Dear Shareholder:
The ING Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund (Fund) generated strongly positive performance for the six months ended June 30, 2006 with growth in the Net Asset Value (NAV) of +16.95%. The market return (share price appreciation plus dividends received) was 13.96%1 for the same period, slightly less because the discount to NAV at which the Fund trades widened slightly to 8.1% versus the discount at December 31, 2005. The closing price of the Fund on June 30th was $17.87 per share versus an NAV per share of $19.44. The Funds performance outperformed on both an NAV and market price basis the S&P/ Citigroup World Property Index (S&PWPI) and the Morgan Stanley REIT Preferred Index (MSRPI), which rose 12.43% and 2.40% respectively. A blended benchmark of 80% S&PWPI and 20% MSRPI rose 10.41% in the first six months of 2006. The Fund paid total dividends of $0.69 per share during the first six months of the year consisting of six regular monthly dividends of $0.115 per share. The annualized dividend of $1.38 per share equates to an 7.7% yield on share price and an 7.1% yield on NAV. | |
Total preferred stock and debt of the fund was $901 million (or 31% of the funds total assets), which is comfortably below the 35% leverage discussed in the Funds offering documents. We chose to lock in attractive longer-term rates on $400M by executing two interest rate swaps in May 2004. As of June 30th, the swaps had an average rate of 4.0% thus assuring an attractive low interest cost for the approximately 2-year remaining term on the swaps. | |
At June 30th, the Funds investments remained well-diversified by property type and geography with an investment bias towards those countries and companies which generate income via above average dividend yields. The Fund at June 30th was 44% in U.S. common stock, 13% in Continental Europe, 10% in Australia, 9% in Canada, 7% in the U.K., 5% in Asia and 12% in preferred stock of real estate companies (presently all U.S.). Though allowed to invest up to 30% in preferred stock of real estate companies, we chose to have significantly less exposure during the period which contributed to the Funds good absolute and relative performance as common stocks outperformed preferred stocks for the first part of the year. |
The best performing regions for the six months per the S&P/ Citigroup World Property Index, were Europe (+20.8%) followed by North America (+10.3%) and the Asia-Pacific region (5.3%). All three major countries in the Asia Pacific region underperformed: Japan (2.4%), Australia (3.9%), and Hong Kong (9.1%). The Japanese property stocks underperformed despite improving economic and property fundamentals: 1) projected 2006 real GDP was revised up from 1.8% to 2.4% in April during the Bank of Japans semi-annual review, 2) the jobless rate is the lowest in seven years at 4.1%, 3) vacancy rates in the five central wards have decreased to nearly 3.0%, and 4) average office rents continue to steadily rise. The Hong Kong property market reacted negatively to the prospect of continued rising interest rates as well as the attempt by the Chinese government to cool the housing market. Chinas State Council announced a six-point plan which it is gradually articulating, including an increase in down payments on housing from 20% to 30% as well as the imposition of capital gains taxes on second homes or primary homes held less than five years. | |
The Funds performance was helped by its allocations to Continental Europe (+21.8%), the United Kingdom (+19.5%), and the U.S. (+10.5%). The most notable story of the first half was the strong performance of the U.K. property stocks which responded well to positive announcements about the Treasurys proposals for REIT-enabling legislation to be enacted later this year. Strong security selection across all regions and within the allocation to preferred stocks helped drive the Funds outperformance for the period, especially in Asia-Pacific and North America. | |
Turnover in the Fund was low for the first six months as we feel the Fund is well positioned for the current environment. Trading was largely focused on redeploying the funds received from positions in three portfolio companies whose takeovers were consummated earlier this year: Amli Residential, Arden Realty, and Prentiss Properties. The Fund continues to benefit from M&A activity in the property sector as takeovers were announced in June and July for two other holdings in the Fund (Trizec Properties and Heritage Property Investment Trust), which have also positively impacted the NAV of the Fund. The announced privatizations continue a trend of marginal shrinkage in the supply of U.S. REIT stock. For the first half of 2006, there have been six M&A transactions announced |
($26.4 billion in value), including five privatizations with a gross value of $21.4 billion. Meanwhile, there have been no new Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in 2006 and only $4.5 billion in follow-on equity offerings year to date. Though the overall size of the U.S. REIT market (measured by market capitalization) is growing, the value of stock taken from the market via privatizations is over $30 billion more than the value of new stock issued during the last three years. The acquisitions serve to underpin the continued attractiveness of publicly traded property stocks in an investment environment characterized by growing interest in real estate. To many investors, real estate remains attractive versus other asset classes by virtue of its solid income return and good earnings growth potential. | |
Global property companies should continue to deliver positive performance for many reasons including strong funds flow, continued attractive relative dividend yields, and improving real estate market fundamentals driving accelerating earnings growth. The proliferation of REIT-type structures around the world has been a definite catalyst for the continued creation of new property companies around the world. The number of IPOs for real estate companies has increased in both Europe and Asia. The number of REITs is growing in Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. As the United Kingdom and German governments continue the legislative process for introducing REITs later this year or next, we have seen new property company listings in much of Europe. The advent of the REIT structure in both the U.K. and Germany should help expand representation of Europe in the publicly traded property company universe. Europe is currently underrepresented in the global universe, largely as the result of much of German property being owned by the open-end funds and institutions rather than public property companies. With one-third of Europes GDP and a public property company potential universe size exceeding U.S. $100 billion, German represents a significant potential opportunity. The fund is well positioned to take advantage of the increasing globalization of real estate. | |
