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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF
REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number: |
811-21786 |
ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) |
7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd., Scottsdale, AZ | 85258 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange
Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
(Name and address of agent for service) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: 1-800-992-0180
Date of fiscal year end: February 28
Date of reporting period: February 29, 2012
Item 1. | Reports to Stockholders. |
The following is a copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30e-1):
Annual Report
February 29, 2012
ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund
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E-Delivery Sign-up details inside |
This report is submitted for general information to shareholders of the ING Funds. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective shareholders unless accompanied or preceded by a prospectus which includes details regarding the funds investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other information. This information should be read carefully.
MUTUAL FUNDS
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Go Paperless with E-Delivery! |
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Sign up now for on-line prospectuses, fund reports, and proxy statements. In less than five minutes, you can help reduce paper mail and lower fund costs.
Just go to www.inginvestment.com, click on the E-Delivery icon from the home page, follow the directions and complete the quick 5 Steps to Enroll.
You will be notified by e-mail when these communications become available on the internet. Documents that are not available on the internet will continue to be sent by mail.
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PROXY VOTING INFORMATION
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio securities is available: (1) without charge, upon request, by calling Shareholder Services toll-free at (800) 992-0180; (2) on the ING Funds website at www.inginvestment.com; and (3) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge on the ING Funds website at www.inginvestment.com and on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. This report contains a summary portfolio of investments for the Fund. The Funds Forms N-Q are available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. The Funds Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Funds Forms N-Q, as well as a complete portfolio of investments, are available without charge upon request from the Fund by calling Shareholder Services toll-free at (800) 992-0180.
Dear Shareholder,
ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund (the Fund) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol IGA. The primary objective of the Fund is to provide a high level of income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing at least 80% of its managed assets in a diversified global equity portfolio and employing an option strategy of writing index call options equivalent to a significant portion of its equity portfolio. The Fund also hedges most of its foreign currency exposure to seek to reduce volatility of total returns.
For the year ended February 29, 2012 , the Fund made quarterly distributions totaling $1.32 per share, all characterized as net investment income.
Based on net asset value (NAV), the Fund provided a total return of 2.43% for the year ended February 29, 2012.(1) This NAV return reflects a decrease in the Funds NAV from $13.76 on February 28, 2011 to $12.66 on February 29, 2012. Based on its share price, the Fund
provided a total return of (3.44)% for the year ended February 29, 2012.(2) This share price return reflects a decrease in the Funds share price from $13.72 on February 28, 2011 to $11.90 on February 29, 2012.
The global equity markets have witnessed a challenging and turbulent period. Please read the Market Perspective and Portfolio Managers Report for more information on the market and the Funds performance.
At ING our mission is to help you grow, protect and enjoy your wealth. We seek to assist you and your financial advisor by offering a range of global investment solutions. We invite you to visit our website at www.inginvestment.com. Here you will find information on our products and services, including current market data and fund statistics on our open- and closed-end funds. You will see that we offer a broad variety of equity, fixed income and multi-asset funds that aim to fulfill a variety of investor needs.
We thank you for trusting ING Funds with your investment assets, and we look forward to serving you in the months and years ahead.
Sincerely,
Shaun P. Mathews
President & Chief Executive Officer
ING Funds
April 2, 2012
The views expressed in the Presidents Letter reflect those of the President as of the date of the letter. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and ING Funds disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and because investment decisions for an ING Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of investment intent on behalf of any ING Fund. Reference to specific company securities should not be construed as recommendations or investment advice. International investing does pose special risks including currency fluctuation, economic and political risks not found in investments that are solely domestic.
For more complete information, or to obtain a prospectus for any ING Fund, please call your Investment Professional or the funds Shareholder Service Department at (800) 992-0180 or log on to www.inginvestment.com. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing. Consider the funds investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this information and other information about the fund. Check with your Investment Professional to determine which funds are available for sale within their firm. Not all funds are available for sale at all firms.
(1) | Total investment return at net asset value has been calculated assuming a purchase at net asset value at the beginning of each period and a sale at net asset value at the end of each period and assumes reinvestment of dividends, capital gain distributions and return of capital distributions/allocations, if any, in accordance with the provisions of the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. |
(2) | Total investment return at market value measures the change in the market value of your investment assuming reinvestment of dividends, capital gain distributions and return of capital distributions/allocations, if any, in accordance with the provisions of the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. |
1
MARKET PERSPECTIVE: YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 2012
2
BENCHMARK DESCRIPTIONS
Index | Description | |
MSCI World IndexSM | An unmanaged index that measures the performance of over 1,400 securities listed on exchanges in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. | |
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | An unmanaged index of publicly issued investment grade U.S. Government, mortgage-backed, asset-backed and corporate debt securities. | |
S&P 500® Index | An unmanaged index that measures the performance of securities of approximately 500 large-capitalization companies whose securities are traded on major U.S. stock markets. | |
MSCI Japan® Index | A free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure developed market equity performance in Japan. | |
MSCI Europe ex UK® Index | A free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure developed market equity performance in Europe, excluding the UK. | |
MSCI UK® Index | A free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure developed market equity performance in the UK. | |
Chicago Board Options Exchange BuyWrite Monthly Index (CBOE BuyWrite Monthly Index) | A passive total return index based on selling the near-term, at-the-money S&P 500® Index call option against the S&P 500® stock index portfolio each month, on the day the current contract expires. | |
Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East® Index (MSCI EAFE® Index) | An unmanaged index that measures the performance of securities listed on exchanges in Europe, Australasia and the Far East. It includes the reinvestment of dividends net of withholding taxes, but does not reflect fees, brokerage commissions or other expenses of investing. |
3
ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND | PORTFOLIO MANAGERS REPORT |
opportunities for the Fund. Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to maintain a target weighting of 60% in U.S. domestic common stocks and not less than 40% in international (ex-U.S.) common stocks.
The Funds Integrated Option Strategy: The option strategy of the Fund is designed to seek gains and lower volatility of total returns over a market cycle by writing (selling) index call options on selected indices and/or exchange traded funds (ETFs) in an amount equal to approximately 60% to 100% of the value of the Funds holdings in common stocks.
Writing index call options involves granting the buyer the right to appreciation of the value of an index above a particular price (the strike price) at a particular time. If the purchaser exercises an index call option sold by the Fund, the Fund will pay the purchaser the difference between the cash value of the index and the strike price of the option.
The Fund seeks to generate gains from its portfolio index call option strategy and, to a lesser extent, income from dividends on the common stocks held in the Funds portfolio. The extent of call option writing activity depends upon market conditions and the Sub-Advisers ongoing assessment of the attractiveness of writing call options on selected indices and/or ETFs. Call options are primarily written in over-the-counter markets with major international banks, broker-dealers and financial institutions. The Fund may also write call options in exchange-listed option markets.
4
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS REPORT | ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND |
MSCI EAFE® Index. For the reporting period, this reference index returned (0.02)%. During the fiscal year, the Fund made quarterly distributions totaling $1.32 per share, all characterized as net investment income. As of February 29, 2012, the Fund had 18,340,467 shares outstanding.
Overview: 2011 was a tempestuous year for the financial markets. The clearest sign of this was the increased turbulence in the European government bond markets, where the future of the euro zone sometimes seemed to be at stake.
The global economy started to slow in the second quarter, partly due to high oil prices and the earthquake in Japan. The Japanese economy recovered well and by the end of the summer the U.S. economy was starting to pick up too. The weakened confidence of the private sector due to the continuing euro crisis led to the European economy finding itself in recession by the fourth quarter.
The Fund outperformed its reference index for the reporting period, thanks to aggregate asset allocation within the equity sleeves and the beneficial effects of the options portfolio during a time of intense market volatility. Aggregate security selection was a drag on results for the period.
Equity Portfolio: The domestic equity sleeve underperformed its reference index for the period; in contrast, the international equity sleeve outperformed its reference index. For the domestic sleeve, the consumer discretionary and information technology sectors detracted the most from results. The greatest contributions to results came from the energy and materials sectors.
For the international sleeve, the consumer staples and consumer discretionary sectors most greatly benefited performance, whereas industrials and materials hurt results the most. Seeking to tap into additional sources of potential alpha, the Fund expanded its quantitative factor model (tailored to specific country groups) during the December rebalancing.
Options Portfolio: The Fund generates premiums and seeks gains by writing (selling) call options on a variety of market indices on a portion of the value of the equity portfolio. During the period, the Fund sold short-maturity options on the S&P 500® Index, the DJ Eurostoxx 50® Index, the Nikkei 225 Index, the FTSE 100 Index® and the S&P/ASX 200 Index. The construction of the international option portfolio is such that there is a low tracking error with the MSCI EAFE® Index, which is the reference index of the international equity sleeve. The strike prices of the traded options were typically at or near the money, and the expiration dates ranged between three and six weeks. We maintained the coverage ratio at approximately 65-70% throughout the period.
The options portfolio contributed to performance during the period, as equity markets remained volatile. Options contributed more during the first half of the period, more than offsetting the detraction realized in the second half of the period when equity markets rallied off the lows. Volatility, as measured by the VIX Index, spiked higher a number of times during the reporting period, especially during the summer and fall, when the uncertainty around European debt rose. Volatility ended the period much reduced, however, as fears of a debt crisis began to subside.
The Fund continued its policy of hedging currencies back to the U.S. dollar in an attempt to reduce volatility of NAV returns. These hedges added value during the period when the U.S. Dollar strengthened against the Euro and Pound. Hedges detracted from performance when currencies such as the Japanese Yen strengthened versus the U.S. Dollar. The overall contribution from hedging currencies was small.
Outlook and Current Strategy: We believe there will be a further slowdown in the global economy. For the developed economies as a whole, we expect growth to run below the long-term average but with large regional differences.
We believe we will see a mild recession in Europe, showing economic contraction in the first half of 2012. How deep the European recession will be, and how long it will last, depend largely on how the sovereign debt crisis develops. In our opinion, the emphasis on spending cuts does not look promising for the already weakened growth prospects for the euro zone.
We believe the U.S. economy could avoid a recession. The presidential election in November 2012 is a risk factor: as it approaches, neither the Democrats nor the Republicans are likely to make concessions. Stimulus packages are therefore more likely to consist of monetary policy measures than fiscal policy measures.
