e497
The
information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to
sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy
these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
|
Subject
To Completion
Preliminary Prospectus Supplement Dated June 18,
2008
Filed
pursuant to Rule 497(c) under
the Securities Act of 1933, As Amended
File No. 333-146095
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated February 12, 2008)
Shares
Tortoise Energy Infrastructure
Corporation
Common Stock
We are offering approximately 1,600,000 shares of our
common stock. We seek to provide our stockholders with an
efficient vehicle to invest in a portfolio of publicly traded
master limited partnerships (MLPs) in the energy
infrastructure sector. Our investment objective is to seek a
high level of total return with an emphasis on current
distributions paid to stockholders. We are a nondiversified,
closed-end management investment company. This prospectus
supplement, together with the accompanying prospectus dated
February 12, 2008, sets forth the information that you
should know before investing.
Our currently outstanding shares of common stock are, and the
shares offered in this prospectus supplement and accompanying
prospectus will be, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol TYG. The last reported sale price of our
common stock on June 17, 2008 was $32.03 per share. The net
asset value per share of our common stock at the close of
business on June 17, 2008 was $30.15.
Investing in our common stock involves risks that are
described in the Risk Factors section beginning on
page 30 of the accompanying prospectus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Share
|
|
Total
|
|
Public offering price
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
Underwriting discount
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
Proceeds, before offering expenses, to
us(1)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
The aggregate offering expenses are estimated to be
$ , all of which will be borne by us
|
We have granted the underwriter the option to purchase up to an
additional shares
of common stock from us at the public offering price, less the
underwriting discount, to cover overallotments, if any, within
45 days from the date of this prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any State
Securities Commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or
accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The shares will be ready for delivery on or about
June ,
2008.
Merrill Lynch &
Co.
The date of this prospectus supplement is
June , 2008.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
|
|
S-1
|
|
|
|
|
S-4
|
|
|
|
|
S-5
|
|
|
|
|
S-7
|
|
|
|
|
S-12
|
|
|
|
|
S-14
|
|
|
|
|
S-14
|
|
|
Prospectus
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
63
|
|
You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus and in the statement of additional
information. We have not, and the underwriter has not,
authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We
are not making an offer of these securities where the offer is
not permitted. The information appearing in this prospectus
supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in the statement of
additional information is accurate only as of the dates on their
respective covers. Our business, financial condition and
prospects may have changed since such dates. We will advise
investors of any material changes to the extent required by
applicable law.
i
CAUTIONARY
NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the
statement of additional information contain forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the
words may, will, intend,
expect, estimate, continue,
plan, anticipate, and similar terms and
the negative of such terms. Such forward-looking statements may
be contained in this prospectus supplement as well as in the
accompanying prospectus. By their nature, all forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results
could differ materially from those contemplated by the
forward-looking statements. Several factors that could
materially affect our actual results are the performance of the
portfolio of securities we hold, the conditions in the
U.S. and international financial, petroleum and other
markets, the price at which our shares will trade in the public
markets and other factors discussed in our periodic filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).
Although we believe that the expectations expressed in our
forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could
differ materially from those projected or assumed in our
forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and
results of operations, as well as any forward-looking
statements, are subject to change and are subject to inherent
risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in the
Risk Factors section of the prospectus accompanying
this prospectus supplement. All forward-looking statements
contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying prospectus are made as of the
date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying
prospectus, as the case may be. Except for our ongoing
obligations under the federal securities laws, we do not intend,
and we undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking
statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are
excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
1933 Act).
Currently known risk factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from our expectations include, but are not
limited to, the factors described in the Risk
Factors section of the prospectus accompanying this
prospectus supplement. We urge you to review carefully that
section for a more complete discussion of the risks of an
investment in our common stock.
ii
PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
This summary contains basic information about us but does not
contain all of the information that is important to your
investment decision. You should read this summary together with
the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this
prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus and in the
statement of additional information, especially the information
set forth under the heading Risk Factors beginning
on page 30 of the accompanying prospectus.
The
Company
We seek to provide our stockholders with an efficient vehicle to
invest in a portfolio of publicly traded master limited
partnerships (MLPs) in the energy infrastructure
sector. Our investment objective is to seek a high level of
total return with an emphasis on current distributions paid to
stockholders. For purposes of our investment objective, total
return includes capital appreciation of, and all distributions
received from, securities in which we invest regardless of the
tax character of the distributions. Similar to the tax
characterization of distributions made by MLPs to unitholders, a
significant portion of our distributions to stockholders are
expected to be treated as a return of capital to stockholders.
We are a nondiversified, closed-end management investment
company. We commenced operations in February 2004 following our
initial public offering. We were the first publicly traded
investment company offering access to a portfolio of MLPs. Since
that time, we completed six additional offerings of common
stock. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we have
$135 million of preferred stock, consisting of two series
designated as Money Market Cumulative Preferred
(MMP®)
Shares (MMP Shares) and two series designated as
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares (collectively with
the MMP Shares, the Tortoise Preferred Shares),
outstanding. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we
have $110 million of Auction Rate Senior Notes and
$150 million private placement Senior Notes (collectively
with the Auction Rate Senior Notes, the Tortoise
Notes) outstanding. We may borrow from time to time using
our unsecured credit facility. As of the date of this prospectus
supplement, we had $24.7 million outstanding under our
credit facility. We have a fiscal year ending November 30.
We expect to distribute substantially all of our distributable
cash flow (DCF) to holders of common stock through
quarterly distributions. DCF is the amount we receive as cash or
paid-in-kind
distributions from MLPs or their affiliates, and interest
payments received on debt securities owned by us, less current
or anticipated operating expenses, taxes on our taxable income,
and leverage costs paid by us (including leverage costs of the
Tortoise Notes and Tortoise Preferred Shares). Our Board of
Directors adopted a policy to target distributions to common
stockholders in an amount of at least 95% of DCF on an annual
basis.
Investment
Adviser
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. (the Adviser)
serves as our investment adviser. The Adviser specializes in
managing portfolios of investments in MLPs and other energy
companies. The Adviser was formed in October 2002 to provide
portfolio management services to institutional and
high-net-worth
investors seeking professional management of their MLP
investments. As of May 31, 2008, the Adviser had
approximately $2.8 billion of client assets under
management. The Advisers investment committee is comprised
of five portfolio managers. See Management of the
Company in the accompanying prospectus.
The principal business address of the Adviser is 11550 Ash
Street, Suite 300, Leawood, Kansas 66211.
S-1
The
Offering
|
|
|
Common stock offered |
|
shares |
|
Shares outstanding after the offering |
|
shares |
|
Use of proceeds |
|
We estimate that our net proceeds from this offering after
expenses without exercise of the overallotment option will be
approximately $ million. We intend
to use these net proceeds to retire a portion of our short-term
debt outstanding under our credit facility, redeem outstanding
senior securities, acquire equity portfolio securities in
pursuit of our investment objective and policies or for working
capital purposes. See Use of Proceeds. |
|
Risk factors |
|
See Risk Factors and other information included in
the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of factors you
should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of
our common stock. |
|
NYSE symbol |
|
TYG |
|
Stockholder transaction expenses: |
|
|
|
Sales load (as a percentage of offering price) |
|
%
|
|
Offering expenses borne by us (as a percentage of
offering price) |
|
%
|
|
Dividend reinvestment plan
fees(1) |
|
None |
The number of shares outstanding after the offering assumes the
underwriters overallotment option is not exercised. If the
overallotment option is exercised in full, we will issue and
sell an
additional shares.
This example replaces the example as set forth on page 8 of
the accompanying prospectus.
Example:
The following example illustrates the expenses that common
stockholders would pay on a $1,000 investment in common stock
assuming (1) a sales load of %
and offering expenses of % of the
offering price in year 1; (2) total annual expenses
of % of net assets attributable to
common shares in year 1 and increasing
to % in years 2 through 10;
(3) a 5% annual return; and (4) all distributions are
reinvested at NAV:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10 Years
|
|
|
Total Expenses Paid by Common
Stockholders(2)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
The example should not be considered a representation of
future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than
those assumed. Moreover, our actual rate of return may be
greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the
example.
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Stockholders will pay a transaction fee plus brokerage charges
if they direct the Plan Agent to sell common stock held in a
dividend reinvestment account. See Automatic Dividend
Reinvestment Plan in the accompanying prospectus. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes deferred income tax expense. |
Recent
Developments
On March 4, 2008, the Company fully redeemed its
Series C Tortoise Notes in the amount of $55 million.
On March 21, 2008, the Company entered into an extension of
its unsecured credit facility. The amended credit agreement
provides for a revolving credit facility of up to
$92.5 million that can be increased to $160 million if
certain conditions are met. The amended credit facility
terminates on March 20, 2009.
S-2
On April 10, 2008, the Company issued in a private offering
an aggregate principal amount of $150 million of
Series E Senior Notes (the Series E Tortoise
Notes). The Series E Tortoise Notes have a fixed
coupon of 6.11% and are due and payable on April 10, 2015.
We used all of the net proceeds (approximately
$149.4 million) of the issuance of the Series E
Tortoise Notes to retire a portion of our credit facility,
redeem all of our Series D Senior Notes and redeem a
portion of both our Series III MMP Shares and
Series IV MMP Shares.
On April 25, 2008, the Company fully redeemed Series D
Tortoise Notes in the amount of $70 million.
On April 30, 2008 and May 28, 2008, the Company
partially redeemed Series IV MMP Shares in the amounts of
$15 million and $10 million, respectively. On
May 1, 2008 and May 29, 2008, the Company partially
redeemed Series III MMP Shares in the amounts of
$15 million and $10 million, respectively.
On June 2, 2008, the Company paid a distribution in the
amount of $0.5575 per common share, for a total of $11,503,944.
Of this total, the dividend reinvestment amounted to $1,460,178.
Recent
Auction Market Developments
The markets for auction rate securities have continued to
experience a number of failed auctions, including ours. A failed
auction results when there are not enough bidders in the auction
at rates below the maximum rate as prescribed by the terms of
the security. When an auction fails, the rate is automatically
set at the maximum rate. A failed auction does not cause an
acceleration of, or otherwise have any impact on, outstanding
principal amounts due, or in the case of preferred stock, the
securitys liquidation preference. In the case of our
outstanding auction rate securities, the maximum rate under the
terms of those securities has been two hundred percent (and
could be up to three hundred percent depending on the ratings of
the security being auctioned) of the greater of: (i) the
applicable AA Composite Commercial Paper Rate or the applicable
Treasury Index Rate or (ii) the applicable LIBOR.
As a result of the developments in the auction markets, we have
taken steps to reduce our exposure to the uncertainty and
volatility of the auction markets, including extending the rate
periods of certain series of senior notes and preferred stock,
redeeming preferred stock and refinancing our auction rate
securities with privately placed term notes. Our current
leverage structure is set forth in the capitalization table
beginning on
page S-5.
S-3
USE OF
PROCEEDS
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering
of approximately $ million
after deducting the underwriting discount and our estimated
offering expenses, or
$ million if the underwriter
exercises its overallotment option in full.
We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to retire a
portion of our short-term debt outstanding under our credit
facility, redeem outstanding senior securities, acquire equity
portfolio securities in pursuit of our investment objective and
policies or for working capital purposes. Outstanding balances
under our credit facility generally accrue interest at a
variable annual rate equal to one-month LIBOR plus 0.75%. As of
the date of this prospectus supplement, the current rate is
3.23%. The credit facility remains in effect through
March 20, 2009, and we may draw on the facility from time
to time in accordance with our investment policies, to refinance
a portion of our outstanding leverage and for working capital
purposes. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we had
$24,700,000 outstanding under our credit facility.
S-4
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization: (i) as
of February 29, 2008, (ii) pro forma to reflect
short-term investments, the subsequent borrowing under our
credit facility through June 18, 2008, the redemption of
all our Series C Tortoise Notes ($55 million aggregate
principal amount) on March 4, 2008, the issuance of
$150 million aggregate principal amount of Series E
Tortoise Notes on April 10, 2008, the redemption of all of
our Series D Tortoise Notes ($70 million aggregate
principal amount) on April 25, 2008, the redemption of a
portion of our Series III MMP Shares ($25 million
aggregate liquidation preference) on May 1, 2008 and
May 29, 2008, the redemption of a portion of our
Series IV MMP Shares ($25 million aggregate
liquidation preference) on April 30, 2008 and May 28,
2008 and the issuance of 94,134 shares of common stock pursuant
to our dividend reinvestment plan on March 3, 2008 and
June 2, 2008; and (iii) pro forma as adjusted to give
effect to the issuance of the common shares offered hereby. As
indicated below, common stockholders will bear the offering
costs associated with this offering.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma as
|
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
Short-Term Investments
|
|
$
|
55,779,214
|
|
|
$
|
499,104
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Short-Term Debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unsecured credit facility:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$92,500,000
available(1)
|
|
|
34,700,000
|
|
|
|
24,700,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tortoise Notes, denominations of $25,000 or any multiple
thereof(2)
|
|
|
235,000,000
|
|
|
|
260,000,000
|
|
|
|
260,000,000
|
|
Preferred Stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tortoise Preferred Shares, $25,000 stated value per share
at liquidation; 10,000,000 shares authorized/7,400 (5,400
pro forma; 5,400 pro forma as adjusted) shares issued and
outstanding(2)
|
|
|
185,000,000
|
|
|
|
135,000,000
|
|
|
|
135,000,000
|
|
Common Stockholders Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share;
100,000,000 shares authorized; 20,587,891 (20,682,025 pro
forma; pro
forma as adjusted) shares
outstanding(2)
|
|
|
20,588
|
|
|
|
20,682
|
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
400,185,805
|
|
|
|
403,101,517
|
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
Accumulated net investment loss, net of income taxes
|
|
|
(25,511,662
|
)
|
|
|
(25,511,662
|
)
|
|
|
(25,511,662
|
)
|
Undistributed realized gain, net of income taxes
|
|
|
38,780,422
|
|
|
|
38,780,422
|
|
|
|
38,780,422
|
|
Net unrealized gain on investments and interest rate swap
contracts, net of income taxes
|
|
|
224,273,937
|
|
|
|
224,273,937
|
|
|
|
224,273,937
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common stock
|
|
$
|
637,749,090
|
|
|
$
|
640,664,896
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
We have an unsecured credit facility with U.S. Bank, N.A. and a
lending syndicate that allows us to borrow up to
$92.5 million that can be increased to $160 million if
certain conditions are met. The amended credit facility expires
on March 20, 2009. As of the date of this prospectus
supplement, we had $24.7 million outstanding under our
credit facility. |
footnotes continued on the following page
S-5
|
|
|
(2) |
|
None of these outstanding shares/notes are held by us or for our
account. |
|
(3) |
|
Pro forma as adjusted common stock reflects the issuance
of shares
of our common stock offered hereby
($ ). |
|
(4) |
|
Pro forma as adjusted additional paid-in capital reflects the
proceeds of the issuance of the shares of common stock offered
hereby ($ ), less $0.001 par
value per share of common stock
($ ), less the underwriting
discount ($ ) and less the
estimated offering expenses borne by us
($ ) related to the issuance of the
shares of common stock in this offering. |
S-6
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS
Information contained in the table below under the heading
Per Common Share Data and Supplemental Data
and Ratios shows our per common share operating
performance. Except when noted, the information in this table is
derived from our financial statements audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, whose report on such financial
statements is contained in our 2007 Annual Report and
incorporated by reference into the statement of additional
information, both of which are available from us upon request.
The information for the period from December 1, 2007
through February 29, 2008 appears in our unaudited interim
financial statements as of February 29, 2008 as filed with
the SEC in our most recent stockholder report for the period
ended February 29, 2008. See Available
Information in the accompanying prospectus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
December 1,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 27,
2004(1)
|
|
|
|
2007 through
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
through
|
|
|
|
February 29,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Common Share
Data(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
32.96
|
|
|
$
|
31.82
|
|
|
$
|
27.12
|
|
|
$
|
26.53
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Public offering price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25.00
|
|
Underwriting discounts and offering costs on issuance of common
and preferred
stock(3)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
(1.23
|
)
|
Premiums less underwriting discounts and offering costs on
offerings(4)
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment
loss(5)(6)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.61
|
)
|
|
|
(0.32
|
)
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on
investments(5)(6)
|
|
|
(1.17
|
)
|
|
|
4.33
|
|
|
|
7.41
|
|
|
|
2.67
|
|
|
|
3.77
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total increase (decrease) from investment operations
|
|
|
(1.28
|
)
|
|
|
3.72
|
|
|
|
7.09
|
|
|
|
2.51
|
|
|
|
3.74
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Distributions to Preferred Stockholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
(0.39
|
)
|
|
|
(0.23
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to preferred stockholders
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
(0.39
|
)
|
|
|
(0.23
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Distributions to Common Stockholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
(0.56
|
)
|
|
|
(2.19
|
)
|
|
|
(2.02
|
)
|
|
|
(1.79
|
)
|
|
|
(0.97
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to common stockholders
|
|
|
(0.56
|
)
|
|
|
(2.19
|
)
|
|
|
(2.02
|
)
|
|
|
(1.79
|
)
|
|
|
(0.97
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S-7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
December 1,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 27,
2004(1)
|
|
|
|
2007 through
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
through
|
|
|
|
February 29,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, end of period
|
|
$
|
30.98
|
|
|
$
|
32.96
|
|
|
$
|
31.82
|
|
|
$
|
27.12
|
|
|
$
|
26.53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per common share market value, end of period
|
|
$
|
31.78
|
|
|
$
|
32.46
|
|
|
$
|
36.13
|
|
|
$
|
28.72
|
|
|
$
|
27.06
|
|
Total Investment Return Based on Market
Value(7)
|
|
|
(0.34
|
)%
|
|
|
(4.43
|
)%
|
|
|
34.50
|
%
|
|
|
13.06
|
%
|
|
|
12.51
|
%
|
Supplemental Data and Ratios
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common stockholders, end of period
(000s)
|
|
$
|
637,749
|
|
|
$
|
618,412
|
|
|
$
|
532,433
|
|
|
$
|
404,274
|
|
|
$
|
336,553
|
|
Ratio of expenses (including current and deferred income tax
(benefit) expense) to average net assets before
waiver(8)(9)(10)
|
|
|
(4.39
|
)%
|
|
|
11.19
|
%
|
|
|
20.03
|
%
|
|
|
9.10
|
%
|
|
|
15.20
|
%
|
Ratio of expenses (including current and deferred income tax
(benefit) expense) to average net assets after
waiver(8)(9)(10)
|
|
|
(4.59
|
)%
|
|
|
11.00
|
%
|
|
|
19.81
|
%
|
|
|
8.73
|
%
|
|
|
14.92
|
%
|
Ratio of expenses (excluding current and deferred income tax
(benefit) expense) to average net assets before
waiver(8)(9)(11)
|
|
|
5.18
|
%
|
|
|
4.75
|
%
|
|
|
3.97
|
%
|
|
|
3.15
|
%
|
|
|
2.01
|
%
|
Ratio of expenses (excluding current and deferred income tax
(benefit) expense) to average net assets after
waiver(8)(9)(11)
|
|
|
4.98
|
%
|
|
|
4.56
|
%
|
|
|
3.75
|
%
|
|
|
2.78
|
%
|
|
|
1.73
|
%
|
Ratio of expenses (excluding current and deferred income tax
(benefit) expense), without regard to non-recurring
organizational expenses, to average net assets before
waiver(8)(9)(11)
|
|
|
5.18
|
%
|
|
|
4.75
|
%
|
|
|
3.97
|
%
|
|
|
3.15
|
%
|
|
|
1.90
|
%
|
S-8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
December 1,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 27,
2004(1)
|
|
|
|
2007 through
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
through
|
|
|
|
February 29,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses (excluding current and deferred income tax
(benefit) expense), without regard to non-recurring
organizational expenses, to average net assets after
waiver(8)(9)(11)
|
|
|
4.98
|
%
|
|
|
4.56
|
%
|
|
|
3.75
|
%
|
|
|
2.78
|
%
|
|
|
1.62
|
%
|
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets before
waiver(8)(9)(11)
|
|
|
(3.14
|
)%
|
|
|
(3.24
|
)%
|
|
|
(2.24
|
)%
|
|
|
(1.42
|
)%
|
|
|
(0.45
|
)%
|
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets after
waiver(8)(9)(11)
|
|
|
(2.94
|
)%
|
|
|
(3.05
|
)%
|
|
|
(2.02
|
)%
|
|
|
(1.05
|
)%
|
|
|
(0.17
|
)%
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets
after current and deferred income tax benefit (expense), before
waiver(8)(9)(10)
|
|
|
6.43
|
%
|
|
|
(9.68
|
)%
|
|
|
(18.31
|
)%
|
|
|
(7.37
|
)%
|
|
|
(13.37
|
)%
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets
after current and deferred income tax benefit (expense), after
waiver(8)(9)(10)
|
|
|
6.63
|
%
|
|
|
(9.49
|
)%
|
|
|
(18.09
|
)%
|
|
|
(7.00
|
)%
|
|
|
(13.65
|
)%
|
Portfolio turnover
rate(8)
|
|
|
3.80
|
%
|
|
|
9.30
|
%
|
|
|
2.18
|
%
|
|
|
4.92
|
%
|
|
|
1.83
|
%
|
Short-Term Borrowings, end of period (000s)
|
|
$
|
34,700
|
|
|
$
|
38,050
|
|
|
$
|
32,450
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Debt Obligations, end of period (000s)
|
|
$
|
235,000
|
|
|
$
|
235,000
|
|
|
$
|
165,000
|
|
|
$
|
165,000
|
|
|
$
|
110,000
|
|
Preferred Stock, end of period (000s)
|
|
$
|
185,000
|
|
|
$
|
185,000
|
|
|
$
|
70,000
|
|
|
$
|
70,000
|
|
|
$
|
35,000
|
|
Per common share amount of long-term debt obligations
outstanding, end of period
|
|
$
|
11.41
|
|
|
$
|
12.53
|
|
|
$
|
9.86
|
|
|
$
|
11.07
|
|
|
$
|
8.67
|
|
Per common share amount of net assets, excluding long-term debt
obligations, end of period
|
|
$
|
42.39
|
|
|
$
|
45.49
|
|
|
$
|
41.68
|
|
|
$
|
38.19
|
|
|
$
|
35.21
|
|
Asset coverage, per $1,000 of principal amount of long-term debt
obligations and short-term
borrowings(12)
|
|
$
|
4,051
|
|
|
$
|
3,942
|
|
|
$
|
4,051
|
|
|
$
|
3,874
|
|
|
$
|
4,378
|
|
S-9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
December 1,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 27,
2004(1)
|
|
|
|
2007 through
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
through
|
|
|
|
February 29,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset coverage ratio of long-term debt obligations and
short-term
borrowings(12)
|
|
|
405
|
%
|
|
|
394
|
%
|
|
|
405
|
%
|
|
|
387
|
%
|
|
|
438
|
%
|
Asset coverage, per $25,000 liquidation value per share of
preferred
stock(13)
|
|
$
|
111,182
|
|
|
$
|
108,569
|
|
|
$
|
215,155
|
|
|
$
|
169,383
|
|
|
$
|
265,395
|
|
Asset coverage, per $25,000 liquidation value per share of
preferred
stock(14)
|
|
$
|
60,064
|
|
|
$
|
58,752
|
|
|
$
|
74,769
|
|
|
$
|
68,008
|
|
|
$
|
83,026
|
|
Asset coverage ratio of preferred
stock(14)
|
|
|
240
|
%
|
|
|
235
|
%
|
|
|
299
|
%
|
|
|
272
|
%
|
|
|
332
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Commencement of operations. |
|
(2) |
|
Information presented relates to one share of common stock
outstanding for the entire period. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents the dilution per common share from underwriting and
other offering costs for the period from December 1, 2007
through February 29, 2008. Represents the issuance of
preferred stock for the year ended November 30, 2007.
Represents the dilution per common share from underwriting and
other offering costs for the year ended November 30, 2006.
Represents the issuance of preferred stock for the year ended
November 30, 2005. Represents $(1.17) and $(0.06) for the
issuance of common and preferred stock, respectively, for the
period from February 27, 2004 through November 30,
2004. |
|
(4) |
|
Represents the premium on the shelf offering of $0.12 per share,
less the underwriting and offering costs of $0.10 per share for
the period from December 1, 2007 through February 29,
2008. Represents the premium on the shelf offerings of $0.21 per
share, less the underwriting and offering costs of $0.13 per
share for the year ended November 30, 2007. The amount is
less than $0.01 per share, and represents the premium on the
secondary offering of $0.14 per share, less the underwriting
discounts and offering costs of $0.14 per share for the year
ended November 30, 2005. |
|
(5) |
|
The per common share data for the periods ended
February 29, 2008 and November 30, 2006, 2005 and
2004, do not reflect the change in estimate of investment income
and return of capital for the respective period. |
|
(6) |
|
The per common share data for the period from December 1,
2007 through February 29, 2008 reflects the cumulative
effect of adopting FIN 48. See Note 5 to the financial
statements in our most recent stockholder report filed with the
SEC for the period ended February 29, 2008 for further
disclosure. |
|
(7) |
|
Not annualized. Total investment return is calculated assuming a
purchase of common stock at the market price on the first day
(or initial public offering price) and a sale at the current
market price on the last day of the period reported (excluding
brokerage commissions). The calculation also assumes
reinvestment of distributions at actual prices pursuant to the
Companys dividend reinvestment plan. |
|
(8) |
|
Annualized for periods less than one full year. |
|
(9) |
|
The expense ratios and net investment income (loss) ratios do
not reflect the effect of distributions to preferred
stockholders. |
|
(10) |
|
For the period from December 1, 2007 through
February 29, 2008, the Company accrued $15,054,654 for
current tax expense and $29,537,264 for deferred income tax
benefit. The Company accrued $42,516,321, $71,661,802,
$24,659,420 and $30,330,018 for the years ended
November 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and for the period from
February 27, 2004 through November 30, 2004,
respectively, for current and deferred income tax expense. |
footnotes continued on the following page
S-10
|
|
|
(11) |
|
The ratio excludes the impact of current and deferred income
taxes. |
|
(12) |
|
Represents value of total assets less all liabilities and
indebtedness not represented by long-term debt obligations,
short-term borrowings and preferred stock at the end of the
period divided by long-term debt obligations and short-term
borrowings outstanding at the end of the period. |
|
(13) |
|
Represents value of total assets less all liabilities and
indebtedness not represented by preferred stock at the end of
the period divided by preferred stock outstanding at the end of
the period, assuming the retirement of all long-term debt
obligations and short-term borrowings. |
|
(14) |
|
Represents value of total assets less all liabilities and
indebtedness not represented by long-term debt obligations,
short-term borrowings and preferred stock at the end of the
period divided by long-term debt obligations, short-term
borrowings and preferred stock outstanding at the end of the
period. |
S-11
UNDERWRITING
We intend to offer our shares of common stock through Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
(Merrill Lynch). Subject to the terms and conditions
described in an underwriting agreement between us and Merrill
Lynch, we have agreed to sell to Merrill Lynch, and Merrill
Lynch has agreed to purchase from us, all the shares being
offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement.
We have agreed to indemnify Merrill Lynch against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act, or
to contribute to payments Merrill Lynch may be required to make
in respect of those liabilities; provided that such
indemnifications shall not extend to any liability or action
resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct or
reckless disregard of applicable obligations and duties of the
underwriter.
Merrill Lynch is offering the shares of common stock, subject to
prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by it,
subject to approval of legal matters by its counsel, including
the validity of the shares, and other conditions contained in
the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the
underwriter of officers certificates and legal opinions.
The underwriter reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify
offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.
Commissions
and Discounts
The underwriter has advised us that it proposes initially to
offer the shares to the public at the public offering price on
the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to dealers at
that price less a concession not in excess of
$ per share. The underwriter may
allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of
$ per share to other dealers.
The following table shows the per share and total public
offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before
offering expenses to us. The information assumes either no
exercise or full exercise by the underwriter of the
overallotment option.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Share
|
|
|
Without Option
|
|
|
With Option
|
|
|
Public offering price
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Underwriting discount
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Proceeds, before offering expenses, to us
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
The expenses of the offering are estimated to be
$ , all of which will be borne by
us.
Investors must pay for any shares purchased in this offering on
or before June , 2008.
Overallotment
Option
We have granted an option to the underwriter to purchase up to
an
additional shares
at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The
underwriter may exercise this option for 45 days from the
date of this prospectus supplement solely to cover any
overallotments. If the underwriter exercises this option, it
will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the
purchase agreement, to purchase such additional shares of common
stock, and we will be obligated, pursuant to that option, to
sell these shares of common stock to the underwriter.
Lock-Up
Agreement
We have agreed not to offer or sell any additional common stock
for a period of 60 days after the date of the underwriting
agreement without first obtaining the written consent of Merrill
Lynch, except for the sale of common stock to Merrill Lynch
pursuant to the underwriting agreement or common stock issued
pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan. Specifically, we
have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or
indirectly:
|
|
|
|
|
offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any common stock;
|
|
|
|
sell any option or contract to purchase any common stock;
|
|
|
|
purchase any option or contract to sell any common stock;
|
|
|
|
grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of any common
stock;
|
|
|
|
otherwise dispose of or transfer any common stock;
|
|
|
|
file a registration statement related to the common
stock; or
|
S-12
|
|
|
|
|
enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole
or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any common
stock, whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by
delivery of shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise.
|
New York
Stock Exchange Listing
Our currently outstanding shares of common stock are, and the
shares of common stock sold pursuant to this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus will be, listed on
the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TYG.
Price
Stabilization, Short Positions
Until the distribution of the shares is completed, SEC rules may
limit the underwriter from bidding for and purchasing our common
stock. However, the underwriter may engage in transactions that
stabilize the price of the common stock, such as bids or
purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.
In connection with the offering, the underwriter may purchase
and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions
may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover
positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions.
Short sales involve the sale by the underwriter of a greater
number of shares than it is required to purchase in the
offering. Covered short sales are sales made in an
amount not greater than the underwriters option to
purchase additional shares in the offering. The underwriter may
close out any covered short position by either exercising its
overallotment option or purchasing shares in the open market. In
determining the source of shares to close out the covered short
position, the underwriter will consider, among other things, the
price of shares available for purchase in the open market as
compared to the price at which it may purchase shares through
the overallotment option. Naked short sales are
sales in excess of the overallotment option. The underwriter
must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in
the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be
created if the underwriter is concerned that there may be
downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open
market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who
purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of
various bids for or purchases of shares of common stock made by
the underwriter in the open market prior to the completion of
the offering.
Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters
purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect
of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock
or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our
common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be
higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open
market.
Neither we nor the underwriter makes any representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that
the transactions described above may have on the price of the
common stock. In addition, neither we nor the underwriter makes
any representation that the underwriter will engage in these
transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will
not be discontinued without notice.
Electronic
Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares
In connection with the offering, the underwriter or securities
dealers may distribute this prospectus supplement and
accompanying prospectus by electronic means, such as
e-mail. In
addition, Merrill Lynch will be facilitating Internet
distribution for this offering to certain of its Internet
subscription customers. Merrill Lynch intends to allocate a
limited number of shares for sale to its online brokerage
customers. An electronic prospectus supplement and accompanying
prospectus is available on the Internet web site maintained by
Merrill Lynch. Other than the prospectus supplement and
accompanying prospectus in electronic format, the information on
the Merrill Lynch web site is not part of this prospectus
supplement and accompanying prospectus.
Other
Relationships
The underwriter and its affiliates have engaged in, and may in
the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial
dealings in the ordinary course of business with us. The
underwriter has received customary fees and commissions for
these transactions.
S-13
LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered
hereby will be passed upon for us by Vedder Price P.C.
(Vedder Price), Chicago, Illinois. Certain legal
matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be
passed upon for the underwriter by Andrews Kurth LLP
(Andrews Kurth), New York, New York. Vedder Price
and Andrews Kurth may rely on the opinion of Venable LLP,
Baltimore, Maryland, on certain matters of Maryland law.
WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, and are required to file
reports, including annual and semi-annual reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC. We voluntarily
file quarterly shareholder reports. Our most recent shareholder
report filed with the SEC is for the period ended
February 29, 2008 and is incorporated by reference into our
statement of additional information. These documents are
available on the SECs EDGAR system and can be inspected
and copied for a fee at the SECs public reference room,
100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Additional information about the
operation of the public reference room facilities may be
obtained by calling the SEC at
(202) 551-5850.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do
not contain all of the information in our registration
statement, including amendments, exhibits, and schedules.
Statements in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus about the contents of any contract or other document
are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is
made to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an
exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement being
qualified in all respects by this reference.
Additional information about us can be found on our
Advisers website at www.tortoiseadvisors.com and in our
registration statement (including amendments, exhibits, and
schedules) on
Form N-2
filed with the SEC. Information included on our Advisers
website does not form part of this prospectus supplement. The
SEC maintains a web site
(http://www.sec.gov)
that contains our registration statement, other documents
incorporated by reference, and other information we have filed
electronically with the SEC, including proxy statements and
reports filed under the Exchange Act.
The address of the underwriter is: Merrill Lynch &
Co., 4 World Financial Center, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New
York 10080.
S-14
|
|
Base
Prospectus |
|
$375,000,000
Tortoise Energy
Infrastructure Corporation
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corporation (the
Company, we or our) is a
nondiversified, closed-end management investment company. Our
investment objective is to seek a high level of total return
with an emphasis on current distributions paid to stockholders.
We seek to provide our stockholders with an efficient vehicle to
invest in a portfolio of publicly traded master limited
partnerships (MLPs) in the energy infrastructure
sector. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 90% of
our total assets (including assets obtained through leverage) in
securities of energy infrastructure companies and invest at
least 70% of our total assets in equity securities of MLPs. We
cannot assure you that we will achieve our investment objective.
Unlike most investment companies, we have not elected to be
treated as a regulated investment company under the Internal
Revenue Code.
We may offer, on an immediate, continuous or delayed basis, up
to $375,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of our common
stock ($0.001 par value per share), preferred stock
($0.001 par value per share) or debt securities, which we
refer to in this prospectus collectively as our securities, in
one or more offerings. We may offer our common stock, preferred
stock and debt securities separately or together, in amounts, at
prices and on terms set forth in a prospectus supplement to this
prospectus. In addition, from time to time, certain of our
stockholders may offer our common stock in one or more
offerings. The sale of such stock by certain of our stockholders
may involve shares of common stock that were issued to the
stockholders in one or more private transactions and will be
registered by us for resale. The identity of any selling
stockholder, the number of shares of our common stock to be
offered by such selling stockholder, the price and terms upon
which our shares of common stock are to be sold from time to
time by such selling stockholder, and the percentage of common
stock held by any selling stockholder after the offering, will
be set forth in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. You
should read this prospectus and the related prospectus
supplement carefully before you decide to invest in any of our
securities.
We may offer our securities, or certain of our stockholders may
offer our common stock, directly to one or more purchasers,
through agents that we or they designate from time to time, or
to or through underwriters or dealers. The prospectus supplement
relating to the particular offering will identify any agents or
underwriters involved in the sale of our securities, and will
set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or
discount arrangement between us or any selling stockholder and
such agents or underwriters or among the underwriters or the
basis upon which such amount may be calculated. For more
information about the manner in which we may offer our
securities, or a selling stockholder may offer our common stock,
see Plan of Distribution and Selling
Stockholders. Our securities may not be sold through
agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a prospectus
supplement.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol TYG. As of February 12, 2008, the
last reported sale price for our common stock was $34.10.
Investing in our securities involves certain
risks. You could lose some or all of your investment.
See Risk Factors beginning on page 30 of this
prospectus. You should consider carefully these risks together
with all of the other information contained in this prospectus
and any prospectus supplement before making a decision to
purchase our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
Prospectus dated February 12, 2008
This prospectus, together with any prospectus supplement, sets
forth concisely the information that you should know before
investing. You should read the prospectus and prospectus
supplement, which contain important information, before deciding
whether to invest in our securities. You should retain the
prospectus and prospectus supplement for future reference. A
statement of additional information, dated February 12,
2008, as supplemented from time to time, containing additional
information, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and is incorporated by reference in
its entirety into this prospectus. You may request a free copy
of the statement of additional information, the table of
contents of which is on page 63 of this prospectus, request
a free copy of our annual, semi-annual and quarterly reports,
request other information or make stockholder inquiries, by
calling toll-free 1-866-362-9331 or by writing to us at 10801
Mastin Boulevard, Suite 222, Overland Park, Kansas 66210.
Our annual, semi-annual and quarterly reports and the statement
of additional information also are available on our investment
advisers website at www.tortoiseadvisors.com.
Information included on our website does not form part of this
prospectus. You can review and copy documents we have filed at
the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.
Call 1-202-551-5850 for information. The SEC charges a fee for
copies. You can get the same information free from the
SECs website
(http://www.sec.gov).
You may also
e-mail
requests for these documents to publicinfo@sec.gov or make a
request in writing to the SECs Public Reference Section,
100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580,
Washington, D.C. 20549.
Our securities do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and
are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured
depository institution and are not federally insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board
or any other government agency.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
63
|
|
You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any related
prospectus supplement in making your investment decisions. We
have not authorized any other person to provide you with
different or inconsistent information. If anyone provides you
with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely
on it. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement do not
constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy
any securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is
not permitted. The information appearing in this prospectus and
in any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the dates on
their covers. Our business, financial condition and prospects
may have changed since such dates. We will advise investors of
any material changes to the extent required by applicable
law.
i
CAUTIONARY
NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the
statement of additional information contain
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements can be identified by the words may,
will, intend, expect,
estimate, continue, plan,
anticipate, and similar terms and the negative of
such terms. Such forward-looking statements may be contained in
this prospectus as well as in any accompanying prospectus
supplement. By their nature, all forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ
materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking
statements. Several factors that could materially affect our
actual results are the performance of the portfolio of
securities we hold, the conditions in the U.S. and
international financial, petroleum and other markets, the price
at which our shares will trade in the public markets and other
factors discussed in our periodic filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the SEC).
Although we believe that the expectations expressed in our
forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could
differ materially from those projected or assumed in our
forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and
results of operations, as well as any forward-looking
statements, are subject to change and are subject to inherent
risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in the
Risk Factors section of this prospectus. All
forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus
supplement are made as of the date of this prospectus or the
accompanying prospectus supplement, as the case may be. Except
for our ongoing obligations under the federal securities laws,
we do not intend, and we undertake no obligation, to update any
forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements
contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus
supplement are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided
by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the 1933 Act).
Currently known risk factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from our expectations include, but are not
limited to, the factors described in the Risk
Factors section of this prospectus. We urge you to review
carefully that section for a more detailed discussion of the
risks of an investment in our securities.
ii
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
The following summary contains basic information about us and
our securities. It is not complete and may not contain all of
the information you may want to consider. You should review the
more detailed information contained in this prospectus and in
any related prospectus supplement and in the statement of
additional information, especially the information set forth
under the heading Risk Factors beginning on
page 30 of this prospectus.
The
Company
We seek to provide our stockholders with an efficient vehicle to
invest in a portfolio of publicly traded master limited
partnerships (MLPs) in the energy infrastructure
sector. Our investment objective is to seek a high level of
total return with an emphasis on current distributions paid to
stockholders. For purposes of our investment objective, total
return includes capital appreciation of, and all distributions
received from, securities in which we invest regardless of the
tax character of the distributions. Similar to the tax
characterization of distributions made by MLPs to unitholders, a
significant portion of our distributions have been and are
expected to continue to be treated as a return of capital to
stockholders.
We are a nondiversified, closed-end management investment
company. We commenced operations in February 2004 following our
initial public offering. We were the first publicly traded
investment company offering access to a portfolio of MLPs. Since
that time, we completed five additional offerings of common
stock in December 2004, August 2006, December 2006, March 2007
and December 2007. As of the date of this prospectus, we have
outstanding $185 million of auction rate preferred stock
(Tortoise Preferred Shares), consisting of two
series designated as Money Market Cumulative Preferred Shares
(MMP
Shares®)
and two series designated as Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
In addition, we have outstanding $235 million of Auction
Rate Senior Notes (Tortoise Notes) and have entered
into an unsecured revolving credit facility with U.S. Bank
N.A. serving as a lender and the lending syndicate agent on
behalf of other lenders participating in the credit facility,
which currently allows us to borrow up to $150,000,000. Our
fiscal year ends on November 30.
Investment
Adviser
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C., a registered investment
adviser specializing in managing portfolios of investments in
MLPs and other energy companies, serves as our investment
adviser (the Adviser). As of December 31, 2007,
the Adviser managed assets of over $2.9 billion in the
energy sector, including the assets of four publicly traded and
two privately held closed-end management investment companies,
and separate accounts for institutions and high net worth
individuals. The Advisers investment committee is
comprised of five portfolio managers. See Management of
the Company.
The principal business address of the Adviser is 10801 Mastin
Boulevard, Suite 222, Overland Park, Kansas 66210.
The
Offering
We may offer, on an immediate, continuous or delayed basis, up
to $375,000,000 of our securities, or certain of our
stockholders who purchased shares from us in private placement
transactions may offer our common stock, on terms to be
determined at the time of the offering. Our securities will be
offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more
prospectus supplements to this prospectus. Subject to certain
conditions, we may offer our common stock at prices below our
net asset value (NAV). Preferred stock and debt
securities (collectively, senior securities) may be
auction rate securities, in which case the senior securities
will not be listed on any exchange or automated quotation
system. Rather, investors generally may only buy and sell these
auction rate senior securities through an auction conducted by
an auction agent and participating broker-dealers.
While the number and amount of securities we may issue pursuant
to this registration statement is limited to $375,000,000 of
securities, our board of directors (the Board of
Directors or the Board) may, without any
action by the stockholders, amend our Charter from time to time
to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock
or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we
have authority to issue under our Charter or the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).
1
We may offer our securities, or certain of our stockholders may
offer our common stock, directly to one or more purchasers,
through agents that we or they designate from time to time, or
to or through underwriters or dealers. The prospectus supplement
relating to the offering will identify any agents or
underwriters involved in the sale of our securities, and will
set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or
discount arrangement between us or any selling stockholder and
such agents or underwriters or among underwriters or the basis
upon which such amount may be calculated. See Plan of
Distribution and Selling Stockholders. Our
securities may not be sold through agents, underwriters or
dealers without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing
the method and terms of the offering of our securities.
Use of
Proceeds
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we intend
to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities
primarily to invest in energy infrastructure companies in
accordance with our investment objective and policies within
approximately three months of receipt of such proceeds. We also
may use sale proceeds to retire all or a portion of any debt
under our unsecured credit facility, or retire or redeem other
senior securities, and for working capital purposes, including
the payment of distributions, interest and operating expenses,
although there is currently no intent to issue securities
primarily for this purpose. We will not receive any of the
proceeds from a sale of our common stock by any selling
stockholder.
Tax
Status of Company
Unlike most investment companies, we have not elected to be
treated as a regulated investment company under the
U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
Internal Revenue Code). Therefore, we are obligated
to pay federal and applicable state corporate taxes on our
taxable income. On the other hand, we are not subject to the
Internal Revenue Codes diversification rules limiting the
assets in which regulated investment companies can invest. Under
current federal income tax law, these rules limit the amount
that regulated investment companies may invest directly in the
securities of MLPs to 25% of the value of their total assets. We
invest a substantial portion of our assets in MLPs. Although
MLPs generate taxable income to us, we expect the MLPs to pay
cash distributions in excess of the taxable income reportable by
us. Similarly, we expect to distribute substantially all of our
distributable cash flow (DCF) to our common
stockholders. DCF is the amount we receive as cash or
paid-in-kind
distributions from MLPs or affiliates of MLPs in which we
invest, and interest payments received on debt securities owned
by us, less current or anticipated operating expenses, taxes on
our taxable income, and leverage costs paid by us (including
leverage costs of the Tortoise Notes and Tortoise Preferred
Shares and borrowings under our unsecured credit facility).
However, unlike regulated investment companies, we are not
effectively required by the Internal Revenue Code to distribute
substantially all of our income and capital gains. See
Certain Federal Income Tax Matters.
Distributions
We expect to distribute substantially all of our DCF to holders
of common stock through quarterly distributions. Our Board of
Directors adopted a policy to target distributions to common
stockholders in an amount of at least 95% of DCF on an annual
basis. We will pay distributions on our common stock each fiscal
quarter out of DCF, if any. As of the date of this prospectus,
we have paid distributions every quarter since the completion of
our first full fiscal quarter ended on May 31, 2004. There
is no assurance that we will continue to make regular
distributions. If distributions paid to holders of our common
and preferred stock exceed the current and accumulated earnings
and profit allocated to the particular shares held by a
stockholder, the excess of such distribution will constitute a
tax-free return of capital to the extent of the
stockholders basis and capital gain thereafter. A return
of capital reduces the basis of the shares held by a
stockholder, which may increase the amount of gain recognized
upon the sale of such shares. Our preferred stock and debt
securities will pay dividends and interest, respectively, in
accordance with their terms. So long as we have preferred stock
and debt securities outstanding, we may not declare dividends on
common or preferred stock unless we meet applicable asset
coverage tests.
Principal
Investment Policies
Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 90% of our total
assets (including assets we obtain through leverage) in
securities of energy infrastructure companies and invest at
least 70% of our total assets in equity securities of MLPs.
Energy infrastructure companies engage in the business of
transporting, processing, storing,
2
distributing or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids
(primarily propane), coal, crude oil or refined petroleum
products, or exploring, developing, managing or producing such
commodities. We invest primarily in energy infrastructure
companies organized in the United States. All publicly traded
companies in which we invest have an equity market
capitalization greater than $100 million.
We also may invest in equity and debt securities of energy
infrastructure companies that are organized
and/or taxed
as corporations to the extent consistent with our investment
objective. We also may invest in securities of general partners
or other affiliates of MLPs and private companies operating
energy infrastructure assets.
We have adopted the following additional nonfundamental
investment policies:
|
|
|
|
|
We may invest up to 30% of our total assets in restricted
securities, primarily through direct placements. Subject to this
policy, we may invest without limitation in illiquid securities.
The types of restricted securities that we may purchase include
securities of private energy infrastructure companies and
privately issued securities of publicly traded energy
infrastructure companies. Restricted securities, whether issued
by public companies or private companies, are generally
considered illiquid. Investments in private companies that do
not have any publicly traded shares or units are limited to 5%
of total assets.
|
|
|
|
We may invest up to 25% of our total assets in debt securities
of energy infrastructure companies, including securities rated
below investment grade (commonly referred to as junk
bonds). Below investment grade debt securities will be
rated at least B3 by Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
(Moodys) and at least B- by
Standard & Poors Ratings Group
(S&P) at the time of purchase, or comparably
rated by another statistical rating organization or if unrated,
determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser.
|
|
|
|
We will not invest more than 10% of total assets in any single
issuer.
|
|
|
|
We will not engage in short sales.
|
We may change our nonfundamental investment policies without
stockholder approval and will provide notice to stockholders of
material changes (including notice through stockholder reports);
provided, however, that a change in the policy of investing at
least 90% of our total assets in energy infrastructure companies
requires at least 60 days prior written notice to
stockholders. Unless otherwise stated, these investment
restrictions apply at the time of purchase and we will not be
required to reduce a position due solely to market value
fluctuations. The term total assets includes assets obtained
through leverage for the purpose of each investment restriction.