We appreciate your continued faith and confidence. |
Sincerely,
T. Ritson Ferguson President and Chief Executive Officer |
Steven D. Burton Co-Portfolio Manager |
Index Definitions: | |
The S&P/ Citigroup World Property Index is unmanaged market-weighted total return index which consists of over 350 real estate companies from 18 developed markets with a free float total market capitalization of at least U.S. $100 million that derive more than 60% of their revenue from real estate development, management, rental and/or direct investment in physical property. | |
The Morgan Stanley REIT Preferred Index is a preferred stock market capitalization weighted index of all exchange traded preferred securities of equity REITS. |
1 | Market value total investment return does not take into effect open market purchases under the dividend reinvestment plan as required by generally accepted accounting principles. Such market value total investment return calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is disclosed in the financial highlights table of the semi-annual report. |
U.S. $ | ||||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Common Stock 123.9% | ||||||||
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) 123.9% | ||||||||
Australia 14.7% | ||||||||
29,967,000 | DB RREEF Trust | $ | 32,616,725 | |||||
34,035,794 | Investa Property Group | 55,378,279 | ||||||
14,384,178 | Macquarie CountryWide Trust | 19,449,834 | ||||||
11,059,530 | Macquarie Goodman Industrial Trust | 49,300,052 | ||||||
28,584,000 | Macquarie ProLogis Trust | 23,784,854 | ||||||
8,484,633 | Westfield Group | 109,242,362 | ||||||
289,772,106 | ||||||||
Canada 12.2% | ||||||||
1,761,900 | Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust | 40,637,294 | ||||||
464,700 | Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust | 10,216,631 | ||||||
500,000 | Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust | 5,013,038 | ||||||
748,500 | Dundee Real Estate Investment Trust | 18,980,038 | ||||||
884,800 | H&R Real Estate Investment Trust | 18,283,162 | ||||||
2,722,900 | InnVest Real Estate Investment Trust | 29,968,794 | ||||||
700,000 | Primaris Retail Real Estate Investment Trust | 10,228,397 | ||||||
879,900 | Retirement Residences Real Estate Investment Trust | 6,052,725 | ||||||
2,276,600 | RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust | 44,299,635 | ||||||
2,166,800 | Summit Real Estate Investment Trust | 49,878,680 | ||||||
691,000 | Sunrise Senior Living Real Estate Investment Trust | 6,368,807 | ||||||
239,927,201 | ||||||||
Finland 0.4% | ||||||||
773,000 | Sponda Oyj | 7,907,170 | ||||||
France 6.8% | ||||||||
403,500 | Societe de la Tour Eiffel | 47,724,003 | ||||||
489,478 | Unibail | 85,306,206 | ||||||
133,030,209 | ||||||||
Hong Kong 3.6% | ||||||||
35,700,000 | Agile Property Holdings Ltd. (a) | 21,373,117 | ||||||
12,988,000 | China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. | 7,901,159 | ||||||
8,133,000 | Hang Lung Properties Ltd. | 14,555,002 | ||||||
2,400,000 | Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. | 24,472,769 | ||||||
1,153,000 | The Link REIT(a) | 2,308,375 | ||||||
70,610,422 | ||||||||
Japan 3.3% | ||||||||
2,388 | Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp. | 18,800,682 | ||||||
1,025,000 | Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. | 21,788,479 | ||||||
668,000 | Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. | 14,521,104 | ||||||
934 | Nippon Building Fund, Inc. | 9,069,151 | ||||||
64,179,416 | ||||||||
Netherlands 11.4% | ||||||||
116,780 | Corio NV | 7,261,467 | ||||||
357,401 | Eurocommercial Properties NV | 13,691,441 | ||||||
1,136,730 | Nieuwe Steen Investments NV | 30,523,070 | ||||||
494,786 | Rodamco Europe NV | 48,493,235 | ||||||
417,161 | VastNed Retail NV | 33,871,078 | ||||||
934,400 | Wereldhave NV | 90,862,283 | ||||||
224,702,574 | ||||||||
United Kingdom 8.6% | ||||||||
1,167,200 | British Land Co. Plc | 27,265,581 | ||||||
1,209,242 | Hammerson Plc | 26,480,797 | ||||||
1,604,300 | Land Securities Group Plc | 53,232,167 | ||||||
853,400 | Liberty International Plc | 16,810,025 | ||||||
3,923,700 | Slough Estates Plc | 44,377,045 | ||||||
168,165,615 | ||||||||
United States 62.9% | ||||||||
115,300 | Acadia Realty Trust | 2,726,845 | ||||||
147,300 | AMB Property Corp. | 7,446,015 | ||||||
898,200 | American Campus Communities, Inc. | 22,320,270 | ||||||
289,000 | Apartment Investment & Management Co. Class A | 12,557,050 | ||||||
1,162,000 | Archstone-Smith Trust | 59,110,940 | ||||||
65,200 | AvalonBay Communities, Inc. | 7,212,424 | ||||||
322,500 | BNP Residential Properties, Inc. | 5,498,625 | ||||||
422,000 | Boston Properties, Inc. | 38,148,800 | ||||||
1,243,330 | Brandywine Realty Trust | 39,997,926 | ||||||
1,146,700 | Camden Property Trust | 84,339,785 | ||||||
1,231,800 | Cedar Shopping Centers, Inc. | 18,132,096 | ||||||
402,900 | Colonial Properties Trust | 19,903,260 | ||||||
570,700 | Commercial Net Lease Realty | 11,385,465 | ||||||
419,300 | Developers Diversified Realty Corp. | 21,879,074 | ||||||
532,600 | Equity Office Properties Trust | 19,445,226 | ||||||
1,208,500 | Extra Space Storage, Inc. | 19,626,040 | ||||||
87,000 | Federal Realty Investment Trust | 6,090,000 | ||||||
1,211,100 | First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. | 45,949,134 | ||||||
315,000 | Glenborough Realty Trust, Inc. | 6,785,100 | ||||||
1,151,600 | GMH Communities Trust | 15,178,088 | ||||||
675,000 | Gramercy Capital Corp. | 17,482,500 | ||||||
856,200 | Health Care REIT, Inc. | 29,924,190 | ||||||
2,697,530 | Heritage Property Investment Trust | 94,197,748 | ||||||
371,000 | Hersha Hospitality Trust | 3,446,590 | ||||||