* | Effective November 28, 2011, Pranay Gupta was removed and Sam Lam was added as a portfolio manager to the Fund. |
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change and may not be representative of current holdings and characteristics. The outlook for this Fund is based only on the outlook of its portfolio managers through the end of this period, and may differ from that presented for other ING Funds. Performance data represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The indices do not reflect fees, brokerage commissions, taxes or other expenses of investing. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
5
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the summary portfolio of investments, of ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund as of February 29, 2012, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the six-year period then ended and the period from October 31, 2005 (commencement of operations) to February 28, 2006. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of February 29, 2012, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund as of February 29, 2012, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the periods specified in the first paragraph above, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Boston, Massachusetts
April 26, 2012
6
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012
ASSETS: |
||||
Investments in securities at value* |
$ | 232,916,794 | ||
Short-term investments at value*** |
3,708,235 | |||
Cash |
125,536 | |||
Cash collateral for futures |
254,622 | |||
Foreign currencies at value***** |
307,604 | |||
Receivables: |
||||
Investments securities sold |
6,885 | |||
Dividends |
646,375 | |||
Foreign tax reclaims |
87,023 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts |
841,763 | |||
Prepaid expenses |
1,874 | |||
|
|
|||
Total assets |
238,896,711 | |||
|
|
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LIABILITIES: |
||||
Payable for investment securities purchased |
5,768 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts |
2,275,881 | |||
Payable to affiliates |
34,766 | |||
Payable for trustee fees |
2,266 | |||
Other accrued expenses and liabilities |
57,845 | |||
Written options, at fair value^ |
4,364,171 | |||
|
|
|||
Total liabilities |
6,740,697 | |||
|
|
|||
NET ASSETS |
$ | 232,156,014 | ||
|
|
|||
NET ASSETS WERE COMPRISED OF: |
||||
Paid-in capital |
$ | 233,361,986 | ||
Undistributed net investment income |
1,017,789 | |||
Accumulated net realized loss |
(8,610,091 | ) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation |
6,386,330 | |||
|
|
|||
NET ASSETS |
$ | 232,156,014 | ||
|
|
|||
|
||||
* Cost of investments in securities |
$ | 223,490,619 | ||
*** Cost of short-term investments |
$ | 3,708,235 | ||
*****Cost of foreign currencies |
$ | 305,902 | ||
^ Premiums received on written options |
$ | 2,646,412 | ||
Net assets |
$ | 232,156,014 | ||
Shares authorized |
unlimited | |||
Par value |
$ | 0.01 | ||
Shares outstanding |
18,340,467 | |||
Net asset value and redemption price per share |
$ | 12.66 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
7
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 2012
INVESTMENT INCOME: |
||||
Dividends, net of foreign taxes withheld* |
$ | 6,330,989 | ||
Interest |
526 | |||
|
|
|||
Total investment income |
6,331,515 | |||
|
|
|||
EXPENSES: |
||||
Investment management fees |
1,720,867 | |||
Transfer agent fees |
19,796 | |||
Administrative service fees |
229,446 | |||
Shareholder reporting expense |
71,370 | |||
Professional fees |
46,116 | |||
Custody and accounting expense |
154,396 | |||
Trustee fees |
7,320 | |||
Miscellaneous expense |
46,740 | |||
|
|
|||
Total expenses |
2,296,051 | |||
|
|
|||
Net investment income |
4,035,464 | |||
|
|
|||
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS): |
||||
Net realized gain (loss) on: |
||||
Investments |
7,149,326 | |||
Foreign currency related transactions |
(1,641,826 | ) | ||
Futures |
787,835 | |||
Written options |
10,316,146 | |||
|
|
|||
Net realized gain |
16,611,481 | |||
|
|
|||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: |
||||
Investments |
(15,527,175 | ) | ||
Foreign currency related transactions |
1,254,725 | |||
Futures |
(6,051 | ) | ||
Written options |
(2,508,015 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(16,786,516 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Net realized and unrealized loss |
(175,035 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Increase in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | 3,860,429 | ||
|
|
|||
|
||||
* Foreign taxes withheld |
$ | 310,208 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
8
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Year Ended February 29, 2012 |
Year Ended February 28, 2011 |
|||||||
FROM OPERATIONS: |
||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 4,035,464 | $ | 3,556,118 | ||||
Net realized gain |
16,611,481 | 29,408,993 | ||||||
Net change in unrealized (depreciation) |
(16,786,516 | ) | (722,309 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Increase in net assets resulting from operations |
3,860,429 | 32,242,802 | ||||||
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|
|||||
FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: |
||||||||
Net investment income |
(24,121,012 | ) | (25,041,070 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total distributions |
(24,121,012 | ) | (25,041,070 | ) | ||||
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|
|||||
FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: |
||||||||
Reinvestment of distributions |
871,120 | 1,917,476 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
871,120 | 1,917,476 | |||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions |
871,120 | 1,917,476 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets |
(19,389,463 | ) | 9,119,208 | |||||
|
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|
|||||
NET ASSETS: |
||||||||
Beginning of year or period |
251,545,477 | 242,426,269 | ||||||
|
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|
|
|||||
End of year or period |
$ | 232,156,014 | $ | 251,545,477 | ||||
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|
|||||
Undistributed net investment income at end of year or period |
$ | 1,017,789 | $ | 1,080,724 | ||||
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|
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
9
Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year or period.
Per Share Operating Performance | Ratios and Supplemental Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from investment operations |
Less distributions | Ratios to average net assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | Net investment income | Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | Total from investment operations | From net investment income | From net realized gains on investments | From return of capital | Total distributions | Net asset value, end of period | Market value, end of period | Total investment return at net asset value(1) | Total investment return at market value(2) | Net assets, end of period (000's) | Gross expenses prior to expense waiver/ recoupment(3) |
Net expenses after expense waiver/ recoupment(3)(4) |
Net investment income after expense waiver/ recoupment(3)(4) |
Portfolio turnover rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year or period ended |
($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | (%) | (%) | ($) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-12 |
13.76 | 0.22 | * | 0.00 | 0.22 | 1.32 | | | 1.32 | 12.66 | 11.90 | 2.43 | (3.44 | ) | 232,156 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.76 | 135 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-11 |
13.37 | 0.20 | 1.57 | 1.77 | 1.38 | | | 1.38 | 13.76 | 13.72 | 14.05 | 6.32 | 251,545 | 0.98 | 0.99 | ** | 1.48 | ** | 164 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-10 |
11.29 | 0.21 | * | 3.64 | 3.85 | | | 1.77 | 1.77 | 13.37 | 14.30 | 35.81 | 57.38 | 242,426 | 1.01 | 1.00 | ** | 1.61 | ** | 141 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-09 |
17.79 | 0.31 | * | (4.95 | ) | (4.64 | ) | 0.74 | | 1.12 | 1.86 | 11.29 | 10.42 | (26.96 | ) | (28.32 | ) | 204,546 | 0.99 | 0.99 | ** | 2.01 | ** | 178 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-08 |
21.19 | 0.30 | * | (0.73 | ) | (0.43 | ) | | 2.40 | 0.57 | 2.97 | 17.79 | 16.73 | (2.40 | ) | (7.87 | ) | 324,275 | 0.97 | 0.97 | ** | 1.45 | ** | 194 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-07 |
20.24 | 0.26 | 2.55 | 2.81 | 0.04 | 1.54 | 0.28 | 1.86 | 21.19 | 21.11 | 14.81 | 24.40 | 385,433 | 0.95 | 0.95 | 1.29 | 132 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10-31-05(1) - 02-28-06 |
19.06 | (2) | 0.06 | * | 1.28 | 1.34 | 0.16 | | | 0.16 | 20.24 | 18.61 | 7.08 | (6.17 | ) | 365,374 | 1.06 | 1.00 | 0.86 | 41 |
(1) | Commencement of operations. |
(2) | Net asset value at beginning of period reflects the deduction of the sales load of $0.90 per share and offering costs of $0.04 per share paid by the shareholder from the $20.00 offering price. |
(3) | Total investment return at net asset value has been calculated assuming a purchase at net asset value at the beginning of each period and a sale at net asset value at the end of each period and assumes reinvestment of dividends, capital gain distributions and return of capital distributions/allocations, if any, in accordance with the provisions of the dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return at net asset value is not annualized for periods less than one year. |
(4) | Total investment return at market value measures the change in the market value of your investment assuming reinvestment of dividends, capital gain distributions and return of capital distributions/allocations, if any, in accordance with the provisions of the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return at market value is not annualized for periods less than one year. |
(5) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
(6) | The Investment Adviser has agreed to limit expenses, (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses) subject to possible recoupment by ING Investments, LLC within three years of being incurred. |
* | Calculated using average number of shares outstanding throughout the period. |
** | Impact of waiving the advisory fee for the ING Institutional Prime Money Market Fund holding has less than 0.005% impact on the expense ratio and net investment income ratio. |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
10
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012
11
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
such models. Unlike the closing price of a security on an exchange, fair value determinations employ elements of judgment. Consequently, the fair value assigned to a security may not represent the actual value that the Fund could obtain if it were to sell the security at the time of the close of the NYSE.
Pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board, the Fund is not obligated to use the fair valuations suggested by any research service, and valuation recommendations provided by such research services may be overridden if other events have occurred or if other fair valuations are determined in good faith to be more accurate. Unless an event is such that it causes the Fund to determine that the closing prices for one or more securities do not represent readily available reliable and market value quotations at the time the Fund determines its NAV, events that occur between the time of the close of the foreign market on which they are traded and the close of regular trading on the NYSE will not be reflected in the Funds NAV.
Options that are traded over-the-counter will be valued using one of three methods: (1) dealer quotes; (2) industry models with objective inputs; or (3) by using a benchmark arrived at by comparing prior-day dealer quotes with the corresponding change in the underlying security. Exchange traded options will be valued using the last reported sale. If no last sale is reported, exchange traded options will be valued using an industry accepted model such as Black Scholes. Options on currencies purchased by the Fund are valued using industry models with objective inputs.
Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Each investment asset or liability of the Fund is assigned a level at measurement date based on the significance and source of the inputs to its valuation. Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities are classified as Level 1, inputs other than quoted prices for an asset or liability that are observable are classified as Level 2 and unobservable inputs, including the sub-advisers judgment about the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability are classified as Level 3. The inputs used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Short-term securities of sufficient credit quality which are valued at amortized
cost, which approximates fair value, are generally considered to be Level 2 securities under applicable accounting rules. A table summarizing the Funds investments under these levels of classification is included following the Summary Portfolio of Investments.
For the year ended February 29, 2012, there have been no significant changes to the fair valuation methodologies.
B. Security Transactions and Revenue Recognition. Security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses on sales of investments are calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Premium amortization and discount accretion are determined using the effective yield method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, or in the case of some foreign dividends, when the information becomes available to the Fund.
C. Foreign Currency Translation. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Any foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:
(1) | Market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the day. |
(2) | Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions |
Although the net assets and the market values are presented at the foreign exchange rates at the end of the day, the Fund does not isolate the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments. For securities, which are subject to foreign withholding tax upon disposition, liabilities are recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the estimated tax withholding based on the securities current market value. Upon disposition, realized gains or losses on such securities are recorded net of foreign withholding tax. Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Funds books and
12
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at period end, resulting from changes in the exchange rate. Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies and U.S. government securities. These risks include, but are not limited to, revaluation of currencies and future adverse political and economic developments which could cause securities and their markets to be less liquid and prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies and U.S. government securities.
D. Distributions to Shareholders. The Fund intends to make quarterly distributions from its cash available for distribution, which consists of the Funds dividends and interest income after payment of Fund expenses, net option premiums and net realized and unrealized gains on investments. At least annually, the Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax principles, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for investment companies.
The tax treatment and characterization of the Funds distributions may vary significantly from time to time depending on whether the Fund has gains or losses on the call options written on its portfolio versus gains or losses on the equity securities in the portfolio. Each quarter, the Fund will provide disclosures with distribution payments made that estimate the percentages of that distribution that represent net investment income, other income or capital gains, and return of capital, if any. The final composition of the tax characteristics of the distributions cannot be determined with certainty until after the end of the Funds tax year, and will be reported to shareholders at that time. A significant portion of the Funds distributions may constitute a return of capital. The amount of quarterly distributions will vary, depending on a number of factors. As portfolio and market conditions change, the rate of dividends on the common shares will change. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to declare a dividend in each period.
E. Federal Income Taxes. It is the policy of the Fund to comply with the requirements of subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code that are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and any net realized capital gains to its shareholders. Therefore, a federal income tax or excise tax provision is not required. Management has considered the sustainability of the Funds tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years in making this determination.
F. Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported mounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
G. Risk Exposures and the use of Derivative Instruments. The Funds investment objectives permit the Fund to enter into various types of derivatives contracts, including, but not limited to, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, futures and purchased and written options. In doing so, the Fund will employ strategies in differing combinations to permit it to increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the level or types of exposure to market risk factors. This may allow the Fund to pursue its objectives more quickly and efficiently, than if it were to make direct purchases or sales of securities capable of affecting a similar response to market factors.
Market Risk Factors. In pursuit of its investment objectives, the Fund may seek to use derivatives to increase or decrease its exposure to the following market risk factors:
Credit Risk. Credit risk relates to the ability of the issuer to meet interest and principal payments, or both, as they come due. In general, lower-grade, higher-yield bonds are subject to credit risk to a greater extent than lower-yield, higher-quality bonds.
Equity Risk. Equity risk relates to the change in value of equity securities as they relate to increases or decreases in the general market.
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk. Foreign exchange rate risk relates to the change in U.S. dollar value of a security held that is denominated in a foreign currency. The U.S.
13
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
dollar value of a foreign currency denominated security will decrease as the dollar appreciates against the currency, while the U.S. dollar value will increase as the dollar depreciates against the currency.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk refers to the fluctuations in value of fixed-income securities resulting from the inverse relationship between price and yield. For example, an increase in general interest rates will tend to reduce the market value of already issued fixed-income investments, and a decline in general interest rates will tend to increase their value.
In addition, debt securities with longer duration, which tend to have higher yields, are subject to potentially greater fluctuations in value from changes in interest rates than obligations with shorter duration.
Risks of Investing in Derivatives. The Funds use of derivatives can result in losses due to unanticipated changes in the market risk factors and the overall market. In instances where the Fund is using derivatives to decrease, or hedge, exposures to market risk factors for securities held by the Fund, there are also risks that those derivatives may not perform as expected resulting in losses for the combined or hedged positions.
The use of these strategies involves certain special risks, including a possible imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between price movements of derivative instruments and price movements of related investments. While some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in related investments or otherwise, due to the possible inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time that otherwise would be favorable or the possible need to sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time because the Fund is required to maintain asset coverage or offsetting positions in connection with transactions in derivative instruments. Additional associated risks from investing in derivatives also exist and potentially could have significant effects on the valuation of the derivative and the Fund. Associated risks are not the risks that the Fund is attempting to increase or decrease exposure to, per its investment objectives, but are the additional risks from investing in derivatives. Examples of these associated risks are liquidity risk, which is the risk that the Fund will not be able to sell the derivative in the open market in a
timely manner, and counterparty credit risk, which is the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Associated risks can be different for each type of derivative and are discussed by each derivative type in the following notes.
Counterparty Credit Risk and Credit Related Contingent Features. Certain derivative positions are subject to counterparty credit risk, which is the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. The Funds derivative counterparties are financial institutions who are subject to market conditions that may weaken their financial position. The Fund intends to enter into financial transactions with counterparties that it believes to be creditworthy at the time of the transaction. To reduce this risk, the Fund generally enters into master netting arrangements, established within the Funds International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) Master Agreements (Master Agreements). These agreements are with select counterparties and they govern transactions, including certain over-the-counter (OTC) derivative and forward foreign currency contracts, entered into by the Fund and the counterparty. The Master Agreements maintain provisions for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral, and events of default or termination. The occurrence of a specified event of termination may give a counterparty the right to terminate all of its contracts and affect settlement of all outstanding transactions under the applicable Master Agreement.
The Fund may also enter into collateral agreements with certain counterparties to further mitigate credit risk associated with OTC derivative and forward foreign currency contracts. Subject to established minimum levels, collateral is generally determined based on the net aggregate unrealized gain or loss on contracts with a certain counterparty. Collateral pledged to the Fund is held in a segregated account by a third-party agent and can be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. government or related agencies.
As of February 29, 2012, the maximum amount of loss the Fund would incur if the counterparties to its derivative transactions failed to perform would be $841,763, which represents the gross payments to be received by the Fund on open forward foreign currency contracts were they to be unwound as of February 29, 2012. There were no credit events during the year ended February 29, 2012 that triggered any credit related contingent features.
The Funds master agreements with derivative counterparties have credit related contingent features
14
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
that if triggered would allow its derivatives counterparties to close out and demand payment or additional collateral to cover their exposure from the Fund. Credit related contingent features are established between the Fund and its derivatives counterparties to reduce the risk that the Fund will not fulfill its payment obligations to its counterparties. These triggering features include, but are not limited to, a percentage decrease in the Funds net assets and or a percentage decrease in the Funds NAV, which could cause the Fund to accelerate payment of any net liability owed to the counterparty. The contingent features are established within the Funds Master Agreements. There were no credit events during the year ended February 29, 2012 that triggered any credit related contingent features.
As of February 29, 2012, the Fund had a liability position of $6,640,052 on open forward foreign currency contracts and written options with credit related contingent features. If a contingent feature would have been triggered as of February 29, 2012, the Fund could have been required to pay this amount in cash to its counterparties. As of February 29, 2012 the Fund did not post collateral for its open derivatives transactions.
H. Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts primarily to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risks on its non-U.S. dollar denominated investment securities. When entering into a forward foreign currency contract, the Fund agrees to receive or deliver a fixed quantity of reign currency for an agreed-upon price on an agreed future date. These contracts are valued daily and the Funds net equity therein, representing unrealized gain or loss on the contracts as measured by the difference between the forward foreign exchange rates at the dates of entry into the contracts and the forward rates at the reporting date, is included in the statement of assets and liabilities. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts are included on the Statement of Operations. These instruments involve market and/or credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the statement of assets and liabilities. Risks arise from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from movement in currency and securities values and interest rates.
During the year ended February 29, 2012, the Fund used forward foreign currency contracts to hedge its
investments in non-U.S. dollar denominated equity securities in an attempt to decrease the volatility of the Funds NAV.
During the year ended February 29, 2012, the Fund had average contract amounts on forward foreign currency contracts to buy and sell of $2,580,446 and $111,815,462, respectively.
The Fund may enter into futures contracts involving foreign currency, interest rates, securities and securities indices. The Fund intends to limit its use of futures contracts and futures options to bona fide hedging transactions, as such term is defined in applicable regulations, interpretations and practice. A futures contract obligates the seller of the contract to deliver and the purchaser of the contract to take delivery of the type of foreign currency, financial instrument or security called for in the contract at a specified future time for a specified price. Upon entering into such a contract, the Fund is required to deposit and maintain as collateral such initial margin as required by the exchange on which the contract is traded. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount equal to the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
Futures contracts are exposed to the market risk factor of the underlying financial instrument. During the year ended February 29, 2012, the Fund had purchased futures contracts on various equity indices primarily to provide exposures to such index returns while allowing the fund managers to maintain a certain level of cash balances in the Fund. Additional associated risks of entering into futures contracts include the possibility that there may be an illiquid market where the Fund is unable to liquidate the contract or enter into an offsetting position and, if used for hedging purposes, the risk that the price of the contract will correlate imperfectly with the prices of the Funds securities. With futures, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since futures are exchange traded and the exchanges clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures against default.
During the year ended February 29, 2012, the Fund had an average notional value of $5,649,257 on purchased futures contracts.
15
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
I. Options Contracts. The Fund may purchase put and call options and may write (sell) put options and covered call options. The premium received by the Fund upon the writing of a put or call option is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a liability which is subsequently marked-to-market until it is exercised or closed, or it expires. The Fund will realize a gain or loss upon the expiration or closing of the option contract. When an option is exercised, the proceeds on sales of the underlying security for a written call option or purchased put option or the purchase cost of the security for a written put option or a purchased call option is adjusted by the amount of premium received or paid. The risk in writing a call option is that the Fund gives up the opportunity for profit if the market price of the security increases and the option is exercised. The risk in buying an option is that the Fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Risks may also arise from an illiquid secondary market or from the inability of counterparties to meet the terms of the contract.