Under adverse market or economic conditions, we may invest up to
100% of our total assets in securities issued or guaranteed by
the U.S. Government or its instrumentalities or agencies,
short-term debt securities, certificates of deposit,
bankers acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial
paper rated in the highest category by a rating agency or other
liquid fixed income securities deemed by the Adviser to be
consistent with a defensive posture (collectively,
short-term securities), or we may hold cash. To the
extent we invest in short-term securities or cash for defensive
purposes, such investments are inconsistent with, and may result
in us not achieving, our investment objective.
We also may invest in short-term securities or cash pending
investment of offering proceeds to meet working capital needs
including, but not limited to, for collateral in connection with
certain investment techniques, to hold a reserve pending payment
of distributions, and to facilitate the payment of expenses and
settlement of trades. The yield on such securities may be lower
than the returns on MLPs or yields on lower rated fixed income
securities.
Use of
Leverage by the Company
The borrowing of money and the issuance of preferred stock and
debt securities represents the leveraging of our common stock.
The issuance of additional common stock may enable us to
increase the aggregate amount of our leverage. Currently, our
long term plan is to use leverage to represent approximately 33%
of our total assets, including the proceeds of such leverage.
However, we reserve the right at any time, if we believe that
market conditions are appropriate, to use financial leverage to
the extent permitted by the 1940 Act (50% of total assets for
preferred stock and
331/3%
of total assets for debt) or we may elect to reduce the use of
leverage or use no leverage at all. Our Board of Directors has
approved a policy permitting temporary increases in the amount
of leverage we may use from 33% of our total assets to up to 38%
of our total assets at the time of incurrence, provided that
(i) such
3
leverage is consistent with the limits set forth in the 1940
Act, and (ii) such increased leverage is reduced over time
in an orderly fashion. The timing and terms of any leverage
transactions will be determined by our Board of Directors.
Our currently outstanding Tortoise Notes and Tortoise Preferred
Shares generally may be bought at auctions normally held every
28 days (every 7 days for Series C Tortoise
Notes). However, with respect to several series of our
outstanding Tortoise Notes and Tortoise Preferred Shares, we
have exercised our option to designate special rate periods for
these securities. We may exercise our option to designate
special rate periods for other series of our outstanding
Tortoise Notes and Tortoise Preferred Shares in the future. See
Leverage Effects of Leverage.
The use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased income
and capital appreciation for common stockholders, but at the
same time, it creates special risks that may adversely affect
common stockholders. Because the Advisers fee is based
upon a percentage of our Managed Assets (as defined below), the
Advisers fee is higher when we are leveraged. Therefore,
the Adviser has a financial incentive to use leverage, which
will create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and our
common stockholders, who will bear the costs of our leverage.
There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be
successful during any period in which it is used. The use of
leverage involves risks, which can be significant. See
Leverage and Risk Factors
Additional Risks to Common Stockholders Leverage
Risk.
We currently use, and may in the future use, interest rate
transactions for hedging purposes only, in an attempt to reduce
the interest rate risk arising from our leveraged capital
structure. We do not intend to hedge the interest rate risk of
our portfolio holdings. Accordingly, if no leverage is
outstanding, we currently do not expect to engage in interest
rate transactions. Interest rate transactions that we may use
for hedging purposes may expose us to certain risks that differ
from the risks associated with our portfolio holdings. See
Leverage Hedging Transactions and
Risk Factors Company Risks Hedging
Strategy Risk.
Conflicts
of Interest
Conflicts of interest may arise from the fact that the Adviser
and its affiliates carry on substantial investment activities
for other clients, in which we have no interest. The Adviser or
its affiliates may have financial incentives to favor certain of
these accounts over us. Any of their proprietary accounts or
other customer accounts may compete with us for specific trades.
The Adviser or its affiliates may give advice and recommend
securities to, or buy or sell securities for, other accounts and
customers, which advice or securities recommended may differ
from advice given to, or securities recommended or bought or
sold for, us, even though their investment objectives may be the
same as, or similar to, our objectives.
Situations may occur when we could be disadvantaged because of
the investment activities conducted by the Adviser and its
affiliates for their other accounts. Such situations may be
based on, among other things, the following: (1) legal or
internal restrictions on the combined size of positions that may
be taken for us or the other accounts, thereby limiting the size
of our position; (2) the difficulty of liquidating an
investment for us or the other accounts where the market cannot
absorb the sale of the combined position; or (3) limits on
co-investing in private placement securities under the 1940 Act.
Our investment opportunities may be limited by affiliations of
the Adviser or its affiliates with energy infrastructure
companies. See Investment Objective and Principal
Investment Strategies Conflicts of Interest.
Company
Risks
Our NAV, our ability to make distributions, our ability to
service debt securities and preferred stock, and our ability to
meet asset coverage requirements depends on the performance of
our investment portfolio. The performance of our investment
portfolio is subject to a number of risks, including the
following:
Concentration Risk. Under normal
circumstances, we concentrate our investments in the energy
infrastructure sector, with an emphasis on securities issued by
MLPs. The primary risks inherent in the energy infrastructure
industry include the following: (1) the performance and
level of distributions of MLPs can be affected by direct and
indirect commodity price exposure, (2) a decrease in market
demand for natural gas or other energy commodities could
adversely affect MLP revenues or cash flows, (3) energy
4
infrastructure assets deplete over time and must be replaced,
and (4) a rising interest rate environment could increase
an MLPs cost of capital.
Industry Specific Risk. Energy infrastructure
companies also are subject to risks specific to the industry
they serve. For risks specific to the pipeline, processing,
propane and coal industries, see Risk Factors
Company Risks Industry Specific Risk.
MLP Risk. We invest primarily in equity
securities of MLPs. As a result, we are subject to the risks
associated with an investment in MLPs, including cash flow risk
and tax risk. Cash flow risk is the risk that MLPs will not make
distributions to holders (including us) at anticipated levels or
that such distributions will not have the expected tax
character. MLPs also are subject to tax risk, which is the risk
that MLPs might lose their partnership status for tax purposes.
Equity Securities Risk. MLP common units and
other equity securities can be affected by macro-economic and
other factors affecting the stock market in general,
expectations of interest rates, investor sentiment toward MLPs
or the energy sector, changes in a particular issuers
financial condition, or unfavorable or unanticipated poor
performance of a particular issuer (in the case of MLPs,
generally measured in terms of DCF). Prices of common units of
individual MLPs and other equity securities also can be affected
by fundamentals unique to the partnership or company, including
size, earnings power, coverage ratios and characteristics and
features of different classes of securities. See Risk
Factors Company Risks Equity Securities
Risk.
Hedging Strategy Risk. We currently use, and
may in the future use, interest rate transactions for hedging
purposes only, in an attempt to reduce the interest rate risk
arising from our leveraged capital structure. There is no
assurance that the interest rate hedging transactions into which
we enter will be effective in reducing our exposure to interest
rate risk. Hedging transactions are subject to correlation risk,
which is the risk that payment on our hedging transactions may
not correlate exactly with our payment obligations on senior
securities. Interest rate transactions that we may use for
hedging purposes, such as swaps, caps and floors, will expose us
to certain risks that differ from the risks associated with our
portfolio holdings. See Risk Factors Company
Risks Hedging Strategy Risk.
Competition Risk. At the time we completed our
initial public offering in February 2004, we were the only
publicly traded investment company offering access to a
portfolio of energy infrastructure MLPs. Since that time a
number of alternative vehicles for investment in a portfolio of
energy infrastructure MLPs, including other publicly traded
investment companies and private funds, have emerged. In
addition, tax law changes have increased the ability of
regulated investment companies or other institutions to invest
in MLPs. These competitive conditions may adversely impact our
ability to meet our investment objective, which in turn could
adversely impact our ability to make interest or dividend
payments.
Restricted Security Risk. We may invest up to
30% of total assets in restricted securities, primarily through
direct placements. Restricted securities are less liquid than
securities traded in the open market because of statutory and
contractual restrictions on resale. Such securities are,
therefore, unlike securities that are traded in the open market,
which can be expected to be sold immediately if the market is
adequate. This lack of liquidity creates special risks for us.
See Risk Factors Company Risks
Restricted Security Risk.
Liquidity Risk. Certain MLP securities may
trade less frequently than those of other companies due to their
smaller capitalizations. Investments in securities that are less
actively traded or over time experience decreased trading volume
may be difficult to dispose of when we believe it is desirable
to do so, may restrict our ability to take advantage of other
opportunities, and may be more difficult to value.
Valuation Risk. We may invest up to 30% of
total assets in restricted securities, which are subject to
restrictions on resale. The value of such investments ordinarily
will be based on fair valuations determined by the Adviser
pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.
Restrictions on resale or the absence of a liquid secondary
market may affect adversely our ability to determine NAV. The
sale price of securities that are restricted or otherwise are
not readily marketable may be higher or lower than our most
recent valuations.
5
Nondiversification Risk. We are a
nondiversified investment company under the 1940 Act and we are
not a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue
Code. Accordingly, there are no limits under the 1940 Act or
Internal Revenue Code with respect to the number or size of
issuers held by us and we may invest more assets in fewer
issuers as compared to a diversified fund.
Management Risk. The Adviser was formed in
October 2002 to provide portfolio management services to
institutional and high net worth investors seeking professional
management of their MLP investments. The Adviser has been
managing our portfolio since we began operations in February
2004. As of December 31, 2007, the Adviser had client
assets under management of approximately $2.9 billion. To
the extent that the Advisers assets under management
continue to grow, the Adviser may have to hire additional
personnel and, to the extent it is unable to hire qualified
individuals, its operations may be adversely affected.
See Risk Factors Company Risks for a
more detailed discussion of these and other risks of investing
in our securities.
Additional
Risks to Common Stockholders
Leverage Risk. We are currently leveraged and
intend to continue to use leverage primarily for investment
purposes. Leverage, which is a speculative technique, could
cause us to lose money and can magnify the effect of any losses.
There is no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be
successful. Currently, we anticipate using leverage to represent
approximately 33% of our total assets, including the proceeds
from such leverage. However, we reserve the right at any time,
if we believe that market conditions are appropriate, to use
financial leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act (50%
for preferred stock and
331/3%
for debt) or we may elect to reduce the use of leverage or use
no leverage at all. Common stockholders bear the cost of
leverage. Our Board of Directors has approved a policy
permitting temporary increases in the amount of leverage we may
use from 33% of our total assets to up to 38% of our total
assets at the time of incurrence, provided that (i) such
leverage is consistent with the limits set forth in the 1940
Act, and (ii) such increased leverage is reduced over time
in an orderly fashion. See Leverage Recent
Developments for additional information.
Market Impact Risk. The sale of our common
stock (or the perception that such sales may occur) may have an
adverse effect on prices in the secondary market for our common
stock by increasing the number of shares available, which may
put downward pressure on the market price for our common stock.
Our ability to sell shares of common stock below NAV may
increase this pressure. These sales also might make it more
difficult for us to sell additional equity securities in the
future at a time and price we deem appropriate.
Dilution Risk. The voting power of current
stockholders will be diluted to the extent that such
stockholders do not purchase shares in any future common stock
offerings or do not purchase sufficient shares to maintain their
percentage interest. In addition, if we sell shares of common
stock below NAV, our NAV will fall immediately after such
issuance. See Description of Securities Common
Stock Issuance of Additional Shares which
includes a table reflecting the dilutive effect of selling our
common stock below NAV.
If we are unable to invest the proceeds of such offering as
intended, our per share distribution may decrease and we may not
participate in market advances to the same extent as if such
proceeds were fully invested as planned.
Market Discount Risk. Our common stock has a
limited trading history and has traded both at a premium and at
a discount in relation to NAV. We cannot predict whether our
shares will trade in the future at a premium or discount to NAV.
See Risk Factors Additional Risks to Common
Stockholders for a more detailed discussion of these risks.
Additional
Risks to Senior Security Holders
Additional risks of investing in senior securities, which
will likely be auction rate securities, include the
following:
Interest Rate Risk. To the extent that senior
securities trade through an auction, such securities pay
dividends or interest based on short-term interest rates. If
short-term interest rates rise, dividends or interest on the
auction rate senior securities may rise so that the amount of
dividends or interest due to holders of auction rate senior
securities would exceed the cash flow generated by our portfolio
securities.
6
This might require that we sell portfolio securities at a time
when we would otherwise not do so, which may affect adversely
our future ability to generate cash flow. In addition, rising
market interest rates could impact negatively the value of our
investment portfolio, reducing the amount of assets serving as
asset coverage for the senior securities.
Senior Leverage Risk. Our preferred stock will
be junior in liquidation and with respect to distribution rights
to our debt securities and any other borrowings. Senior
securities representing indebtedness may constitute a
substantial lien and burden on preferred stock by reason of
their prior claim against our income and against our net assets
in liquidation. We may not be permitted to declare dividends or
other distributions with respect to any series of our preferred
stock unless at such time we meet applicable asset coverage
requirements and the payment of principal or interest is not in
default with respect to the Tortoise Notes or any other
borrowings.
Our debt securities, including Tortoise Notes, upon issuance,
will be our unsecured obligations and, upon our liquidation,
dissolution or winding up, will rank: (1) senior to
all of our outstanding common stock and any outstanding
preferred stock; (2) on a parity with any of our unsecured
creditors and any unsecured senior securities representing our
indebtedness, including other series of Tortoise Notes; and
(3) junior to any of our secured creditors. Secured
creditors of ours may include without limitation parties
entering into any interest rate swap, floor or cap transactions,
or other similar transactions with us that create liens,
pledges, charges, security interests, security agreements or
other encumbrances on our assets.
Ratings and Asset Coverage Risk. To the extent
that senior securities are rated, a rating does not eliminate or
necessarily mitigate the risks of investing in our senior
securities, and a rating may not fully or accurately reflect all
of the credit and market risks associated with that senior
security. A rating agency could downgrade the rating of our
shares of preferred stock or debt securities, which may make
such securities less liquid at an auction or in the secondary
market, though probably with higher resulting interest rates. If
a rating agency downgrades the rating assigned to a senior
security, we may alter our portfolio or redeem the senior
security. We may voluntarily redeem a senior security under
certain circumstances.
Inflation Risk. Inflation is the reduction in
the purchasing power of money resulting from an increase in the
price of goods and services. Inflation risk is the risk that the
inflation adjusted or real value of an investment in
preferred stock or debt securities or the income from that
investment will be worth less in the future. As inflation
occurs, the real value of the preferred stock or debt securities
and the dividend payable to holders of preferred stock or debt
securities declines.
Auction Risk. To the extent that senior
securities trade through an auction, there are certain risks
associated with participating in an auction and certain risks if
you try to sell senior securities outside of an auction in the
secondary market. These risks will be described in more detail
in an applicable prospectus supplement if we issue senior
securities pursuant to this registration statement.
Decline in Net Asset Value Risk. A material
decline in our NAV may impair our ability to maintain required
levels of asset coverage for our preferred stock or debt
securities.
See Risk Factors Additional Risks to Senior
Security Holders for a more detailed discussion of these
risks.
7
SUMMARY
OF COMPANY EXPENSES
The following table and example contain information about the
costs and expenses that common stockholders will bear directly
or indirectly. In accordance with SEC requirements, the table
below shows our expenses, including leverage costs, as a
percentage of our net assets as of November 30, 2007, and
not as a percentage of gross assets or Managed Assets. By
showing expenses as a percentage of net assets, expenses are not
expressed as a percentage of all of the assets we invest. The
table and example are based on our capital structure as of
November 30, 2007. As of that date, we had $458,050,000 in
senior securities outstanding, including Tortoise Preferred
Shares with an aggregate liquidation preference of
$185 million, Tortoise Notes in an aggregate principal
amount of $235 million and $38,050,000 outstanding under
our unsecured credit facility as of that date. Such senior
securities represented 36.3% of total assets as of
November 30, 2007.
Stockholder
Transaction Expense
|
|
|
|
|
Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
Offering Expenses Borne by the Company (as a percentage of
offering price)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan
Fees(2)
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of Net Assets
|
|
|
|
Attributable to Common
|
|
Annual Expenses
|
|
Stockholders
|
|
|
Management Fee
|
|
|
1.91
|
%
|
Leverage
Costs(3)
|
|
|
4.76
|
%
|
Other
Expenses(4)
|
|
|
0.23
|
%
|
Current Income Tax Expense
|
|
|
0.06
|
%
|
Deferred Income Tax
Expense(5)
|
|
|
6.82
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual
Expenses(6)
|
|
|
13.78
|
%
|
Less Fee and Expense Reimbursement (through
2/28/09)(7)
|
|
|
(0.20
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Annual
Expenses(6)
|
|
|
13.58
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example:
The following example illustrates the expenses that common
stockholders would pay on a $1,000 investment in common stock,
assuming (1) total annual expenses of 13.58% of net assets
attributable to common shares in year 1 and increasing to 13.78%
in years 2 through 10; (2) a 5% annual return; and
(iii) all distributions are reinvested at NAV:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
3 Years
|
|
5 Years
|
|
10 Years
|
|
Total Expenses Paid by Common
Stockholders(8)(9)
|
|
$
|
130
|
|
|
$
|
360
|
|
|
$
|
551
|
|
|
$
|
900
|
|
The example should not be considered a representation of
future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than
those assumed. Moreover, our actual rate of return may be
greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the
example.
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
If the securities to which this
prospectus relates are sold to or through underwriters, the
prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable sales load,
the estimated offering expenses borne by us and a revised
expense example.
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
Stockholders will pay a transaction
fee plus brokerage charges if they direct the Plan Agent to sell
common stock held in a Plan account. See Automatic
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Leverage Costs in the table reflect
the weighted average cost of dividends payable on Tortoise
Preferred Shares and the interest payable on Tortoise Notes,
expressed as a percentage of net assets as of November 30,
2007 and borrowing rates as of November 30, 2007. In an
attempt to reduce the interest rate risk arising from our
leveraged capital structure, a substantial portion of Tortoise
Notes and Tortoise Preferred Shares were hedged under swap
agreements as of November 30, 2007. Our use of swap
agreements may effectively reduce, increase or have no effect
on, our Leverage Costs. For a more detailed discussion of our
use of swap agreements, see Leverage Hedging
Transactions and Effects of
Leverage.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Other Expenses are based on amounts
incurred for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007.
|
|
(5)
|
|
For the year ended
November 30, 2007, we accrued $42,171,411 in net deferred
tax expense primarily related to net investment losses and
realized and unrealized gains on investments. Deferred income
tax expense represents an estimate of our potential tax
liability if we were to
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
recognize the unrealized
appreciation of our portfolio assets, which occurred during the
year ended November 30, 2007, based on the market value and
basis of our assets as of November 30, 2007. Actual income
tax expense (if any) will be incurred over many years, depending
on if and when investment gains are realized, the then-current
basis of assets, the level of net loss carryforwards and other
factors.
|
|
(6)
|
|
The table presented in this
footnote presents certain of our annual expenses as a percentage
of Managed Assets as of November 30, 2007, excluding
current and deferred income tax expense.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of
|
|
|
Managed
|
Annual Expenses
|
|
Assets
|
|
Management Fee
|
|
|
0.95
|
%
|
Leverage
Costs(a)
|
|
|
2.37
|
%
|
Other Expenses (excluding current and deferred income tax
expenses)(b)
|
|
|
0.11
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Expenses (excluding current and deferred income tax
expenses)
|
|
|
3.43
|
%
|
Less Fee and Expense Reimbursement (through
2/28/09)(c)
|
|
|
(0.10
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Annual Expenses (excluding current and deferred income tax
expenses)
|
|
|
3.33
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Leverage Costs are
calculated as described in Note 3 above.
(b) Other Expenses are based
on amounts incurred for the fiscal year ended November 30,
2007.
|
|
|
|
(c)
|
Through February 28, 2009, the
Adviser has contractually agreed to reimburse us for expenses in
an amount equal to 0.10% of our average monthly Managed Assets.
|
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
Through February 28, 2009, the
Adviser has contractually agreed to reimburse us for expenses in
an amount equal to 0.10% of our average monthly Managed Assets,
which represents 0.20% of our net assets as of November 30,
2007. The management fee and reimbursement are expressed as a
percentage of net assets in the table. Because holders of
preferred stock and debt securities do not bear management fees
and other expenses, the cost to common stockholders increases as
leverage increases.
|
|
(8)
|
|
Includes deferred income tax
expense. See footnote (5) above for more details.
|
|
(9)
|
|
The example does not include sales
load or estimated offering costs.
|
The purpose of the table and the example above is to help
investors understand the fees and expenses that they, as common
stockholders, would bear directly or indirectly. For additional
information with respect to our expenses, see Management
of the Company.
9
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS
Information contained in the table below under the heading
Per Common Share Data and Supplemental Data
and Ratios shows our per common share operating
performance. The information in this table is derived from our
financial statements audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
whose report on such financial statements is contained in our
2007 Annual Report and is incorporated by reference into the
statement of additional information, both of which are available
from us upon request. See Available Information in
this prospectus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 27,
2004(1)
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
through
|
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Per Common Share
Data(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
31.82
|
|
|
$
|
27.12
|
|
|
$
|
26.53
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Public offering price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25.00
|
|
Underwriting discounts and offering costs on issuance of common
and preferred
stock(3)
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
(1.23
|
)
|
Premiums less underwriting discounts and offering costs on
offerings(4)
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment
loss(5)
|
|
|
(0.61
|
)
|
|
|
(0.32
|
)
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments(5)
|
|
|
4.33
|
|
|
|
7.41
|
|
|
|
2.67
|
|
|
|
3.77
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total increase from investment operations
|
|
|
3.72
|
|
|
|
7.09
|
|
|
|
2.51
|
|
|
|
3.74
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Dividends and Distributions to Preferred Stockholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
(0.39
|
)
|
|
|
(0.23
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total dividends and distributions to preferred stockholders
|
|
|
(0.39
|
)
|
|
|
(0.23
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Dividends and Distributions to Common Stockholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
(2.19
|
)
|
|
|
(2.02
|
)
|
|
|
(1.79
|
)
|
|
|
(0.97
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total dividends and distributions to common stockholders
|
|
|
(2.19
|
)
|
|
|
(2.02
|
)
|
|
|
(1.79
|
)
|
|
|
(0.97
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, end of period
|
|
$
|
32.96
|
|
|
$
|
31.82
|
|
|
$
|
27.12
|
|
|
$
|
26.53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per common share market value, end of period
|
|
$
|
32.46
|
|
|
$
|
36.13
|
|
|
$
|
28.72
|
|
|
$
|
27.06
|
|
Total Investment Return Based on Market
Value(6)
|
|
|
(4.43
|
)%
|
|
|
34.50
|
%
|
|
|
13.06
|
%
|
|
|
12.51
|
%
|
Supplemental Data and Ratios
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common stockholders, end of period
(000s)
|
|
$
|
618,412
|
|
|
$
|
532,433
|
|
|
$
|
404,274
|
|
|
$
|
336,553
|
|
Ratio of expenses (including current and deferred income tax
expense) to average net assets before
waiver(7)(8)(9)
|
|
|
11.19
|
%
|
|
|
20.03
|
%
|
|
|
9.10
|
%
|
|
|
15.20
|
%
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 27,
2004(1)
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
through
|
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses (including current and deferred income tax
expense) to average net assets after
waiver(7)(8)(9)
|
|
|
11.00
|
%
|
|
|
19.81
|
%
|
|
|
8.73
|
%
|
|
|
14.92
|
%
|
Ratio of expenses (excluding current and deferred income tax
expense) to average net assets before
waiver(7)(8)(10)
|
|
|
4.75
|
%
|
|
|
3.97
|
%
|
|
|
3.15
|
%
|
|
|
2.01
|
%
|
Ratio of expenses (excluding current and deferred income tax
expense) to average net assets after
waiver(7)(8)(10)
|
|
|
4.56
|
%
|
|
|
3.75
|
%
|
|
|
2.78
|
%
|
|
|
1.73
|
%
|
Ratio of expenses (excluding current and deferred income tax
expense), without regard to non-recurring organizational
expenses, to average net assets before
waiver(7)(8)(10)
|
|
|
4.75
|
%
|
|
|
3.97
|
%
|
|
|
3.15
|
%
|
|
|
1.90
|
%
|
Ratio of expenses (excluding current and deferred income tax
expense), without regard to non-recurring organizational
expenses, to average net assets after
waiver(7)(8)(10)
|
|
|
4.56
|
%
|
|
|
3.75
|
%
|
|
|
2.78
|
%
|
|
|
1.62
|
%
|
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets before
waiver(7)(8)(10)
|
|
|
(3.24
|
)%
|
|
|
(2.24
|
)%
|
|
|
(1.42
|
)%
|
|
|
(0.45
|
)%
|
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets after
waiver(7)(8)(10)
|
|
|
(3.05
|
)%
|
|
|
(2.02
|
)%
|
|
|
(1.05
|
)%
|
|
|
(0.17
|
)%
|
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets after current
and deferred income tax expense, before
waiver(7)(8)(9)
|
|
|
(9.68
|
)%
|
|
|
(18.31
|
)%
|
|
|
(7.37
|
)%
|
|
|
(13.37
|
)%
|
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets after current
and deferred income tax expense, after
waiver(7)(8)(9)
|
|
|
(9.49
|
)%
|
|
|
(18.09
|
)%
|
|
|
(7.00
|
)%
|
|
|
(13.65
|
)%
|
Portfolio turnover
rate(7)
|
|
|
9.30
|
%
|
|
|
2.18
|
%
|
|
|
4.92
|
%
|
|
|
1.83
|
%
|
Tortoise Auction Rate Senior Notes, end of period (000s)
|
|
$
|
235,000
|
|
|
$
|
165,000
|
|
|
$
|
165,000
|
|
|
$
|
110,000
|
|
Tortoise Preferred Stock, end of period (000s)
|
|
$
|
185,000
|
|
|
$
|
70,000
|
|
|
$
|
70,000
|
|
|
$
|
35,000
|
|
Per common share amount of auction rate senior notes outstanding
at end of period
|
|
$
|
12.53
|
|
|
$
|
9.86
|
|
|
$
|
11.07
|
|
|
$
|
8.67
|
|
Per common share amount of net assets, excluding auction rate
senior notes, at end of period
|
|
$
|
45.49
|
|
|
$
|
41.68
|
|
|
$
|
38.19
|
|
|
$
|
35.21
|
|
Asset coverage, per $1,000 of principal amount of auction rate
senior notes and short-term
borrowings(11)
|
|
$
|
3,942
|
|
|
$
|
4,051
|
|
|
$
|
3,874
|
|
|
$
|
4,378
|
|
Asset coverage ratio of auction rate senior notes and short-term
borrowings(11)
|
|
|
394
|
%
|
|
|
405
|
%
|
|
|
387
|
%
|
|
|
438
|
%
|
Asset coverage, per $25,000 liquidation value per share of
preferred
stock(12)
|
|
$
|
108,569
|
|
|
$
|
215,155
|
|
|
$
|
169,383
|
|
|
$
|
265,395
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 27,
2004(1)
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
through
|
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
November 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Asset coverage, per $25,000 liquidation value per share of
preferred stock(13)
|
|
$
|
58,752
|
|
|
$
|
74,769
|
|
|
$
|
68,008
|
|
|
$
|
83,026
|
|
Asset coverage ratio of preferred stock(13)
|
|
|
235
|
%
|
|
|
299
|
%
|
|
|
272
|
%
|
|
|
332
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Commencement of Operations.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Information presented relates to a
share of common stock outstanding for the entire period.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Represents the issuance of
preferred stock for the year ended November 30, 2007.
Represents the dilution per common share from underwriting and
other offering costs for the year ended November 30, 2006.
Represents the issuance of preferred stock for the year ended
November 30, 2005. Represents $(1.17) and $(0.06) for the
issuance of common and preferred stock, respectively, for the
period from February 27, 2004 through November 30,
2004.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Represents the premium on the shelf
offerings of $0.21 per share, less the underwriting and offering
costs of $0.13 per share for the year ended November 30,
2007. The amount is less than $0.01 per share, and represents
the premium on the secondary offering of $0.14 per share, less
the underwriting discounts and offering costs of $0.14 per share
for the year ended November 30, 2005.
|
|
(5)
|
|
The per common share data for the
periods ended November 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004, do not
reflect the change in estimate of investment income and return
of capital, for the respective period. See Note 2C to the
financial statements for further disclosure.
|
|
(6)
|
|
Not annualized. Total investment
return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock at the
market price on the first day (or initial public offering price)
and a sale at the current market price on the last day of the
period reported (excluding brokerage commissions). The
calculation also assumes reinvestment of dividends at actual
prices pursuant to the Companys dividend reinvestment plan.
|
|
(7)
|
|
Annualized for periods less than
one full year.
|
|
(8)
|
|
The expense ratios and net
investment loss ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend
payments to preferred stockholders.
|
|
(9)
|
|
The Company accrued $42,516,321,
$71,661,802, $24,659,420 and $30,330,018 for the years ended
November 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and for the period from
February 27, 2004 through November 30, 2004,
respectively, for current and deferred income tax expense.
|
|
(10)
|
|
The ratio excludes the impact of
current and deferred income taxes.
|
|
(11)
|
|
Represents value of total assets
less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by auction
rate senior notes, short-term borrowings and preferred stock at
the end of the period divided by auction rate senior notes and
short-term borrowings outstanding at the end of the period.
|
|
(12)
|
|
Represents value of total assets
less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by
preferred stock at the end of the period divided by preferred
stock outstanding at the end of the period, assuming the
retirement of all auction rate senior notes and short-term
borrowings.
|
|
(13)
|
|
Represents value of total assets
less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by auction
rate senior notes, short-term borrowings and preferred stock at
the end of the period divided by auction rate senior notes,
short-term borrowings and preferred stock outstanding at the end
of the period.
|
12
SENIOR
SECURITIES
The following table sets forth information about our outstanding
senior securities as of each fiscal year ended November 30 since
our inception:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Coverage
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
|
|
Total Principal
|
|
|
|
per Share
|
|
per $25,000
|
|
|
|
|
Amount/Liquidation
|
|
Asset Coverage
|
|
($25,000
|
|
Denomination
|
|
|
Title of
|
|
Preference
|
|
per $1,000 of
|
|
Liquidation
|
|
or per Share
|
Year
|
|
Security
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
Principal Amount
|
|
Preference)
|
|
Amount(1)
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Tortoise Notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A and B
|
|
$
|
110,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
4,378
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tortoise Preferred Shares
Series I(3)
(1,400 shares)
|
|
$
|
35,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
83,026
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
145,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Tortoise Notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A, B and C
|
|
$
|
165,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
3,874
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tortoise Preferred Shares
Series I(3)
and
II(4)
(2,800 shares)
|
|
$
|
70,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
68,008
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
235,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Tortoise Notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A, B and C
|
|
$
|
165,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
4,051
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tortoise Preferred Shares
Series I(3)
and
II(4)
(2,800 shares)
|
|
$
|
70,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
74,769
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
Unsecured Revolving
Credit Facility(4)
|
|
$
|
32,450,000
|
|
|
$
|
4,051
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
267,450,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Tortoise Notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A
|
|
$
|
60,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
3,942
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
25,781
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
Series B
|
|
$
|
50,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
3,942
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
25,185
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
Series C and D
|
|
$
|
125,000,000
|
(6)
|
|
$
|
3,942
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
Tortoise Preferred Shares
Series I(3)
(1,400 shares)
|
|
$
|
35,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
58,752
|
|
|
$
|
25,604
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
Series II(4)
(1,400 shares)
|
|
$
|
35,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
58,752
|
|
|
$
|
25,667
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
Series III and IV (4,600 shares)
|
|
$
|
115,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
58,752
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
Unsecured Revolving
Credit Facility(5)
|
|
$
|
38,050,000
|
|
|
$
|
3,942
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
458,050,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Fair value of the Series A and
B Tortoise Notes and Series I and II Tortoise
Preferred Shares was calculated using the spread between the
interest/dividend rates at the time the series respective
special rate periods commenced to the U.S. Treasury rates with
equivalent maturity dates. At November 30, 2007, the spread
of each series was applied to the equivalent U.S. Treasury Rate
and the future cash flows were discounted to determine the
estimated fair value.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Fair value of the Series C and
D Tortoise Notes and Series III and IV Tortoise
Preferred Shares approximates the principal amount and
liquidation preference, respectively, because the interest and
dividend rates payable on Tortoise Notes and Tortoise Preferred
Shares are generally determined at auctions and fluctuate with
changes in prevailing market interest rates.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Formerly designated as
Series I MMP Shares.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Formerly designated as
Series II MMP Shares.
|
|
(5)
|
|
We have an unsecured credit
facility which, as of November 30, 2007, allowed us to
borrow up to $150,000,000. The credit facility expires on
March 21, 2008, at which time we currently expect to renew
the credit facility.
|
|
(6)
|
|
On January 31, 2008, we filed
with the SEC a notice of redemption with respect to all of our
outstanding Series C Tortoise Notes ($55,000,000 aggregate
principal amount), which we expect to redeem on March 4,
2008.
|
13
MARKET
AND NET ASSET VALUE INFORMATION
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) under the symbol TYG. Shares of
our common stock commenced trading on the NYSE on
February 25, 2004.
Our common stock has a limited trading history and has traded
both at a premium and at a discount in relation to NAV. We
cannot predict whether our shares will trade in the future at a
premium or discount to NAV. The provisions of the 1940 Act
generally require that the public offering price of common stock
(less any underwriting commissions and discounts) must equal or
exceed the NAV per share of a companys common stock
(calculated within 48 hours of pricing). However, at our
Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on April 13, 2007, our
common stockholders granted to us the authority to sell shares
of our common stock for less than NAV, subject to certain
conditions. Our issuance of common stock may have an adverse
effect on prices in the secondary market for our common stock by
increasing the number of shares of common stock available, which
may put downward pressure on the market price for our common
stock. The continued development of alternatives as vehicles for
investing in a portfolio of energy infrastructure MLPs,
including other publicly traded investment companies and private
funds, may reduce or eliminate any tendency of our shares of
common stock to trade at a premium in the future. Shares of
common stock of closed-end investment companies frequently trade
at a discount from NAV. See Risk Factors
Additional Risks to Common Stockholders Market
Discount Risk.
14
The following table sets forth for each of the periods indicated
the high and low closing market prices for our shares of common
stock on the NYSE, the NAV per share and the premium or discount
to NAV per share at which our shares of common stock were
trading. NAV is generally determined on the last business day of
each calendar month. See Determination of Net Asset
Value for information as to the determination of our NAV.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premium/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Discount) To
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset
|
|
|
|
Market
Price(1)
|
|
|
Net Asset
|
|
|
Value(3)
|
|
Month Ended
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Value(2)
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
27.53
|
|
|
|
26.56
|
|
|
|
26.53
|
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
|
0.1
|
%
|
January 31, 2005
|
|
|
28.57
|
|
|
|
27.10
|
|
|
|
27.17
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
%
|
|
|
−0.3
|
%
|
February 28, 2005
|
|
|
31.05
|
|
|
|
28.55
|
|
|
|
28.56
|
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
March 31, 2005
|
|
|
30.91
|
|
|
|
28.54
|
|
|
|
28.37
|
|
|
|
9.0
|
%
|
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
April 30, 2005
|
|
|
30.00
|
|
|
|
28.40
|
|
|
|
27.61
|
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
|
|
2.9
|
%
|
May 31, 2005
|
|
|
29.15
|
|
|
|
28.19
|
|
|
|
28.61
|
|
|
|
1.9
|
%
|
|
|
−1.5
|
%
|
June 30, 2005
|
|
|
31.50
|
|
|
|
28.30
|
|
|
|
27.75
|
|
|
|
13.5
|
%
|
|
|
2.0
|
%
|
July 31, 2005
|
|
|
33.25
|
|
|
|
31.10
|
|
|
|
28.69
|
|
|
|
15.9
|
%
|
|
|
8.4
|
%
|
August 31, 2005
|
|
|
33.19
|
|
|
|
31.10
|
|
|
|
30.32
|
|
|
|
9.5
|
%
|
|
|
2.6
|
%
|
September 30, 2005
|
|
|
32.01
|
|
|
|
30.32
|
|
|
|
29.16
|
|
|
|
9.8
|
%
|
|
|
4.0
|
%
|
October 31, 2005
|
|
|
31.20
|
|
|
|
28.10
|
|
|
|
29.09
|
|
|
|
7.3
|
%
|
|
|
−3.4
|
%
|
November 30, 2005
|
|
|
30.75
|
|
|
|
28.25
|
|
|
|
28.70
|
|
|
|
7.1
|
%
|
|
|
−1.6
|
%
|
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
28.60
|
|
|
|
26.60
|
|
|
|
27.12
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
%
|
|
|
−1.9
|
%
|
January 31, 2006
|
|
|
29.95
|
|
|
|
27.92
|
|
|
|
26.65
|
|
|
|
12.4
|
%
|
|
|
4.8
|
%
|
February 28, 2006
|
|
|
29.48
|
|
|
|
28.35
|
|
|
|
28.17
|
|
|
|
4.7
|
%
|
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
March 31, 2006
|
|
|
29.58
|
|
|
|
27.91
|
|
|
|
27.55
|
|
|
|
7.4
|
%
|
|
|
1.3
|
%
|
April 30, 2006
|
|
|
28.95
|
|
|
|
27.56
|
|
|
|
28.12
|
|
|
|
3.0
|
%
|
|
|
−2.0
|
%
|
May 31, 2006
|
|
|
29.89
|
|
|
|
28.52
|
|
|
|
28.58
|
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
|
|
−0.2
|
%
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
30.01
|
|
|
|
27.85
|
|
|
|
28.91
|
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
|
−3.7
|
%
|
July 31, 2006
|
|
|
30.47
|
|
|
|
28.06
|
|
|
|
28.32
|
|
|
|
7.6
|
%
|
|
|
−0.9
|
%
|
August 31, 2006
|
|
|
30.70
|
|
|
|
29.10
|
|
|
|
29.46
|
|
|
|
4.2
|
%
|
|
|
−1.2
|
%
|
September 30, 2006
|
|
|
31.60
|
|
|
|
30.49
|
|
|
|
29.59
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
%
|
|
|
3.0
|
%
|
October 31, 2006
|
|
|
32.80
|
|
|
|
31.14
|
|
|
|
29.34
|
|
|
|
11.8
|
%
|
|
|
6.1
|
%
|
November 30, 2006
|
|
|
36.13
|
|
|
|
31.85
|
|
|
|
31.01
|
|
|
|
16.5
|
%
|
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
36.31
|
|
|
|
33.48
|
|
|
|
31.82
|
|
|
|
14.1
|
%
|
|
|
5.2
|
%
|
January 31, 2007
|
|
|
35.50
|
|
|
|
34.13
|
|
|
|
32.62
|
|
|
|
8.8
|
%
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
February 28, 2007
|
|
|
36.64
|
|
|
|
35.15
|
|
|
|
34.27
|
|
|
|
6.9
|
%
|
|
|
2.6
|
%
|
March 31, 2007
|
|
|
38.93
|
|
|
|
35.26
|
|
|
|
34.83
|
|
|
|
11.8
|
%
|
|
|
1.2
|
%
|
April 30, 2007
|
|
|
41.71
|
|
|
|
39.13
|
|
|
|
36.81
|
|
|
|
13.3
|
%
|
|
|
6.3
|
%
|
May 31, 2007
|
|
|
42.12
|
|
|
|
39.59
|
|
|
|
39.45
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
%
|
|
|
0.4
|
%
|
June 30, 2007
|
|
|
42.68
|
|
|
|
40.25
|
|
|
|
38.73
|
|
|
|
10.2
|
%
|
|
|
3.9
|
%
|
July 31, 2007
|
|
|
44.89
|
|
|
|
39.98
|
|
|
|
39.23
|
|
|
|
14.4
|
%
|
|
|
1.9
|
%
|
August 31, 2007
|
|
|
39.52
|
|
|
|
34.39
|
|
|
|
38.46
|
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
−10.6
|
%
|
September 30, 2007
|
|
|
39.75
|
|
|
|
33.63
|
|
|
|
34.63
|
|
|
|
14.8
|
%
|
|
|
−2.9
|
%
|
October 31, 2007
|
|
|
35.43
|
|
|
|
33.00
|
|
|
|
32.71
|
|
|
|
8.3
|
%
|
|
|
0.9
|
%
|
November 30, 2007
|
|
|
35.29
|
|
|
|
30.70
|
|
|
|
35.37
|
|
|
|
−0.2
|
%
|
|
|
−13.2
|
%
|
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
33.44
|
|
|
|
31.72
|
|
|
|
32.96
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
%
|
|
|
−3.8
|
%
|
January 31, 2008
|
|
|
34.25
|
|
|
|
30.86
|
|
|
|
32.80
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
%
|
|
|
−5.9
|
%
|
Source: Bloomberg Financial and Fund Accounting Records.
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Based on high and low closing
market price for the respective month.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Based on the NAV calculated on the
close of business on the last business day of each prior
calendar month.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Calculated based on the information
presented. Percentages are rounded.
|
The last reported sale price, NAV per share and percentage
premium to NAV per share of our common stock on
February 12, 2008 were $34.10, $32.34 and 5.44%,
respectively. As of February 12, 2008, we had
19,087,891 shares of our common stock outstanding and net
assets of approximately $617,348,496.
15
USE OF
PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we will
invest the net proceeds of any sales of securities in accordance
with our investment objective and policies as described under
Investment Objective and Principal Investment
Strategies within approximately 3 months of receipt
of such proceeds. We may also use proceeds from the sale of our
securities to retire all or a portion of any debt we incur under
our unsecured credit facility in pursuit of our investment
objective and policies, retire or redeem other senior
securities, and for working capital purposes, including the
payment of distributions, interest and operating expenses,
although there is currently no intent to issue securities
primarily for this purpose. Our investments may be delayed if
suitable investments are unavailable at the time or for other
reasons. Pending such investment, we anticipate that we will
invest the proceeds in securities issued by the
U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities or in
high quality, short-term or long-term debt obligations. A delay
in the anticipated use of proceeds could lower returns, reduce
our distribution to common stockholders and reduce the amount of
cash available to make dividend and interest payments on
preferred stock and debt securities, respectively. We will not
receive any of the proceeds from a sale of our common stock by
any selling stockholder.
16
THE
COMPANY
We are a nondiversified, closed-end management investment
company registered under the 1940 Act. We were organized as a
corporation on October 30, 2003, pursuant to a charter (the
Charter) governed by the laws of the State of
Maryland. Our fiscal year ends on November 30. In our
initial public offering on February 27, 2004, and the
exercise of subsequent overallotment options, we raised
aggregate gross proceeds of $315,000,000. We completed five
additional offerings of common stock in December 2004, August
2006, December 2006, March 2007 and December 2007. As of
November 30, 2007, we had net assets of $618,412,176
attributable to our common stock. Our common stock is listed on
the NYSE under the symbol TYG. As of the date of
this prospectus, we have four series of Tortoise Notes and four
series of Tortoise Preferred Shares outstanding. The outstanding
Tortoise Notes are rated Aaa and AAA by
Moodys Investors Service Inc. (Moodys)
and Fitch Ratings (Fitch), respectively. The
outstanding Tortoise Preferred Shares are rated Aa2
and AA by Moodys and Fitch, respectively.
The following table provides information about our outstanding
securities as of November 30, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount Held
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
by the Company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
or for its
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Title of Class
|
|
Authorized
|
|
|
Account
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
100,000,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
18,760,441
|
(3)
|
Tortoise Notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A
|
|
$
|
60,000,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
60,000,000
|
|
Series B
|
|
$
|
50,000,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
50,000,000
|
|
Series C
|
|
$
|
55,000,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
55,000,000
|
(4)
|
Series D
|
|
$
|
70,000,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
70,000,000
|
|
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series I Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
|
|
|
1,400
|
(2)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
1,400
|
|
Series II Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
|
|
|
1,400
|
(2)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
1,400
|
|
Series III Money Market Preferred Shares
|
|
|
2,400
|
(2)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2,400
|
|
Series IV Money Market Preferred Shares
|
|
|
2,200
|
(2)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2,200
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Includes 2,800 shares of
preferred stock designated as Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
and 4,800 shares of preferred stock designated as MMP
Shares as set forth below.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Each share has a liquidation
preference of $25,000 ($35,000,000 in the aggregate for each of
Series I and Series II Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares, and $60,000,000 and $55,000,000 in the aggregate for
Series III and Series IV MMP Shares, respectively).
|
|
(3)
|
|
On December 21, 2007, we
issued 327,450 shares of our common stock in a direct sale
to certain purchasers. We used the net proceeds (approximately
$10.2 million) of the issuance of the common stock to
retire a portion of the short-term debt outstanding under our
credit facility.
|
|
(4)
|
|
On January 31, 2008, we filed
with the SEC a notice of redemption with respect to all of our
outstanding Series C Tortoise Notes ($55,000,000 aggregate
principal amount), which we expect to redeem on March 4,
2008.
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Investment
Objective
Our investment objective is to seek a high level of total return
with an emphasis on current distributions paid to stockholders.
For purposes of our investment objective, total return includes
capital appreciation of, and all distributions received from,
securities in which we invest regardless of the tax character of
the distributions. We seek to provide our stockholders with an
efficient vehicle to invest in a portfolio of publicly traded
MLPs in the energy infrastructure sector. Similar to the federal
income tax characterization of cash distributions made by MLPs
to the MLPs unit holders, we believe that our common
stockholders will have relatively high levels of return of
capital associated with cash distributions we make to
stockholders.
17
Energy
Infrastructure Industry
We concentrate our investments in the energy infrastructure
sector. We pursue our objective by investing principally in a
portfolio of equity securities issued by MLPs. MLP common units
historically have generated higher average total returns than
domestic common stock (as measured by the S&P 500) and
fixed income securities. A more detailed description of
investment policies and restrictions and more detailed
information about portfolio investments are contained in the
statement of additional information.
Energy Infrastructure Companies. For purposes
of our policy of investing 90% of total assets in securities of
energy infrastructure companies, an energy infrastructure
company is one that derives each year at least 50% of its
revenues from Qualifying Income under
Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code or one that
derives at least 50% of its revenues from providing services
directly related to the generation of Qualifying Income.
Qualifying Income is defined as including any income and gains
from the exploration, development, mining or production,
processing, refining, transportation (including pipelines
transporting gas, oil or products thereof), or the marketing of
any mineral or natural resource (including fertilizer,
geothermal energy and timber).
Energy infrastructure companies (other than most pipeline MLPs)
do not operate as public utilities or local
distribution companies, and, therefore, are not subject to
rate regulation by state or federal utility commissions.
However, energy infrastructure companies may be subject to
greater competitive factors than utility companies, including
competitive pricing in the absence of regulated tariff rates,
which could reduce revenues and adversely affect profitability.
Most pipeline MLPs are subject to government regulation
concerning the construction, pricing and operation of pipelines.
Pipeline MLPs are able to set prices (rates or tariffs) to cover
operating costs, depreciation and taxes, and provide a return on
investment. These rates are monitored by the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) which seeks to ensure that
consumers receive adequate and reliable supplies of energy at
the lowest possible price while providing energy suppliers and
transporters a just and reasonable return on capital investment
and the opportunity to adjust to changing market conditions.
Master Limited Partnerships. Under normal
circumstances, we invest at least 70% of our total assets in
equity securities of MLPs that each year derive at least 90% of
their gross income from Qualifying Income and are organized as
partnerships, thereby eliminating federal income tax at the
entity level. An MLP generally has two classes of partners, the
general partner, and the limited partners. The general partner
is usually a major energy company, investment fund or the direct
management of the MLP. The general partner normally controls the
MLP through a 2% equity interest plus units that are
subordinated to the common (publicly traded) units for at least
the first five years of the partnerships existence and
then only convert to common units if certain financial tests are
met.