308,000 | Hospitality Properties Trust | 13,527,360 | ||||||
941,484 | HRPT Properties Trust | 10,883,555 | ||||||
717,600 | iStar Financial, Inc. | 27,089,400 | ||||||
1,580,990 | Liberty Property Trust | 69,879,758 | ||||||
2,733,400 | Maguire Properties, Inc. | 96,133,678 |
U.S. $ | ||||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Common Stock (continued) | ||||||||
637,700 | Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. | $ | 35,551,775 | |||||
2,611,100 | Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. | 58,775,861 | ||||||
170,700 | New Plan Excel Realty Trust | 4,214,583 | ||||||
1,994,070 | OMEGA Healthcare Investors, Inc. | 26,361,605 | ||||||
297,000 | Pan Pacific Retail Properties, Inc. | 20,602,890 | ||||||
994,000 | Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust | 40,127,780 | ||||||
325,000 | ProLogis | 16,939,000 | ||||||
714,700 | Reckson Associates Realty Corp. | 29,574,286 | ||||||
364,700 | Regency Centers Corp. | 22,666,105 | ||||||
457,400 | SL Green Realty Corp. | 50,071,578 | ||||||
171,100 | Sovran Self Storage, Inc. | 8,690,169 | ||||||
1,144,100 | Spirit Finance Corp. | 12,882,566 | ||||||
466,900 | Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | 9,683,506 | ||||||
662,500 | The Macerich Co. | 46,507,500 | ||||||
500,300 | Trizec Properties, Inc. | 14,328,592 | ||||||
800,000 | Trustreet Properties, Inc. | 10,552,000 | ||||||
200,000 | U-Store-It Trust | 3,772,000 | ||||||
1,237,598,738 | ||||||||
Total Common Stock (cost $1,887,331,807) |
2,435,893,451 | |||||||
Master Limited Partnerships 0.6% | ||||||||
United States 0.6% | ||||||||
340,909 |
Verde Realty MLP (cost $11,249,997) |
11,249,997 | ||||||
Limited Liability Company 0.1% | ||||||||
United States 0.1% | ||||||||
37,879 |
Verde Realty LLC (cost $1,250,007) |
1,250,007 | ||||||
Preferred Stock 15.2% | ||||||||
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) 15.2% | ||||||||
United States 15.2% | ||||||||
125,800 | Affordable Residential Communities, Series A | 2,874,530 | ||||||
450,000 | Alexandria Real Estate Corp., Series C | 11,772,000 | ||||||
80,500 | Apartment Investment & Management Co., Series U | 1,980,300 | ||||||
400,000 | Apartment Investment & Management Co., Series V | 9,980,000 | ||||||
400,000 | Apartment Investment & Management Co., Series Y | 9,975,000 | ||||||
174,000 | Associated Estates Realty Corp. | 4,480,500 | ||||||
207,700 | Cedar Shopping Centers, Inc. | 5,445,894 | ||||||
125,000 | Digital Realty Trust, Inc., Series B | 2,968,750 | ||||||
200,800 | Duke Realty Corp., Series M | 4,929,640 | ||||||
126,800 | Eagle Hospitality Properties Trust, Inc., Series A | 3,100,260 | ||||||
337,500 | Equity Inns, Inc., Series C | 8,521,875 | ||||||
20,000 | FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc. | 490,000 | ||||||
430,700 | Glimcher Realty Trust, Series G | 10,767,500 | ||||||
520,000 | Health Care REIT, Inc., Series F | 13,067,600 | ||||||
905,600 | Host Marriot Corp, Series E | 24,451,200 | ||||||
222,600 | Innkeepers USA Trust, Series C | 5,498,220 | ||||||
1,015,000 | iStar Financial, Inc., Series I | 24,816,750 | ||||||
200,000 | LaSalle Hotel Properties | 4,760,000 | ||||||
523,200 | LaSalle Hotel Properties, Series E | 13,210,800 | ||||||
36,000 | LBA Realty Fund II WBP, Inc., Series A | 1,762,877 | ||||||
170,000 | LBA Realty Fund II WBP, Inc., Series B | 3,536,000 | ||||||
1,000,000 | LTC Properties, Inc., Series F | 24,940,000 | ||||||
291,800 | Maguire Properties, Inc., Series A | 7,207,460 | ||||||
200,000 | Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., Series H | 5,086,000 | ||||||
120,000 | OMEGA Healthcare Investors, Inc., Series D | 3,074,400 | ||||||
240,000 | RAIT Investment Trust, Series A | 5,724,000 | ||||||
160,000 | RAIT Investment Trust, Series B | 4,024,000 | ||||||
192,500 | SL Green Realty Corp., Series C | 4,716,250 | ||||||
200,000 | SL Green Realty Corp., Series D | 5,060,000 | ||||||
275,000 | Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (b) | 6,960,937 | ||||||
400,000 | Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc., Series B | 10,125,000 | ||||||
363,600 | Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc., Series C | 9,053,640 | ||||||
368,000 | Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc., Series A | 9,273,600 | ||||||
342,600 | Taubman Centers, Inc., Series G | 8,864,775 | ||||||
573,500 | Taubman Centers, Inc., Series H | 14,280,150 | ||||||
464,400 | Winston Hotels, Inc., Series B | 11,479,968 | ||||||
Total Preferred Stock (cost $297,976,476) |
298,259,876 | |||||||
Convertible Preferred Stock 1.7% | ||||||||
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) 1.7% | ||||||||
United States 1.7% | ||||||||
974,000 | FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc., Series A | 23,755,860 | ||||||
200,000 | Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust, 7.95%, Series C | 5,960,000 | ||||||
200,000 | Windrose Medical Properties Trust, 7.50%, Series A | 5,040,000 | ||||||
Total Convertible Preferred Stock (cost $32,130,721) |
34,755,860 | |||||||
U.S. $ | ||||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Investment Companies 2.9% | ||||||||
United Kingdom 2.9% | ||||||||
399,119 | Eurocastle Investment Ltd. | $ | 14,289,336 | |||||
15,495,600 | ING UK Real Estate Income Trust, Ltd. + | 32,887,224 | ||||||
4,620,000 | Insight Foundation Property Trust, Ltd. | 11,172,485 | ||||||
Total Investment Companies (cost $45,646,790) |
58,349,045 | |||||||
Total Investments 144.4% (cost $2,275,585,798) |
2,839,758,236 | |||||||
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (8.3%) | (163,367,280 | ) | ||||||
Preferred shares, at redemption value (36.1%) | (710,000,000 | ) | ||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares 100% (c) |
$ | 1,966,390,956 | ||||||
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | Securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2006, the securities amounted to $6,960,937 or 0.4% of net assets. |
(c) | Portfolio percentages are calculated based on net assets applicable to Common Shares. |
+ | Investments in companies considered to be an affiliate of the Trust (such companies are defined as Affiliated Companies in Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) were as follows: |
Dividend Income | ||||
Affiliate | Net Activity | (in Thousands) | ||
ING UK Real Estate Income Trust, Ltd.
