-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: keymaster@town.hall.org Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFkwCgYEVQgBAQICAgADSwAwSAJBALeWW4xDV4i7+b6+UyPn5RtObb1cJ7VkACDq pKb9/DClgTKIm08lCfoilvi9Wl4SODbR1+1waHhiGmeZO8OdgLUCAwEAAQ== MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, tqFFwJ+wax17c6fcOPfZ5ZkybxOeDpMTEUkl18v0aLUM5TXXYwG2zQdEZVOOcxEi knBr7Qd1+O3Ny8ct33SZVQ== 0000890587-95-000040.txt : 19950511 0000890587-95-000040.hdr.sgml : 19950511 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000890587-95-000040 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: PRE 14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19950628 FILED AS OF DATE: 19950510 SROS: NASD FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ROYCE OTC MICRO CAP FUND INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000912147 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: [] IRS NUMBER: 133739778 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: PRE 14A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-08030 FILM NUMBER: 95536308 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O MITCHELL HUTCHINS ASSET MANAGEMENT STREET 2: 1414 AVE OF THE AMERICAS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10019 BUSINESS PHONE: 2127138392 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ROYCE OTC MICRO -CAP FUND INC STREET 2: 1285 AVE OF THE AMERICAS 16TH FLR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10019 PRE 14A 1 ROYCE OTC MICRO-CAP FUND, INC. _________________ NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS _________________ To the Stockholders of Royce OTC Micro-Cap Fund, Inc. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of ROYCE OTC MICRO-CAP FUND, INC. (the "Fund") will be held at the offices of the Fund, 1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, on June 28, 1995 at 3:30 p.m. (E.T.), for the following purposes: 1. To elect a board of five directors. 2. To approve a change in the Fund's stated investment objective by eliminating the requirement that the Fund invest at least 65% of its assets in the securities of micro-cap companies that are traded in the over-the-counter market. 3. To approve an amendment of the Fund's Articles of Incorporation changing its name to Royce Micro-Cap Trust, Inc. 4. To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent public accountants of the Fund for the year ending December 31, 1995. 5. To transact such other business as may come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 18, 1995 as the record date for the determination of those stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, and only holders of record at the close of business on that day will be entitled to vote. The Fund's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1994 was previously mailed to stockholders, and a copy of it is available upon request, without charge, by writing to the Fund at 1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019 or calling toll-free at 1-800-221-4268. IMPORTANT To save the Fund the expense of additional proxy solicitation, if you do not now expect to be present at the meeting, please insert your instructions on the enclosed Proxy, date and sign it and return it in the enclosed envelope (which requires no postage if mailed in the United States). The enclosed Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors, is revocable and will not affect your right to vote in person in the event that you attend the meeting. By order of the Board of Directors Susan I. Grant, Secretary May 22, 1995 PROXY STATEMENT ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF ROYCE OTC MICRO-CAP FUND, INC. 1414 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10019 Accompanying this Proxy Statement is a Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and a form of Proxy for such meeting solicited on behalf of the directors of Royce OTC Micro-Cap Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"). The Proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by written instructions to the Fund or by filing a new Proxy with a later date, and any stockholder attending the meeting may vote in person, whether or not he has previously filed a Proxy. The shares represented by all properly executed Proxies received in time for the meeting will be voted. Where a stockholder has specified a choice on his Proxy with respect to Proposals 2, 3 and 4 in the Notice of Annual Meeting, his shares will be voted accordingly. If no directions are given, his shares will be voted in favor of such Proposals. Unless authority to vote for all nominees or for an individual nominee pursuant to Proposal 1 is specifically withheld, the Proxy will be voted for the election of all of the persons nominated by the Board of Directors to become directors. The cost of soliciting Proxies will be borne by the Fund, which will reimburse brokerage firms, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their expenses in forwarding proxy material to the beneficial owners of the Fund's shares. Some officers and employees of the Fund and/or Quest Advisory Corp. ("Quest"), the Fund's investment adviser, may solicit Proxies personally and by telephone, if deemed desirable. On May 18, 1995, the record date for the meeting, there were shares of common stock of the Fund outstanding. The stockholders entitled to vote are those of record on that date. Each share is entitled to one vote on each item of business at the meeting. No person was known to the Fund to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of its outstanding shares of common stock as of the record date. As of the record date, the Fund's directors beneficially owned the following shares of its common stock: Name of Director Amount Percentage of Class Charles M. Royce % Thomas R. Ebright % Richard M. Galkin None -- Stephen L. Isaacs None -- David L. Meister None -- Each of Messrs. Royce and Ebright has sole voting power and sole investment power as to the shares shown as beneficially owned by him. All directors and officers of the Fund as a group (9 persons) beneficially owned shares of the Fund's common stock, constituting % of the class. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (Proposal 1). At the meeting, it is proposed to elect five directors, each director to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his successor shall have been elected and qualifies. The Fund's Board of Directors has nominated the following five persons to become directors of the Fund. Certain information concerning such persons is set forth below. Each of such persons has agreed to serve if elected, and the Fund's management has no reason to believe that any of them will be unavailable for election as a director. However, if any of such persons become unwilling or unable to serve, the persons named in the accompanying form of Proxy will vote for the election of such other persons, if any, as the Board of Directors may nominate. Name Age Positions and Served as Offices with Director Since the Fund Charles M. Royce 55 Director, Royce President and September 1993 Treasurer Thomas R. Ebright 50 Director September 1993 Richard M. Galkin 57 Director September 1993 Stephen L. Isaacs 55 Director September 1993 David L. Meister 55 Director September 1993 A total of six meetings of the Board of Directors were held during the year ended December 31, 1994, and each director attended all of such meetings. The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, comprised of Richard M. Galkin, Stephen L. Isaacs and David L. Meister, which is responsible for the selection and nomination of the independent auditors of the Fund and for conducting post-audit reviews of the Fund's financial condition with such auditors. The Audit Committee held one meeting during the year ended December 31, 1994, and each member of the Audit Committee attended the meeting. The Board of Directors does not have any other standing committees. There are no family relationships between any of the Fund's directors and officers. During the year ended December 31, 1994, each of Charles M. Royce, W. Whitney George, a Vice President of the Fund and of Quest, and Susan I. Grant, Secretary of the Fund, failed to file on a timely basis reports required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with Mr. Royce filing two late reports relating to three transactions, Mr. George filing two late reports relating to two transactions, and Ms. Grant filing one late report. Business Experience Set forth below is certain information as to the principal business experience during the past five years of the Fund's directors: Charles M. Royce is the President, Secretary, Treasurer and sole director and sole voting shareholder of Quest, the investment adviser to the Fund. He became affiliated with Quest in June 1972 and has served as its President and Treasurer since November 1972. Mr. Royce also manages two private investment partnerships through Quest Management Company ("QMC"), a registered investment adviser, of which he is the managing general partner. Thomas R. Ebright has been a Vice President of Quest since September 1981. He has also been President, Treasurer and a director and principal shareholder of Royce, Ebright & Associates, Inc., investment adviser to a series of The Royce Fund, since June 1994. Mr. Ebright is also a director of Atlantic Pro Sports, Inc. and of the Strasburg Rail Road Co. since March 1993 and was the President and principal owner of Baltimore Professional Hockey, Inc. until May 1993. Richard M. Galkin is a private investor and the President of Richard M. Galkin Associates, Inc., tele-communications consultants. Stephen L. Isaacs is an attorney, Director of the Columbia University Development Law and Policy Program, a Professor at Columbia University and President of Stephen L. Isaacs Associates, consultants. He was counsel to Kaplan & Kilsheimer from January 1988 to February 1991. David L. Meister is a consultant in the communications industry. He was an executive officer of Digital Planet Inc. from April 1991 to December 1992, a consultant to the communications and television industry from August 1990 to April 1991 and Executive Vice President of Infotechnology, Inc. from December 1986 to July 1990. Mr. Royce is also President and Treasurer of Royce Value Trust, Inc. ("RVT"), Pennsylvania Mutual Fund ("PMF") and The Royce Fund ("TRF"), registered management investment companies. Messrs. Royce, Ebright, Galkin, Isaacs and Meister are also directors/trustees of RVT and PMF, and Messrs. Royce, Galkin, Isaacs, and Meister are also trustees of TRF. Mr. Ebright is also President and Treasurer and Mr. Royce is also the sole shareholder and director and the Secretary of Quest Distributors, Inc. ("QDI"), the distributor of TRF's shares. Messrs. Royce and Ebright are "interested persons" within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Remuneration of Directors and Officers Set forth below is the compensation paid by the Fund and the three other registered investment companies comprising The Royce Funds to each Director for the year ended December 31, 1994. Director Aggregate Total Compensation Compensation From From the Fund and the Fund The Royce Funds Charles M. Royce 0 0 Thomas R. Ebright 0 0 Richard M. Galkin $8,000 $60,000 Stephen L. Isaacs $8,000 $60,000 David L. Meister $8,000 $60,000 The Fund paid $7,088 cash remuneration to all officers of the Fund as a group for the year ended December 31, 1994. Each of the Fund's non-affiliated directors receives a base fee of $5,000 per year plus $500 for each meeting of the Board of Directors attended. No director of the Fund received remuneration for services as a director for the year ended December 31, 1994 in addition to or in lieu of such standard arrangements. Vote Required A quorum consists of stockholders representing a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund's common stock entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy, and a plurality of all of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a director. Stockholders vote at the Annual Meeting by casting ballots (in person or by proxy) which are tabulated by one or two persons, appointed by the Board of Directors before the meeting, who serve as Inspectors and Judges of Election at the meeting and who have executed an Inspectors and Judges Oath. Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes are counted in the tabulation of such votes. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all nominees. 2. CHANGE IN FUND'S STATED INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE (Proposal 2) Present Stated Investment Objective The Fund's present stated investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of micro-capitalization companies traded in the over- the-counter market. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will, in pursuit of this objective, invest at least 65% of its total assets in the common stocks, convertible securities and warrants of companies that have market capitalizations of $300 million or less ("micro-cap companies") and are traded in the over-the-counter market. Such securities will not be listed for trading on the New York or the American Stock Exchanges and may not be listed on Nasdaq. For purposes of calculating this 65% minimum, securities purchased before a company's market capitalization increases to above $300 million will continue to be classified as securities of a micro-cap company, and a security that was not listed for trading on a securities exchange when the Fund purchased it will continue to be classified as an over-the-counter security. Up to 35% of the Fund's total assets may be invested in exchange-listed securities of companies with market capitalization of $300 million or less, over-the-counter and exchange-listed securities with market capitalizations greater than $300 million, non-convertible debt and securities of foreign issuers. Proposed Stated Investment Objective It is proposed to eliminate the requirement that the equity securities of micro-cap companies in which the Fund will normally invest up to 65% of its total assets be traded in the over-the- counter market, thereby allowing the Fund to invest in micro-cap companies without regard to the market in which their securities are traded. Quest, the Fund's investment adviser, views such an expansion of the markets in which the Fund may seek investment opportunities as important, particularly since there are many micro-cap companies whose common stocks are listed for trading on the New York or American Stock Exchanges. The Board of Directors has concluded that limiting the Fund's primary source of micro-cap stocks to the over-the-counter market is no longer in the best interests of stockholders. After giving effect to this change, the Fund would, under normal market conditions, invest at least 65% of its total assets in the common stocks, convertible securities and warrants of micro- cap companies which are listed for trading on the New York, American or other stock exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter market. For purposes of calculating this 65% minimum, securities purchased before a company's market capitalization increases to above $300 million would continue to be classified as securities of a micro-cap company. Up to 35% of the Fund's total assets could then be invested in exchange-listed or over-the-counter securities of companies with market capitalizations greater than $300 million, non-convertible debt and securities of foreign issuers. Vote Required The investment objective of the Fund is deemed to be a fundamental policy, which may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Accordingly, for the proposed change to become effective, it must be adopted by a vote of the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of common stock of the Fund present or represented at the meeting (assuming that more than 50% of the shares are present or represented) or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Fund. The Board recommends a vote FOR the proposed change in the stated investment objective of the Fund described above. 3. AMENDMENT OF THE FUND'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION CHANGING ITS NAME TO ROYCE MICRO-CAP TRUST, INC. (Proposal 3) The Board of Directors of the Fund has approved and declared the advisability of a proposed amendment of the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund changing the name of the Fund from "Royce OTC Micro-Cap Fund, Inc." to "Royce Micro-Cap Trust, Inc." The text of the proposed amendment is set forth in Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement. The proposed change of name reflects the elimination of the Fund's over-the-counter market focus and is, therefore, conditioned upon stockholder approval of Proposal 2. Vote Required The proposed amendment of the Fund's Articles of Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of the Fund's common stock. 4. RATIFICATION OR REJECTION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS (Proposal 4). At the meeting, the stockholders will be asked to ratify the selection by the Board of Directors, including a majority of such directors who are not "interested persons" (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940), of Ernst & Young LLP, independent public accountants, to serve as the Fund's auditors for the year ending December 31, 1995. The Board's selection of Ernst & Young LLP was based on considerations of administrative convenience and cost efficiency, and did not involve any dispute with Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. or a decision by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. not to stand for re-election as auditors. The report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. on the financial statements of the Fund as of December 31, 1994 and for the year then ended and for the period December 14, 1993 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 1993 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to audit scope or accounting principles. Ernst & Young LLP has informed the Fund that neither Ernst & Young LLP nor any of its partners has any direct or indirect financial interest in the Fund except as auditors and independent public accountants. Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. served as the Fund's independent public accountants since the Fund's inception. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP and Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. are not expected to be present at the meeting, but have been given an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire, and will be available should any matter arise requiring their participation. Vote Required The ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent public accountants of the Fund requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting by stockholders of the Fund. The Board of Directors recommends a vote for Proposal 4. 5. OTHER BUSINESS. Management knows of no other business to be brought before the meeting other than Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the Notice of Annual Meeting. If other matters do come before the meeting, it is intended that the shares represented by Proxies will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons exercising at the meeting the authority conferred by the Proxies. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Quest Advisory Corp., located at 1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, serves as the Fund's investment adviser. Mitchell Hutchins Asset Management Inc., located at 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, serves as the Fund's Administrator. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the Fund's 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Fund by January 31, 1996, for inclusion in the Fund's Proxy Statement and form of Proxy relating to that meeting. PLEASE FILL IN, DATE AND SIGN THE PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ACCOMPANYING POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. EXHIBIT A ROYCE OTC MICRO-CAP FUND, INC. ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT Royce OTC Micro-Cap Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation having its principal office in the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland (hereinafter called the "Corporation"), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland: FIRST: Article I of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation is amended so as to read in its entirety as follows: "ARTICLE I NAME The name of the Corporation is ROYCE MICRO-CAP TRUST, INC." SECOND: The amendment of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation as hereinabove set forth has been duly approved and advised by a majority of the entire board of directors and has received the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Corporation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Royce OTC Micro-Cap Fund, Inc. has caused these Articles of Amendment to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its _____________, _______________, and witnessed by its [Assistant] Secretary, ___________________, on ________________ __, 1995. The __________acknowledges these Articles of Amendment to be the corporate act of the Corporation and states that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, the matters and facts set forth in these Articles with respect to the authorization and approval of the Amendment of the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under penalties of perjury. By:________________________________ ________________, __________ WITNESS:________________________ ___________________, [Assistant] Secretary Preliminary Proxy Material ROYCE OTC MICRO-CAP FUND, INC. 1414 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10019 PROXY This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors. The undersigned hereby appoints Stephen L. Isaacs and Charles M. Royce, or either of them acting in the absence of the other, as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated below, all the shares of the Fund held of record by the undersigned on May 18, 1995, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 28, 1995, or at any adjournment thereof. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (PAGE ___). [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] FOR ALL EXCEPT Charles M. Royce Thomas R. Ebright Richard M. Galkin Stephen L. Isaacs David L. Meister If you do not wish your shares voted for a particular nominee, mark the "For All Except" box and strike a line through the nominee(s)' name. Your shares will be voted for the remaining nominee(s). 2. PROPOSAL TO CHANGE THE FUND'S STATED INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE (PAGE ___). [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN 3. PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE FUND'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION (PAGE ___). [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN 4. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY SELECTION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS (PAGE ___). [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN 5. THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY COME BEFORE THE MEETING (PAGE___). This Proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this Proxy will be voted for Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4. Please sign exactly as name appears below. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. DATED: 1995 Signature PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY, USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE Signature if held jointly -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----