The Fund generates premiums and seeks gains by writing OTC call options on indices on a portion of the value of the equity portfolio. Please refer to Note 6 for the volume of written option activity during the year ended February 29, 2012.
J. Indemnifications. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide certain indemnifications. The Funds maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, management considers the risk of loss from such claims remote.
NOTE 3 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE FEES
ING Investments, LLC (ING Investments or the Investment Adviser), an Arizona limited liability company, is the Investment Adviser of the Fund. The Fund pays the Investment Adviser for its services under the investment management agreement (Management Agreement), a fee, payable monthly, based on an annual rate of 0.75% of the Funds average daily managed assets. For purposes of the Management Agreement, managed assets are defined as the Funds average daily gross asset value, minus the sum of the Funds accrued and unpaid dividends on any outstanding preferred shares and accrued liabilities (other than
liabilities for the principal amount of any borrowings incurred, commercial paper or notes issued by the Fund and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares). As of February 29, 2012, there were no preferred shares outstanding.
The Investment Adviser entered into a sub-advisory agreement (Sub-Advisory Agreement) with ING Investment Management Co. LLC (ING IM). Subject to policies as the Board or the Investment Adviser might determine, ING IM manages the Funds assets in accordance with the Funds investment objectives, policies and limitations.
ING Funds Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (the Administrator) serves as Administrator to the Fund. The Fund pays the Administrator for its services a fee based on an annual rate of 0.10% of the Funds average daily managed assets. The Investment Adviser, ING IM, and the Administrator are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of ING Groep N.V. (ING Groep). ING Groep is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, investments, life insurance and retirement services.
ING Groep has adopted a formal restructuring plan that was approved by the European Commission in November 2009 under which the ING life insurance businesses, including the retirement services and investment management businesses, which include the Adviser and its immediate affiliates, would be separated from ING Groep by the end of 2013. To achieve this goal, in a series of announcements beginning November 2010, ING Groep announced that it plans to pursue transactions to restructure certain businesses, including an initial public offering for its U.S. based insurance, retirement services, and investment management operations; and other transactions, which could include an initial public offering or other type of transaction, for its European based insurance and investment management operations and Asian based insurance and investment management operations. There can be no assurance that all or part of the restructuring plan will be carried out.
The restructuring plan and the uncertainty about its implementation, whether implemented through the planned public offerings or through other means, in whole or in part, may be disruptive to the businesses of ING entities, including the ING entities that service the Fund, and may cause, among other things, interruption or reduction of business and services, diversion of managements attention from day-to-day operations, and loss of key employees or customers. A failure to complete the offerings or other means of
16
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 3 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE FEES (continued)
implementation on favorable terms could have a material adverse impact on the operations of the businesses subject to the restructuring plan. The restructuring plan may result in the Investment Advisers loss of access to services and resources of ING Groep, which could adversely affect its businesses and profitability. In addition, the divestment of ING businesses, including the Investment Adviser, may potentially be deemed a change of control of each entity. A change of control would result in the termination of the Funds advisory and sub-advisory agreements, which would trigger the necessity for new agreements that would require approval of the board, and may trigger the need for shareholder approval. Currently, the Investment Adviser does not anticipate that the restructuring will have a material adverse impact on the Fund or its operations and administration.
The Investment Adviser has entered into a written expense limitation agreement (Expense Limitation Agreement) with the Fund under which it will limit the expenses of the Fund, excluding interest, taxes, leverage expenses, and extraordinary expenses (and acquired fund fees and expenses) to 1.00% of average daily managed assets. The Investment Adviser may at a later date recoup from the Fund fees waived and other expenses assumed by the Investment Adviser during the previous 36 months, but only if, after such recoupment, the Funds expense ratio does not exceed the percentage described above. The Expense Limitation Agreement is contractual and shall renew automatically for one-year terms unless ING Investments or the Fund provides written notice of the termination within 90 days of the end of the then current term or upon written termination of the Management Agreement.
Waived and reimbursed fees and any recoupment by the Investment Adviser of such waived and reimbursed fees are reflected on the accompanying Statement of Operations for the Fund.
As of February 29, 2012, there are no amounts of waived and reimbursed fees that are subject to possible recoupment by the Investment Adviser.
NOTE 4 OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATED AND RELATED PARTIES
As of February 29, 2012, the Fund had the following amounts recorded as payable to affiliates on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities:
Fund |
Accrued Investment Management Fees |
Accrued Administrative Fees |
Total |
|||||||||
Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity |
$ | 16,512 | $ | 18,254 | $ | 34,766 |
The Fund has adopted a Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan), which allows eligible non-affiliated trustees as described in the Plan to defer the receipt of all or a portion of the trustees fees payable. Amounts deferred are treated as though invested in various notional funds advised by ING Investments until distribution in accordance with the Plan.
NOTE 5 PURCHASES AND SALES OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments for the year ended February 29, 2012, excluding short-term securities, were $309,862,409 and $321,266,868, respectively.
NOTE 6 TRANSACTIONS IN WRITTEN OPTIONS
Transactions in written OTC call options on equity indices were as follows:
Number of Contracts |
Premiums Received |
|||||||
Balance at 02/28/11 |
271,023 | $ | 2,608,803 | |||||
Options Written |
2,627,984 | 44,735,048 | ||||||
Options Expired |
(1,235,373 | ) | (18,837,468 | ) | ||||
Options Exercised |
| | ||||||
Options Terminated in Closing Purchase Transactions |
(1,448,643 | ) | (25,859,971 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance at 02/29/12 |
214,991 | $ | 2,646,412 | |||||
|
|
|
|
NOTE 7 CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENT RISKS
All mutual funds involve risk some more than others and there is always the chance that you could lose money or not earn as much as you hope. The Funds risk profile is largely a factor of the principal securities in which it invests and investment techniques that it uses. For more information regarding the types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Fund and its corresponding risks, see the Funds most recent Prospectus and/or the Statement of Additional Information.
17
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 7 CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENT RISKS (continued)
Foreign Securities and Emerging Markets. The Fund makes significant investments in foreign securities and may invest up to 20% of its managed assets in securities issued by companies located in countries with emerging markets. Investments in foreign securities may entail risks not present in domestic investments. Since investments in securities are denominated in foreign currencies, changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Fund. Foreign investments may also subject the Fund to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation or other political, social or economic developments, as well as from movements in currency, security value and interest rate, all of which could affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments. The risks of investing in foreign securities can be intensified in the case of investments in issuers located in countries with emerging markets.
Leverage. Although the Fund has no current intention to do so, the Fund is authorized to utilize leverage through the issuance of preferred shares and/or borrowings, including the issuance of debt securities. In the event that the Fund determines in the future to utilize investment leverage, there can be no assurance that such a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.
NOTE 8 CAPITAL SHARES
Transactions in capital shares and dollars were as follows:
Reinvestment of distributions |
Net increase in shares outstanding |
Reinvestment of distributions |
Net increase |
|||||||||||||||
Year or period ended |
# | # | ($) | ($) | ||||||||||||||
2/29/2012 |
66,109 | 66,109 | 871,120 | 871,120 | ||||||||||||||
2/28/2011 |
144,848 | 144,848 | 1,917,476 | 1,917,476 |
NOTE 9 FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The amount of distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for investment companies. These book/tax differences may be either temporary or permanent. Permanent differences are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences are not reclassified.
Key differences include the treatment of short-term capital gains, foreign currency transactions, income from passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) and wash sale deferrals. Distributions in excess of net investment income and/or net realized capital gains for tax purposes are reported as return of capital.
The following permanent tax differences have been reclassified as of the Fund's tax year ended December 31, 2011:
Paid-in |
Undistributed Net Investment Income |
Accumulated Net Realized Gains/ |
||||||||
$ | (21,768,695) | $ | 20,022,613 | $ | 1,746,082 |
(1) | $21,768,646 relates to distributions in excess of net investment income taxed as ordinary income due to current year earnings and profits. |
Dividends paid by the Fund from net investment income and distributions of net realized short-term capital gains are, for federal income tax purposes, taxable as ordinary income to shareholders. Under certain conditions, federal tax regulations may also cause some or all of the return of capital to be taxed as ordinary income.
The tax composition of dividends and distributions as of the Fund's most recent tax year-ends were as follows:
Tax Year Ended |
Tax Year Ended |
|||||
Ordinary Income |
Ordinary Income |
|||||
$ | 24,121,012 | $ | 25,041,070 |
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the expiration dates of the capital loss carryforwards which may be used to offset future realized capital gains for federal income tax purposes as of the tax year ended December 31, 2011 were:
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
Short-term Capital Loss Carryforwards |
Expiration |
||||||||
$ | (11,123,258) | $ | (3,824,866) | 2017 |
The Fund's major tax jurisdictions are federal and Arizona. The earliest tax year that remains subject to examination by these jurisdictions is 2007.
As of February 29, 2012, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund's financial statements as a result of tax positions taken on federal and state income tax returns for open tax years. The Fund's federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state department of revenue.
18
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 9 FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (continued)
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the Act) was enacted on December 22, 2010.The Act makes changes to several tax rules impacting the Fund. In general, the provisions of the Act were effective for the Fund's tax year ended December 31, 2011. Although the Act provides several benefits, including the unlimited carryforward of future capital losses, there may be a greater likelihood that all or a portion of the Fund's pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may expire without being utilized due to the fact that post-enactment capital losses are required to be utilized before pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards.
NOTE 10 OTHER ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-04 Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements. ASU No. 2011-04 amends FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to establish common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). The ASU is
effective prospectively for interim and annual periods ginning after December 15, 2011. As of February 29, 2012, management of the Fund is currently assessing the potential impact to financial statement disclosure that may result from adopting this ASU.
NOTE 11 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Dividends: Subsequent to February 29, 2012, the Fund made distributions of:
Per Share Amount |
Declaration Date |
Payable Date |
Record Date |
|||||||||||
$ | 0.312 | 3/15/2012 | 4/16/2012 | 4/4/2012 |
Each quarter, the Fund will provide disclosures with distribution payments made that estimate the percentages of that distribution that represent net investment income, capital gains, and return of capital, if any. A significant portion of the quarterly distribution payments made by the Fund may constitute a return of capital.