As a motivation for the general partner to successfully manage
the MLP and increase cash flows, the terms of most MLP
partnership agreements typically provide that the general
partner receives a larger portion of the net income as
distributions reach higher target levels. As cash flow grows,
the general partner receives a greater interest in the
incremental income compared to the interest of limited partners.
The general partners incentive compensation typically
increases to up to 50% of incremental income. Nevertheless, the
aggregate amount of distributions to limited partners will
increase as MLP distributions reach higher target levels. Given
this incentive structure, the general partner has an incentive
to streamline operations and undertake acquisitions and growth
projects in order to increase distributions to all partners.
Energy infrastructure MLPs in which we invest generally can be
classified in the following categories:
|
|
|
|
|
Pipeline MLPs. Pipeline MLPs are common
carrier transporters of natural gas, natural gas liquids
(primarily propane, ethane, butane and natural gasoline), crude
oil or refined petroleum products (gasoline, diesel fuel and jet
fuel). Pipeline MLPs also may operate ancillary businesses such
as storage and marketing of such products. Revenue is derived
from capacity and transportation fees. Historically, pipeline
output has been less exposed to cyclical economic forces due to
its low cost structure and government-regulated nature. In
addition, pipeline MLPs do not have direct commodity price
exposure because they do not own the product being shipped.
|
|
|
|
Processing MLPs. Processing MLPs are
gatherers and processors of natural gas, as well as providers of
transportation, fractionation and storage of natural gas liquids
(NGLs). Revenue is derived from providing services
to natural gas producers, which require treatment or processing
before their natural gas commodity can be marketed to utilities
and other end user markets. Revenue for the processor is fee
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
based, although it is not uncommon to have some participation in
the prices of the natural gas and NGL commodities for a portion
of revenue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Propane MLPs. Propane MLPs are
distributors of propane to homeowners for space and water
heating. Revenue is derived from the resale of the commodity on
a margin over wholesale cost. The ability to maintain margin is
a key to profitability. Propane serves approximately 3% of the
household energy needs in the United States, largely for homes
beyond the geographic reach of natural gas distribution
pipelines. Approximately 70% of annual cash flow is earned
during the winter heating season (October through March).
Accordingly, volumes are weather dependent, but have utility
type functions similar to electricity and natural gas.
|
|
|
|
Coal MLPs. Coal MLPs own, lease and
manage coal reserves. Revenue is derived from production and
sale of coal, or from royalty payments related to leases to coal
producers. Electricity generation is the primary use of coal in
the United States. Demand for electricity and supply of
alternative fuels to generators are the primary drivers of coal
demand. Coal MLPs are subject to operating and production risks,
such as: the MLP or a lessee meeting necessary production
volumes; federal, state and local laws and regulations which may
limit the ability to produce coal; the MLPs ability to
manage production costs and pay mining reclamation costs; and
the effect on demand that the Clean Air Act standards have on
coal end-users.
|
|
|
|
Marine Shipping MLPs. Marine shipping
MLPs are primarily marine transporters of natural gas, crude oil
or refined petroleum products. Marine shipping MLPs derive
revenue from charging customers for the transportation of these
products utilizing the MLPs vessels. Transportation
services are typically provided pursuant to a charter or
contract, the terms of which vary depending on, for example, the
length of use of a particular vessel, the amount of cargo
transported, the number of voyages made, the parties operating a
vessel or other factors.
|
We also may invest in equity and debt securities of energy
infrastructure companies that are organized
and/or taxed
as corporations to the extent consistent with our investment
objective. We also may invest in securities of general partners
or other affiliates of MLPs and private companies operating
energy infrastructure assets.
Investment
Process
Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 90% of our total
assets (including assets obtained through leverage) in
securities of energy infrastructure companies. The Adviser seeks
to invest in securities that offer a combination of quality,
growth and yield intended to result in superior total returns
over the long run. The Advisers securities selection
process includes a comparison of quantitative, qualitative, and
relative value factors. Although the Adviser intends to use
research provided by broker-dealers and investment firms,
primary emphasis will be placed on proprietary analysis and
valuation models conducted and maintained by the Advisers
in-house investment analysts. To determine whether a company
meets its criteria, the Adviser generally will look for a strong
record of distribution growth, a solid ratio of debt to equity
and coverage ratio with respect to distributions to unit
holders, and a proven track record, incentive structure and
management team. It is anticipated that all of the publicly
traded MLPs in which we invest will have a market capitalization
greater than $100 million.
Investment
Policies
We seek to achieve our investment objective by investing
primarily in securities of MLPs that the Adviser believes offer
attractive distribution rates and capital appreciation
potential. We also may invest in other securities set forth
below if the Adviser expects to achieve our objective with such
investments.
Our policy of investing at least 90% of our total assets
(including assets obtained through leverage) in securities of
energy infrastructure companies is nonfundamental and may be
changed by the Board of Directors without stockholder approval,
provided that stockholders receive at least 60 days
prior written notice of any change.
We have adopted the following additional nonfundamental policies:
|
|
|
|
|
Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 70% and up to
100% of our total assets in equity securities issued by MLPs.
Equity securities currently consist of common units, convertible
subordinated units, and
pay-in-kind
units.
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
We may invest up to 30% of our total assets in restricted
securities, primarily through direct placements. Subject to this
policy, we may invest without limitation in illiquid securities.
The types of restricted securities that we may purchase include
securities of private energy infrastructure companies and
privately issued securities of publicly traded energy
infrastructure companies. Restricted securities, whether issued
by public companies or private companies, are generally
considered illiquid. Investments in private companies that do
not have any publicly traded shares or units are limited to 5%
of total assets.
|
|
|
|
We may invest up to 25% of our total assets in debt securities
of energy infrastructure companies, including certain securities
rated below investment grade (junk bonds). Below
investment grade debt securities will be rated at least B3 by
Moodys and at least B− by S&P at the time of
purchase, or comparably rated by another statistical rating
organization or if unrated, determined to be of comparable
quality by the Adviser.
|
|
|
|
We will not invest more than 10% of our total assets in any
single issuer.
|
|
|
|
We will not engage in short sales.
|
Unless otherwise stated, these investment restrictions apply at
the time of purchase and we will not be required to reduce a
position due solely to market value fluctuations.
As used in the bullets above, the term total assets
includes assets to be obtained through anticipated leverage for
the purpose of each nonfundamental investment policy. During the
period in which we are investing the net proceeds of an
offering, we may deviate from our investment policies with
respect to the net proceeds of the offering by investing the net
proceeds in cash, cash equivalents, securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its instrumentalities
or agencies, high quality, short-term money market instruments,
short-term debt securities, certificates of deposit,
bankers acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial
paper rated in the highest category by a rating agency or other
liquid fixed income securities.
20
Investment
Securities
The types of securities in which we may invest include, but are
not limited to, the following:
Equity Securities of MLPs. Consistent with our
investment objective, we may invest up to 100% of total assets
in equity securities issued by energy infrastructure MLPs,
including common units, convertible subordinated units,
pay-in-kind
units (typically, I-Shares) and common units,
subordinated units and preferred units of limited liability
companies (LLCs) (that are treated as MLPs for
federal income tax purposes). The table below summarizes the
features of these securities, and a further discussion of these
securities follows.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible
|
|
|
|
|
Common Units
|
|
Subordinated Units
|
|
|
|
|
(for MLPs taxed as
|
|
(for MLPs taxed as
|
|
|
|
|
partnerships)1
|
|
partnerships)
|
|
I-Shares
|
|
Voting Rights
|
|
Limited to certain significant decisions; no annual election of
directors
|
|
Same as common units
|
|
No direct MLP voting rights
|
Dividend Priority
|
|
First right to minimum quarterly distribution (MQD)
specified in Partnership Agreement; arrearage rights
|
|
Second right to MQD; no arrearage rights; may be paid in
additional units
|
|
Equal in priority to common units but paid in additional
I-Shares at current market value of I-Shares
|
Dividend Rate
|
|
Minimum set in partnership agreement; participate pro rata with
subordinated units after both MQDs are met
|
|
Equal in amount to common units; participate pro rata with
common units above the MQD
|
|
Equal in amount to common units
|
Trading
|
|
Listed on NYSE, AMEX or NASDAQ National Market
|
|
Not publicly traded
|
|
Listed on NYSE
|
Federal Income Tax Treatment
|
|
Generally, ordinary income to the extent of taxable income
allocated to holder; distributions are tax-free return of
capital to extent of holders basis; remainder as capital
gain
|
|
Same as common units
|
|
Full distribution treated as return of capital; since
distribution is in shares, total basis is not reduced
|
Type of Investor
|
|
Retail; creates unrelated business taxable income for tax-exempt
investor; investment by regulated investment companies limited
to 25% of total assets
|
|
Same as common units
|
|
Retail and Institutional; does not create unrelated business
taxable income; qualifying income for regulated investment
companies
|
Liquidity Priority
|
|
Intended to receive return of all capital first
|
|
Second right to return of capital; pro rata with common units
thereafter
|
|
Same as common units (indirect right through I-Share issuer)
|
Conversion Rights
|
|
None
|
|
Typically one-to-one ratio into common units
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Some energy infrastructure
companies in which we may invest have been organized as LLCs.
Such companies are generally treated in the same manner as MLPs
for federal income tax purposes. Common units of LLCs have
similar characteristics as those of MLP common units, except
that LLC common units typically have voting rights with respect
to the LLC and LLC common units held by management are not
entitled to increased percentages of cash distributions as
increased levels of cash distributions are received by the LLC.
The characteristics of LLCs and their common units are more
fully discussed below.
|
21
MLP Common Units. MLP common units represent
an equity ownership interest in a partnership, providing limited
voting rights and entitling the holder to a share of the
companys success through distributions
and/or
capital appreciation. Unlike stockholders of a corporation,
common unit holders do not elect directors annually and
generally have the right to vote only on certain significant
events, such as mergers, a sale of substantially all of the
assets, removal of the general partner or material amendments to
the partnership agreement. MLPs are required by their
partnership agreements to distribute a large percentage of their
current operating earnings. Common unit holders generally have
first right to a MQD prior to distributions to the convertible
subordinated unit holders or the general partner (including
incentive distributions). Common unit holders typically have
arrearage rights if the MQD is not met. In the event of
liquidation, MLP common unit holders have first rights to the
partnerships remaining assets after bondholders, other
debt holders, and preferred unit holders have been paid in full.
MLP common units trade on a national securities exchange or
over-the-counter.
Limited Liability Company Common Units. Some
energy infrastructure companies in which we may invest have been
organized as LLCs. Such LLCs are generally treated in the same
manner as MLPs for federal income tax purposes. Consistent with
our investment objective and policies, we may invest in common
units or other securities of such LLCs including preferred
units, subordinated units and debt securities. LLC common units
represent an equity ownership interest in an LLC, entitling the
holder to a share of the LLCs success through
distributions
and/or
capital appreciation. Similar to MLPs, LLCs typically do not pay
federal income tax at the entity level and are required by their
operating agreements to distribute a large percentage of their
current operating earnings. LLC common unit holders generally
have first right to a MQD prior to distributions to subordinated
unit holders and typically have arrearage rights if the MQD is
not met. In the event of liquidation, LLC common unit holders
have a right to the LLCs remaining assets after bond
holders, other debt holders and preferred unit holders, if any,
have been paid in full. LLC common units may trade on a national
securities exchange or over-the-counter.
In contrast to MLPs, LLCs have no general partner and there are
no incentives that entitle management or other unit holders to
increased percentages of cash distributions as distributions
reach higher target levels. In addition, LLC common unit holders
typically have voting rights with respect to the LLC, whereas
MLP common units have limited voting rights.
MLP Convertible Subordinated Units. MLP
convertible subordinated units are typically issued by MLPs to
founders, corporate general partners of MLPs, entities that sell
assets to MLPs, and institutional investors. The purpose of the
convertible subordinated units is to increase the likelihood
that during the subordination period there will be available
cash to be distributed to common unit holders. We expect to
purchase convertible subordinated units in direct placements
from such persons. Convertible subordinated units generally are
not entitled to distributions until holders of common units have
received specified MQD, plus any arrearages, and may receive
less than common unit holders in distributions upon liquidation.
Convertible subordinated unit holders generally are entitled to
MQD prior to the payment of incentive distributions to the
general partner, but are not entitled to arrearage rights.
Therefore, convertible subordinated units generally entail
greater risk than MLP common units. They are generally
convertible automatically into the senior common units of the
same issuer at a one-to-one ratio upon the passage of time or
the satisfaction of certain financial tests. These units
generally do not trade on a national exchange or
over-the-counter, and there is no active market for convertible
subordinated units. Although the means by which convertible
subordinated units convert into senior common units depend on a
securitys specific terms, MLP convertible subordinated
units typically are exchanged for common shares. The value of a
convertible security is a function of its worth if converted
into the underlying common units. Convertible subordinated units
generally have similar voting rights to MLP common units.
Distributions may be paid in cash or in-kind.
MLP I-Shares. I-Shares represent an indirect
investment in MLP
I-units.
I-units are
equity securities issued to affiliates of MLPs, typically a
limited liability company, that owns an interest in and manages
the MLP. The I-Share issuer has management rights but is not
entitled to incentive distributions. The I-Share issuers
assets consist exclusively of MLP
I-units;
however, the MLP does not allocate income or loss to the I-Share
issuer. Distributions by MLPs to
I-unit
holders are made in the form of additional
I-units,
generally equal in amount to the cash received by common unit
holders of MLPs. Distributions to I-Share holders are made in
the form of additional I-Shares, generally equal in amount to
the I-units
received by the I-Share issuer. The issuer of the I-Share is
taxed as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.
Accordingly, investors receive a Form 1099, are not
allocated their proportionate share of income of the MLPs and
are not subject to state filing obligations.
22
Equity Securities of MLP Affiliates. In
addition to equity securities of MLPs, we may also invest in
equity securities of MLP affiliates, by purchasing securities of
limited liability entities that own general partner interests of
MLPs. General partner interests of MLPs are typically retained
by an MLPs original sponsors, such as its founders,
corporate partners, entities that sell assets to the MLP and
investors such as the entities from which we may purchase
general partner interests. An entity holding general partner
interests, but not its investors, can be liable under certain
circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of the
entitys investment in the general partner interest.
General partner interests often confer direct board
participation rights, and in many cases, operating control over
the MLP. These interests themselves are generally not publicly
traded, although they may be owned by publicly traded entities.
General partner interests receive cash distributions, typically
2% of the MLPs aggregate cash distributions, which are
contractually defined in the partnership agreement. In addition,
holders of general partner interests typically hold incentive
distribution rights (IDRs), which provide them with
a larger share of the aggregate MLP cash distributions as the
distributions to limited partner unit holders are increased to
prescribed levels. General partner interests generally cannot be
converted into common units. The general partner interest can be
redeemed by the MLP if the MLP unitholders choose to remove the
general partner, typically with a supermajority vote by limited
partner unitholders.
Other Non-MLP Equity Securities. In addition
to equity securities of MLPs, we may also invest in common and
preferred stock, limited partner interests, convertible
securities, warrants and depository receipts of companies that
are organized as corporations, limited liability companies or
limited partnerships. Common stock generally represents an
equity ownership interest in an issuer. Although common stocks
have historically generated higher average total returns than
fixed-income securities over the long term, common stocks also
have experienced significantly more volatility in those returns
and may under-perform relative to fixed-income securities during
certain periods. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable
earnings report, may depress the value of a particular common
stock we hold. Also, prices of common stocks are sensitive to
general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock
market may depress the price of common stocks to which we have
exposure. Common stock prices fluctuate for several reasons
including changes in investors perceptions of the
financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the
relevant stock market, or when political or economic events
affecting the issuers occur. In addition, common stock prices
may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, which
increases borrowing costs and the costs of capital.
Debt Securities. We may invest up to 25% of
our total assets in debt securities of energy infrastructure
companies, including securities rated below investment grade.
These debt securities may have fixed or variable principal
payments and all types of interest rate and dividend payment and
reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon,
contingent, deferred,
payment-in-kind
and auction rate features. To the extent that we invest in below
investment grade debt securities, such securities will be rated,
at the time of investment, at least B− by S&P or
B3 by Moodys or a comparable rating by at least one other
rating agency or, if unrated, determined by the Adviser to be of
comparable quality. If a security satisfies our minimum rating
criteria at the time of purchase and subsequently is downgraded
below such rating, we will not be required to dispose of such
security. If a downgrade occurs, the Adviser will consider what
action, including the sale of such security, is in the best
interest of us and our stockholders.
Because the risk of default is higher for below investment grade
securities than investment grade securities, the Advisers
research and credit analysis is an especially important part of
managing securities of this type. The Adviser attempts to
identify those issuers of below investment grade securities
whose financial condition the Adviser believes are adequate to
meet future obligations or have improved or are expected to
improve in the future. The Advisers analysis focuses on
relative values based on such factors as interest or dividend
coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects and the experience
and managerial strength of the issuer.
Restricted Securities. We may invest up to 30%
of our total assets in restricted securities, primarily through
direct placements. An issuer may be willing to offer the
purchaser more attractive features with respect to securities
issued in direct placements because it has avoided the expense
and delay involved in a public offering of securities. Adverse
conditions in the public securities markets also may preclude a
public offering of securities. MLP convertible subordinated
units typically are purchased in private placements and do not
trade on a national exchange or over-the-counter, and there is
no active market for convertible subordinated units. MLP
convertible subordinated units typically are purchased from
affiliates of the issuer or other existing holders of
convertible units rather than directly from the issuer.
23
Restricted securities obtained by means of direct placements are
less liquid than securities traded in the open market because of
statutory and contractual restrictions on resale. Such
securities are, therefore, unlike securities that are traded in
the open market, which are likely to be sold immediately if the
market is adequate. This lack of liquidity creates special
risks. However, we could sell such securities in privately
negotiated transactions with a limited number of purchasers or
in public offerings under the 1933 Act. MLP convertible
subordinated units also convert to publicly traded common units
upon the passage of time
and/or
satisfaction of certain financial tests.
Temporary and Defensive Investments. Pending
investment of offering or leverage proceeds, we may invest such
proceeds in securities issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. Government or its instrumentalities or agencies,
short-term debt securities, certificates of deposit,
bankers acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial
paper rated in the highest category by a rating agency or other
liquid fixed income securities deemed by the Adviser to be of
similar quality (collectively, short-term
securities), or in cash or cash equivalents, all of which
are expected to provide a lower yield than the securities of
energy infrastructure companies. We also may invest in
short-term securities or cash on a temporary basis to meet
working capital needs including, but not limited to, for
collateral in connection with certain investment techniques, to
hold a reserve pending payment of distributions, and to
facilitate the payment of expenses and settlement of trades.
Under adverse market or economic conditions, we may invest up to
100% of our total assets in short-term securities or cash. The
yield on short-term securities or cash may be lower than the
returns on MLPs or yields on lower rated fixed income
securities. To the extent we invest in short-term securities or
cash for defensive purposes, such investments are inconsistent
with, and may result in our not achieving, our investment
objective.
Portfolio
Turnover
Our annual portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to
year. Although we cannot accurately predict our annual portfolio
turnover rate, it is not expected to exceed 30% under normal
circumstances. For the fiscal years ended November 30, 2007
and 2006, our actual portfolio turnover rate was 9.30% and
2.18%, respectively. Portfolio turnover rate is not considered a
limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions for us.
A higher turnover rate results in correspondingly greater
brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that the
Company bears. High portfolio turnover may result in our
recognition of gains that will increase our tax liability and
thereby lower the amount of our after-tax distributions. In
addition, high portfolio turnover may increase our current and
accumulated earnings and profits, resulting in a greater portion
of our distributions being treated as taxable dividends for
federal income tax purposes. See Certain Federal Income
Tax Matters.
Conflicts
of Interest
Conflicts of interest may arise from the fact that the Adviser
and its affiliates carry on substantial investment activities
for other clients, in which we have no interest, some of which
may have investment strategies similar to ours. The Adviser or
its affiliates may have financial incentives to favor certain of
such accounts over us. For example, our Adviser may have an
incentive to allocate potentially more favorable investment
opportunities to other funds and clients that pay our Adviser an
incentive or performance fee. Performance and incentive fees
also create the incentive to allocate potentially riskier, but
potentially better performing, investments to such funds and
other clients in an effort to increase the incentive fee. Our
Adviser also may have an incentive to make investments in one
fund, having the effect of increasing the value of a security in
the same issuer held by another fund, which, in turn, may result
in an incentive fee being paid to our Adviser by that other
fund. Any of their proprietary accounts and other customer
accounts may compete with us, for specific trades. The Adviser
or its affiliates may give advice and recommend securities to,
or buy or sell securities for, us, which advice or securities
may differ from advice given to, or securities recommended or
bought or sold for, other accounts and customers, even though
their investment objectives may be the same as, or similar to,
our objectives. Our Adviser has written allocation policies and
procedures designed to address potential conflicts of interest.
For instance, when two or more clients advised by the Adviser or
its affiliates seek to purchase or sell the same publicly traded
securities, the securities actually purchased or sold will be
allocated among the clients on a good faith, fair and equitable
basis by the Adviser in its discretion and in accordance with
the clients various investment objectives and the
Advisers procedures. In some cases, this system may
adversely affect the price or size of the position we may obtain
or sell. In other cases, our ability to participate in volume
transactions may produce better execution for us. When possible,
our Adviser combines all of the trade orders into one or more
block orders, and each account participates at the average unit
or
24
share price obtained in a block order. When block orders are
only partially filled, our Adviser considers a number of factors
in determining how allocations are made, with the overall goal
to allocate in a manner so that accounts are not preferred or
disadvantaged over time. Our Adviser also has allocation
policies for transactions involving private placement
securities, which are designed to result in a fair and equitable
participation in offerings or sales for each participating
client. In addition, our Advisers compliance officer
periodically reviews the allocation of investment opportunities
to ensure compliance with its policies and procedures.
The Adviser also serves as investment adviser for three other
publicly traded and two privately held closed-end management
investment companies, all of which invest in the energy sector.
See Management of the Company Investment
Adviser.
The Adviser will evaluate a variety of factors in determining
whether a particular investment opportunity or strategy is
appropriate and feasible for the relevant account at a
particular time, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) the nature of the investment opportunity taken in the
context of the other investments at the time; (2) the
liquidity of the investment relative to the needs of the
particular entity or account; (3) the availability of the
opportunity (i.e., size of obtainable position); (4) the
transaction costs involved; and (5) the investment or
regulatory limitations applicable to the particular entity or
account. Because these considerations may differ when applied to
us and relevant accounts under management in the context of any
particular investment opportunity, our investment activities, on
the one hand, and other managed accounts, on the other hand, may
differ considerably from time to time. In addition, our fees and
expenses will differ from those of the other managed accounts.
Accordingly, investors should be aware that our future
performance and future performance of other accounts of the
Adviser may vary.
Situations may occur when we could be disadvantaged because of
the investment activities conducted by the Adviser and its
affiliates for its other funds or accounts. Such situations may
be based on, among other things, the following: (1) legal
or internal restrictions on the combined size of positions that
may be taken for us or the other accounts, thereby limiting the
size of our position; (2) the difficulty of liquidating an
investment for us or the other accounts where the market cannot
absorb the sale of the combined position; or (3) limits on
co-investing in negotiated transactions under the 1940 Act, as
discussed further below.
Under the 1940 Act, we may be precluded from co-investing in
negotiated private placements of securities with our affiliates,
including other funds managed by the Adviser. We and the Adviser
have applied to the SEC for exemptive relief to permit us and
our affiliates to make such investments. There is no guarantee
that the requested relief will be granted by SEC. Unless and
until we obtain an exemptive order, we will not co-invest with
our affiliates in negotiated private placement transactions.
Unless we receive exemptive relief, the Adviser will observe a
policy for allocating negotiated private placement opportunities
among its clients that takes into account the amount of each
clients available cash and its investment objectives.
To the extent that the Adviser sources and structures private
investments in MLPs, certain employees of the Adviser may become
aware of actions planned by MLPs, such as acquisitions, that may
not be announced to the public. It is possible that we could be
precluded from investing in or selling securities of an MLP
about which the Adviser has material, non-public information;
however, it is the Advisers intention to ensure that any
material, non-public information available to certain employees
of the Adviser is not shared with the employees responsible for
the purchase and sale of publicly traded MLP securities. Our
investment opportunities also may be limited by affiliations of
the Adviser or its affiliates with energy infrastructure
companies.
The Adviser and its principals, officers, employees, and
affiliates may buy and sell securities or other investments for
their own accounts and may have actual or potential conflicts of
interest with respect to investments made on our behalf. As a
result of differing trading and investment strategies or
constraints, positions may be taken by principals, officers,
employees, and affiliates of the Adviser that are the same as,
different from, or made at a different time than positions taken
for us. Further, the Adviser may at some time in the future,
manage other investment funds with the same investment objective
as ours.
LEVERAGE
Use of
Leverage
We currently engage in leverage and may borrow money or issue
additional debt securities,
and/or issue
additional preferred stock, which may be auction rate
securities, to provide us with additional funds to invest. The
25
borrowing of money and the issuance of preferred stock and debt
securities represent the leveraging of our common stock.
Currently, our long term plan is to use leverage to represent
approximately 33% of our total assets, including the proceeds
from such leverage. However, we reserve the right at any time,
if we believe that market conditions are appropriate, to use
financial leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act (50%
for preferred stock and
331/3%
for debt) or we may elect to reduce the use of leverage or use
no leverage at all. Our Board of Directors has approved a policy
permitting temporary increases in the amount of leverage we may
use from 33% of our total assets to up to 38% of our total
assets at the time of incurrence, provided that (i) such
leverage is consistent with the limits set forth in the 1940
Act, and (ii) such increased leverage is reduced over time
in an orderly fashion. We generally will not use leverage unless
we believe that leverage will serve the best interests of our
stockholders. The principal factor used in making this
determination is whether the potential return is likely to
exceed the cost of leverage. We will not issue additional
leverage where the estimated costs of issuing such leverage and
the on-going cost of servicing the payment obligations on such
leverage exceed the estimated return on the proceeds of such
leverage. We note, however, that in making the determination of
whether to issue leverage, we must rely on estimates of leverage
costs and expected returns. Actual costs of leverage vary over
time depending on interest rates and other factors. Actual
returns vary, of course, depending on many factors. Our Board
also will consider other factors, including whether the current
investment opportunities will help us achieve our investment
objective and strategies.
We have established an unsecured credit facility with
U.S. Bank N.A. serving as a lender and the lending
syndicate agent on behalf of other lenders participating in the
credit facility, which currently allows us to borrow up to
$150,000,000. Outstanding balances under the credit facility
generally accrue interest at a variable annual rate equal to the
one-month LIBOR rate plus 0.75%. As of November 30, 2007,
the current rate was 5.99%. The credit facility remains in
effect through March 21, 2008, at which time we currently
expect to renew, and we may draw on the facility from time to
time in accordance with our investment policies. As of
November 30, 2007, we had $38,050,000 outstanding under our
credit facility.
We also may borrow up to an additional 5% of our total assets
(not including the amount so borrowed) for temporary purposes,
including the settlement and clearance of securities
transactions, which otherwise might require untimely
dispositions of portfolio holdings.
Under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to issue preferred
stock unless immediately after such issuance, the value of our
total assets (including the proceeds of such issuance) less all
liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior
securities is at least equal to 200% of the total of the
aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness
plus the aggregate liquidation value of the outstanding
preferred stock. Stated another way, we may not issue preferred
stock that, together with outstanding preferred stock and debt
securities, has a total aggregate liquidation value and
outstanding principal amount of more than 50% of the value of
our total assets, including the proceeds of such issuance, less
liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior
securities. In addition, we are not permitted to declare any
cash dividend or other distribution on our common stock, or
purchase any of our shares of common stock (through tender
offers or otherwise) unless we would satisfy this 200% asset
coverage requirement test after deducting the amount of such
dividend, distribution or share price, as the case may be. We
may, as a result of market conditions or otherwise, be required
to purchase or redeem preferred stock, or sell a portion of our
investments when it may be disadvantageous to do so, in order to
maintain the required asset coverage. Common stockholders would
bear the costs of issuing additional preferred stock, which may
include offering expenses and the ongoing payment of dividends.
Under the 1940 Act, we may only issue one class of preferred
stock. So long as Tortoise Preferred Shares are outstanding, any
preferred stock offered pursuant to this prospectus and any
related prospectus supplement will rank on parity with any
outstanding Tortoise Preferred Shares.
Under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to issue debt
securities or incur other indebtedness constituting senior
securities unless immediately thereafter, the value of our total
assets (including the proceeds of the indebtedness) less all
liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior
securities is at least equal to 300% of the amount of the
outstanding indebtedness. Stated another way, we may not issue
debt securities or incur other indebtedness with an aggregate
principal amount of more than
331/3%
of the value of our total assets, including the amount borrowed,
less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior
securities. We also must maintain this 300% asset
coverage for as long as the indebtedness is outstanding.
The 1940 Act provides that we may not declare any cash dividend
or other distribution on common or preferred stock, or purchase
any of our shares of stock (through tender offers or otherwise),
unless we would satisfy this 300% asset coverage requirement
test after
26
deducting the amount of the dividend, other distribution or
share purchase price, as the case may be. If the asset coverage
for indebtedness declines to less than 300% as a result of
market fluctuations or otherwise, we may be required to redeem
debt securities, or sell a portion of our investments when it
may be disadvantageous to do so. Under the 1940 Act, we may only
issue one class of senior securities representing indebtedness.
So long as Tortoise Notes are outstanding, any debt securities
offered pursuant to this prospectus and any related prospectus
supplement will be ranked on parity with any outstanding
Tortoise Notes.
Hedging
Transactions
In an attempt to reduce the interest rate risk arising from our
leveraged capital structure, we currently use, and may in the
future use, interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps and
floors. There is no assurance that the interest rate hedging
transactions into which we enter will be effective in reducing
our exposure to interest rate risk. Hedging transactions are
subject to correlation risk, which is the risk that payment on
our hedging transactions may not correlate exactly with our
payment obligations on senior securities. The use of interest
rate transactions is a highly specialized activity that involves
investment techniques and risks different from those associated
with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an interest
rate swap, we would agree to pay to the other party to the
interest rate swap (which is known as the
counterparty) a fixed rate payment in exchange for
the counterparty agreeing to pay to us a variable rate payment
intended to approximate our variable rate payment obligation on
any variable rate borrowings, such as Tortoise Notes and
variable rate preferred shares, such as Tortoise Preferred
Shares. The payment obligations would be based on the notional
amount of the swap. In an interest rate cap, we would pay a
premium to the counterparty up to the interest rate cap and, to
the extent that a specified variable rate index exceeds a
predetermined fixed rate of interest, would receive from the
counterparty payments equal to the difference based on the
notional amount of such cap. In an interest rate floor, we would
be entitled to receive, to the extent that a specified index
falls below a predetermined interest rate, payments of interest
on a notional principal amount from the party selling the
interest rate floor. Depending on the state of interest rates in
general, our use of interest rate transactions could affect our
ability to make required interest payments on the Tortoise Notes
or dividend payments on Tortoise Preferred Shares. To the extent
there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the interest
rate transactions could decline. If the counterparty to an
interest rate transaction defaults, we would not be able to use
the anticipated net receipts under the interest rate transaction
to offset our cost of financial leverage.
We have entered into interest rate swap transactions intended to
reduce our interest rate risk with respect to our interest and
dividend payment obligations under the currently outstanding
Tortoise Notes and Tortoise Preferred Shares, respectively. See
Risk Factors Company Risks Hedging
Strategy Risk.
Effects
of Leverage
As of November 30, 2007, we were obligated to pay the
following rates on our outstanding Tortoise Notes and Tortoise
Preferred Shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Principal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount/Liquidation
|
|
|
Term of Current
|
|
Interest/Dividend
|
|
Title of Security
|
|
Preference
|
|
|
Rate Period
|
|
Rate per Annum
|
|
|
Series A Tortoise
Notes(1)
|
|
$
|
60,000,000
|
|
|
5 years
(9/5/07-9/4/12)
|
|
|
6.75
|
%
|
Series B Tortoise
Notes(1)
|
|
$
|
50,000,000
|
|
|
1 year
9/12/07-9/11/08)
|
|
|
7.00
|
%
|
Series C Tortoise
Notes(2)
|
|
$
|
55,000,000
|
|
|
7 days
|
|
|
5.85
|
%
|
Series D Tortoise
Notes(2)
|
|
$
|
70,000,000
|
|
|
28 days
|
|
|
6.10
|
%
|
Series I Tortoise Preferred
Shares(1)
|
|
$
|
35,000,000
|
|
|
3 years
(9/13/07-9/12/10)
|
|
|
6.25
|
%
|
Series II Tortoise Preferred
Shares(1)
|
|
$
|
35,000,000
|
|
|
3 years
(9/7/07-9/6/10)
|
|
|
6.25
|
%
|
Series III MMP
Shares(2)
|
|
$
|
60,000,000
|
|
|
28 days
|
|
|
6.35
|
%
|
Series IV MMP
Shares(2)
|
|
$
|
55,000,000
|
|
|
28 days
|
|
|
6.40
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
420,000,000
|
(total)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Does not include commissions paid
by us in connection with the establishment of a special rate
period. See Notes 9 and 10 of the accompanying notes to our
audited 2007 financial statements.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Includes commissions paid to the
auction agent in the amount of 0.25%.
|
As of November 30, 2007, we have entered into the following
interest rate swap agreements in an attempt to reduce our
exposure to increasing dividend and interest expense relating to
our Tortoise Preferred Shares and Tortoise Notes, respectively,
resulting from increasing short-term interest rates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rate Payable
|
|
|
|
Notional Amount
|
|
|
As of November 30, 2007
|
|
|
Maturity Date
|
|
$
|
50,000,000
|
|
|
|
4.64%
|
|
|
7/12/2011
|
$
|
55,000,000
|
|
|
|
4.99%
|
|
|
4/21/2012
|
$
|
60,000,000
|
|
|
|
5.03%
|
|
|
4/21/2013
|
$
|
55,000,000
|
|
|
|
4.54%
|
|
|
5/01/2014
|
$
|
35,000,000
|
|
|
|
5.20%
|
|
|
11/12/2020
|
$
|
35,000,000
|
|
|
|
5.21%
|
|
|
11/18/2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
290,000,000
|
(total)
|
|
|
4.90%
|
(weighted average)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assuming that the dividend rates payable on the Tortoise
Preferred Shares and the interest rates payable on the Tortoise
Notes remain as described above (an average annual cost of 6.43%
based on the amount of leverage outstanding at November 30,
2007), the annual return that our portfolio must experience net
of expenses, but excluding deferred and current taxes, in order
to cover leverage costs would be 3.31%.
The following table is designed to illustrate the effect of the
foregoing level of leverage on the return to a common
stockholder, assuming hypothetical annual returns (net of
expenses) of our portfolio of -10% to 10%. As the table shows,
the leverage generally increases the return to common
stockholders when portfolio return is positive or greater than
the cost of leverage and decreases the return when the portfolio
return is negative or less than the cost of leverage. The
figures appearing in the table are hypothetical, and actual
returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assumed Portfolio Return (net of expenses)
|
|
|
−10
|
%
|
|
|
−5
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
Corresponding Common Share Return
|
|
|
−27.5
|
%
|
|
|
−17.2
|
%
|
|
|
−6.8
|
%
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
|
13.9
|
%
|
Because we use leverage, the amount of the fees paid to the
Adviser for investment advisory and management services are
higher than if we did not use leverage because the fees paid are
calculated based on our Managed Assets, which include assets
purchased with leverage. Therefore, the Adviser has a financial
incentive to use leverage, which creates a conflict of interest
between the Adviser and our common stockholders. Because
payments on any leverage would be paid by us at a specified
rate, only our common stockholders would bear management fees
and other expenses we incur.
We cannot fully achieve the benefits of leverage until we have
invested the proceeds resulting from the use of leverage in
accordance with our investment objective and policies. For
further information about leverage, see Risk
Factors Additional Risks to Common
Stockholders Leverage Risk.
Recent
Developments
As of the date of this prospectus, we had outstanding
$240,000,000 aggregate principal amount/liquidation preference
of auction rate Tortoise Notes and Tortoise Preferred Shares,
with interest/dividend rates that reset through auctions
conducted every 28 days or less. As described in more
detail below, we also had outstanding $180,000,000 aggregate
principal amount/liquidation preference of Tortoise Notes and
Tortoise Preferred Shares, with interest/dividend rate periods
that have been extended for certain periods as reflected in the
table above. Recent problems in the credit market have adversely
impacted borrowing costs. Borrowing costs in auction rate
markets, including the markets for Tortoise Preferred Shares and
Tortoise Notes, have become less predictable in part as a result
of widening spreads to LIBOR in recent months. Interest/dividend
rates for our auction rate securities have been subject to
greater volatility and uncertainty, which may result in an
auction in which sufficient clearing bids are not made. In the
event sufficient clearing bids are not made, the
interest/dividend rate (as the case may be) for a series of
Tortoise Notes or Tortoise Preferred Shares, as applicable, will
be set at the maximum rate as determined
28
by the terms of such securities. These market developments have
increased, and may continue to increase, our financing costs.
Because common stockholders indirectly bear the cost of
leverage, an increase in interest and dividend obligations on
our Tortoise Notes and Tortoise Preferred Shares may reduce our
total return to common stockholders and may impact our DCF. See
Additional Risks to Common Stockholders
Leverage Risk.
As noted above, in response to these market developments, we
exercised our option to designate special rate periods for
certain series of Tortoise Notes and Tortoise Preferred Shares
as indicated above, in an attempt to limit our exposure to
increasing interest and dividend rates and what we believe are
inefficiencies in the auction markets. During a special rate
period, each series will have a fixed interest or dividend rate,
will not be available for purchase or sale in an auction, and
will not be subject to redemption at our option but will remain
subject to mandatory redemption provisions under the Indenture
or corresponding articles supplementary, as applicable. We may
exercise our option to designate special rate periods for other
series of our outstanding Tortoise Notes and Tortoise Preferred
Shares in the future.
29
RISK
FACTORS
Investing in any of our securities involves risk, including
the risk that you may receive little or no return on your
investment or even that you may lose part or all of your
investment. Therefore, before investing in any of our securities
you should consider carefully the following risks, as well as
any risk factors included in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Company
Risks
We are a non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company designed primarily as a long-term investment vehicle and
not as a trading tool. An investment in our securities should
not constitute a complete investment program for any investor
and involves a high degree of risk. Due to the uncertainty in
all investments, there can be no assurance that we will achieve
our investment objective.
The following are the general risks of investing in our
securities that affect our ability to achieve our investment
objective. The risks below could lower the returns and
distributions on common stock and reduce the amount of cash and
net assets available to make dividend payments on preferred
stock and interest payments on debt securities.
Concentration Risk. Under normal
circumstances, we concentrate our investments in the energy
infrastructure sector, with an emphasis on securities issued by
MLPs. Risks inherent in the energy infrastructure business of
these types of MLPs include the following:
|
|
|
|
|
Processing and coal MLPs may be directly affected by energy
commodity prices. The volatility of commodity prices can
indirectly affect certain other MLPs due to the impact of prices
on volume of commodities transported, processed, stored or
distributed. Pipeline MLPs are not subject to direct commodity
price exposure because they do not own the underlying energy
commodity. While propane MLPs do own the underlying energy
commodity, the Adviser seeks high quality MLPs that are able to
mitigate or manage direct margin exposure to commodity price
levels. The MLP sector can be hurt by market perception that
MLPs performance and distributions are directly tied to
commodity prices.
|
|
|
|
The profitability of MLPs, particularly processing and pipeline
MLPs, may be materially impacted by the volume of natural gas or
other energy commodities available for transporting, processing,
storing or distributing. A significant decrease in the
production of natural gas, oil, coal or other energy
commodities, due to a decline in production from existing
facilities, import supply disruption, depressed commodity prices
or otherwise, would reduce revenue and operating income of MLPs
and, therefore, the ability of MLPs to make distributions to
partners.
|
|
|
|
A sustained decline in demand for crude oil, natural gas and
refined petroleum products could adversely affect MLP revenues
and cash flows. Factors that could lead to a decrease in market
demand include a recession or other adverse economic conditions,
an increase in the market price of the underlying commodity,
higher taxes or other regulatory actions that increase costs, or
a shift in consumer demand for such products. Demand may also be
adversely impacted by consumer sentiment with respect to global
warming
and/or by
any state or federal legislation intended to promote the use of
alternative energy sources, such as bio-fuels.
|
|
|
|
A portion of any one MLPs assets may be dedicated to
natural gas reserves and other commodities that naturally
deplete over time, which could have a materially adverse impact
on an MLPs ability to make distributions. Often the MLPs
depend upon exploration and development activities by third
parties.
|
|
|
|
MLPs employ a variety of means of increasing cash flow,
including increasing utilization of existing facilities,
expanding operations through new construction, expanding
operations through acquisitions, or securing additional
long-term contracts. Thus, some MLPs may be subject to
construction risk, acquisition risk or other risk factors
arising from their specific business strategies. A significant
slowdown in large energy companies disposition of energy
infrastructure assets and other merger and acquisition activity
in the energy MLP industry could reduce the growth rate of cash
flows we receive from MLPs that grow through acquisitions.
|
|
|
|
The profitability of MLPs could be adversely affected by changes
in the regulatory environment. Most MLPs assets are
heavily regulated by federal and state governments in diverse
matters, such as the way
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
in which certain MLP assets are constructed, maintained and
operated and the prices MLPs may charge for their services. Such
regulation can change over time in scope and intensity. For
example, a particular byproduct of an MLP process may be
declared hazardous by a regulatory agency and unexpectedly
increase production costs. Moreover, many state and federal
environmental laws provide for civil as well as regulatory
remediation, thus adding to the potential exposure an MLP may
face.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extreme weather patterns, such as hurricane Ivan in 2004 and
hurricane Katrina in 2005, could result in significant
volatility in the supply of energy and power and could adversely
impact the value of the securities in which we invest. This
volatility may create fluctuations in commodity prices and
earnings of companies in the energy infrastructure industry.
|
|
|
|
A rising interest rate environment could adversely impact the
performance of MLPs. Rising interest rates could limit the
capital appreciation of equity units of MLPs as a result of the
increased availability of alternative investments at competitive
yields with MLPs. Rising interest rates also may increase an
MLPs cost of capital. A higher cost of capital could limit
growth from acquisition/expansion projects and limit MLP
distribution growth rates.
|
|
|
|
Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, the
U.S. Government has issued public warnings indicating that
energy assets, specifically those related to pipeline
infrastructure, production facilities and transmission and
distribution facilities, might be specific targets of terrorist
activity. The continued threat of terrorism and related military
activity likely will increase volatility for prices in natural
gas and oil and could affect the market for products of MLPs.
|
|
|
|
Holders of MLP units are subject to certain risks inherent in
the partnership structure of MLPs including (1) tax risks
(described below), (2) limited ability to elect or remove
management, (3) limited voting rights, except with respect
to extraordinary transactions, and (4) conflicts of
interest of the general partner, including those arising from
incentive distribution payments.
|
Industry Specific Risk. Energy infrastructure
companies also are subject to risks specific to the industry
they serve.
|
|
|
|
|
Pipeline MLPs are subject to demand for crude oil or refined
products in the markets served by the pipeline, sharp decreases
in crude oil or natural gas prices that cause producers to
curtail production or reduce capital spending for exploration
activities, and environmental regulation. Demand for gasoline,
which accounts for a substantial portion of refined product
transportation, depends on price, prevailing economic conditions
in the markets served, and demographic and seasonal factors.
Pipeline MLP unit prices are primarily driven by distribution
growth rates and prospects for distribution growth. Pipeline
MLPs are subject to regulation by FERC with respect to tariff
rates these companies may charge for pipeline transportation
services. An adverse determination by FERC with respect to the
tariff rates of a pipeline MLP could have a material adverse
effect on the business, financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows of that pipeline MLP and its ability
to make cash distributions to its equity owners.
|
|
|
|
Processing MLPs are subject to declines in production of natural
gas fields, which utilize the processing facilities as a way to
market the gas, prolonged depression in the price of natural gas
or crude oil refining, which curtails production due to lack of
drilling activity and declines in the prices of natural gas
liquids products and natural gas prices, resulting in lower
processing margins.
|
|
|
|
Propane MLPs are subject to earnings variability based upon
weather patterns in the locations where the company operates and
the wholesale cost of propane sold to end customers. Propane MLP
unit prices are based on safety in distribution coverage ratios,
interest rate environment and, to a lesser extent, distribution
growth.
|
|
|
|
Coal MLPs are subject to demand variability based on favorable
weather conditions, strong or weak domestic economy, the level
of coal stockpiles in the customer base, and the general level
of prices of competing sources of fuel for electric generation.
They also are subject to supply variability based on the
geological conditions that reduce productivity of mining
operations, regulatory permits for mining activities and the
availability of coal that meets Clean Air Act standards. Demand
and prices for coal may also be impacted by current and proposed
laws, regulations
and/or
trends, at the federal, state or
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
local levels, to impose limitations on chemical emissions from
coal-fired power plants and other coal end-users. Any such
limitations may reduce the demand for coal produced, transported
or delivered by coal MLPs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marine shipping MLPs are subject to the demand for, and the
level of consumption of, refined petroleum products, crude oil
or natural gas in the markets served by the marine shipping
MLPs, which in turn could affect the demand for tank vessel
capacity and charter rates. These MLPs vessels and their
cargoes are also subject to the risks of being damaged or lost
due to marine disasters, bad weather, mechanical failures,
grounding, fire, explosions and collisions, human error, piracy,
and war and terrorism.
|
MLP Risk. We invest primarily in equity
securities of MLPs. As a result, we are subject to the risks
associated with an investment in MLPs, including cash flow risk,
tax risk and deferred tax risk, as described in more detail
below.
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flow Risk. We derive substantially
all of our cash flow from investments in equity securities of
MLPs. The amount of cash that we have available to pay or
distribute to holders of our securities depends entirely on the
ability of MLPs the securities we hold to make distributions to
their partners and the tax character of those distributions. We
have no control over the actions of underlying MLPs. The amount
of cash that each individual MLP can distribute to its partners
will depend on the amount of cash it generates from operations,
which will vary from quarter to quarter depending on factors
affecting the energy infrastructure market generally and on
factors affecting the particular business lines of the MLP.
Available cash will also depend on the MLPs level of
operating costs (including incentive distributions to the
general partner), level of capital expenditures, debt service
requirements, acquisition costs (if any), fluctuations in
working capital needs and other factors.
|
|
|
|
Tax Risk of MLPs. Our ability to meet
our investment objective will depend on the level of taxable
income, dividends and distributions we receive from the MLPs and
other securities of energy infrastructure companies in which we
invest, a factor over which we have no control. The benefit we
derive from our investment in MLPs depends largely on the MLPs
being treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes.