|
| $780,266 |
Assets
|
||||||
Investments, at value (cost $2,248,079,652)
|
$ | 2,806,871,012 | ||||
Investment in affiliate (cost $27,506,146)
|
32,887,224 | |||||
Cash (including foreign currency of $809,082, a
cost of $825,694)
|
810,065 | |||||
Dividends receivable
|
18,316,728 | |||||
Unrealized appreciation on swap contracts
|
10,329,723 | |||||
Dividend withholding reclaims receivable
|
1,472,081 | |||||
Other assets
|
48,759 | |||||
Total Assets
|
2,870,735,592 | |||||
Liabilities
|
||||||
Line of credit payable
|
191,058,000 | |||||
Management fee payable
|
1,367,142 | |||||
Dividends payable preferred shares
|
848,410 | |||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
|
1,071,084 | |||||
Total Liabilities
|
194,344,636 | |||||
Preferred Shares, at redemption
value
|
||||||
$0.001 par value per share; 28,400 Auction
Preferred Shares authorized,
issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share liquidation preference |
710,000,000 | |||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common
Shares
|
$ | 1,966,390,956 | ||||
Composition of Net Assets Applicable to Common
Shares
|
||||||
Common Shares, $0.001 par value per share;
unlimited number of shares authorized, 101,161,287 shares issued and outstanding |
$ | 101,161 | ||||
Additional paid-in capital
|
1,439,286,634 | |||||
Distributions in excess of net investment income
|
(101,004,896 | ) | ||||
Accumulated net realized gain on investments,
swap contracts and foreign currency transactions |
53,411,407 | |||||
Net unrealized appreciation on investments,
swap contracts and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities |
574,596,650 | |||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common
Shares
|
$ | 1,966,390,956 | ||||
Net Asset Value Applicable to Common
Shares
|
||||||
(based on 101,161,287 common shares outstanding)
|
$ | 19.44 | ||||
Investment Income
|
||||||||||
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of
$4,936,462)
|
$ | 75,992,838 | ||||||||
Interest
|
4,450 | |||||||||
Total Investment Income
|
$ | 75,997,288 | ||||||||
Expenses
|
||||||||||
Management fees
|
11,657,096 | |||||||||
Interest expense on line of credit
|
3,793,851 | |||||||||
Auction agent fees preferred shares
|
895,980 | |||||||||
Administration fees
|
281,753 | |||||||||
Transfer agent fees
|
208,193 | |||||||||
Custodian fees
|
200,376 | |||||||||
Printing fees
|
167,674 | |||||||||
Insurance fees
|
90,612 | |||||||||
Audit fees
|
38,300 | |||||||||
Legal fees
|
36,415 | |||||||||
Trustees fees and expenses
|
35,056 | |||||||||
AMEX listing fee
|
7,438 | |||||||||
Rating agency fees
|
5,654 | |||||||||
Miscellaneous expenses
|
17,184 | |||||||||
Total Expenses
|
17,435,582 | |||||||||
Management fee waived
|
(3,428,558 | ) | ||||||||
Net Expenses
|
14,007,024 | |||||||||
Net Investment Income
|
61,990,264 | |||||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Investments, Swap Contracts and Foreign Currency
Transactions
|
||||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on:
|
||||||||||
Investments
|
29,624,474 | |||||||||
Swap contracts
|
1,251,044 | |||||||||
Foreign currency transactions
|
(90,350 | ) | ||||||||
30,785,168 | ||||||||||
Net change in unrealized
appreciation/depreciation on:
|
||||||||||
Investments
|
212,365,816 | |||||||||
Swap contracts
|
4,460,738 | |||||||||
Foreign currency denominated assets and
liabilities
|
162,713 | |||||||||
216,989,267 | ||||||||||
Net Gain on Investments, Swap Contracts and
Foreign Currency Transactions
|
247,774,435 | |||||||||
Dividends and Distributions on Preferred
Shares from
|
||||||||||
Net investment income
|
(16,507,128 | ) | ||||||||
Net Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares Resulting from Operations | $ | 293,257,571 | ||||||||
For the Six Months | |||||||||
Ended | For the Year | ||||||||
June 30, 2006 | Ended | ||||||||
(unaudited) | December 31, 2005 | ||||||||
Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares Resulting from Operations | |||||||||
Net investment income
|
$ | 61,990,264 | $ | 110,561,522 | |||||
Net realized gain on investments, swap contracts
and foreign currency transactions
|
30,785,168 | 28,137,989 | |||||||
Net change in unrealized
appreciation/depreciation on investments, swap contracts and
foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities
|
216,989,267 | 18,561,414 | |||||||
Dividends and distributions on Preferred Shares
from net investment income
|
(16,507,128 | ) | (23,717,912 | ) | |||||
Net increase in net assets applicable to Common
Shares resulting from operations
|
293,257,571 | 133,543,013 | |||||||
Dividends and Distributions on Common
Shares*
|
|||||||||
Distribution of net investment income
|
(69,801,288 | ) | (139,299,092 | ) | |||||
Distribution of capital gains
|
| (17,197,419 | ) | ||||||
Total dividends and distributions on Common Shares
|
(69,801,288 | ) | (156,496,511 | ) | |||||
Capital Share Transactions
|
|||||||||
Net proceeds from the issuance of Common Shares
|
| 88,896 | |||||||
Net increase from capital share transactions
|
| 88,896 | |||||||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
|
223,456,283 | (22,864,602 | ) | ||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common
Shares
|
|||||||||
Beginning of period
|
1,742,934,673 | 1,765,799,275 | |||||||
End of period (net of distributions in excess of
net investment income of $101,004,896 and $76,686,744,
respectively)
|
$ | 1,966,390,956 | $ | 1,742,934,673 | |||||
* | The final determination of the source of the 2006 distributions for tax purposes will be made after the Funds fiscal year. |
Cash Flows from Operating
Activities:
|
|||||||
Net increase in net assets applicable to Common
Shares resulting from operations
|
$ | 293,257,571 | |||||
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Increase in Net
Assets Applicable to Common Shares Resulting From Operations to
Net Cash Used in Operating and Investing Activities:
|
|||||||
Increase in unrealized appreciation on swap
contracts
|
(4,460,738 | ) | |||||
Net change in unrealized
appreciation/depreciation on investments
|
(212,365,816 | ) | |||||
Net realized gain on investments
|
(29,624,474 | ) | |||||
Cost of long-term securities purchased
|
(244,191,999 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from sale of long-term securities
|
186,175,400 | ||||||
Decrease in receivable for investment securities
sold
|
79,596,319 | ||||||
Decrease in dividends receivable
|
371,847 | ||||||
Increase in reclaims receivable
|
(364,568 | ) | |||||
Decrease in other assets
|
81,904 | ||||||
Decrease in payable for investment securities
purchased
|
(82,350,731 | ) | |||||
Increase in management fee payable
|
79,158 | ||||||
Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities
|
479,543 | ||||||
Net Cash Used in Operating and Investing
Activities
|
(13,316,584 | ) | |||||
Cash Flows from Financing
Activities:
|
|||||||
