a Fund’s distributions made in a taxable year cannot be determined finally until after the end of that taxable year. As a result, there is a possibility that the Fund may make total distributions during a taxable year in an amount that exceeds its current and accumulated earnings and profits. A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits is treated as a non-taxable return of capital that reduces your tax basis in your Fund shares; any such distribution in excess of your tax basis is treated as gain from a sale of your shares.

The tax treatment of your dividends and distributions will be the same regardless of whether they are paid to you in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares. If you buy shares of the Fund when the Fund has unrealized gains that are subsequently realized, or realized but not yet distributed income or gains, you will be “buying a dividend” by paying the full price for the shares and then receiving a portion back in the form of a taxable distribution.

 

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A distribution will be treated as paid to you on December 31 of the current calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during January of the following year.

Each year, we will notify you of the tax status of dividends and other distributions.

The Fund intends to elect to be treated as, and intends to qualify and be treated each year as, a “regulated investment company” (a “RIC”) under U.S. federal income tax law. In order to qualify and be treated as a RIC, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from “qualifying income” as defined in the Code and meet requirements with respect to diversification of assets and distribution of income and gains. If the Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC, it generally will not be required to pay federal income taxes on income and gains it distributes in a timely manner to shareholders. If the Fund were to fail to meet any of these requirements, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax, paying interest, making additional distributions, or disposing of certain assets. If the Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, the Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income and gains at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

As noted above, the Fund intends to gain exposure to commodities and commodity-related instruments in whole or in part through investments in the Subsidiary. The Fund intends to take the position that income from its investments in commodity-linked notes and in the Subsidiary will constitute “qualifying income” for purposes of RIC qualification. Under current law and in the absence of an IRS ruling or other guidance, there can be no certainty in this regard.

The Subsidiary is wholly owned by the Fund. A U.S. person who owns (directly, indirectly or constructively) 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a foreign corporation is a “U.S. Shareholder” for purposes of the controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) provisions of the Code. A foreign corporation is a CFC if, on any day of its taxable year, more than 50 percent of the voting power or value of its stock is owned (directly, indirectly or constructively) by “U.S. Shareholders.” Because the Fund is a U.S. person that owns all of the stock of the Subsidiary, the Fund is a “U.S. Shareholder” with respect to the Subsidiary and the Subsidiary is a CFC. As a “U.S. Shareholder,” the Fund is required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes all of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F income” (defined below), whether or not such income is distributed by the Subsidiary. It is expected that all of the Subsidiary’s income will be “subpart F income.” “Subpart F income” generally includes interest, original issue discount, dividends, net gains from the disposition of stocks or securities, receipts with respect to securities loans, net gains from transactions (including futures, forward and similar transactions) in commodities, and net payments received with respect to equity swaps and similar derivatives. The Fund’s recognition of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F income” will increase the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. Distributions by the Subsidiary to the Fund will be tax-free, to the extent of the Subsidiary’s previously undistributed “subpart F income,” and will correspondingly reduce the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. “Subpart F income” is generally treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiary’s underlying income. Net losses incurred by the Subsidiary during a tax year do not flow through to the Fund and thus will not be available to offset income or capital gain generated from the Fund’s other investments. In addition, net losses incurred by the Subsidiary during a tax year generally cannot be carried forward by the Subsidiary to offset gains realized by it in subsequent tax years.

Further, if a net loss is realized by a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such net loss generally is not available to offset the income earned from other sources by the Subsidiary that invests in such Trading Entity or other investment vehicle.

In addition, if any income earned by the Subsidiary or by a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle in which the Subsidiary invests were treated as “effectively connected” with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (“effectively connected income” or “ECI”), such income would be subject to both a so-called “branch profits tax” of 30% and a federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. corporations, at the entity level. If, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Subsidiary earns ECI in connection with its direct investment activities, or is deemed to earn ECI in respect of the activities of a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle, a portion or all of the Subsidiary’s income could be subject to these U.S. taxes. The Fund expects that, in general, the activities of the

 

36


Subsidiary and of the Trading Entities and other investment vehicles in which the Subsidiary invests will be conducted in such a manner that none of these entities will be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business, but there can be no assurance that none of these entities will recognize any effectively connected income. The imposition of U.S. taxes on ECI, at either the Subsidiary level or the level of a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle in which the Subsidiary invests, could significantly reduce shareholders’ returns on their investments in the Fund.

Certain of the Fund’s investments, including certain debt instruments, derivatives, its investment in the Subsidiary, exchange-traded notes, commodity-related investments and foreign securities or foreign currencies, could affect the amount, timing and character of distributions you receive or could cause the Fund to recognize taxable income in excess of the cash generated by such investments (which may require the Fund to liquidate investments, including when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to make required distributions). Further, the application of the requirements for treatment as a RIC under the Code can be unclear with respect to certain of these investments. As a result, the extent to which or manner in which the Fund makes such investments can be limited by tax considerations and there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to maintain its status as a RIC.

Certain dividends and other distributions received by the Fund from sources outside the United States may be subject to withholding taxes imposed by countries outside the U.S. This may reduce the return on your investment. In the event that more than 50% of the value of the total assets of the Fund at the close of the taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may make an election to pass through to its shareholders the amount of foreign income taxes paid by it. If the Fund is eligible and makes this election, you will be required to include your share of those taxes in gross income as a distribution from the Fund and you generally will be allowed to claim a credit (or a deduction, if you itemize deductions) for such amounts on your federal U.S. income tax return, subject to certain limitations.

The Fund’s investments in foreign securities (other than equity securities) or foreign currencies may increase or accelerate the Fund’s recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the Fund’s distributions.

If you sell or redeem your Fund shares, you may realize a capital gain or loss (provided the shares are held as a capital asset) which will be long-term or short-term, depending generally on your holding period for the shares. See “Cost Basis Reporting” above for a description of reporting rules relating to redemptions of Fund shares.

The Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder (i) who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, (ii) who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or (iii) who fails to certify to the Fund that he, she or it is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding rate is 28% for amounts paid before January 1, 2013 and is currently scheduled to increase to 31% for amounts paid thereafter.

Investments through tax-qualified retirement plans and other tax-advantaged investors are generally not subject to current federal income tax, although certain real estate-related income may be subject to special rules, including potential taxation and reporting requirements. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the precise effect of an investment in a Fund on their particular tax situation.

Fund distributions also may be subject to state and local taxes. You should consult with your own tax advisor regarding the particular consequences of investing in the Fund.

Absent a specific statutory exemption, dividends other than capital gain dividends paid to a shareholder that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of the Code (a “non-U.S. shareholder”) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate). Capital gain dividends paid to foreign shareholders are generally not subject to such withholding. Effective for taxable years of a RIC beginning before January 1, 2012, the RIC was not required to withhold any amounts with respect to distributions of (i) U.S.-source interest income that would not have been subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, and (ii) net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, in each case to the extent the RIC properly reported such distributions in a written notice to shareholders. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend these exemptions from withholding for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012, or what the terms of any such an extension would be, including whether such extension would have retroactive effect.

 

37


The “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” (“FATCA”), generally imposes a reporting and 30% withholding tax regime with respect to certain U.S.-source income, including dividends and interest, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposal of property that can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends. Very generally, subject to future guidance, it is possible that, beginning with certain payments made in 2014, distributions to a shareholder by the Fund will be subject to the 30% withholding requirement, unless the shareholder provides certain information, certifications, waivers, or other documentation, as the Fund requires, to comply with the new rules. For more information, see the Statement of Additional Information.

Non-resident alien individuals, foreign trusts or estates, foreign corporations or foreign partnerships (foreign shareholders) are advised to consult with their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information.

Distribution Arrangements

Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P. (“BAP”) distributes the Fund’s shares. The Fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to its shares. The Distribution and Service Plan authorizes the Fund to pay a distribution and service fee of [            ] to BAP. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. A broker-dealer or other financial intermediary selling the Fund’s shares typically receives some or all of the distribution and service fees attributable to shares sold by such intermediary.

In addition, the Advisor may use its own resources to pay BAP or other broker-dealers or financial intermediaries in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of shares of the Fund and/or for shareholder support services. The Advisor or BAP may pay significant amounts to intermediaries, including, but not limited to, retirement plan sponsors, service-providers, and administrators that provide those services. Payments by BAP or the Advisor may create an incentive for an intermediary, or its representatives, to recommend or offer shares of the Fund to its customers.

No dealer, sales representative, or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in this prospectus and in the related SAI, in connection with the offer contained in this prospectus. If given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Fund or BAP. This prospectus and the related SAI do not constitute an offer by the Fund or by BAP to sell shares of the Fund to or to buy shares of the Fund from any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer.

Financial Highlights

The Fund has not commenced operations, so it has no financial highlights to report.

 

38


You may visit the Fund’s website, [            ], for a free copy of a Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) or an Annual or Semi-Annual Report.

Shareholder reports. Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders. Once available, in the Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

The Fund sends only one report to a household if more than one account has the same last name and same address. Contact your service agent or the Fund if you do not want this policy to apply to you.

Statement of additional information. The SAI provides more detailed information about the Fund and is incorporated by reference into (is legally a part of) this Prospectus.

You can make inquiries about the Fund or obtain shareholder reports or the SAI (without charge) by contacting your service agent or by calling the Fund at [            ], or by writing to the Fund at [            ].

Information about the fund (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of this information may be obtained for a duplicating fee by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549.

If someone makes a statement about the Fund that is not in this Prospectus, you should not rely upon that information. Neither the Fund nor the distributor is offering to sell shares of the Fund to any person to whom the Fund may not lawfully sell its shares.

File Number, 811-22743


The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

[            ], 2012

BLACKSTONE ALTERNATIVE MULTI-MANAGER FUND

345 Park Avenue

28th Floor

New York, New York 10154

212-583-5000

Class I Shares – [            ]

The prospectus of Blackstone Alternative Multi-Manager Fund (the “Fund”), a series of Blackstone Alternative Investment Funds (the “Trust”), dated [            ], 2012 (the “Prospectus”), provides the basic information investors should know before investing. This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), which is not a prospectus, is intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of the Fund and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus. You may request a copy of the Prospectus or this SAI free of charge by contacting the Fund at the address or telephone numbers provided above. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this SAI have meanings accorded to them in the Fund’s Prospectus.

 

2


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND

     4   

INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS

     4   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES OF THE FUND AND RELATED RISKS

     7   

MANAGEMENT

     39   

Board’s Oversight Role in Management

     39   

Board Composition and Fund Leadership Structure

     39   

Compensation of Trustees and Officers

     40   

Trustee Qualifications

     40   

Standing Committees

     41   

Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers (as of [recent practicable date])

     41   

Compensation of Portfolio Manager(s)

     41   

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

     42   

CODES OF ETHICS

     44   

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

     44   

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES

     44   

The Advisor

     44   

The Sub-Advisers

     45   

Administrator

     45   

Custodian

     45   

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     45   

Legal Counsel

     45   

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

     45   

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

     46   

TAXES

     49   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     62   

Appendix A – Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

     A-1   

 

3


DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND

The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on August 27, 2012 under the name Blackstone Investor Solutions Funds. On September 10, 2012, the Trust was renamed Blackstone Alternative Investment Funds. The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, which may be divided into different series and classes.

The Fund, currently the sole series of the Trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund is non-diversified.

INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS

The investment objective and principal investment strategies of the Fund, as well as the principal risks associated with the Fund’s investment strategies, are set forth in the Prospectus. Certain additional related information is provided below. The various investment funds (“Investment Funds”) and wholly-owned trading entities (“Trading Entities”) in which the Fund invests are not subject to the investment policies of the Fund and may have different or contrary investment policies.

Organization and Management of the Wholly-Owned Subsidiary

A portion of the Fund’s assets (up to 25%) may be invested in a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”) of the Fund formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Subsidiary is advised by the Advisor and has the same investment objective as the Fund. The Advisor may retain one or more Sub-Advisers to invest the Subsidiary’s assets or the Advisor may invest the Subsidiary’s assets in one or more trading entities (the “Trading Entities”). Each Trading Entity will have a trading program managed on a discretionary basis by a different third-party manager, typically a commodity trading advisor, pursuant to the manager’s managed futures program. Each Trading Entity is wholly-owned by the Subsidiary and thus indirectly wholly-owned by the Fund.

Each Trading Entity pays its manager both a management fee and a performance fee. The management fee is calculated based on the Trading Entity’s nominal trading level and the performance fee is calculated as a percentage of the Trading Entity’s net profits.

The investment exposure of each Trading Entity is expected to exceed the cash deposited in its trading account(s). For example, in order for a Trading Entity to trade a $50,000,000 portfolio (its “nominal trading level”) the Trading Entity’s initial margin requirement might be only $2,500,000. Instead of “fully funding” its account by depositing $50,000,000, the Trading Entity might deposit a lesser amount that meets the account’s ongoing minimum margin requirements. The difference between the amount of cash deposited in the account and the nominal trading level of the account is known as notional funding. Notional funding is a form of investment leverage, which is expected to increase the volatility of the Trading Entities. The use of notional funding may subject the Trading Entities to more frequent margin calls. Only the assets of the Trading Entity will be available for its margin calls.

A Trading Entity’s management fee is calculated based on nominal trading level, not the value of the cash or other assets held in its trading account(s). As a result, the management fee rate, as a percentage of the value of the assets in the Trading Entity’s trading account, will exceed the stated rate. For example, if a notionally funded Trading Entity has cash assets of $20 million, a nominal trading level of $200 million, and pays a management fee at an annual rate of 1.5% of the nominal account size ($200 million), the Trading Entity will pay an annual management fee of $3 million. The $3 million management fee is 1.5% of the Trading Entity’s nominal account size of $200 million, but 15% of its cash funding level of $20 million.

Each Trading Entity also pays its trading advisor a performance-based fee that generally will be calculated on a basis that includes realized and unrealized appreciation of the Trading Entity’s assets and does not take into account the Fund’s or the Subsidiary’s performance. As a result, a Trading Entity with positive performance may pay a performance fee even if the Fund’s or the Subsidiary’s overall returns are negative. In addition, it is anticipated that Trading Entities often will pay performance fees on a quarterly or semi-annual basis (or, in some cases, upon a withdrawal of capital), making it possible that a Trading Entity will pay a performance fee in a year in which its overall performance for the entire year is negative.

 

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Fundamental Investment Restrictions

The Fund is subject to the following fundamental investment restrictions. The Fund may (except as noted below):

(1) Borrow money, make loans or issue senior securities to the fullest extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the rules or regulations thereunder or applicable orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as such statute, rules, regulations or orders may be amended from time to time.

(2) Not invest 25% or more of its total assets in a particular industry or group of industries. Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities are not considered to represent an industry.

(3) Underwrite securities to the fullest extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or applicable orders of the SEC, as such statute, rules, regulations or orders may be amended from time to time.

(4) Purchase or sell commodities, commodities contracts, futures contracts and related options, options, forward contracts or real estate to the fullest extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or applicable orders of the SEC, as such statute, rules, regulations or orders may be amended from time to time.

The fundamental investment limitations set forth above restrict the ability of the Fund to engage in certain practices and purchase securities and other instruments other than as permitted by, or consistent with, the 1940 Act. Relevant limitations of the 1940 Act as they presently exist are described below. These limitations are based either on the 1940 Act itself, the rules or regulations thereunder or applicable orders of the SEC. In addition, interpretations and guidance provided by the SEC staff may be taken into account, where deemed appropriate by the Fund, to determine if a certain practice or the purchase of securities or other instruments is permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or applicable orders of the SEC. As a result, the foregoing fundamental investment policies may be interpreted differently over time as the statute, rules, regulations or orders (or, if applicable, interpretations) that relate to the meaning and effect of these policies change, and no shareholder vote will be required or sought.

Fundamental Investment Restriction (1). Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may only borrow up to one-third of the value of its total assets less liabilities (other than liabilities representing senior securities). Borrowing by a fund allows it to leverage its portfolio, which exposes it to certain risks. Leveraging increases the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of portfolio securities on a fund’s net asset value, and money borrowed will be subject to interest costs (which may include commitment fees and/or the cost of maintaining minimum average balances) which may or may not exceed the return from the securities purchased with borrowed funds. A fund may use borrowed money for any purpose permitted by the 1940 Act.

The 1940 Act also restricts the ability of any mutual fund to lend. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may only make loans if expressly permitted to do so by its investment policies, and the Fund may not make loans to persons who control or are under common control with the Fund. Thus, the 1940 Act effectively prohibits the Fund from making loans to certain persons when conflicts of interest or undue influence are most likely present. The Fund may, however, make other loans which, if made, would expose shareholders to additional risks, such as the failure of the other party to repay the loan. The Fund retains the flexibility to make loans to the extent permitted by its investment policies.

 

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The ability of a mutual fund to issue senior securities is severely circumscribed by complex regulatory constraints under the 1940 Act that restrict, for instance, the amount, timing, and form of senior securities that may be issued. Certain portfolio management techniques, such as reverse repurchase agreements, credit default swaps, total return swaps, futures contracts, dollar rolls, the purchase of securities on margin, short sales, or the writing of puts on portfolio securities, may be considered senior securities unless appropriate steps are taken to segregate the Fund’s assets or otherwise cover its obligations. To the extent the Fund covers its commitment under these transactions, including by the segregation of liquid assets, such instrument will not be considered a “senior security” by the Fund and, therefore, will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by the Fund. Although this SAI describes certain permitted methods of segregating assets or otherwise “covering” such transactions for these purposes, such descriptions are not complete. The fund may cover such transactions using other methods currently or in the future permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, or orders issued by the SEC thereunder. For these purposes, interpretations and guidance provided by the SEC staff may be taken into account when deemed appropriate by the fund.

Under the 1940 Act, a “senior security” does not include (i) 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 or (ii) any promissory note or evidence of indebtedness where such loan is for temporary purposes only and in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the total assets of the issuer at the time the loan is made. A loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within sixty days and is not extended or renewed.

Fundamental Investment Restriction (2). If the Fund were to invest 25% or more of its total assets in a particular industry or group of industries, investors would be exposed to greater risks because the performance of the Fund would be largely dependent on the performance of that industry or industries. The industry concentration policy of the Fund does not preclude it from investing 25% or more of its total assets in issuers in a group of industries (such as different types of technology issuers) for temporary defensive purposes or in order to remain fully invested. For purposes of this fundamental investment policy, Investment Funds, any Subsidiary, any Trading Entity and investment companies are not considered part of any industry or group of industries. In addition, the Fund does not consider futures clearinghouses or securities clearinghouses to be part of any industry. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing in Fundamental Investment Restriction (2) will limit the ability of the Fund to invest in an Investment Fund, the Subsidiary or a Trading Entity. For purposes of determining compliance with Fundamental Investment Restriction (2), the Fund will not consider portfolio investments held by the Investment Funds.

Fundamental Investment Restriction (4). This restriction permits investment in commodities, commodities contracts (e.g., futures contracts or related options), options, forward contracts or real estate to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. Commodities, as opposed to commodity futures, represent the actual underlying bulk goods, such as grains, metals and foodstuffs. Real estate-related instruments include real estate investment trusts, commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, and real estate financings, and such instruments are generally sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values and property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, overbuilding, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer.

The restrictions listed above are fundamental policies of the Fund. Except as described herein, the Fund, as a fundamental policy, may not alter these policies without the approval of the holders of a majority of its outstanding shares. For purposes of the foregoing, “a majority of the outstanding shares” means (i) 67% or more of such shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of such shares are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of such shares, whichever is less.

Unless otherwise indicated, all limitations applicable to the investments (as stated above and elsewhere in this Statement of Additional Information and the Prospectus) of the Fund apply only at the time a transaction is entered into. Any subsequent change in a rating assigned by any rating service to a security (or, if unrated, deemed by the Advisor to be of comparable quality), or change in the percentage of the Fund’s assets invested in certain securities or other instruments resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in the Fund’s total assets will not require the Fund to dispose of an investment. In the event that rating agencies assign different ratings to the same security, the Advisor will determine which rating it believes best reflects the security’s quality and risk at that time, which may be the higher of the several assigned ratings.

 

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The Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. During these times, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, shares of money market mutual funds, commercial paper, zero coupon bonds, repurchase agreements, and other securities the Advisor believes to be consistent with the Fund’s best interests. During a period in which the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES OF THE FUND AND RELATED RISKS

Additional information regarding the types of securities and financial instruments in which the Fund may invest, directly or indirectly through its investments in Trading Entities and Investments Funds, and certain of the investment techniques that may be used by Advisor or the Managers, are set forth below. Any decision to invest in the Fund should take into account the possibility that the Fund may make virtually any kind of investment, and be subject to related risks, which can be substantial.

As applicable, references to the “Fund” shall mean any one or more of the Investment Funds, the Trading Entities and the Fund and references to a “Manager” shall mean any one or more of the Advisor, the Sub-Advisers and the advisers to the Investment Fund and Trading Entities.

Risks of Foreign Investments

General. Investment in foreign issuers or securities principally traded outside the United States may involve special risks due to foreign economic, political, and legal developments, including favorable or unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates, exchange control regulations (including currency blockage), expropriation, nationalization or confiscatory taxation of assets, and possible difficulty in obtaining and enforcing judgments against foreign entities. The Fund may be subject to foreign taxation on realized capital gains, dividends or interest payable on foreign securities, on transactions in those securities and on the repatriation of proceeds generated from those securities. Transaction-based charges are generally calculated as a percentage of the transaction amount and are paid upon the sale or transfer of portfolio securities subject to such taxes. Any taxes or other charges paid or incurred by the Fund in respect of its foreign securities will reduce the Fund’s yield. See “Taxes” below for more information about these and other special tax considerations applicable to investments in securities of foreign issuers and securities principally traded outside the United States.

In addition, the tax laws of some foreign jurisdictions in which the Fund may invest are unclear and interpretations of such laws can change over time. As a result, in order to comply with guidance related to the accounting and disclosure of uncertain tax positions under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Fund may be required to accrue for book purposes certain foreign taxes in respect of its foreign securities or other foreign investments that it may or may not ultimately pay. Such tax accruals will reduce the Fund’s net asset value at the time accrued, even though, in some cases, the Fund ultimately will not pay the related tax liabilities. Conversely, the Fund’s net asset value will be increased by any tax accruals that are ultimately reversed.