As a partnership, an MLP has no federal income tax liability at
the entity level. If, as a result of a change in current law or
a change in an MLPs business, an MLP were treated as a
corporation for federal income tax purposes, the MLP would be
obligated to pay federal income tax on its income at the
corporate tax rate. If an MLP were classified as a corporation
for federal income tax purposes, the amount of cash available
for distribution would be reduced and the distributions we
receive might be taxed entirely as dividend income. Therefore,
treatment of one or more MLPs as a corporation for federal
income tax purposes could affect our ability to meet our
investment objective and would reduce the amount of cash
available to pay or distribute to holders of our securities.
|
|
|
|
Deferred Tax Risks of MLPs. As a
limited partner in the MLPs in which we invest, we will receive
a pro rata share of income, gains, losses and deductions from
those MLPs. Historically, a significant portion of income from
such MLPs has been offset by tax deductions. We will incur a
current tax liability on that portion of an MLPs income
and gains that is not offset by tax deductions and losses. The
percentage of an MLPs income and gains which is offset by
tax deductions and losses will fluctuate over time for various
reasons. A significant slowdown in acquisition activity by MLPs
held in our portfolio could result in a reduction of accelerated
depreciation generated by new acquisitions, which may result in
increased current income tax liability to us.
|
We will accrue deferred income taxes for any future tax
liability associated with that portion of MLP distributions
considered to be a tax-deferred return of capital as well as
capital appreciation of our investments. Upon the sale of an MLP
security, we may be liable for previously deferred taxes. We
will rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs,
which is not necessarily timely, to estimate deferred tax
liability for purposes of financial statement reporting and
determining our NAV. From time to time we will modify our
estimates or assumptions regarding our deferred tax liability as
new information becomes available.
Equity Securities Risk. MLP common units and
other equity securities can be affected by macro-economic and
other factors affecting the stock market in general,
expectations of interest rates, investor sentiment towards MLPs
or the energy sector, changes in a particular issuers
financial condition, or unfavorable or
32
unanticipated poor performance of a particular issuer (in the
case of MLPs, generally measured in terms of distributable cash
flow). Prices of common units of individual MLPs and other
equity securities also can be affected by fundamentals unique to
the partnership or company, including earnings power and
coverage ratios.
Investing in securities of smaller companies may involve greater
risk than is associated with investing in more established
companies. Companies with smaller capitalization may have
limited product lines, markets or financial resources; may lack
management depth or experience; and may be more vulnerable to
adverse general market or economic developments than larger more
established companies.
Because MLP convertible subordinated units generally convert to
common units on a one-to-one ratio, the price that we can be
expected to pay upon purchase or to realize upon resale is
generally tied to the common unit price less a discount. The
size of the discount varies depending on a variety of factors
including the likelihood of conversion, and the length of time
remaining to conversion, and the size of the block purchased.
The price of I-Shares and their volatility tend to be correlated
to the price of common units, although the price correlation is
not precise.
Hedging Strategy Risk. We currently use, and
may in the future use, interest rate transactions for hedging
purposes only, in an attempt to reduce the interest rate risk
arising from our leveraged capital structure. There is no
assurance that the interest rate hedging transactions into which
we enter will be effective in reducing our exposure to interest
rate risk. Hedging transactions are subject to correlation risk,
which is the risk that payment on our hedging transactions may
not correlate exactly with our payment obligations on senior
securities.
Interest rate transactions that we may use for hedging purposes
will expose us to certain risks that differ from the risks
associated with our portfolio holdings. There are economic costs
of hedging reflected in the price of interest rate swaps,
floors, caps and similar techniques, the costs of which can be
significant, particularly when long-term interest rates are
substantially above short-term rates. In addition, our success
in using hedging instruments is subject to the Advisers
ability to predict correctly changes in the relationships of
such hedging instruments to our leverage risk, and there can be
no assurance that the Advisers judgment in this respect
will be accurate. Consequently, the use of hedging transactions
might result in a poorer overall performance, whether or not
adjusted for risk, than if we had not engaged in such
transactions.
Depending on the state of interest rates in general, our use of
interest rate transactions could enhance or decrease the cash
available to us for payment of distributions, dividends or
interest, as the case may be. To the extent there is a decline
in interest rates, the value of interest rate swaps or caps
could decline, and result in a decline in our net assets. In
addition, if the counterparty to an interest rate transaction
defaults, we would not be able to use the anticipated net
receipts under the interest rate swap or cap to offset our cost
of financial leverage.
Competition Risk. At the time we completed our
initial public offering in February 2004, we were the only
publicly traded investment company offering access to a
portfolio of energy infrastructure MLPs. Since that time a
number of alternatives to us as vehicles for investment in a
portfolio of energy infrastructure MLPs, including other
publicly traded investment companies and private funds, have
emerged. In addition, tax law changes have increased the ability
of regulated investment companies or other institutions to
invest in MLPs. These competitive conditions may adversely
impact our ability to meet our investment objective, which in
turn could adversely impact our ability to make interest or
dividend payments.
Restricted Security Risk. We may invest up to
30% of total assets in restricted securities, primarily through
direct placements. Restricted securities are less liquid than
securities traded in the open market because of statutory and
contractual restrictions on resale. Such securities are,
therefore, unlike securities that are traded in the open market,
which can be expected to be sold immediately if the market is
adequate. As discussed further below, this lack of liquidity
creates special risks for us. However, we could sell such
securities in privately negotiated transactions with a limited
number of purchasers or in public offerings under the
1933 Act. MLP convertible subordinated units convert to
publicly-traded common units upon the passage of time
and/or
satisfaction of certain financial tests. Although the means by
which convertible subordinated units convert into senior common
units depend on a securitys specific terms, MLP
convertible subordinated units typically are exchanged for
common shares.
Restricted securities are subject to statutory and contractual
restrictions on their public resale, which may make it more
difficult to value them, may limit our ability to dispose of
them and may lower the amount we could realize upon their sale.
To enable us to sell our holdings of a restricted security not
registered under the 1933 Act, we
33
may have to cause those securities to be registered. The
expenses of registering restricted securities may be negotiated
by us with the issuer at the time we buy the securities. When we
must arrange registration because we wish to sell the security,
a considerable period may elapse between the time the decision
is made to sell the security and the time the security is
registered so that we could sell it. We would bear the risks of
any downward price fluctuation during that period.
Liquidity Risk. Although common units of MLPs
trade on the NYSE, AMEX, and the NASDAQ National Market, certain
MLP securities may trade less frequently than those of larger
companies due to their smaller capitalizations. In the event
certain MLP securities experience limited trading volumes, the
prices of such MLPs may display abrupt or erratic movements at
times. Additionally, it may be more difficult for us to buy and
sell significant amounts of such securities without an
unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. As a result,
these securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price
at the times when we believe it is desirable to do so.
Investment of our capital in securities that are less actively
traded or over time experience decreased trading volume may
restrict our ability to take advantage of other market
opportunities or to dispose of securities. This also may affect
adversely our ability to make required interest payments on the
debt securities and dividend distributions on the preferred
stock, to redeem such securities, or to meet asset coverage
requirements.
Valuation Risk. Market prices generally will
not be available for MLP convertible subordinated units, or
securities of private companies, and the value of such
investments ordinarily will be determined based on fair
valuations determined by the Adviser pursuant to procedures
adopted by the Board of Directors. Similarly, common units
acquired through direct placements will be valued based on fair
value determinations because of their restricted nature;
however, the Adviser expects that such values will be based on a
discount from publicly available market prices. Restrictions on
resale or the absence of a liquid secondary market may adversely
affect our ability to determine our NAV. The sale price of
securities that are not readily marketable may be lower or
higher than our most recent determination of their fair value.
Additionally, the value of these securities typically requires
more reliance on the judgment of the Adviser than that required
for securities for which there is an active trading market. Due
to the difficulty in valuing these securities and the absence of
an active trading market for these investments, we may not be
able to realize these securities true value, or may have
to delay their sale in order to do so. This may affect adversely
our ability to make required interest payments on the debt
securities and dividend distributions on the preferred stock, to
redeem such securities, or to meet asset coverage requirements.
Nondiversification Risk. We are a
nondiversified, closed-end management investment company under
the 1940 Act and are not treated as a regulated investment
company under the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, there are
no regulatory limits under the 1940 Act or the Internal Revenue
Code on the number or size of securities that we hold and we may
invest more assets in fewer issuers as compared to a diversified
fund. There currently are approximately 63 companies
presently organized as MLPs and only a limited number of those
companies operate energy infrastructure assets. We select MLP
investments from this small pool of issuers. We may invest in
non-MLP securities issued by energy infrastructure companies to
a lesser degree, consistent with our investment objective and
policies.
Interest Rate Risk. Generally, when market
interest rates rise, the values of debt securities decline, and
vice versa. Our investment in such securities means that the NAV
and market price of our common stock will tend to decline if
market interest rates rise. During periods of declining interest
rates, the issuer of a security may exercise its option to
prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing us to reinvest
in lower yielding securities. This is known as call or
prepayment risk. Lower grade securities frequently have call
features that allow the issuer to repurchase the security prior
to its stated maturity. An issuer may redeem a lower grade
obligation if the issuer can refinance the debt at a lower cost
due to declining interest rates or an improvement in the credit
standing of the issuer.
Below Investment Grade Securities
Risk. Investing in lower grade debt instruments
involves additional risks than investment grade securities.
Adverse changes in economic conditions are more likely to lead
to a weakened capacity of a below investment grade issuer to
make principal payments and interest payments than an investment
grade issuer. An economic downturn could adversely affect the
ability of highly leveraged issuers to service their obligations
or to repay their obligations upon maturity. Similarly,
downturns in profitability in the energy infrastructure industry
could adversely affect the ability of below investment grade
issuers in that industry to meet their obligations. The market
values of lower quality securities tend to reflect individual
developments of the
34
issuer to a greater extent than do higher quality securities,
which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of
interest rates.
The secondary market for below investment grade securities may
not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated
securities. There are fewer dealers in the market for below
investment grade securities than investment grade obligations.
The prices quoted by different dealers may vary significantly,
and the spread between the bid and asked price is generally much
larger than for higher quality instruments. Under adverse market
or economic conditions, the secondary market for below
investment grade securities could contract further, independent
of any specific adverse change in the condition of a particular
issuer, and these instruments may become illiquid. As a result,
it may be more difficult to sell these securities or we may be
able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if such
securities were widely traded. This may affect adversely our
ability to make required dividend or interest payments on our
outstanding senior securities. Prices realized upon the sale of
such lower-rated or unrated securities, under these
circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating
our NAV.
Because investors generally perceive that there are greater
risks associated with lower quality securities of the type in
which we may invest a portion of our assets, the yields and
prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate more than those
for higher rated securities. In the lower quality segments of
the debt securities market, changes in perceptions of
issuers creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and
in a more pronounced manner than do changes in higher quality
segments of the debt securities market, resulting in greater
yield and price volatility.
Factors having an adverse impact on the market value of below
investment grade securities may have an adverse effect on our
NAV and the market value of our common stock. In addition, we
may incur additional expenses to the extent we are required to
seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal or interest
on our portfolio holdings. In certain circumstances, we may be
required to foreclose on an issuers assets and take
possession of its property or operations. In such circumstances,
we would incur additional costs in disposing of such assets and
potential liabilities from operating any business acquired.
Counterparty Risk. We may be subject to credit
risk with respect to the counterparties to certain derivative
agreements entered into by us. If a counterparty becomes
bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a
derivative contract due to financial difficulties, we may
experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under
the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization
proceeding. We may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain
no recovery in such circumstances.
Effects of Terrorism. The U.S. securities
markets are subject to disruption as a result of terrorist
activities, such as the terrorist attacks on the World Trade
Center on September 11, 2001; the war in Iraq and its
aftermath; other hostilities; and other geopolitical events.
Such events have led, and in the future may lead, to short-term
market volatility and may have long-term effects on the
U.S. economy and markets.
Anti-Takeover Provisions. Our Charter and
Bylaws include provisions that could delay, defer or prevent
other entities or persons from acquiring control of us, causing
us to engage in certain transactions or modifying our structure.
These provisions may be regarded as anti-takeover
provisions. Such provisions could limit the ability of common
stockholders to sell their shares at a premium over the
then-current market prices by discouraging a third party from
seeking to obtain control of us. See Certain Provisions in
the Companys Charter and Bylaws.
Management Risk. The Adviser was formed in
October 2002 to provide portfolio management to institutional
and high-net
worth investors seeking professional management of their MLP
investments. The Adviser has been managing investments in
portfolios of MLP investments since that time, including since
February 2004, management of our investments, and management of
3 other publicly-traded and 2 privately held closed-end
management investment companies. As of December 31, 2007,
the Adviser had client assets under management of approximately
$2.9 billion. To the extent that the Advisers assets
under management continue to grow, the Adviser may have to hire
additional personnel and, to the extent it is unable to hire
qualified individuals, its operations may be adversely affected.
Additional
Risks to Common Stockholders
Leverage Risk. Our use of leverage through the
issuance of Tortoise Preferred Shares and Tortoise Notes along
with the issuance of any additional preferred stock or debt
securities, and any additional borrowings or other transactions
involving indebtedness (other than for temporary or emergency
purposes) are or would be considered senior
securities for purposes of the 1940 Act and create risks.
Leverage is a speculative technique that may
35
adversely affect common stockholders. If the return on
securities acquired with borrowed funds or other leverage
proceeds does not exceed the cost of the leverage, the use of
leverage could cause us to lose money. Successful use of
leverage depends on the Advisers ability to predict or
hedge correctly interest rates and market movements, and there
is no assurance that the use of a leveraging strategy will be
successful during any period in which it is used. Because the
fee paid to the Adviser will be calculated on the basis of
Managed Assets, the fees will increase when leverage is
utilized, giving the Adviser an incentive to utilize leverage.
Our issuance of senior securities involves offering expenses and
other costs, including interest payments, which are borne
indirectly by our common stockholders. Fluctuations in interest
rates could increase interest or dividend payments on our senior
securities, and could reduce cash available for dividends on
common stock. Increased operating costs, including the financing
cost associated with any leverage, may reduce our total return
to common stockholders.
Recent problems in the credit market have adversely impacted
borrowing costs. Borrowing costs in auction rate markets,
including the markets for Tortoise Preferred Shares and Tortoise
Notes, have become less predictable in part as a result of
widening spreads to LIBOR in recent months. Interest/dividend
rates for our auction rate securities have been subject to
greater volatility and uncertainty, which may result in an
auction in which sufficient clearing bids are not made. In the
event sufficient clearing bids are not made, the
interest/dividend rate (as the case may be) for a series of
Tortoise Notes or Tortoise Preferred Shares, as applicable, will
be set at the maximum rate as determined by the terms of such
securities. These market developments have increased, and may
continue to increase, our financing costs. Because common
stockholders indirectly bear the cost of leverage, an increase
in interest and dividend obligations on our Tortoise Notes and
Tortoise Preferred Shares may reduce our total return to common
stockholders and may impact our DCF.
The 1940 Act
and/or the
rating agency guidelines applicable to senior securities impose
asset coverage requirements, dividend limitations, voting right
requirements (in the case of the senior equity securities), and
restrictions on our portfolio composition and our use of certain
investment techniques and strategies. The terms of any senior
securities or other borrowings may impose additional
requirements, restrictions and limitations that are more
stringent than those currently required by the 1940 Act, and the
guidelines of the rating agencies that rate outstanding senior
securities. These requirements may have an adverse effect on us
and may affect our ability to pay distributions on common stock
and preferred stock. To the extent necessary, we intend to
redeem our senior securities to maintain the required asset
coverage. Doing so may require that we liquidate portfolio
securities at a time when it would not otherwise be desirable to
do so. Nevertheless, it is not anticipated that the 1940 Act
requirements, the terms of any senior securities or the rating
agency guidelines will impede the Adviser in managing our
portfolio in accordance with our investment objective and
policies. See Leverage Use of Leverage
and Recent Developments.
Market Impact Risk. The sale of our common
stock (or the perception that such sales may occur) may have an
adverse effect on prices in the secondary market for our common
stock. An increase in the number of common shares available may
put downward pressure on the market price for our common stock.
Our ability to sell shares of common stock below NAV may
increase this pressure. These sales also might make it more
difficult for us to sell additional equity securities in the
future at a time and price we deem appropriate.
Dilution Risk. The voting power of current
stockholders will be diluted to the extent that current
stockholders do not purchase shares in any future common stock
offerings or do not purchase sufficient shares to maintain their
percentage interest. In addition, if we sell shares of common
stock below NAV, our NAV will fall immediately after such
issuance. See Description of Securities Common
Stock Issuance of Additional Shares which
includes a table reflecting the dilutive effect of selling our
common stock below NAV.
If we are unable to invest the proceeds of such offering as
intended, our per share distribution may decrease and we may not
participate in market advances to the same extent as if such
proceeds were fully invested as planned.
Market Discount Risk. Our common stock has a
limited trading history and has traded both at a premium and at
a discount in relation to NAV. We cannot predict whether our
shares will trade in the future at a premium or discount to NAV.
Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a
discount from NAV, but in some cases have traded above NAV.
Continued development of alternatives as a vehicle for
investment in MLP securities may contribute to reducing or
eliminating any premium or may result in our shares trading at a
discount. The risk of the shares of common stock trading at a
discount is a risk separate from the risk of a decline in our
NAV as a result of
36
investment activities. Our NAV will be reduced immediately
following an offering of our common or preferred stock, due to
the offering costs for such stock, which are borne entirely by
us. Although we also bear the offering costs of debt securities,
such costs are amortized over time and therefore do not impact
our NAV immediately following an offering.
Whether stockholders will realize a gain or loss upon the sale
of our common stock depends upon whether the market value of the
common shares at the time of sale is above or below the price
the stockholder paid, taking into account transaction costs for
the common shares, and is not directly dependent upon our NAV.
Because the market value of our common stock will be determined
by factors such as the relative demand for and supply of the
shares in the market, general market conditions and other
factors beyond our control, we cannot predict whether our common
stock will trade at, below or above NAV, or at, below or above
the public offering price for common stock.
Additional
Risks to Senior Security Holders
Generally, an investment in preferred stock or debt securities
(collectively, senior securities) is subject to the
following risks:
Interest Rate Risk. Auction rate senior
securities pay dividends or interest based on short-term
interest rates. If short-term interest rates rise, dividends or
interest on the auction rate senior securities may rise so that
the amount of dividends or interest due to holders of auction
rate senior securities would exceed the cash flow generated by
our portfolio securities. This might require us to sell
portfolio securities at a time when we would otherwise not do
so, which may affect adversely our future ability to generate
cash flow. In addition, rising market interest rates could
impact negatively the value of our investment portfolio,
reducing the amount of assets serving as asset coverage for the
senior securities. See Recent
Developments.
Senior Leverage Risk. Preferred stock will be
junior in liquidation and with respect to distribution rights to
debt securities and any other borrowings. Senior securities
representing indebtedness may constitute a substantial lien and
burden on preferred stock by reason of their prior claim against
our income and against our net assets in liquidation. We may not
be permitted to declare dividends or other distributions with
respect to any series of preferred stock unless at such time we
meet applicable asset coverage requirements and the payment of
principal or interest is not in default with respect to the
Tortoise Notes or any other borrowings.
Ratings and Asset Coverage Risk. To the extent
that senior securities are rated, a rating does not eliminate or
necessarily mitigate the risks of investing in our senior
securities, and a rating may not fully or accurately reflect all
of the credit and market risks associated with a security. A
rating agency could downgrade the rating of our shares of
preferred stock or debt securities, which may make such
securities less liquid at an auction or in the secondary market,
though probably with higher resulting interest rates. If a
rating agency downgrades the rating assigned to a senior
security, we may alter our portfolio or redeem the senior
security. We may voluntarily redeem a senior security under
certain circumstances.
Inflation Risk. Inflation is the reduction in
the purchasing power of money resulting from an increase in the
price of goods and services. Inflation risk is the risk that the
inflation adjusted or real value of an investment in
preferred stock or debt securities or the income from that
investment will be worth less in the future. As inflation
occurs, the real value of the preferred stock or debt securities
and the dividend payable to holders of preferred stock or
interest payable to holders of debt securities declines. In an
inflationary period, however, it is expected that, through the
auction process, dividend or interest rates would increase,
tending to offset this risk.
Auction Risk. To the extent that senior
securities trade through an auction, there are certain risks
associated with participating in an auction and certain risks if
you try to sell senior securities outside of an auction in the
secondary market. These risks will be described in more detail
in an applicable prospectus supplement if we issue senior
securities pursuant to this registration statement.
Decline in Net Asset Value Risk. A material
decline in our NAV may impair our ability to maintain required
levels of asset coverage for our preferred stock or debt
securities.
37
MANAGEMENT
OF THE COMPANY
Directors
and Officers
Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our
Board of Directors. Accordingly, our Board of Directors provides
broad supervision over our affairs, including supervision of the
duties performed by the Adviser. Our officers are responsible
for our day-to-day operations. The names and business addresses
of our directors and officers, together with their principal
occupations and other affiliations during the past five years,
are set forth in the statement of additional information. The
Board of Directors consists of a majority of directors who are
not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Adviser or its affiliates.
Investment
Adviser
Pursuant to an advisory agreement, the Adviser provides us with
investment research and advice and furnishes us with an
investment program consistent with our investment objective and
policies, subject to the supervision of the Board. The Adviser
determines which portfolio securities will be purchased or sold,
arranges for the placing of orders for the purchase or sale of
portfolio securities, selects brokers or dealers to place those
orders, maintains books and records with respect to our
securities transactions and reports to the Board on our
investments and performance.
The Adviser is located at 10801 Mastin Boulevard,
Suite 222, Overland Park, Kansas 66210. The Adviser
specializes in managing portfolios of investments in MLPs and
other energy companies. The Adviser was formed in October 2002
to provide portfolio management services to institutional and
high-net
worth investors seeking professional management of their MLP
investments. As of December 31, 2007, the Adviser had
approximately $2.9 billion of client assets under
management. The Advisers investment committee is comprised
of five seasoned portfolio managers.
The Adviser also serves as investment adviser to Tortoise Energy
Capital Corporation (TYY) and Tortoise North
American Energy Corporation (TYN), which are
nondiversified, closed-end investment management companies, and
managed accounts that invest in MLPs. TYY, which commenced
operations on May 31, 2005, invests primarily in equity
securities of MLPs and their affiliates in the energy
infrastructure sector. TYN, which commenced operations on
October 31, 2005, invests primarily in equity securities of
companies in the energy sector whose primary operations are in
North America. The Adviser also serves as the investment adviser
to Tortoise Capital Resources Corporation (TTO), a
non-diversified closed-end management investment company that
has elected to be regulated as a business development company
under the 1940 Act. TTO, which commenced operations on
December 8, 2005, invests primarily in privately held and
micro-cap public energy companies operating in the midstream and
downstream segments, and to a lesser extent the upstream
segment. In addition, the Adviser serves as the investment
adviser to two privately held, closed-end management investment
companies. To the extent certain MLP securities or other energy
infrastructure company securities meet our investment objective
and the objectives of other investment companies or accounts
managed by the Adviser, we may compete with such companies or
accounts for the same investment opportunities.
FCM Tortoise, L.L.C. (FCM) and Kansas City Equity
Partners LC (KCEP) control our Adviser through their
equity ownership and management rights in our Adviser. FCM has
no operations and serves as a holding company. FCMs
ownership interest was held by Fountain Capital Management,
L.L.C. (Fountain Capital). Fountain Capitals
ownership in our Adviser was transferred to FCM, a recently
formed entity with the same principals as Fountain Capital,
effective as of August 2, 2007. The transfer did not result
in a change in control of our Adviser. Fountain Capital was
formed in 1990 and is focused primarily on providing investment
advisory services to institutional investors with respect to
below investment grade debt. Fountain Capital had approximately
$1.9 billion of client assets under management as of
November 30, 2007, of which approximately $244 million
was in energy industry investments. KCEP was formed in 1993 and
until recently, managed two private equity funds that have both
wound up its operations.
The Adviser has 29 full-time employees, including the five
members of the investment committee of the Adviser.
The investment management of our portfolio is the responsibility
of the Advisers investment committee. The investment
committees members are H. Kevin Birzer, Zachary A. Hamel,
Kenneth P. Malvey, Terry C. Matlack and David J. Schulte, all of
whom share responsibility for such investment management. It is
the policy of the investment committee that any one member can
require the Adviser to sell a security and any one member can
38
veto the committees decision to invest in a security. Each
committee member has been a portfolio manager since we commenced
operations in February 2004.
H. Kevin Birzer. Mr. Birzer has
been a Managing Director of the Adviser since 2002 and also is a
Partner with Fountain Capital. Mr. Birzer is also a
Director of TYY, TYN, TTO, and two privately-held funds each
managed by our Adviser. Mr. Birzer, who joined Fountain
Capital in 1990, has 22 years of investment experience
including 19 in high-yield securities. Mr. Birzer began his
career with Peat Marwick. His subsequent experience includes
three years working as a Vice President for F. Martin
Koenig & Co., focusing on equity and option
investments, and three years at Drexel Burnham Lambert, where he
was a Vice President in the Corporate Finance Department.
Mr. Birzer graduated with a Bachelor of Business
Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame and
holds a Master of Business Administration degree from New York
University. He earned his CFA designation in 1988.
Zachary A. Hamel. Mr. Hamel has
been a Managing Director of the Adviser since 2002 and also is a
Partner with Fountain Capital. Mr. Hamel also serves as
Senior Vice President of TYY, TYN, TTO, and two privately-held
funds each managed by our Adviser. Mr. Hamel joined
Fountain Capital in 1997. He covered the energy, chemicals and
utilities sectors. Prior to joining Fountain Capital,
Mr. Hamel worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (FDIC) for eight years as a Bank
Examiner and a Regional Capital Markets Specialist.
Mr. Hamel graduated from Kansas State University with a
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He also attained
a Master in Business Administration from the University of
Kansas School of Business. He earned his CFA designation in 1998.
Kenneth P. Malvey. Mr. Malvey has
been a Managing Director of the Adviser since 2002 and also is a
Partner with Fountain Capital. Mr. Malvey also serves as
Senior Vice President and Treasurer of TYY, TYN, TTO, and two
privately-held funds each managed by our Adviser. Prior to
joining Fountain Capital in 2002, Mr. Malvey was one of
three members of the Global Office of Investments for GE
Capitals Employers Reinsurance Corporation. Most recently
he was the Global Investment Risk Manager for a portfolio of
approximately $24 billion of fixed-income, public equity
and alternative investment assets. Prior to joining GE Capital
in 1996, Mr. Malvey was a Bank Examiner and Regional
Capital Markets Specialist with the FDIC for nine years.
Mr. Malvey graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in
Finance from Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota. He
earned his CFA designation in 1996.
Terry C. Matlack. Mr. Matlack has
been a Managing Director of the Adviser since 2002 and serves as
Chief Financial Officer, Director and Assistant Treasurer of
TYY, TYN, TTO, and two privately-held funds each managed by our
Adviser. From 2001 to 2002, Mr. Matlack was a full-time
Managing Director of KCEP. Mr. Matlack is also a Director
of TYY, TYN and TTO. Prior to joining KCEP in 2001,
Mr. Matlack was President of GreenStreet Capital and its
affiliates in the telecommunications service industry. Prior to
1995, he was Executive Vice President and a member of the board
of directors of W.K. Communications, Inc., a cable television
acquisition company, and Chief Operating Officer of W.K.
Cellular, a cellular rural service area operator. He also has
served as a specialist in corporate finance with George K.
Baum & Company, and as Executive Vice President of
Corporate Finance at B.C. Christopher Securities Company.
Mr. Matlack graduated with a Bachelor of Science in
Business Administration from Kansas State University and holds a
Masters of Business Administration and a Juris Doctorate from
the University of Kansas. He earned his CFA designation in 1985.
David J. Schulte. Mr. Schulte has
been a Managing Director of the Adviser since 2002 and serves as
Chief Executive Officer and President of TYY, TYN, and two
privately-held funds each managed by our Adviser and as Chief
Executive Officer of TTO. From 1993 to 2002, Mr. Schulte
was a full-time Managing Director of KCEP. While a Managing
Director of KCEP, he led private financing for two growth MLPs
in the energy infrastructure sector. Since February 2004,
Mr. Schulte has been an employee of the Adviser. Prior to
joining KCEP in 1993, Mr. Schulte had over five years of
experience completing acquisition and public equity financings
as an investment banker at the predecessor of
Oppenheimer & Co, Inc. From 1986 to 1989, he was a
securities law attorney. Mr. Schulte holds a Bachelor of
Science degree in Business Administration from Drake University
and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Iowa. He
passed the CPA examination in 1983 and earned his CFA
designation in 1992.
39
The statement of additional information provides additional
information about the compensation structure of, the other
accounts managed by, and the ownership of our securities by the
portfolio managers listed above.
Compensation
and Expenses
Under the advisory agreement, we pay the Adviser quarterly, as
compensation for the services rendered by it, a fee equal on an
annual basis to 0.95% of our average monthly Managed Assets.
Managed Assets means our total assets (including any assets
attributable to leverage that may be outstanding) minus accrued
liabilities other than (1) deferred taxes, (2) debt
entered into for the purpose of leverage and (3) the
aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred
stock. Because the fee paid to the Adviser is determined on the
basis of our Managed Assets, the Advisers interest in
determining whether we should incur additional leverage will
conflict with our interests. Because deferred taxes are not
taken into account in calculating Managed Assets, the Adviser
may have an incentive to defer taxes rather than incur taxes in
the current period. When we have a high level of deferred taxes
at the time the Advisers fee is calculated, the
Advisers fee is higher than it would be if we had a lower
level of deferred taxes. Our average monthly Managed Assets are
determined for the purpose of calculating the management fee by
taking the average of the monthly determinations of Managed
Assets during a given calendar quarter. The fees are payable for
each calendar quarter within five days after the end of that
quarter. The Adviser has contractually agreed to reimburse us
for fees and expenses, including the investment advisory fee and
other expenses in the amount of 0.10% of average monthly Managed
Assets through February 28, 2009.
The advisory agreement has a term ending on
December 31st of each year. The advisory agreement was
most recently approved by the Board of Directors in November
2007. A discussion regarding the basis of the Board of
Directors decision to approve the renewal of the advisory
agreement is available in our Annual Report to stockholders for
the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007.
We bear all expenses not specifically assumed by the Adviser
incurred in our operations and will bear the expenses of all
future offerings. Expenses we bear include, but are not limited
to, the following: (1) expenses of maintaining and
continuing our existence and related overhead, including, to the
extent services are provided by personnel of the Adviser or its
affiliates, office space and facilities and personnel
compensation, training and benefits; (2) registration under
the 1940 Act; (3) commissions, spreads, fees and other
expenses connected with the acquisition, holding and disposition
of securities and other investments, including placement and
similar fees in connection with direct placements in which we
participate; (4) auditing, accounting and legal expenses;
(5) taxes and interest; (6) governmental fees;
(7) expenses of listing our shares with a stock exchange,
and expenses of the issue, sale, repurchase and redemption (if
any) of our interests, including expenses of conducting tender
offers for the purpose of repurchasing our interests;
(8) expenses of registering and qualifying us and our
shares under federal and state securities laws and of preparing
and filing registration statements and amendments for such
purposes; (9) expenses of communicating with stockholders,
including website expenses and the expenses of preparing,
printing and mailing press releases, reports and other notices
to stockholders and of meetings of stockholders and proxy
solicitations therefor; (10) expenses of reports to
governmental officers and commissions; (11) insurance
expenses; (12) association membership dues; (13) fees,
expenses and disbursements of custodians and subcustodians for
all services to us (including without limitation safekeeping of
funds, securities and other investments, keeping of books,
accounts and records, and determination of NAV); (14) fees,
expenses and disbursements of transfer agents, dividend paying
agents, stockholder servicing agents and registrars for all
services to us; (15) compensation and expenses of our
directors who are not members of the Advisers
organization; (16) pricing and valuation services employed
by us; (17) all expenses incurred in connection with
leveraging of our assets through a line of credit, or issuing
and maintaining notes or preferred stock; (18) all expenses
incurred in connection with the offerings of our common and
preferred stock and debt securities; and (19) such
non-recurring items as may arise, including expenses incurred in
connection with litigation, proceedings and claims and our
obligation to indemnify our directors, officers and stockholders
with respect thereto.
CLOSED-END
COMPANY STRUCTURE
We are a nondiversified closed-end management investment company
and as such our stockholders will not have the right to cause us
to redeem their shares. Instead, our common stock will trade in
the open market at a price that will be a function of several
factors, including dividend levels (which are in turn affected
by expenses),
40
NAV, call protection, dividend stability, portfolio credit
quality, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the
market, general market and economic conditions and other factors.
Shares of common stock of closed-end companies frequently trade
at a discount to their NAV. This characteristic of shares of
closed-end management investment companies is a risk separate
and distinct from the risk that our NAV may decrease as a result
of investment activities. To the extent that our common stock
does trade at a discount, the Board of Directors may from time
to time engage in open-market repurchases or tender offers for
shares after balancing the benefit to stockholders of the
increase in the NAV per share resulting from such purchases
against the decrease in our assets and potential increase in the
expense ratio of our expenses to assets and the decrease in
asset coverage with respect to any outstanding senior
securities. The Board of Directors believes that in addition to
the beneficial effects described above, any such purchases or
tender offers may result in the temporary narrowing of any
discount but will not have any long-term effect on the level of
any discount. There is no guarantee or assurance that the Board
of Directors will decide to engage in any of these actions.
There is also no guarantee or assurance that such actions, if
undertaken, would result in the shares trading at a price equal
or close to NAV per share. Any stock repurchases or tender
offers will be made in accordance with the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange
Act), the 1940 Act and the principal stock exchange on
which the common stock is traded.
Conversion to an open-end mutual fund is extremely unlikely in
light of our investment objective and policies and would require
stockholder approval of an amendment to our Charter. If we
converted to an open-end mutual fund, we would be required to
redeem all Tortoise Notes and Tortoise Preferred Shares then
outstanding (requiring us, in turn, to liquidate a significant
portion of our investment portfolio), and our common stock would
no longer be listed on the NYSE or any other exchange. In
contrast to a closed-end management investment company,
shareholders of an open-end mutual fund may require a fund to
redeem its shares of common stock at any time (except in certain
circumstances as authorized by the 1940 Act or the rules
thereunder) at their net asset value. In addition, certain of
our investment policies and restrictions are incompatible with
the requirements applicable to an open-end investment company.
Accordingly, conversion to an open-end investment company would
require material changes to our investment policies.
CERTAIN
FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The following is a general summary of certain federal income tax
considerations affecting us and our security holders. This
discussion does not purport to be complete or to deal with all
aspects of federal income taxation that may be relevant to
stockholders in light of their particular circumstances or who
are subject to special rules, such as banks, thrift institutions
and certain other financial institutions, real estate investment
trusts, regulated investment companies, insurance companies,
brokers and dealers in securities or currencies, certain
securities traders, tax-exempt investors, individual retirement
accounts, certain tax-deferred accounts, and foreign investors.
Tax matters are very complicated, and the tax consequences of an
investment in and holding of our securities will depend on the
particular facts of each investors situation. Investors
are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to
the application to their own circumstances of the general
federal income taxation rules described below and with respect
to other federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences to
them before making an investment in our securities. Unless
otherwise noted, this discussion assumes that the investors are
U.S. persons and hold our securities as capital assets.
More detailed information regarding the federal income tax
consequences of investing in our securities is in the statement
of additional information.
Pursuant to U.S. Treasury Department Circular 230, we are
informing you that (1) this discussion is not intended to
be used, was not written to be used, and cannot be used, by any
taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the
U.S. federal tax laws, (2) this discussion was written
by us in connection with the registration of our securities and
our promotion or marketing, and (3) each taxpayer should
seek advice based on his, her or its particular circumstances
from an independent tax advisor.
Company
Federal Income Taxation
We are treated as a corporation for federal and state income tax
purposes. Thus, we are obligated to pay federal and state income
tax on our taxable income. We invest our assets primarily in
MLPs, which generally are treated as partnerships for federal
income tax purposes. As a partner in the MLPs, we must report
our allocable share of the MLPs taxable income in
computing our taxable income regardless of whether the MLPs make
any distributions. Based upon our review of the historic results
of the type of MLPs in which we invest, we expect that the cash
flow
41
received by us with respect to our MLP investments will exceed
the taxable income allocated to us. There is no assurance that
our expectation regarding the tax character of MLP distributions
will be realized. If this expectation is not realized, there may
be greater tax expense borne by us and less cash available to
distribute to stockholders or to pay to creditors. In addition,
we will take into account in determining our taxable income the
amounts of gain or loss recognized on the sale of MLP interests.
Currently, the maximum regular federal income tax rate for a
corporation is 35 percent. We may be subject to a
20 percent federal alternative minimum tax on our
alternative minimum taxable income to the extent that the
alternative minimum tax exceeds our regular federal income tax.
We are not treated as a regulated investment company under the
Internal Revenue Code. The Internal Revenue Code generally
provides that a regulated investment company does not pay an
entity level income tax, provided that it distributes all or
substantially all of its income. Our assets do not, and are not
expected to, meet current tests for qualification as a regulated
investment company for federal income tax purposes. The
regulated investment company taxation rules therefore have no
application to us or to our stockholders. Although changes to
the federal tax laws permit regulated investment companies to
invest up to 25% of their total assets in securities of MLPs,
such changes still would not allow us to pursue our objective.
Accordingly, we do not intend to change our tax status as a
result of such legislation.
Federal
Income Taxation of Common and Preferred Stock
Federal Income Tax Treatment of Holders of Common
Stock. Unlike a holder of a direct interest in
MLPs, a stockholder will not include its allocable share of our
income, gains, losses or deductions in computing its own taxable
income. Instead, since we are of the opinion that, under present
law, the common stock will constitute equity, distributions with
respect to such shares (other than distributions in redemption
of shares subject to Section 302(b) of the Internal Revenue
Code) will generally constitute dividends to the extent of our
allocable current or accumulated earnings and profits, as
calculated for federal income tax purposes. Generally, a
corporations earnings and profits are computed based upon
taxable income, with certain specified adjustments. As explained
above, based upon the historic performance of the MLPs, we
anticipate that the distributed cash from the MLPs will exceed
our share of the MLPs income and our gain on the sale of
MLP interests. In addition, earnings and profits are treated
generally, for federal income tax purposes, as first being used
to pay distributions on preferred stock, and then to the extent
remaining, if any, to pay distributions on the common stock.
Thus, we anticipate that only a portion of the distributions of
DCF will be treated as dividend income to common stockholders.
To the extent that distributions to a stockholder exceed our
current and accumulated earnings and profits, the
stockholders basis in shares of stock with respect to
which the distribution is made will be reduced, which may
increase the amount of gain realized upon the sale of such
shares. If a stockholder has no further basis in its shares, the
stockholder will report any excess as capital gain if the
stockholder holds such shares as a capital asset.
Dividends of current or accumulated earnings and profits
generally will be taxable as ordinary income to holders but are
expected to be treated as qualified dividend income
that is generally subject to reduced rates of federal income
taxation for noncorporate investors and are also expected to be
eligible for the dividends received deduction available to
corporate stockholders under Section 243 of the Internal
Revenue Code. Under federal income tax law, qualified dividend
income received by individual and other noncorporate
stockholders is taxed at long-term capital gain rates, which
currently reach a maximum of 15%. Qualified dividend income
generally includes dividends from domestic corporations and
dividends from
non-U.S. corporations
that meet certain criteria. To be treated as qualified dividend
income, the stockholder must hold the shares paying otherwise
qualifying dividend income more than 60 days during the
121-day
period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date (or
more than 90 days during the
181-day
period beginning 90 days before the ex-dividend date in the
case of certain preferred stock dividends). A stockholders
holding period may be reduced for purposes of this rule if the
stockholder engages in certain risk reduction transactions with
respect to the common or preferred stock. The provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code applicable to qualified dividend income
are effective through 2010. Thereafter, higher tax rates will
apply unless further legislative action is taken.
Corporate holders should be aware that certain limitations apply
to the availability of the dividends received deduction,
including limitations on the aggregate amount of the deduction
that may be claimed and limitations based on the holding period
of the shares of common or preferred stock on which the dividend
is paid, which holding period may be reduced if the holder
engages in risk reduction transactions with respect to its
shares. Corporate holders should consult their own tax advisors
regarding the application of these limitations to their
particular situation.
42
If a common stockholder participates in our Automatic Dividend
Reinvestment Plan, such stockholder will be treated as receiving
the amount of the distributions made by the Company, which
amount generally will be either equal to the amount of the cash
distribution the stockholder would have received if the
stockholder had elected to receive cash or, for shares issued by
the Company, the fair market value of the shares issued to the
stockholder.
Federal Income Tax Treatment of Holders of Preferred
Stock. Under present law, we are of the opinion
that preferred stock will constitute equity, and thus
distributions with respect to preferred stock (other than
distributions in redemption of preferred stock subject to
Section 302(b) of the Internal Revenue Code) will generally
constitute dividends to the extent of our current or accumulated
earnings and profits, as calculated for federal income tax
purposes. Such dividends generally will be taxable as ordinary
income to holders but are expected to be treated as
qualified dividend income that is generally subject
to reduced rates of federal income taxation for noncorporate
investors and are also expected to be eligible for the dividends
received deduction available to corporate stockholders under
Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code. Please see the
discussion above on qualified dividend income and dividends
received deductions.
Earnings and profits are generally treated, for federal income
tax purposes, as first being used to pay distributions on the
preferred stock, and then to the extent remaining, if any, to
pay distributions on the common stock. Distributions in excess
of the Companys earnings and profits, if any, will first
reduce a stockholders adjusted tax basis in his or her
preferred stock and, after the adjusted tax basis is reduced to
zero, will constitute capital gains to a stockholder who holds
such shares as a capital asset.
Sale of Shares. The sale of shares of common
or preferred stock by holders will generally be a taxable
transaction for federal income tax purposes. Holders of shares
of stock who sell such shares will generally recognize gain or
loss in an amount equal to the difference between the net
proceeds of the sale and their adjusted tax basis in the shares
sold. If the shares are held as a capital asset at the time of
the sale, the gain or loss will generally be a capital gain or
loss. Similarly, a redemption by us (including a redemption
resulting from our liquidation), if any, of all the shares
actually and constructively held by a stockholder generally will
give rise to capital gain or loss under Section 302(b) of
the Internal Revenue Code, provided that the redemption proceeds
do not represent declared but unpaid dividends. Other
redemptions may also give rise to capital gain or loss, but
certain conditions imposed by Section 302(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code must be satisfied to achieve such
treatment.
Capital gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or
loss if the shares were held for more than one year and will be
short-term capital gain or loss if the disposed shares were held
for one year or less. Net long-term capital gain recognized by a
noncorporate U.S. holder generally will be subject to
federal income tax at a lower rate (currently a maximum rate of
15%) than net short-term capital gain or ordinary income
(currently a maximum rate of 35%). Under current law, the
maximum federal income tax rate on capital gain for noncorporate
holders is scheduled to increase to 20% for taxable years after
2010. For corporate holders, capital gain is generally taxed at
the same rate as ordinary income, that is, currently at a
maximum rate of 35%. A holders ability to deduct capital
losses may be limited.
Investment by Tax-Exempt Investors and Regulated Investment
Companies. Employee benefit plans, other
tax-exempt organizations and regulated investment companies may
want to invest in our securities. Employee benefit plans and
most other organizations exempt from federal income tax,
including individual retirement accounts and other retirement
plans, are subject to federal income tax on unrelated business
taxable income (UBTI). Because we are a corporation
for federal income tax purposes, an owner of shares of common
stock will not report on its federal income tax return any of
our items of income, gain, loss and deduction. Therefore, a
tax-exempt investor generally will not have UBTI attributable to
its ownership or sale of our common or preferred stock unless
its ownership of the stock is debt-financed. In general, stock
would be debt-financed if the tax-exempt owner of stock incurs
debt to acquire the stock or otherwise incurs or maintains debt
that would not have been incurred or maintained if the stock had
not been acquired.
For federal income tax purposes, a regulated investment company
or mutual fund, may not have more than 25% of the
value of its total assets, at the close of any quarter, invested
in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded
partnerships, which will include most MLPs. Shares of our common
stock are not securities of a qualified publicly traded
partnership and will not be treated as such for purposes of
calculating the limitation imposed upon regulated investment
companies.
43
Backup Withholding. We may be required to
withhold, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a portion
of all taxable distributions (including redemption proceeds)
payable to stockholders who fail to provide us with their
correct taxpayer identification number, who fail to make
required certifications or who have been notified by the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that they are subject
to backup withholding (or if we have been so notified). Certain
corporate and other stockholders specified in the Internal
Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder are exempt from
backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax.
Any amounts withheld may be credited against the
stockholders U.S. federal income tax liability
provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS in
a timely manner.
Other Taxation. Foreign stockholders,
including stockholders who are nonresident alien individuals,
may be subject to U.S. withholding tax on certain
distributions at a rate of 30% or such lower rates as may be
prescribed by any applicable treaty. Our distributions also may
be subject to state and local taxes.
Federal
Income Taxation of Debt Securities
Federal Income Tax Treatment of Holders of Debt
Securities. Under present law, we are of the
opinion that the debt securities will constitute indebtedness of
the Company for federal income tax purposes, which the
discussion below assumes. We intend to treat all payments made
with respect to the debt securities consistent with this
characterization.
Taxation of Interest. Payments or accruals of
interest on debt securities generally will be taxable to you as
ordinary interest income at the time such interest is received
(actually or constructively) or accrued, in accordance with your
regular method of accounting for federal income tax purposes.
Purchase, Sale and Redemption of Debt
Securities. Initially, your tax basis in debt
securities acquired generally will be equal to your cost to
acquire such debt securities. This basis will increase by the
amounts, if any, that you include in income under the rules
governing market discount, and will decrease by the amount of
any amortized premium on such debt securities, as discussed
below. When you sell or exchange any of your debt securities, or
if any of your debt securities are redeemed, you generally will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the
amount you realize on the transaction (less any accrued and
unpaid interest, which will be subject to tax as interest in the
manner described above) and your tax basis in the debt
securities relinquished.
Except as discussed below with respect to market discount, the
gain or loss that you recognize on the sale, exchange or
redemption of any of your debt securities generally will be
capital gain or loss. Such gain or loss will generally be
long-term capital gain or loss if the disposed debt securities
were held for more than one year and will be short-term capital
gain or loss if the disposed debt securities were held for one
year or less. Net long-term capital gain recognized by a
noncorporate U.S. holder generally will be subject to
federal income tax at a lower rate (currently a maximum rate of
15%, although this rate will increase to 20% after
2010) than net short-term capital gain or ordinary income
(currently a maximum rate of 35%). For corporate holders,
capital gain is generally taxed as ordinary income, that is,
currently at a maximum rate of 35%. A holders ability to
deduct capital losses may be limited.
Amortizable Premium. If you purchase debt
securities at a cost greater than their stated principal amount,
plus accrued interest, you will be considered to have purchased
the debt securities at a premium, and you generally may elect to
amortize this premium as an offset to interest income, using a
constant yield method, over the remaining term of the debt
securities. If you make the election to amortize the premium, it
generally will apply to all debt instruments that you hold at
the time of the election, as well as any debt instruments that
you subsequently acquire. In addition, you may not revoke the
election without the consent of the IRS. If you elect to
amortize the premium, you will be required to reduce your tax
basis in the debt securities by the amount of the premium
amortized during your holding period. If you do not elect to
amortize premium, the amount of premium will be included in your
tax basis in the debt securities. Therefore, if you do not elect
to amortize the premium and you hold the debt securities to
maturity, you generally will be required to treat the premium as
a capital loss when the debt securities are redeemed.