Cash distributions paid on Common Shares
|
(69,801,288 | ) | |||||
Increase in line of credit payable
|
71,596,000 | ||||||
Increase in dividends payable
preferred shares
|
38,241 | ||||||
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
|
1,832,953 | ||||||
Net decrease in cash
|
(11,483,631 | ) | |||||
Cash at Beginning of Period
|
12,293,696 | ||||||
Cash at End of Period
|
$ | 810,065 | |||||
For the | ||||||||||||||
Six Months | For the Period | |||||||||||||
Ended | For the | February 18, 2004(1) | ||||||||||||
June 30, 2006 | Year Ended | through | ||||||||||||
Per share operating performance for a Common Share | (unaudited) | December 31, 2005 | December 31, 2004 | |||||||||||
outstanding throughout the period | ||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$ | 17.23 | $ | 17.46 | $ | 14.33(2 | ) | |||||||
Income from investment operations
|
||||||||||||||
Net investment income(3)
|
0.61 | 1.09 | 0.84 | |||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments,
swap contracts and
foreign currency transactions |
2.45 | 0.46 | 3.12 | |||||||||||
Dividends and distributions on Preferred Shares
from net investment income
(common stock equivalent basis) |
(0.16 | ) | (0.23 | ) | (0.08 | ) | ||||||||
Total from investment operations
|
2.90 | 1.32 | 3.88 | |||||||||||
Dividends and distributions on Common
Shares
|
||||||||||||||
Net investment income
|
(0.69 | ) | (1.38 | ) | (0.75 | ) | ||||||||
Capital gains
|
| (0.17 | ) | | ||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions to Common
Shareholders
|
(0.69 | ) | (1.55 | ) | (0.75 | ) | ||||||||
Net asset value, end of period
|
$ | 19.44 | $ | 17.23 | $ | 17.46 | ||||||||
Market value, end of period
|
$ | 17.87 | $ | 16.30 | $ | 15.21 | ||||||||
Total investment
return(5)
|
||||||||||||||
Net asset value
|
16.95 | % | 8.13 | % | 28.20 | %(4) | ||||||||
Market value
|
13.89 | % | 18.32 | % | 7.16 | %(4) | ||||||||
Ratios and supplemental data
|
||||||||||||||
Net assets, applicable to Common Shares, end of
period (thousands)
|
$ | 1,966,391 | $ | 1,742,935 | $ | 1,765,799 | ||||||||
Ratios to average net assets applicable to Common
Shares of:
|
||||||||||||||
Net expenses, after fee waiver+
|
1.48 | %(6) | 1.34 | % | 1.17 | %(6) | ||||||||
Net expenses, before fee waiver+
|
1.84 | %(6) | 1.71 | % | 1.53 | %(6) | ||||||||
Net investment income, after preferred share
dividends
|
4.80 | %(6) | 5.11 | % | 6.20 | %(6) | ||||||||
Preferred share dividends
|
1.74 | %(6) | 1.39 | % | 0.66 | %(6) | ||||||||
Net investment income, before preferred share
dividends +
|
6.54 | %(6) | 6.50 | % | 6.86 | %(6) | ||||||||
Ratios to average net assets applicable to
Common & Preferred Shares of:
|
||||||||||||||
Net expenses, after fee waiver+
|
1.02 | %(6) | 0.91 | % | 0.82 | %(6) | ||||||||
Net expenses, before fee waiver+
|
1.27 | %(6) | 1.16 | % | 1.07 | %(6) | ||||||||
Net investment income, after preferred share
dividends
|
3.32 | %(6) | 3.45 | % | 4.35 | %(6) | ||||||||
Preferred share dividends
|
1.20 | %(6) | 0.94 | % | 0.46 | %(6) | ||||||||
Net investment income, before preferred share
dividends +
|
4.52 | %(6) | 4.39 | % | 4.81 | %(6) | ||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate
|
6.74 | % | 21.79 | % | 21.54 | % | ||||||||
Leverage analysis:
|
||||||||||||||
Preferred shares, at redemption value, ($25,000
per share liquidation preference)
(thousands) |
$ | 710,000 | $ | 710,000 | $ | 710,000 | ||||||||
Net asset coverage per share of preferred shares
|
$ | 94,239 | $ | 86,368 | $ | 87,176 |
(1) | Commencement of operations. |
(2) | Net asset value at February 18, 2004. |
(3) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(4) | Total investment return on net asset value is calculated assuming a purchase at the offering price of $15.00 (less $0.675 sales load) per share paid by the initial shareholder on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of the period reported. Total investment return based upon market value is calculated assuming a purchase of Common Shares at the then-current market price of $15.00 on February 25, 2004 (initial public offering). |
(5) | Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions. A return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. Dividends and distributions are assumed to be reinvested at the prices obtained under the Trusts Dividend Reinvestment Plan. |
(6) | Annualized. |
+ | Does not reflect the effects of dividends to Preferred Shareholders. |
1. Fund Organization
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Securities Valuation The net asset value of the common shares of the Trust will be computed based upon the value of the Trusts portfolio securities and other assets. The Trust calculates net asset value per common share by subtracting the Trusts liabilities (including accrued expenses, dividends payable and any borrowings of the Trust) and the liquidation value of any outstanding preferred shares from the Trusts total assets (the value of the securities the Trust holds, plus cash or other assets, including interest accrued but not yet received) and dividing the result by the total number of common shares of the Trust outstanding. Net asset value per common share will be determined as of the close of the regular trading session (usually 4:00 p.m., EST) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each business day on which the NYSE is open for trading.
For purposes of determining the net asset value of the Trust, readily marketable portfolio assets traded principally on an exchange, or on a similar regulated market reporting contemporaneous transaction prices, are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price for such assets on such principal markets on the business day on which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day, then the security is valued by such method as the Trusts board of trustees (the Board) shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Readily marketable assets not traded on such a market are valued at the current bid prices provided by dealers or other sources approved by the Board, including pricing services when such prices are believed by the Board to reflect the fair market value of such assets. The prices provided by a pricing service take into account institutional size trading in similar groups of assets and any developments related to specific assets. Foreign securities are valued based upon quotations from the primary market in which they are traded and are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. In addition, if quotations are not readily available, or if the values have been materially affected by events occurring after the closing of a foreign market, assets may be valued by another method that the Board of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair value. Other assets are valued at fair value by or pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board.