Issuers of foreign securities are subject to different, often less comprehensive, accounting, custody, reporting, and disclosure requirements than U.S. issuers. The securities of some foreign governments, companies, and securities markets are less liquid, and at times more volatile, than comparable U.S. securities and securities markets. Foreign brokerage commissions and related fees also are generally higher than in the United States. The Fund also may be affected by different custody and/or settlement practices or delayed settlements in some foreign markets. The laws of some foreign countries may limit the Fund’s ability to invest in securities of certain issuers located in those countries. Foreign countries may have reporting requirements with respect to the ownership of securities, and those reporting requirements may be subject to interpretation or change without prior notice to investors. No assurance can be given that the Fund will satisfy applicable foreign reporting requirements at all times.

 

7


Emerging Countries. The risks described above apply to an even greater extent to investments in emerging countries. The securities markets of emerging countries are generally smaller, less developed, less liquid, and more volatile than the securities markets of the United States and developed foreign countries, and disclosure and regulatory standards in many respects are less stringent. In addition, the securities markets of emerging countries are typically subject to a lower level of monitoring and regulation. Government enforcement of existing securities regulations is limited, and any such enforcement may be arbitrary and the results may be difficult to predict. In addition, reporting requirements of emerging countries with respect to the ownership of securities are more likely to be subject to interpretation or changes without prior notice to investors than more developed countries.

Many emerging countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have negative effects on such countries’ economies and securities markets.

Economies of emerging countries generally are heavily dependent on international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values, and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. Economies of emerging countries also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade. The economies of emerging countries may be predominantly based on only a few industries or dependent on revenues from particular commodities. In many cases, governments of emerging countries continue to exercise significant control over their economies, and government actions relative to the economy, as well as economic developments generally, may affect the capacity of creditors in those countries to make payments on their debt obligations, regardless of their financial condition.

Custodial services are often more expensive and other investment-related costs higher in emerging countries than in developed countries, which could reduce the Fund’s income from investments in securities or debt instruments of emerging country issuers.

Emerging countries are more likely than developed countries to experience political uncertainty and instability, including the risk of war, terrorism, nationalization, limitations on the removal of funds or other assets, or diplomatic developments that affect U.S. investments in these countries. No assurance can be given that adverse political changes will not cause the Fund to suffer a loss of any or all of its investments (or, in the case of fixed-income securities, interest) in emerging countries.

Securities Lending

The Fund may make secured loans of its portfolio securities. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit, consist of possible delay in recovery of the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially, including possible impairment of the Fund’s ability to vote the securities. If a loan is collateralized by cash, the Fund typically invests the cash collateral for its own account and may pay a fee to the borrower that normally represents a portion of the Fund’s earnings on the collateral. As with other extensions of credit, the Fund bears the risk of delay in the recovery of loaned securities and of loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. The Fund also bears the risk that the value of investments made with collateral may decline. The Fund bears the risk of total loss with respect to the investment of collateral.

Voting rights or rights to consent with respect to the loaned securities pass to the borrower. The Fund may have the right to call loans at any time on reasonable notice. However, the Fund bears the risk of delay in the return of the security, impairing the Fund’s ability to vote on such matters. A Manager may retain lending agents on behalf of the Fund that are compensated based on a percentage of the Fund’s return on its securities lending. The Fund may also pay various fees in connection with securities loans, including shipping fees and custodian fees.

Depositary Receipts

The Fund may invest in American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or other similar securities representing ownership of foreign securities (collectively, “Depositary Receipts”). Depositary Receipts generally evidence an ownership interest in a corresponding foreign security on deposit with a financial institution. Transactions in Depositary Receipts usually do not settle in the same currency as the underlying foreign securities are denominated or traded. Generally, ADRs are

 

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designed for use in the U.S. securities markets and EDRs are designed for use in European securities markets. GDRs may be traded in any public or private securities market and may represent securities held by institutions located anywhere in the world. GDRs and other types of Depositary Receipts are typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies, although they may be issued by U.S. financial institutions, and evidence ownership interests in a security or pool of securities issued by either a foreign or a domestic corporation.

Because the value of a Depositary Receipt is dependent upon the market price of an underlying foreign security, Depositary Receipts are subject to most of the risks associated with investing in foreign securities directly. Depositary Receipts may be issued as sponsored or unsponsored programs. See “Risks Arising from Investment Activities of the Fund—Non-U.S. Securities.” Depositary Receipts also may be subject to liquidity risk.

Convertible Securities

A convertible security is a security (a bond or preferred stock) that may be converted at a stated price within a specified period into a specified number of shares of common stock of the same or a different issuer. Convertible securities are senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to senior debt obligations of the issuer. Convertible securities provide holders, through their conversion feature, an opportunity to participate in increases in the market price of their underlying securities. The price of a convertible security is influenced by the market price of the underlying security, and tends to increase as the market price rises and decrease as the market price declines.

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

A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third-party.

Preferred Stocks

Preferred stocks include convertible and non-convertible preferred and preference stocks that are senior to common stock. Preferred stocks are equity securities that are senior to common stock with respect to the right to receive dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from the issuer’s liquidation. Some preferred stocks also entitle their holders to receive additional liquidation proceeds on the same basis as holders of the issuer’s common stock, and thus represent an ownership interest in the issuer. Depending on the features of the particular security, holders of preferred stock may bear the risks disclosed in the Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information regarding equity or fixed income securities.

Investment in preferred stocks involves certain risks. Preferred stocks often are subject to legal provisions that allow for redemption in the event of certain tax or legal changes or at the issuer’s call. In the event of redemption, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds at comparable rates of return. Preferred stocks are subordinated to bonds and other debt securities in an issuer’s capital structure in terms of priority for corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt securities. Preferred stocks may trade less frequently and in a more limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than many other securities, such as common stocks, corporate debt securities and U.S. government securities.

 

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Warrants and Rights

The Fund may purchase or otherwise receive warrants or rights. Warrants and rights generally give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise, a security of the issuer at a stated price. The Fund typically uses warrants and rights in a manner similar to their use of options on securities, as described in “Options and Futures” below. Risks associated with the use of warrants and rights are generally similar to risks associated with the use of options. Unlike most options, however, warrants and rights are issued in specific amounts, and warrants generally have longer terms than options. Warrants and rights are not likely to be as liquid as exchange-traded options backed by a recognized clearing agency. In addition, the terms of warrants or rights may limit the Fund’s ability to exercise the warrants or rights at such time, or in such quantities, as the Fund would otherwise wish.

Non-Standard Warrants. The Fund may use non-standard warrants, including low exercise price warrants or low exercise price options (“LEPOs”) and participatory notes (“P-Notes”), to gain exposure to issuers in certain countries. LEPOs are different from standard warrants in that they do not give their holders the right to receive a security of the issuer upon exercise. Rather, LEPOs pay the holder the difference in price of the underlying security between the date the LEPO was purchased and the date it is sold. P-Notes are a type of equity-linked derivative that generally are traded over-the-counter and constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them. Generally, banks and broker-dealers associated with non-U.S.-based brokerage firms buy securities listed on certain foreign exchanges and then issue P-Notes which are designed to replicate the performance of certain issuers and markets. The performance results of P-Notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers or markets that the notes seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. The return on a P-Note that is linked to a particular underlying security generally is increased to the extent of any dividends paid in connection with the underlying security. However, the holder of a P-Note typically does not receive voting or other rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying security, and P-Notes present similar risks to investing directly in the underlying security. Additionally, LEPOs and P-Notes entail the same risks as other over-the-counter derivatives. These include the risk that the counterparty or issuer of the LEPO or P-Note may not be able to fulfill its obligations, that the holder and counterparty or issuer may disagree as to the meaning or application of contractual terms, or that the instrument may not perform as expected. See “Risks Arising from Investment Activities of the Fund—Futures, Options and Derivative Instruments” and”—Risk of Counterparty Default” in the Prospectus. Additionally, while LEPOs or P-Notes may be listed on an exchange, there is no guarantee that a liquid market will exist or that the counterparty or issuer of a LEPO or P-Note will be willing to repurchase such instrument when the Fund wishes to sell it.

Options and Futures

The Fund may use options and futures for various purposes, including for investment purposes and as a means to hedge other investments. The use of options contracts, futures contracts, and options on futures contracts involves risk. Thus, while the Fund may benefit from the use of options, futures, and options on futures, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices, currency exchange rates, or other underlying assets or reference rates may adversely affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund has claimed an exemption from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”), and, therefore is not subject to regulation as a pool operator under the CEA.

Options on Securities and Indices. The Fund may purchase and sell put and call options on equity, fixed income, or other securities or indices in standardized exchange-traded contracts. An option on a security or index is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right (but not the obligation) to buy from (in the case of a call) or sell to (in the case of a put) the writer of the option the security underlying the option (or the cash value of the index underlying the option) at a specified price. Upon exercise, the writer of an option on a security has the obligation to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the underlying security. Upon exercise, the writer of an option on an index is required to pay the difference between the cash value of the index and the exercise price multiplied by the specified multiplier for the index option.

 

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Purchasing Options on Securities and Indices. Among other reasons, the Fund may purchase a put option to hedge against a decline in the value of a portfolio security. If such a decline occurs, the put option will permit the Fund to sell the security at the higher exercise price or to close out the option at a profit.

By using put options in this manner, the Fund will reduce any profit it might otherwise have realized in the underlying security by the amount of the premium paid for the put option and by its transaction costs. In order for a put option purchased by the Fund to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium paid by the Fund and transaction costs.

Among other reasons, the Fund may purchase call options to hedge against an increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing in the future. If such a price increase occurs, a call option will permit the Fund to purchase the securities at the exercise price or to close out the option at a profit. The premium paid for the call option, plus any transaction costs, will reduce the benefit, if any, that the Fund realizes upon exercise of the option and, unless the price of the underlying security rises sufficiently, the option may expire worthless to the Fund. Thus, for a call option purchased by the Fund to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must rise sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the premium paid by the Fund to the writer and transaction costs.

In the case of both call and put options, the purchaser of an option risks losing the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs if the option expires worthless.

Writing Options on Securities and Indices. Because the Fund receives a premium for writing a put or call option, the Fund may seek to increase its return by writing call or put options on securities or indices. The premium the Fund receives for writing an option will increase the Fund’s return in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. The size of the premium the Fund receives reflects, among other things, the relationship of the market price and volatility of the underlying security or index to the exercise price of the option, the remaining term of the option, supply and demand, and interest rates.

The Fund may write a call option on a security or other instrument held by the Fund (commonly known as “writing a covered call option”). In such case, the Fund limits its opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the underlying security above the exercise price of the option. Alternatively, the Fund may write a call option on securities in which it may invest but that are not currently held by the Fund (commonly known as “writing a naked call option”). During periods of declining securities prices or when prices are stable, writing these types of call options can be a profitable strategy to increase the Fund’s income with minimal capital risk. However, when securities prices increase, the Fund is exposed to an increased risk of loss, because if the price of the underlying security or instrument exceeds the option’s exercise price, the Fund will suffer a loss equal to the amount by which the market price exceeds the exercise price at the time the call option is exercised, minus the premium received. Calls written on securities that the Fund does not own are riskier than calls written on securities owned by the Fund because there is no underlying security held by the Fund that can act as a partial hedge. When such a call is exercised, the Fund must purchase the underlying security to meet its call obligation or make a payment equal to the value of its obligation in order to close out the option. Calls written on securities that the Fund does not own have speculative characteristics and the potential for loss is unlimited. There is also a risk, especially with less liquid preferred and debt securities, that the securities may not be available for purchase.

The Fund also may write a put option on a security. In so doing, the Fund assumes the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying security for an exercise price higher than its then-current market price, resulting in a loss on exercise equal to the amount by which the market price of the security is below the exercise price minus the premium received.

OTC Options. The Fund may also invest in over-the-counter (“OTC”) options. OTC options differ from exchange-traded options in that they are two-party contracts, with price and other terms negotiated between the buyer and seller, and generally do not have as much market liquidity as exchange-traded options.

Closing Options Transactions. The holder of an option may terminate its position in a put or call option it has purchased by allowing it to expire or by exercising the option. If an option is American style, it may be exercised on any day up to its expiration date. In contrast, a European style option may be exercised only on its expiration date.

 

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In addition, a holder of an option may terminate its obligation prior to the option’s expiration by effecting an offsetting closing transaction. In the case of exchange-traded options, the Fund, as a holder of an option, may effect an offsetting closing sale transaction by selling an option of the same series as the option previously purchased. The Fund realizes a loss from a closing sale transaction if the premium received from the sale of the option is less than the premium paid to purchase the option (plus transaction costs). Similarly, if the Fund has written an option, it may effect an offsetting closing purchase transaction by buying an option of the same series as the option previously written. The Fund realizes a loss from a closing purchase transaction if the cost of the closing purchase transaction (option premium plus transaction costs) is greater than the premium received from writing the option. If the Fund desires to sell a security on which it has written a call option, it will effect a closing purchase prior to or concurrently with the sale of the security. There can be no assurance, however, that a closing purchase or sale can be effected when the Fund desires to do so.

An OTC option may be closed only with the counterparty, although either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out the option with the counterparty.

No guarantee exists that the Fund will be able to effect a closing purchase or a closing sale with respect to a specific option at any particular time.

Risk Factors in Options Transactions. There are various risks associated with transactions in exchange-traded and OTC options. The value of options written by the Fund will be affected by many factors, including changes in the value of underlying securities or indices, changes in the dividend rates of underlying securities (or in the case of indices, the securities comprising such indices), changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the stock market and underlying securities, and the remaining time to an option’s expiration. The value of an option also may be adversely affected if the market for the option is reduced or becomes less liquid. In addition, since an American style option allows the holder to exercise its rights any time prior to expiration of the option, the writer of an American style option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligations as a writer of the option. This risk is not present when writing a European style option since the holder may only exercise the option on its expiration date.

The Fund’s ability to use options as part of its investment program depends on the liquidity of the markets in those instruments. In addition, there can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an option position. If the Fund was unable to close out an option that it had purchased on a security, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit or the option may expire worthless. As the writer of a call option on a portfolio security, during the option’s life, the Fund foregoes the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security underlying the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but retains the risk of loss (net of premiums received) should the price of the underlying security decline. Similarly, as the writer of a call option on a securities index, the Fund foregoes the opportunity to profit from increases in the index over the strike price of the option, though it retains the risk of loss (net of premiums received) should the price of the Fund’s portfolio securities decline. If the Fund writes a call option and does not hold the underlying security or instrument, the amount of the Fund’s potential loss is theoretically unlimited.

An exchange-traded option may be closed out by means of an offsetting transaction only on a national securities exchange (“Exchange”), which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. If a liquid secondary market for an exchange-traded option does not exist, the Fund might not be able to effect an offsetting closing transaction for a particular option. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an Exchange include the following: (i) insufficient trading interest in some options; (ii) restrictions by an Exchange on opening or closing transactions, or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions, or other restrictions on particular classes or series of options or underlying securities; (iv) unusual or unforeseen interruptions in normal operations on an Exchange; (v) inability to handle current trading volume; or (vi) discontinuance of options trading (or trading in a particular class or series of options) (although outstanding options on an Exchange that were issued by the Options Clearing Corporation should continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms). In addition, the hours of trading for options on an Exchange may not conform to the hours during which the securities held by the Fund are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that may not be reflected in the options markets.

 

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The Exchanges generally have established limits on the maximum number of options an investor or group of investors acting in concert may write. The Fund, the Manager, and other clients of the Manager may constitute such a group. These limits could restrict the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell options on a particular security.

An OTC option may be closed only with the counterparty, although either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out the option with the counterparty; however, the exposure to counterparty risk may differ. See “Swap Contracts and Other Two-Party Contracts—Risk Factors in Swap Contracts, OTC Options, and Other Two-Party Contracts” below for a discussion of counterparty risk and other risks associated with investing in OTC options.

Currency Options. The Fund may purchase and sell options on currencies. Options on currencies possess many of the same characteristics as options on securities and generally operate in a similar manner. (See “Foreign Currency Transactions” below for more information on the Fund’s use of currency options.)

Futures. The Fund may invest in futures contracts on, among other things, financial instruments (such as a U.S. government security or other fixed income security), individual equity securities (“single stock futures”), securities indices, interest rates, currencies, inflation indices, and commodities or commodities indices. Futures contracts on securities indices are referred to herein as “Index Futures.” The purchase and sale of futures contracts may be used for speculative purposes.

Certain futures contracts are physically settled (i.e., involve the making and taking of delivery of a specified amount of an underlying security or other asset). For instance, the sale of futures contracts on foreign currencies or financial instruments creates an obligation of the seller to deliver a specified quantity of an underlying foreign currency or financial instrument called for in the contract for a stated price at a specified time. Conversely, the purchase of such futures contracts creates an obligation of the purchaser to pay for and take delivery of the underlying foreign currency or financial instrument called for in the contract for a stated price at a specified time. In some cases, the specific instruments delivered or taken, respectively, on the settlement date are not determined until on or near that date. That determination is made in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the sale or purchase was made. Some futures contracts are cash settled (rather than physically settled), which means that the purchase price is subtracted from the current market value of the instrument and the net amount, if positive, is paid to the purchaser by the seller of the futures contract and, if negative, is paid by the purchaser to the seller of the futures contract. In particular, Index Futures are agreements pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of a securities index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the index contract was originally written. Although the value of a securities index might be a function of the value of certain specified securities, no physical delivery of these securities is made.

The purchase or sale of a futures contract differs from the purchase or sale of a security or option in that no price or premium is paid or received. Instead, an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, or other liquid assets equal in value to a percentage of the face amount of the futures contract must be deposited with the broker. This amount is known as initial margin. The amount of the initial margin is generally set by the market on which the contract is traded (margin requirements on foreign exchanges may be different than those on U.S. exchanges). Subsequent payments to and from the broker, known as variation margin, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying futures contract fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” Prior to the settlement date of the futures contract, the position may be closed by taking an opposite position. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid to or released by the broker, and the purchaser realizes a loss or gain. In addition, a commission is paid to the broker on each completed purchase and sale.

Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, currencies, commodities, or other underlying instrument, in most cases, futures contracts are closed before the settlement date without the making or taking of delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (i.e., with the same exchange, underlying financial instrument, currency, commodity, or index, and delivery month). If the price of the initial sale exceeds the price of the offsetting purchase, the seller is paid the difference and realizes a gain. Conversely, if the price of the offsetting purchase exceeds the price of the initial sale, the seller realizes a loss. Similarly, a purchase of a futures contract is closed out by selling a corresponding futures contract. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the original purchase price, the purchaser realizes a gain, and, if the original purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale price, the purchaser realizes a loss. Any transaction costs must also be included in these calculations.

 

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In the United States, futures contracts are traded only on commodity exchanges or boards of trade – known as “contract markets” – approved by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), and must be executed through a futures commission merchant or brokerage firm that is a member of the relevant market. The Fund may also purchase futures contracts on foreign exchanges or similar entities, which are not regulated by the CFTC and may not be subject to the same degree of regulation as the U.S. contract markets. (See “Additional Risks of Options on Securities, Futures Contracts, and Options on Futures Contracts Traded on Foreign Exchanges” below.)

Index Futures. The Fund may close open positions on an exchange on which Index Futures are traded at any time up to and including the expiration day. In general, all positions that remain open at the close of business on that day must be settled on the next business day (based on the value of the relevant index on the expiration day). Additional or different margin requirements as well as settlement procedures may apply to foreign stock Index Futures.

Interest Rate Futures. The Fund may engage in transactions involving the use of futures on interest rates. These transactions may be in connection with investments in U.S. government securities and other fixed income securities.

Inflation Linked Futures. The Fund may engage in transactions involving inflation linked futures, including Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) futures, which are exchange-traded futures contracts that represent the inflation on a notional value of $1,000,000 for a period of three months, as implied by the CPI. Inflation linked futures may be used by the Fund to hedge the inflation risk in nominal bonds (i.e., non-inflation indexed bonds) thereby creating “synthetic” inflation indexed bonds. The Fund also may combine inflation linked futures with U.S. Treasury futures contracts to create “synthetic” inflation indexed bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury. See “Indexed Investments—Inflation Indexed Bonds” below for a discussion of inflation indexed bonds.

Currency Futures. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts on currencies. (See “Foreign Currency Transactions” below for a description of the Fund’s use of currency futures.)

Options on Futures Contracts. Options on futures contracts give the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a long position (in the case of a call option) or a short position (in the case of a put option) in a futures contract at the option exercise price at any time during the period of the option (in the case of an American style option) or on the expiration date (in the case of European style option). Upon exercise of a call option, the holder acquires a long position in the futures contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position. In the case of a put option, the holder acquires a short position and the writer is assigned the opposite long position in the futures contract. Accordingly, in the event that an option is exercised, the parties will be subject to all the risks associated with the trading of futures contracts, such as payment of initial and variation margin deposits.

The Fund may use options on futures contracts in lieu of writing or buying options directly on the underlying securities or purchasing and selling the underlying futures contracts. For example, to hedge against a possible decrease in the value of its portfolio securities, the Fund may purchase put options or write call options on futures contracts rather than selling futures contracts. Similarly, the Fund may hedge against a possible increase in the price of securities the Fund expects to purchase by purchasing call options or writing put options on futures contracts rather than purchasing futures contracts. In addition, the Fund may purchase and sell interest rate options on U.S. Treasury or Eurodollar futures to take a long or short position on interest rate fluctuations. Options on futures contracts generally operate in the same manner as options purchased or written directly on the underlying investments. (See “Foreign Currency Transactions” below for a description of the Fund’s use of options on currency futures.)

The Fund also typically will be required to deposit and maintain margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it. Such margin deposits may vary depending on the nature of the underlying futures contract (and the related initial margin requirements), the current market value of the option, and other futures positions held by the Fund.

 

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A position in an option on a futures contract may be terminated by the purchaser or seller prior to expiration by effecting a closing purchase or sale transaction, subject to the availability of a liquid secondary market, which is the purchase or sale of an option of the same type (i.e., the same exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously purchased or sold. The difference between the premiums paid and received represents the Fund’s profit or loss on the transaction.