The Fund has evaluated events occurring after the balance sheet date (subsequent events) to determine whether any subsequent events necessitated adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements. Other than the above, no such subsequent events were identified.
19
ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND |
SUMMARY PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
20
ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND |
SUMMARY PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 (CONTINUED) |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
21
ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND |
SUMMARY PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 (CONTINUED) |
Fair Value Measurements^
The following is a summary of the fair valuations according to the inputs used as of February 29, 2012 in valuing the assets and liabilities:
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Investments (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs# (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Fair Value at 2/29/2012 |
|||||||||||||
Asset Table |
||||||||||||||||
Investments, at value |
||||||||||||||||
Common Stock |
||||||||||||||||
Australia |
$ | 1,042,070 | $ | 7,666,499 | $ | | $ | 8,708,569 | ||||||||
Austria |
| 409,922 | | 409,922 | ||||||||||||
Belgium |
59 | 653,020 | | 653,079 | ||||||||||||
China |
| 242,855 | | 242,855 | ||||||||||||
Denmark |
| 484,401 | | 484,401 | ||||||||||||
Finland |
| 1,055,141 | | 1,055,141 | ||||||||||||
France |
| 7,830,865 | | 7,830,865 | ||||||||||||
Germany |
| 6,904,826 | | 6,904,826 | ||||||||||||
Greece |
325,214 | 92,554 | | 417,768 | ||||||||||||
Hong Kong |
4,872 | 2,321,825 | | 2,326,697 | ||||||||||||
India |
| 103,108 | | 103,108 | ||||||||||||
Ireland |
402,046 | | | 402,046 | ||||||||||||
Israel |
| 598,346 | | 598,346 | ||||||||||||
Italy |
| 3,040,172 | | 3,040,172 | ||||||||||||
Japan |
| 21,224,507 | | 21,224,507 | ||||||||||||
Luxembourg |
| 771,295 | | 771,295 | ||||||||||||
Macau |
| 197,986 | | 197,986 | ||||||||||||
Mexico |
| 401,099 | | 401,099 | ||||||||||||
Netherlands |
61,036 | 3,865,832 | | 3,926,868 | ||||||||||||
New Zealand |
| 253,578 | | 253,578 | ||||||||||||
Norway |
| 1,237,969 | | 1,237,969 | ||||||||||||
Portugal |
| 479,162 | | 479,162 | ||||||||||||
Singapore |
| 1,723,629 | | 1,723,629 | ||||||||||||
Spain |
| 4,849,986 | | 4,849,986 | ||||||||||||
Sweden |
| 3,939,787 | | 3,939,787 | ||||||||||||
Switzerland |
7,171 | 8,052,388 | | 8,059,559 | ||||||||||||
United Kingdom |
| 19,561,651 | | 19,561,651 | ||||||||||||
United States |
132,539,874 | | | 132,539,874 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Common Stock |
134,382,342 | 97,962,403 | | 232,344,745 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
22
ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND |
SUMMARY PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 (CONTINUED) |
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Investments (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs# (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Fair Value at 2/29/2012 |
|||||||||||||
Preferred Stock |
$ | | $ | 572,049 | $ | | $ | 572,049 | ||||||||
Short-Term Investments |
3,708,235 | | | 3,708,235 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Investments, at value |
$ | 138,090,577 | $ | 98,534,452 | $ | | $ | 236,625,029 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Other Financial Instruments+ |
||||||||||||||||
Futures |
112,088 | | | 112,088 | ||||||||||||
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts |
| 841,763 | | 841,763 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Assets |
$ | 138,202,665 | $ | 99,376,215 | $ | | $ | 237,578,880 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Liabilities Table |
||||||||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments+ |
||||||||||||||||
Written Options |
$ | | $ | (4,364,171 | ) | $ | | $ | (4,364,171 | ) | ||||||
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts |
| (2,275,881 | ) | | (2,275,881 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Liabilities |
$ | | $ | (6,640,052 | ) | $ | | $ | (6,640,052 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following is a reconciliation of the fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the Fund's assets and liabilities during the year ended February 29, 2012:
Beginning Balance 2/28/2011 |
Purchases | Sales | Accrued Discounts/ (Premiums) |
Total Realized Gain/(Loss) |
Total Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
Transfers Into Level 3 |
Transfers Out of Level 3 |
Ending Balance 2/29/2012 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset Table |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investments, at value |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock |
$ | 112,948 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (112,948 | ) | $ | | |||||||||||||||||
Rights |
14 | | | | (14 | ) | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total Investments, at value |
$ | 112,962 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (112,962 | ) | $ | | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of February 29, 2012, total change in unrealized gain (loss) on Level 3 securities still held at year end and included in the change in net assets was $0.
^ | See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information. |
+ | Other Financial Instruments are derivatives not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments and may include open forward foreign currency contracts, equity forwards, futures, swaps, and written options. Forward foreign currency contracts, equity forwards and futures are valued at the unrealized gain (loss) on the instrument. Swaps and written options are valued at the fair value of the instrument. |
# | The earlier close of the foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available. Accordingly, a significant portion of the Portfolio's investments are categorized as Level 2 investments. |
There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and 2 during the year ended February 29, 2012. |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
23
ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND |
SUMMARY PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 (CONTINUED) |
At February 29, 2012 , the following forward foreign currency contracts were outstanding for the ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund:
Counterparty | Currency | Contract Amount |
Buy/Sell | Settlement Date |
In Exchange For |
Fair Value | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Bank of America |
Norwegian Krone | 6,300,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | $ | 1,058,411 | $ | 1,126,095 | $ | (67,684 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC |
Australian Dollar | 700,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 735,038 | 748,870 | (13,832 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brown Brothers Harriman |
British Pound | 12,400,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 19,244,800 | 19,724,148 | (479,348 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brown Brothers Harriman |
Swiss Franc | 750,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 810,071 | 829,178 | (19,107 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brown Brothers Harriman |
Singapore Dollar | 1,700,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 1,300,589 | 1,359,308 | (58,719 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brown Brothers Harriman |
Danish Krone | 5,000,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 877,231 | 896,106 | (18,875 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brown Brothers Harriman |
Swedish Krona | 10,000,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 1,485,771 | 1,509,992 | (24,221 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
Japanese Yen | 1,430,000,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 18,382,637 | 17,594,485 | 788,152 | |||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
Japanese Yen | 175,000,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 2,206,782 | 2,153,171 | 53,611 | |||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
EU Euro | 19,500,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 25,402,357 | 25,982,089 | (579,732 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
EU Euro | 2,500,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 3,257,228 | 3,331,038 | (73,810 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
British Pound | 925,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 1,440,265 | 1,471,358 | (31,093 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
UBS Warburg LLC |
Swiss Franc | 5,800,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 6,211,247 | 6,412,305 | (201,058 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
UBS Warburg LLC |
Australian Dollar | 7,000,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 6,877,010 | 7,488,709 | (611,699 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
UBS Warburg LLC |
Swedish Krona | 14,900,000 | Sell | 03/21/12 | 2,153,185 | 2,249,888 | (96,703 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (1,434,118 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund Open Futures Contracts on February 29, 2012:
Contract Description | Number of Contracts |
Expiration Date | Notional Value | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||
Long Contracts |
||||||||||||||||
Mini MSCI EAFE Index |
23 | 03/16/12 | $ | 1,794,805 | $ | 25,675 | ||||||||||
S&P 500 E-Mini |
38 | 03/16/12 | 2,592,360 | 86,413 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
$ | 4,387,165 | $ | 112,088 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund Written OTC Options on February 29, 2012:
# of |
Counterparty |
Description |
Exercise Price |
Expiration Date |
Premiums Received |
Fair Value |
||||||||||||||||
|
Options On Indices |
|||||||||||||||||||||
1,501 | UBS Warburg LLC | Call on S&P/ASX 200 Index | 4,181.900 | AUD | 03/15/12 | $ | 91,790 | $ | (192,566 | ) | ||||||||||||
5,189 | Morgan Stanley | Call on Euro Stoxx 50® Index | 2,489.350 | EUR | 03/15/12 | 436,144 | (345,636 | ) | ||||||||||||||
2,589 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Call on FTSE 100 Index | 5,885.380 | GBP | 03/15/12 | 375,667 | (205,821 | ) | ||||||||||||||
137,136 | Morgan Stanley | Call on Nikkei 225 Index | 9,238.100 | JPY | 03/15/12 | 306,587 | (873,330 | ) | ||||||||||||||
68,576 | Goldman Sachs & Co. | Call on S&P 500® Index | 1,325.540 | USD | 03/01/12 | 1,436,224 | (2,746,818 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total Written OTC Options | $ | 2,646,412 | $ | (4,364,171 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Transfers in or out of Level 3 represent either the beginning value (for transfers in), or the ending value (for transfers out) of any security or derivative instrument where a change in the pricing level occurred from the beginning to the end of the period. Transfers are recognized at the end of the reporting period.
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
24
ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND |
SUMMARY PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 (CONTINUED) |
A summary of derivative instruments by primary risk exposure is outlined in the following tables.