Market Discount. If you purchase debt
securities at a price that reflects a market
discount, any principal payments on or any gain that you
realize on the disposition of the debt securities generally will
be treated as ordinary interest income to the extent of the
market discount that accrued on the debt securities during the
time you held such debt securities. Market discount
is defined under the Internal Revenue Code as, in general, the
44
excess of the stated redemption price at maturity over the
purchase price of the debt security, except that if the market
discount is less than 0.25% of the stated redemption price at
maturity multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity,
the market discount is considered to be zero. In addition, you
may be required to defer the deduction of all or a portion of
any interest paid on any indebtedness that you incurred or
continued to purchase or carry the debt securities that were
acquired at a market discount. In general, market discount will
be treated as accruing ratably over the term of the debt
securities, or, at your election, under a constant yield method.
You may elect to include market discount in gross income
currently as it accrues (on either a ratable or constant yield
basis), in lieu of treating a portion of any gain realized on a
sale of the debt securities as ordinary income. If you elect to
include market discount on a current basis, the interest
deduction deferral rule described above will not apply and you
will increase your basis in the debt security by the amount of
market discount you include in gross income. If you do make such
an election, it will apply to all market discount debt
instruments that you acquire on or after the first day of the
first taxable year to which the election applies. This election
may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.
Information Reporting and Backup
Withholding. In general, information reporting
requirements will apply to payments of principal, interest, and
premium, if any, paid on debt securities and to the proceeds of
the sale of debt securities paid to U.S. holders other than
certain exempt recipients (such as certain corporations).
Information reporting generally will apply to payments of
interest on the debt securities to
non-U.S. Holders
(as defined below) and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with
respect to such payments. Copies of the information returns
reporting such interest payments and any withholding may also be
made available to the tax authorities in the country in which
the
non-U.S. Holder
resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
In addition, for
non-U.S. Holders,
information reporting will apply to the proceeds of the sale of
debt securities within the United States or conducted through
United States-related financial intermediaries unless the
certification requirements described below have been complied
with and the statement described below in Taxation of
Non-U.S. Holders
has been received (and the payor does not have actual knowledge
or reason to know that the holder is a United States person) or
the holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
We may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, a portion of all taxable payments (including
redemption proceeds) payable to holders of debt securities who
fail to provide us with their correct taxpayer identification
number, who fail to make required certifications or who have
been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup
withholding (or if we have been so notified). Certain corporate
and other shareholders specified in the Internal Revenue Code
and the regulations thereunder are exempt from backup
withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any
amounts withheld may be credited against the holders
U.S. federal income tax liability provided the appropriate
information is furnished to the IRS. If you are a
non-U.S. Holder,
you may have to comply with certification procedures to
establish your
non-U.S. status
in order to avoid backup withholding tax requirements. The
certification procedures required to claim the exemption from
withholding tax on interest income described below will satisfy
these requirements.
Taxation of
Non-U.S. Holders. If
you are a non-resident alien individual or a foreign corporation
(a
non-U.S. Holder),
the payment of interest on the debt securities generally will be
considered portfolio interest and thus generally
will be exempt from United States federal withholding tax. This
exemption will apply to you provided that (1) interest paid
on the debt securities is not effectively connected with your
conduct of a trade or business in the United States,
(2) you are not a bank whose receipt of interest on the
debt securities is described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the
Internal Revenue Code, (3) you do not actually or
constructively own 10 percent or more of the combined
voting power of all classes of the Companys stock entitled
to vote, (4) you are not a controlled foreign corporation
that is related, directly or indirectly to the Company through
stock ownership, and (5) you satisfy the certification
requirements described below.
To satisfy the certification requirements, either (1) the
holder of any debt securities must certify, under penalties of
perjury, that such holder is a
non-U.S. person
and must provide such owners name, address and taxpayer
identification number, if any, on IRS
Form W-8BEN,
or (2) a securities clearing organization, bank or other
financial institution that holds customer securities in the
ordinary course of its trade or business and holds the debt
securities on behalf of the holder thereof must certify, under
penalties of perjury, that it has received a valid and properly
executed IRS
Form W-8BEN
from the beneficial holder and comply with certain other
requirements. Special certification rules apply for debt
securities held by a foreign partnership and other
intermediaries.
45
Interest on debt securities received by a
non-U.S. Holder
that is not excluded from U.S. federal withholding tax
under the portfolio interest exemption as described above
generally will be subject to withholding at a 30% rate, except
where a
non-U.S. Holder
can claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty to reduce or
eliminate such withholding tax and such
non-U.S. Holder
provides the Company with a properly executed IRS
Form W-8BEN
claiming such exemption or reduction.
Any capital gain that a
non-U.S. Holder
realizes on a sale, exchange or other disposition of debt
securities generally will be exempt from United States federal
income tax, including withholding tax. This exemption will not
apply to you if your gain is effectively connected with your
conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. or you are an
individual holder and are present in the U.S. for
183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and
either your gain is attributable to an office or other fixed
place of business that you maintain in the U.S. or you have
a tax home in the United States.
DETERMINATION
OF NET ASSET VALUE
We compute the NAV of our common stock as of the close of
trading of the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time)
no less frequently than the last business day of each calendar
month and at such other times as the Board may determine. When
considering an offering of common stock, we calculate our NAV on
a more frequent basis, generally daily, to the extent necessary
to comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act. We make our NAV
available for publication monthly. The NAV per share of common
stock equals our NAV divided by the number of outstanding shares
of common stock. Our NAV equals the value of our total assets
(the value of the securities held plus cash or other assets,
including interest accrued but not yet received) less
(i) all of our liabilities (including accrued expenses and
both current and deferred income taxes), (ii) accumulated
and unpaid dividends on any outstanding preferred stock,
(iii) the aggregate liquidation preference of any
outstanding preferred stock, (iv) accrued and unpaid
interest payments on any outstanding indebtedness, (v) the
aggregate principal amount of any outstanding indebtedness, and
(vi) any distributions payable on our common stock.
Pursuant to an agreement with U.S. Bancorp
Fund Services, LLC (the Accounting Services
Provider), the Accounting Services Provider values our
assets in accordance with valuation procedures adopted by the
Board of Directors. The Accounting Services Provider obtains
securities market quotations from independent pricing services
approved by the Adviser and ratified by the Board of Directors.
Securities for which market quotations are readily available
shall be valued at market value. Any other
securities shall be valued at fair value.
Valuation of certain assets at market value will be as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
for equity securities, the Accounting Services Provider will
first use readily available market quotations and will obtain
direct written broker-dealer quotations if a security is not
traded on an exchange or quotations are not available from an
approved pricing service;
|
|
|
|
for fixed income securities, the Accounting Services Provider
will use readily available market quotations based upon the last
sale price of a security on the day we value our assets or a
market value from a pricing service or by obtaining a direct
written broker-dealer quotation from a dealer who has made a
market in the security; and
|
|
|
|
other assets will be valued at market value pursuant to the
valuation procedures.
|
If the Accounting Services Provider cannot obtain a market value
or the Adviser determines that the value of a security as so
obtained does not represent a fair value as of the valuation
time (due to a significant development subsequent to the time
its price is determined or otherwise), fair value for the
security shall be determined pursuant to the valuation
procedures. A report of any prices determined pursuant to fair
value methodologies will be presented to the Board of Directors
or a designated committee thereof for approval at the next
regularly scheduled board meeting.
AUTOMATIC
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN
Our Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (the
Plan) allows participating common stockholders to
reinvest distributions including dividends, capital gains and
return of capital in additional shares of our common stock and
allows participants to purchase additional shares of our common
stock through additional optional cash investments in amounts
from a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $5,000 per month. Shares
of
46
common stock will be issued by us under the Plan when our common
stock is trading at a premium to NAV. If our common stock is
trading at a discount to NAV, shares distributed under the Plan
will be purchased on the open market at market price. Shares of
common stock issued directly from us under the Plan will be
acquired at the greater of (1) NAV at the close of business
on the payment date of the distribution or on the day preceding
the relevant cash purchase investment date or (2) 95% of
the market price per common share on the distribution payment
date or on the day preceding the relevant cash purchase
investment date. See below for more details about the Plan.
Automatic
Dividend Reinvestment
If a stockholders shares are registered directly with us
or with a brokerage firm that participates in our Plan, all
distributions are automatically reinvested for stockholders by
the Plan Agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the
Plan Agent), in additional shares of our common
stock (unless a stockholder is ineligible or elects otherwise).
Stockholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will
receive all distributions payable in cash paid by check mailed
directly to the stockholder of record (or, if the shares are
held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by
the Plan Agent, as dividend paying agent. Such stockholders may
elect not to participate in the Plan and to receive all
distributions in cash by sending written, telephone or Internet
instructions to the Plan Agent, as dividend paying 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 giving notice in writing to the Plan Agent; such
termination will be effective with respect to a particular
distribution if notice is received prior to the record date for
such distribution.
Whenever we declare a distribution payable either in shares or
in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash, and
participants in the Plan will receive the amount set forth below
in shares of common stock. The shares are acquired by the Plan
Agent for the participants account, depending upon the
circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt
of additional common stock directly from us (Additional
Common Stock) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding
common stock on the open market (open-market
purchases) on the NYSE or elsewhere. If, on the payment
date, the NAV per share of our common stock is equal to or less
than the market price per share of common stock plus estimated
brokerage commissions (such condition being referred to herein
as market premium), the Plan Agent will receive
Additional Common Stock from us for each participants
account. The number of shares of Additional Common Stock to be
credited to the participants account will be determined by
dividing the dollar amount of the distribution by the greater of
(i) the NAV per share of common stock on the payment date,
or (ii) 95% of the market price per share of common stock
on the payment date.
If, on the payment date, the NAV per share of common stock
exceeds the market price plus estimated brokerage commissions
(such condition being referred to herein as market
discount), the Plan Agent will invest the distribution
amount in shares acquired in open-market purchases as soon as
practicable but not later than thirty (30) days following
the payment date. We expect to declare and pay quarterly
distributions. The weighted average price (including brokerage
commissions) of all common stock purchased by the Plan Agent as
Plan Agent will be the price per share of common stock allocable
to each participant.
The Plan Agent maintains all stockholders accounts in the
Plan and furnishes written confirmation of each acquisition made
for the participants account as soon as practicable, but
in no event later than 60 days after the date thereof.
Shares in the account of each Plan participant may be held by
the Plan Agent in non-certificated form in the Plan Agents
name or that of its nominee, and each stockholders proxy
will include those shares purchased or received pursuant to the
Plan. The Plan Agent will forward all proxy solicitation
materials to participants and vote proxies for shares held
pursuant to the Plan first in accordance with the instructions
of the participants, and then with respect to any proxies not
returned by such participant, in the same proportion as the Plan
Agent votes the proxies returned by the participants.
There are no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued
directly by us as a result of distributions payable either in
shares or in cash. 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 distributions. If a participant elects to have
the Plan Agent sell part or all of his or her common stock and
remit the proceeds, such participant will be charged a
transaction fee plus his or her pro rata share of brokerage
commissions on the shares sold.
47
The automatic reinvestment of distributions will not relieve
participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may
be payable (or required to be withheld) on such distributions.
See Certain Federal Income Tax Matters.
Stockholders participating in the Plan may receive benefits not
available to stockholders not participating in the Plan. If the
market price plus commissions of our shares of common stock is
higher than the NAV, participants in the Plan will receive
shares of our common stock at less than they could otherwise
purchase such shares and will have shares with a cash value
greater than the value of any cash distribution they would have
received on their shares. If the market price plus commissions
is below the NAV, participants will receive distributions of
shares of common stock with a NAV greater than the value of any
cash distribution they would have received on their shares.
However, there may be insufficient shares available in the
market to make distributions in shares at prices below the NAV.
Also, because we do not redeem our common stock, the price on
resale may be more or less than the NAV. See Certain
Federal Income Tax Matters for a discussion of the federal
income tax consequences of the Plan.
Cash
Purchase Option
Participants in the Plan may elect to purchase additional shares
of common stock through optional cash investments in amounts
ranging from $100 to $5,000 per month unless a request for
waiver has been granted. Optional cash investments may be
delivered to the Plan Agent by personal check, by automatic or
electronic bank account transfer or by online access at
www.computershare.com. We reserve the right to reject any
purchase order. We do not accept cash, travelers checks, third
party checks, money orders and checks drawn on non-US banks.
In order for participants to participate in the cash investment
option in any given month, the Plan Agent must receive from the
participant any optional cash investment no later than two
business days prior to the monthly investment date (the
payment date) for purchase of common shares on the
next succeeding purchase date. All optional cash investments
received on or prior to the payment date will be applied by the
Plan Agent to purchase shares on the next succeeding purchase
date. Participants may obtain a schedule of relevant dates on
our website at www.tortoiseadvisors.com or by calling
1-866-362-9331.
Common stock purchased pursuant to this option will be issued by
us when our shares are trading at a premium to net asset value.
If our common stock is trading at a discount to net asset value,
shares of common stock will be purchased in the open market by
the Plan Agent as described above with respect to reinvestments
of distributions.
General
Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are
desirable. Accordingly, we reserve the right to amend or
terminate the Plan if in the judgment of the Board of Directors
such a change is warranted. The Plan may be terminated by the
Plan Agent or us upon notice in writing mailed to each
participant at least 60 days prior to the effective date of
the termination. Upon any termination, the Plan Agent will cause
a certificate or certificates to be issued for the full shares
held by each participant under the Plan and cash adjustment for
any fraction of a share of common stock at the then current
market value of common stock to be delivered to him or her. If
preferred, a participant may request the sale of all of the
common stock held by the Plan Agent in his or her Plan account
in order to terminate participation in the Plan. If such
participant elects in advance of such termination to have the
Plan Agent sell part or all of his or her shares, the Plan Agent
is authorized to deduct from the proceeds a $15.00 transaction
fee plus a $0.05 fee per share for the transaction. If a
participant has terminated his or her participation in the Plan
but continues to have common stock registered in his or her
name, he or she may re-enroll in the Plan at any time by
notifying the Plan Agent in writing at the address below. The
terms and conditions of the Plan may be amended by the Plan
Agent or by us at any time. Any such amendments to the Plan may
be made by mailing to each participant appropriate written
notice at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the
amendment, except, when necessary or appropriate to comply with
applicable law or the rules or policies of the SEC or any other
regulatory authority, such prior notice does not apply. The
amendment shall be deemed to be accepted by each participant
unless, prior to the effective date thereof, the Plan Agent
receives notice of the termination of the participants
account under the Plan. Any such amendment may include an
appointment by the Plan Agent of a successor Plan Agent, subject
to our prior written approval of the successor Plan Agent.
All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.,
P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940.
48
DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES
The information contained under this heading is only a summary
and is subject to the provisions contained in our Charter and
Bylaws and the laws of the State of Maryland.
Common
Stock
General. Our Charter authorizes us to issue up
to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par
value per share. The Board of Directors may, without any action
by the stockholders, amend our Charter from time to time to
increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or
the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we
have authority to issue under our Charter and the 1940 Act.
Additionally, the Charter authorizes our Board of Directors,
without any action by our stockholders, to classify and
reclassify any unissued common stock and preferred stock into
other classes or series of stock from time to time by setting or
changing the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights,
voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or
other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of
redemption for each class or series. Although there is no
present intention of doing so, we could issue a class or series
of stock that could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a
change in control of us that might otherwise be in the
stockholders best interests. Under Maryland law,
stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or
obligations.
All common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus and any
related prospectus supplement will be, upon issuance, duly
authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. All outstanding common
stock offered pursuant to this prospectus and any related
prospectus supplement will be of the same class and will have
identical rights, as described below. Holders of shares of
common stock are entitled to receive distributions when
authorized by the Board of Directors and declared by us out of
assets legally available for the payment of distributions.
Holders of common stock have no preference, conversion,
exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights and have
no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. All
shares of common stock have equal distribution, liquidation and
other rights.
Distributions. We intend to pay out
substantially all of our DCF to holders of common stock through
quarterly distributions. DCF is the amount we receive as cash or
paid-in-kind
distributions from MLPs or affiliates of MLPs in which we
invest, and interest payments received on debt securities we
own, less current or anticipated operating expenses, taxes on
our taxable income, and leverage costs we pay (including costs
related to Tortoise Notes, Tortoise Preferred Shares and
borrowings under our credit facility). Our Board of Directors
has adopted a policy to target distributions to common
stockholders in an amount equal to at least 95% of DCF on an
annual basis. It is expected that we will declare and pay a
distribution to holders of common stock at the end of each
fiscal quarter. There is no assurance that we will continue to
make regular distributions.
If a stockholders shares are registered directly with us
or with a brokerage firm that participates in the Plan,
distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional
common stock under the Plan unless a stockholder elects to
receive distributions in cash. If a stockholder elects to
receive distributions in cash, payment will be made by check.
The federal income tax treatment of distributions is the same
whether they are reinvested in our shares or received in cash.
See Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase
Plan.
The yield on our common stock will likely vary from period to
period depending on factors including the following:
|
|
|
|
|
market conditions;
|
|
|
|
the timing of our investments in portfolio securities;
|
|
|
|
the securities comprising our portfolio;
|
|
|
|
changes in interest rates (including changes in the relationship
between short-term rates and long-term rates);
|
|
|
|
the amount and timing of the use of borrowings and other
leverage by us;
|
|
|
|
the effects of leverage on our common stock (discussed above
under Leverage);
|
|
|
|
the timing of the investment of offering proceeds and leverage
proceeds in portfolio securities; and
|
|
|
|
our net assets and operating expenses.
|
49
Consequently, we cannot guarantee any particular yield on our
common stock, and the yield for any given period is not an
indication or representation of future yields on the common
stock.
Limitations on Distributions. So long as
shares of preferred stock are outstanding, holders of shares of
common stock will not be entitled to receive any distributions
from us unless we have paid all accumulated dividends on
preferred stock, and unless asset coverage (as defined in the
1940 Act) with respect to preferred stock would be at least 200%
after giving effect to such distributions. See
Leverage.
So long as senior securities representing indebtedness are
outstanding, holders of shares of common stock will not be
entitled to receive any distributions from us unless we have
paid all accrued interest on such senior indebtedness, and
unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect
to any outstanding senior indebtedness would be at least 300%
after giving effect to such distributions. See
Leverage.
Liquidation Rights. Common stockholders are
entitled to share ratably in the assets legally available for
distribution to stockholders in the event of liquidation,
dissolution or winding up, after payment of or adequate
provision for all known debts and liabilities, including any
outstanding debt securities or other borrowings and any interest
accrued thereon. These rights are subject to the preferential
rights of any other class or series of our stock, including the
preferred stock. The rights of common stockholders upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up are subordinated to the
rights of holders of Tortoise Notes and Tortoise Preferred
Shares.
Voting Rights. Each outstanding share of
common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of
directors. The presence of the holders of shares of common stock
entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast
shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. The
Charter provides that, except as otherwise provided in the
Bylaws, directors shall be elected by the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the shares of stock outstanding and
entitled to vote thereon. The Bylaws provide that directors are
elected by a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of
stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present. There
is no cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Consequently, at each annual meeting of stockholders, the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock
entitled to vote will be able to elect all of the successors of
the class of directors whose terms expire at that meeting
provided that holders of preferred stock have the right to elect
two directors at all times. Pursuant to the Charter and Bylaws,
the Board of Directors may amend the Bylaws to alter the vote
required to elect directors.
Under the rules of the NYSE applicable to listed companies, we
normally will be required to hold an annual meeting of
stockholders in each fiscal year. If we are converted to an
open-end company or if for any other reason the shares are no
longer listed on the NYSE (or any other national securities
exchange the rules of which require annual meetings of
stockholders), we may amend our Bylaws so that we are not
otherwise required to hold annual meetings of stockholders.
Issuance of Additional Shares. The provisions
of the 1940 Act generally require that the public offering price
of common stock of a closed-end investment company (less
underwriting commissions and discounts) must equal or exceed the
NAV of such companys common stock (calculated within
48 hours of pricing), unless such sale is made with the
consent of a majority of the companys outstanding common
stockholders. At our Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on
April 13, 2007, our stockholders granted us the authority
to sell shares of our common stock for less than NAV, subject to
the conditions listed below. We seek re-approval by our common
stockholders of this authority at our annual meeting of
stockholders. We believe that having the ability to issue and
sell shares of common stock below NAV benefits all stockholders
in that it allows us to quickly raise cash and capitalize on
attractive investment opportunities while remaining fully
invested at all times. When considering an offering of common
stock, we calculate our NAV on a more frequent basis, generally
daily, to the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of
the 1940 Act. We expect to sell shares of common stock below NAV
only when we have identified attractive near-term investment
opportunities. We may only sell shares of common stock below NAV
in accordance with the following conditions:
1. The per share offering price, before deduction of
underwriting fees, commissions and offering expenses, will not
be less than the NAV per share of our common stock, as
determined at any time within two business days prior to the
pricing of the common stock to be sold in the offering.
2. Immediately following each offering, after deducting
offering expenses and underwriting fees and commissions, the NAV
per share of our common stock, as determined at any time within
two business
50
days prior to the pricing of the common stock to be sold, would
not have been diluted by greater than a total of 1% of the NAV
per share of all outstanding common stock as a result of such
offering. We will not be subject to a maximum number of shares
that can be sold, a defined minimum sales price per share in any
offering, or a maximum number of offerings we can make so long
as for each offering the number of shares offered and the price
at which such shares are sold together would not result in
dilution of the NAV per share of our common stock in excess of
the 1% limitation described above.
3. A majority of our independent directors makes a
determination, based on information and a recommendation from
the Adviser, that they reasonably expect that the investment(s)
to be made with the net proceeds of such issuance will lead to a
long-term increase in distribution growth.
The table below sets forth the pro forma maximum dilutive effect
on our NAV if we were to have issued shares below our NAV as of
November 30, 2007. The table assumes that we issue
4,652,969 shares, which represents all of the shares we
permissibly could issue under the conditions described above, at
a net sale price to us after deducting all expenses of issuance,
including underwriting discounts and commissions, equal to
$31.31, which is 95% of the NAV of our common shares as of
November 30, 2007.
Pro Forma
Maximum Impact of Below NAV Issuances of Common Shares
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares currently outstanding
|
|
|
18,760,441
|
|
Common shares that currently may be issued below NAV
|
|
|
4,652,969
|
|
Total common shares outstanding if all permissible shares are
issued below NAV
|
|
|
23,413,410
|
|
Net asset value per share as of November 30, 2007
|
|
$
|
32.96
|
|
Aggregate net asset value of all currently outstanding common
shares based on NAV as of November 30, 2007
|
|
|
618,412,176
|
|
Aggregate net proceeds to the Company (assuming the Company sold
all permissible shares and received net proceeds equal to $31.31
per share (95% of the NAV as of November 30, 2007))
|
|
|
145,684,459
|
|
Expected aggregate net asset value of the Company after issuance
|
|
|
764,096,635
|
|
NAV per share after issuance
|
|
$
|
32.64
|
|
Percentage dilution to pre-issuance NAV
|
|
|
−0.97
|
%
|
Because the Advisers management fee is based upon our
average monthly Managed Assets, the Advisers interest in
recommending the issuance and sale of common stock below NAV
will conflict with our interests and those of our stockholders.
Market. Our common stock trades on the NYSE
under the ticker symbol TYG. Common stock issued
pursuant to this prospectus and related prospectus supplement
will trade on the NYSE.
Transfer Agent, Dividend Paying Agent and Automatic Dividend
Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan
Agent. Computershare Trust Company, N.A.,
P.O. Box 43078, Providence, Rhode Island
02940-3078,
serves as the transfer agent, the Automatic Dividend
Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan agent and the dividend
paying agent for our common stock.
Preferred
Stock
General. Our Charter authorizes the issuance
of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with
preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other
distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions or
redemption as determined by the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may, without any action by the
stockholders, amend our Charter from time to time to increase or
decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number
of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority
to issue. Additionally, the Charter authorizes the Board of
Directors, without any action by the stockholders, to classify
and reclassify any unissued preferred stock into other classes
or series of stock from time to time by setting or changing the
terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other
distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of
redemption for each class or series.
51
Preferred stock (including outstanding Tortoise Preferred
Shares) ranks junior to our debt securities (including Tortoise
Notes), and senior to all common stock. Under the 1940 Act, we
may only issue one class of senior equity securities, which in
the aggregate may represent no more than 50% of our total
assets. So long as Tortoise Preferred Shares are outstanding,
additional issuances of preferred stock must be considered to be
of the same class as Tortoise Preferred Shares under the 1940
Act and interpretations thereunder and must rank on a parity
with the Tortoise Preferred Shares with respect to the payment
of dividends and upon the distribution of our assets. Unless
otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, any auction rate
preferred stock will be issued pursuant to articles
supplementary (a form of which is attached as Appendix B to
the statement of additional information) in substantially the
same form as outstanding auction rate preferred stock and will
be subject to the provisions therein. Subject to the limitations
of the 1940 Act, we may also issue non-auction rate preferred
stock, in which case the details on how to buy and sell such
preferred stock, along with other terms of such preferred stock,
will be described in a related prospectus supplement. The terms
to be stated in a prospectus supplement will include the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
the form and title of the security;
|
|
|
|
the aggregate liquidation preference of preferred stock;
|
|
|
|
the dividend rate of the preferred stock;
|
|
|
|
whether the dividend rate will be determined at an auction;
|
|
|
|
the frequency with which auctions, if any, will be held;
|
|
|
|
any optional or mandatory redemption provisions;
|
|
|
|
any changes in auction agents, paying agents or security
registrar; and
|
|
|
|
any other terms of the preferred stock.
|
Dividends. Holders of preferred stock will be
entitled to receive cash dividends, when, as and if authorized
by the Board of Directors and declared by us, out of funds
legally available therefor. Unless the prospectus supplement
states otherwise, dividend rates for auction rate preferred
stock will generally be determined by the results of an auction
for such shares, as more fully described in a related prospectus
supplement. The prospectus supplement for non-auction rate
preferred stock will describe the dividend payment provisions
for those shares. Dividends so declared and payable shall be
paid to the extent permitted under Maryland law and to the
extent available and in preference to and priority over any
distribution declared and payable on the common stock. Because
of our emphasis on investments in MLPs, which are expected to
generate cash in excess of the taxable income allocated to
holders, it is possible that dividends payable on preferred
stock could exceed our earnings and profits, which would be
treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the
basis of the shares on which the dividend is paid and thereafter
as gain from the sale or exchange of the preferred stock.
Limitations on Dividends. So long as any debt
securities (including Tortoise Notes) are outstanding, holders
of preferred stock will not be entitled to receive any dividends
from us unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with
respect to outstanding debt securities and preferred stock would
be at least 200% after giving effect to such dividends. See
Leverage.
Liquidation Rights. In the event of any
voluntary or our involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding
up, the holders of preferred stock would be entitled to receive
a preferential liquidating distribution, which is expected to
equal the original purchase price per share plus accumulated and
unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, before any
distribution of assets is made to holders of common stock. After
payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to
which they are entitled, the holders of preferred stock will not
be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of
our assets. Preferred stock ranks junior to our debt securities
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Voting Rights. Except as otherwise indicated
in the Charter or Bylaws, or as otherwise required by applicable
law, holders of preferred stock have one vote per share and vote
together with holders of common stock as a single class.
The 1940 Act requires that the holders of any preferred stock,
voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect at
least two directors at all times. The remaining directors will
be elected by holders of common stock and preferred stock,
voting together as a single class. In addition, subject to the
prior rights, if any, of the holders of any other class of
senior securities outstanding (including Tortoise Notes), the
holders of any shares of preferred
52
stock have the right to elect a majority of the directors at any
time two years accumulated dividends on any preferred
stock are unpaid. The 1940 Act also requires that, in addition
to any approval by stockholders that might otherwise be
required, the approval of the holders of a majority of shares of
any outstanding preferred stock, voting separately as a class,
would be required to (i) adopt any plan of reorganization
that would adversely affect the preferred stock, and
(ii) take any action requiring a vote of security holders
under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other
things, changes in our subclassification as a closed-end
investment company or changes in its fundamental investment
restrictions. See Certain Provisions in the Companys
Charter and Bylaws. As a result of these voting rights,
our ability to take any such actions may be impeded to the
extent that any shares of its preferred stock are outstanding.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding preferred stock, voting as a separate class, will be
required to amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences,
rights or powers of holders of preferred stock so as to affect
materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers. The
class vote of holders of preferred stock described above will in
each case be in addition to any other vote required to authorize
the action in question.
We will have the right (to the extent permitted by applicable
law) to purchase or otherwise acquire any preferred stock, so
long as we are current in the payment of dividends on the
preferred stock and on any other of our shares ranking on a
parity with the preferred stock with respect to the payment of
dividends or upon liquidation.
Market. Unless otherwise stated in a
prospectus supplement, our auction rate preferred stock may be
bought or sold at an auction that normally will be held
periodically (designated every twenty-eight (28) days for
outstanding Tortoise Preferred Shares, except for series of
Tortoise Preferred Shares that have designated a special rate
period) by submitting orders through a broker-dealer who has
entered into an agreement with us (a broker-dealer).
Our preferred stock is not listed on an exchange or automated
quotation system. Auction rate preferred stock may be
transferred outside of an auction through a broker-dealer, but
we cannot assure you that any such secondary market will exist
or whether it will provide preferred stockholders with
liquidity. The details of the auction process will be further
described in the related prospectus supplement. Subject to the
limitations of the 1940 Act, we may also issue non-auction rate
preferred stock, in which case the details on how to buy and
sell such preferred stock, along with other terms of such
preferred stock, will be described in a related prospectus
supplement. We cannot assure you that any secondary market will
exist or that if a secondary market does exist, whether it will
provide holders with liquidity.
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form. Unless
otherwise indicated in the related prospectus supplement,
preferred stock will be issued in book-entry form and will be
represented by one or more share certificates in registered
global form. The global certificates will be held by DTC and
registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of
DTC. DTC will maintain the certificates in specified
denominations per share through its book-entry facilities.
We may treat the persons in whose names any global certificates
are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of
receiving payments and for any and all other purposes
whatsoever. Therefore, so long as DTC or its nominee is the
registered owner of the global certificates, DTC or such nominee
will be considered the sole holder of outstanding preferred
stock.
A global certificate may not be transferred except as a whole by
DTC, its successors or their respective nominees, subject to the
provisions restricting transfers of shares contained in the
related articles supplementary.
Auction Agent, Transfer Agent, Registrar, Dividend Paying
Agent and Redemption Agent. Unless otherwise
stated in a prospectus supplement, The Bank of New York, 101
Barclay Street, New York, New York, serves as the auction agent,
transfer agent, registrar, dividend paying agent and redemption
agent with respect to our preferred stock.
Debt
Securities
General. Under Maryland law and our Charter,
we may borrow money, without prior approval of holders of common
and preferred stock. We may issue debt securities, including
additional Tortoise Notes, or other evidence of indebtedness
(including bank borrowings or commercial paper) and may secure
any such notes or borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or
otherwise subjecting as security our assets to the extent
permitted by the 1940 Act or rating agency guidelines. Any
borrowings, including without limitation the Tortoise Notes,
will rank senior to the preferred stock and the common stock.
53
Under the 1940 Act, we may only issue one class of senior
securities representing indebtedness, which in the aggregate,
may represent no more than
331/3%
of our total assets. So long as Tortoise Notes are outstanding,
additional debt securities must rank on a parity with Tortoise
Notes with respect to the payment of interest and upon the
distribution of our assets. Unless otherwise stated in a
prospectus supplement, any additional auction rate debt
securities will be issued pursuant to the indenture dated as of
July 14, 2004 (the Indenture) and will be
subject to the provisions therein. A prospectus supplement and a
supplemental indenture (a summary of which is attached as
Appendix A to the statement of additional information)
relating to any additional auction rate debt securities will
include specific terms relating to the offering. Subject to the
limitations of the 1940 Act, we may also issue non-auction rate
debt securities, in which case the details on how to buy and
sell such debt securities, along with other terms of such debt
securities, will be described in a related prospectus
supplement. The terms to be stated in a prospectus supplement
will include the following:
|
|
|
|
|
the form and title of the security;
|
|
|
|
the aggregate principal amount of the securities;
|
|
|
|
the interest rate of the securities;
|
|
|
|
whether the interest rate for the securities will be determined
by auction;
|
|
|
|
the maturity dates on which the principal of the securities will
be payable;
|
|
|
|
the frequency with which auctions, if any, will be held;
|
|
|
|
any changes to or additional events of default or covenants;
|
|
|
|
any optional or mandatory redemption provisions;
|
|
|
|
any changes in trustees, auction agents, paying agents or
security registrar; and
|
|
|
|
any other terms of the securities.
|
Interest. Unless otherwise stated in a
prospectus supplement, auction rate debt securities will bear
interest as generally determined by the results of an auction
for such securities
and/or by
the Board of Directors, as more fully described in the related
prospectus supplement. For non-auction rate debt securities, the
prospectus supplement will describe the interest payment
provisions relating to those debt securities. Interest on debt
securities shall be payable when due as described in the related
prospectus supplement. If we do not pay interest when due, it
will trigger an event of default and we will be restricted from
declaring dividends and making other distributions with respect
to our common stock and preferred stock.
Limitations. Under the requirements of the
1940 Act, immediately after issuing any senior securities
representing indebtedness, we must have an asset coverage of at
least 300%. Asset coverage means the ratio which the value of
our total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not
represented by senior securities, bears to the aggregate amount
of senior securities representing indebtedness. We currently are
subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or
more rating agencies that have issued ratings for outstanding
Tortoise Notes, including restrictions related to asset coverage
and portfolio composition. Such restrictions may be more
stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. Other types of
borrowings also may result in our being subject to similar
covenants in credit agreements.
Events of Default and Acceleration of Maturity of Debt
Securities; Remedies. Unless stated otherwise in
the related prospectus supplement, any one of the following
events will constitute an event of default for that
series under the Indenture:
|
|
|
|
|
default in the payment of any interest upon a series of debt
securities when it becomes due and payable and the continuance
of such default for 30 days;
|
|
|
|
default in the payment of the principal of, or premium on, a
series of debt securities at its stated maturity;
|
|
|
|
default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or
warranty of ours in the Indenture, and continuance of such
default or breach for a period of 90 days after written
notice has been given to us by the trustee;
|
|
|
|
certain voluntary or involuntary proceedings involving us and
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws;
|
54
|
|
|
|
|
if, on the last business day of each of twenty-four consecutive
calendar months, the debt securities have a 1940 Act asset
coverage of less than 100%; or
|
|
|
|
any other event of default provided with respect to
a series, including a default in the payment of any redemption
price payable on the redemption date.
|
Upon the occurrence and continuance of an event of default, the
holders of a majority in principal amount of a series of
outstanding debt securities or the trustee may declare the
principal amount of that series of debt securities immediately
due and payable upon written notice to us. A default that
relates only to one series of debt securities does not affect
any other series and the holders of such other series of debt
securities are not entitled to receive notice of such a default
under the Indenture. Upon an event of default relating to
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws, acceleration of
maturity occurs automatically with respect to all series. At any
time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to a
series of debt securities has been made, and before a judgment
or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
debt securities of that series, by written notice to us and the
trustee, may rescind and annul the declaration of acceleration
and its consequences if all events of default with respect to
that series of debt securities, other than the non-payment of
the principal of that series of debt securities which has become
due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured
or waived and other conditions have been met.
Liquidation Rights. In the event of
(a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any
receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case
or proceeding in connection therewith, relative to us or to our
creditors, as such, or to our assets, or (b) any
liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the Company,
whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving
insolvency or bankruptcy, or (c) any assignment for the
benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and
liabilities of ours, then (after any payments with respect to
any secured creditor of ours outstanding at such time) and in
any such event the holders of debt securities shall be entitled
to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due
on or in respect of all debt securities (including any interest
accruing thereon after the commencement of any such case or
proceeding), or provision shall be made for such payment in cash
or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the
holders of the debt securities, before the holders of any common
or preferred stock of the Company are entitled to receive any
payment on account of any redemption proceeds, liquidation
preference or dividends from such shares. The holders of debt
securities shall be entitled to receive, for application to the
payment thereof, any payment or distribution of any kind or
character, whether in cash, property or securities, including
any such payment or distribution which may be payable or
deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness
of ours being subordinated to the payment of the debt
securities, which may be payable or deliverable in respect of
the debt securities in any such case, proceeding, dissolution,
liquidation or other winding up event.
Unsecured creditors of ours may include, without limitation,
service providers including the Adviser, custodian,
administrator, auction agent, broker-dealers and the trustee,
pursuant to the terms of various contracts with us. Secured
creditors of ours may include without limitation parties
entering into any interest rate swap, floor or cap transactions,
or other similar transactions with us that create liens,
pledges, charges, security interests, security agreements or
other encumbrances on our assets.
A consolidation, reorganization or merger of the Company with or
into any other company, or a sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all of our assets in consideration for the
issuance of equity securities of another company shall not be
deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company.
Voting Rights. Debt securities have no voting
rights, except to the extent required by law or as otherwise
provided in the Indenture relating to the acceleration of
maturity upon the occurrence and continuance of an event of
default. In connection with any other borrowings (if any), the
1940 Act does in certain circumstances grant to the lenders
certain voting rights in the event of default in the payment of
interest on or repayment of principal.
Market. Unless otherwise stated in a
prospectus supplement, our auction rate debt securities may be
bought or sold at an auction held periodically (every seven
(7) or twenty-eight (28) days for outstanding Tortoise
Notes, except for series of Tortoise Notes that have designated
a special rate period), by submitting orders through a
broker-dealer who has entered into an agreement with us (a
broker-dealer). Our debt securities are not listed
on an exchange or automated quotation system. Auction rate debt
securities may be transferred outside of an auction through a
broker-dealer, but we cannot assure you that any such secondary
market will exist or whether it will provide holders of debt
securities with liquidity. The details of the auction process
are further described in the
55
related prospectus supplement. Subject to the limitations of the
1940 Act, we may also issue non-auction rate debt securities, in
which case the details on how to buy and sell such debt
securities, along with other terms of such debt securities, will
be described in a related prospectus supplement. In the case of
our non-auction rate debt securities, we cannot assure you that
any secondary market will exist or if a secondary market does
exist, whether it will provide holders with liquidity.
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form. Unless
otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement, the debt
securities will be issued in book-entry form and will be
represented by one or more notes in registered global form. The
global notes will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for
DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as
nominee of DTC. DTC will maintain the notes in designated
denominations through its book-entry facilities.
Under the terms of the Indenture, we and the trustee may treat
the persons in whose names any notes, including the global
notes, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of
receiving payments and for any and all other purposes
whatsoever. Therefore, so long as DTC or its nominee is the
registered owner of the global notes, DTC or such nominee will
be considered the sole holder of outstanding notes under the
Indenture. We or the trustee may give effect to any written
certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by DTC or
its nominee.
A global note may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC,
its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of
beneficial owners in the global note may be transferred or
exchanged for definitive securities in accordance with the rules
and procedures of DTC. In addition, a global note may be
exchangeable for notes in definitive form if:
|
|
|
|
|
DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a
depository and we do not appoint a successor within 60 days;
|
|
|
|
we, at our option, notify the trustee in writing that we elect
to cause the issuance of notes in definitive form under the
Indenture; or
|
|
|
|
an event of default has occurred and is continuing.
|
In each instance, upon surrender by DTC or its nominee of the
global note, notes in definitive form will be issued to each
person that DTC or its nominee identifies as being the
beneficial owner of the related notes.
Under the Indenture, the holder of any global note may grant
proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including its
participants and persons who may hold interests through DTC
participants, to take any action which a holder is entitled to
take under the Indenture.
Trustee, Transfer Agent, Registrar, Paying Agent,
Redemption Agent and Auction Agent. Unless
otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, The Bank of New
York Trust Company, N.A., 2 N. LaSalle Street,
Chicago, IL 60602, serves as the trustee under the Indenture and
acts as transfer agent, registrar, paying agent and redemption
agent with respect to our debt securities. The Bank of New York
serves as the auction agent with respect to our auction rate
debt securities.
RATING
AGENCY GUIDELINES
The Rating Agencies, which assign ratings to our senior
securities, impose asset coverage requirements, which may limit
our ability to engage in certain types of transactions and may
limit our ability to take certain actions without confirming
that such action will not impair the ratings. The Tortoise Notes
are currently rated Aaa and AAA by
Moodys Investors Service Inc. (Moodys)
and Fitch Ratings (Fitch), respectively. The
Tortoise Preferred Shares are currently rated Aa2
and AA by Moodys and Fitch, respectively.
Moodys and Fitch, and any other agency that may rate our
debt securities (including Tortoise Notes) or preferred stock
(including Tortoise Preferred Shares) in the future, are
collectively referred to as the Rating Agencies.
We may, but are not required to, adopt any modification to the
guidelines that may hereafter be established by any Rating
Agency. Failure to adopt any modifications, however, may result
in a change in the ratings described above or a withdrawal of
ratings altogether. In addition, any Rating Agency may, at any
time, change or withdraw any rating. The Board may, without
stockholder approval, modify, alter or repeal certain of the
definitions and related provisions which have been adopted
pursuant to each Rating Agencys guidelines (Rating
Agency Guidelines) only in the event we receive written
confirmation from the Rating Agency or Agencies that any
amendment, alteration or repeal would not impair the ratings
then assigned to the senior securities.
56
We are required to satisfy two separate asset maintenance
requirements with respect to outstanding debt securities and
with respect to outstanding preferred stock: (1) we must
maintain assets in our portfolio that have a value, discounted
in accordance with guidelines set forth by each Rating Agency,
at least equal to the aggregate principal amount/aggregate
liquidation preference of the debt securities/preferred stock,
respectively, plus specified liabilities, payment obligations
and other amounts (the Basic Maintenance Amount);
and (2) we must satisfy the 1940 Act asset coverage
requirements.
Basic Maintenance Amounts. We must maintain,
as of each valuation date on which senior securities are
outstanding, eligible assets having an aggregate discounted
value at least equal to the applicable Basic Maintenance Amount,
which is calculated separately for debt securities and preferred
stock for each Rating Agency that is then rating the senior
securities and so requires. If we fail to maintain eligible
assets having an aggregated discounted value at least equal to
the applicable Basic Maintenance Amount as of any valuation date
and such failure is not cured, we will be required in certain
circumstances to redeem certain of the senior securities.
The applicable Basic Maintenance Amount is defined in the Rating
Agencys Guidelines. Each Rating Agency may amend the
definition of the applicable Basic Maintenance Amount from time
to time.
The market value of our portfolio securities (used in
calculating the discounted value of eligible assets) is
calculated using readily available market quotations when
appropriate, and in any event, consistent with our valuation
procedures. For the purpose of calculating the applicable Basic
Maintenance Amount, portfolio securities are valued in the same
manner as we calculate our NAV. See Determination of Net
Asset Value.
Each Rating Agencys discount factors, the criteria used to
determine whether the assets held in our portfolio are eligible
assets, and the guidelines for determining the discounted value
of our portfolio holdings for purposes of determining compliance
with the applicable Basic Maintenance Amount are based on Rating
Agency Guidelines established in connection with rating the
senior securities. The discount factor relating to any asset,
the applicable basic maintenance amount requirement, the assets
eligible for inclusion in the calculation of the discounted
value of our portfolio and certain definitions and methods of
calculation relating thereto may be changed from time to time by
the applicable Rating Agency, without our approval, or the
approval of our Board of Directors or stockholders.
A Rating Agencys Guidelines will apply to the senior
securities only so long as that Rating Agency is rating such
securities. We will pay certain fees to Moodys, Fitch and
any other Rating Agency that may provide a rating for the senior
securities. The ratings assigned to the senior securities are
not recommendations to buy, sell or hold the senior securities.
Such ratings may be subject to revision or withdrawal by the
assigning Rating Agency at any time.
1940 Act Asset Coverage. We are also required
to maintain, with respect to senior securities, as of the last
business day on any month in which any senior securities are
outstanding, asset coverage of at least 300% for debt securities
and 200% for preferred stock (or such other percentage as may in
the future be specified in or under the 1940 Act as the minimum
asset coverage for senior securities representing shares of a
closed-end investment company as a condition of declaring
dividends on its common stock). If we fail to maintain the
applicable 1940 Act asset coverage as of the last business day
of any month and such failure is not cured as of the last
business day of the following month (the Asset Coverage
Cure Date), we will be required to redeem certain senior
securities.
Notices. Under the current Rating Agency
Guidelines, in certain circumstances, we are required to deliver
to any Rating Agency which is then rating the senior securities
(1) a certificate with respect to the calculation of the
applicable Basic Maintenance Amount; (2) a certificate with
respect to the calculation of the applicable 1940 Act asset
coverage and the value of our portfolio holdings; and (3) a
letter prepared by our independent accountants regarding the
accuracy of such calculations.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Rating
Agency Guidelines, as they may be amended from time to time by
each Rating Agency will be reflected in a written document and
may be amended by each Rating Agency without the vote, consent
or approval of the Company, the Board of Directors or any
stockholder of the Company.
A copy of the current Rating Agency Guidelines will be provided
to any holder of senior securities promptly upon request made by
such holder to the Company by writing the Company at 10801
Mastin Boulevard, Suite 222, Overland Park, Kansas 66210.
57
CERTAIN
PROVISIONS IN THE COMPANYS CHARTER AND BYLAWS
The following description of certain provisions of the Charter
and Bylaws is only a summary. For a complete description, please
refer to the Charter and Bylaws, which have been filed as
exhibits to our registration statement on
Form N-2,
of which this prospectus forms a part.
Our Charter and Bylaws include provisions that could delay,
defer or prevent other entities or persons from acquiring
control of us, causing us to engage in certain transactions or
modifying our structure. These provisions may be regarded as
anti-takeover provisions. Such provisions could
limit the ability of stockholders to sell their shares at a
premium over the then-current market prices by discouraging a
third party from seeking to obtain control of us.
Classification
of the Board of Directors; Election of Directors
Our Charter provides that the number of directors may be
established only by the Board of Directors pursuant to the
Bylaws, but may not be less than one. The Bylaws provide that,
unless the Bylaws are amended, the number of directors may not
be greater than nine. Subject to any applicable limitations of
the 1940 Act, any vacancy may be filled, at any regular meeting
or at any special meeting called for that purpose, only by a
majority of the remaining directors, even if those remaining
directors do not constitute a quorum. Pursuant to the Charter,
the Board of Directors is divided into three classes:
Class I, Class II and Class III. Directors of
each class will be elected to serve for three-year terms and
until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Each year
only one class of directors will be elected by the stockholders.
The classification of the Board of Directors should help to
assure the continuity and stability of our strategies and
policies as determined by the Board of Directors.
The classified Board provision could have the effect of making
the replacement of incumbent directors more time-consuming and
difficult. At least two annual meetings of stockholders, instead
of one, generally will be required to effect a change in a
majority of the Board of Directors. Thus, the classified Board
provision could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors
will retain their positions. The staggered terms of directors
may delay, defer or prevent a change in control of the Board,
even though a change in control might be in the best interests
of the stockholders.
Removal
of Directors
The Charter provides that a director may be removed only for
cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of
the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors. This
provision, when coupled with the provision in the Bylaws
authorizing only the Board of Directors to fill vacant
directorships, precludes stockholders from removing incumbent
directors, except for cause and by a substantial affirmative
vote, and filling the vacancies created by the removal with
nominees of stockholders.