Short-term securities which mature in more than 60 days are valued at current market quotations. Short-term securities, which mature in 60 days or less are valued at, amortized cost, which approximates market value.
Foreign Currency Translation The books and records of the Trust are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:
(i) | market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities at the current rates of exchange; | |
(ii) | purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses at the rate of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. |
Although the net assets of the Trust are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of each fiscal period, the Trust does not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term securities held at the end of the fiscal period. Similarly, the Trust does not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of portfolio securities sold during the fiscal period. Accordingly, realized foreign currency gains or losses will be included in the reported net realized gains or losses on investment transactions.
Net realized gains or losses on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains or losses from the holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade date and settlement date on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Trusts books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains or losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets or liabilities (other than investments) at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments and foreign currencies.
Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of domestic origin as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of political or economic instability, or the level of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets.
Forward Exchange Currency Contracts The Trust may enter into forward exchange currency contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on it foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for investment purposes. A forward exchange currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contracts and the closing of such contracts would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.
Fluctuations in the value of open forward exchange currency contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation by the Trust.
The Trusts custodian will place and maintain cash not available for investment or other liquid assets in a separate account of the Trust having a value at least equal to the aggregate amount of the Trusts commitments under forward exchange currency contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.
Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars, reflects the total exposure the Trust has in that particular currency contract. As of June 30, 2006, the Trust did not hold any forward exchange currency contracts.
Securities Transactions and Investment Income Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received from investments in REITs are recorded as dividend income on ex-dividend date, subject to reclassification upon notice of the character of such distributions by the issuer. The portion of dividend attributable to the return of capital is recorded against the cost basis of the security. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends are recorded net of reclaimable amounts, at the time the related income is earned. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income, including accretion of original issue discount, where applicable, and accretion of discount on short-term investments, is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost.
Swaps The Trust may enter into swap agreements. A swap is an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. The Trust enters into interest rate swap agreements to manage its exposure to interest rate and credit risk. Interest rate swap agreements involve the exchange by the Trust with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest. Dividends and interest on the securities in the swap are included in the value of the exchange. The swaps are valued daily at current market value and any unrealized gain or loss is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gain or loss is realized on the termination date of the swap and is equal to the difference between the Trusts basis in the swap and the proceeds of the closing transaction, including any fees. During the period that the swap agreement is open, the Trust may be subject to risk from the potential inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the agreement. The swaps involve elements of both market and credit risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
The Trust entered into interest rate swap agreements for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Details of the swap agreements outstanding as of June 30, 2006 were as follows:
Notional | ||||||||||||||||||||
Termination | Amount | Fixed | Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||
Counterparty | Date | (000) | Rate | Floating Rate | Appreciation | |||||||||||||||
Citigroup
|
07/01/2007 | $ | 200,000 | 3.68% | 1 Month LIBOR | $ | 3,877,463 | |||||||||||||
Royal Bank of Canada
|
07/01/2009 | 200,000 | 4.32% | 1 Month LIBOR | 6,452,260 | |||||||||||||||
$ | 10,329,723 | |||||||||||||||||||
For each swap noted, the Trust pays a fixed rate and receives a floating rate.
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid on a monthly basis. Distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are normally distributed in December. Income dividends and capital gain distributions to common shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. To the extent the Trusts net realized capital gains, if any, can be offset by capital loss carryforwards, it is the policy of the Trust not to distribute such gains.
The current monthly rate is $0.115 per share. The Trust continues to evaluate its monthly distribution policy in light of ongoing economic and market conditions and may change the amount of the monthly distributions in the future.
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 at the date of financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
3. Concentration of Risk
4. Investment Management Agreement and Other Agreements
payable monthly in arrears at an annual rate equal to 0.85% of the average weekly value of the Trusts managed assets plus certain direct and allocated expenses of the Advisor incurred on the Trusts behalf. The Advisor has agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in the amount of 0.25% of the average weekly values of the Trusts managed assets for the first five years of the Trusts operations (through February, 2009), and for a declining amount for an additional four years (through February, 2013). During the six months ended June 30, 2006, the Trust incurred management fees of $8,228,538, which are net of $3,428,558 in management fees waived by the Advisor.
The Trust has multiple service agreements with The Bank of New York (BNY). Under the servicing agreements, BNY will perform custodial, fund accounting, certain administrative services, and transfer agency services for the Trust. As custodian, BNY is responsible for the custody of the Trusts assets. As administrator, BNY is responsible for maintaining the books and records of the Trusts securities and cash. As transfer agent, BNY is responsible for performing transfer agency services for the Trust.
5. Portfolio Securities
In 2005, the Trust received 303,030 in call options for Verde Realty MLP in connection with its purchase of shares in Verde Realty MLP. These options expire in August 2006 at $33.00 per share. There were no dollars expended for acquiring these options and there is no value to the options at June 30, 2006.
In 2006, the Trust received 1,623,500 in warrants for China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. in connection with its purchase of shares in China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. These warrants expire in July 2007 at 4.50HKD (Hong Kong Dollars) per share. There were no dollars expended for acquiring these warrants and there is no value to the warrants at June 30, 2006.
6. Federal Income Taxes
The Trust distinguishes between dividends on a tax basis and on a financial reporting basis and only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a tax return of capital. Differences in the recognition or classification of income between the financial statements and tax earnings and profits which result in temporary over-distributions for financial statement purposes are classified as distributions in excess of net investment income or accumulated net realized gains in the components of net assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
In order to present paid-in capital in excess of par and accumulated net realized gains or losses on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities that more closely represent their tax character, certain adjustments have been made to additional paid-in capital, undistributed net investment income and accumulated net realized gains or losses on investments. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the adjustments were to increase accumulated net realized gain on investments by $7,174,320,and decrease undistributed net investment income by $7,174,320 due to the difference in the treatment for book and tax purposes of certain investments.
The final determination of the source of the 2006 distributions for tax purposes will be made after the end of the Trusts fiscal year and will be reported to shareholders in January 2007 on Form 1099-DIV.
Currency losses incurred after October 31, 2005 (post-October losses) within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Trusts next taxable year. The Trust incurred and elected to defer net currency losses during 2005 in the amount of $641,237.