The fair value of derivative instruments as of February 29, 2012 was as follows:
Derivatives not accounted for as hedging |
Location on Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
Fair Value |
||||
Asset Derivatives |
||||||
Foreign exchange contracts |
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts |
$ | 841,763 | |||
Equity contracts |
Net Assets- Unrealized appreciation* |
112,088 | ||||
|
|
|||||
Total Asset Derivatives |
$ | 953,851 | ||||
|
|
|||||
Liability Derivatives |
||||||
Foreign exchange contracts |
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts |
$ | 2,275,881 | |||
Equity contracts |
Written options, at fair value | 4,364,171 | ||||
|
|
|||||
Total Liability Derivatives |
$ | 6,640,052 | ||||
|
|
* | Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation of futures contracts as reported in the table following the Summary Portfolio of Investments. |
The effect of derivative instruments on the Fund's Statement of Operations for the year ended February 29, 2012 was as follows:
Derivatives not accounted for as hedging |
Amount of Realized Gain or (Loss) on |
|||||||||||||||
Foreign currency |
Futures |
Written |
Total |
|||||||||||||
Equity contracts |
$ | | $ | 787,835 | $ | 10,316,146 | $ | 11,103,981 | ||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts |
(386,440 | ) | | | (386,440 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
$ | (386,440 | ) | $ | 787,835 | $ | 10,316,146 | $ | 10,717,541 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Derivatives not accounted for as hedging |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||
Foreign currency |
Futures |
Written |
Total |
|||||||||||||
Equity contracts |
$ | | $ | (6,051 | ) | $ | (2,508,015 | ) | $ | (2,514,066 | ) | |||||
Foreign exchange contracts |
1,264,098 | | | 1,264,098 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
$ | 1,264,098 | $ | (6,051 | ) | $ | (2,508,015 | ) | $ | (1,249,968 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Amounts recognized for forward foreign currency contracts are included in net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions and net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on foreign currency related transactions. |
Supplemental Option Information (Unaudited)
Supplemental Call Option Statistics as of February 29, 2012 |
||||
% of Total Net Assets against which calls written |
67.58 | % | ||
Average Days to Expiration at time written |
28 days | |||
Average Call Moneyness* at time written |
ATM | |||
Premium received for calls |
$ | 2,646,412 | ||
Value of calls |
$ | (4,364,171 | ) |
* | Moneyness is the term used to describe the relationship between the price of the underlying asset and the options exercise or strike price. For example, a call (buy) option is considered in-the-money when the value of the underlying asset exceeds the strike price. Conversely, a put (sell) option is considered in-the-money when its strike price exceeds the value of the underlying asset. Options are characterized for the purpose of Moneyness as, in-the-money (ITM), out-of-the-money (OTM) or at-the-money (ATM), where the underlying asset value equals the strike price. |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
25
Dividends paid during the tax year ended December 31, 2011 were as follows:
Fund Name |
Type |
Per Share Amount |
||||||
ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund |
NII | $ | 1.3170 |
NII - Net investment income
Of the ordinary distributions made during the tax year ended December 31, 2011, 10.55% qualifies for the dividends received deduction (DRD) available to corporate shareholders.
For the tax year ended December 31, 2011, 23.90% of ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund are designated as qualifying dividend income (QDI) subject to reduced income tax rates for individuals.
Above figures may differ from those cited elsewhere in this report due to differences in the calculation of income and gains under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (book) purposes and Internal Revenue Service (tax) purposes.
Shareholders are strongly advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investments in the Fund. In January, shareholders, excluding corporate shareholders, receive an IRS 1099-DIV regarding the federal tax status of the dividends and distributions they received in the calendar year.
26
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
The business and affairs of the Trust are managed under the direction of the Trusts Board. A Trustee who is not an interested person of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, is an independent trustee (Independent Trustee). The Trustees and Officers of the Trust are listed below. The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about trustees of the Trust and is available, without charge, upon request at (800) 992-0180.
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s) held with the Trust |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served(1) |
Principal Occupation(s) - during the Past 5 Years |
Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee(2)(3) |
Other Board Positions held by Trustee | |||||
Independent Trustees: |
||||||||||
Colleen D. Baldwin 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 51 |
Trustee | October 2007 - Present |
President, Glantuam Partners, LLC, a business consulting firm (January 2009 - Present). | 138 | None. | |||||
John V. Boyer 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 58 |
Trustee | July 2005 - Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer, Bechtler Arts Foundation, an arts and education foundation (January 2008 - Present). Formerly, Consultant (July 2007 - February 2008) and President and Chief Executive Officer, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, a public policy foundation (March 2006 - July 2007). | 138 | None. | |||||
Patricia W. Chadwick 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 63 |
Trustee | January 2006 - Present |
Consultant and President, Ravengate Partners LLC, a consulting firm that provides advice regarding financial markets and the global economy (January 2000 - Present). | 138 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation (June 2006 - Present) and The Royce Funds, (35 funds) (December 2009 - Present). | |||||
Peter S. Drotch 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 70 |
Trustee | October 2007 - Present |
Retired. | 138 | First Marblehead Corporation (September 2003 - Present). | |||||
J. Michael Earley 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 66 |
Trustee | July 2005 - Present |
Retired. Formerly, Banking President and Chief Executive Officer, Bankers Trust Company, N.A., Des Moines (June 1992 - December 2008). | 138 | None. | |||||
Patrick W. Kenny 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 69 |
Trustee | July 2005 - Present |
Retired. Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, International Insurance Society (June 2001 - June 2009). | 138 | Assured Guaranty Ltd. (April 2004 - Present). | |||||
Sheryl K. Pressler 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 61 |
Trustee | January 2006 - Present |
Consultant (May 2001 - Present). | 138 | Stillwater Mining Company (May 2002 - Present). | |||||
Roger B. Vincent 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 66 |
Chairperson/Trustee | July 2005 - Present |
Retired. Formerly, President, Springwell Corporation, a corporate finance firm (March 1989 - August 2011). | 138 | UGI Corporation (February 2006 - Present) and UGI Utilities, Inc. (February 2006 - Present). |
27
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s) held with the Trust |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served(1) |
Principal Occupation(s) - during the Past 5 Years |
Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee(2)(3) |
Other Board Positions held by Trustee | |||||
Trustees who are Interested Persons: |
||||||||||
Robert W. Crispin(3) 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 65 |
Trustee | October 2007 - Present |
Retired. Formerly, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ING Investment Management Co. (July 2001 - December 2007). | 138 | Intact Financial Corporation (December 2004 - Present) and PFM Group (November 2010 - Present). | |||||
Shaun P. Mathews(3) 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 56 |
Trustee | June 2006 - Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer, ING Investments, LLC (November 2006 - Present). | 177 | ING Capital Corporation, LLC (December 2005 - Present). |
(1) | The Board is divided into three classes, with the term of one class expiring at each annual meeting of each Fund. At each annual meeting, one class of Trustees is elected to a three - year term and serves until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The tenure of each Trustee is subject to the Boards retirement policy, which states that each duly elected or appointed Trustee who is an Independent Trustee shall retire from service as a Trustee at the conclusion of the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Board that is held after the Trustee reaches the age of 72. A unanimous vote of the Board may extend the retirement date of a Trustee for up to one year. An extension may be permitted if the retirement would trigger a requirement to hold a meeting of shareholders of the Funds, under applicable law, whether for purposes of appointing a successor to the Trustee or if otherwise necessary under applicable law, in which case the extension would apply until such time as the shareholder can be held or is no longer needed. |
(2) | Except for Mr. Mathews and for the purposes of this table ING Fund Complex means the following investment companies: ING Asia Pacific High Dividend Equity Income Fund; ING Emerging Markets High Dividend Equity Fund; ING Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund; ING Equity Trust; ING Funds Trust; ING Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund; ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund; ING Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund; ING International High Dividend Equity Income Fund; ING Investors Trust; ING Mayflower Trust; ING Mutual Funds; ING Partners, Inc.; ING Prime Rate Trust; ING Risk Managed Natural Resources Fund; ING Senior Income Fund; ING Separate Portfolios Trust; ING Variable Insurance Trust; and ING Variable Products Trust. For Mr. Mathews, the ING Fund Complex also includes the following investment companies: ING Balanced Portfolio, Inc.; ING Intermediate Bond Portfolio; ING Money Market Portfolio; ING Series Fund, Inc.; ING Strategic Allocation Portfolios, Inc.; ING Variable Funds; and ING Variable Portfolios, Inc. Therefore, for the purposes of this table with reference to Mr. Mathews, Fund Complex includes these investment companies. The number of funds in the ING Fund Complex is as of March 31, 2012. |
(3) | Messrs. Crispin and Matthews are deemed Interested Persons of the Trust because of their current or prior affiliation with ING Groep, N.V., the parent corporation of the Investment Adviser(s) and the Distributor. |
28
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s) Held with the Trust |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served(1) |
Principal Occupation(s) - during the Past 5 Years | |||
Shaun P. Mathews 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 56 |
President and Chief Executive Officer | November 2006 - Present | President and Chief Executive Officer, ING Investments, LLC (November 2006 - Present). | |||
Michael J. Roland 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 53 |
Executive Vice President | July 2005 - Present | Chief Compliance Officer, Directed Services LLC and ING Investments, LLC (March 2011 - Present) and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, ING Investments, LLC and ING Funds Services, LLC (January 2007 - Present). Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer, ING Funds (March 2011 - February 2012). | |||
Stanley D. Vyner 230 Park Avenue New York, New York 10169 Age: 61 |
Executive Vice President Chief Investment Risk Officer |
July 2005 - Present September 2009 - Present |
Executive Vice President, ING Investments, LLC (July 2000 - Present) and Chief Investment Risk Officer, ING Investments, LLC (January 2003 - Present). | |||
Kevin M. Gleason 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 45 |
Chief Compliance Officer | February 2012 - Present | Senior Vice President, ING Investment Management LLC. (February 2012 - Present). Formerly, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (June 2004 - January 2012). | |||
Kimberly A. Anderson 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 47 |
Senior Vice President | July 2005 - Present | Senior Vice President, ING Investments, LLC (October 2003 - Present). | |||
Todd Modic 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 44 |
Senior Vice President, Chief/Principal Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary | July 2005 - Present | Senior Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2005 - Present). | |||
Robert Terris 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 41 |
Senior Vice President | May 2006 - Present | Senior Vice President, Head of Division Operations, ING Funds Services, LLC (May 2006 - Present). | |||
Gregory K. Wilson 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 52 |
Senior Vice President | September 2011 - Present | Senior Vice President - Fund Compliance, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2012 - Present). Formerly, Vice President - Fund Compliance, ING Funds Services, LLC (October 2009 - March 2012) and Finance Director, ING Funds Services, LLC (September 2006 - October 2009). | |||
Robyn L. Ichilov 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 44 |
Vice President | July 2005 - Present | Vice President and Treasurer, ING Funds Services, LLC (November 1995 - Present) and ING Investments, LLC (August 1997 - Present). Formerly, Treasurer, ING Funds (November 1999 - February 2012). | |||
Maria M. Anderson 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 53 |
Vice President | July 2005 - Present | Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (September 2004 - Present). | |||
Lauren D. Bensinger 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 58 |
Vice President | July 2005 - Present | Vice President, ING Investments, LLC and ING Funds Services, LLC (February 1996 - Present); Director of Compliance, ING Investments, LLC (October 2004 - Present); and Vice President and Money Laundering Reporting Officer, ING Investments Distributor, LLC ( April 2010 - Present). Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer, ING Investments Distributor, LLC (August 1995 - April 2010). | |||
William Evans One Orange Way Windsor, Connecticut 06095 Age: 39 |
Vice President | September 2007 - Present | Senior Vice President (March 2010 - Present) and Head of Manager Research and Selection Group, ING Investment Management (April 2007 - Present). Formerly, Vice President, U.S. Mutual Funds and Investment Products (May 2005 - April 2007). |
29
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s) Held with the Trust |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served(1) |