Approval
of Extraordinary Corporate Action; Amendment of Charter and
Bylaws
Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot
dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially
all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in
similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business,
unless declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved
by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at
least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for
stockholder approval of these matters by a lesser percentage,
but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be
cast on the matter. Our Charter generally provides for approval
of Charter amendments and extraordinary transactions by the
stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast on the matter. Our Charter also provides
that certain Charter amendments and any proposal for our
conversion, whether by merger or otherwise, from a closed-end
company to an open-end company or any proposal for our
liquidation or dissolution requires the approval of stockholders
entitled to cast at least 80 percent of the votes entitled
to be cast on such matter. However, if such amendment or
proposal is approved by at least two-thirds of our continuing
directors (in addition to the approval by our Board of Directors
otherwise required), such amendment or proposal may be approved
by stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast on such a matter. The continuing
directors are defined in our Charter as the directors
named in our Charter as well as those directors whose nomination
for election by the stockholders or whose election by the
directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of the
continuing directors then on the Board of Directors.
58
Our Charter and Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors will
have the exclusive power to make, alter, amend or repeal any
provision of our Bylaws.
Advance
Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
The Bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of
stockholders, nominations of persons for election to the Board
of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by
stockholders may be made only (1) pursuant to notice of the
meeting, (2) by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors or (3) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote
at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice
procedures of the Bylaws. With respect to special meetings of
stockholders, only the business specified in the Companys
notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting.
Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors at
a special meeting may be made only (1) pursuant to notice
of the meeting by the Company, (2) by or at the direction
of the Board of Directors, or (3) provided that the Board
of Directors has determined that Directors will be elected at
the meeting, by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the
meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions
of the Bylaws.
SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS
An unspecified number of shares of our common stock may be
offered and sold for resale from time to time under this
prospectus by certain of our stockholders; provided, however,
that no stockholder will be authorized to use this prospectus
for an offering of our common stock without first obtaining our
consent. We may consent to the use of this prospectus by certain
of our stockholders for a limited period of time and subject to
certain limitations and conditions depending on the terms of any
agreements between us and such stockholders. The identity of any
selling stockholder, including any material relationship between
us and our affiliates and such selling stockholder, the
percentage of our common stock owned by such selling stockholder
prior to the offering, the number of shares of our common stock
to be offered by such selling stockholder, the percentage of our
common stock to be owned (if greater than one percent) by such
selling stockholder following the offering, and the price and
terms upon which our shares of common stock are to be sold by
such selling stockholder will be set forth in a prospectus
supplement to this prospectus.
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
We may sell our common stock, preferred stock and debt
securities, and certain of our stockholders may sell our common
stock, on an immediate, continuous or delayed basis, in one or
more offerings under this prospectus and any related prospectus
supplement. The aggregate amount of securities that may be
offered by us and any selling stockholders is limited to
$375,000,000. We may offer our common stock, preferred stock and
debt securities: (1) directly to one or more purchasers;
(2) through agents; (3) through underwriters;
(4) through dealers; or (5) pursuant to our Automatic
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan. Any selling
stockholders may offer our common stock: (1) directly to
one or more purchasers; (2) through agents;
(3) through underwriters; or (4) through dealers. Each
prospectus supplement relating to an offering of securities will
state the terms of the offering, including as applicable:
|
|
|
|
|
the names of any agents, underwriters or dealers;
|
|
|
|
any sales loads or other items constituting underwriters
compensation;
|
|
|
|
any discounts, commissions, or fees allowed or paid to dealers
or agents;
|
|
|
|
the public offering or purchase price of the offered securities
and the net proceeds we will receive from the sale; provided,
however, that we will not receive any of the proceeds from a
sale of our common stock by any selling stockholder; and
|
|
|
|
any securities exchange on which the offered securities may be
listed.
|
Direct
Sales
We may sell our common stock, preferred stock and debt
securities, or certain of our stockholders may sell our common
stock, directly to, and solicit offers from, institutional
investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters as
defined in the 1933 Act for any resales of the securities.
In this case, no underwriters or agents
59
would be involved. We, or any selling stockholder, may use
electronic media, including the Internet, to sell offered
securities directly. The terms of any of those sales will be
described in a prospectus supplement.
By
Agents
We may offer our common stock, preferred stock and debt
securities, or certain of our stockholders may sell our common
stock, through agents that we or they designate. Any agent
involved in the offer and sale will be named and any commissions
payable by us, or any selling stockholder, will be described in
the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the
prospectus supplement, the agents will be acting on a best
efforts basis for the period of their appointment.
By
Underwriters
We may offer and sell securities, or certain of our stockholders
may offer our common stock, from time to time to one or more
underwriters who would purchase the securities as principal for
resale to the public, either on a firm commitment or best
efforts basis. If we sell securities, or a selling stockholder
offers our common stock, to underwriters, we and such selling
stockholder will execute an underwriting agreement with them at
the time of the sale and will name them in the prospectus
supplement. In connection with these sales, the underwriters may
be deemed to have received compensation from us or such selling
stockholder in the form of underwriting discounts and
commissions. The underwriters also may receive commissions from
purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agent. Unless
otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement, the underwriters
will not be obligated to purchase the securities unless the
conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement are
satisfied, and if the underwriters purchase any of the
securities, they will be required to purchase all of the offered
securities. The underwriters may sell the offered securities to
or through dealers, and those dealers may receive discounts,
concessions or commissions from the underwriters as well as from
the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Any public
offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
If a prospectus supplement so indicates, we may grant the
underwriters an option to purchase additional shares of common
stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting
discounts and commissions, within 45 days from the date of
the prospectus supplement, to cover any overallotments.
By
Dealers
We may offer and sell securities, or certain of our stockholders
may offer our common stock, from time to time to one or more
dealers who would purchase the securities as principal. The
dealers then may resell the offered securities to the public at
fixed or varying prices to be determined by those dealers at the
time of resale. The names of the dealers and the terms of the
transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.
General
Information
Agents, underwriters, or dealers participating in an offering of
securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts
and commission received by them and any profit realized by them
on resale of the offered securities for whom they act as agent,
may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under
the 1933 Act.
We may offer to sell securities, or certain of our stockholders
may offer our common stock, either at a fixed price or at prices
that may vary, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale,
at prices related to prevailing market prices, or at negotiated
prices.
Ordinarily, each series of offered securities will be a new
issue of securities and will have no established trading market.
To facilitate an offering of common stock in an underwritten
transaction and in accordance with industry practice, the
underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize,
maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of the common
stock or any other security. Those transactions may include
overallotment, entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate
covering transactions, and reclaiming selling concessions
allowed to an underwriter or a dealer.
|
|
|
|
|
An overallotment in connection with an offering creates a short
position in the common stock for the underwriters own
account.
|
60
|
|
|
|
|
An underwriter may place a stabilizing bid to purchase the
common stock for the purpose of pegging, fixing, or maintaining
the price of the common stock.
|
|
|
|
Underwriters may engage in syndicate covering transactions to
cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the common
stock by bidding for, and purchasing, the common stock or any
other securities in the open market in order to reduce a short
position created in connection with the offering.
|
|
|
|
The managing underwriter may impose a penalty bid on a syndicate
member to reclaim a selling concession in connection with an
offering when the common stock originally sold by the syndicate
member is purchased in syndicate covering transactions or
otherwise.
|
Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market
price of the securities above independent market levels. The
underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and
may end any of these activities at any time.
Any underwriters to whom the offered securities are sold for
offering and sale may make a market in the offered securities,
but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may
discontinue any market-making at any time without notice. The
offered securities may or may not be listed on a securities
exchange. We cannot assure you that there will be a liquid
trading market for the offered securities.
Under agreements entered into with us, underwriters and agents
and related persons (or and their affiliates) may be entitled to
indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities,
including liabilities under the 1933 Act, or to
contribution for payments the underwriters or agents may be
required to make.
The underwriters, agents, and their affiliates may engage in
financial or other business transactions with us and our
subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
The maximum commission or discount to be received by any member
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or
independent broker-dealer will not be greater than eight percent
of the initial gross proceeds from the sale of any security
being sold.
The aggregate offering price specified on the cover of this
prospectus relates to the offering of the securities not yet
issued as of the date of this prospectus.
To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, the underwriters may from
time to time act as a broker or dealer and receive fees in
connection with the execution of our portfolio transactions
after the underwriters have ceased to be underwriters and,
subject to certain restrictions, each may act as a broker while
it is an underwriter.
A prospectus and accompanying prospectus supplement in
electronic form may be made available on the websites maintained
by underwriters. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number
of securities for sale to their online brokerage account
holders. Such allocations of securities for internet
distributions will be made on the same basis as other
allocations. In addition, securities may be sold by the
underwriters to securities dealers who resell securities to
online brokerage account holders.
Automatic
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan
We may issue and sell shares of common stock pursuant to our
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan.
61
ADMINISTRATOR
AND CUSTODIAN
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, 615 East Michigan
Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, serves as our administrator. We
pay the administrator a monthly fee computed at an annual rate
of 0.04% of the first $1 billion of our Managed Assets,
0.03% on the next $1 billion of our Managed Assets and
0.02% on the balance of our Managed Assets, subject to a minimum
annual fee of $45,000.
U.S. Bank N.A., 1555 North Rivercenter Drive,
Suite 302, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, serves as our custodian.
We pay the custodian a monthly fee computed at an annual rate of
0.015% on the first $100 million of our portfolio assets
and 0.01% on the balance of our portfolio assets, subject to a
minimum annual fee of $4,800.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Blackwell Sanders, L.L.P., Kansas City, Missouri, serves as our
counsel. Vedder Price P.C. (Vedder Price), Chicago,
Illinois, is serving as our special counsel in connection with
the offerings under this prospectus and related prospectus
supplements. Certain legal matters in connection with the
securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Vedder
Price. Vedder Price may rely on the opinion of Venable LLP,
Baltimore, Maryland, on certain matters of Maryland law. If
certain legal matters in connection with an offering of
securities are passed upon by counsel for the underwriters of
such offering, such matters will be passed upon by
Morrison & Foerster LLP, New York, New York with
respect to any offerings by us of our preferred stock or debt
securities and by Andrews Kurth LLP, New York, New York with
respect to offerings of our common stock or by such other
counsel to the underwriters as named in a prospectus supplement.
AVAILABLE
INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act and the 1940 Act and are required to file reports, including
annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. We voluntarily file quarterly
shareholder reports. Our most recent shareholder report filed
with the SEC is for our fiscal year ended November 30,
2007. These documents are available on the SECs EDGAR
system and can be inspected and copied for a fee at the
SECs public reference room, 100 F Street, N.E.,
Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Additional
information about the operation of the public reference room
facilities may be obtained by calling the SEC at
(202) 551-5850.
This prospectus does not contain all of the information in our
registration statement, including amendments, exhibits, and
schedules. Statements in this prospectus about the contents of
any contract or other document are not necessarily complete and
in each instance reference is made to the copy of the contract
or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects
by this reference.
Additional information about us can be found in our Registration
Statement (including amendments, exhibits, and schedules) on
Form N-2
filed with the SEC. The SEC maintains a web site
(http://www.sec.gov)
that contains our Registration Statement, other documents
incorporated by reference, and other information we have filed
electronically with the SEC, including proxy statements and
reports filed under the Exchange Act.
62
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
OF THE
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
Investment Limitations
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
|
|
|
17
|
|
Management of the Company
|
|
|
38
|
|
Net Asset Value
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio Transactions
|
|
|
|
|
Certain Federal Income Tax Matters
|
|
|
41
|
|
Proxy Voting Policies
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
|
|
|
Internal Accountant
|
|
|
|
|
Additional Information
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Statements
|
|
|
|
|
Appendix A Summary of Certain Provisions of the
Indenture and Form of Supplemental Indenture
|
|
|
A-1
|
|
Appendix
A-I
Auction Procedures
|
|
|
A-I-1
|
|
Appendix B Form of Articles Supplementary
|
|
|
B-1
|
|
Appendix C Rating of Investments
|
|
|
C-1
|
|
63
Shares
Tortoise Energy Infrastructure
Corporation
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Merrill Lynch &
Co.
June , 2008
TORTOISE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION
February 12, 2008
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the Company, we or
our), is a nondiversified, closed-end management investment company that commenced operations in
February 2004.
This Statement of Additional Information relates to the offering, on an immediate, continuous
or delayed basis, of up to $375,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of our common stock,
preferred stock and debt securities in one or more offerings. This Statement of Additional
Information does not constitute a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with our prospectus
dated February 12, 2008 and any related prospectus supplement. This Statement of Additional
Information does not include all information that you should consider before purchasing any of our
securities. You should obtain and read our prospectus and any related prospectus supplements prior
to purchasing any of our securities. A copy of our prospectus and any related prospectus
supplement may be obtained without charge by calling (866) 362-9331. You also may obtain a copy of
our prospectus and any related prospectus supplement on the SECs web site (http://www.sec.gov).
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Statement of Additional Information have the
meanings ascribed to them in the prospectus and any related prospectus supplement. This Statement
of Additional Information is dated February 12, 2008.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
S-1 |
|
|
|
|
S-3 |
|
|
|
|
S-16 |
|
|
|
|
S-26 |
|
|
|
|
S-27 |
|
|
|
|
S-28 |
|
|
|
|
S-36 |
|
|
|
|
S-37 |
|
|
|
|
S-37 |
|
|
|
|
S-37 |
|
|
|
|
S-37 |
|
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
|
|
|
A-I-1 |
|
|
|
|
B-1 |
|
|
|
|
C-1 |
|
i
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
This section supplements the disclosure in the prospectus and provides additional information
on our investment limitations. Investment limitations identified as fundamental may not be changed
without the approval of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities (which for
this purpose and under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), means the
lesser of (1) 67% of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding
shares are represented or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares).
Investment limitations stated as a maximum percentage of our assets are only applied
immediately after, and because of, an investment or a transaction by us to which the limitation is
applicable (other than the limitations on borrowing). Accordingly, any later increase or decrease
resulting from a change in values, net assets or other circumstances will not be considered in
determining whether the investment complies with our investment limitations. All limitations that
are based on a percentage of total assets include assets obtained through leverage.
Fundamental Investment Limitations
The following are our fundamental investment limitations set forth in their entirety. We may
not:
(1) issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and
interpretive positions of the SEC thereunder;
(2) borrow money, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and interpretive
positions of the SEC thereunder;
(3) make loans, except by the purchase of debt obligations, by entering into repurchase
agreements or through the lending of portfolio securities and as otherwise permitted by the
1940 Act and the rules and interpretive positions of the SEC thereunder;
(4) concentrate (invest 25% or more of total assets) our investments in any particular
industry, except that we will concentrate our assets in the group of industries constituting
the energy infrastructure sector;
(5) underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that we may be
considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
1933 Act), in the disposition of restricted securities held in our portfolio;
(6) purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities
or other instruments, except that we may invest in securities or other instruments backed by
real estate or securities of companies that invest in real estate or interests therein; and
(7) purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of
securities or other instruments, except that we may purchase or sell options and futures
contracts or invest in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities.
All other investment policies are considered nonfundamental and may be changed by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the Board) without prior approval of our outstanding voting securities.
S- 1
Nonfundamental Investment Policies
We have adopted the following nonfundamental policies:
|
(1) |
|
Under normal circumstances, we will invest at least 90% of our total assets in
securities of energy infrastructure companies. |
|
|
(2) |
|
Under normal circumstances, we will invest at least 70% of our total assets in
equity securities issued by master limited partnerships (MLPs). |
|
|
(3) |
|
We may invest up to 30% of our total assets in restricted securities, primarily
through direct placements. Subject to this policy, we may invest without limitation in
illiquid securities. The types of restricted securities that we may purchase include
securities of private energy infrastructure companies and privately issued securities
of publicly traded energy infrastructure companies. Restricted securities, whether
issued by public companies or private companies, are generally considered illiquid.
Investments in private companies that do not have any publicly traded shares or units
are limited to 5% of total assets. |
|
|
(4) |
|
We may invest up to 25% of our total assets in debt securities of energy
infrastructure companies, including securities rated below investment grade (commonly
referred to as junk bonds). Below investment grade debt securities will be rated at
least B3 by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) and at least B- by Standard &
Poors Ratings Group (S&P) at the time of purchase, or comparably rated by another
statistical rating organization or if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality
by the Adviser. |
|
|
(5) |
|
We will not invest more than 10% of our total assets in any single issuer. |
|
|
(6) |
|
We will not engage in short sales. |
For purposes of restrictions (3)-(5), during the periods in which we anticipate receiving
proceeds from an offering of securities pursuant to this registration statement, we include the
amount of the anticipated proceeds in our calculation of total assets. Accordingly, holdings in
the specified securities may temporarily exceed the amounts shown.
Currently under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately
after such borrowing we have asset coverage of at least 300% of the aggregate outstanding principal
balance of indebtedness (i.e., such indebtedness may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of our total
assets including the amount borrowed, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by
senior securities). Additionally, currently under the 1940 Act, we may not declare any dividend or
other distribution upon our common or preferred stock, or purchase any such stock, unless our
aggregate indebtedness has, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution or
at the time of any such purchase, an asset coverage of at least 300% after deducting the amount of
such dividend, distribution, or purchase price, as the case may be. Currently under the 1940 Act,
we are not permitted to issue preferred stock unless immediately after such issuance we have asset
coverage of at least 200% of the total of the aggregate amount of senior securities representing
indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation value of the outstanding preferred stock (i.e., the
aggregate principal amount of such indebtedness and liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the
value of our total assets, including the proceeds of such issuance, less liabilities and
indebtedness not represented by senior securities). In addition, currently under the 1940 Act, we
are not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on our common stock or
purchase any such common stock unless, at the time of such declaration or purchase, we would
satisfy
S- 2
this 200% asset coverage requirement test after deducting the amount of such dividend,
distribution or share price.
Under the 1940 Act, a senior security does not include any promissory note or evidence of
indebtedness where such loan is for temporary purposes only and in an amount not exceeding 5% of
the value of the total assets of the issuer at the time the loan is made. A loan is presumed to be
for temporary purposes if it is repaid within sixty days and is not extended or renewed. Both
transactions involving indebtedness and any preferred stock issued by us would be considered senior
securities under the 1940 Act, and as such, are subject to the asset coverage requirements
discussed above.
Currently under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to lend money or property to any person,
directly or indirectly, if such person controls or is under common control with us, except for a
loan from us to a company which owns all of our outstanding securities. Currently, under
interpretive positions of the staff of the SEC, we may not have on loan at any given time
securities representing more than one-third of our total assets.
We interpret our policies with respect to borrowing and lending to permit such activities as
may be lawful, to the full extent permitted by the 1940 Act or by exemption from the provisions
therefrom pursuant to an exemptive order of the SEC.
We interpret our policy with respect to concentration to include energy infrastructure
companies, as defined in the prospectus and below. See Investment Objective and Principal
Investment Strategies.
Under the 1940 Act, we may, but do not intend to, invest up to 10% of our total assets in the
aggregate in shares of other investment companies and up to 5% of our total assets in any one
investment company, provided the investment does not represent more than 3% of the voting stock of
the acquired investment company at the time such shares are purchased. As a shareholder in any
investment company, we will bear our ratable share of that investment companys expenses, and would
remain subject to payment of our advisory fees and other expenses with respect to assets so
invested. Holders of common stock would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent
we invest in other investment companies. In addition, the securities of other investment companies
also may be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the same leverage risks described herein and
in the prospectus. The net asset value and market value of leveraged shares will be more volatile
and the yield to shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged
shares. A material decline in net asset value may impair our ability to maintain asset coverage on
preferred stock and debt securities, including any interest and principal for debt securities.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The prospectus presents our investment objective and the principal investment strategies and
risks. This section supplements the disclosure in the prospectus and provides additional
information on our investment policies, strategies and risks. Restrictions or policies stated as a
maximum percentage of our assets are only applied immediately after a portfolio investment to which
the policy or restriction is applicable (other than the limitations on borrowing). Accordingly,
any later increase or decrease resulting from a change in values, net assets or other circumstances
will not be considered in determining whether the investment complies with our restrictions and
policies.
Our investment objective is to seek a high level of total return with an emphasis on current
distributions paid to stockholders. For purposes of our investment objective, total return
includes capital appreciation of, and all distributions received from, securities in which we
invest regardless of the tax character of the distribution. There is no assurance that we will
achieve our objective. Our investment
S- 3
objective and the investment policies discussed below are nonfundamental. Our Board may
change the investment objective, or any policy or limitation that is not fundamental, without a
stockholder vote. Stockholders will receive at least 60 days prior written notice of any change to
the nonfundamental investment policy of investing at least 90% of total assets in energy
infrastructure companies. Unlike most other investment companies, we are not treated as a
regulated investment company under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
Internal Revenue Code). Therefore, we are taxed as a C corporation and will be subject to
federal and applicable state corporate income taxes.
Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 90% of total assets (including assets obtained
through leverage) in securities of energy infrastructure companies. Energy infrastructure
companies engage in the business of transporting, processing, storing, distributing or marketing
natural gas, natural gas liquids (primarily propane), coal, crude oil or refined petroleum
products, or exploring, developing, managing or producing such commodities. Companies that provide
energy-related services to the foregoing businesses also are considered energy infrastructure
companies, if they derive at least 50% of revenues from the provision of energy-related services to
such companies. We invest at least 70% of our total assets in a portfolio of equity securities of
energy infrastructure companies that are MLPs that the Adviser believes offer attractive
distribution rates and capital appreciation potential. MLP equity securities (known as units)
currently consist of common units, convertible subordinated units, pay-in-kind units or I-Shares
(I-Shares) and limited liability company common units. We also may invest in other securities,
consistent with our investment objective and fundamental and nonfundamental policies.
The following pages contain more detailed information about the types of issuers and
instruments in which we may invest, strategies the Adviser may employ in pursuit of our investment
objective and a discussion of related risks. The Adviser may not buy these instruments or use
these techniques unless it believes that doing so will help us achieve our objective.
Energy Infrastructure Companies
For purposes of our policy of investing 90% of our total assets in securities of energy
infrastructure companies, an energy infrastructure company is one that derives each year at least
50% of its gross income from Qualifying Income under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code or
one that derives at least 50% of its revenues from providing services directly related to the
generation of Qualifying Income. Qualifying Income is defined as including any income and gains
from the exploration, development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation
(including pipelines transporting gas, oil or products thereof), or the marketing of any mineral or
natural resource (including fertilizer, geothermal energy, and timber).
MLPs are limited partnerships that derive each year at least 90% of their gross income from
Qualifying Income and are taxed as partnerships for federal income tax purposes, thereby
eliminating federal income tax at the entity level. The business of energy infrastructure MLPs is
affected by supply and demand for energy commodities because most MLPs derive revenue and income
based upon the volume of the underlying commodity transported, processed, distributed, and/or
marketed. Specifically, processing and coal MLPs may be directly affected by energy commodity
prices. Propane MLPs own the underlying energy commodity, and therefore have direct exposure to
energy commodity prices, although the Adviser seeks high quality MLPs that are able to mitigate or
manage direct margin exposure to commodity prices. Pipeline MLPs have indirect commodity exposure
to oil and gas price volatility because although they do not own the underlying energy commodity,
the general level of commodity prices may affect the volume of the commodity the MLP delivers to
its customers and the cost of providing services such as distributing natural gas liquids. The MLP
sector in general could be hurt by market perception that MLPs performance and valuation are
directly tied to commodity prices.
S- 4
Energy infrastructure companies (other than most pipeline MLPs) do not operate as public
utilities or local distribution companies, and, therefore, are not subject to rate regulation by
state or federal utility commissions. However, energy infrastructure companies may be subject to
greater competitive factors than utility companies, including competitive pricing in the absence of
regulated tariff rates, which could reduce revenues and adversely affect profitability. Most
pipeline MLPs are subject to government regulation concerning the construction, pricing and
operation of pipelines. Pipeline MLPs are able to set prices (rates or tariffs) to cover operating
costs, depreciation and taxes, and provide a return on investment. These rates are monitored by
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) which seeks to ensure that consumers receive
adequate and reliable supplies of energy at the lowest possible price while providing energy
suppliers and transporters a just and reasonable return on capital investment and the opportunity
to adjust to changing market conditions.
Energy infrastructure MLPs in which we will invest generally can be classified in the
following categories:
Pipeline MLPs. Pipeline MLPs are common carrier transporters of natural gas, natural
gas liquids (primarily propane, ethane, butane and natural gasoline), crude oil or refined
petroleum products (gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel). Pipeline MLPs also may operate
ancillary businesses such as storage and marketing of such products. Revenue is derived
from capacity and transportation fees. Historically, pipeline output has been less exposed
to cyclical economic forces due to its low cost structure and government-regulated nature.
In addition, most pipeline MLPs have limited direct commodity price exposure because they do
not own the product being shipped.
Processing MLPs. Processing MLPs are gatherers and processors of natural gas as well
as providers of transportation, fractionation and storage of natural gas liquids (NGLs).
Revenue is derived from providing services to natural gas producers, which require treatment
or processing before their natural gas commodity can be marketed to utilities and other end
user markets. Revenue for the processor is fee based, although it is not uncommon to have
some participation in the prices of the natural gas and NGL commodities for a portion of
revenue.
Propane MLPs. Propane MLPs are distributors of propane to homeowners for space and
water heating. Revenue is derived from the resale of the commodity on a margin over
wholesale cost. The ability to maintain margin is a key to profitability. Propane serves
approximately 3% of the household energy needs in the United States, largely for homes
beyond the geographic reach of natural gas distribution pipelines. Approximately 70% of
annual cash flow is earned during the winter heating season (October through March).
Accordingly, volumes are weather dependent, but have utility type functions similar to
electricity and natural gas.
Coal MLPs. Coal MLPs own, lease and manage coal reserves. Revenue is derived from
production and sale of coal, or from royalty payments related to leases to coal producers.
Electricity generation is the primary use of coal in the United States. Demand for
electricity and supply of alternative fuels to generators are the primary drivers of coal
demand. Coal MLPs are subject to operating and production risks, such as: the MLP or a
lessee meeting necessary production volumes; federal, state and local laws and regulations
which may limit the ability to produce coal; the MLPs ability to manage production costs
and pay mining reclamation costs; and the effect on demand that the Clean Air Act standards
or other laws, regulations or trends have on coal end-users.
Marine Shipping MLPs. Marine shipping MLPs are primarily marine transporters of
natural gas, crude oil or refined petroleum products. Marine shipping MLPs derive revenue
from
S- 5
charging customers for the transportation of these products utilizing the MLPs
vessels. Transportation services are typically provided pursuant to a charter or contract,
the terms of which vary depending on, for example, the length of use of a particular vessel,
the amount of cargo transported, the number of voyages made, the parties operating a vessel
or other factors.
MLPs typically achieve distribution growth by internal and external means. MLPs achieve
growth internally by experiencing higher commodity volume driven by the economy and population, and
through the expansion of existing operations including increasing the use of underutilized
capacity, pursuing projects that can leverage and gain synergies with existing infrastructure and
pursuing so called greenfield projects. External growth is achieved by making accretive
acquisitions. While opportunities for growth by acquisition appear abundant based on current
market conditions, especially for smaller MLPs, the Adviser expects MLPs to grow primarily through
internal means.
MLPs are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and health and safety
laws as well as laws and regulations specific to their particular activities. Such laws and
regulations address: health and safety standards for the operation of facilities, transportation
systems and the handling of materials; air and water pollution requirements and standards; solid
waste disposal requirements; land reclamation requirements; and requirements relating to the
handling and disposition of hazardous materials. Energy infrastructure MLPs are subject to the
costs of compliance with such laws applicable to them, and changes in such laws and regulations may
affect adversely their results of operations.
MLPs operating interstate pipelines and storage facilities are subject to substantial
regulation by FERC, which regulates interstate transportation rates, services and other matters
regarding natural gas pipelines including: the establishment of rates for service; regulation of
pipeline storage and liquified natural gas facility construction; issuing certificates of need for
companies intending to provide energy services or constructing and operating interstate pipeline
and storage facilities; and certain other matters. FERC also regulates the interstate
transportation of crude oil, including: regulation of rates and practices of oil pipeline
companies; establishing equal service conditions to provide shippers with equal access to pipeline
transportation; and establishment of reasonable rates for transporting petroleum and petroleum
products by pipeline.
Energy infrastructure MLPs may be subject to liability relating to the release of substances
into the environment, including liability under federal SuperFund and similar state laws for
investigation and remediation of releases and threatened releases of hazardous materials, as well
as liability for injury and property damage for accidental events, such as explosions or discharges
of materials causing personal injury and damage to property. Such potential liabilities could have
a material adverse effect upon the financial condition and results of operations of energy
infrastructure MLPs.
Energy infrastructure MLPs are subject to numerous business related risks, including:
deterioration of business fundamentals reducing profitability due to development of alternative
energy sources, consumer sentiment with respect to global warming, changing demographics in the
markets served, unexpectedly prolonged and precipitous changes in commodity prices and increased
competition which takes market share; the lack of growth of markets requiring growth through
acquisitions; disruptions in transportation systems; the dependence of certain MLPs upon the energy
exploration and development activities of unrelated third parties; availability of capital for
expansion and construction of needed facilities; a significant decrease in natural gas production
due to depressed commodity prices or otherwise; the inability of MLPs to successfully integrate
recent or future acquisitions; and the general level of the economy.
S- 6
Non-MLPs. Although we emphasize investments in MLPs, we also may invest in energy
infrastructure companies that are not organized as MLPs. Non-MLP companies may include companies
that operate energy assets but which are organized as corporations or limited liability companies
rather than in partnership form. Generally, the partnership form is more suitable for companies
that operate assets which generate more stable cash flows. Companies that operate midstream
assets (e.g., transporting, processing, storing, distributing and marketing) tend to generate more
stable cash flows than those that engage in exploration and development or delivery of products to
the end consumer. Non-MLP companies also may include companies that provide services directly
related to the generation of income from energy-related assets, such as oil drilling services,
pipeline construction and maintenance, and compression services.
The energy industry and particular energy infrastructure companies may be adversely affected
by possible terrorist attacks, such as the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. It is
possible that facilities of energy infrastructure companies, due to the critical nature of their
energy businesses to the United States, could be direct targets of terrorist attacks or be
indirectly affected by attacks on others. They may incur significant additional costs in the
future to safeguard their assets. In addition, changes in the insurance markets after September
11, 2001 may make certain types of insurance more difficult to obtain or obtainable only at
significant additional cost. To the extent terrorism results in a lower level economic activity,
energy consumption could be adversely affected, which would reduce revenues and impede growth.
Terrorist or war related disruption of the capital markets could also affect the ability of energy
infrastructure companies to raise needed capital.
Master Limited Partnerships
Under normal circumstances we invest at least 70% of our total assets in equity securities of
MLPs. An MLP is an entity that is taxed as a partnership and that derives each year at least 90%
of its gross income from Qualifying Income. An MLP is typically a limited partnership, the
interests in which (known as units) are traded on securities exchanges or over-the-counter.
Organization as a partnership and compliance with the Qualifying Income rules eliminates federal
income tax at the entity level.
An MLP has one or more general partners (who may be individuals, corporations, or other
partnerships) which manage the partnership, and limited partners, which provide capital to the
partnership but have no role in its management. Typically, the general partner is owned by company
management or another publicly traded sponsoring corporation. When an investor buys units in an
MLP, he or she becomes a limited partner.
MLPs are formed in several ways. A nontraded partnership may decide to go public. Several
nontraded partnerships may roll up into a single MLP. A corporation may spin-off a group of assets
or part of its business into an MLP of which it is the general partner, to realize the assets full
value on the marketplace by selling the assets and using the cash proceeds received from the MLP to
address debt obligations or to invest in higher growth opportunities, while retaining control of
the MLP. A corporation may fully convert to an MLP, although the tax consequences make this an
unappealing option for most corporations. Unlike the ways described
above, it is also possible for a newly formed entity to commence
operations as an MLP from its inception.
The sponsor or general partner of an MLP, other energy companies, and utilities may sell
assets to MLPs in order to generate cash to fund expansion projects or repay debt. The MLP
structure essentially transfers cash flows generated from these acquired assets directly to MLP
limited partner unit holders.
In the case of an MLP buying assets from its sponsor or general partner, the transaction is
intended to be based upon comparable terms in the acquisition market for similar assets. To help
insure that appropriate protections are in place, the board of the MLP generally creates an
independent
S- 7
committee to review and approve the terms of the transaction. The committee often obtains a
fairness opinion and can retain counsel or other experts to assist its evaluation. Since both
parties normally have a significant equity stake in the MLP, both parties are aligned to see that
the transaction is accretive and fair to the MLP.
MLPs tend to pay relatively higher distributions than other types of companies, and we intend
to use these MLP distributions in an effort to meet our investment objective.
As a motivation for the general partner to successfully manage the MLP and increase cash
flows, the terms of MLP partnership agreements typically provide that the general partner receives
a larger portion of the net income as distributions reach higher target levels. As cash flow
grows, the general partner receives a greater interest in the incremental income compared to the
interest of limited partners. Although the percentages vary among MLPs, the general partners
marginal interest in distributions generally increases from 2% to 15% at the first designated
distribution target level moving to up to 25% and ultimately to 50% as pre-established distribution
per unit thresholds are met. Nevertheless, the aggregate amount of distributions to limited
partners will increase as MLP distributions reach higher target levels. Given this incentive
structure, the general partner has an incentive to streamline operations and undertake acquisitions
and growth projects in order to increase distributions to all partners.
Because the MLP itself does not pay federal income tax, its income or loss is allocated to its
investors, irrespective of whether the investors receive any cash payment or other distributions
from the MLP. An MLP typically makes quarterly cash distributions. Although they resemble
corporate dividends, MLP distributions are treated differently for federal income tax purposes.
The MLP distribution is treated as a return of capital to the extent of the investors basis in his
MLP interest and, to the extent the distribution exceeds the investors basis in the MLP interest,
generally capital gain. The investors original basis is the price paid for the units. The basis
is adjusted downwards with each distribution and allocation of deductions (such as depreciation)
and losses, and upwards with each allocation of income and gain.
The partner generally will not incur federal income tax on distributions until (1) he sells
his MLP units and pays tax on his gain, which gain is increased due to the basis decrease resulting
from prior distributions; or (2) his basis reaches zero. When the units are sold, the difference
between the sales price and the investors adjusted basis is gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes.
For a further discussion and a description of MLP federal income tax matters, see the section
entitled Certain Federal Income Tax MattersFederal Income Taxation of MLPs.
The Companys Investments
The types of securities in which we may invest include, but are not limited to, the following:
Equity Securities. Consistent with our investment objective, we may invest up to 100% of our
total assets in equity securities issued by energy infrastructure MLPs, including common units,
convertible subordinated units, I-Shares and common units, and subordinated units and preferred
units of limited liability companies (that are treated as MLPs for federal income tax purposes)
(LLCs) (each discussed below). We also may invest up to 30% of total assets in equity securities
of non-MLPs.
The value of equity securities will be affected by changes in the stock markets, which may be
the result of domestic or international political or economic news, changes in interest rates or
changing investor sentiment. At times, stock markets can be volatile and stock prices can change
substantially. Equity securities risk will affect our net asset value per share, which will
fluctuate as the value of the securities held by us change. Not all stock prices change uniformly
or at the same time, and not all stock
S- 8
markets move in the same direction at the same time. Other factors affect a particular
stocks prices, such as poor earnings reports by an issuer, loss of major customers, major
litigation against an issuer, or changes in governmental regulations affecting an industry.
Adverse news affecting one company can sometimes depress the stock prices of all companies in the
same industry. Not all factors can be predicted.
Investing in securities of smaller companies may involve greater risk than is associated with
investing in more established companies. Smaller capitalization companies may have limited product
lines, markets or financial resources; may lack management depth or experience; and may be more
vulnerable to adverse general market or economic developments than larger, more established
companies.
MLP Common Units. MLP common units represent an equity ownership interest in a partnership,
providing limited voting rights and entitling the holder to a share of the companys success
through distributions and/or capital appreciation. Unlike stockholders of a corporation, common
unit holders do not elect directors annually and generally have the right to vote only on certain
significant events, such as mergers, a sale of substantially all of the assets, removal of the
general partner or material amendments to the partnership agreement. MLPs are required by their
partnership agreements to distribute a large percentage of their current operating earnings.
Common unit holders generally have first right to a minimum quarterly distribution (MQD) prior to
distributions to the convertible subordinated unit holders or the general partner (including
incentive distributions). Common unit holders typically have arrearage rights if the MQD is not
met. In the event of liquidation, MLP common unit holders have first rights to the partnerships
remaining assets after bondholders, other debt holders, and preferred unit holders have been paid
in full. MLP common units trade on a national securities exchange or over-the-counter.
Limited Liability Company Common Units. Some energy infrastructure companies in which we may
invest have been organized as LLCs. Such LLCs are generally treated in the same manner as MLPs for
federal income tax purposes and, unless otherwise noted, the term MLP includes all entities that
are treated in the same manner as MLPs for federal income tax purposes, regardless of their form of
organization. Consistent with our investment objective and policies, we may invest in common units
or other securities of such LLCs including preferred and subordinated units and debt securities.
LLC common units represent an equity ownership interest in an LLC, entitling the holders to a share
of the LLCs success through distributions and/or capital appreciation. Similar to MLPs, LLCs
typically do not pay federal income tax at the entity level and are required by their operating
agreements to distribute a large percentage of their current operating earnings. LLC common unit
holders generally have first right to a MQD prior to distributions to subordinated unit holders and
typically have arrearage rights if the MQD is not met. In the event of liquidation, LLC common
unit holders have a right to the LLCs remaining assets after bondholders, other debt holders and
preferred unit holders, if any, have been paid in full. LLC common units typically trade on a
national securities exchange or over-the-counter.
In contrast to MLPs, LLCs have no general partner and there are no incentives that entitle
management or other unit holders to increased percentages of cash distributions as distributions
reach higher target levels. In addition, LLC common unit holders typically have voting rights with
respect to the LLC, whereas MLP common units have limited voting rights.
MLP Convertible Subordinated Units. MLP convertible subordinated units typically are issued
by MLPs to founders, corporate general partners of MLPs, entities that sell assets to MLPs, and
institutional investors. The purpose of the convertible subordinated units is to increase the
likelihood that during the subordination period there will be available cash to be distributed to
common unit holders. We expect to purchase convertible subordinated units in direct placements
from such persons. Convertible subordinated units generally are not entitled to distributions
until holders of common units have received
S- 9
specified MQD, plus any arrearages, and may receive less than common unit holders in
distributions upon liquidation. Convertible subordinated unit holders generally are entitled to
MQD prior to the payment of incentive distributions to the general partner, but are not entitled to
arrearage rights. Therefore, convertible subordinated units generally entail greater risk than MLP
common units. They are generally convertible automatically into the senior common units of the
same issuer at a one-to-one ratio upon the passage of time or the satisfaction of certain financial
tests. Although the means by which convertible subordinated units
convert into senior common units depend on a securitys specific
terms, MLP convertible subordinated units typically are exchanged for
common shares. These units generally do not trade on a national exchange or over-the-counter, and there is
no active market for convertible subordinated units. The value of a convertible security is a
function of its worth if it were converted into the underlying common units. Convertible
subordinated units generally have similar voting rights to MLP common units. Distributions may be
paid in cash or in-kind.
MLP I-Shares. I-Shares represent an indirect investment in MLP I-units. I-units are equity
securities issued to affiliates of MLPs, typically a limited liability company, that owns an
interest in and manages the MLP. The issuer has management rights but is not entitled to incentive
distributions. The I-Share issuers assets consist exclusively of MLP I-units. Distributions by
MLPs to I-unit holders are made in the form of additional I-units, generally equal in amount to the
cash received by common unit holders of the MLP. Distributions to I-Share holders are made in the
form of additional I-Shares, generally equal in amount to the I-units received by the I-Share
issuer. The issuer of the I-Share is taxed as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.
Accordingly, investors receive a Form 1099, are not allocated their proportionate share of income
of the MLPs and are not subject to state income tax filing obligations solely as a result of
holding such I-Shares.
Equity Securities of MLP Affiliates. In addition to equity securities of MLPs, we may also
invest in equity securities of MLP affiliates, by purchasing securities of limited liability
entities that own general partner interests of MLPs. General partner interests of MLPs are
typically retained by an MLPs original sponsors, such as its founders, corporate partners,
entities that sell assets to the MLP and investors such as the entities from which we may purchase
general partner interests. An entity holding general partner interests, but not its investors, can
be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of the entitys
investment in the general partner interest. General partner interests often confer direct board
participation rights and, in many cases, operating control over the MLP. These interests
themselves are generally not publicly traded, although they may be owned by publicly traded
entities. General partner interests receive cash distributions, typically 2% of the MLPs
aggregate cash distributions, which are contractually defined in the partnership agreement. In
addition, holders of general partner interests typically hold incentive distribution rights
(IDRs), which provide them with a larger share of the aggregate MLP cash distributions as the
distributions to limited partner unit holders are increased to prescribed levels. General partner
interests generally cannot be converted into common units. The general partner interest can be
redeemed by the MLP if the MLP unitholders choose to remove the general partner, typically with a
supermajority vote by limited partner unitholders.
Other Non-MLP Equity Securities. In addition to equity securities of MLPs, we may also invest
in common and preferred stock, limited partner interests, convertible securities, warrants and
depository receipts of companies that are organized as corporations, limited liability companies or
limited partnerships. Common stock generally represents an equity ownership interest in an issuer.
Although common stocks have historically generated higher average total returns than fixed-income
securities over the long term, common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in
those returns and may under-perform relative to fixed-income securities during certain periods. An
adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular common
stock we hold. Also, prices of common stocks are sensitive to general movements in the stock
market and a drop in the stock market may depress the price of common stocks to which we have
exposure. Common stock prices fluctuate for several reasons including changes in investors
perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock
market, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers
S- 10
occur. In addition, common stock prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest
rates, which increases borrowing costs and the costs of capital.
Debt Securities. We may invest up to 25% of our total assets in debt securities of energy
infrastructure companies, including certain securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds).
The debt securities we invest in may have fixed or variable principal payments and all types of
interest rate and dividend payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero
coupon, contingent, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features. If a security satisfies
our minimum rating criteria at the time of purchase and is subsequently downgraded below such
rating, we will not be required to dispose of such security. If a downgrade occurs, the Adviser
will consider what action, including the sale of such security, is in our best interest and our
stockholders best interests.
Below Investment Grade Debt Securities. We may invest up to 25% of our assets in below
investment grade securities. The below investment grade debt securities in which we invest are
rated from B3 to Ba1 by Moodys, from B- to BB+ by S&Ps, are comparably rated by another
nationally recognized rating agency or are unrated but determined by the Adviser to be of
comparable quality.
Investment in below investment grade securities involves substantial risk of loss. Below
investment grade debt securities or comparable unrated securities are commonly referred to as junk
bonds and are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the issuers ability to pay
interest and principal and are susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse
economic and business developments. The market values for high yield securities tend to be very
volatile, and these securities are less liquid than investment grade debt securities. For these
reasons, investment in below investment grade securities is subject to the following specific
risks:
|
|
|
increased price sensitivity to changing interest rates and to a deteriorating
economic environment; |
|
|
|
|
greater risk of loss due to default or declining credit quality; |
|
|
|
|
adverse company specific events are more likely to render the issuer unable to make
interest and/or principal payments; and |
|
|
|
|
if a negative perception of the below investment grade debt market develops, the
price and liquidity of below investment grade debt securities may be depressed. This
negative perception could last for a significant period of time. |
Adverse changes in economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of a
below investment grade debt issuer to make principal payments and interest payments than an
investment grade issuer. The principal amount of below investment grade securities outstanding has
proliferated in the past decade as an increasing number of issuers have used below investment grade
securities for corporate financing. An economic downturn could affect severely the ability of
highly leveraged issuers to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon
maturity. Similarly, down-turns in profitability in specific industries, such as the energy
infrastructure industry, could adversely affect the ability of below investment grade debt issuers
in that industry to meet their obligations. The market values of lower quality debt securities
tend to reflect individual developments of the issuer to a greater extent than do higher quality
securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Factors
having an adverse impact on the market value of lower quality securities we own may have an adverse
effect on our net asset value and the market value of our common stock. In addition, we may incur
additional expenses to the extent we are required to seek recovery upon a default in payment of
principal or interest on our portfolio holdings. In certain circumstances, we may be required
S- 11
to foreclose on an issuers assets and take possession of its property or operations. In such
circumstances, we would incur additional costs in disposing of such assets and potential
liabilities from operating any business acquired.
The secondary market for below investment grade securities may not be as liquid as the
secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor which may have an adverse effect on our
ability to dispose of a particular security when necessary to meet our liquidity needs. There are
fewer dealers in the market for below investment grade securities than investment grade
obligations. The prices quoted by different dealers may vary significantly and the spread between
the bid and asked price is generally much larger than higher quality instruments. Under adverse
market or economic conditions, the secondary market for below investment grade securities could
contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular
issuer, and these instruments may become illiquid. As a result, we could find it more difficult to
sell these securities or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if such
securities were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated
securities, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating our net
asset value.
Because investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with lower
quality debt securities of the type in which we may invest a portion of our assets, the yields and
prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate more than those for higher rated securities. In
the lower quality segments of the debt securities market, changes in perceptions of issuers
creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in
higher quality segments of the debt securities market, resulting in greater yield and price
volatility.
We will not invest in distressed, below investment grade securities (those that are in default
or the issuers of which are in bankruptcy). If a debt security becomes distressed while held by
us, we may be required to bear extraordinary expenses in order to protect and recover our
investment if it is recoverable at all.
See Appendix C to this Statement of Additional Information for a description of ratings of
Moodys, Fitch Ratings (Fitch) and S&P.
Restricted, Illiquid and Thinly-Traded Securities. We may invest up to 30% of our total
assets in restricted securities, primarily through direct placements of MLP securities. Restricted
securities obtained by means of direct placement are less liquid than securities traded in the open
market; therefore, we may not be able to readily sell such securities. Investments currently
considered by the Adviser to be illiquid because of such restrictions include convertible
subordinated units and certain direct placements of common units. Such securities are unlike
securities that are traded in the open market and which can be expected to be sold immediately if
the market is adequate. The sale price of securities that are not readily marketable may be lower
or higher than our most recent determination of their fair value. Additionally, the value of these
securities typically requires more reliance on the judgment of the Adviser than that required for
securities for which there is an active trading market. Due to the difficulty in valuing these
securities and the absence of an active trading market for these investments, we may not be able to
realize these securities true value, or may have to delay their sale in order to do so.
Restricted securities generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to
an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, or in a registered public offering. The Adviser
has the ability to deem restricted securities as liquid. To enable us to sell our holdings of a
restricted security not registered under the 1933 Act, we may have to cause those securities to be
registered. When we must arrange registration because we wish to sell the security, a considerable
period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the security and the time the
security is registered so that we could sell it. We would bear the risks of any downward price
fluctuation during that period.
S- 12
In recent years, a large institutional market has developed for certain securities that are
not registered under the 1933 Act, including private placements, repurchase agreements, commercial
paper, foreign securities and corporate bonds and notes. These instruments are often restricted
securities because the securities are either themselves exempt from registration or sold in
transactions not requiring registration, such as Rule 144A transactions. Institutional investors
generally will not seek to sell these instruments to the general public, but instead will often
depend on an efficient institutional market in which such unregistered securities can be readily
resold or on an issuers ability to honor a demand for repayment. Therefore, the fact that there
are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or certain institutions is
not dispositive of the liquidity of such investments.