Information on the components of net assets as of June 30, 2006 is as follows:
Gross | Gross | Net Unrealized | ||||||||||||||
Cost of | Unrealized | Unrealized | Appreciation | |||||||||||||
Investments | Appreciation | Depreciation | on Investments | |||||||||||||
$ | 2,275,585,798 | $576,031,813 | $(11,859,375 | ) | $564,172,438 | |||||||||||
For the year ended December 31, 2005, the tax character of distributions paid, as reflected in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets, was $163,017,004 of ordinary income and $17,197,419 of long-term capital gain.
7. Borrowings
The Trust has access to a secured line of credit up to $250,000,000 from BNY for borrowing purposes. Borrowings under this arrangement bear interest at the Federal funds rate plus 50 basis points. At June 30, 2006, there was an outstanding borrowing of $191,058,000 in connection with the Trusts line of credit. The average daily amount of borrowings during the six months ended June 30, 2006 was $143,764,219, with a related weighted average interest rate of 5.18%. The maximum amount outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2006, was $211,960,900.
8. Capital
6,000,000 common shares of the Trust pursuant to the over-allotment option. On April 8, 2004, the underwriters purchased 5,000,000 additional common shares of the Trust pursuant to the over-allotment option. In connection with the Trusts DRIP plan, the Trust did not issue any common shares in 2005 and issued 154,306 common shares in 2004. At June 30, 2006, the Trust had outstanding common shares of 101,161,287 with a par value of $0.001 per share. The Advisor owned 6,981 shares of the common shares outstanding.
On February 26, 2004, the Trusts Board authorized the issuance of preferred shares, in addition to the existing common shares, as part of its leverage strategy. Preferred shares issued by the Trust have seniority over the common shares.
The Trust issued 4,000 shares of Preferred Shares Series T28A, 4,000 shares of Preferred Shares Series W28B, 4,000 shares of Preferred Shares Series T28C, 4,000 shares of Preferred Shares Series W28D, 6,200 shares of Preferred Shares Series T7 and 6,200 shares of Preferred Shares Series W7, each with a liquidation value of $25,000 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. Dividends will be accumulated daily at an annual rate set through auction procedures. Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, will be paid annually.
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, the annualized dividend rates ranged from:
High | Low | At June 30, 2006 | ||||||||||||
Series T28A | 5.30 | % | 4.36 | % | 5.30 | % | ||||||||
Series W28B | 5.00 | 4.37 | 5.00 | |||||||||||
Series T28C | 5.14 | 4.38 | 5.14 | |||||||||||
Series W28D | 5.20 | 4.24 | 5.20 | |||||||||||
Series T7 | 5.25 | 4.15 | 5.25 | |||||||||||
Series W7 | 5.21 | 3.96 | 5.21 | |||||||||||
The Trust is subject to certain limitations and restrictions while preferred shares are outstanding. Failure to comply with these limitations and restrictions could preclude the Trust from declaring any dividends or distributions to common shareholders or repurchasing common shares and/or could trigger the mandatory redemption of preferred shares at their liquidation value.
The holders of preferred shares have voting rights equal to the holders of common shares (one vote per share) and will vote together with holders of common shares as a single class. However, holders of preferred shares, voting as a separate class, are also entitled to elect two Trustees. In addition, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, requires that, along with approval by shareholders that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding preferred shares, voting separately as a class, would be required to (a) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the preferred shares, (b) change a Trusts sub-classification as a closed-end investment company or change its fundamental investment restrictions and (c) change the nature of its business so as to cease to be an investment company.
9. Indemnifications
Result of Shareholder Votes
With regard to the election of the following Trustee by preferred shareholders of the Fund:
Number of Shares | Number of Shares | |||
In Favor | Withheld | |||
Jarrett B. Kling
|
23,775.000 | 143.000 |
With regard to the election of the following Trustee by preferred and common shareholders of the Fund:
Number of Shares | Number of Shares | |||
In Favor | Withheld | |||
Asuka Nakahara
|
92,306,005.762 | 899,228.428 |
The other Trustees of the Fund whose terms did not expire in 2006 are John Bartholdson, T. Ritson Ferguson, Frederick S. Hammer and Richard L. Sutton.
Trustees
Number of | ||||||||||||
Portfolios in | ||||||||||||
the Fund | ||||||||||||
Term of Office | Principal Occupations | Complex | Other Directorships | |||||||||
Name, Address | and Length of | During The Past | Overseen | Held by | ||||||||
and Age | Time Served(1) | Title | Five Years | by Trustee | Trustee | |||||||
Interested Trustees: | ||||||||||||
T. Ritson Ferguson* 259 N. Radnor-Chester Road Radnor, PA 19087 Age: 47 |
1 year/since inception | Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer | Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of ING Clarion Real Estate Securities, L.P. since 1995. | 2 | Board member of the Community Coalition of Chester County (since 2005). | |||||||
Jarrett B. Kling* 259 N. Radnor-Chester Road Radnor, PA 19087 Age: 63 |
2 years/since inception | Trustee | Managing Director of ING Clarion Real Estate Securities, L.P., member of the Investment Advisory Committee of the TDH Group of venture funds. | 2 | Trustee of The Hirtle and Callaghan Trust (1995 to present); National Trustee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (1997 to present); Board of Old Mutual Advisor Funds (since 2005). | |||||||
Independent Trustees: | ||||||||||||
Asuka Nakahara 259 N. Radnor-Chester Road Radnor, PA 19087 Age: 50 |
2 years/since inception | Trustee | Associate Director of the Zell-Lurie Real Estate Center at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, since July 1999; Lecturer of Real Estate at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; Chief Financial Officer of Trammell Crow Co, from January 1, 1996 to September 1, 1998; Chief Knowledge Officer of Trammell Crow Co. from September 1, 1998 to December 31, 1999. | 2 | Serves on the Advisory board of the HBS Club of Philadelphia (2000-present) and the board of The Philadelphia Foundation (2004-present). | |||||||
Frederick S. Hammer 259 N. Radnor-Chester Road Radnor, PA 19087 Age: 70 |
1 year/since inception | Trustee | Co-Chairman of Inter-Atlantic Group since 1994 and a member of its investment committee; Co-Chairman of Guggenheim Securities Holdings, LLC from 2002 to 2003; non-executive. | 2 | Chairman of the Board of Annuity and Life Re (Holdings), Ltd. (1998 to present); Director on the Boards of Tri-Arc Financial Services, Inc. (1989- 2004) and Magellan Insurance Co., Ltd. (1995-2004); former Director of Medallion Financial Corp. (1999-2002), IKON Office Solutions, Inc. (1986-1999) and VISA International (1978-1989); trustee of the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club (1978 to present). | |||||||
Richard L. Sutton 259 N. Radnor-Chester Road Radnor, PA 19087 Age: 71 |
3 years/since inception | Trustee | Of Counsel, Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell, 2000 to present; Partner, Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnel, 1966-2000. | 2 | Trustee of the Unidel Foundation, Inc. (since 2000); Board of Directors of Wilmington Country Club (1999-2004), Grand Opera House, Inc., (1976-1992), University of Delaware Library Associates, Inc. (1981-1999), Wilmington Club (1987-2003), American Judicature Society (1995-1999). | |||||||