Commodity Futures and Options on Commodity Futures. The Fund may have exposure to futures contracts on various commodities or commodities indices (“commodity futures”) and options on commodity futures. A futures contract on a commodity is an agreement between two parties in which one party agrees to purchase a commodity, such as an energy, agricultural, or metal commodity, from the other party at a later date at a price and quantity agreed upon when the contract is made. Futures contracts on commodities indices operate in a manner similar to Index Futures.

Risk Factors in Futures and Futures Options Transactions. Investment in futures contracts involves risk. A purchase or sale of futures contracts may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in the futures contract. If a futures contract is used for hedging, an imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contract and the price of the security, currency, or other investment being hedged creates risk. Correlation is higher when the investment being hedged underlies the futures contract. Correlation is lower when the investment being hedged is different than the security, currency, or other investment underlying the futures contract, such as when a futures contract on an index of securities or commodities is used to hedge a single security or commodity, a futures contract on one security (e.g., U.S. Treasury bonds) or commodity (e.g., gold) is used to hedge a different security (e.g., a mortgage-backed security) or commodity (e.g., copper), or when a futures contract in one currency is used to hedge a security denominated in another currency. In the case of Index Futures and futures on commodity indices, changes in the price of those futures contracts may not correlate perfectly with price movements in the relevant index due to market distortions. In the event of an imperfect correlation between a futures position and the portfolio position (or anticipated position) intended to be hedged, the Fund may realize a loss on the futures contract at the same time the Fund is realizing a loss on the portfolio position intended to be hedged. To compensate for imperfect correlations, the Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts in a greater amount than the hedged investments if the volatility of the price of the hedged investments is historically greater than the volatility of the futures contracts. Conversely, the Fund may purchase or sell fewer futures contracts if the volatility of the price of the hedged investments is historically less than that of the futures contract. The successful use of transactions in futures and related options for hedging also depends on the direction and extent of exchange rate, interest rate and asset price movements within a given time frame. For example, to the extent equity prices remain stable during the period in which a futures contract or option is held by the Fund investing in equity securities (or such prices move in a direction opposite to that anticipated), the Fund may realize a loss on the futures transaction, which is not fully or partially offset by an increase in the value of its portfolio securities. As a result, the Fund’s total return for such period may be less than if it had not engaged in the hedging transaction.

All participants in the futures market are subject to margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Instead of meeting margin calls, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions, which could distort normal correlations. The margin deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market, allowing for more speculators who may cause temporary price distortions. Trading hours for foreign stock Index Futures may not correspond perfectly to the trading hours of the foreign exchange to which a particular foreign stock Index Future relates. As a result, the lack of continuous arbitrage may cause a disparity between the price of foreign stock Index Futures and the value of the relevant index.

The Fund may purchase futures contracts (or options on them) as an anticipatory hedge against a possible increase in the price of a currency in which securities the Fund anticipates purchasing is denominated. In such instances, the currency may instead decline. If the Fund does not then invest in those securities, the Fund may realize a loss on the futures contract that is not offset by a reduction in the price of the securities purchased.

The Fund’s ability to engage in the futures and options on futures strategies described above depends on the liquidity of the markets in those instruments. Trading interest in various types of futures and options on futures cannot be predicted. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the Fund will be able to utilize these instruments at all or that their use will be effective. In addition, there can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when the Fund seeks to close out a futures or option on a futures contract position, and the Fund would remain

 

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obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is closed. The liquidity of a secondary market in a futures contract may be adversely affected by “daily price fluctuation limits” established by commodity exchanges to limit the amount of fluctuation in a futures contract price during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached, no trades of the contract may be entered at a price beyond the limit, thus preventing the liquidation of open futures positions. In the past, prices have exceeded the daily limit on several consecutive trading days. Short (and long) positions in Index Futures or futures on commodities indices may be closed only by purchasing (or selling) a futures contract on the exchange on which the Index Futures or commodity futures, as applicable, are traded.

As discussed above, if Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, it is only required to deposit initial and variation margin as required by relevant CFTC regulations and the rules of the contract market. The Fund’s net assets will generally fluctuate with the value of the security or other instrument underlying a futures contract as if it were already in the Fund’s portfolio. Futures transactions can have the effect of investment leverage. Furthermore, if the Fund combines short and long positions, in addition to possible declines in the values of its investment securities, the Fund will incur losses if the index underlying the long futures position underperforms the index underlying the short futures position.

In addition, if the Fund’s futures brokers become bankrupt or insolvent, or otherwise default on their obligations to the Fund, the Fund may not receive all amounts owing to it in respect of its trading, despite the futures clearinghouse fully discharging all of its obligations. Furthermore, in the event of the bankruptcy of a futures broker, the Fund could be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the futures broker’s combined customer accounts, even though certain property specifically traceable to the Fund was held by the futures broker.

The Fund’s ability to engage in futures and options on futures transactions may be limited by tax considerations.

Additional Risk Associated with Commodity Futures Transactions. Several additional risks are associated with transactions in commodity futures contracts.

Storage Costs. The price of a commodity futures contract reflects the storage costs of purchasing the underlying commodity, including the time value of money invested in the commodity. To the extent that the storage costs change, the value of the futures contracts may change correspondingly.

Reinvestment Risk. In the commodity futures markets, producers of an underlying commodity may sell futures contracts to lock in the price of the commodity at delivery. To induce speculators to purchase the other side (the long side) of the contract, the commodity producer generally must sell the contract at a lower price than the expected futures spot price. Conversely, if most purchasers of the underlying commodity purchase futures contracts to hedge against a rise in commodity prices, then speculators will only sell the contract at a higher price than the expected future spot price of the commodity. The changing nature of the hedgers and speculators in the commodity markets will influence whether futures prices are above or below the expected futures spot price. As a result, when the Manager reinvests the proceeds from a maturing contract, it may purchase a new futures contract at a higher or lower price than the expected futures spot prices of the maturing contract or choose to pursue other investments.

Additional Economic Factors. The value of the commodities underlying commodity futures contracts may be subject to additional economic and non-economic factors, such as drought, floods or other weather conditions, livestock disease, trade embargoes, competition from substitute products, transportation bottlenecks or shortages, fluctuations in supply and demand, tariffs, and international economic, political, and regulatory developments.

See also “Commodity-Related Investments” below for more discussion of the special risks of investing in commodity futures, options on commodity futures, and related types of derivatives.

Additional Risks of Options on Securities, Futures Contracts, and Options on Futures Contracts Traded on Foreign Exchanges. Options on securities, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, and options on currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions may not be regulated as effectively as similar transactions in the United States (which are regulated by the CFTC) and may be subject to greater risks than trading on domestic exchanges. For example, some foreign exchanges may be principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and a trader may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. The lack of a common clearing facility creates counterparty risk. If a counterparty defaults, the Fund normally will have contractual remedies against that counterparty, but may be unsuccessful in enforcing those remedies. When seeking to enforce a

 

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contractual remedy, the Fund also is subject to the risk that the parties may interpret contractual terms (e.g., the definition of default) differently. Counterparty risk is greater for derivatives with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement. Counterparty risk is also greater when the Fund has concentrated its derivatives with a single or small group of counterparties as it sometimes does as a result of its use of swaps and other OTC derivatives. To the extent the Fund has significant exposure to a single counterparty, this risk will be particularly pronounced for the Fund. If a dispute occurs, the cost and unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the Fund to enforce its contractual rights may lead the Fund to decide not to pursue its claims against the counterparty. The Fund thus assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed under foreign futures contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the Fund has incurred the costs of litigation. In addition, unless the Fund hedges against fluctuations in the exchange rate between the currencies in which trading is done on foreign exchanges and other currencies, any profits that the Fund might realize in trading could be offset (or worse) by adverse changes in the exchange rate. The value of foreign options and futures may also be adversely affected by other factors unique to foreign investing (see “Risks of Foreign Investments” above).

Swap Contracts and Other Two-Party Contracts

The Fund may use swap contracts (or “swaps”) and other two-party contracts for the same or similar purposes as options and futures.

Swap Contracts. The Fund may directly or indirectly use various different types of swaps, such as swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, credit default swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, and other types of available swap agreements. Swap contracts are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to a number of years. Under a typical swap, one party may agree to pay a fixed rate or a floating rate determined by reference to a specified instrument, rate, or index, multiplied in each case by a specified amount (“notional amount”), while the other party agrees to pay an amount equal to a different floating rate multiplied by the same notional amount. On each payment date, the parties’ obligations are netted, with only the net amount paid by one party to the other.

Swap contracts are typically individually negotiated and structured to provide exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. Swap contracts may be entered into for hedging or non-hedging purposes and therefore may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to the underlying instrument, rate, asset or index. Swaps can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names.

The Fund may enter into swaps on securities, baskets of securities or securities indices. For example, the parties to a swap contract may agree to exchange returns calculated on a notional amount of a security, basket of securities, or securities index (e.g., S&P 500 Index). Additionally, the Fund may use total return swaps, which typically involve commitments to pay amounts computed in the same manner as interest in exchange for a market-linked return, both based on notional amounts. The Fund may use such swaps to gain investment exposure to the underlying security or securities where direct ownership is either not legally possible or is economically unattractive. To the extent the total return of the security, basket of securities, or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest rate obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty, respectively. In addition, the Fund may enter into an interest rate swap in order to protect against declines in the value of fixed income securities held by the Fund. In such an instance, the Fund may agree with a counterparty to pay a fixed rate (multiplied by a notional amount) and the counterparty pay a floating rate multiplied by the same notional amount. If interest rates rise, resulting in a diminution in the value of the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund would receive payments under the swap that would offset, in whole or in part, such diminution in value. The Fund may also enter into swaps to modify its exposure to particular currencies using currency swaps. For instance, the Fund may enter into a currency swap between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese Yen in order to increase or decrease its exposure to each such currency.

The Fund may use inflation swaps (including inflation swaps tied to the CPI), which involve commitments to pay a regular stream of inflation indexed cash payments in exchange for receiving a stream of nominal interest payments (or vice versa), where both payment streams are based on a notional amount. The nominal interest payments may be based on either a fixed interest rate or variable interest rate, such as LIBOR. Inflation swaps may be used to hedge the inflation risk in nominal bonds (i.e., non-inflation indexed bonds), thereby creating synthetic inflation indexed bonds, or combined with U.S. Treasury futures contracts to create synthetic inflation indexed bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury. See “Indexed Investments – Inflation Indexed Bonds” below.

 

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In addition, the Fund may directly or indirectly use credit default swaps to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of default by a corporate or sovereign issuer of fixed income securities (including asset-backed securities). In a credit default swap, one party pays, in effect, an insurance premium through a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of default (or similar events) by one or more third parties on their obligations. For example, in purchasing a credit default swap, the Fund may pay a premium in return for the right to put specified bonds or loans to the counterparty, such as a U.S. or foreign issuer or basket of such issuers, upon issuer default (or similar events) at their par (or other agreed-upon) value. The Fund, as the purchaser in a credit default swap, bears the risk that the investment might expire worthless. It also would be subject to counterparty risk – the risk that the counterparty may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund in the event of a default (or similar event) (see “Risk Factors in Swap Contracts, OTC Options, and Other Two-Party Contracts” below). In addition, as a purchaser in a credit default swap, the Fund’s investment would only generate income in the event of an actual default (or similar event) by the issuer of the underlying obligation. The Fund may also invest in credit default indices, which are indices that reflect the performance of a basket of credit default swaps.

The Fund also may use credit default swaps for investment purposes by selling a credit default swap, in which case the Fund will receive a premium from its counterparty in return for the Fund’s taking on the obligation to pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value to the counterparty upon issuer default (or similar events). As the seller in a credit default swap, the Fund effectively adds economic leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. If no event of default (or similar event) occurs, the Fund would keep the premium received from the counterparty and would have no payment obligations. For credit default swap agreements on asset-backed securities, an event of default may result from various events, which may include an issuer’s failure to pay interest or principal, a breach of a material representation or covenant, an agreement by the holders of an asset-backed security to a maturity extension, or a write-down on the collateral underlying the security. For credit default swap agreements on corporate or sovereign issuers, an event of default may result from such events as the issuer’s bankruptcy, failure to pay interest or principal, repudiation/moratorium or restructuring.

The Fund may use variance swap agreements, which involve an agreement by two parties to exchange cash flows based on the measured variance (or square of volatility) of a specified underlying asset. One party agrees to exchange a “fixed rate” or strike price payment for the “floating rate” or realized price variance on the underlying asset with respect to the notional amount. At inception, the strike price chosen is generally fixed at a level such that the fair value of the swap is zero. As a result, no money changes hands at the initiation of the contract. At the expiration date, the amount paid by one party to the other is the difference between the realized price variance of the underlying asset and the strike price multiplied by the notional amount. A receiver of the realized price variance would receive a payment when the realized price variance of the underlying asset is greater than the strike price and would make a payment when that variance is less than the strike price. A payer of the realized price variance would make a payment when the realized price variance of the underlying asset is greater than the strike price and would receive a payment when that variance is less than the strike price. This type of agreement is essentially a forward contract on the future realized price variance of the underlying asset.

The Fund may have indirect exposure to commodity swaps on one or more broad-based commodities indices (e.g., the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index), as well as commodity swaps on individual commodities or baskets of commodities. See “Commodity-Related Investments” below for more discussion of the Fund’s use of commodity swap contracts and other related types of derivatives.

Contracts for Differences. Contracts for differences are swap arrangements in which the parties agree that their return (or loss) will be based on the relative performance of two different groups or baskets of securities. Often, one or both baskets will be an established securities index. The Fund’s return will be based on changes in value of theoretical long futures positions in the securities comprising one basket (with an aggregate face value equal to the notional amount of the contract for differences) and theoretical short futures positions in the securities comprising the other basket. The Fund also may use actual long and short futures positions and achieve similar market exposure by netting the payment obligations of the two contracts. If the short basket outperforms the long basket, the Fund

 

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will realize a loss – even in circumstances when the securities in both the long and short baskets appreciate in value. In addition, the Fund may use contracts for differences that are based on the relative performance of two different groups or baskets of commodities. Often, one or both baskets is a commodities index. Contracts for differences on commodities operate in a similar manner to contracts for differences on securities described above.

Interest Rate Caps, Floors, and Collars. The Fund may use interest rate caps, floors, and collars for the same or similar purposes as they use interest rate futures contracts and related options and, as a result, will be subject to similar risks. See “Options and Futures—Risk Factors in Options Transactions” and “—Risk Factors in Futures and Futures Options Transactions” above. Like interest rate swap contracts, interest rate caps, floors, and collars are two-party agreements in which the parties agree to pay or receive interest on a notional principal amount and are generally individually negotiated with a specific counterparty. The purchaser of an interest rate cap receives interest payments from the seller to the extent that the return on a specified index exceeds a specified interest rate. The purchaser of an interest rate floor receives interest payments from the seller to the extent that the return on a specified index falls below a specified interest rate. The purchaser of an interest rate collar receives interest payments from the seller to the extent that the return on a specified index falls outside the range of two specified interest rates.

Swaptions. An option on a swap agreement, also called a “swaption,” is an OTC option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a specified future date in exchange for paying a market-based premium. A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index (such as a call option on a bond). A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index (such as a put option on a bond). Swaptions also include options that allow one of the counterparties to terminate or extend an existing swap.

Risk Factors in Swap Contracts, OTC Options, and Other Two-Party Contracts. The Fund may only close out a swap, contract for differences, cap, floor, collar, or OTC option (including swaption) with its particular counterparty, and may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, goes bankrupt, or otherwise experiences a business interruption, the Fund could miss investment opportunities or otherwise hold investments it would prefer to sell, resulting in losses for the Fund. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that the Fund will be able to enforce its rights. For example, because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, the Fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret contractual terms (e.g., the definition of default) differently than the Fund. The cost and unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the Fund to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to pursue its claims against the counterparty. Counterparty risk is greater with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement. Counterparty risk is also greater when the Fund has concentrated its derivatives with a single or small group of counterparties as it sometimes does as a result of its use of swaps and other OTC derivatives. To the extent the Fund has significant exposure to a single counterparty, this risk will be particularly pronounced for the Fund. The Fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments the Manager believes are owed under an OTC derivatives contract or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the Fund has incurred the costs of litigation. In addition, counterparty risk is pronounced during unusually adverse market conditions and is particularly acute in environments (like those experienced recently) in which financial services firms are exposed to systemic risks of the type evidenced by the insolvency of Lehman Brothers in 2008 and subsequent market disruptions.

The credit rating of a counterparty may be adversely affected by greater-than-average volatility in the markets, even if the counterparty’s net market exposure is small relative to its capital.

Counterparty risk with respect to OTC derivatives may be further complicated by recently enacted U.S. financial reform legislation. See “Legal and Regulatory Risk” below for more information.

The Fund’s ability to enter into these transactions may be affected by tax considerations.

Additional Risk Factors in OTC Derivatives Transactions. Participants in OTC derivatives markets typically are not subject to the same level of credit evaluation and regulatory oversight as are members of exchange-based markets and, therefore, OTC derivatives generally expose the Fund to greater counterparty risk than exchange-traded derivatives.

 

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Among other trading agreements, the Fund may be party to International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Agreements”) or other similar types of agreements with select counterparties that generally govern over-the-counter derivative transactions entered into by the Fund. The ISDA Agreements typically include representations and warranties as well as contractual terms related to collateral, events of default, termination events, and other provisions. Termination events may include the decline in the net assets of the Fund below a certain level over a specified period of time and entitle a counterparty to elect to terminate early with respect to some or all the transactions under the ISDA Agreement with that counterparty. Such an election by one or more of the counterparties could have a material adverse impact on the Fund’s operations.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. They generally are determined by the forces of supply and demand in the currency exchange markets, trade balances, the relative merits of investments in different countries, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital appreciation, and other complex factors. Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably as a result of intervention (or the failure to intervene) by the U.S. or foreign governments, central banks, or supranational agencies such as the International Monetary Fund, or by currency or exchange controls or political and economic developments in the U.S. or abroad. Currencies in which the Fund’s assets are denominated, or in which the Fund has taken a long position, may be devalued against other currencies, resulting in a loss to the Fund. Similarly, currencies in which the Fund has taken a short position may increase in value relative to other currencies, resulting in a loss to the Fund.

In addition, some currencies are illiquid (e.g., emerging country currencies), and the Fund may not be able to covert these currencies into U.S. dollars, in which case the Manager may decide to purchase U.S. dollars in a parallel market where the exchange rate is materially and adversely different. Exchange rates for many currencies (e.g., emerging country currencies) are particularly affected by exchange control regulations.

The Fund may buy or sell foreign currencies or deal in forward foreign currency contracts, currency futures contracts and related options, and options on currencies. The Fund may use such currency instruments for hedging, investment, and/or currency risk management. Currency risk management may include taking overweighted or underweighted currency positions relative to both the securities portfolio of the Fund and the Fund’s performance benchmark or index. The Fund also may purchase forward foreign exchange contracts in conjunction with U.S. dollar-denominated securities in order to create a synthetic foreign currency-denominated security that approximates desired risk and return characteristics when the non-synthetic securities either are not available in foreign markets or possess undesirable characteristics.

Forward foreign currency contracts are contracts between two parties to purchase and sell a specified quantity of a particular currency at a specified price, with delivery and settlement to take place on a specified future date. A forward foreign currency contract can reduce the Fund’s exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will deliver and can increase its exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will receive for the duration of the contract. The effect on the value of the Fund is similar to the effect of selling securities denominated in one currency and purchasing securities denominated in another currency. Contracts to sell a particular foreign currency would limit any potential gain that might be realized by the Fund if the value of the hedged currency increases. In addition, it is not always possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of the securities denominated in foreign currencies because the value of such securities also is likely to fluctuate because of independent factors not related to currency fluctuations. If a forward foreign currency contract is used for hedging, an imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the forward foreign currency contract and the price of the currency or other investment being hedged creates risk.

Forward foreign currency contracts involve a number of the same characteristics and risks as currency futures contracts (discussed below) but there also are several differences. Forward foreign currency contracts are not market traded, and are not necessarily marked to market on a daily basis. They settle only at the pre-determined settlement date. This can result in deviations between forward foreign currency prices and currency futures prices, especially in

 

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circumstances where interest rates and currency futures prices are positively correlated. Second, in the absence of exchange trading and involvement of clearing houses, there are no standardized terms for forward currency contracts. Accordingly, the parties are free to establish such settlement times and underlying amounts of a currency as desirable, which may vary from the standardized provisions available through any currency futures contract. Finally, forward foreign currency contracts, as two party obligations for which there is no secondary market, involve counterparty risk not present with currency futures contracts, discussed below.

The Fund also may purchase or sell currency futures contracts and related options. Currency futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell a standard quantity of a particular currency at a specified future date and price. However, currency futures can be and often are closed out prior to delivery and settlement. In addition, the Fund may use options on currency futures contracts, which give their holders the right, but not the obligation, to buy (in the case of a call option) or sell (in the case of a put option) a specified currency futures contract at a fixed price during a specified period. (See “Options and Futures—Futures” above for more information on futures contracts and options on futures contracts.)

The Fund also may purchase or sell options on currencies. These give their holders the right, but not the obligation, to buy (in the case of a call option) or sell (in the case of a put option) a specified quantity of a particular currency at a fixed price during a specified period. Options on currencies possess many of the same characteristics as options on securities and generally operate in a similar manner. They may be traded on an exchange or in the OTC markets. Options on currencies traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits, which may limit the ability of the Fund to reduce foreign currency risk using options. (See “Options and Futures—Currency Options” above for more information on currency options.)

Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks and broker-dealers. A repurchase agreement is a contract under which the Fund acquires a security (usually an obligation of the government in the jurisdiction where the transaction is initiated or in whose currency the agreement is denominated or a security backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as a U.S. Treasury bill, bond or note) for a relatively short period (usually less than a week) for cash and subject to the commitment of the seller to repurchase the security for an agreed-upon price on a specified date. The repurchase price exceeds the acquisition price and reflects an agreed-upon market rate unrelated to the coupon rate on the purchased security. Repurchase agreements afford the Fund the opportunity to earn a return on temporarily available cash without market risk, although the Fund bears the risk of a seller’s failure to meet its obligation to pay the repurchase price when it is required to do so. Such a default may subject the Fund to expenses, delays, and risks of loss including: (i) possible declines in the value of the underlying security while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (ii) possible reduced levels of income and lack of access to income during this period, and (iii) the inability to enforce its rights and the expenses involved in attempted enforcement. Entering into repurchase agreements entails certain risks, which include the risk that the counterparty to the repurchase agreement may not be able to fulfill its obligations, as discussed above, that the parties may disagree as to the meaning or application of contractual terms, or that the instrument may not perform as expected. See “Risks Arising from Investment Activities of the Fund—Risk of Counterparty Default” in the Prospectus.