Rule 144A under the 1933 Act establishes a safe harbor from the registration requirements of
the 1933 Act for resales of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Institutional
markets for restricted securities that exist or may develop as a result of Rule 144A may provide
both readily ascertainable values for restricted securities and the ability to liquidate an
investment. An insufficient number of qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing Rule
144A-eligible securities held by us, however, could affect adversely the marketability of such
portfolio securities and we might not be able to dispose of such securities promptly or at
reasonable prices.
We also may invest in securities that may not be restricted, but are thinly-traded. Although
securities of certain MLPs trade on the NYSE, the AMEX, the NASDAQ National Market or other
securities exchanges or markets, such securities may trade less than those of larger companies due
to their relatively smaller capitalizations. Such securities may be difficult to dispose of at a
fair price during times when we believe it is desirable to do so. Thinly-traded securities are
also more difficult to value, and the Advisers judgment as to value will often be given greater
weight than market quotations, if any exist. If market quotations are not available, thinly-traded
securities will be valued in accordance with procedures established by the Board. Investment of
our capital in thinly-traded securities may restrict our ability to take advantage of market
opportunities. The risks associated with thinly-traded securities may be particularly acute in
situations in which our operations require cash and could result in us borrowing to meet our short
term needs or incurring losses on the sale of thinly-traded securities.
Commercial Paper. We may invest in commercial paper. Commercial paper is a debt obligation
usually issued by corporations and may be unsecured or secured by letters of credit or a surety
bond. Commercial paper usually is repaid at maturity by the issuer from the proceeds of the
issuance of new commercial paper. As a result, investment in commercial paper is subject to the
risk that the issuer cannot issue enough new commercial paper to satisfy its outstanding commercial
paper, also known as rollover risk.
Asset-backed commercial paper is a debt obligation generally issued by a corporate-sponsored
special purpose entity to which the corporation has contributed cash-flowing receivables like
credit card receivables, auto and equipment leases, and other receivables. Investment in
asset-backed commercial paper is subject to the risk that insufficient proceeds from the projected
cash flows of the contributed receivables are available to repay the commercial paper.
U.S. Government Securities. We may invest in U.S. Government securities. There are two broad
categories of U.S. Government-related debt instruments: (a) direct obligations of the U.S.
Treasury, and (b) securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies.
Examples of direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury are Treasury bills, notes, bonds and other
debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. These instruments are backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States. They differ primarily in interest rates, the length of maturities
and the dates of issuance. Treasury bills have original maturities of one year or less. Treasury
notes have original
S- 13
maturities of one to ten years, and Treasury bonds generally have original maturities of
greater than ten years.
Some agency securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and
others are backed only by the rights of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (such as
Federal Home Loan Bank Bonds and Federal National Mortgage Association Bonds), while still others,
such as the securities of the Federal Farm Credit Bank, are supported only by the credit of the
issuer. With respect to securities supported only by the credit of the issuing agency or by an
additional line of credit with the U.S. Treasury, there is no guarantee that the U.S. Government
will provide support to such agencies, and such securities may involve risk of loss of principal
and interest.
Repurchase Agreements. We may enter into repurchase agreements backed by U.S. Government
securities. A repurchase agreement arises when we purchase a security and simultaneously agree to
resell it to the vendor at an agreed upon future date. The resale price is greater than the
purchase price, reflecting an agreed upon market rate of return that is effective for the period of
time we hold the security and that is not related to the coupon rate on the purchased security.
Such agreements generally have maturities of no more than seven days and could be used to permit us
to earn interest on assets awaiting long term investment. We require continuous maintenance by our
custodian for our account in the Federal Reserve/Treasury Book-Entry System of collateral in an
amount equal to, or in excess of, the market value of the securities that are the subject of a
repurchase agreement. Repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days are considered
illiquid securities. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default of a seller of a repurchase
agreement, we could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses,
including: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security during the period while we
seek to enforce our rights thereto; (b) possible subnormal levels of income and lack of access to
income during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing our rights.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. We may enter into reverse repurchase agreements for temporary
purposes with banks and securities dealers if the creditworthiness of the bank or securities dealer
has been determined by the Adviser to be satisfactory. A reverse repurchase agreement is a
repurchase agreement in which we are the seller of, rather than the investor in, securities and
agree to repurchase them at an agreed-upon time and price. Use of a reverse repurchase agreement
may be preferable to a regular sale and later repurchase of securities because it avoids certain
market risks and transaction costs.
At the time when we enter into a reverse repurchase agreement, liquid assets (cash, U.S.
Government securities or other high-grade debt obligations) having a value at least as great as
the purchase price of the securities to be purchased will be segregated on our books and held by
our custodian throughout the period of the obligation. The use of reverse repurchase agreements
creates leverage which increases our investment risk. If the income and gains on securities
purchased with the proceeds of these transactions exceed the cost, our earnings or net asset value
will increase faster than otherwise would be the case; conversely, if the income and gains fail to
exceed the cost, earnings or net asset value would decline faster than otherwise would be the case.
We intend to enter into reverse repurchase agreements only if the income from the investment of
the proceeds is greater than the expense of the transaction, because the proceeds are invested for
a period no longer than the term of the reverse repurchase agreement.
Margin Borrowing. Although we do not currently intend to, we may in the future use margin
borrowing of up to 33 1/3% of total assets for investment purposes when the Adviser believes it
will enhance returns. Margin borrowings create certain additional risks. For example, should the
securities that are pledged to brokers to secure margin accounts decline in value, or should
brokers from which we have borrowed increase their maintenance margin requirements (i.e., reduce
the percentage of a position
S- 14
that can be financed), then we could be subject to a margin call, pursuant to which we must
either deposit additional funds with the broker or suffer mandatory liquidation of the pledged
securities to compensate for the decline in value. In the event of a precipitous drop in the value
of our assets, we might not be able to liquidate assets quickly enough to pay off the margin debt
and might suffer mandatory liquidation of positions in a declining market at relatively low prices,
thereby incurring substantial losses. For these reasons, the use of borrowings for investment
purposes is considered a speculative investment practice. Any use of margin borrowing by us would
be subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act, including the prohibition from us issuing more than
one class of senior securities, and the asset coverage requirements discussed earlier in this
Statement of Additional Information. See Investment Limitations.
Interest Rate Transactions. In an attempt to reduce the interest rate risk arising from our
leveraged capital structure, we currently use, and may in the future use, interest rate
transactions such as swaps, caps and floors. There is no assurance that the interest rate hedging
transactions into which we enter will be effective in reducing our exposure to interest rate risk.
Hedging transactions are subject to correlation risk, which is the risk that payment on our hedging
transactions may not correlate exactly with our payment obligations on senior securities.
The use of interest rate transactions is a highly specialized activity that involves
investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security
transactions. In an interest rate swap, we would agree to pay to the other party to the interest
rate swap (which is known as the counterparty) a fixed rate payment in exchange for the
counterparty agreeing to pay to us a variable rate payment that is intended to approximate our
variable rate payment obligation on any variable rate borrowings. The payment obligations would be
based on the notional amount of the swap. In an interest rate cap, we would pay a premium to the
counterparty to the interest rate cap and, to the extent that a specified variable rate index
exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, would receive from the counterparty payments of the difference
based on the notional amount of such cap. In an interest rate floor, we would be entitled to
receive, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, payments
of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor.
Depending on the state of interest rates in general, our use of interest rate transactions could
enhance or decrease distributable cash flow (generally, cash from operations less certain operating
expenses and reserves) available to the shares of our common stock. To the extent there is a
decline in interest rates, the value of the interest rate transactions could decline, and could
result in a decline in the net asset value of the shares of our common stock. In addition, if the
counterparty to an interest rate transaction defaults, we would not be able to use the anticipated
net receipts under the interest rate transaction to offset our cost of financial leverage. When
interest rate swap transactions are outstanding, we will segregate liquid assets with our custodian
in an amount equal to our net payment obligation under the swap.
Delayed-Delivery Transactions. Securities may be bought and sold on a delayed-delivery or
when-issued basis. These transactions involve a commitment to purchase or sell specific securities
at a predetermined price or yield, with payment and delivery taking place after the customary
settlement period for that type of security. Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until
the security is delivered. We may receive fees or price concessions for entering into
delayed-delivery transactions.
When purchasing securities on a delayed-delivery basis, the purchaser assumes the rights and
risks of ownership, including the risks of price and yield fluctuations and the risk that the
security will not be issued as anticipated. Because payment for the securities is not required
until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with our investments.
If we remain substantially fully invested at a time when delayed-delivery purchases are
outstanding, the delayed-delivery purchases may result in a form of leverage. When
delayed-delivery purchases are outstanding, we will segregate appropriate liquid assets with our
custodian to cover the purchase obligations. When we have sold a security on a delayed-
S- 15
delivery basis, we do not participate in further gains or losses with respect to the security.
If the other party to a delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities,
we could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity or suffer a loss.
Securities Lending. We may lend securities to parties such as broker-dealers or institutional
investors. Securities lending allows us to retain ownership of the securities loaned and, at the
same time, to earn additional income. Since there may be delays in the recovery of loaned
securities, or even a loss of rights in collateral supplied should the borrower fail financially,
loans will be made only to parties deemed by the Adviser to be of good credit and legal standing.
Furthermore, loans of securities will only be made if, in the Advisers judgment, the consideration
to be earned from such loans would justify the risk.
The Adviser understands that it is the current view of the SEC staff that we may engage in
loan transactions only under the following conditions: (1) we must receive 100% collateral in the
form of cash or cash equivalents (e.g., U.S. Treasury bills or notes) from the borrower; (2) the
borrower must increase the collateral whenever the market value of the securities loaned
(determined on a daily basis) rises above the value of the collateral; (3) after giving notice, we
must be able to terminate the loan at any time; (4) we must receive reasonable interest on the loan
or a flat fee from the borrower, as well as amounts equivalent to any dividends, interest, or other
distributions on the securities loaned and to any increase in market value; (5) we may pay only
reasonable custodian fees in connection with the loan; and (6) the Board must be able to vote
proxies on the securities loaned, either by terminating the loan or by entering into an alternative
arrangement with the borrower.
Temporary and Defensive Investments. Pending investment of offering or leverage proceeds, we
may invest such proceeds in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its
instrumentalities or agencies, short-term debt securities, certificates of deposit, bankers
acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial paper rated in the highest category by a rating
agency or other liquid fixed income securities deemed by the Adviser to be of similar quality
(collectively, short-term securities), or we may invest in cash or cash equivalents, all of which
are expected to provide a lower yield than the securities of energy infrastructure companies. We
also may invest in short-term securities or cash on a temporary basis to meet working capital needs
including, but not limited to, for collateral in connection with certain investment techniques, to
hold a reserve pending payment of distributions, and to facilitate the payment of expenses and
settlement of trades.
Under adverse market or economic conditions, we may invest up to 100% of our total assets in
short-term securities or cash. The yield on short-term securities or cash may be lower than the
returns on MLPs or yields on lower rated fixed income securities. To the extent we invest in
short-term securities or cash for defensive purposes, such investments are inconsistent with, and
may result in our not achieving, our investment objective.
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
Directors and Officers
Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Accordingly, the Board of Directors provides broad supervision over our affairs, including
supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser. Our officers are responsible for our
day-to-day operations. Our directors and officers and their principal occupations and other
affiliations during the past five years are set forth below. Each director and officer will hold
office until his successor is duly elected and qualifies, or until he resigns or is removed in the
manner provided by law. The Board of Directors is divided into three classes. Directors of each
class are elected to serve three year terms and until their successors are duly
S- 16
elected and qualify. Each year only one class of directors is elected by the stockholders.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each director and officer is 10801 Mastin Boulevard,
Suite 222, Overland Park, Kansas 66210. The Board of Directors consists of a majority of directors
who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Adviser or its affiliates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
Other Public |
|
|
Position(s) Held |
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Company |
|
|
With Company |
|
|
|
Complex |
|
Directorships |
|
|
and Length of |
|
Principal Occupation During |
|
Overseen by |
|
Held by |
Name and Age |
|
Time Served |
|
Past Five Years |
|
Director2 |
|
Director |
Independent Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello, 47
|
|
Director since 2003
|
|
Tenured Associate
Professor of Risk
Management and
Insurance, Robinson
College of
Business, Georgia
State University
(faculty member
since 1999);
Director of
Graduate Personal
Financial Planning
(PFP) Programs,
formerly Editor,
Financial Services
Review (an
academic journal
dedicated to the
study of individual
financial
management)
(2001-2007);
formerly, faculty
member,
Pennsylvania State
University
(1997-1999).
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John R. Graham, 62
|
|
Director since 2003
|
|
Executive-in-Residence
and Professor of
Finance
(part-time),
College of Business
Administration,
Kansas State
University (has
served as a
professor or
adjunct professor
since 1970);
Chairman of the
Board, President
and CEO, Graham
Capital Management,
Inc., primarily a
real estate
development,
investment company
and venture capital
company; Owner of
Graham Ventures, a
business services
and venture capital
firm; part-time
Vice President
Investments, FB
Capital Management,
Inc. (a registered
investment
adviser), since
2007; formerly,
CEO, Kansas Farm
Bureau Financial
Services, including
seven affiliated
insurance or
financial service
companies
(1979-2000).
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
Kansas State Bank |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles E. Heath, 65
|
|
Director since 2003
|
|
Retired in 1999.
Formerly, Chief
Investment Officer,
GE Capitals
Employers
Reinsurance
Corporation
(1989-1999).
Chartered Financial
Analyst (CFA)
designation since
1974.
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
None |
S- 17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
Other Public |
|
|
Position(s) Held |
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Company |
|
|
With Company |
|
|
|
Complex |
|
Directorships |
|
|
and Length of |
|
Principal Occupation During |
|
Overseen by |
|
Held by |
Name and Age |
|
Time Served |
|
Past Five Years |
|
Director2 |
|
Director |
Interested Directors and Officers1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Kevin Birzer, 48
|
|
Director and
Chairman of the
Board since 2003
|
|
Managing Director
of the Adviser
since 2002;
Partner, Fountain
Capital Management,
L.L.C.
(1990-present);
formerly, Vice
President,
Corporate Finance
Department, Drexel
Burnham Lambert
(1986-1989); Vice
President, F.
Martin Koenig &
Co., an investment
management firm
(1983-1986). CFA
designation since
1988.
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terry C. Matlack, 51
|
|
Director and Chief
Financial Officer
since 2003, Chief
Compliance Officer
from 2004 through
May 2006; Assistant
Treasurer since
November 2005;
Treasurer from 2003
to November 2005
|
|
Managing Director
of the Adviser
since 2002;
full-time Managing
Director, KCEP
(2001-2002);
formerly,
President,
GreenStreet
Capital, a private
investment firm
(1998-2001). CFA
designation since
1985.
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David J. Schulte, 46
|
|
President and Chief
Executive Officer
since 2003
|
|
Managing Director
of the Adviser
since 2002;
full-time Managing
Director, KCEP
(1993-2002); CFA
designation since
1992.
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zachary A. Hamel, 42
|
|
Senior Vice
President since
April 2007;
Secretary from 2003
to April 2007
|
|
Managing Director
of the Adviser
since 2002;
Partner, Fountain
Capital Management,
L.L.C.
(1997-present).
CFA designation
since 1998.
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth P. Malvey, 42
|
|
Treasurer since
November 2005;
Senior Vice
President since
April 2007;
Assistant Treasurer
from 2003 to
November 2005
|
|
Managing Director
of the Adviser
since 2002;
Partner, Fountain
Capital Management,
L.L.C.
(2002-present);
formerly,
Investment Risk
Manager and member
of the Global
Office of
Investments, GE
Capitals Employers
Reinsurance
Corporation
(1996-2002). CFA
designation since
1996.
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
As a result of their respective positions held with the Adviser or its affiliates, these
individuals are considered our interested persons within the meaning of the 1940 Act. |
|
(2) |
|
This number includes us, Tortoise North American Energy Corporation (TYN), Tortoise Energy
Capital Corporation (TYY), Tortoise Capital Resources Corporation (TTO) and two privately
held closed-end management investment companies. This number does not include a registered
investment company which has not yet commenced operations and for which the advisory agreement
with the Adviser has not become effective. The Adviser also serves as investment adviser to
TYN, TYY, TTO and the two privately held closed-end management investment companies. |
S- 18
The following individuals who are included in the table above hold the following positions
with TYN, TYY, TTO and two privately held closed-end management investment companies: Messrs.
Ciccotello, Graham and Heath are directors; Mr. Birzer is a director and the Chairman of the Board;
Mr. Matlack is a director and the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Treasurer; Mr. Schulte is
the President and Chief Executive Officer of TYN, TYY and two privately held closed-end management
investment companies and the Chief Executive Officer of TTO; Mr. Hamel is Senior Vice President;
and Mr. Malvey is Senior Vice President and Treasurer.
We have an audit committee that consists of three directors (the Audit Committee) who are
not interested persons within the meaning of the 1940 Act (Independent Directors). The Audit
Committee members are Conrad S. Ciccotello (Chairman), Charles E. Heath and John R. Graham. The
Audit Committees function is to oversee our accounting policies, financial reporting and internal
control system. The Audit Committee makes recommendations regarding the selection of our
independent registered public accounting firm, reviews the independence of such firm, reviews the
scope of the audit and internal controls, considers and reports to the Board on matters relating to
our accounting and financial reporting practices, and performs such other tasks as the full Board
deems necessary or appropriate. The Audit Committee held two meetings in the fiscal year ended
November 30, 2007.
We also have a Nominating and Governance Committee (formerly the Nominating Committee) that
consists exclusively of three Independent Directors. The Nominating and Governance Committees
function is to (i) identify individuals qualified to become Board members and recommend to the
Board the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders and to fill any vacancies;
(ii) monitor the structure and membership of Board committees; recommend to the Board director
nominees for each committee; (iii) review issues and developments related to corporate governance
issues and develop and recommend to the Board corporate governance guidelines and procedures, to
the extent necessary or desirable; and (iv) actively seek individuals who meet the standards for
directors set forth in our Bylaws, who meet the requirements of any applicable laws or exchange
requirements and who are otherwise qualified to become board members for recommendation to the
Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider shareholder recommendations for
nominees for membership to the Board so long as such recommendations are made in accordance with
our Bylaws. The Nominating and Governance Committee members are Conrad S. Ciccotello, John R.
Graham (Chairman), and Charles E. Heath. The Nominating Committee (which became the Nominating and
Governance Committee in December 2005) held three meetings in the fiscal year ended November 30,
2007.
We also have a Compliance Committee formed in December 2005 that consists exclusively of three
Independent Directors. The Compliance Committees function is to review and assess managements
compliance with applicable securities laws, rules and regulations, monitor compliance with our Code
of Ethics, and handle other matters as the Board or committee chair deems appropriate. The
Compliance Committee members are Conrad S. Ciccotello, John R. Graham and Charles E. Heath
(Chairman). The Compliance Committee held one meeting in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007.
Directors and officers who are interested persons of the Company or the Administrator will
receive no salary or fees from us. For the current fiscal year, each Independent Director receives
from us an annual retainer of $28,000 (plus an additional $4,000 for the Chairman of the Audit
Committee and an additional $1,000 for each other committee Chairman) and a fee of $2,000 (and
reimbursement for related expenses) for each meeting of the Board or Audit Committee attended in
person (or $1,000 for each Board or Audit Committee meeting attended telephonically, or for each
Audit Committee meeting attended in person that is held on the same day as a Board meeting), and an
additional $1,000 for each other committee meeting attended in person or telephonically. No
director or officer is entitled to receive pension or retirement benefits from us.
S- 19
The table below sets forth the compensation paid to the directors by us for the fiscal year
ended November 30, 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
Aggregate Compensation From |
Name and Position With |
|
Compensation From |
|
the Company and Fund Complex |
the Company |
|
the Company |
|
Paid to Directors* |
Independent Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello |
|
$ |
41,000 |
|
|
$ |
145,000 |
|
John R. Graham |
|
$ |
35,000 |
|
|
$ |
124,000 |
|
Charles E. Heath |
|
$ |
37,000 |
|
|
$ |
132,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Kevin Birzer |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Terry C. Matlack |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by
each director of the Company as of December 31, 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Securities in all |
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of |
|
Registered Investment |
|
|
Company Securities |
|
Companies Overseen by |
|
|
Beneficially Owned By |
|
Director in Family of |
Name of Director |
|
Director** |
|
Investment Companies* |
Independent Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello |
|
$ |
50,001-$100,000 |
|
|
Over $100,000 |
John R. Graham |
|
Over $100,000 |
|
Over $100,000 |
Charles E. Heath |
|
Over $100,000 |
|
Over $100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Kevin Birzer |
|
Over $100,000 |
|
Over $100,000 |
Terry C. Matlack |
|
Over $100,000 |
|
Over $100,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Includes TYG, TYY, TYN and TTO and the two privately held closed-end management investment
companies. Does not include meeting fees paid by the registered investment company that has
not yet commenced operations in the amount of $2,000 for each of Mr. Graham and Mr. Heath and
$1,000 for Mr. Ciccotello. |
|
** |
|
As of December 31, 2007, the officers and directors of the Company, as a group, own less than
1% of any class of the Companys outstanding shares of stock. |
Control Persons
As of November 30, 2007, the following persons owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of
our common shares:
|
|
|
|
|
Merrill Lynch Safekeeping |
|
|
17.3 |
% |
4 Corporate Place
Piscataway, NJ 08854 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. |
|
|
9.8 |
% |
101 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104 |
|
|
|
|
S-20
|
|
|
|
|
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company Inc. |
|
|
7.0 |
% |
501 North Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63102 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Financial Services LLC. |
|
|
6.2 |
% |
200 Liberty Street
One World Financial Center
New York, NY 10281 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RBC Dain Rauscher Inc. |
|
|
5.7 |
% |
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Clearing, LLC |
|
|
5.3 |
% |
Riverfront Plaza (West Tower)
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219 |
|
|
|
|
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the
liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages
except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money,
property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty which is established by a final
judgment as being material to the cause of action. The Charter contains such a provision which
eliminates directors and officers liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and
the 1940 Act.
The Charter authorizes us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act,
to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or
officer of ours and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate
investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a
director, officer, partner or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which that person
may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her status as a present or
former director or officer of ours and to pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in
advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The Bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent
permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer
or any individual who, while a director of ours and at our request, serves or has served another
corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan
or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee and who is made a party to the
proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity from and against any claim or liability
to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her
status as a present or former director or officer of ours and to pay or reimburse his or her
reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The Charter and Bylaws also
permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any
of the capacities described above and any employee or agent of ours or a predecessor of ours. The
1940 Act prohibits us from indemnifying any director, officer or other individual from any
liability resulting directly from the willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence in the
performance of duties or reckless disregard of applicable obligations and duties of the directors,
officers or other individuals.
Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our Charter
does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any
proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her
service in that capacity.
S-21
Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers,
among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually
incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be
made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that
(a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the
proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate
dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money,
property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had
reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a
Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the
corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly
received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. In
addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or
officer upon the corporations receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of
his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for
indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her
behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined
that the standard of conduct was not met.
Investment Adviser
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. (the Adviser) serves as our investment adviser. The
Adviser specializes in managing portfolios of investments in MLPs and other energy infrastructure
companies. The Adviser was formed by Fountain Capital Management, L.L.C. (Fountain Capital) and
Kansas City Equity Partners, L.C. (KCEP) in October 2002 to provide portfolio management services
exclusively with respect to energy infrastructure investments. Fountain Capitals ownership in the
Adviser was transferred to FCM Tortoise, L.L.C. (FCM), a recently formed entity with the same
principals as Fountain Capital. FCM has no operations and serves as a holding company. The
transfer was effective as of August 2, 2007, and did not result in a change of control of the
Adviser. The Adviser is controlled equally by FCM and KCEP, each of which own approximately half
of all of the voting shares of the Adviser.
Fountain Capital was formed in 1990 and is focused primarily on providing investment advisory
services to institutional investors with respect to below investment grade debt. Atlantic Asset
Management, L.L.C. (Atlantic) is a minority owner, and an affiliate, of Fountain Capital.
Atlantic was formed in 1992 and provides, directly or through affiliates, a variety of fixed income
investment advisory services including investment grade bond and high-yield bond strategies,
investment grade collateralized debt obligations and mortgage hedge funds.
KCEP was formed in 1993 and until recently, managed KCEP Ventures II, L.P. (KCEP II), a
private equity fund with committed capital of $55 million invested in a variety of companies in
diverse industries. KCEP II wound up its operations in late 2006, has no remaining portfolio
investments and has distributed proceeds to its partners. KCEP I, L.P. (KCEP I), a start-up and
early-stage venture capital fund launched in 1994 and previously managed by KCEP, also recently
completed the process of winding down. As a part of that process, KCEP I entered into a consensual
order of receivership, which was necessary to allow KCEP I to distribute its remaining $1.3 million
of assets to creditors and the SBA. The consensual order acknowledged a capital impairment
condition and the resulting nonperformance by KCEP I of its agreement with the SBA, both of which
were violations of the provisions requiring repayment of capital under the Small Business
Investment Act of 1958 and the regulations thereunder.
The Adviser is located at 10801 Mastin Boulevard, Suite 222, Overland Park, Kansas 66210. As
of December 31, 2007, the Adviser had approximately $2.9 billion in assets under management in the
energy sector.
S-22
Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the Advisory Agreement), the Adviser, subject
to overall supervision by the Board, manages our investments. The Adviser regularly provides us
with investment research advice and supervision and will furnish continuously an investment program
for us, consistent with our investment objective and policies.
The investment management of our portfolio is the responsibility of a team of portfolio
managers consisting of David J. Schulte, H. Kevin Birzer, Zachary A. Hamel, Kenneth P. Malvey, and
Terry C. Matlack, all of whom are Managers of the Adviser and members of its investment committee
and share responsibility for such investment management. It is the policy of the investment
committee, that any one member can require the Adviser to sell a security and any one member can
veto the committees decision to invest in a security. All members of our Advisers investment
committee are full-time employees of the Adviser.
The following table provides information about the number of and total assets in other
accounts managed on a day-to-day basis by each of the portfolio managers as of November 30, 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Total Assets of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paying a |
|
Paying a |
|
|
Number of |
|
Total Assets of |
|
Performance |
|
Performance |
Name of Manager |
|
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
Fee |
|
Fee |
H. Kevin Birzer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
1,219,090,717 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
244,811,611 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
155,875,775 |
|
Other accounts |
|
|
197 |
|
|
$ |
2,026,180,253 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Zachary A. Hamel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
1,219,090,717 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
244,811,611 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
155,875,775 |
|
Other accounts |
|
|
197 |
|
|
$ |
2,026,180,253 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth P. Malvey |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
1,219,090,717 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
244,811,611 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
155,875,775 |
|
Other accounts |
|
|
197 |
|
|
$ |
2,026,180,253 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Terry C. Matlack |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
1,219,090,717 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
155,875,775 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
155,875,775 |
|
Other accounts |
|
|
177 |
|
|
$ |
230,109,731 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
David J. Schulte |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
1,219,090,717 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
155,875,775 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
155,875,775 |
|
Other accounts |
|
|
177 |
|
|
$ |
230,109,731 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
None of Messrs. Schulte, Matlack, Birzer, Hamel or Malvey receive any direct compensation from
the Company or any other of the managed accounts reflected in the table above. All such accounts
are managed by the Adviser or Fountain Capital. Messrs. Birzer, Hamel, Malvey, Matlack and Schulte
are full-time employees of the Adviser and receive a fixed salary for the services they provide.
Each of Messrs. Schulte, Matlack, Birzer, Hamel and Malvey own an equity interest in either KCEP or
FCM, the two entities that control the Adviser, and each thus benefits from increases in the net
income of the Adviser.
S-23
The following table sets forth the dollar range of our equity securities beneficially owned by
each of the portfolio managers as of November 30, 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Company |
|
|
Securities Beneficially Owned by |
Name of Manager |
|
Manager |
H. Kevin Birzer |
|
Over $100,000 |
Zachary A. Hamel |
|
Over $100,000 |
Kenneth P. Malvey |
|
Over $100,000 |
Terry C. Matlack |
|
Over $100,000 |
David J. Schulte |
|
Over $100,000 |
In addition to portfolio management services, the Adviser is obligated to supply our Board and
officers with certain statistical information and reports, to oversee the maintenance of various
books and records and to arrange for the preservation of records in accordance with applicable
federal law and regulations. Under the Advisory Agreement, we pay to the Adviser quarterly, as
compensation for the services rendered and expenses paid by it, a fee equal on an annual basis to
0.95% of our average monthly Managed Assets. Managed Assets means the total assets of the Company
(including any assets attributable to leverage that may be outstanding) minus accrued liabilities
other than (1) deferred taxes, (2) debt entered into for the purpose of leverage and (3) the
aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock.
The Adviser has agreed contractually to reimburse us for expenses, including the investment
advisory fee and other expenses in the amount of 0.10% of average monthly Managed Assets through
February 28, 2009.
Because the management fees paid to the Adviser are based upon a percentage of our Managed
Assets, fees paid to the Adviser will be higher if we are leveraged; thus, the Adviser will have an
incentive to use leverage. Because the fee reimbursement agreement is based on Managed Assets, to
the extent we are engaged in leverage, the gross dollar amount of the Advisers fee reimbursement
obligations to us will increase. The Adviser intends to use leverage only when it believes it will
serve the best interests of our stockholders. Our average monthly Managed Assets are determined
for the purpose of calculating the management fee by taking the average of the monthly
determinations of Managed Assets during a given calendar quarter. The fees are payable for each
calendar quarter within five days of the end of that quarter.
For our fiscal year ending November 30, 2005, the Adviser received $4,804,810 as compensation
for advisory services, net of $1,534,870, in reimbursed fees and expenses. For our fiscal year
ending November 30, 2006, the Adviser received $6,253,972 as compensation for advisory services,
net of $987,587, in reimbursed fees and expenses. For our fiscal year ending November 30, 2007,
the Adviser received $10,571,172 as compensation for advisory services, net of $1,243,667, in
reimbursed fees and expenses.
The Advisory Agreement provides that we will pay all expenses other than those expressly
stated to be payable by the Adviser, which expenses payable by us shall include, without implied
limitation: (1) expenses of maintaining the Company and continuing our existence and related
overhead, including, to the extent services are provided by personnel of the Adviser or its
affiliates, office space and facilities and personnel compensation, training and benefits;
(2) registration under the 1940 Act; (3) commissions, spreads, fees and other expenses connected
with the acquisition, holding and disposition of securities and other investments including
placement and similar fees in connection with direct placements in which we participate;
(4) auditing, accounting and legal expenses; (5) taxes and interest; (6) governmental fees;
(7) expenses of listing our shares with a stock exchange, and expenses of issuance, sale,
repurchase and
S-24
redemption (if any) of our interests, including expenses of conducting tender offers for the
purpose of repurchasing our interests; (8) expenses of registering and qualifying us and our shares
under federal and state securities laws and of preparing and filing registration statements and
amendments for such purposes; (9) expenses of communicating with stockholders; including website
expenses and the expenses of preparing, printing and mailing press releases, reports and other
notices to stockholders and of meetings of stockholders and proxy solicitations therefor;
(10) expenses of reports to governmental officers and commissions; (11) insurance expenses;
(12) association membership dues; (13) fees, expenses and disbursements of custodians and
subcustodians for all services to us (including without limitation safekeeping of funds, securities
and other investments, keeping of books, accounts and records, and determination of net asset
values); (14) fees, expenses and disbursements of transfer agents, dividend paying agents,
stockholder servicing agents and registrars for all services to us; (15) compensation and expenses
of our directors who are not members of the Advisers organization; (16) pricing and valuation
services employed by us; (17) all expenses incurred in connection with leveraging of our assets
through a line of credit, or issuing and maintaining preferred stock or instruments evidencing
indebtedness of the Company; (18) all expenses incurred in connection with the offering of our
common and preferred stock and debt securities; and (19) such non-recurring items as may arise,
including expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings and claims and our
obligation to indemnify our directors, officers and stockholders with respect thereto.
The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser will not be liable in any way for any
default, failure or defect in any of the securities comprising our portfolio if it has satisfied
the duties and the standard of care, diligence and skill set forth in the Advisory Agreement.
However, the Adviser shall be liable to us for any loss, damage, claim, cost, charge, expense or
liability resulting from the Advisers willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence or
disregard by the Adviser of the Advisers duties or standard of care, diligence and skill set forth
in the Advisory Agreement or a material breach or default of the Advisers obligations under the
Advisory Agreement.
The Advisory Agreement has a term ending on December 31st of each year and is submitted to the
Board of Directors for renewal each year. A discussion regarding the basis of the Board of
Directors decision to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement is available in our Annual
Report to stockholders for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007. The Advisory Agreement will
continue from year to year, provided such continuance is approved by a majority of the Board or by
vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities. Additionally, the Advisory
Agreement must be approved annually by vote of a majority of the Independent Directors. The
Advisory Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser or us, without penalty, on sixty (60) days
written notice to the other. The Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of
its assignment.
Code of Ethics
We and the Adviser have each adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act, which
is applicable to officers, directors and designated employees of ours and the Adviser
(collectively, the Codes). Subject to certain limitations, the Codes permit covered persons to
invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by us. The Codes contain
provisions and requirements designed to identify and address certain conflicts of interest between
personal investment activities of covered persons and the interests of investment advisory clients
such as us. Among other things, the Codes prohibit certain types of transactions absent prior
approval, impose time periods during which personal transactions may not be made in certain
securities, and require submission of duplicate broker confirmations and statements and quarterly
reporting of securities transactions. Exceptions to these and other provisions of the Codes may be
granted in particular circumstances after review by appropriate personnel.
S-25
Our Code of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commissions
Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference
Room may be obtained by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at (202) 551-5850. Our Code
of Ethics is also available on the EDGAR Database on the Securities and Exchange Commissions
Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request
at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Securities and Exchange
Commissions Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. Our Code of Ethics is also
available on our Advisers website at www.tortoiseadvisors.com.
NET ASSET VALUE
We will compute our net asset value for our shares of common stock as of the close of trading
on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) no less frequently than the last business day of each
calendar month and at such other times as the Board may determine. We make our net asset value
available for publication monthly. Our investment transactions are generally recorded on a trade
date plus one day basis, other than for quarterly and annual reporting purposes. For purposes of
determining the net asset value of a share of common stock, our net asset value will equal the
value of our total assets (the value of the securities we hold, plus cash or other assets,
including interest accrued but not yet received) less (1) all of its liabilities (including without
limitation accrued expenses and both current and deferred income taxes), (2) accumulated and unpaid
interest payments and dividends on any outstanding debt or preferred stock, respectively, (3) the
aggregate liquidation value of any outstanding preferred stock, (4) the aggregate principal amount
of any outstanding senior notes, including any series of Tortoise Notes, and (5) any distributions
payable on the common stock. The net asset value per share of our common stock will equal our net
asset value divided by the number of outstanding shares of common stock.
Pursuant to an agreement with U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (the Accounting Services
Provider), the Accounting Services Provider will value our assets in accordance with Valuation
Procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The Accounting Services Provider will obtain
securities market quotations from independent pricing services approved by the Adviser and ratified
by the Board. Securities for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued at
market value. Any other securities shall be valued at fair value.
Valuation of certain assets at market value will be as follows. For equity securities, the
Accounting Services Provider will first use readily available market quotations and will obtain
direct written broker-dealer quotations if a security is not traded on an exchange or quotations
are not available from an approved pricing service. For fixed income securities, the Accounting
Services Provider will use readily available market quotations based upon the last sale price of a
security on the day we value our assets or a market value from a pricing service or by obtaining a
direct written broker-dealer quotation from a dealer who has made a market in the security. For
options, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, the Accounting Services Provider will
use readily available market quotations. If no sales are reported on any exchange or
over-the-counter (OTC) market for an option, futures contract or option on futures contracts, the
Accounting Services Provider will use the calculated mean based on bid and asked prices obtained
from the primary exchange or OTC market.
If the Accounting Services Provider cannot obtain a market value or the Adviser determines
that the value of a security as so obtained does not represent a fair value as of the valuation
time (due to a significant development subsequent to the time its price is determined or
otherwise), fair value for the security shall be determined pursuant to the Valuation Procedures
adopted by the Board. The Valuation Procedures provide that the Adviser will consider a variety of
factors with respect to the individual issuer and security in determining and monitoring the
continued appropriateness of fair value, including, without
S-26
limitation, financial statements and fundamental data with respect to the issuer, cost, the
amount of any discount, restrictions on transfer and registration rights and other information
deemed relevant. A report of any prices determined pursuant to certain preapproved methodologies
will be presented to the Board or a designated committee thereof for approval no less frequently
than quarterly. The Valuation Procedures currently provide for methodologies to be used to fair
value equity securities and debt securities. With respect to equity securities, among the factors
used to fair value a security subject to restrictions on resale is whether the security has a
common share counterpart trading in a public market. If a security does not have a common share
counterpart, the security shall be valued initially and thereafter by the Investment Committee of
the Adviser (the Pricing Committee) based on all relevant factors and such valuation will be
presented to the Board for review and ratification no less frequently than quarterly. If a
security has a common share counterpart trading in a public market or is convertible into
publicly-traded common shares, the Pricing Committee shall determine an appropriate percentage
discount for the security in light of its resale restrictions and/or, as applicable, conversion
restrictions and other factors.
With respect to debt securities, among the various factors that can affect the value of such
securities are (i) whether the issuing company has freely trading debt securities of the same
maturity and interest rate; (ii) whether the issuing company has an effective registration
statement in place for the securities; and whether a market is made in the securities. Subject to
the particular considerations of an issue, debt securities generally will be valued at amortized
cost.
The foregoing methods for fair valuing securities may be used only as long as the Adviser
believes they continue to represent fair value and the discussion above is qualified in its
entirety by our Valuation Procedures.
In computing net asset value, we will review the valuation of the obligation for income taxes
separately for current taxes and deferred taxes due to the differing impact of each on (i) the
anticipated timing of required tax payments and (ii) on the treatment of distributions by us to our
stockholders.
The allocation between current and deferred income taxes is determined based upon the value of
assets reported for book purposes compared to the respective net tax bases of assets for federal
income tax purposes. It is anticipated that cash distributions from MLPs in which we invest will
not equal the amount of taxable income allocable to us primarily as a result of depreciation and
amortization deductions recorded by the MLPs. This may result, in effect, in a portion of the cash
distribution received by us not being treated as income for federal income tax purposes. The
relative portion of such distributions not treated as income for tax purposes will vary among the
MLPs, and also will vary year by year for each MLP, but in each case will reduce our remaining tax
basis, if any, in the particular MLP. The Adviser will be able to directly confirm the portion of
each distribution recognized as taxable income when it receives annual tax reporting information
from each MLP.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Execution of Portfolio Transactions
The Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Company,
broker-dealer selection, and negotiation of brokerage commission rates. The Advisers primary
consideration in effecting a security transaction will be to obtain the best execution. In
selecting a broker-dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will take the
following into consideration: the best net price available; the reliability, integrity and
financial condition of the broker-dealer; the size of and the difficulty in executing the order;
and the value of the expected contribution of the broker-dealer to our investment performance on a
continuing basis. Accordingly, our price in any transaction may be less
S-27
favorable than that available from another broker-dealer if the difference is reasonably
justified by other aspects of the execution services offered.
The ability to invest in direct placements of MLP securities is critical to our ability to
meet our investment objective because of the limited number of MLP issuers available for investment
and, in some cases, the relative small trading volumes of certain securities. Accordingly, we may
from time to time enter into arrangements with placement agents in connection with direct placement
transactions.
In evaluating placement agent proposals, we consider each brokers access to issuers of MLP
securities and experience in the MLP market, particularly the direct placement market. In addition
to these factors, we consider whether the proposed services are customary, whether the proposed fee
schedules are within the range of customary rates, whether any proposal would obligate us to enter
into transactions involving a minimum fee, dollar amount or volume of securities, or into any
transaction whatsoever, and other terms such as indemnification provisions.
Subject to such policies as the Board may from time to time determine, the Adviser shall not
be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty solely by reason of its having
caused us to pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage and research services to the Adviser an
amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission
another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Adviser
determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of
the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either
that particular transaction or the Advisers overall responsibilities with respect to us and to
other clients of the Adviser as to which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. The Adviser
is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on our behalf to such brokers and dealers
who also provide research or statistical material or other services to us or the Adviser. Such
allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser shall determine and the Adviser
will report on said allocations regularly to the Board indicating the brokers to whom such
allocations have been made and the basis therefor. For the fiscal years ended November 30, 2005,
November 30, 2006 and November 30, 2007, we paid aggregate brokerage commissions of $18,465,
$20,190 and $811,320, respectively, and direct placement fees of $80,000, $0 and $0, respectively.
Portfolio Turnover
Our annual portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year. Although we cannot
accurately predict our annual portfolio turnover rate, it is not expected to exceed 30% under
normal circumstances. For the fiscal years ended November 30, 2007 and 2006 the portfolio turnover
rate was 9.30% and 2.18%, respectively. However, portfolio turnover rate is not considered a
limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions for us. A higher turnover rate results in
correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by
us. High portfolio turnover also may result in recognition of gains that will increase our taxable
income, possibly resulting in an increased tax liability, as well as increasing our current and
accumulated earnings and profits resulting in a greater portion of the distributions on our stock
being treated as taxable dividends for federal income tax purposes. See Certain Federal Income
Tax Matters.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating
to us and our investments in MLPs and to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our securities.
The discussion generally applies only to holders of securities that are U.S. holders. You will be
a U.S. holder if you are an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a U.S.
domestic corporation, or
S-28
any other person that is subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect
of an investment in our securities. This summary deals only with U.S. holders that hold our
securities as capital assets and who purchase the securities in connection with the offering(s)
herein. It does not address considerations that may be relevant to you if you are an investor that
is subject to special tax rules, such as a financial institution, insurance company, regulated
investment company, real estate investment trust, investor in pass-through entities, U.S. holder of
securities whose functional currency is not the United States dollar, tax-exempt organization,
dealer in securities or currencies, trader in securities or commodities that elects mark to market
treatment, a person who holds the securities in a qualified tax deferred account such as an IRA, or
a person who will hold the securities as a position in a straddle, hedge or as part of a
constructive sale for federal income tax purposes. In addition, this discussion does not address
the possible application of the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax.
This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, the applicable Treasury
regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authority and current administrative rulings, as in
effect on the date of this Statement of Additional Information, all of which may change. Any
change could apply retroactively and could affect the continued validity of this summary.
As stated above, this discussion does not discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation
that may be relevant to a particular holder of our securities in light of such holders particular
circumstances and income tax situation. Prospective holders should consult their own tax advisors
as to the specific tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the
securities, including the application and the effect of state, local, foreign and other tax laws
and the possible effects of changes in U.S. or other tax laws.
Taxation of the Company
We are treated as a C corporation for federal and state income tax purposes. We compute and
pay federal and state income tax on our taxable income. Thus, we are subject to federal income tax
on our taxable income at tax rates up to 35%. Additionally, in certain instances we could be
subject to the federal alternative minimum tax of 20% on our alternative minimum taxable income to
the extent that the alternative minimum tax exceeds our regular federal income tax.
As indicated above, we generally invest our assets primarily in MLPs. MLPs generally are
treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. Since partnerships are generally not
subject to federal income tax, the partnerships partners must report as their income their
proportionate share of the partnerships income. Thus, as a partner in MLPs, we will report our
proportionate share of the MLPs income in computing our federal taxable income, irrespective of
whether any cash or other distributions are made by the MLPs to us. We will also take into account
in computing our taxable income any other items of our income, gain, deduction or loss. We
anticipate that these may include interest income earned on our investment in debt securities,
deductions for our operating expenses and gain or loss recognized by us on the sale of MLP
interests or any other security.
As explained below, based upon the historic performance of MLPs, we anticipate initially that
our proportionate share of the MLPs taxable income will be significantly less than the amount of
cash distributions we receive from the MLPs. In such case, we anticipate that we will not incur
federal income tax on a significant portion of our cash flow, particularly after taking into
account our current operational expenses. If the MLPs taxable income is a significantly greater
portion of the MLPs cash distributions, we will incur additional current federal income tax
liability, possibly in excess of the cash distributions we receive.
We anticipate that each year we will turn over a certain portion of our investment assets. We
will recognize gain or loss on the disposition of all or a portion of our interests in MLPs in an
amount equal to
S-29
the difference between the sales price and our basis in the MLP interests sold. To the extent
we receive MLP cash distributions in excess of the taxable income reportable by us with respect to
such MLP interest, our basis in the MLP interest will be reduced and our gain on the sale of the
MLP interest likewise will be increased.
We are not treated as a regulated investment company under the federal income tax laws. The
Internal Revenue Code generally provides that a regulated investment company does not pay an entity
level income tax, provided that it distributes all or substantially all of its income. Our assets
do not, and are not expected to, meet current tests for qualification as a regulated investment
company for federal income tax purposes. The regulated investment company taxation rules have no
application to us or our stockholders. Although changes to the federal tax laws permit regulated
investment companies to invest up to 25% of the value of their total assets in securities of MLPs,
such changes still would not allow us to pursue our objective. Accordingly, we do not intend to
change our tax status as a result of such legislation.
Federal Income Taxation of MLPs
MLPs are similar to corporations in many respects, but differ in others, especially in the way
they are taxed for federal income tax purposes. A corporation is a distinct legal entity, separate
from its stockholders and employees and is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax
purposes as well. Like individual taxpayers, a corporation must pay a federal income tax on its
income. To the extent the corporation distributes its income to its stockholders in the form of
dividends, the stockholders must pay federal income tax on the dividends they receive. For this
reason, it is said that corporate income is double-taxed, or taxed at two levels.
An MLP that satisfies the Qualifying Income rules described below, and does not elect
otherwise, is treated for federal income tax purposes as a pass-through entity. No federal income
tax is paid at the partnership level. A partnerships income is considered earned by all the
partners; it is allocated among all the partners in proportion to their interests in the
partnership (generally as provided in the partnership agreement), and each partner pays tax on his,
her or its share of the partnerships income. All the other items that go into determining taxable
income and tax owed are passed through to the partners as well capital gains and losses,
deductions, credits, etc. Partnership income is thus said to be single-taxed or taxed only at one
level that of the partner.
The Internal Revenue Code generally requires publicly-traded partnerships to be treated as
corporations for federal income tax purposes. However, if the publicly-traded partnership
satisfies certain requirements and does not elect otherwise, the publicly-traded partnership will
be taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, referred to herein as an MLP. Under
these requirements, an MLP must derive each year at least 90% of its gross income from Qualifying
Income.
Qualifying Income for MLPs includes interest, dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale
or disposition of real property, certain income and gain from commodities or commodity futures, and
income and gain from certain mineral or natural resources activities. Mineral or natural resources
activities that generate Qualifying Income include income and gains from the exploration,
development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation (including pipelines
transporting gas, oil or products thereof), or the marketing of any mineral or natural resource
(including fertilizer, geothermal energy, and timber). This means that most MLPs today are in
energy, timber, or real estate related businesses.
Because the MLP itself does not pay federal income tax, its income or loss is allocated to its
investors, irrespective of whether the investors receive any cash or other payment from the MLP.