Principal Occupation(s) - during the Past 5 Years | |||
Denise Lewis 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 48 |
Vice President Treasurer |
January 2007 - Present February 2012 - Present |
Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (December 2006 - Present). | |||
Kimberly K. Springer 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 54 |
Vice President | March 2006 - Present | Vice President, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present); Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2006 - Present) and Managing Paralegal, Registration Statements (June 2003 - Present). | |||
Craig Wheeler 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 43 |
Assistant Vice President | May 2008 - Present | Assistant Vice President - Director of Tax, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2008 - Present). Formerly, Tax Manager, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2005 - March 2008). | |||
Huey P. Falgout, Jr. 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 48 |
Secretary | July 2005 - Present | Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present). Formerly, Chief Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (October 2003 - March 2010). | |||
Paul Caldarelli 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 60 |
Assistant Secretary | June 2010 - Present | Vice President and Senior Counsel, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present). Formerly, Senior Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (April 2008 - March 2010) and Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (May 2005 - April 2008). | |||
Theresa K. Kelety 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 49 |
Assistant Secretary | July 2005 - Present | Vice President and Senior Counsel, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present). Formerly, Senior Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (April 2008 - March 2010) and Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (April 2003 - April 2008). | |||
Kathleen Nichols 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 36 |
Assistant Secretary | May 2008 - Present | Vice President and Counsel, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present). Formerly, Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (February 2008 - March 2010) and Associate, Ropes & Gray LLP (September 2005 - February 2008). |
(1) | The Officers hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board of Trustees and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. |
30
ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (UNAUDITED)
31
ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
32
ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
33
ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
34
ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
35
ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
36
SHAREHOLDER MEETING INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
An annual meeting of shareholders of the ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund was held July 6, 2011, at the offices of ING Funds, 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
Proposal:
1 | To elect four members of the Board of Trustees to represent the interests of the holders of Common Shares of the Fund, with all four individuals to serve as Class III Trustees, for a term of three-years, and until the election and qualification of their successors. |
Proposal* |
Shares voted for |
Shares voted against or withheld |
Shares abstained |
Total Shares Voted |
||||||||||||
Class III Trustees |
J. Michael Earley |
14,556,076.761 | 293,494.010 | 14,849,570.771 | ||||||||||||
Patrick W. Kenny |
14,561,896.189 | 287,674.582 | 14,849,570.771 | |||||||||||||
Shaun P. Mathews |
14,567,701.023 | 281,869.748 | 14,849,570.771 | |||||||||||||
Roger B. Vincent |
14,562,857.694 | 286,713.077 | 14,849,570.771 |
* | Proposal Passed |
37
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
38
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
39
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
40
Toll-Free Shareholder Information
Call us from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern time on any business day for account or other information, at (800) 992-0180
![]() |
AR-UIGA | (0212-042012) |
Item 2. | Code of Ethics. |
As of the end of the period covered by this report, Registrant had adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to the Registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer. There were no amendments to the Code during the period covered by the report. The Registrant did not grant any waivers, including implicit waivers, from any provisions of the Code during the period covered by this report. The code of ethics is filed herewith pursuant to Item 10(a)(l), Exhibit 99,CODE ETH.
Item 3. | Audit Committee Financial Expert. |
The Board of Trustees has determined that J. Michael Earley, Peter S. Drotch and Colleen Baldwin are audit committee financial experts, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Mr. Earley, Mr. Drotch and Ms. Baldwin are independent for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
Item 4. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services. |
(a) | Audit Fees: The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP (KPMG), the principal accountant for the audit of the registrants annual financial statements, for services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the fiscal year were $25,000 for the year ended February 29, 2012 and $24,500 for year ended February 28, 2011. | |
(b) | Audit-Related Fees: The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by KPMG that are seasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrants financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $2,400 for the year ended February 29, 2012 and $2,150 for the year ended February 28, 2011. | |
(c) | Tax Fees: The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by KPMG for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning were $7,590 in the year ended February 29, 2012 and $7,648 in the year ended February 28, 2011. Such services included review of excise distribution calculations (if applicable), preparation of the Funds federal state and excise tax returns, tax services related to mergers and routine consulting. | |
(d) | All Other Fees: The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for all other fees were $2,458 for the year ended February 29, 2012 and $2,500 for the year ended February 28, 2011. | |
(e)(1) | Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures |
1
AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES
PRE-APPROVAL POLICY
I. Statement of Principles
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Act), the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors or Trustees (the Committee) of the ING Funds (each a Fund, collectively, the Funds) set out on Exhibit A to this Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy (Policy) is responsible for the oversight of the work of the Funds independent auditors. As part of its responsibilities, the Committee must pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the auditors in order to assure that the provision of these services does not impair the auditors independence from the Funds. The Committee has adopted, and the Board has ratified, this Policy, which sets out the procedures and conditions under which the services of the independent auditors may be pre-approved.
Under Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules promulgated in accordance with the Act, the Funds may establish two different approaches to pre-approving audit and non-audit services. The Committee may approve services without consideration of specific case-by-case services (general pre-approval) or it may pre-approve specific services (specific pre-approval). The Committee believes that the combination of these approaches contemplated in this Policy results in an effective and efficient method for pre-approving audit and non-audit services to be performed by the Funds independent auditors. Under this Policy, services that are not of a type that may receive general pre-approval require specific pre-approval by the Committee. Any proposed services that exceed pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require the Committees specific pre-approval.
For both types of approval, the Committee considers whether the subject services are consistent with the SECs rules on auditor independence and that such services are compatible with maintaining the auditors independence. The Committee also considers whether a particular audit firm is in the best position to provide effective and efficient services to the Funds. Reasons that the auditors are in the best position include the auditors familiarity with the Funds business, personnel, culture, accounting systems, risk profile, and other factors, and whether the services will enhance the Funds ability to manage and control risk or improve audit quality. Such factors will be considered as a whole, with no one factor being determinative.
The appendices attached to this Policy describe the audit, audit-related, tax-related, and other services that have the Committees general pre-approval. For any service that has been approved through general pre-approval, the general pre-approval will remain in place for a period 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Committee determines that a different period is appropriate. The Committee will annually review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the independent auditors without specific pre-approval. The Committee will revise the list of services subject to general pre-approval as appropriate. This Policy does not serve as a delegation to Fund management of the Committees duty to pre-approve services performed by the Funds independent auditors.
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II. Audit Services
The annual audit services engagement terms and fees are subject to the Committees specific pre-approval. Audit services are those services that are normally provided by auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements or those that generally only independent auditors can reasonably provide. They include the Funds annual financial statement audit and procedures that the independent auditors must perform in order to form an opinion on the Funds financial statements (e.g., information systems and procedural reviews and testing). The Committee will monitor the audit services engagement and approve any changes in terms, conditions or fees deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate.
The Committee may grant general pre-approval to other audit services, such as statutory audits and services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or issued in connection with securities offerings.
The Committee has pre-approved the audit services listed on Appendix A. The Committee must specifically approve all audit services not listed on Appendix A.
III. Audit-related Services
Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or the review of the Funds financial statements or are traditionally performed by the independent auditors. The Committee believes that the provision of audit-related services will not impair the independent auditors independence, and therefore may grant pre-approval to audit-related services. Audit-related services include accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified as audit services; assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures relating to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Form N-SAR or Form N-CSR.
The Committee has pre-approved the audit-related services listed on Appendix B. The Committee must specifically approve all audit-related services not listed on Appendix B.
IV. Tax Services
The Committee believes the independent auditors can provide tax services to the Funds, including tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice, without compromising the auditors independence. Therefore, the Committee may grant general pre-approval with respect to tax services historically provided by the Funds independent auditors that do not, in the Committees view, impair auditor independence and that are consistent with the SECs rules on auditor independence.
The Committee will not grant pre-approval if the independent auditors initially recommends a transaction the sole business purpose of which is tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The Committee may consult outside counsel to determine that tax planning and reporting positions are consistent with this Policy.
3
The Committee has pre-approved the tax-related services listed on Appendix C. The Committee must specifically approve all tax-related services not listed on Appendix C.
V. Other Services
The Committee believes it may grant approval of non-audit services that are permissible services for independent auditors to a Fund. The Committee has determined to grant general pre-approval to other services that it believes are routine and recurring, do not impair auditor independence, and are consistent with SEC rules on auditor independence.
The Committee has pre-approved the non-audit services listed on Appendix D. The Committee must specifically approve all non-audit services not listed on Appendix D.
A list of the SECs prohibited non-audit services is attached to this Policy as Appendix E. The SECs rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions of these impermissible services and the applicability of exceptions to certain of the SECs prohibitions.
VI. Pre-approval of Fee levels and Budgeted Amounts
The Committee will annually establish pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for audit, audit-related, tax and non-audit services to be provided to the Funds by the independent auditors. Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts require the Committees specific pre-approval. The Committee considers fees for audit and non-audit services when deciding whether to pre-approve services. The Committee may determine, for a pre-approval period of 12 months, the appropriate ratio between the total amount of fees for the Funds audit, audit-related, and tax services (including fees for services provided to Fund affiliates that are subject to pre-approval), and the total amount of fees for certain permissible non-audit services for the Fund classified as other services (including any such services provided to Fund affiliates that are subject to pre-approval).
VII. Procedures
Requests or applications for services to be provided by the independent auditors will be submitted to management. If management determines that the services do not fall within those services generally pre-approved by the Committee and set out in the appendices to these procedures, management will submit the services to the Committee or its delagee. Any such submission will include a detailed description of the services to be rendered. Notwithstanding this paragraph, the Committee will, on a quarterly basis, receive from the independent auditors a list of services provided for the previous calendar quarter on a cumulative basis by the auditors during the Pre-Approval Period.