Number of | ||||||||||||
Portfolios in | ||||||||||||
the Fund | ||||||||||||
Term of Office | Principal Occupations | Complex | Other Directorships | |||||||||
Name, Address | and Length of | During The Past | Overseen | Held by | ||||||||
and Age | Time Served(1) | Title | Five Years | by Trustee | Trustee | |||||||
John Bartholdson 259 N. Radnor-Chester Road Radnor, PA 19087 Age: 61 |
3 years/1 year | Trustee/Audit Committee Financial Expert | Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer, and a Director of Triumph Group, Inc., 1993-present. | 2 | Serves on the Board of Old Mutual Advisor Funds, Old Mutual Advisor Funds II and Old Mutual Insurance Series Fund (since 2004); and the Philadelphia/Washington Advisory Board of FM Global (since 2004). |
(1) | After a Trustees initial term, each Trustee is expected to serve a three-year term concurrent with the class of Trustees for which he serves. Messrs. Sutton and Bartholdson, as a Class III Trustees, are expected to stand for re-election at the Trusts 2007 annual meeting of shareholders; Messrs. Ferguson and Hammer, as Class I Trustees, are expected to stand for re-election at the Trusts 2008 annual meeting of shareholders; Messrs. Kling and Nakahara, as Class II Trustees, are expected to stand for re-election at the Trusts 2009 annual meeting of shareholders. |
* | Messrs. Ferguson and Kling are deemed to be interested persons of the Trust as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, due to their positions with the Advisor. |
Officers
Name, Address, Age | Principal Occupations | |||
and Position(s) Held | Length of Time | During the Past | ||
with Registrant | Served | Five Years and Other Affiliations | ||
Officers: | ||||
Jonathan A. Blome 259 N. Radnor-Chester Road Radnor, PA 19087 Age: 29 Chief Financial Officer |
since 2006 | Vice President of ING Clarion Real Estate Securities, L.P. since 2005 | ||
Heather Trudel 259 N. Radnor-Chester Road Radnor, PA 19087 Age: 35 Secretary |
since inception | Director of ING Clarion Real Estate Securities, L.P. since 1995 |
Additional Information
The Trust has delegated the voting of the Trusts voting securities to the Trusts advisor pursuant to the proxy voting policies and procedures of the advisor. You may obtain a copy of these policies and procedures by calling 1-888-711-4272. The policies may also be found on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (http://www.sec.gov).
Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies for portfolio securities, if applicable, during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, is also available, without charge and upon request by calling the Trust at 1-888-711-4272 or by accessing the Trusts Form N-PX on the Commissions website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Trusts Form N-Q are available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. The Trusts Form N-Q may also be viewed and copied at the Commissions Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
Pursuant to the Trusts Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan), shareholders of the Trust are automatically enrolled, to have all distributions of dividends and capital gains reinvested by The Bank of New York (the Plan Agent) in the Trusts shares pursuant to the Plan. You may elect not to participate in the Plan and to receive all dividends in cash by sending written instructions or by contacting The Bank of New York, as dividend disbursing agent, at the address set forth below. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by contacting the Plan Agent before the dividend record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. Shareholders who do not participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash paid by check and mailed directly to the shareholders of record (or if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to the nominee) by the Plan Agent, which serves as agent for the shareholders in administering the Plan.
After the Trust declares a dividend or determines to make a capital gain distribution, the Plan Agent will acquire shares for the participants account, depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of unissued but authorized shares from the Trust (newly issued shares) or (ii) by open market purchases. If, on the dividend payment date, the NAV is equal to or less than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition being referred to herein as market premium), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in newly issued shares on behalf of the participants. The number of newly issued shares to be credited to each participants account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the NAV on the date the shares are issued. However, if the NAV is less than 95% of the market price on the payment date, the dollar amount of the dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date. If, on the dividend payment date, the NAV is greater than the market value per share plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition being referred to herein as market discount), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired on behalf of the participants in open-market purchases.
The Plan Agents fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be paid by the Trust. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agents open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve participants of any Federal income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions.
The Trust reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan; however, the Trust reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. Participants that request a sale of shares through the Plan Agent are subject to a $2.50 sales fee and a $0.15 per share sold brokerage commission. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at The Bank of New York, Attention: Stock Transfer Department, P.O. Box 11258, New York, NY 10286-1258; Phone number: (800) 432-8224.
ING Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund |
Fund Information | |
Board of Trustees | |
T. Ritson Ferguson | |
Jarrett B. Kling | |
Asuka Nakahara | |
Frederick S. Hammer | |
Richard L. Sutton | |
John Bartholdson | |
Officers | |
T. Ritson Ferguson | |
President and | |
Chief Executive Officer | |
Jonathan A. Blome | |
Chief Financial Officer | |
Heather Trudel | |
Secretary | |
Investment Advisor | |
ING Clarion Real Estate Securities, L.P. | |
259 N. Radnor-Chester Road | |
Radnor, PA 19087 | |
Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent | |
The Bank of New York | |
New York, New York | |
Preferred Shares Dividend Paying Agent | |
The Bank of New York | |
New York, New York | |
Legal Counsel | |
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP | |
Washington, DC | |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |
Ernst & Young LLP | |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
(Registrant)
|
ING Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund | |||
By:
|
/s/ T. Ritson Ferguson | |||
Name:
|
T. Ritson Ferguson | |||
Title:
|
President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
Date:
|
August 28 2006 | |||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. | ||||
By:
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/s/ T. Ritson Ferguson | |||
Name:
|
T. Ritson Ferguson | |||
Title:
|
President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
Date:
|
August 28, 2006 | |||
By:
|
/s/ Jonathan A. Blome | |||
Name:
|
Jonathan A. Blome | |||
Title:
|
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | |||
Date:
|
August 28, 2006 |