Debt and Other Fixed Income Securities Generally

Debt and other fixed income securities include fixed and floating rate securities of any maturity. Fixed rate securities pay a specified rate of interest or dividends. Floating rate securities pay a rate that is adjusted periodically by reference to a specified index or market rate. Fixed and floating rate securities include securities issued by federal, state, local, and foreign governments and related agencies, and by a wide range of private issuers, and generally are referred to in this Statement of Additional Information as “fixed income securities.” Indexed bonds are a type of fixed income security whose principal value and/or interest rate is adjusted periodically according to a specified instrument, index, or other statistic (e.g., another security, inflation index, currency, or commodity). See “Adjustable Rate Securities” and “Indexed Investments” below. In addition, the Fund may create “synthetic” bonds which approximate desired risk and return profiles. This may be done where a “non-synthetic” security having the desired risk/return profile either is unavailable (e.g., short-term securities of certain foreign governments) or possesses undesirable characteristics (e.g., interest payments on the security would be subject to foreign withholding taxes). See, for example, “Options and Futures—Inflation-Linked Futures” above.

 

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Holders of fixed income securities are exposed to both market and credit risk. Market risk (or “interest rate risk”) relates to changes in a security’s value as a result of changes in interest rates. In general, the values of fixed income securities increase when interest rates fall and decrease when interest rates rise. Credit risk relates to the ability of an issuer to make payments of principal and interest. Obligations of issuers are subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws that affect the rights and remedies of creditors. Fixed income securities denominated in foreign currencies also are subject to the risk of a decline in the value of the denominating currency.

Because interest rates vary, the future income for the Fund from investments in floating rate fixed income securities cannot be predicted with certainty. The future income for the Fund from investments in indexed securities also will be affected by changes in those securities’ indices over time (e.g., changes in inflation rates, currency rates, or commodity prices).

The Fund may invest in a wide range of debt and fixed income instruments, including, but not limited to, Brady Bonds, Euro Bonds and Zero Coupon Securities, described below.

Cash and Other High Quality Investments

The Fund may temporarily invest a portion of their assets in cash or cash items pending other investments or to maintain liquid assets required in connection with some of the Fund’s investments. These cash items and other high quality debt securities may include money market instruments, such as securities issued by the United States Government and its agencies, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper, and bank certificates of deposit. If a custodian holds cash on behalf of the Fund, the Fund may be an unsecured creditor in the event of the insolvency of the custodian. In addition, the Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to such a custodian, which may be heightened to the extent the Fund takes a temporary defensive position.

U.S. Government Securities and Foreign Government Securities

U.S. government securities include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its authorities, agencies, or instrumentalities. Foreign government securities include securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments (including political subdivisions) or their authorities, agencies, or instrumentalities or by supra-national agencies. Different kinds of U.S. government securities and foreign government securities have different kinds of government support. For example, some U.S. government securities (e.g., U.S. Treasury bonds) are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Other U.S. government securities are issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or government-chartered or -sponsored enterprises but are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government (e.g., debt securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), and Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLBs”)). Similarly, some foreign government securities are supported by the full faith and credit of a foreign national government or political subdivision and some are not. Foreign government securities of some countries may involve varying degrees of credit risk as a result of financial or political instability in those countries or the possible inability of the Fund to enforce its rights against the foreign government. As with issuers of other fixed income securities, sovereign issuers may be unable or unwilling to satisfy their obligations to pay principal or interest payments.

Supra-national agencies are agencies whose member nations make capital contributions to support the agencies’ activities. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the Asian Development Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank.

As with other fixed income securities, U.S. government securities and foreign government securities expose their holders to market risk because their values typically change as interest rates fluctuate. For example, the value of U.S. government securities or foreign government securities may fall during times of rising interest rates. Yields on U.S. government securities and foreign government securities tend to be lower than those of corporate securities of comparable maturities.

In addition to investing directly in U.S. government securities and foreign government securities, the Fund may purchase certificates of accrual or similar instruments evidencing undivided ownership interests in interest payments and/or principal payments of U.S. government securities and foreign government securities. The Fund may also

 

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invest in Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (“STRIPS”), which are interests in separately traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. Treasury obligations that represent future interest payments, principal payments, or both, are direct obligations of the U.S. government, and are transferable through the federal reserve book-entry system. Certificates of accrual and similar instruments may be more volatile than other government securities.

Municipal Securities

Municipal obligations are issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities and the District of Columbia to obtain funds for various public purposes. Municipal obligations are subject to more credit risk than U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. The ability of municipalities to meet their obligations will depend on the availability of tax and other revenues, economic, political and other conditions within the state and municipality, and the underlying fiscal condition of the state and municipality. As with other fixed income securities, municipal securities also expose their holders to market risk because their values typically change as interest rates fluctuate. The two principal classifications of municipal obligations are “notes” and “bonds.”

Municipal notes are generally used to provide for short-term capital needs, such as to finance working capital needs of municipalities or to provide various interim or construction financing, and generally have maturities of one year or less. They are generally payable from specific revenues expected to be received at a future date or are issued in anticipation of long-term financing to be obtained in the market to provide for the repayment of the note.

Municipal bonds, which meet longer-term capital needs and generally have maturities of more than one year when issued, have two principal classifications: “general obligation” bonds and “revenue” bonds. Issuers of general obligation bonds, the proceeds of which are used to fund a wide range of public projects including the construction or improvement of schools, highways and roads, water and sewer systems and a variety of other public purposes, include states, counties, cities, towns and regional districts. The basic security behind general obligation bonds is the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest.

Revenue bonds have been issued to fund a wide variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; highways, bridges and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. The principal security for a revenue bond is generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility or group of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Although the principal security behind these bonds varies widely, many provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund whose monies may also be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuer’s obligations. In addition to a debt service reserve fund, some authorities provide further security in the form of a state’s ability (without obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt reserve fund.

Securities purchased for the Fund may include variable/floating rate instruments, variable mode instruments, put bonds, and other obligations that have a specified maturity date but also are payable before maturity after notice by the holder. There are, in addition, a variety of hybrid and special types of municipal obligations as well as numerous differences in the security of municipal obligations both within and between the two principal classifications (i.e., notes and bonds). The Fund may also invest in credit default swaps on municipal securities. See “Swap Contracts and Other Two-Party Contracts—Swap Contracts” above.

Auction Rate Securities

Auction rate securities consist of auction rate municipal securities and auction rate preferred securities sold through an auction process issued by closed-end investment companies, municipalities and governmental agencies. Provided that the auction mechanism is successful, auction rate securities usually permit the holder to sell the securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend is reset by “Dutch” auction in which bids are made by broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The dividend rate set by the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is the risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities.

 

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Real Estate Investment Trusts and other Real Estate-Related Investments

The Fund may invest in pooled real estate investment funds (so-called “real estate investment trusts” or “REIT”s) and other real estate-related investments such as securities of companies principally engaged in the real estate industry. In addition to REITs, companies in the real estate industry and real estate-related investments may include, for example, entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, real estate developers, and companies with substantial real estate holdings. Each of these types of investments is subject to risks similar to those associated with direct ownership of real estate. Factors affecting real estate values include the supply of real property in particular markets, overbuilding, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, delays in completion of construction, changes in real estate values, changes in operations costs and property taxes, levels of occupancy, adequacy of rent to cover operating expenses, possible environmental liabilities, regulatory limitations on rent, fluctuations in rental income, increased competition and other risks related to local and regional market conditions. The value of real-estate related investments also may be affected by changes in interest rates, macroeconomic developments, and social and economic trends. For instance, during periods of declining interest rates, certain mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to prepay, which prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by those REITs. Some REITs have relatively small market capitalizations, which can tend to increase the volatility of the market price of their securities.

REITs are pooled investment funds that invest in real estate or real estate-related companies. The Fund may invest in different types of REITs, including equity REITs, which own real estate directly; mortgage REITs, which make construction, development, or long-term mortgage loans; and hybrid REITs, which share characteristics of equity REITs and mortgage REITs. In general, the value of a REIT’s shares changes in light of factors affecting the real estate industry. REITs are also subject to the risk of fluctuations in income from underlying real estate assets, poor performance by the REIT’s manager and the manager’s inability to manage cash flows generated by the REIT’s assets, prepayments and defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, adverse changes in the tax laws, and, with regard to U.S. REITs (as defined in “Taxes” below), the risk of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and/or to maintain exempt status under the 1940 Act. See “Taxes” below for a discussion of special tax considerations relating to the Fund’s investment in U.S. REITs.

By investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, investors will bear not only their proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of REITs. In addition, REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to investors. Investments in REITs are subject to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate.

Asset-Backed and Related Securities

An asset-backed security is a fixed income security that predominantly derives its creditworthiness from cash flows relating to a pool of assets. There are a number of different types of asset-backed and related securities, including mortgage-backed securities, securities backed by other pools of collateral (such as automobile loans, student loans, sub-prime mortgages, and credit- card receivables), collateralized mortgage obligations, and collateralized debt obligations, each of which is described in more detail below. Investments in asset-backed securities are subject to all of the market risks for fixed-income securities described in the Prospectus under “Risks Arising from Investment Activities of the Fund” and elsewhere in this SAI.

Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities are asset-backed securities backed by pools of residential and commercial mortgages, which may include sub-prime mortgages. Mortgage-backed securities may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government (including those whose securities are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government, such as Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and FHLBs), foreign governments (or their agencies or instrumentalities), or non-governmental issuers. Interest and principal payments (including prepayments) on the mortgage loans underlying mortgage-backed securities pass through to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. Prepayments occur when the mortgagor on an individual mortgage loan prepays the remaining principal before the loan’s scheduled maturity date. Unscheduled prepayments of the underlying mortgage loans may result in early payment of the applicable mortgage-backed securities held by the Fund. The Fund may be unable to invest prepayments in an investment that provides as high a yield as the mortgage-backed securities. Consequently, early payment associated with mortgage-backed securities may cause these securities to experience significantly greater price and yield volatility than traditional fixed income securities. Many factors affect the rate of mortgage loan

 

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prepayments, including changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, further deterioration of worldwide economic and liquidity conditions, the location of the property underlying the mortgage, the age of the mortgage loan, governmental action, including legal impairment of underlying home loans, changes in demand for products financed by those loans, the inability of borrowers to refinance existing loans (e.g., sub-prime mortgages), and social and demographic conditions. During periods of falling interest rates, the rate of mortgage loan prepayments usually increases, which tends to decrease the life of mortgage-backed securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate of mortgage loan prepayments usually decreases, which tends to increase the life of mortgage-backed securities.

Mortgage-backed securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk, depending on whether they are issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government (including those whose securities are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government) or by non-governmental issuers. Securities issued by private organizations may not be readily marketable, and since the deterioration of worldwide economic and liquidity conditions that became acute in 2008, mortgage-backed securities have been subject to greater liquidity risk. These conditions may occur again. Also, government actions and proposals affecting the terms of underlying home loans, changes in demand for products (e.g., automobiles) financed by those loans, and the inability of borrowers to refinance existing loans (e.g., subprime mortgages), have had, and may continue to have, adverse valuation and liquidity effects on mortgage-backed securities. Although liquidity of mortgage-backed securities has improved recently, there can be no assurance that in the future the market for mortgage-backed securities will continue to improve and become more liquid. In addition, mortgage-backed securities are subject to the risk of loss of principal if the obligors of the underlying obligations default in their payment obligations, and to certain other risks described in “Other Asset-Backed Securities” below. The risk of defaults associated with mortgage-backed securities is generally higher in the case of mortgage-backed investments that include sub-prime mortgages.

Mortgage-backed securities may include Adjustable Rate Securities as such term is defined in “Adjustable Rate Securities” below.

Other Asset-Backed Securities. Similar to mortgage-backed securities, other types of asset-backed securities may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government (including those whose securities are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government), foreign governments (or their agencies or instrumentalities), or non-governmental issuers. These securities include securities backed by pools of automobile loans, educational loans, home equity loans, and credit-card receivables. The underlying pools of assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose entities. These securities may be subject to risks associated with changes in interest rates and prepayment of underlying obligations similar to the risks of investment in mortgage-backed securities described immediately above. Additionally, since the deterioration of worldwide economic and liquidity conditions that became acute in 2008, asset-backed securities have been subject to greater liquidity risk. These conditions may occur again. Also, government actions and proposals affecting the terms of underlying home and consumer loans, changes in demand for products (e.g., automobiles) financed by those loans, and the inability of borrowers to refinance existing loans (e.g., subprime mortgages), have had, and may continue to have, adverse valuation and liquidity effects on asset-backed securities. Although liquidity of asset-backed securities has improved recently, there can be no assurance that in the future the market for asset-backed securities will continue to improve and become more liquid. The risk of investing in asset-backed securities has increased because performance of the various sectors in which the assets underlying asset-backed securities are concentrated (e.g., auto loans, student loans, sub-prime mortgages, and credit card receivables) has become more highly correlated since the deterioration in worldwide economic and liquidity conditions referred to above.

Payment of interest on asset-backed securities and repayment of principal largely depends on the cash flows generated by the underlying assets backing the securities and, in certain cases, may be supported by letters of credit, surety bonds, or other credit enhancements. The amount of market risk associated with asset-backed securities depends on many factors, including the deal structure (i.e., determination as to the amount of underlying assets or other support needed to produce the cash flows necessary to service interest and make principal payments), the quality of the underlying assets, the level of credit support, if any, provided for the securities, and the credit quality of the credit-support provider, if any. Asset-backed securities involve risk of loss of principal if obligors of the underlying obligations default in payment of the obligations and the defaulted obligations exceed the securities’ credit support. The obligations of issuers (and obligors of underlying assets) also are subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors. In addition, the existence of insurance on an asset-backed security does not guarantee that principal and/or interest will be paid because the insurer could default on its obligations. In recent years, a significant number of asset-backed security insurers have defaulted on their obligations.

 

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The market value of an asset-backed security may be affected by the factors described above and other factors, such as the availability of information concerning the pool and its structure, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the underlying assets, or the entities providing the credit enhancement. The market value of asset-backed securities also can depend on the ability of their servicers to service the underlying collateral and is, therefore, subject to risks associated with servicers’ performance. In some circumstances, a servicer’s or originator’s mishandling of documentation related to the underlying collateral (e.g., failure to properly document a security interest in the underlying collateral) may affect the rights of the security holders in and to the underlying collateral. In addition, the insolvency of entities that generate receivables or that utilize the underlying assets may result in a decline in the value of the underlying assets as well as costs and delays.

Certain types of asset-backed securities present additional risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities. In particular, certain types of asset-backed securities may not have the benefit of a security interest in the related assets. For example, many securities backed by credit-card receivables are unsecured. In addition, the Fund may invest in securities backed by pools of corporate or sovereign bonds, bank loans made to corporations, or a combination of these bonds and loans, many of which may be unsecured (commonly referred to as “collateralized debt obligations” or “collateralized loan obligations” ) (see “Collateralized Debt Obligations” (“CDOs”) below). Even when security interests are present, the ability of an issuer of certain types of asset-backed securities to enforce those interests may be more limited than that of an issuer of mortgage-backed securities. For instance, automobile receivables generally are secured, but by automobiles rather than by real property. Most issuers of automobile receivables permit loan servicers to retain possession of the underlying assets. In addition, because of the large number of underlying vehicles involved in a typical issue of asset-backed securities and technical requirements under state law, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have a proper security interest in all of the automobiles. Therefore, recoveries on repossessed automobiles may not be available to support payments on these securities.

In addition, certain types of asset-backed securities may experience losses on the underlying assets as a result of certain rights provided to consumer debtors under federal and state law. In the case of certain consumer debt, such as credit-card debt, debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on their credit-cards (or other debt), thereby reducing their balances due. For instance, a debtor may be able to offset certain damages for which a court has determined that the creditor is liable to the debtor against amounts owed to the creditor by the debtor on his or her credit-card.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”); Strips and Residuals. A CMO is a debt obligation backed by a portfolio of mortgages or mortgage-backed securities held under an indenture. The issuer of a CMO generally pays interest and prepaid principal on a monthly basis. These payments are secured by the underlying portfolio, which typically includes mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, or the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) and their income streams, and which also may include whole mortgage loans and private mortgage bonds.

CMOs are issued in multiple classes, often referred to as “tranches.” Each class has a different maturity and is entitled to a different schedule for payments of principal and interest, including pre-payments.

In a typical CMO transaction, the issuer of the CMO bonds uses proceeds from the CMO offering to buy mortgages or mortgage pass-through certificates (the “Collateral”). The issuer then pledges the Collateral to a third party trustee as security for the CMOs. The issuer uses principal and interest payments from the Collateral to pay principal on the CMOs, paying the tranche with the earliest maturity first. Thus, the issuer pays no principal on a tranche until all other tranches with earlier maturities are paid in full. The early retirement of a particular class or series has the same effect as the prepayment of mortgage loans underlying a mortgage-backed pass-through security.

CMOs may be less liquid and may exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage- or other asset-backed securities.

 

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The Fund also may invest in CMO residuals, which are issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government or by private lenders of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, and investment banks. A CMO residual represents excess cash flow generated by the Collateral after the issuer of the CMO makes all required principal and interest payments and after the issuer’s management fees and administrative expenses have been paid. Thus, CMO residuals have value only to the extent income from the Collateral exceeds the amount necessary to satisfy the issuer’s debt obligations on all other outstanding CMOs. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a CMO will depend on, among other things, the characterization of the mortgage assets, the coupon rate of each class of CMO, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses, and the pre-payment experience on the mortgage assets.

CMOs also include certificates representing undivided interests in payments of interest-only or principal-only (“IO/PO Strips”) on the underlying mortgages.

IO/PO Strips and CMO residuals tend to be more volatile than other types of securities. If the underlying securities are prepaid, holders of IO/PO Strips and CMO residuals may lose a substantial portion or the entire value of their investment. In addition, if a CMO pays interest at an adjustable rate, the cash flows on the related CMO residual will be extremely sensitive to rate adjustments.

Collateralized Debt Obligations (“CDOs”). The Fund may invest in CDOs, which include collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), and other similarly structured securities. CBOs and CLOs are asset-backed securities. A CBO is an obligation of a trust or other special purpose vehicle backed by a pool of fixed income securities. A CLO is an obligation of a trust or other special purpose vehicle typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include domestic and foreign senior secured and unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment-grade, or equivalent unrated loans.

For both CBOs and CLOs, the cash flows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, which vary in risk and yield. The riskier portions are the residual, equity, and subordinate tranches, which bear some or all of the risk of default by the bonds or loans in the trust, and therefore protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since it is partially protected from defaults, a senior tranche from a CBO trust or CLO trust typically has higher ratings and lower yields than its underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the riskier tranches, senior CBO or CLO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults (including collateral default), the total loss of the riskier tranches due to losses in the collateral, market anticipation of defaults, fraud by the trust, and the illiquidity of CBO or CLO securities.

The risks of an investment in a CDO largely depend on the type of underlying collateral securities and the tranche in which the Fund invests. The Fund may invest in any tranche of a CBO or CLO. Typically, CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, the Fund may characterize its investments in CDOs as illiquid, unless an active dealer market for a particular CDO allows the CDO to be purchased and sold in Rule 144A transactions. CDOs are subject to the typical risks associated with debt instruments discussed elsewhere in this Statement of Additional Information and the Prospectus, including interest rate risk (which may be exacerbated if the interest rate payable on a structured financing changes based on multiples of changes in interest rates or inversely to changes in interest rates), default risk, prepayment risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, market risk, structural risk, and legal risk. Additional risks of CDOs include: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will be insufficient to make interest or other payments, (ii) the possibility that the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default, due to factors such as the availability of any credit enhancement, the level and timing of payments and recoveries on and the characteristics of the underlying receivables, loans or other assets that are being securitized, remoteness of those assets from the originator or transferor, the adequacy of and ability to realize upon any related collateral and the capability of the servicer of the securitized assets, (iii) market and liquidity risks affecting the price of a structured finance investment, if required to be sold, at the time of sale, and (iv) if the particular structured product is invested in a security in which the Fund is also invested, this would tend to increase the Fund’s overall exposure to the credit of the issuer of such securities, at least on an absolute, if not on a relative basis. In addition, due to the complex nature of a CDO, an investment in a CDO may not perform as expected. An investment in a CDO also is subject to the risk that the issuer and the investors may interpret the terms of the instrument differently, giving rise to disputes.

 

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Adjustable Rate Securities

Adjustable rate securities are securities that have interest rates that reset at periodic intervals, usually by reference to an interest rate index or market interest rate. Adjustable rate securities include U.S. government securities and securities of other issuers. Some adjustable rate securities are backed by pools of mortgage loans. Although the rate adjustment feature may act as a buffer to reduce sharp changes in the value of adjustable rate securities, changes in market interest rates or changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness may still affect their value. Because the interest rate is reset only periodically, changes in the interest rates on adjustable rate securities may lag changes in prevailing market interest rates. Also, some adjustable rate securities (or, in the case of securities backed by mortgage loans, the underlying mortgages) are subject to caps or floors that limit the maximum change in interest rate during a specified period or over the life of the security. Because of the rate adjustments, adjustable rate securities are less likely than non-adjustable rate securities of comparable quality and maturity to increase significantly in value when market interest rates fall.