4
VIII. Delegation
The Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of the Committees members. Any member or members to whom such pre-approval authority is delegated must report any pre-approval decisions, including any pre-approved services, to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Committee will identify any member to whom pre-approval authority is delegated in writing. The member will retain such authority for a period of 12 months from the date of pre-approval unless the Committee determines that a different period is appropriate. The period of delegated authority may be terminated by the Committee or at the option of the member.
IX. Additional Requirements
The Committee will take any measures the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to oversee the work of the independent auditors and to assure the auditors independence from the Funds. This may include reviewing a formal written statement from the independent auditors delineating all relationships between the auditors and the Funds, consistent with Independence Standards Board No. 1, and discussing with the auditors their methods and procedures for ensuring independence.
Effective April 23, 2008, the KPMG LLP (KPMG) audit team for the ING Funds accepted the global responsibility for monitoring the auditor independence for KPMG relative to the ING Funds. Using a proprietary system called Sentinel, the audit team is able to identify and manage potential conflicts of interest across the member firms of the KPMG International Network and prevent the provision of prohibited services to the ING entities that would impair KPMG independence with the respect to the ING Funds. In addition to receiving pre-approval from the ING Funds Audit Committee for services provided to the ING Funds and for services for ING entities in the Investment Company Complex, the audit team has developed a process for periodic notification via email to the ING Funds Audit Committee Chairpersons regarding requests to provide services to ING Groep NV and its affiliates from KPMG offices worldwide. Additionally, KPMG provides a quarterly summary of the fees for services that have commenced for ING Groep NV and Affiliates at each Audit Committee Meeting.
Last Approved: November 17, 2011
5
Appendix A
Pre-Approved Audit Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012
Service
The Fund(s) |
Fee Range | |||
Statutory audits or financial audits (including tax services associated with audit services) | ü | As presented to Audit Committee1 | ||
Services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings (e.g., consents), and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters. | ü | Not to exceed $9,750 per filing | ||
Consultations by Fund management with respect to accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential effect of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other regulatory or standard setting bodies. | ü | Not to exceed $8,000 during the Pre-Approval Period | ||
Seed capital audit and related review and issuance of consent on the N-2 registration statement | ü | Not to exceed $13,000 per audit |
1 | For new Funds launched during the Pre-Approval Period, the fee ranges pre-approved will be the same as those for existing Funds, pro-rated in accordance with inception dates as provided in the auditors Proposal or any Engagement Letter covering the period at issue. Fees in the Engagement Letter will be controlling. |
6
Appendix B
Pre-Approved Audit-Related Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012
Service
The Fund(s) |
Fund Affiliates |
Fee Range | ||||
Services related to Fund mergers (Excludes tax services - See Appendix C for tax services associated with Fund mergers) | ü | ü | Not to exceed $10,000 per merger | |||
Consultations by Fund management with respect to accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential effect of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other regulatory or standard setting bodies. [Note: Under SEC rules some consultations may be audit services and others may be audit-related services.] | ü | Not to exceed $5,000 per occurrence during the Pre-Approval Period | ||||
Review of the Funds semi-annual and quarterly financial statements | ü | Not to exceed $2,400 per set of financial statements per fund | ||||
Reports to regulatory or government agencies related to the annual engagement | ü | Up to $5,000 per occurrence during the Pre-Approval Period | ||||
Regulatory compliance assistance | ü | ü | Not to exceed $5,000 per quarter | |||
Training courses | ü | Not to exceed $2,000 per course | ||||
For Prime Rate Trust, agreed upon procedures for quarterly reports to rating agencies | ü | Not to exceed $9,450 per quarter |
7
Appendix C
Pre-Approved Tax Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012
Service
The Fund(s) |
Fund |
Fee Range | ||||
Preparation of federal and state income tax returns and federal excise tax returns for the Funds including assistance and review with excise tax distributions | ü | As presented to Audit Committee2 | ||||
Review of IRC Sections 851(b) and 817(h) diversification testing on a real-time basis | ü | As presented to Audit Committee2 | ||||
Assistance and advice regarding year-end reporting for 1099s | ü | As presented to Audit Committee2 | ||||
Tax assistance and advice regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments | ü | ü | Not to exceed $5,000 for the Funds or for the Funds investment adviser during the Pre-Approval Period |
2 | For new Funds launched during the Pre-Approval Period, the fee ranges pre-approved will be the same as those for existing Funds, pro-rated in accordance with inception dates as provided in the auditors Proposal or any Engagement Letter covering the period at issue. Fees in the Engagement Letter will be controlling. |
8
Appendix C, continued
Service
The Fund(s) |
Fund |
Fee Range | ||||
Tax training courses | ü | Not to exceed $2,000 per course during the Pre-Approval Period | ||||
Tax services associated with Fund mergers | ü | ü | Not to exceed $4,000 per fund per merger during the Pre-Approval Period | |||
Other tax-related assistance and consultation, including, without limitation, assistance in evaluating derivative financial instruments and international tax issues, qualification and distribution issues, and similar routine tax consultations. | ü | Not to exceed $120,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
9
Appendix D
Pre-Approved Other Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012
Service
The Fund(s) |
Fund Affiliates |
Fee Range | ||||
Agreed-upon procedures for Class B share 12b-1 programs | ü | Not to exceed $60,000 during the Pre-Approval Period | ||||
Security counts performed pursuant to Rule 17f-2 of the 1940 Act (i.e., counts for Funds holding securities with affiliated sub-custodians)
Cost to be borne 50% by the Funds and 50% by ING Investments, LLC. |
ü | ü | Not to exceed $5,000 per Fund during the Pre-Approval Period | |||
Agreed upon procedures for 15 (c) FACT Books | ü | Not to exceed $35,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
10
Appendix E
Prohibited Non-Audit Services
Dated: January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012
| Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Funds |
| Financial information systems design and implementation |
| Appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions, or contribution-in-kind reports |
| Actuarial services |
| Internal audit outsourcing services |
| Management functions |
| Human resources |
| Broker-dealer, investment adviser, or investment banking services |
| Legal services |
| Expert services unrelated to the audit |
| Any other service that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible |
11
EXHIBIT A
ING EQUITY TRUST
ING FUNDS TRUST
ING ASIA PACIFIC HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND
ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND
ING GLOBAL EQUITY DIVIDEND AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND
ING INTERNATIONAL HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND
ING INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRIALS, AND MATERIALS FUND
ING RISK MANAGED NATURAL RESOURCES FUNDING INVESTORS TRUST
ING MAYFLOWER TRUST
ING MUTUAL FUNDS
ING PARTNERS, INC.
ING PRIME RATE TRUST
ING SENIOR INCOME FUND
ING SEPARATE PORTFOLIOS TRUST
ING VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
ING VARIABLE PRODUCTS TRUST
ING EMERGING MARKETS LOCAL BOND FUND
ING EMERING MARKETS HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY FUND
12
(e)(2) | Percentage of services referred to in 4(b) (4)(d) that were approved by the audit committee | |
100% of the services were approved by the audit committee. | ||
(f) | Percentage of hours expended attributable to work performed by other than full time employees of KPMG if greater than 50%. | |
Not applicable. | ||
(g) | Non-Audit Fees: The non-audit fees billed by the registrants accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrants investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant were $1,233,678 for the year ended February 29, 2012 and $1,084,113 for year ended February 28, 2011. | |
(h) | Principal Accountants Independence: The Registrants Audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrants investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining KPMGs independence. |
Item 5. | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. |
a. | The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee. The members are J. Michael Earley, Patricia W. Chadwick and Peter S. Drotch. | |
b. | Not applicable. |
13
Item 6. | Schedule of Investments. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Shareholders and Board of Directors
ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund
We have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the statement of assets and liabilities, including the summary portfolio of investments, of ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund as of February 29, 2012, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended and have issued our unqualified report thereon dated April 26, 2012 (which report and financial statements are included in Item 1 of this Certified Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR). In connection with our audits of the aforementioned financial statements and financial highlights, we also audited the related portfolio of investments included in Item 6 of this Form N-CSR. The portfolio of investments is the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the portfolio of investments based on our audits.
In our opinion, the portfolio of investments, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
Boston, Massachusetts
April 26, 2012
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS | ||
ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND | AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 |
Shares | Value | Percentage of Net Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMON STOCK: | 100.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australia: | 3.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
8,919 | AGL Energy Ltd. | 133,247 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
7,973 | AMP Ltd. | 34,076 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1,925 | ASX Ltd. | 63,807 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
14,458 | Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | 338,214 | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
10,613 | Bendigo Bank Ltd. | 87,768 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
26,916 | BHP Billiton Ltd. | 1,042,070 | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
3,815 | Brambles Ltd. | 29,544 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
19,699 | Caltex Australia Ltd. | 290,297 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1,320 | Campbell Brothers Ltd. | 83,640 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
65,486 | CFS Retail Property Trust | 124,442 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
3,791 | Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd. | 48,716 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
23,066 | Commonwealth Bank of Australia | 1,218,137 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
7,533 | Computershare Ltd. | 62,276 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
975 | CSL Ltd. | 34,224 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
8,539 | Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. | 50,461 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
59,995 | Goodman Group | 44,165 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
12,275 | GPT Group | 40,980 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
29,060 | Iluka Resources Ltd. | 515,372 | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
17,436 | Insurance Australia Group | 61,583 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
12,577 | Macquarie Group Ltd. | 358,624 | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
60,650 | Metcash Ltd. | 275,380 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
52,497 | Mirvac Group | 67,307 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
23,866 | National Australia Bank Ltd. | 602,474 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
3,642 | Newcrest Mining Ltd. | 129,981 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
37,380 | OneSteel Ltd. | 42,233 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
3,441 | Orica Ltd. | 100,077 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
5,404 | Origin Energy Ltd. | 78,600 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
5,666 | QBE Insurance Group Ltd. | 70,351 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2,444 | Ramsay Health Care Ltd. | 48,044 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
6,534 | Rio Tinto Ltd. | 469,412 | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
15,947 | Sonic Healthcare Ltd. | 205,361 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
25,625 | Stockland | 86,614 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
11,702 | Suncorp-Metway Ltd. | 102,303 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
17,705 | TABCORP Holdings Ltd. |