Below Investment Grade Securities

The Fund may invest some or all of their assets in securities or instruments rated below investment grade (that is, rated below Baa3/P-2 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or below BBB-/A-2 by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) for a particular security/commercial paper, or securities unrated by Moody’s or S&P that are determined by the Manager to be of comparable quality to securities so rated) at the time of purchase, including securities in the lowest rating categories and comparable unrated securities (“Below Investment Grade Securities”) (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”). In addition, the Fund may hold securities that are downgraded to below-investment-grade status after the time of purchase by the Fund. Many issuers of high yield debt are highly leveraged, and their relatively high debt-to-equity ratios create increased risks that their operations might not generate sufficient cash flow to service their debt obligations. In addition, many issuers of high yield debt may be (i) in poor financial condition, (ii) experiencing poor operating results, (iii) having substantial capital needs or negative net worth or (iv) facing special competitive or product obsolescence problems, and may include companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganizations or liquidation proceedings. Compared to higher quality fixed income securities, Below Investment Grade Securities offer the potential for higher investment returns but subject holders to greater credit and market risk. The ability of an issuer of Below Investment Grade Securities to meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative. The Fund’s investments in Below Investment Grade Securities may be more dependent on the Manager’s own credit analysis than its investments in higher quality bonds. Certain of these securities may not be publicly traded, and therefore it may be difficult to obtain information as to the true condition of the issuers. The market for Below Investment Grade Securities may be more severely affected than other financial markets by economic recession or substantial interest rate increases, changing public perceptions, or legislation that limits the ability of certain categories of financial institutions to invest in Below Investment Grade Securities. In addition, the market may be less liquid for Below Investment Grade Securities than for other types of securities. Reduced liquidity can affect the values of Below Investment Grade Securities, make their valuation and sale more difficult, and result in greater volatility. Because Below Investment Grade Securities are difficult to value and are more likely to be fair valued (see “Determination of Net Asset Value” in the Prospectus), particularly during erratic markets, the values realized on their sale may differ from the values at which they are carried on the books of the Fund. Some Below Investment Grade Securities in which the Fund invests may be in poor standing or in default.

Securities in the lowest investment-grade category (BBB or Baa) also have some speculative characteristics.

Distressed or Defaulted Instruments

The Fund may invest in securities, claims and obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers which are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties (including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings). The Fund may purchase distressed securities and instruments of all kinds, subject to tax considerations, including equity and debt instruments and, in particular, loans, loan participations, claims held by trade or other creditors, bonds, notes, non-performing and sub- performing mortgage loans, beneficial interests in liquidating trusts or other similar types of trusts, fee interests and financial interests in real estate, partnership interests and similar financial instruments, executory contracts and participations therein, many of which are not publicly traded and which may involve a substantial degree of risk.

 

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Investments in distressed or defaulted instruments generally are considered speculative and may involve substantial risks not normally associated with investments in healthier companies, including adverse business, financial or economic conditions that can lead to defaulted payments and insolvency proceedings.

In particular, defaulted obligations might be repaid, if at all, only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments. The amount of any recovery may be adversely affected by the relative priority of the Fund’s investment in the issuer’s capital structure. The ability to enforce obligations may be adversely affected by actions or omissions of predecessors in interest that give rise to counterclaims or defenses, including causes of action for equitable subordination or debt recharacterization. In addition, such investments, collateral securing such investments, and payments made in respect of such investments may be challenged as fraudulent conveyances or to be subject to avoidance as preferences under certain circumstances.

Investments in distressed securities inherently have more credit risk than do investments in similar securities and instruments of non-distressed companies, and the degree of risk associated with any particular distressed securities may be difficult or impossible for the Manager to determine within reasonable standards of predictability. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful investment in distressed securities is unusually high.

If the Manager’s evaluation of the eventual recovery value of a defaulted instrument should prove incorrect, the Fund may lose a substantial portion or all of its investment or it may be required to accept cash or instruments with a value less than the Fund’s original investment.

Investments in financially distressed companies domiciled outside the United States involve additional risks. Bankruptcy law and creditor reorganization processes may differ substantially from those in the United States, resulting in greater uncertainty as to the rights of creditors, the enforceability of such rights, reorganization timing and the classification, seniority and treatment of claims. In certain developing countries, although bankruptcy laws have been enacted, the process for reorganization remains highly uncertain.

In addition, investments in distressed or defaulted instruments can present special tax issues for the Fund. See “Taxes” below for more information.

Merger Arbitrage Transactions

The Fund may engage in merger arbitrage transactions, where the Fund will purchase securities at prices below the Manager’s anticipated value of the cash, securities or other consideration to be paid or exchanged for such securities in a proposed merger, exchange offer, tender offer or other similar transaction. Such purchase price may be substantially in excess of the market price of the securities prior to the announcement of the merger, exchange offer, tender offer or other similar transaction. If the proposed merger, exchange offer, tender offer or other similar transaction later appears likely not to be consummated or in fact is not consummated or is delayed, the market price of the security purchased by the Fund may decline sharply and result in losses to the Fund if such securities are sold, transferred or exchanged for securities or cash, the value of which is less than the purchase price. There is typically asymmetry in the risk/reward payout of mergers – the losses that can occur in the event of deal break-ups can far exceed the gains to be had if deals close successfully. For instance, mark-to-market losses can occur intra-month even if a particular deal is not breaking-up and such losses may or may not be recouped upon successful consummation of such deal. Further, the consummation of mergers, tender offers and exchange offers can be prevented or delayed by a variety of factors, including: (i) regulatory and antitrust restrictions; (ii) political motivations; (iii) industry weakness; (iv) stock specific events; (v) failed financings and (vi) general market declines. Also, in certain transactions, the Fund may not hedge against market fluctuations. This can result in losses even if the proposed transaction is consummated. In addition, a security to be issued in a merger or exchange offer may be sold short by the Fund in the expectation that the short position will be covered by delivery of such security when issued. If the merger or exchange offer is not consummated, the Fund may be forced to cover its short position at a higher price than its short sale price, resulting in a loss.

Merger arbitrage strategies also depend for success on the overall volume of merger activity, which has historically been cyclical in nature. During periods when merger activity is low, it may be difficult or impossible to identify opportunities for profit or to identify a sufficient number of such opportunities to provide diversification among potential merger transactions.

 

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Merger arbitrage strategies are also subject to the risk of overall market movements. To the extent that a general increase or decline in equity values affects the stocks involved in a merger arbitrage position differently, the position may be exposed to loss. At any given time, arbitrageurs can become improperly hedged by accident or in an effort to maximize risk-adjusted returns. This can lead to inadvertent market-related losses.

Brady Bonds

Brady Bonds are securities created through the restructuring of commercial bank loans to public and private entities under a debt restructuring plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Nicholas F. Brady (the “Brady Plan”). Brady Plan debt restructurings have been implemented in Mexico, Uruguay, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Argentina, Nigeria, the Philippines, and other emerging countries.

Brady Bonds may be collateralized, are issued in various currencies (but primarily the U.S. dollar), and are actively traded in OTC secondary markets. U.S. dollar-denominated, collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed-rate bonds or floating-rate bonds, are generally collateralized in full as to principal by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds having the same maturity as the bonds.

The valuation of a Brady Bond typically depends on an evaluation of: (i) any collateralized repayments of principal at final maturity; (ii) any collateralized interest payments; (iii) the uncollateralized interest payments; and (iv) any uncollateralized repayments of principal at maturity (the uncollateralized amounts constitute the “residual risk”). In light of the residual risk of Brady Bonds and the history of prior defaults by the issuers of Brady Bonds, investments in Brady Bonds may be viewed as speculative.

Euro Bonds

Euro bonds are securities denominated in U.S. dollars or another currency and sold to investors outside of the country whose currency is used. Euro bonds may be issued by government or corporate issuers, and are typically underwritten by banks and brokerage firms in numerous countries. While Euro bonds often pay principal and interest in Eurodollars (i.e., U.S. dollars held in banks outside of the United States), some Euro bonds may pay principal and interest in other currencies. Euro bonds are subject to the same risks as other fixed income securities. See “Debt and Other Fixed Income Securities Generally” above.

Zero Coupon Securities

The Fund’s investments in “zero coupon” fixed income securities accrue interest income at a fixed rate based on initial purchase price and length to maturity, but the securities do not pay interest in cash on a current basis. The Fund may be required to distribute the accrued income to its shareholders, even though the Fund is not receiving the income in cash on a current basis. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments to obtain cash to make income distributions (including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so). The market value of zero coupon securities is often more volatile than that of non-zero coupon fixed income securities of comparable quality and maturity. Zero coupon securities include IO/PO Strips and STRIPS.

Indexed Investments

The Fund may invest in various transactions and instruments that are designed to track the performance of an index (including, but not limited to, securities indices and credit default indices). Indexed securities are securities the redemption values and/or coupons of which are indexed to a specific instrument, group of instruments, index, or other statistic. Indexed securities typically, but not always, are debt securities or deposits

indicators. For example, the maturity value of gold-indexed securities depends on the price of gold and, therefore, their price tends to rise and fall with gold prices.

 

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While investments that track the performance of an index may increase the number, and thus the diversity, of the underlying assets to which the Fund is exposed, such investments are subject to many of the same risks of investing in the underlying assets that comprise the index discussed elsewhere in this section, as well as certain additional risks that are not typically associated with investments in such underlying assets. An investment that is designed to track the performance of an index may not replicate and maintain exactly the same composition and relative weightings of the assets in the index. Additionally, the liquidity of the market for such investments may be subject to the same conditions affecting liquidity in the underlying assets and markets and could be relatively less liquid in certain circumstances. The performance of indexed securities depends on the performance of the security, security index, inflation index, currency, or other instrument to which they are indexed. Interest rate changes in the U.S. and abroad also may influence performance. Indexed securities also are subject to the credit risks of the issuer, and their values are adversely affected by declines in the issuer’s creditworthiness.

Currency-Indexed Securities. Currency-indexed securities have maturity values or interest rates determined by reference to the values of one or more foreign currencies. Currency-indexed securities also may have maturity values or interest rates that depend on the values of a number of different foreign currencies relative to each other.

Inverse Floating Obligations. Indexed securities in which the Fund may invest include so-called “inverse floating obligations” or “residual interest bonds” on which the interest rates typically decline as the index or reference rates, typically short-term interest rates, increase and increase as index or reference rates decline. An inverse floating obligation may have the effect of investment leverage to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index or reference rate of interest. Generally, leverage will result in greater price volatility.

Inflation Indexed Bonds. The Fund may invest in inflation indexed bonds. The Fund may also invest in futures contracts on inflation indexed bonds. See “Options and Futures—Inflation Linked Futures” above for a discussion of inflation linked futures. Inflation indexed bonds are fixed income securities whose principal value is adjusted periodically according to the rate of inflation. Two structures are common. The U.S. Treasury and some other issuers use a structure that accrues inflation into the principal value of the bond. Most other issuers pay out the CPI accruals as part of a semiannual coupon.

Inflation indexed securities issued by the U.S. Treasury (or “TIPS”) have maturities of approximately five, ten or twenty years (thirty year TIPS are no longer offered), although it is possible that securities that have other maturities will be issued in the future. U.S. Treasury securities pay interest on a semi-annual basis equal to a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted principal amount. For example, if the Fund purchased an inflation indexed bond with a par value of $1,000 and a 3% real rate of return coupon (payable 1.5% semi-annually), and the rate of inflation over the first six months was 1%, the mid-year par value of the bond would be $1,010 and the first semi-annual interest payment would be $15.15 ($1,010 times 1.5%). If inflation during the second half of the year resulted in the whole year’s inflation equaling 3%, the end-of-year par value of the bond would be $1,030 and the second semi-annual interest payment would be $15.45 ($1,030 times 1.5%).

If the periodic adjustment rate measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation indexed bonds will be adjusted downward and, consequently, the interest they pay (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. The U.S. government guarantees the repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) in the case of a TIPS, even during a period of deflation, although the inflation-adjusted principal received could be less than the inflation-adjusted principal that had accrued to the bond at the time of purchase.

However, the current market value of the bonds is not guaranteed and will fluctuate. The Fund also may invest in other inflation-related bonds which may or may not provide a similar guarantee. If a guarantee of principal is not provided, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.

The value of inflation indexed bonds normally changes when real interest rates change. Real interest rates, in turn, are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates (i.e., stated interest rates) and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if the rate of inflation rises at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates (i.e., nominal interest rate minus inflation) might decline, leading to an increase in value of inflation indexed bonds. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation indexed bonds. There can be no assurance, however, that the value of inflation indexed bonds will change in the same proportion as changes in nominal interest rates, and short term increases in inflation may lead to a decline in their value.

 

31


Although inflation indexed bonds protect their holders from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may result in a decline in value. In addition, inflation indexed bonds do not protect holders from increases in interest rates due to reasons other than inflation (such as changes in currency exchange rates).

The periodic adjustment of U.S. inflation indexed bonds is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”), which is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI-U is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation, and energy. Inflation indexed bonds issued by a foreign government are generally adjusted to reflect changes in a comparable inflation index calculated by the foreign government. No assurance can be given that the CPI-U or any foreign inflation index will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. In addition, no assurance can be given that the rate of inflation in a foreign country will correlate to the rate of inflation in the United States.

Coupon payments received by the Fund from inflation indexed bonds are included in the Fund’s gross income for the period in which they accrue. In addition, any increase in the principal amount of an inflation indexed bond constitutes taxable ordinary income to investors in the Fund, even though principal is not paid until maturity.

Structured Notes

Similar to indexed securities, structured notes are derivative debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by reference to changes in the value of a specific asset, reference rate, or index (the “reference”) or the relative change in two or more references. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may increase or decrease, depending upon changes in the reference. The terms of a structured note may provide that, in certain circumstances, no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, may result in a loss of invested capital. Structured notes may be indexed positively or negatively, so that appreciation of the reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the principal at maturity. In addition, changes in the interest rate or the value of the principal at maturity may be fixed at a specified multiple of the change in the value of the reference, making the value of the note particularly volatile.

Structured notes may entail a greater degree of market risk than other types of debt securities because the investor bears the risk of the reference. Structured notes also may be more volatile, less liquid, and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities or more traditional debt securities.

Firm Commitments and When-Issued Securities

The Fund may enter into firm commitments and similar agreements with banks or broker-dealers for the purchase or sale of securities at an agreed-upon price on a specified future date. For example, with respect to the Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities, the Fund may enter into a firm commitment agreement if the Manager anticipates a decline in interest rates and believes it is able to obtain a more advantageous future yield by committing currently to purchase securities to be issued later. The Fund generally does not earn income on the securities it has committed to purchase until after delivery. The Fund may take delivery of the securities or, if deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, may sell the securities before the settlement date. When payment is due on when-issued or delayed-delivery securities, the Fund makes payment from then-available cash flow or the sale of securities, or from the sale of the when-issued or delayed-delivery securities themselves (which may have a value greater or less than what the Fund paid for them).

Loans (Including Bank Loans), Loan Participations, and Assignments

The Fund may invest in direct debt instruments, which are interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental, or other borrower to lenders or lending syndicates (loans, including bank loans, promissory notes, and loan participations), to suppliers of goods or services (trade claims or other receivables), or to other parties. Such instruments may include term loans and revolving loans, may pay interest at a fixed or floating rate and may be senior or subordinated. The Fund may acquire interests in loans either directly (by way of sale or assignment) or indirectly (by way of participation).

 

32


Purchases of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness, including promissory notes, depend primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest, and adverse changes in the creditworthiness of the borrower may affect its ability to pay principal and interest. Direct debt instruments may not be rated by any rating agency. In the event of non-payment of interest or principal, loans that are secured offer the Fund more protection than comparable unsecured loans. However, no assurance can be given that the collateral for a secured loan can be liquidated or that the proceeds will satisfy the borrower’s obligation. Investment in the indebtedness of borrowers with low creditworthiness involves substantially greater risks, and may be highly speculative. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy or restructuring may never pay off their indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. Investments in sovereign debt similarly involve the risk that the governmental entities responsible for repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to pay interest and repay principal when due. The bank loans acquired by the Fund may be below investment-grade.

When investing in a loan participation, the Fund typically purchases participation interests in a portion of a lender’s or participant’s interest in a loan but has no direct contractual relationship with the borrower. Participation interests in a portion of a debt obligation typically result in a contractual relationship only with the institution participating in the interest, not with the borrower. The Fund must rely on the seller of the participation interest not only for the enforcement of the Fund’s rights against the borrower but also for the receipt and processing of principal, interest, or other payments due under the loan. This may subject the Fund to greater delays, expenses, and risks than if the Fund could enforce its rights directly against the borrower. In addition, the Fund generally will have no rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. A participation agreement also may limit the rights of the Fund to vote on changes that may be made to the underlying loan agreement, such as waiving a breach of a covenant. In addition, under the terms of a participation agreement, the Fund may be treated as a creditor of the seller of the participation interest (rather than of the borrower), thus exposing the Fund to the credit risk of the seller in addition to the credit risk of the borrower. Additional risks include inadequate perfection of a loan’s security interest, the possible invalidation or compromise of an investment transaction as a fraudulent conveyance or preference under relevant creditors’ rights laws, the validity and seniority of bank claims and guarantees, environmental liabilities that may arise with respect to collateral securing the obligations, and adverse consequences resulting from participating in such instruments through other institutions with lower credit quality.

Bank loans and participation interests may not be readily marketable and may be subject to restrictions on resale. There can be no assurance that future levels of supply and demand in loan or loan participation trading will provide an adequate degree of liquidity and no assurance that the market will not experience periods of significant illiquidity in the future.

Investments in loans through direct assignment of a lender’s interests may involve additional risks to the Fund. For example, if a secured loan is foreclosed, the Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, under legal theories of lender liability, the Fund potentially might be held liable as a co-lender.

A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution that acts as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms of the loan or other indebtedness the Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, it may have to rely on the agent to enforce its rights against the borrower.

The Manager may, with respect to its management of investments in certain loans for the Fund, seek to remain flexible to purchase and sell other securities in the borrower’s capital structure, by remaining “public.” In such cases, the Manager may seek to avoid receiving material, non-public information about the borrowers to which the Fund may lend (through assignments, participations or otherwise). The Manager’s decision not to use material, non-public information about borrowers may place the Manager at an information disadvantage relative to other lenders. Also, in instances where lenders are asked to grant amendments, waivers or consents in favor of the borrower, the Manager’s ability to assess the significance of the amendment, waiver or consent or its desirability from the Fund’s point of view may be materially and adversely affected.

 

33


When the Manager’s personnel do come into possession of material, non-public information about the issuers of loans that may be held by the Fund or other accounts managed by the Manager (either intentionally or inadvertently), the Manager’s ability to trade in other securities of the issuers of these loans for the account of the Manager will be limited pursuant to applicable securities laws. Such limitations on the Manager’s ability to trade could have an adverse affect on the Fund. In many instances, these trading restrictions could continue in effect for a substantial period of time.

Direct indebtedness purchased by the Fund may include letters of credit, revolving credit facilities, or other standby financing commitments obligating the Fund to pay additional cash on demand. These commitments may have the effect of requiring the Fund to increase its investment in a borrower at a time when it would not otherwise have done so.

Trade Claims. The Fund may purchase trade claims against companies, including companies in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings. Trade claims generally include claims of suppliers for goods delivered and not paid, claims for unpaid services rendered, claims for contract rejection damages and claims related to litigation. An investment in trade claims is very speculative and carries a high degree of risk. Trade claims are illiquid instruments which generally do not pay interest and there can be no guarantee that the debtor will ever be able to satisfy the obligation on the trade claim. Additionally, there can be restrictions on the purchase, sale, and/or transferability of trade claims during all or part of a bankruptcy proceeding. The markets in trade claims are not regulated by U.S. federal securities laws or the SEC.

Trade claims are typically unsecured and may be subordinated to other unsecured obligations of a debtor, and generally are subject to defenses of the debtor with respect to the underlying transaction giving rise to the trade claim. Trade claims are subject to risks not generally associated with standardized securities and instruments due to the idiosyncratic nature of the claims purchased. These risks include the risk that the debtor may contest the allowance of the claim due to disputes the debtor has with the original claimant or the inequitable conduct of the original claimant, or due to administrative errors in connection with the transfer of the claim. Recovery on allowed trade claims may also be impaired if the anticipated dividend payable on unsecured claims in the bankruptcy is not realized or if the timing of the bankruptcy distribution is delayed. As a result of the foregoing factors, trade claims are also subject to the risk that if the Fund does receive payment, it may be in an amount less than what the Fund paid for or otherwise expects to receive in respect of the claim.

In addition, because they are not negotiable instruments, trade claims are typically less liquid than negotiable instruments. Given these factors, trade claims often trade at a discount to other pari passu instruments.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Roll Agreements

The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements and dollar roll agreements with banks and brokers to enhance return. Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales by the Fund of portfolio securities concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same securities at a later date at a fixed price. During the reverse repurchase agreement period, the Fund continues to receive principal and interest payments on the securities and also has the opportunity to earn a return on the collateral furnished by the counterparty to secure its obligation to redeliver the securities.

Dollar rolls are transactions in which the Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund foregoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale.

If the buyer in a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s use of proceeds from the sale of its securities may be restricted while the other party or its trustee or receiver determines whether to honor the Fund’s right to repurchase the securities. Furthermore, in that situation the Fund may be unable to recover the securities it sold in connection with a reverse repurchase agreement and as a result would realize a loss equal to the difference between the value of the securities and the payment it received for them. This loss would be greater to the extent the buyer paid less than the value of the securities the Fund sold to it

 

34


(e.g., a buyer may only be willing to pay $95 for a bond with a market value of $100). The Fund’s use of reverse repurchase agreements also subjects the Fund to interest costs based on the difference between the sale and repurchase price of a security involved in such a transaction. Additionally, reverse repurchase agreements entail the same risks as over-the-counter derivatives. These include the risk that the counterparty to the reverse repurchase agreement may not be able to fulfill its obligations, as discussed above, that the parties may disagree as to the meaning or application of contractual terms, or that the instrument may not perform as expected. See “Risks Arising from Investment Activities of the Fund—Futures, Options and Derivative Instruments” and “—Risk of Counterparty Default” in the Prospectus.

Commodity-Related Investments

The Fund may invest in a range of markets, including the commodity markets, which include a range of assets with tangible properties, such as oil, natural gas, agricultural products (e.g., wheat, corn, and livestock), precious metals (e.g., gold and silver), industrial metals (e.g., copper), and softs (e.g., cocoa, coffee, and sugar). The Fund may obtain such exposure by investing in commodity-related derivatives (as defined below).

Commodity prices can be extremely volatile and may be directly or indirectly affected by many factors, including changes in overall market movements, real or perceived inflationary trends, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or currency exchange rates, population growth and changing demographics, and factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, or other weather conditions, livestock disease, trade embargoes, competition from substitute products, transportation bottlenecks or shortages, fluctuations in supply and demand, tariffs, and international regulatory, political, and economic developments (e.g., regime changes and changes in economic activity levels). In addition, some commodities are subject to limited pricing flexibility because of supply and demand factors, and others are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of the volatility of prices for certain raw materials and the instability of supplies of other materials.

Actions of and changes in governments, and political and economic instability, in commodity-producing and -exporting countries may affect the production and marketing of commodities. In addition, commodity-related industries throughout the world are subject to greater political, environmental, and other governmental regulation than many other industries. Changes in government policies and the need for regulatory approvals may adversely affect the products and services of companies in the commodities industries. For example, the exploration, development, and distribution of coal, oil, and gas in the United States are subject to significant federal and state regulation, which may affect rates of return on coal, oil, and gas and the kinds of services that the federal and state governments may offer to companies in those industries. In addition, compliance with environmental and other safety regulations has caused many companies in commodity-related industries to incur production delays and significant costs. Government regulation may also impede the development of new technologies. The effect of future regulations affecting commodity-related industries cannot be predicted.

The Fund may invest in derivatives whose values are based on the value of a commodity, commodity index, or other readily-measurable economic variables dependent upon changes in the value of commodities or the commodities markets (“commodity-related derivatives”). The value of commodity-related derivatives fluctuates based on changes in the values of the underlying commodity, commodity index, futures contract, or other economic variable to which they are related. Additionally, economic leverage will increase the volatility of these instruments as they may increase or decrease in value more quickly than the underlying commodity or other relevant economic variable.

Illiquid Securities, Private Placements, Restricted Securities, and IPOs and Other Limited Opportunities

The Fund may invest in illiquid securities.

The Manager also may deem certain securities to be illiquid as a result of the Manager’s receipt from time to time of material, non-public information about an issuer, which may limit the Manager’s ability to trade such securities for the account of any of its clients, including the Fund. In some instances, these trading restrictions could continue in effect for a substantial period of time.

 

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Private Placements and Restricted Investments. Illiquid securities include securities of private issuers, securities traded in unregulated or shallow markets, securities issued by entities deemed to be affiliates of the Fund, and securities that are purchased in private placements and are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Because relatively few purchasers of these securities may exist, especially in the event of adverse economic and liquidity conditions or adverse changes in the issuer’s financial condition, the Fund may not be able to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position in such investments at a desirable price. Disposing of illiquid securities may involve time-consuming negotiation and legal expenses, and selling them promptly at an acceptable price may be difficult or impossible.

While private placements may offer attractive opportunities not otherwise available in the open market, the securities purchased are usually “restricted securities” or are “not readily marketable.” Restricted securities cannot be sold without being registered under the 1933 Act, unless they are sold pursuant to an exemption from registration (such as Rules 144 or 144A). Securities that are not readily marketable are subject to other legal or contractual restrictions on resale. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering restricted securities for resale and the risk of substantial delay in effecting registration. If the Fund sells its securities in a registered offering, it may be deemed to be an “underwriter” for purposes of Section 11 of the 1933 Act. In such event, the Fund may be liable to purchasers of the securities under Section 11 if the registration statement prepared by the issuer, or the prospectus forming a part of it, is materially inaccurate or misleading, although the Fund may have a due diligence defense.

At times, the inability to sell illiquid securities can make it more difficult to determine their fair value for purposes of computing the Fund’s net assets. The judgment of the Manager normally plays a greater role in valuing these securities than in valuing publicly traded securities.

IPOs and Other Limited Opportunities. The Fund may purchase securities of companies that are offered pursuant to an initial public offering (“IPO”) or other similar limited opportunities. Although companies can be any age or size at the time of their IPO, they are often smaller and have a limited operating history, which involves a greater potential for the value of their securities to be impaired following the IPO. The price of a company’s securities may be highly unstable at the time of its IPO and for a period thereafter due to factors such as market psychology prevailing at the time of the IPO, the absence of a prior public market, the small number of shares available, and limited availability of investor information. Securities purchased in IPOs have a tendency to fluctuate in value significantly shortly after the IPO relative to the price at which they were purchased. These fluctuations could impact the net asset value and return earned on the Fund’s shares. Investors in IPOs can be adversely affected by substantial dilution in the value of their shares, by sales of additional shares, and by concentration of control in existing management and principal shareholders. In addition, all of the factors that affect the performance of an economy or equity markets may have a greater impact on the shares of IPO companies. IPO securities tend to involve greater risk due, in part, to public perception and the lack of publicly available information and trading history.

Investments in Investment Companies or Other Pooled Investments

Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, the Fund may invest in shares of both open- and closed-end investment companies (including money market funds, and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”)). Investing in another investment company exposes the Fund to all the risks of that investment company and, in general, subjects it to a pro rata portion of the other investment company’s fees and expenses. The Fund also may invest in private investment funds, vehicles, or structures.

ETFs are hybrid investment companies that are registered as open-end investment companies or unit investment trusts (“UITs”) but possess some of the characteristics of closed-end funds. ETFs in which the Fund may invest typically hold a portfolio of common stocks that is intended to track the price and dividend performance of a particular index. The Fund may also invest in actively-managed ETFs. Common examples of ETFs include S&P Depositary Receipts (“SPDRs”), Vanguard ETFs, and iShares, which may be purchased from the UIT or investment company issuing the securities or in the secondary market (SPDRs, Vanguard ETFs, and iShares are predominantly listed on the NYSE Arca). The market price for ETF shares may be higher or lower than the ETF’s net asset value. The sale and redemption prices of ETF shares purchased from the issuer are based on the issuer’s net asset value.

 

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Short Sales

The Fund may seek to hedge investments or realize additional gains through short sales. The Fund may make short sales “against the box,” meaning the Fund may make short sales where the Fund owns, or has the right to acquire at no added cost, securities or currencies identical to those sold short. If the Fund makes a short sale against the box, the Fund will not immediately deliver the securities or currencies sold and will not immediately receive the proceeds from the sale. Once the Fund closes out its short position by delivering the securities or currencies sold short, it will receive the proceeds of the sale. The Fund will incur transaction costs, including interest, in connection with opening, maintaining, and closing short sales against the box.

The Fund may make short sales of securities or currencies it does not own (i.e., short sales that are not against the box), in anticipation of a decline in the market value of that security or currency. To complete such a transaction, the Fund must borrow the security or currency (e.g., shares of an ETF) to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund then is obligated to replace the security or currency borrowed by purchasing it at the market price at or prior to termination of the loan. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security or currency was sold by the Fund, and purchasing such security or currency to close out a short position can itself cause the price of the security or currency to rise further, thereby exacerbating any losses. Until the security or currency is replaced, the Fund is required to repay the lender any dividends or interest which accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security or currency, the Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security or currency sold. The net proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements, until the short position is closed out. The Fund also will incur transaction costs in effecting short sales that are not against the box.

The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security or index or currency increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed security or currency. The Fund will realize a gain if the price of the security or currency declines between those dates. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of the premium, dividends or interest the Fund may be required to pay in connection with a short sale. Short sales that are not against the box involve a form of investment leverage, and the amount of the Fund’s loss on such a short sale is theoretically unlimited. Under adverse market conditions, the Fund may have difficulty purchasing securities or currencies to meet its short sale delivery obligations, and may have to sell portfolio securities or currencies to raise the capital necessary to meet its short sale obligations at a time when it would be unfavorable to do so. If a request for return of borrowed securities and/or currencies occurs at a time when other short sellers of the securities and/or currencies are receiving similar requests, a “short squeeze” can occur, and the Fund may be compelled to replace borrowed securities and/or currencies previously sold short with purchases on the open market at the most disadvantageous time, possibly at prices significantly in excess of the proceeds received in originally selling the securities and/or currencies short. In addition, the Fund may have difficulty purchasing securities and/or currencies to meet its delivery obligations in the case of less liquid securities and/or currencies sold short by the Fund such as certain emerging market country securities or securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations. The Fund may also take short positions in securities through various derivative products. These derivative products will typically expose the Fund to economic risks similar to those associated with shorting securities directly.

Noncash Income

Certain investments made by the Fund may give rise to taxable income in excess of the cash received by the Fund from those investments. In order to make distributions of its income, it is possible that the Fund will dispose of certain of their investments, including when it is not otherwise advantageous to do so. See “Taxes” below for further discussion of investments that may result in noncash income.

Lack of Correlation Risk; Hedging

There can be no assurance that the short positions that the Fund holds will act as an effective hedge against its long positions. Any decrease in negative correlation or increase in positive correlation between the positions the Manager anticipated would be offsetting (such as short and long positions in securities or currencies held by the Fund) could result in significant losses for the Fund.

 

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To the extent the Manager employs a hedging strategy for the Fund, the success of any such hedging strategy will depend, in part, upon the Manager’s ability to correctly assess the degree of correlation between the performance of the instruments used in the hedging strategy and the performance of the investments being hedged.

Legal and Regulatory Risk

Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur during the term of the Fund that may adversely affect the Fund. New (or revised) laws or regulations may be imposed by the CFTC, the SEC, the U.S. Federal Reserve or other banking regulators, other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely affect the Fund. In particular, these agencies are empowered to promulgate a variety of new rules pursuant to recently enacted financial reform legislation in the United States. The Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by these governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations. In addition, the securities and futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and margin requirements. The CFTC, the SEC, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, other regulators and self-regulatory organizations and exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of market emergencies. The regulation of derivatives transactions and funds that engage in such transactions is an evolving area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action.

The U.S. government recently enacted legislation that provides for new regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. Because the legislation leaves much to rule making, its ultimate impact remains unclear. New regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in derivatives transactions (for example, by making certain types of derivatives transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such derivatives transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result. It is unclear how the regulatory changes will affect counterparty risk.

The CFTC and certain futures exchanges have established limits, referred to as “position limits,” on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, may be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the applicable position limits have been exceeded. Thus, even if the Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that different clients managed by the Manager and its affiliates may be aggregated for this purpose. The trading decisions of the Manager may have to be modified and positions held by the Fund may have to be liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the profitability of the Fund.

The SEC has in the past adopted interim rules requiring reporting of all short positions above a certain de minimis threshold and is expected to adopt rules requiring monthly public disclosure in the future. In addition, other non-U.S. jurisdictions where the Fund may trade have adopted reporting requirements. If the Fund’s short positions or its strategy become generally known, it could have a significant effect on the Manager’s ability to implement its investment strategy. In particular, it would make it more likely that other investors could cause a “short squeeze” in the securities held short by the Fund forcing the Fund to cover its positions at a loss. Such reporting requirements may also limit the Manager’s ability to access management and other personnel at certain companies where the Manager seeks to take a short position. In addition, if other investors engage in copycat behavior by taking positions in the same issuers as the Fund, the cost of borrowing securities to sell short could increase drastically and the availability of such securities to the Fund could decrease drastically. Such events could make the Fund unable to execute its investment strategy. In addition, the SEC recently proposed additional restrictions on short sales. If the SEC were to adopt additional restrictions regarding short sales, they could restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in short sales in certain circumstances, and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result.

The SEC and regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions may adopt (and in certain cases, have adopted) bans on short sales of certain securities in response to market events. Bans on short selling may make it impossible for the Fund to execute certain investment strategies and may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to generate returns.

 

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Pending federal legislation would require the adoption of regulations that would require any creditor that makes a loan and any securitizer of a loan to retain at least 5% of the credit risk on any loan that is transferred, sold or conveyed by such creditor or securitizer. It is currently unclear how these requirements would apply to loan participations, syndicated loans, and loan assignments. If the Fund invests in loans, it could be adversely affected by the regulation. The effect of any future regulatory change on the Fund could be substantial and adverse.

Lack of Operating History

As of the date of this SAI, the Fund has no operating history. Therefore, there is no operating history to evaluate the Fund’s future performance. The past performance of other investment funds managed by the Manager cannot be relied upon as an indicator of the Fund’s success, in part because of the unique nature of the Fund’s investment strategy. An Investor in the Fund must rely upon the ability of the Manager in identifying and implementing investments for the Fund. There can be no assurance that such personnel will be successful in identifying and implementing investment opportunities for the Fund.

MANAGEMENT

Board’s Oversight Role in Management

The Board provides broad oversight over the operations and affairs of the Fund and has overall responsibility to manage and control the business affairs of the Fund, including the complete and exclusive authority to establish policies regarding the management, conduct, and operation of the Fund’s business. The Board exercises the same powers, authority and responsibilities on behalf of the Fund as are customarily exercised by the board of directors of a registered investment company organized as a corporation.

The trustees of the Board (the “Trustees”) are not required to contribute to the capital of the Fund or to hold Shares of the Fund. A majority of the Trustees of the Board are persons who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund (collectively, the “Independent Trustees”). The Independent Trustees perform the same functions for the Fund as are customarily exercised by the non-interested directors of a registered investment company organized as a corporation.

Board Composition and Fund Leadership Structure

The identity of the Trustees and officers of each of the Fund and brief biographical information regarding each Trustee and officer during the past five years is set forth below. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each officer and Trustee is c/o Blackstone Alternative Investment Advisors LLC, 345 Park Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, New York 10154. Each Trustee who is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, is indicated by an asterisk.

 

Name and Date of Birth of

Independent Trustees

  

Position(s)

Held with

Fund

  

Term of

Office* and

Length of

Time

Served

  

Principal
Occupation(s)

During Past 5

Years

  

Number of
Portfolios in

Fund

Complex*
Overseen by
Trustee**

  

Other Trusteeships
Held by Trustee

[To be filed by amendment]

              

 

Name and Date of Birth of

Interested Trustees

  

Position(s)

Held with

Fund

  

Term of

Office* and

Length of

Time

Served

  

Principal
Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee**

  

Other

Trusteeships Held

by Trustee

[To be filed by amendment]

              

 

* The “Fund Complex” consists of [    ].
** Term of office of each Trustee is indefinite. Any Trustee of the Fund may be removed from office in accordance with the Declaration of Trust.

 

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Name and Date of Birth of

Officers

  

Position(s) Held with the

Fund

  

Term of Office* and

Length of Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

[To be filed by amendment]

        

 

** Term of office of each Officer is indefinite.

For each Trustee, the following table discloses the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustee in the Fund and, on an aggregate basis, in any registered investment companies overseen by the Trustee within the Fund Complex as of [    ]:

 

Name of Trustee

  

Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in the Fund

  

Aggregate Dollar Range of

Equity Securities in All

Funds Overseen by Trustee

in Fund Complex

[To be filed by amendment]

     

For Independent Trustees and their immediate family members, the following table provides information regarding each class of securities owned beneficially in an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund, or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund as of [            ]:

 

Name of Trustee

  

Name of Owners

and Relationships

to Trustee

  

Company

  

Title of Class

  

Value of

Securities

  

Percent of

Class

[To be filed by amendment]

              

Compensation of Trustees and Officers

The Fund pays no compensation to any of its officers or to the Trustees listed above who are interested persons of the Fund. The Independent Trustees are each paid by the Fund $[to be filed by amendment] per fiscal year in aggregate for their services to the Fund, for which the Independent Trustees serve as trustees, and the Trustees are reimbursed by the Fund for their travel expenses related to Board meetings. The Trustees do not receive any pension or retirement benefits from the Fund. The following table sets forth information covering the total compensation payable by the Fund during its fiscal year ended [            ] to the persons who serve, and who are expected to continue serving, as Trustees of the Fund during such period:

 

Trustee

  

Aggregate Compensation From Fund

  

Total Compensation

From Fund and Fund Complex**

[To be filed by amendment]

     

 

* Because the Fund has not completed a full fiscal year since its organization, figures in the table for the Fund are based on estimates for the current fiscal year.
** These amounts represent aggregate compensation for services of each Trustee to the Fund, for each of which such Trustees serve as director.

Trustee Qualifications

[To be filed by amendment]

 

40


Standing Committees

Audit Committee.

[To be filed by amendment]

Nominating and Compensation Committee.

[To be filed by amendment]

Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers (as of [recent practicable date])

The table below identifies, for each named portfolio manager of the Fund (a “Portfolio Manager”), the number of accounts (other than the fund with respect to which information is provided) for which the Portfolio Manager has day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance are also indicated.

Data for other investment companies is shown based on the specific portfolio managers that are named in the disclosure documents for other investment companies. Data for private pooled investment vehicles and other separate accounts is reported based on the Advisor’s practice of naming a particular individual to maintain oversight responsibility for each account. Where the named individual has been assigned primary responsibility for oversight of a private pooled investment vehicle or separate account, that account has been allocated to that individual for disclosure purposes, but not other portfolio managers that may be involved in managing that account.

 

Type of Account

   Number of
Accounts
Managed
    Total Assets
Managed
   Number of
Accounts Managed
for which Advisory
Fee is
Performance-
Based
   Assets Managed
for which Advisory
Fee is
Performance-
Based
   Beneficial
Ownership of
Equity
Securities in

the Fund

Registered Investment Companies

     [To be filed by amendment           

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

             

Other Accounts

             

Compensation of Portfolio Managers

Each Portfolio Manager’s compensation is comprised primarily of a fixed salary and a discretionary bonus paid by the Advisor or its affiliates and not by the Fund. A portion of the discretionary bonus may be paid in shares of stock or stock options of Blackstone, the parent company of the Advisor, which stock options may be subject to certain vesting periods. The amount of a Portfolio Manager’s discretionary bonus, and the portion to be paid in shares or stock options of Blackstone, is determined by senior officers of the Advisor and/or Blackstone. In general, the amount of the bonus will be based on a combination of factors, none of which is necessarily weighted more than any other factor. These factors may include: the overall performance of the Advisor; the overall performance of Blackstone and its affiliates and subsidiaries; the profitability to the Advisor derived from the management of the Fund and the other accounts managed by the Advisor; the absolute performance of the Fund and such other accounts for the preceding year; contributions by the Portfolio Manager in assisting with managing the assets of the Advisor; and execution of managerial responsibilities, client interactions and support of colleagues. The bonus is not based on a precise formula, benchmark or other metric.

 

41


Potential Conflicts of Interest

Each Portfolio Manager’s compensation plan can give rise to potential conflicts of interest. Managing and providing research to multiple accounts can give rise to potential conflicts of interest if the accounts have different objectives, benchmarks, time horizons, and fees as the Portfolio Manager must allocate his time and investment ideas across multiple accounts. Securities selected for accounts other than the Fund may outperform the securities selected for the Fund.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The Fund may be subject to a number of actual and potential conflicts of interest.

Allocation of Investment Opportunities.

If an investment opportunity is appropriate for the Fund and one or more other funds/accounts for which the Advisor (or one of its affiliates) acts as investment manager (collectively, “Other Blackstone Clients”), the Advisor may be required to choose between the affiliated entities in allocating the investment opportunity. For example, the Advisor may seek to invest, on behalf of the Fund and the Other Blackstone Clients, in one or more investment funds that limit the amount of assets and the number of accounts that they manage. The Advisor intends to allocate such opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, taking into account various investment criteria, such as the relative amounts of capital available for investments, relative exposure to market trends, investment objectives, liquidity, diversification, contractual restrictions and similar factors.

Furthermore, certain affiliates of the Advisor may have greater financial interest in the performance of such other funds or accounts than the performance of the Fund. These interests may give rise to conflicts of interest in making investments on behalf of the Fund and such other investment funds.

Strategic Alliance Fund.

An affiliate of the Advisor has launched and manages certain funds (each, a “Strategic Alliance Fund”) that make seed investments in investment vehicles (“Emerging Manager Vehicles”) managed by emerging fund managers (“Emerging Managers”) where, in connection with such seed investment, the Strategic Alliance Fund generally also is subject to reduced fees in and/or receives economic participation from the Emerging Manager Vehicles in the form of profit sharing or equity interests, or other contractual means of participating in the business of the Emerging Manager Vehicle. The nature of the Advisor’s affiliate’s relationship with the Emerging Manager Vehicles, means that, due to the prohibitions contained in the 1940 Act on certain transactions between a registered investment company and affiliated persons of it, or affiliated persons of those affiliated persons, the Fund will not be able to invest in the Emerging Manager Vehicles, even if the investment would be appropriate for the Fund. These prohibitions are designed to prevent affiliates and insiders from using a registered investment company (such as the Fund) to benefit themselves to the detriment of the registered investment company and its shareholders.

Transactions Between the Fund and Other Blackstone Clients.

The Advisor, to the extent permitted by applicable law, including the 1940 Act, may cause the Fund to purchase investments from, to sell investments to or to exchange investments with any of its or Blackstone’s affiliates. Any such purchases, sales, or exchanges generally will be effected based upon the net asset value of the investment and will be subject to the approval of the Advisor’s Chief Compliance Officer (among others).

 

42


Blackstone Policies and Procedures.

Specified policies and procedures implemented by Blackstone to mitigate potential conflicts of interest and address certain regulatory requirements and contractual restrictions may reduce the synergies across Blackstone’s various businesses that the Fund expects to draw on for purposes of pursuing attractive investment opportunities. Because Blackstone has many different asset management and advisory businesses, it is subject to a number of actual and potential conflicts of interest, greater regulatory oversight and subject to more legal and contractual restrictions than that to which it would otherwise be subject if it had just one line of business. In addressing these conflicts and regulatory, legal and contractual requirements across its various businesses, Blackstone has implemented certain policies and procedures (e.g., information walls) that may reduce the positive synergies that the Fund expects to utilize for purposes of finding attractive investments. For example, Blackstone may come into possession of material non-public information with respect to companies in which its private equity business may be considering making an investment or companies that are Blackstone advisory clients. As a consequence, that information, which could be of benefit to the Fund, might become restricted to those respective businesses and otherwise be unavailable to the Fund.

Other Activities of Blackstone, the Advisor and its Affiliates.

The Advisor devotes to the Fund as much time as is necessary or appropriate, in its judgment, to manage the Fund’s activities. Certain inherent conflicts of interest arise from the fact that the Advisor and its affiliates act on behalf of the Fund and carry on investment activities for a significant number of other clients (including other investment funds sponsored by Blackstone or their affiliates) in which the Fund has no interest. In certain instances, the investment strategies and objectives of these other clients are similar to, or overlap with the investment objective and strategy of the Fund. These activities could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest in that the time of the Advisor will not be devoted exclusively to the business of the Fund but such time will be allocated among the Fund and the Advisor’s other clients.

Future investment activities by the Advisor, including the establishment of other investment funds, may give rise to additional conflicts of interest. In addition, the activities in which Blackstone and its affiliates are involved may limit or preclude the flexibility that the Fund may otherwise have to participate in investments. In connection with the Advisor’s management of the Fund and other registered investment companies, the Fund may be forced to waive voting rights with respect to an Investment Fund. The Fund also may be forced to sell or hold existing investments as a result of investment banking relationships or other relationships that Blackstone may have or transactions or investments Blackstone and its affiliates may make or have made. In addition, the Advisor may determine not to invest the Fund’s assets in an Investment Fund, or may withdraw all or a portion of an existing Fund investment in an Investment Fund, subject to applicable law, in order to address adverse regulatory implications that would arise under the 1940 Act for the Fund and the Advisor’s other clients if that investment was made or maintained. To the extent that the adverse regulatory implications are attributable to the Fund’s investment, the Advisor may cause the Fund to withdraw prior to its other clients.

Investment activities by the Advisor, including the establishment of other investment funds and providing advisory services to discretionary or non-discretionary separate accounts may give rise to additional conflicts of interest. The Advisor has no obligation to purchase or sell, or recommend for purchase or sale for the Fund, any investment that the Advisor or its affiliates may purchase or sell, or recommend for purchase or sale for their own accounts or for the account of any other client or investment fund. Situations may arise in which investment funds or accounts managed by the Advisor or its affiliates have made investments which would have been suitable for

 

43


investment by the Fund but, for various reasons, were not pursued by, or available to, the Fund. The Advisor may communicate investment recommendations to its non-discretionary clients prior to the full implementation of such recommendations by the Advisor for the Fund or other discretionary clients. Accordingly, the Fund and the Advisor’s other discretionary clients may be seeking to obtain limited capacity from Investment Funds at the same time as such non-discretionary clients. Similarly, to the extent that an Investment Fund imposes withdrawal limitations, actions taken by non-discretionary clients may be adverse to the Fund or other discretionary accounts. In addition, non-discretionary clients may from time to time have access to or have the right to obtain information about investment decisions made for the Fund or other discretionary clients. Based on such information, the non-discretionary clients may take actions that are adverse to the Fund or other discretionary clients of the Fund.

The Advisor, Blackstone, their affiliates and any of their respective officers, directors, retired partners, partners, members or employees, may invest for their own account in various investment opportunities, including in hedge funds and other investment vehicles, in which the Fund has no interest. The Advisor may determine that an investment opportunity in a particular investment is appropriate for a particular account, or for itself, but not for the Fund. Shareholders will not receive any benefit from any such investments.

In certain circumstances, Blackstone or its affiliates may have an ownership interest in, or otherwise be affiliated with, a third-party manager with which the Fund directly or indirectly has invested.

Placement Agent Arrangements.

Certain broker-dealer affiliates of the Advisor may enter into placement agent agreements or otherwise be retained as placement agent by a third-party manager. Under these placement agent agreements, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the manager may compensate the Advisor’s affiliates for referring investors (including the Fund) to the manager and such fees will not be shared with the Fund or the shareholders.

CODES OF ETHICS

The Fund, the Advisor and Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P. have each adopted a code of ethics (collectively, the “Codes of Ethics”) pursuant to the requirements of the 1940 Act. These Codes of Ethics permit personnel subject to the Codes of Ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, subject to a number of restrictions and controls.

Each of these Codes of Ethics is included as an exhibit to the Fund’s registration statements filed with the SEC and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. These Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

The Fund will commence operations on or following the date of this SAI, and therefore, no investor owns beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund as of the date of this SAI.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES

The Advisor

As detailed in the Prospectus, Blackstone Alternative Investment Advisors LLC (“BAIA” or the “Advisor”) is the investment adviser of the Fund and as such, has responsibility for the management of the Fund’s affairs, under the supervision of the Board. The Advisor, a registered investment adviser located at 345 Park Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, New York 10154, was founded in 2012 and is an affiliate of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management L.P. and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of The Blackstone Group L.P. (“Blackstone”), a publicly traded master limited partnership that has common units which trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BX”. Blackstone was founded in 1985 and is one of the world’s leading investment and advisory firms.

 

44


The Advisor charges the Fund an advisory fee, the method of calculating the advisory fee is described in the Prospectus under “Management of the Fund—Advisor.”

The Sub-Advisers

[To be filed by amendment]

The Distributor

Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P., located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, an affiliate of the Advisor, acts as the distributor and principal underwriter of the shares of the Fund (the “Distributor”). The Distributor will offer shares of the Fund for sale on a continuous basis and will use all reasonable efforts in connection with distribution of shares of the Fund.

12b-1 Plan

[To be filed by amendment]

Administrator

[To be filed by amendment] (the “Administrator”), located at [To be filed by amendment], serves as the administrator to the Fund pursuant to an Administration Agreement between the Fund and the Administrator (the “Administration Agreement”). The Administrator provides certain administrative, accounting and investor services to the Fund, as set forth in the Prospectus. The Administrator furnishes at its own expense the executive, supervisory and clerical personnel necessary to perform its obligations under the Administration Agreements. The Administrator is not required to pay the compensation of any employee of the Fund retained by the Board of the Fund to perform services on behalf of the Fund.

Custodian

[To be filed by amendment] (the “Custodian”), located at [To be filed by amendment], serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a Custodian Services Agreement between the Fund and the Custodian.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is [To be filed by amendment], [address to be filed by amendment]. [To be filed by amendment] conducts an annual audit of the Fund’s financial statements and reviews the Fund’s federal and state income tax returns.

Legal Counsel

Ropes & Gray LLP, Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199-3600, serves as counsel to the Fund.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Registrant has delegated proxy voting responsibilities to the Advisor, subject to the Board’s general oversight. The proxy voting policies and procedures of the Advisor are attached as Appendix A. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended [            ] will be available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling toll free, [            ] and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

45


BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

Advisor

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

In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Advisor may also consider the brokerage and research services provided (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Consistent with any guidelines established by the Board of the Fund, as applicable, and Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, the Advisor is authorized to pay to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Advisor determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities of the Advisor to its discretionary clients, including the Fund. In addition, the Advisor is authorized to allocate purchase and sale orders for securities to brokers or dealers (including brokers and dealers that are affiliated with the Advisor or the Distributor) and to take into account the sale of shares of the Fund if the Advisor believes that the quality of the transaction and the commission are comparable to what they would be with other qualified firms.

Investment Funds

Investment Funds will incur transaction expenses in the management of their portfolios, which will decrease the value of the Fund’s investment in the Investment Funds. In view of the fact that the investment program of certain of the Investment Funds may include trading as well as investments, short-term market considerations will frequently be involved, and it is anticipated that the turnover rates of the Investment Funds may be substantially greater than the turnover rates of other types of investment funds. In addition, the order execution practices of the Investment Funds may not be transparent to the Fund. Each Investment Fund is responsible for placing orders for the execution of its portfolio transactions and for the allocation of its brokerage. The Advisor will have no direct or indirect control over the brokerage or portfolio trading policies employed by the Portfolio Managers. The Advisor expects that each Investment Fund will generally select broker-dealers to effect transactions on the Investment Fund’s behalf substantially in the manner set forth below.

Each Investment Fund generally will seek reasonably competitive commission rates. However, Investment Funds will not necessarily pay the lowest commission available on each transaction, and may engage in transactions with broker-dealers based on different criteria than those that the Fund would consider. Investment Funds may not be subject to the same regulatory restrictions as the Fund on principal and agency transactions. The Fund will indirectly bear the commissions or spreads in connection with the portfolio transactions of the Investment Funds.

No guarantee or assurance can be made that an Investment Fund’s brokerage transaction practices will be transparent or that the Investment Fund will establish, adhere to, or comply with its stated practices. Investment Funds may select brokers on a basis other than that outlined above and may receive benefits other than research or that benefit the Portfolio Manager or its affiliates rather than the Investment Fund.

 

46


Sub-Advisers

The Subadvisory Agreements provide that each Sub-Adviser places orders for the purchase and sale of securities that are held in each Fund’s portfolio. In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, it is the policy and principal objective of each Sub-Adviser to seek best price and execution. It is expected that securities will ordinarily be purchased in the primary markets. Each Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant when assessing best price and execution for a Fund, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the commission, if any (for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis).

In addition, when selecting brokers to execute transactions and in evaluating the best available net price and execution, each Sub-Adviser is authorized by the Board to consider the “brokerage and research services” (as defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), provided by the broker. Each Sub-Adviser is also authorized to cause a Fund to pay a commission to a broker who provides such brokerage and research services for executing a portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction. Each Sub-Adviser must determine in good faith, however, that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of all the accounts over which each Sub-Adviser exercises investment discretion. Brokerage and research services received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by each Sub-Adviser. Each Fund may purchase and sell portfolio securities through brokers who provide the Sub-Adviser with research services.

The fees of each Sub-Adviser are not reduced by reason of its receipt of such brokerage and research services. Generally, a Sub-Adviser does not provide any services to a Fund except portfolio investment management and related record-keeping services. The Advisor may request that a Sub-Adviser employ certain specific brokers who have agreed to pay certain Fund expenses. The use of such brokers is subject to best price and execution, and there is no specific amount of brokerage that is required to be placed through such brokers.

It is possible that certain of the services received by a Sub-Adviser attributable to a particular transaction will primarily benefit one or more other accounts for which investment discretion is exercised by the Sub-Adviser.

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Fund’s Board has adopted policies and procedures developed by the Advisor with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities and any ongoing arrangements to make available information about the Fund’s portfolio securities. The policy requires that consideration always be given as to whether disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. As a consequence, any conflicts of interest between the interests of the Fund’s shareholders and those of the Advisor, the Distributor or their affiliates in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information would be addressed in a manner that places the interests of Fund shareholders first.

The policy provides that information regarding the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be shared with the Fund’s Advisor and other affiliated parties involved in the management, administration or operations of the Fund (referred to as fund-affiliated personnel).

Disclosure of the Fund’s complete list of holdings (including the size of each position) is required to be made quarterly within 60 days of the end of each fiscal quarter (in the Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Fund shareholders and in the quarterly holdings report on Form N-Q). These reports are available, free of charge, on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

In addition, the policy permits disclosure of a list of holdings (and related risk/performance analyses) that is made available to a shareholder of record upon request on the same basis to all record shareholders of the Fund upon request (or, to an appropriate fiduciary who is determined by the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, in consultation with Fund counsel, to be acting on behalf of the shareholder(s)).

 

47


The policy also permits the release of limited portfolio holdings information to investors, potential investors, third parties and personnel of the Advisor that are not fund-affiliated personnel in other circumstances, including:

(1) The Fund’s top ten securities, current as of month-end, and the individual size of each such security position may be released at any time following month-end with simultaneous public disclosure.

(2) The Fund’s top ten securities positions (including the aggregate but not individual size of such positions) may be released at any time with simultaneous public disclosure.

(3) A list of securities (that may include Fund holdings together with other securities) followed by a portfolio manager (without position sizes or identification of particular funds) may be disclosed to sell-side brokers at any time for the purpose of obtaining research and/or market information from such brokers.

(4) A trade in process may be discussed only with counterparties, potential counterparties and others involved in the transaction (i.e., brokers and custodians).

(5) The Fund’s sector weightings, yield, performance attribution (e.g., analysis of the Fund’s out-performance or underperformance of its benchmark based on its portfolio holdings) and other summary and statistical information that does not include identification of specific portfolio holdings may be released, even if non-public, if such release is otherwise in accordance with the policy’s general principles.

(6) A small number of the Fund’s portfolio holdings (including information that the Fund no longer holds a particular holding) may be released, but only if the release of the information could not reasonably be seen to interfere with current or future purchase or sales activities of the Fund and is not contrary to law.

(7) The Fund’s portfolio holdings may be released on an as-needed basis to its legal counsel, counsel to its independent trustees and its independent public accounting firm, in required regulatory filings or otherwise to governmental agencies and authorities.

Under the policy, the Fund may release portfolio holdings information on a regular basis to a custodian, sub-custodian, fund accounting agent, proxy voting provider, rating agency or other vendor or service provider for a legitimate business purpose, where the party receiving the information is under a duty of confidentiality, including a duty to prohibit the sharing of non-public information with unauthorized sources and trading upon non-public information. The Fund may enter into other ongoing arrangements for the release of portfolio holdings information for a legitimate business purpose with a party who is subject to a confidentiality agreement and restrictions on trading upon non-public information. None of the Fund, the Advisor or any other affiliated party may receive compensation or any other consideration in connection with such arrangements. Ongoing arrangements to make available information about the Fund’s portfolio securities will be reviewed at least annually by the Fund’s board.

The approval of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, or designee, must be obtained before entering into any new ongoing arrangement or altering any existing ongoing arrangement to make available portfolio holdings information, or with respect to any exceptions from the policy. Any exceptions from the policy must be consistent with the purposes of the policy. Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis and are granted only after a thorough examination and consultation with the manager’s legal department, as necessary. Exceptions from the policy are reported annually to the Board.

Set forth below is a list, as of [            ], of those parties who are authorized to have ongoing arrangements with the Fund that include the release of portfolio holdings information in accordance with the policy, as well as the frequency of the release under such arrangements, and the length of the lag, if any, between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. The parties identified below as recipients are service providers, fund rating agencies, consultants and analysts.

 

Recipient

  

Frequency

  

Delay before dissemination

[ ]

   [ ]    [ ]

[ ]

   [ ]    [ ]

 

48


TAXES

Taxation of the Fund

The Fund intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (previously defined as the “Code”), and intends each year to qualify and be eligible to be treated as such. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, the Fund must, among other things: (i) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from (a) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (b) net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as described below); (ii) diversify its holdings so that at the end of each fiscal quarter, (a) at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities limited, with respect to any one issuer, to no more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than those of the U.S. government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships; and (iii) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid – generally, taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt income for such year.

In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in (i) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized directly by the RIC. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (a partnership (a) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof and (b) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in paragraph (i)(a) above) will be treated as qualifying income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes because they meet the passive income requirement under Code Section 7704(c)(2). For purposes of (ii) above, the term “outstanding voting securities of such issuer” will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. Also, for purposes of the diversification test in (ii) above, the identification of the issuer (or issuers) of a particular investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to issuer identification for a particular type of investment may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to meet the diversification test in (ii) above.

To the extent that it qualifies for treatment as a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income distributed to its shareholders in a timely manner in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below). The Fund’s intention to qualify for treatment as a RIC may negatively affect the Fund’s return to shareholders by limiting its ability to acquire or continue to hold positions that would otherwise be consistent with its investment strategy or by requiring it to engage in transactions it would otherwise not engage in, resulting in additional transaction costs. Moreover, it may be difficult for the Fund to meet the income or diversification test set forth in the second preceding paragraph. If the Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution test described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a fund-level tax, paying interest, disposing of certain assets, or making additional distributions. If the Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, or if the Fund were otherwise to fail to qualify as a RIC accorded special tax treatment for such year, the Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of individuals (at least for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013, see discussion below), provided, in both cases, that the shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the Fund’s shares (as described below). In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before re-qualifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment. Thus failure to qualify as a RIC would likely materially reduce the investment return to Fund shareholders.

 

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The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its investment company taxable income and all net realized long-term capital gain in a taxable year. If the Fund does retain any investment company taxable income, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it will also be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its shareholders who would then (i) be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim such refunds on a properly filed U.S. tax return to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If the Fund makes this designation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income under clause (i) of the preceding sentence and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. The Fund is not required to, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.

A nondeductible excise tax at the rate of 4% will be imposed on the excess, if any, of each Fund’s “required distribution” over its actual distributions in any calendar year. Generally, the required distribution is 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net income recognized during the one-year period ending on October 31, plus undistributed amounts from prior years. For purposes of the required excise tax distribution, a RIC’s ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property that would otherwise be taken into account after October 31 generally are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Also, for purposes of the excise tax, each Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. The Fund intends to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.

Capital losses in excess of capital gains (“net capital losses”) are not permitted to be deducted against the Fund’s net investment income. Instead, potentially subject to certain limitations, the Fund may carry net capital losses from any taxable year forward to subsequent taxable years to offset capital gains, if any, realized during such subsequent taxable years. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether the Fund retains or distributes such gains. The Fund may carry net capital losses forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration. The Fund must apply such carryforwards first against gains of the same character.

In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below), its taxable income, and its earnings and profits, a RIC generally may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as the greatest of net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss, in each case attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, (i) net ordinary loss from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31, plus (ii) other net ordinary loss attributable to the portion of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.

Taxation of Fund Distributions

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her shares. In general, the Fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned for one year or less. Tax rules can alter the Fund’s holding period in investments and thereby affect the tax treatment of gain or loss on such investments. Distributions of net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case determined with reference to any loss carryforwards) that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains. Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals have been temporarily reduced for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend these reduced rates for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, or what the terms of such an extension would be. Distributions of net short-term capital gain (as reduced by any net long-term capital loss for the taxable year) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

 

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For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013, the Fund may report certain dividends as derived from “qualified dividend income,” which, when received by an individual, will be taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund levels. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend the special tax treatment of qualified dividend income for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, or what the terms of such an extension would be. The Fund cannot predict at this time what portion, if any, of its dividends will be eligible for treatment as QDI.

In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be “qualified dividend income” that is eligible for taxation at long-term capital gain rates, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company.

In general, distributions of investment income reported by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income in the hands of a shareholder taxed as an individual, provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund’s shares.

In general, dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of the Fund will qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of eligible dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. A dividend received by the Fund will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends-received deduction (1) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (2) to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends received deduction may otherwise be disallowed or reduced (1) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (2) by application of various provisions of the Code (for instance, the dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed portfolio stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)). The Fund cannot predict at this time what portion, if any, of its dividends will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.

Any distribution of income that is attributable to (i) income received by the Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction or (ii) dividend income received by the Fund on securities it temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Fund, will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.

For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, Section 1411 of the Code generally imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the net investment income of certain individuals whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts, and of certain trusts and estates under similar rules. The details of the implementation of this tax and of the calculation of net investment income, among other issues, are currently unclear and remain subject to future guidance. For these purposes, “net investment income” generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by the Fund of net investment income and capital gains as described above, and (ii) any net gain from the sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in the Fund.

 

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Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gains earned by the Fund before a shareholder’s investment (and thus were included in the price the shareholder paid). Distributions are taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. Distributions declared and payable by the Fund during October, November or December to shareholders of record on a date in any such month and paid by the Fund during the following January will be treated for federal tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31st of the year in which declared rather than the calendar year in which they were received.

If, in and with respect to any taxable year, the Fund makes a distribution in excess of its current and accumulated “earnings and profits” in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of such shares.

As required by federal law, detailed federal tax information will be furnished to each shareholder for each calendar year early in the succeeding year.

Sale or Redemption of Shares

The sale or redemption of Fund shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares will be disallowed under the Code’s “wash-sale” rule if other substantially identical shares of the Fund are purchased, including by means of dividend reinvestments, within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

Upon the sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares, the Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary may be required to provide you and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares you sold, exchanged or redeemed. See the Fund’s Prospectus for more information.

Foreign Taxes

Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. The Fund may be liable to foreign governments for taxes relating primarily to income from or dispositions of foreign securities. If at the close of its taxable year, more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be permitted to make an election under the Code that would allow Fund shareholders who are U.S. citizens or U.S. corporations to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction (but not both) on their income tax returns for their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries in respect of foreign securities that the Fund held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code. In such a case, shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata shares of such taxes paid by the Fund. A shareholder’s ability to claim an offsetting foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by the Fund is subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, which may result in the shareholder’s not receiving a full credit or deduction (if any) for the amount of such taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize on their U.S. federal income tax returns may claim a credit (but not a deduction) for such foreign taxes. Shareholders that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax, and those who invest in the Fund through tax-advantaged accounts (including those who invest through individual retirement accounts or other tax-advantaged retirement plans), generally will receive no benefit from any tax credit or deduction passed through by the Fund. Foreign governments are treated as foreign corporations for purposes of the 50% test described above.

 

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Foreign Currency Transactions

Any transaction by the Fund in foreign currencies, foreign-currency denominated debt obligations or certain foreign currency options, futures contracts, or forward contracts (or similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Such ordinary income treatment may accelerate Fund distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net losses so created cannot be carried forward by the Fund to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years.

Foreign currency gains are generally treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income test for RIC qualification described above. There is a remote possibility that the Secretary of the Treasury will issue contrary tax regulations with respect to foreign currency gains that are not directly related to a RIC’s principal business of investing in stocks or securities (or options or futures with respect to stocks or securities), and such regulations could apply retroactively.

Options, Futures and Other Derivative Instruments

In general, any option premiums received by the Fund are not immediately included in the income of the Fund. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the Fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If a call option written by the Fund is exercised and the Fund sells or delivers the underlying securities or other assets, the Fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (i) the sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the Fund minus (ii) the Fund’s basis in the underlying securities or other assets. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying securities or other assets. If securities or other assets are purchased by the Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Fund generally will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities or other assets purchased. The gain or loss with respect to any termination of the Fund’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option generally will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the Fund is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.

Certain covered call writing activities of the Fund may trigger the U.S. federal income tax straddle rules of Section 1092 of the Code, requiring that losses be deferred and holding periods be tolled on offsetting positions in options and stocks deemed to constitute substantially similar or related property. Options on single stocks that are not “deep in the money” may constitute qualified covered calls, which generally are not subject to the straddle rules; the holding period on stock underlying qualified covered calls that are “in the money” although not “deep in the money” will be suspended during the period that such calls are outstanding. Thus, the straddle rules and the rules governing qualified covered calls could cause gains that would otherwise constitute long-term capital gains to be treated as short-term capital gains, and distributions that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income or qualify for the dividends-received deduction to fail to satisfy the holding period requirements and therefore to be taxed as ordinary income or to fail to qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction, as the case may be.

The tax treatment of certain contracts (including regulated futures contracts and non-equity options) entered into by the Fund will be governed by Section 1256 of the Code (“Section 1256 contracts”). Gains or losses on Section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, Section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are “marked to market,” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable. The Fund’s direct or indirect investments in commodity-linked instruments can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a RIC, and can bear on the Fund’s ability to so qualify. Income and gains from certain commodity-linked instruments does not constitute qualifying income to a RIC for purposes of the 90% gross income

 

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test described above. The tax treatment of some other commodity-linked instruments in which the Fund might invest is not certain, in particular with respect to whether income or gains from such instruments constitute qualifying income to a RIC. If the Fund were to treat income or gain from a particular instrument as qualifying income and the income or gain were later determined not to constitute qualifying income and, together with any other nonqualifying income, caused the Fund’s nonqualifying income to exceed 10% of its gross income in any taxable year, the Fund would fail to qualify as a RIC unless it is eligible to and does pay a tax at the Fund level.

The tax rules are uncertain with respect to the treatment of income or gains arising in respect of commodity-linked exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) and certain commodity-linked structured notes; also, the timing and character of income or gains arising from ETNs can be uncertain. An adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect the fund’s ability to qualify for treatment as a RIC and to avoid a fund-level tax.

To the extent that, in order to achieve exposure to commodities, the fund invests in entities that are treated as pass-through vehicles for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including, for instance, certain ETFs (e.g., ETFs investing in gold bullion) and partnerships other than qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined earlier), all or a portion of any income and gains from such entities could constitute non-qualifying income to the fund for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described above. In such a case, the fund’s investments in such entities could be limited by its intention to qualify as a RIC and could bear on its ability to so qualify. Certain commodities-related ETFs may qualify as qualified publicly traded partnerships. In such cases, the net income derived from such investments will constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement. If, however, such a vehicle were to fail to qualify as a qualified publicly traded partnership in a particular year, a portion of the gross income derived from it in such year could constitute non-qualifying income to the fund for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement and thus could adversely affect the fund’s ability to qualify as a RIC for a particular year. In addition, the diversification requirement described above for RIC qualification will limit the fund’s investments in one or more vehicles that are qualified publicly traded partnerships to 25% of the Fund’s total assets as of the close of each quarter of the fund’s taxable year.

In addition to the special rules described above in respect of futures and options transactions, the Fund’s transactions in other derivative instruments (e.g., forward contracts and swap agreements), as well as any of its hedging, short sale, securities loan or similar transactions, may be subject to uncertainty with respect to their tax treatment, and to one or more special tax rules (e.g., notional principal contract, straddle, constructive sale, wash sale, and short sale rules). The aforementioned rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by the Fund are treated as ordinary or capital, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities, thereby affecting whether capital gains and losses are treated as short-term or long-term. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders.

Because the tax treatment and the tax rules applicable to these types of transactions are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to these rules or treatment (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether the Fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid a Fund-level tax.

Certain of the Fund’s investments in derivative instruments and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and any of the Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, are likely to produce a difference between its book income and the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any). If such a difference arises, and the Fund’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment and to avoid an entity-level tax. In the alternative, if the Fund’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income (including realized capital gains) and net tax-exempt income, the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset.

 

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The Fund employs a multi-manager approach in which the Advisor and one or more other managers each provide day-to-day portfolio management for a portion of the Fund’s or Subsidiary’s assets. Due to this multi-manager approach, certain of the Fund’s investments may be more likely to be subject to one or more special tax rules (including, but not limited to, wash sale, constructive sale, short sale and straddle rules) that may affect the timing, character and/or amount of the Fund’s distributions to shareholders.

Securities Issued or Purchased at a Discount

Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) will be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (“OID”) is treated as interest income and is included in the Fund’s taxable income (and required to be distributed by the Fund) over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. In addition, payment-in-kind securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.

Some debt obligations that are acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. The Fund may make certain elections applicable to debt obligations having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance may be treated as having OID or, in certain cases, “acquisition discount” (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price). The Fund will be required to include the OID or acquisition discount in income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which OID or acquisition discount accrues, and thus is included in the Fund’s income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects.

Increases in the principal amount of an inflation indexed bond will be treated as OID. Decreases in the principal amount of an inflation indexed bond will reduce the amount of interest from the debt instrument that would otherwise be includible in income by the Fund.

If the Fund holds the foregoing kinds of debt instruments, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or, if necessary, by disposition of portfolio securities including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so. These dispositions may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxable to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) and, in the event the Fund realizes net capital gain from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend than if the Fund had not held such securities.

At-Risk or Defaulted Securities

Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether or to what extent the Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation; when the Funds may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount; when and to what extent the Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities; and how the Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund when, as, and if it invests in such securities in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and avoid becoming subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

 

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Municipal Obligations

The interest on municipal obligations is generally exempt from U.S. federal income tax. However, distributions from the Fund derived from interest on municipal obligations are taxable to shareholders of the Fund when received. In addition, gains realized by the Fund on the sale or exchange of municipal obligations are taxable to shareholders of the Fund.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

Funds that invest in non-U.S. securities may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to as “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”). In order to avoid U.S. federal income tax on distributions received from a PFIC, and an additional charge on a portion of any “excess distribution” from such PFICs or gain from the disposition of such shares, the Fund may elect to mark the gains (and to a limited extent the losses) in such holdings “to the market” as though it had sold (and, solely for purposes of this mark-to-market election, repurchased) its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. If the PFIC provides the Fund with certain information, the Fund may alternatively elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (i.e., make a “QEF election”), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the PFIC’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC. The mark-to-market and QEF elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and require the Fund to sell securities it would have otherwise continued to hold (including when it is not advantageous to do so) in order to make distributions to shareholders to avoid any Fund-level tax. Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, the Fund may incur the tax and “excess distribution” charges described above in some instances. Dividends paid by PFICs generally will not qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income.

Investments in REITs

Any investment by the Fund in equity securities of real estate investment trusts qualifying as such under Subchapter M of the Code (“REITs”) may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Investments in REIT equity securities also may require the Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, the Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. Dividends received by the Fund from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.

Mortgage-Related Securities

The Fund may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) (including by investing in residual interests in CMOs with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (“TMPs”). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of the Fund’s income (including income allocated to the Fund from a pass-through entity) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a RIC will be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. As a result, the Fund may not be a suitable investment for charitable remainder trusts, as noted under “Tax-Exempt Shareholders” below.

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions): (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income; and (iii) in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.

 

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Investment in the Subsidiary

The Fund intends to gain exposure to commodities and commodity-related instruments in whole or in part through investments in the Subsidiary. As described above, in order to qualify as a RIC, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from sources treated as “qualifying income” under the Code. Investments in commodities and certain commodity-linked instruments generate income that is not “qualifying income” for purposes of meeting this 90% test. Although the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) previously has issued a number of private letter rulings (“PLRs”) that indicate that certain income from a RIC’s investment in a controlled foreign corporation (see discussion below) will constitute “qualifying income” for purposes of the 90% gross income test, the IRS has suspended issuance of further PLRs pending a review of its position on the matter. If the IRS were to change its position with respect to the conclusions reached in the PLRs, which change in position may be applied retroactively to the Fund, the income from the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary might not be “qualifying income” and the Fund might not qualify as a RIC for one or more years, which would adversely affect the value of an investment in the Fund.

The Subsidiary is wholly owned by the Fund. A U.S. person who owns (directly, indirectly or constructively) 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a foreign corporation is a “U.S. Shareholder” for purposes of the controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) provisions of the Code. A foreign corporation is a CFC if, on any day of its taxable year, more than 50 percent of the voting power or value of its stock is owned (directly, indirectly or constructively) by “U.S. Shareholders.” Because the Fund is a U.S. person that owns all of the stock of the Subsidiary, the Fund is a “U.S. Shareholder” with respect to the Subsidiary and the Subsidiary is a CFC. As a “U.S. Shareholder,” the Fund is required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes all of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F income” (defined below), whether or not such income is distributed by the Subsidiary. It is expected that all of the Subsidiary’s income will be “subpart F income.” “Subpart F income” generally includes interest, original issue discount, dividends, net gains from the disposition of stocks or securities, receipts with respect to securities loans, net gains from transactions (including futures, forward and similar transactions) in commodities, and net payments received with respect to equity swaps and similar derivatives. The Fund’s recognition of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F income” will increase the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. Distributions by the Subsidiary to the Fund will be tax-free, to the extent of the Subsidiary’s previously undistributed “subpart F income,” and will correspondingly reduce the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. “Subpart F income” is generally treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiary’s underlying income. Net losses incurred by the Subsidiary during a tax year do not flow through to the Fund and thus will not be available to offset income or capital gain generated from the Fund’s other investments. In addition, net losses incurred by the Subsidiary during a tax year generally cannot be carried forward by the Subsidiary to offset gains realized by it in subsequent tax years.

Further, if a net loss is realized by a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such net loss generally is not available to offset the income earned from other sources by the Subsidiary that invests in such Trading Entity or other investment vehicle.

In addition, if any income earned by the Subsidiary or by a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle in which the Subsidiary invests were treated as “effectively connected” with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (“effectively connected income” or “ECI”), such income would be subject to both a so-called “branch profits tax” of 30% and a federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. corporations, at the entity level. If, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Subsidiary earns ECI in connection with its direct investment activities, or is deemed to earn ECI in respect of the activities of a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle, a portion or all of the Subsidiary’s income could be subject to these U.S. taxes. The Fund expects that, in general, the activities of the Subsidiary and of the Trading Entities and other investment vehicles in which the Subsidiary invests will be conducted in such a manner that none of these entities will be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business, but there can be no assurance that none of these entities will recognize any effectively connected income. The imposition of U.S. taxes on ECI, at either the Subsidiary level or the level of a Trading Entity or other investment vehicle in which the Subsidiary invests, could significantly reduce shareholders’ returns on their investments in the Fund.

 

57


Investments in Other Regulated Investment Companies

The Fund’s investments in shares of an ETF or another company that qualifies as a RIC (for purposes of this section, each, an “underlying RIC”) can cause the Fund to be required to distribute greater amounts of net investment income or net capital gain than the Fund would have distributed had it invested directly in the securities held by the underlying RIC, rather than in shares of the underlying RIC. Further, the amount or timing of distributions from the Fund qualifying for treatment as a particular character (e.g., long-term capital gain, exempt interest, eligibility for dividends-received deduction, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the underlying RIC.

If the Fund receives dividends from an underlying RIC and the underlying RIC reports such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Fund is permitted in turn to report a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying RIC.

If the Fund receives dividends from an underlying RIC and the underlying RIC reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, then the Fund is permitted in turn to report its distributions derived from those dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction as well, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying RIC.

Investments in Partnerships

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, if the Fund invests in an investment company or other vehicle that is treated as a partnership for such purposes, the Fund generally will be allocated its share of the income, gains, losses, deductions, credits, and other tax items of the partnership so as to reflect the Fund’s interest in the partnership. As noted above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income to the Fund only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized directly by the Fund. A partnership in which the Fund invests may modify its partner allocations to comply with applicable tax regulations, including, without limitation, the income tax regulations under Sections 704, 706, 708, 734, 743, 754, and 755 of the Code. It also may make special allocations of specific tax items, including gross income, gain, deduction, or loss. These modified or special allocations could result in the Fund, as a partner, receiving more or fewer items of income, gain, deduction, or loss (and/or income, gain, deduction, or loss of a different character) than it would in the absence of such modified or special allocations. The Fund will be required to include in its income its share of a partnership’s tax items, including gross income, gain, deduction, or loss, for any partnership taxable year ending within or with the Fund’s taxable year, regardless of whether or not the partnership distributes any cash to the Fund in such year.

In general, the Fund will not recognize its share of these tax items until the close of the partnership’s taxable year. However, absent the availability of an exception, the Fund will recognize its share of these tax items as they are recognized by the partnership for purposes of determining the Fund’s liability for the 4% excise tax (described above). If the Fund and the partnership have different taxable years, the Fund may be obligated to make distributions in excess of the net income and gains recognized from that partnership and yet be unable to avoid the 4% excise tax because it is without sufficient earnings and profits at the end of its taxable year.

In general, cash distributions to the Fund by a partnership in which it invests (including in partial or complete redemption of its interest in the partnership) will represent a nontaxable return of capital to the Fund up to the amount of the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in its interest in the partnership, with any amounts exceeding such basis treated as capital gain. Any loss may be recognized by the Fund only if it redeems its entire interest in the partnership for money.

If the Fund receives allocations of income from a partnership in which it invests that are eligible for qualified dividend treatment or the dividends-received deduction, then the Fund, in turn, may report a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income or as eligible for the dividend-received deduction, as applicable, provided certain conditions are met.

More generally, as a result of the foregoing and certain other special rules, the Fund’s investment in investment companies that are partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes can cause the Fund’s distributions to shareholders to vary in terms of their timing, character, and/or amount from what that Fund’s distributions would have been had the Fund invested directly in the portfolio securities and other assets held by those underlying partnerships.

 

58


Tax-Exempt Shareholders

Income of a RIC that would be UBTI if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally be attributed as UBTI to a tax-exempt shareholder of the RIC. Notwithstanding this “blocking” effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b). A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if the Fund recognizes excess inclusion income derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs as described above, if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Fund’s investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).

In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in Section 664 of the Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a RIC that recognizes excess inclusion income. Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a RIC that recognizes excess inclusion income, then the RIC will be subject to a tax on that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest U.S. federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT or other shareholder and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s interest in the Fund. CRTs and other tax-exempt shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in the Fund.

Backup Withholding

Backup withholding is generally required with respect to taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify that he or she is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding rate is 28% for amounts paid through December 31, 2012. This rate will expire and the backup withholding rate will be 31% for amounts paid after December 31, 2012, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise. Amounts withheld as a result of backup withholding are remitted to the U.S. Treasury but do not constitute an additional tax imposed on the shareholder; such amounts may be claimed as a credit on the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax return, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Shareholders

Dividends properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends are generally not subject to withholding of federal income tax. Absent a specific statutory exemption, dividends (other than Capital Gain Dividends) paid by the Fund to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Code (a “foreign shareholder”) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign shareholder directly, would not be subject to withholding.

Effective for distributions with respect to taxable years of a RIC beginning before January 1, 2012, the RIC was not required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions (of U.S.-source interest income that would not have been subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, and (ii) with respect to distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, in each case to the extent the RIC properly reported such distributions in a written notice to shareholders.

 

59


In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may have withheld even if the RIC reported all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders.

This exemption from withholding for interest-related and short-term capital gain dividends has expired for distributions with respect to taxable years of a RIC beginning on or after January 1, 2012. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend these exemptions for distributions with respect to taxable years of a RIC beginning on or after January 1, 2012, or what the terms of such an extension would be, including whether such extension would have retroactive effect. Foreign shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules.

Under U.S. federal tax law, a foreign shareholder is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of the Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends unless (i) such gain or Capital Gain Dividend is effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States, (ii) in the case of a foreign shareholder that is an individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) apply to the foreign shareholder’s sale of shares of the Fund or to the Capital Gain Dividend the foreign shareholders received (see below).

Foreign shareholders with respect to whom income from the Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign shareholder within the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Fund at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in shares of the Fund and, in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. Any effectively-connected dividends received by a foreign shareholder will generally be exempt from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, provided the shareholder satisfies applicable certification requirements. If a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisers.

Very generally, special tax rules apply if the Fund holds or, but for the operation of certain exceptions, would be treated as holding USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the Fund’s USPRIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. Such rules could result in U.S. tax withholding from certain distributions to a foreign shareholder. Furthermore, the foreign shareholder may be required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on such distributions—and, in certain cases, gain realized on sale of Fund shares—at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The Funds do not expect to invest in, or to be treated as investing in, but for the exceptions referred to above, a significant percentage of USRPIs, so these special tax rules are not likely to apply. In order to qualify for an exemption from withholding described above, a foreign shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute form). Foreign shareholders should contact their tax advisers in this regard. Special rules (including withholding and reporting requirements) apply to foreign partnerships and those holding Fund shares through foreign partnerships. Additional considerations may apply to foreign trusts and estates. Investors holding Fund shares through foreign entities should consult their tax advisers about their particular situation.

Shareholder Reporting Obligations With Respect to Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts

Shareholders that are U.S. persons and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the Fund could be required to report annually their “financial interest” in the Fund’s “foreign financial accounts,” if any, on Treasury Department Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (“FBAR”). Shareholders should consult a tax adviser regarding the applicability to them of both this reporting requirement.

 

60


Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements

Rules enacted in March 2010 known as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” (FATCA) require the reporting to the IRS of direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts and foreign entities by U.S. persons. Failure to provide this required information can result in a 30% withholding tax on certain payments of U.S. source income (“withholdable payments”); this withholding tax will be phased in beginning with certain withholdable payments made on January 1, 2014. Specifically, withholdable payments subject to this 30% withholding tax include payments of U.S.-source dividends or interest and payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposal of property that can produce U.S.-source dividends or interest.

The IRS has issued preliminary guidance with respect to these rules; this guidance is potentially subject to material change. Pursuant to this guidance, distributions made by the Fund to a shareholder subject to the phase-in noted above, including a distribution in redemption of shares and a distribution of income or gains otherwise exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to non-U.S. shareholders described above (e.g., Capital Gain Dividends and short-term capital gain and interest-related dividends (if such treatment is extended), as described above), will be withholdable payments subject to withholding. Payments to shareholders will generally not be subject to withholding, so long as such shareholders provide the Fund with such certifications, waivers or other documentation as the Fund requires to comply with these rules, including, to the extent required, with regard to their direct and indirect owners. In general, it is expected that a shareholder that is a U.S. person or non-U.S. individual will be able to avoid being withheld upon by timely providing the Fund with a valid IRS Form W-9 or W-8, respectively. Subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreement, payments to a foreign shareholder that is a “foreign financial institution” (as defined under these rules) will generally be subject to withholding unless such shareholder (i)(a) enters into a valid agreement with the IRS to, among other requirements, report required information about certain direct and indirect U.S. investors or accounts, or (b) qualifies for an exception from entering into such an agreement and (ii) provides the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status.

The Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA, including current or future Treasury regulations or IRS guidance issued thereunder, in each case modified by any applicable intergovernmental agreements between the United States and a non-U.S. government to implement FATCA and improve international tax compliance.

Each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax adviser regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investor’s own situation. Persons investing in the Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary regarding the application of this reporting and withholding regime to their investments in the Fund.

Other Tax Matters

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

Special tax rules apply to investments though defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.

The foregoing discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax laws. Dividends and distributions also may be subject to state and local taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to federal, state, local, and, where applicable, foreign taxes. Foreign investors should consult their tax advisers concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund.

The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable provisions of the Code and related regulations currently in effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and regulations. The Code and regulations are subject to change by legislative or administrative actions, possibly with retroactive effect.

 

61


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

[To be filed by amendment]

 

62


PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28. Exhibits

 

a.1

   Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Blackstone Investor Solutions Funds (the “Registrant”) dated August 27, 2012 – filed herewith.

a.2

   Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Registrant dated September 10, 2012 – filed herewith.

b.

   Bylaws of the Registrant, effective as of August 27, 2012 – filed herewith.

c.

   See Article III (Shares), Article IV (Trustees), Article V (Shareholders’ Voting Powers and Meetings), Article VIII (Indemnification) and Article IX (Miscellaneous) of the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant (Exhibit (a)(1) hereto) and Article 10 (Shareholders’ Powers and Meetings) of the Bylaws of the Registrant (Exhibit (b) hereto).

d.

   Investment Management Agreement between Registrant and Blackstone Alternative Investment Advisors LLC (the “Advisor”) – to be filed by amendment.

e.

   Underwriting Agreement – to be filed by amendment.

f.

   None

g.

   Form of Custody Agreement between Registrant and [                    ] – to be filed by amendment.

h.1.

   Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and [                     ] – to be filed by amendment.

h.2

   Administration Agreement between Registrant and [                     ] – to be filed by amendment.

i.

   Opinion and consent of [                     ] as to the Registrant’s Shares – to be filed by amendment.

j.

  

k

   None.

l.

   None.

m.

   Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 - to be filed by amendment.

n.

   Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 - to be filed by amendment

p.1

   Code of Ethics of Registrant – to be filed by amendment.

p.2

   Code of Ethics of the Advisor – to be filed by amendment.

p.3

   Code of Ethics of the Sub-Advisers – to be filed by amendment.

 

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control

None.

 

Item 30. Indemnification

Reference is made to Article VIII (Indemnification) of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which is incorporated by reference herein. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, its By-Laws or otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and, therefore, is unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by trustees, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustees, officers or controlling persons in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

The Adviser is the investment adviser to the Fund, and its business is summarized in Part A and Part B of this Registration Statement under the sections entitled “Management of the Fund” and “Investment Management and Other Services,” respectively. Information as to any other businesses, professions, vocations or employments of a substantial nature engaged in by officers of the Adviser during the last two fiscal years is incorporated by reference to Form ADV filed by the Adviser with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (SEC File No. [                    ]).

 

1


Item 32. Principal Underwriter

(a) Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P., the Fund’s principal underwriter, also serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended: Blackstone Alternative Alpha Fund.

(b) The following table sets forth information concerning each director and officer of the Fund’s principal underwriter, Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P.:

 

Name and Principal Business Address

  

Positions and Offices with Underwriter

  

Positions and Offices with Fund

[ ]

   [ ]    [ ]

(c) The Fund has no principal underwriter who is not an affiliated person of the Fund or an affiliated person of such person.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

The account books and other documents required to be maintained by the Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder will be maintained at the offices of the Advisor, [name of principal underwriter and custodian and/or transfer agent].

 

Item 34. Management Services

None.

 

Item 35. Undertakings

None.

 

2


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and State of New York, on the 3rd day of December, 2012.

 

BLACKSTONE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUNDS
By:   /s/ Brian F. Gavin

Name:

  Brian F. Gavin

Title:

  President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Brian F. Gavin

  

President (Principal Executive Officer)

   December 3, 2012

/s/ Arthur Liao

  

Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

   December 3, 2012

/s/ Peter Koffler

  

Trustee

   December 3, 2012