It is important to note that an MLP investor is taxed on his share of partnership income whether or
not he
S-30
actually receives any cash or other property from the partnership. The tax is based not on
money or other property he actually receives, but his proportionate share of what the partnership
earns. However, most MLPs make it a policy to make quarterly distributions to their partners that
will comfortably exceed any income tax owed. Although they resemble corporate dividends, MLP
distributions are treated differently. The MLP distribution is treated as a return of capital to
the extent of the investors basis in his MLP interest and, to the extent the distribution exceeds
the investors basis in the MLP interest, capital gain. The investors original basis is generally
the price paid for the units. The basis is adjusted downward with each distribution and allocation
of deductions (such as depreciation) and losses, and upwards with each allocation of income and
gain.
The partner generally will not be taxed on MLP distributions until (1) he sells his MLP units
and pays tax on his gain, which gain is increased due to the basis decrease resulting from prior
distributions; or (2) his basis reaches zero. When the units are sold, the difference between the
sales price and the investors adjusted basis is the gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.
At tax filing season an MLP investor will receive a Schedule K-1 form showing the investors
share of each item of the partnerships income, gain, loss, deductions and credits. The investor
will use that information to figure the investors taxable income (MLPs generally provide their
investors with material that walks them through all the steps). If there is net income derived
from the MLP, the investor pays federal income tax at his, her or its tax rate. If there is a net
loss derived from the MLP, it is generally considered a passive loss under the Internal Revenue
Code and generally may not be used to offset income from other sources, but must be carried
forward.
Because we are a corporation, we, and not our stockholders, will report the income or loss of
the MLPs. Thus, our stockholders will not have to deal with any Schedules K-1 reporting income and
loss items of the MLPs. Stockholders, instead, will receive a Form 1099 from us. In addition, due
to our broad public ownership, we do not expect to be subject to the passive loss limitation rules
mentioned in the preceding paragraph.
Common and Preferred Stock
Federal Income Tax Treatment of Common Stock Distributions. Unlike a holder of a direct
interest in MLPs, a stockholder will not include its allocable share of our income, gains, losses
or deductions in computing its own taxable income. Instead, since we are of the opinion that,
under present law, our shares of common stock will constitute equity, distributions with respect to
such shares (other than distributions in redemption of shares subject to Section 302(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code) will generally constitute dividends to the extent of our allocable current
or accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated for federal income tax purposes. Generally, a
corporations earnings and profits are computed based upon taxable income, with certain specified
adjustments. As explained above, based upon the historic performance of the MLPs, we anticipate
that the distributed cash from the MLPs will exceed our share of the MLPs income. In addition,
earnings and profits are treated generally, for federal income tax purposes, as first being used to
pay distributions on preferred stock, and then to the extent remaining, if any, to pay
distributions on the common stock. Thus, we anticipate that only a portion of the distributions of
distributable cash flow (DCF) will be treated as dividend income to common stockholders. To the
extent that distributions to a stockholder exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits,
such distributions will be treated as a return of capital and the stockholders basis in shares of
stock with respect to which the distributions are made will be reduced and, if a stockholder has no
further basis in the shares, the stockholder will report any excess as capital gain if the
stockholder holds such shares as a capital asset.
Dividends of current or accumulated earnings and profits generally will be taxable as ordinary
income to holders but are expected to be treated as qualified dividend income that is generally
subject
S-31
to reduced rates of federal income taxation for noncorporate investors and are also expected
to be eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate stockholders under
Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under federal income tax law, qualified dividend income
received by individual and other noncorporate stockholders is taxed at long-term capital gain
rates, which currently reach a maximum of 15%. Qualified dividend income generally includes
dividends from domestic corporations and dividends from non-U.S. corporations that meet certain
criteria. To be treated as qualified dividend income, the stockholder must hold the shares paying
otherwise qualifying dividend income more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days
before the ex-dividend date (or more than 90 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days
before the ex-dividend date in the case of certain preferred stock dividends). A stockholders
holding period may be reduced for purposes of this rule if the stockholder engages in certain risk
reduction transactions with respect to the common or preferred stock. The provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code applicable to qualified dividend income are effective through 2010.
Thereafter, higher tax rates will apply unless further legislative action is taken.
Corporate holders should be aware that certain limitations apply to the availability of the
dividends received deduction, including limitations on the aggregate amount of the deduction that
may be claimed and limitations based on the holding period of the shares on which the dividend is
paid, which holding period may be reduced if the holder engages in risk reduction transactions with
respect to its shares. Corporate holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the
application of these limitations to their particular situation.
If a common stockholder participates in our Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan, such
stockholder will be treated as receiving the amount of the distributions made by the Company, which
amount generally will be either equal to the amount of cash distribution the stockholder would have
received if the stockholder had elected to receive cash or, for shares issued by the Company, the
fair market value of the shares issued to the stockholder.
Federal Income Tax Treatment of Preferred Stock Distributions. Under present law, we believe
that our preferred stock will constitute equity for federal income tax purposes, and thus
distributions with respect to the preferred stock (other than distributions in redemption of
preferred stock subject to Section 302(b) of the Internal Revenue Code) will generally constitute
dividends to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits allocable to such
shares, as calculated for federal income tax purposes. Earnings and profits are generally treated,
for federal income tax purposes, as first being allocable to distributions on the preferred stock
and then to the extent remaining, if any, to distributions on our common stock. Dividends
generally will be taxable as ordinary income to holders, but are expected to be treated as
qualified dividend income that is generally subject to reduced rates of federal income taxation
for noncorporate investors, as described above. In the case of corporate holders of preferred
stock, subject to applicable requirements and limitations, dividends may be eligible for the
dividends received deduction available to corporations under Section 243 of the Internal Revenue
Code (see discussion above). Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits allocable to
preferred stock, if any, will first reduce a shareholders adjusted tax basis in his or her shares
and, after the adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to a holder who
holds such shares as a capital asset. Because we have elected not to be treated as a regulated
investment company under the Internal Revenue Code, we are not entitled to designate any dividends
made with respect to our stock as capital gain distributions.
Sale of Shares. The sale of shares of common or preferred stock by holders will generally be
a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes. Holders of shares who sell such shares will
generally recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the net proceeds of
the sale and their adjusted tax basis in the shares sold. If the shares are held as a capital
asset at the time of the sale, the gain or loss will generally be a capital gain or loss.
Similarly, a redemption by us (including a redemption
S-32
resulting from our liquidation), if any, of all the shares actually and constructively held by
a stockholder generally will give rise to capital gain or loss under Section 302(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code, provided that the redemption proceeds do not represent declared but unpaid dividends.
Other redemptions may also give rise to capital gain or loss, but certain conditions imposed by
Section 302(b) of the Internal Revenue Code must be satisfied to achieve such treatment.
Capital gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held
for more than one year and will be short-term capital gain or loss if the disposed shares were held
for one year or less. Net long-term capital gain recognized by a noncorporate U.S. holder
generally will be subject to federal income tax at a lower rate (currently a maximum rate of 15%)
than net short-term capital gain or ordinary income (currently a maximum rate of 35%). Under
current law, the maximum federal income tax rate on capital gain for noncorporate holders is
scheduled to increase to 20% for taxable years after 2010. For corporate holders, capital gain is
generally taxed at the same rate as ordinary income, that is, currently at a maximum rate of 35%.
A holders ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.
Investment by Tax-Exempt Investors and Regulated Investment Companies. Employee benefit
plans, other tax-exempt organizations and regulated investment companies may want to invest in our
securities. Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal income tax,
including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income
tax on unrelated business taxable income (UBTI). Because we are a corporation for federal income
tax purposes, an owner of shares will not report on its federal income tax return any of our items
of income, gain, loss and deduction. Therefore, a tax-exempt investor generally will not have UBTI
attributable to its ownership or sale of our stock unless its ownership of the stock is
debt-financed. In general, stock would be debt-financed if the tax-exempt owner of stock incurs
debt to acquire the stock or otherwise incurs or maintains debt that would not have been incurred
or maintained if the stock had not been acquired.
For federal income tax purposes, a regulated investment company, or mutual fund, may not
have more than 25% of the value of its total assets, at the close of any fiscal quarter, invested
in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships, which will include most
MLPs. Shares of our stock are not securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership and will
not be treated as such for purposes of calculating the limitation imposed upon regulated investment
companies.
Backup Withholding. We may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a
portion of all taxable distributions (including redemption proceeds) payable to stockholders who
fail to provide us with their correct taxpayer identification number, who fail to make required
certifications or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that they are
subject to backup withholding (or if we have been so notified). Certain corporate and other
stockholders specified in the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder are exempt from
backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be
credited against the stockholders U.S. federal income tax liability provided the appropriate
information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.
Other Taxation. Foreign stockholders, including stockholders who are nonresident alien
individuals, may be subject to U.S. withholding tax on certain distributions at a rate of 30% or
such lower rates as may be prescribed by any applicable treaty. Our distributions also may be
subject to state and local taxes.
S-33
Debt Securities
Federal Income Tax Treatment of Holders of Debt Securities. Under present law, we are of the
opinion that our debt securities will constitute indebtedness for federal income tax purposes,
which the discussion below assumes. We intend to treat all payments made with respect to the debt
securities consistent with this characterization.
Taxation of Interest. Payments or accruals of interest on debt securities generally will be
taxable to you as ordinary interest income at the time such interest is received (actually or
constructively) or accrued, in accordance with your regular method of accounting for federal income
tax purposes.
Purchase, Sale and Redemption of Debt Securities. Initially, your tax basis in debt
securities acquired generally will be equal to your cost to acquire such debt securities. This
basis will increase by the amounts, if any, that you include in income under the rules governing
market discount, and will decrease by the amount of any amortized premium on such debt securities,
as discussed below. When you sell or exchange any of your debt securities, or if any of your debt
securities are redeemed, you generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between
the amount you realize on the transaction (less any accrued and unpaid interest, which will be
subject to tax as interest in the manner described above) and your tax basis in the debt securities
relinquished.
Except as discussed below with respect to market discount, the gain or loss that you recognize
on the sale, exchange or redemption of any of your debt securities generally will be capital gain
or loss. Such gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the disposed debt
securities were held for more than one year and will be short-term capital gain or loss if the
disposed debt securities were held for one year or less. Net long-term capital gain recognized by
a noncorporate U.S. holder generally will be subject to federal income tax at a lower rate
(currently a maximum rate of 15%, although this rate will increase to 20% after 2010) than net
short-term capital gain or ordinary income (currently a maximum rate of 35%). For corporate
holders, capital gain is generally taxed at the same rate as ordinary income, that is, currently at
a maximum rate of 35%. A holders ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.
Amortizable Premium. If you purchase debt securities at a cost greater than their stated
principal amount, plus accrued interest, you will be considered to have purchased the debt
securities at a premium, and you generally may elect to amortize this premium as an offset to
interest income, using a constant yield method, over the remaining term of the debt securities. If
you make the election to amortize the premium, it generally will apply to all debt instruments that
you hold at the time of the election, as well as any debt instruments that you subsequently
acquire. In addition, you may not revoke the election without the consent of the IRS. If you
elect to amortize the premium, you will be required to reduce your tax basis in the debt securities
by the amount of the premium amortized during your holding period. If you do not elect to amortize
premium, the amount of premium will be included in your tax basis in the debt securities.
Therefore, if you do not elect to amortize the premium and you hold the debt securities to
maturity, you generally will be required to treat the premium as a capital loss when the debt
securities are redeemed.
Market Discount. If you purchase debt securities at a price that reflects a market
discount, any principal payments on, or any gain that you realize on the disposition of, the debt
securities generally will be treated as ordinary interest income to the extent of the market
discount that accrued on the debt securities during the time you held such debt securities.
Market discount is defined under the Internal Revenue Code as, in general, the excess of the
stated redemption price at maturity over the purchase price of the debt security, except that if
the market discount is less than 0.25% of the stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the
number of complete years to maturity, the market discount is considered to be zero. In addition,
you may be required to defer the deduction of all or a portion of any interest paid on any
indebtedness that you incurred or continued to purchase or carry the debt securities that were
acquired
S-34
at a market discount. In general, market discount will be treated as accruing ratably over
the term of the debt securities, or, at your election, under a constant yield method.
You may elect to include market discount in gross income currently as it accrues (on either a
ratable or constant yield basis), in lieu of treating a portion of any gain realized on a sale of
the debt securities as ordinary income. If you elect to include market discount on a current
basis, the interest deduction deferral rule described above will not apply and you will increase
your basis in the debt security by the amount of market discount you include in gross income. If
you do make such an election, it will apply to all market discount debt instruments that you
acquire on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies. This
election may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. In general, information reporting requirements
will apply to payments of principal, interest, and premium, if any, paid on debt securities and to
the proceeds of the sale of debt securities paid to U.S. holders other than certain exempt
recipients (such as certain corporations). Information reporting generally will apply to payments
of interest on the debt securities to non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) and the amount of tax, if
any, withheld with respect to such payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such
interest payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the
country in which the non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax
treaty. In addition, for non-U.S. Holders, information reporting will apply to the proceeds of the
sale of debt securities within the United States or conducted through United States-related
financial intermediaries unless the certification requirements described below have been complied
with and the statement described below in Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders has been received (and the
payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a United States person)
or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
We may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a portion of all taxable
payments (including redemption proceeds) payable to holders of debt securities who fail to provide
us with their correct taxpayer identification number, who fail to make required certifications or
who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding (or if we have been
so notified). Certain corporate and other shareholders specified in the Internal Revenue Code and
the regulations thereunder are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an
additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the holders U.S. federal income tax
liability provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS. If you are a non-U.S.
Holder, you may have to comply with certification procedures to establish your non-U.S. status in
order to avoid backup withholding tax requirements. The certification procedures required to claim
the exemption from withholding tax on interest income described below will satisfy these
requirements.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders. If you are a non-resident alien individual or a foreign
corporation (a non-U.S. Holder), the payment of interest on the debt securities generally will be
considered portfolio interest and thus generally will be exempt from United States federal
withholding tax. This exemption will apply to you provided that (1) interest paid on the debt
securities is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United
States, (2) you are not a bank whose receipt of interest on the debt securities is described in
Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (3) you do not actually or constructively own
10 percent or more of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote,
(4) you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related, directly or indirectly to us
through stock ownership, and (5) you satisfy the certification requirements described below.
To satisfy the certification requirements, either (1) the holder of any debt securities must
certify, under penalties of perjury, that such holder is a non-U.S. person and must provide such
owners name,
S-35
address and taxpayer identification number, if any, on IRS Form W-8BEN, or (2) a securities
clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customer securities in the
ordinary course of its trade or business and holds the debt securities on behalf of the holder
thereof must certify, under penalties of perjury, that it has received a valid and properly
executed IRS Form W-8BEN from the beneficial holder and comply with certain other requirements.
Special certification rules apply for debt securities held by a foreign partnership and other
intermediaries.
Interest on debt securities received by a non-U.S. Holder that is not excluded from U.S.
federal withholding tax under the portfolio interest exemption as described above generally will be
subject to withholding at a 30% rate, except where a non-U.S. Holder can claim the benefits of an
applicable tax treaty to reduce or eliminate such withholding tax and such non-U.S. Holder provides
us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN claiming such exemption or reduction.
Any capital gain that a non-U.S. Holder realizes on a sale, exchange or other disposition of
debt securities generally will be exempt from United States federal income tax, including
withholding tax. This exemption will not apply to you if your gain is effectively connected with
your conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. or you are an individual holder and are present in
the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and either your gain is
attributable to an office or other fixed place of business that you maintain in the U.S. or you
have a tax home in the United States.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
We and the Adviser have adopted proxy voting policies and procedures (Proxy Policy), which
we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in our best interests and our
stockholders best interests. Subject to the oversight of the Board, the Board has delegated
responsibility for implementing the Proxy Policy to the Adviser. Because of the unique nature of
MLPs in which we primarily invest, the Adviser shall evaluate each proxy on a case-by-case basis.
Because proxies of MLPs are expected to relate only to extraordinary measures, we do not believe it
is prudent to adopt pre-established voting guidelines.
In the event requests for proxies are received with respect to the voting of equity securities
other than MLP equity units, on routine matters, such as election of directors or approval of
auditors, the proxies usually will be voted with management unless the Adviser determines it has a
conflict or the Adviser determines there are other reasons not to vote with management. On
non-routine matters, such as amendments to governing instruments, proposals relating to
compensation and stock option and equity compensation plans, corporate governance proposals and
stockholder proposals, the Adviser will vote, or abstain from voting if deemed appropriate, on a
case-by-case basis in a manner it believes to be in the best economic interest of our stockholders.
In the event requests for proxies are received with respect to debt securities, the Adviser will
vote on a case-by-case basis in a manner it believes to be in the best economic interest of our
stockholders.
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for monitoring corporate actions and ensuring that
(1) proxies are received and forwarded to the appropriate decision makers; and (2) proxies are
voted in a timely manner upon receipt of voting instructions. We are not responsible for voting
proxies we do not receive, but will make reasonable efforts to obtain missing proxies. The Chief
Executive Officer shall implement procedures to identify and monitor potential conflicts of
interest that could affect the proxy voting process, including (1) significant client
relationships; (2) other potential material business relationships; and (3) material personal and
family relationships. All decisions regarding proxy voting shall be determined by the Investment
Committee of the Adviser, or a Manager of the Adviser designated by the Investment Committee, and
shall be executed by the Chief Executive Officer or, if the proxy may be voted electronically,
electronically voted by the Chief Executive Officer or his designee. Every effort
S-36
shall be made to consult with the portfolio manager and/or analyst covering the security. We
may determine not to vote a particular proxy, if the costs and burdens exceed the benefits of
voting (e.g., when securities are subject to loan or to share blocking restrictions).
If a request for proxy presents a conflict of interest between our stockholders on the one
hand, and the Adviser, the principal underwriters, or any affiliated persons of us, on the other
hand, management may (i) disclose the potential conflict to the Board of Directors and obtain
consent; or (ii) establish an ethical wall or other informational barrier between the persons
involved in the conflict and the persons making the voting decisions.
Information regarding how we voted proxies for the period from our commencement of operations
through June 30, 2007, is available without charge by calling us at 1-866-362-9331. You also may
access this information on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. The Advisers website at
www.tortoiseadvisors.com provides a link to all of our reports filed with the SEC.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Ernst & Young LLP, 1200 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri, serves as our independent
registered public accounting firm. Ernst & Young LLP provides audit and audit-related services,
tax return preparation and assistance and consultation in connection with review of our filings
with the SEC.
INTERNAL ACCOUNTANT
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (U.S. Bancorp) serves as our internal accountant. For its
services, we pay U.S. Bancorp a fee computed at $24,000 for the first $50 million of our net
assets, 0.0125% on the next $200 million of net assets and 0.0075% on the balance of our net
assets. For the fiscal years ended November 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005, we paid U.S. Bancorp $88,428,
$67,856 and $60,831, respectively, for internal accounting services.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the common
stock, preferred stock and debt securities offered hereby, has been filed by us with the SEC. The
prospectus, prospectus supplement, and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain all
of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules
thereto. Please refer to the Registration Statement for further information with respect to us and
the offering of our securities. Statements contained in the prospectus, prospectus supplement, and
this Statement of Additional Information as to the contents of any contract or other document
referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such
contract or other document filed as an exhibit to a Registration Statement, each such statement
being qualified in all respects by such reference. Copies of the Registration Statement may be
inspected without charge at the SECs principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or
any part thereof may be obtained from the SEC upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the
SEC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Our 2007 Annual Report, which contains our audited financial statements as of November 30,
2007 and for the year then ended, notes thereto, and other information about us is incorporated by
reference into, and shall accompany, this Statement of Additional Information.
S-37
Our 2007 Annual Report includes supplemental financial information which presents selected
ratios as a percentage of our total investment portfolio and a calculation of our distributable
cash flow (DCF) and related information. You may request a free copy of the Statement of
Additional Information, our annual, semi-annual and quarterly reports, or make other requests for
information about us, by calling toll-free 1-866-362-9331, or by writing to us at 10801 Mastin
Boulevard, Suite 222, Overland Park, Kansas 66210.
S-38
APPENDIX A
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE
AND FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
The following is a summary of certain provisions of the indenture dated July 13, 2004 (the
Original Indenture) and the form of Supplemental Indenture dated . This summary does
not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture, a copy
of which is on file with the SEC.
DEFINITIONS
AA Composite Commercial Paper Rate on any date means (i) the interest equivalent of
(1) the 7-day rate, in the case of a Rate Period which is 7 days or shorter, (2) the 30-day rate,
in the case of a Rate Period which is a Standard Rate Period greater than 7 days but fewer than or
equal to 31 days, or (3) the 180-day rate, in the case of all other Rate Periods, on financial
commercial paper on behalf of issuers whose corporate bonds are rated AA by S&P, or the
equivalent of such rating by another nationally recognized rating agency, as announced by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the close of business on the Business Day immediately
preceding such date; or (ii) if the Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not make available such a
rate, then the arithmetic average of the interest equivalent of such rates on financial commercial
paper placed on behalf of such issuers, as quoted on a discount basis or otherwise by the
Commercial Paper Dealers to the Auction Agent for the close of business on the Business Day
immediately preceding such date (rounded to the next highest .001 of 1%). If any Commercial Paper
Dealer does not quote a rate required to determine the AA Composite Commercial Paper Rate, such
rate shall be determined on the basis of the quotations (or quotation) furnished by the remaining
Commercial Paper Dealers (or Dealer), if any, or, if there are no such Commercial Paper Dealers, a
nationally recognized dealer in commercial paper of such issues then making such quotations
selected by the Company. For purposes of this definition, (A) Commercial Paper Dealers shall
mean (1) Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated and Goldman Sachs & Co.; (2) in lieu of any thereof, its respective Affiliate or
successor; and (3) in the event that any of the foregoing shall cease to quote rates for financial
commercial paper of issuers of the sort described above, in substitution therefor, a nationally
recognized dealer in financial commercial paper of such issuers then making such quotations
selected by the Company, and (B) interest equivalent of a rate stated on a discount basis for
financial commercial paper of a given number of days maturity shall mean a number equal to the
quotient (rounded upward to the next higher one-thousandth of 1%) of (1) such rate expressed as a
decimal, divided by (2) the difference between (x) 1.00 and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which
shall be the product of such rate expressed as a decimal, multiplied by the number of days in which
such commercial paper shall mature and the denominator of which shall be 360.
Affiliate means any person controlled by, in control of or under common control with the
Company; provided that no Broker-Dealer controlled by, in control of or under common control with
the Company shall be deemed to be an Affiliate nor shall any corporation or any person controlled
by, in control of or under common control with such corporation one of the directors or executive
officers of which is also a Director of the Company be deemed to be an Affiliate solely because
such director or executive officer is also a Director of the Company.
Agent Member means a member of or participant in the Securities Depository that will act on
behalf of a Bidder.
All Hold Rate means 80% of the AA Composite Commercial Paper Rate.
A-1
Applicable Rate means the rate determined in accordance with the procedures in
paragraph (c)(i) of Interest in this Appendix A.
Auction means each periodic implementation of the Auction Procedures.
Auction Agent means The Bank of New York unless and until another commercial bank, trust
company, or other financial institution appointed by a resolution of the Board of Directors enters
into an agreement with the Company to follow the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining
the Applicable Rate.
Auction Agreement means the agreement between the Auction Agent and the Company pursuant to
which the Auction Agent agrees to follow the procedures specified in Appendix A-I Tortoise Notes
Auction Procedures, as such agreement may from time to time be amended or supplemented.
Auction Date means the first Business Day next preceding the first day of a Rate Period for
each series of Tortoise Notes.
Auction Desk means the business unit of a Broker-Dealer that fulfills the responsibilities
of the Broker-Dealer under a Broker-Dealer Agreement, including soliciting Bids for the Tortoise
Notes, and units of the Broker-Dealer which are not separated from such business unit by
information controls appropriate to control, limit and monitor the inappropriate dissemination of
information about Bids.
Auction Period means with respect to the Tortoise Notes, either a Standard Auction Period or
a Special Auction Period, as applicable.
Auction Procedures means the procedures for conducting Auctions set forth in Appendix A-I
hereto.
Auction Rate means for each series of Tortoise Notes for each Auction Period, (i) if
Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, the Winning Bid Rate, provided, however, if all of the Tortoise
Notes are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders, the All Hold Rate for such series of Tortoise Notes
and (ii) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist, the Maximum Rate for such series of Tortoise
Notes.
Authorized Denomination means $25,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
Available Tortoise Notes means for each series of Tortoise Notes on each Auction Date, the
number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such series that are not the subject of Submitted Hold Orders.
Beneficial Owner, with respect to each series of Tortoise Notes, means a customer of a
Broker-Dealer who is listed on the records of that Broker-Dealer (or, if applicable, the Auction
Agent) as a holder of such series of Tortoise Notes.
Bid shall have the meaning specified in Appendix A-I Tortoise Notes Auction Procedures.
Bidder means each Beneficial Owner, Potential Beneficial Owner and Broker Dealer who places
an Order.
Board of Directors or Board means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly
authorized committee thereof as permitted by applicable law.
Broker-Dealer means any broker-dealer or broker-dealers, or other entity permitted by law to
perform the function required of a Broker-Dealer by the Auction Procedures, that has been selected
by the Company and that is a party to a Broker-Dealer Agreement with the Auction Agent. The
Broker-
A-2
Dealer of record with respect to any Tortoise Notes is the Broker-Dealer which placed the
Order for such Tortoise Note or whom the Existing Holder of such Tortoise Note has designated as
its Broker-Dealer with respect to such Tortoise Note, in each case as reflected in the records of
the Auction Agent.
Broker-Dealer Agreement means an agreement between the Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer,
pursuant to which such Broker-Dealer agrees to follow the Auction Procedures.
Broker-Dealer Deadline means, with respect to an Order, the internal deadline established by
the Broker-Dealer through which the Order was placed after which it will not accept Orders or any
change in any Order previously placed with such Broker-Dealer; provided, however, that nothing
shall prevent the Broker-Dealer from correcting Clerical Errors by the Broker-Dealer with respect
to Orders from Bidders after the Broker-Dealer Deadline pursuant to the provisions herein. Any
Broker-Dealer may change the time or times of its Broker-Dealer Deadline as it relates to such
Broker-Dealer by giving notice not less than two Business Days prior to the date such change is to
take effect to Bidders who place Orders through such Broker-Dealer.
Business Day means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and which
is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in the City of New York, New York are
authorized or obligated by law to close, days on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is not
open for business, days on which banking institutions or trust companies located in the state in
which the operations of the Auction Agent are conducted are authorized or required to be closed by
law, regulation or executive order of the state in which the Auction Agent conducts operations with
respect to the Tortoise Notes.
Clerical Error means a clerical error in the processing of an Order, and includes, but is
not limited to, the following: (i) a transmission error, including but not limited to, an Order
sent to the wrong address or number, failure to transmit certain pages or illegible transmission,
(ii) failure to transmit an Order received from one or more Existing Holders or Potential
Beneficial Owners (including Orders from the Broker-Dealer which were not originated by the Auction
Desk) prior to the Broker-Dealer Deadline or generated by the Broker-Dealers Auction Desk for its
own account prior to the Submission Deadline or (iii) a typographical error. Determining whether
an error is a Clerical Error is within the reasonable judgment of the Broker-Dealer, provided
that the Broker-Dealer has a record of the correct Order that shows it was so received or so
generated prior to the Broker-Dealer Deadline or the Submission Deadline, as applicable.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Commercial Paper Dealers has the meaning set forth in the definition of AA Composite
Commercial Paper Rate.
Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Default Rate means the Reference Rate multiplied by three (3).
Deposit Securities means cash and any obligations or securities, including short term money
market instruments that are Eligible Assets, rated at least AAA, A-2 or SP-2 by Fitch, except that,
such obligations or securities shall be considered Deposit Securities only if they are also rated
at least P-2 by Moodys.
Discount Factor means the Moodys Discount Factor (if Moodys is then rating the Tortoise
Notes), Fitch Discount Factor (if Fitch is then rating the Tortoise Notes) or an Other Rating
Agency Discount Factor, whichever is applicable.
A-3
Discounted Value means the quotient of the Market Value of an Eligible Asset divided by the
applicable Discount Factor, provided that with respect to an Eligible Asset that is currently
callable, Discounted Value will be equal to the quotient as calculated above or the call price,
whichever is lower, and that with respect to an Eligible Asset that is prepayable, Discounted Value
will be equal to the quotient as calculated above or the par value, whichever is lower.
Eligible Assets means Moodys Eligible Assets or Fitchs Eligible Assets (if Moodys or
Fitch are then rating the Tortoise Notes) and/or Other Rating Agency Eligible Assets, whichever is
applicable.
Error Correction Deadline means one hour after the Auction Agent completes the dissemination
of the results of the Auction to Broker-Dealers without regard to the time of receipt of such
results by any Broker-Dealer; provided, however, in no event shall the Error Correction Deadline
extend past 4:00 p.m., New York City time unless the Auction Agent experiences technological
failure or force majeure in disseminating the Auction results which causes a delay in dissemination
past 3:00 p.m., New York City time.
Existing Holder, with respect to Tortoise Notes of a series, shall mean a Broker-Dealer (or
any such other Person as may be permitted by the Company) that is listed on the records of the
Auction Agent as a holder of Tortoise Notes of such series.
Fitch means Fitch Ratings and its successors at law.
Fitch Discount Factor means the discount factors set forth in the Fitch Guidelines for use
in calculating the Discounted Value of the Companys assets in connection with Fitchs ratings of
Tortoise Notes.
Fitch Eligible Asset means assets of the Company set forth in the Fitch Guidelines as
eligible for inclusion in calculating the Discounted Value of the Companys assets in connection
with Fitchs ratings of Tortoise Notes.
Fitch Guidelines mean the guidelines provided by Fitch, as may be amended from time to time,
in connection with Fitchs ratings of Tortoise Notes.
Hold Order shall have the meaning specified in Appendix A-I Tortoise Notes Auction
Procedures or an Order deemed to have been submitted as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 1 of
Appendix A-I Tortoise Notes Auction Procedures.
Holder means, with respect to Tortoise Notes, the registered holder of notes of each series
of Tortoise Notes as the same appears on the books or records of the Company.
Index means on any Auction Date with respect to Tortoise Notes in any Auction Period of 35
days or less the applicable LIBOR rate. The Index with respect to Tortoise Notes in any Auction
Period of more than 35 days shall be the rate on United States Treasury Securities having a
maturity which most closely approximates the length of the Auction Period as last published in The
Wall Street Journal or such other source as may be mutually agreed upon by the Trustee and the
Broker-Dealers. If either rate is unavailable, the Index shall be an index or rate agreed to by
all Broker-Dealers and consented to by the Company. For the purpose of this definition an Auction
Period of 35 days or less means a 35-day Auction Period or shorter Auction Period, i.e., a 35-day
Auction Period which is extended because of a holiday would still be considered an Auction Period
of 35 days or less.
A-4
Interest Payment Date when used with respect to any Tortoise Notes, means the date on which
an installment of interest on such Tortoise Notes shall be due and payable which generally shall be
the day next following an Auction Date.
LIBOR means, for purposes of determining the Reference Rate, (i) the rate for deposits in
U.S. dollars for the designated Rate Period, which appears on display page 3750 of Moneylines
Telerate Service (Telerate Page 3750) (or such other page as may replace that page on that
service, or such other service as may be selected by Lehman Brothers Inc. or its successors) as of
11:00 a.m., London time, on the day that is the Business Day on the Auction Date or, if the Auction
Date is not a Business Day, the Business Day preceding the Auction Date (the LIBOR Determination
Date), or (ii) if such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750 or such other page as may
replace such Telerate Page 3750, (A) Lehman Brothers Inc. shall determine the arithmetic mean of
the offered quotations of the reference banks to leading banks in the London interbank market for
deposits in U.S. dollars for the designated Rate Period in an amount determined by Lehman Brothers
Inc. by reference to requests for quotations as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such
date made by Lehman Brothers Inc. to the reference banks, (B) if at least two of the reference
banks provide such quotations, LIBOR shall equal such arithmetic mean of such quotations, (C) if
only one or none of the reference banks provide such quotations, LIBOR shall be deemed to be the
arithmetic mean of the offered quotations that leading banks in The City of New York, New York
selected by Lehman Brothers Inc. (after obtaining the Companys approval) are quoting on the
relevant LIBOR Determination Date for deposits in U.S. dollars for the designated Rate Period in an
amount determined by Lehman Brothers Inc. (after obtaining the Companys approval) that is
representative of a single transaction in such market at such time by reference to the principal
London office of leading banks in the London interbank market; provided, however, that if Lehman
Brothers Inc. is not a Broker-Dealer or does not quote a rate required to determine LIBOR, LIBOR
will be determined on the basis of the quotation or quotations furnished by any other Broker-Dealer
selected by the Company to provide such rate or rates not being supplied by Lehman Brothers Inc.;
provided further, that if Lehman Brothers Inc. and/or a substitute Broker-Dealer are required but
unable to determine a rate in accordance with at least one of the procedures provided above, LIBOR
shall be the most recently determinable LIBOR. If the number of Rate Period days shall be (i) 7 or
more but fewer than 21 days, such rate shall be the seven-day LIBOR rate; (ii) more than 21 but
fewer than 49 days, such rate shall be one-month LIBOR rate; (iii) 49 or more but fewer than 77
days, such rate shall be the two-month LIBOR rate; (iv) 77 or more but fewer than 112 days, such
rate shall be the three-month LIBOR rate; (v) 112 or more but fewer than 140 days, such rate shall
be the four-month LIBOR rate; (vi) 140 or more but fewer than 168 days, such rate shall be the
five-month LIBOR rate; (vii) 168 or more but fewer than 189 days, such rate shall be the six-month
LIBOR rate; (viii) 189 or more but fewer than 217 days, such rate shall be the seven-month LIBOR
rate; (ix) 217 or more but fewer than 252 days, such rate shall be the eight-month LIBOR rate;
(x) 252 or more but fewer than 287 days, such rate shall be the nine-month LIBOR rate; (xi) 287 or
more but fewer than 315 days, such rate shall be the ten-month LIBOR rate; (xii) 315 or more but
fewer than 343 days, such rate shall be the eleven-month LIBOR rate; and (xiii) 343 or more but
fewer than 365 days, such rate shall be the twelve-month LIBOR rate.
Market Value means the market value of an asset of the Company determined as follows: For
equity securities, the value obtained from readily available market quotations. If an equity
security is not traded on an exchange or not available from a Board-approved pricing service, the
value obtained from written broker-dealer quotations. For fixed-income securities, the value
obtained from readily available market quotations based on the last sale price of a security on the
day the Company values its assets or the market value obtained from a pricing service or the value
obtained from a direct written broker-dealer quotation from a dealer who has made a market in the
security. Market Value for other securities will mean the value obtained pursuant to the
Companys valuation procedures. If the market value of a security cannot be obtained, or the
Companys investment adviser determines that the value of a security
A-5
as so obtained does not represent the fair value of a security, fair value for that security
shall be determined pursuant to the valuation procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.
Maximum Rate means, on any date on which the Applicable Rate is determined, the rate equal
to the applicable percentage of the Reference Rate, subject to upward but not downward adjustment
in the discretion of the Board of Directors after consultation with the Broker-Dealers, provided
that immediately following any such increase the Company would be in compliance with the Tortoise
Notes Basic Maintenance Amount.
Minimum Rate means, on any Auction Date with respect to a Rate Period of ___days or fewer,
70% of the AA Composite Commercial Paper Rate at the close of business on the Business Day next
preceding such Auction Date. There shall be no Minimum Rate on any Auction Date with respect to a
Rate Period of more than the Standard Rate Period.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors at
law.
Moodys Discount Factor means the discount factors set forth in the Moodys Guidelines for
use in calculating the Discounted Value of the Companys assets in connection with Moodys ratings
of Tortoise Notes.
Moodys Eligible Assets means assets of the Company set forth in the Moodys Guidelines as
eligible for inclusion in calculating the Discounted Value of the Companys assets in connection
with Moodys ratings of Tortoise Notes.
Moodys Guidelines mean the guidelines provided by Moodys, as may be amended from time to
time, in connection with Moodys ratings of Tortoise Notes.
1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage means asset coverage, as determined in accordance
with Section 18(h) of the Investment Company Act, of at least 300% with respect to all outstanding
senior securities representing indebtedness of the Company, including all Outstanding Tortoise
Notes (or such other asset coverage as may in the future be specified in or under the Investment
Company Act as the minimum asset coverage for senior securities representing indebtedness of a
closed-end investment company as a condition of declaring dividends on its common stock),
determined on the basis of values calculated as of a time within 48 hours next preceding the time
of such determination.
Notes means Securities of the Company ranking on a parity with the Tortoise Notes that may
be issued from time to time pursuant to the Indenture.
Order means a Hold Order, Bid or Sell Order.
Original Issue Date means, with respect to the Tortoise Notes, Series ___, .
Other Rating Agency means each rating agency, if any, other than Moodys or Fitch then
providing a rating for the Tortoise Notes pursuant to the request of the Company.
Other Rating Agency Discount Factor means the discount factors set forth in the Other Rating
Agency Guidelines of each Other Rating Agency for use in calculating the Discounted Value of the
Companys assets in connection with the Other Rating Agencys rating of Tortoise Notes.
Other Rating Agency Eligible Assets means assets of the Company set forth in the Other
Rating Agency Guidelines of each Other Rating Agency as eligible for inclusion in calculating the
A-6
Discounted Value of the Companys assets in connection with the Other Rating Agencys rating
of Tortoise Notes.
Other Rating Agency Guidelines mean the guidelines provided by each Other Rating Agency, as
may be amended from time to time, in connection with the Other Rating Agencys rating of Tortoise
Notes.
Outstanding or outstanding means, as of any date, Tortoise Notes theretofore issued by the
Company except, without duplication, (i) any Tortoise Notes theretofore canceled, redeemed or
repurchased by the Company, or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or with respect to which
the Company has given notice of redemption and irrevocably deposited with the Paying Agent
sufficient funds to redeem such Tortoise Notes and (ii) any Tortoise Notes represented by any
certificate in lieu of which a new certificate has been executed and delivered by the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) in connection with any Auction, any series of Tortoise Notes as
to which the Company or any person known to the Auction Agent to be an Affiliate of the Company
shall be the Existing Holder thereof shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding; and
(B) for purposes of determining the Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount, Tortoise Notes held by
the Company shall be disregarded and not deemed Outstanding but Tortoise Notes held by any
Affiliate of the Company shall be deemed Outstanding.
Paying Agent means BNY Midwest Trust Company unless and until another entity appointed by a
resolution of the Board of Directors enters into an agreement with the Company to serve as paying
agent, transfer agent, registrar, and redemption agent with respect to the Tortoise Notes, which
Paying Agent may be the same as the Trustee or the Auction Agent.
Person or person means and includes an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a trust,
a company, an unincorporated association, a joint venture or other entity or a government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof.
Potential Beneficial Owner, with respect to a series of Tortoise Notes, shall mean a
customer of a Broker-Dealer that is not a Beneficial Owner of Tortoise Notes of such series but
that wishes to purchase Tortoise Notes of such series, or that is a Beneficial Owner of Tortoise
Notes of such series that wishes to purchase additional Tortoise Notes of such series; provided,
however, that for purposes of conducting an Auction, the Auction Agent may consider a Broker-Dealer
acting on behalf of its customer as a Potential Beneficial Owner.
Potential Holder, with respect to Tortoise Notes of such series, shall mean a Broker-Dealer
(or any such other person as may be permitted by the Company) that is not an Existing Holder of
Tortoise Notes of such series or that is an Existing Holder of Tortoise Notes of such series that
wishes to become the Existing Holder of additional Tortoise Notes of such series; provided,
however, that for purposes of conducting an Auction, the Auction Agent may consider a Broker-Dealer
acting on behalf of its customer as a Potential Holder.
Rate Period means, with respect to a series of Tortoise Notes, the period commencing on the
Original Issue Date thereof and ending on the date specified for such series on the Original Issue
Date thereof and thereafter, as to such series, the period commencing on the day following each
Rate Period for such series and ending on the day established for such series by the Company.
Rating Agency means each of Fitch (if Fitch is then rating Tortoise Notes), Moodys (if
Moodys is then rating Tortoise Notes) and any Other Rating Agency.
A-7
Rating Agency Guidelines mean Fitch Guidelines (if Fitch is then rating Tortoise Notes),
Moodys Guidelines (if Moodys is then rating Tortoise Notes) and any Other Rating Agency
Guidelines (if any other Rating Agency is then rating Tortoise Notes), whichever is applicable.
Redemption Date, when used with respect to any Tortoise Note to be redeemed, means the date
fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to the Indenture.
Redemption Price, when used with respect to any Tortoise Note to be redeemed, means the
price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to the Indenture.
Reference Rate means, with respect to the determination of the Maximum Rate and Default
Rate, the greater of (i) the applicable AA Composite Commercial Paper Rate (for a Rate Period of
fewer than 184 days) or the applicable Treasury Index Rate (for a Rate Period of 184 days or more),
or (ii) the applicable LIBOR Rate.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
Securities Depository means The Depository Trust Company and its successors and assigns or
any successor securities depository selected by the Company that agrees to follow the procedures
required to be followed by such securities depository in connection with the Tortoise Notes
Series ___.
Sell Order shall have the meaning specified in Appendix A-I Tortoise Notes Auction
Procedures.
Special Auction Period means an Auction Period that is not a Standard Auction Period.
Special Rate Period means a Rate Period that is not a Standard Rate Period.
Specific Redemption Provisions means, with respect to any Special Rate Period of more than
one year, either, or any combination of (i) a period (a Non-Call Period) determined by the Board
of Directors after consultation with the Broker-Dealers, during which the Tortoise Notes subject to
such Special Rate Period are not subject to redemption at the option of the Issuer pursuant to
Section 2.03(a)(ii) and (ii) a period (a Premium Call Period), consisting of a number of whole
years as determined by the Board of Directors after consultation with the Broker-Dealers, during
each year of which the Tortoise Notes subject to such Special Rate Period shall be redeemable at
the Issuers option pursuant to Section 2.03(a)(i) and/or in connection with any mandatory
redemption pursuant to Section 2.03(a)(ii) at a price equal to the principal amount plus accrued
but unpaid interest plus a premium expressed as a percentage or percentages of $25,000 or expressed
as a formula using specified variables as determined by the Board of Directors after consultation
with the Broker-Dealers.
Standard Auction Period means an Auction Period of ___days.
Standard Rate Period means a Rate Period of ___days.
Stated Maturity with respect to Tortoise Notes Series ___, shall mean .
Submission Deadline means 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on any Auction Date or such other
time on such date as shall be specified by the Auction Agent from time to time pursuant to the
Auction Agreement as the time by which the Broker-Dealers are required to submit Orders to the
Auction Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Auction Agent will follow the Securities
Industry and Financial Markets Associations Early Market Close Recommendations for shortened
trading days for the bond markets (the SIFMA Recommendation) unless the Auction Agent is
instructed otherwise in
A-8
writing by the Company. In the event of a SIFMA Recommendation with respect to an Auction
Date, the Submission Deadline will be 11:30 A.M., instead of 1:00 P.M., New York City time.
Submitted Bid shall have the meaning specified in Appendix A-I Tortoise Notes Auction
Procedures.
Submitted Hold Order shall have the meaning specified in Appendix A-I Tortoise Notes Auction
Procedures.
Submitted Order shall have the meaning specified in Appendix A-I Tortoise Notes Auction
Procedures.
Submitted Sell Order shall have the meaning specified in Appendix A-I Tortoise Notes Auction
Procedures.
Sufficient Clearing Bids means for each series of Tortoise Notes, an Auction for which the
number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such series that are the subject of Submitted Bids by
Potential Beneficial Owners specifying one or more rates not higher than the Maximum Rate is not
less than the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such series that are the subject of Submitted
Sell Orders and of Submitted Bids by Existing Holders specifying rates higher than the Maximum
Rate.
Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount as of any Valuation Date has the meaning set forth
in the Rating Agency Guidelines.
Tortoise Notes Series ___ means the Series ___Tortoise Notes or any other Notes hereinafter
designated as Series ___of the Tortoise Notes.
Treasury Index Rate means the average yield to maturity for actively traded marketable U.S.
Treasury fixed interest rate securities having the same number of 30-day periods to maturity as the
length of the applicable Rate Period, determined, to the extent necessary, by linear interpolation
based upon the yield for such securities having the next shorter and next longer number of 30-day
periods to maturity treating all Rate Periods with a length greater than the longest maturity for
such securities as having a length equal to such longest maturity, in all cases based upon data set
forth in the most recent weekly statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (currently in H.15(519)); provided, however, if the most recent such
statistical release shall not have been published during the 15 days preceding the date of
computation, the foregoing computations shall be based upon the average of comparable data as
quoted to the Company by at least three recognized dealers in U.S. Government securities selected
by the Company.
Trustee means BNY Midwest Trust Company or such other person who is named as a trustee
pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
Unit means, with respect to each series of Tortoise Notes, the principal amount of the
minimum Authorized Denomination of the Tortoise Notes.
Valuation Date means every Friday, or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding
Business Day; provided, however, that the first Valuation Date may occur on any other date
established by the Company; provided, further, however, that such first Valuation Date shall be not
more than one week from the date on which Tortoise Notes Series ___initially are issued.
Winning Bid Rate means for each series of Tortoise Notes, the lowest rate specified in any
Submitted Bid of such series of Tortoise Notes which if selected by the Auction Agent as the
Applicable
A-9
Rate would cause the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such series that are the subject of
Submitted Bids specifying a rate not greater than such rate to be not less than the number of Units
of Available Tortoise Notes of such series.
NOTE DETAILS, FORM OF NOTES AND REDEMPTION OF NOTES
Section 2.02 Interest
(a) The Holders of any series of Tortoise Notes shall be entitled to receive interest payments
on their Tortoise Notes at the Applicable Rate, determined as set forth in paragraph (c) below, and
no more, payable on the respective dates determined as set forth in paragraph (b) of this
Section 2.02. Interest on the Outstanding Tortoise Notes of any series issued on the Original
Issue Date shall accumulate from the Original Issue Date.
(b)(i) Interest shall be payable, subject to subparagraph (b)(ii) below, on each series of
Tortoise Notes, with respect to any Rate Period on the first Business Day following the last day of
such Rate Period; provided, however, if the Rate Period is greater than 30 days then on a monthly
basis on the first Business Day of each month within such Rate Period, not including the initial
Rate Period, and on the Business Day following the last day of such Rate Period.
(ii) If a day for payment of interest resulting from the application of subparagraph
(b)(i) above is not a Business Day, then the Interest Payment Date shall be the first
Business Day following such day for payment of interest in the case of a series of Tortoise
Notes designated as Series ___.
(iii) The Company shall pay to the Paying Agent not later than 3:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Business Day next preceding each Interest Payment Date for each series of
Tortoise Notes, an aggregate amount of funds available on the next Business Day in the City
of New York, New York, equal to the interest to be paid to all Holders of such Tortoise
Notes on such Interest Payment Date. The Company shall not be required to establish any
reserves for the payment of interest.
(iv) All moneys paid to the Paying Agent for the payment of interest shall be held in
trust for the payment of such interest by the Paying Agent for the benefit of the Holders
specified in subparagraph (b)(v) below. Any moneys paid to the Paying Agent in accordance
with the foregoing but not applied by the Paying Agent to the payment of interest, including
interest earned on such moneys, will, to the extent permitted by law, be repaid to the
Company at the end of 90 days from the date on which such moneys were to have been so
applied.
(v) Each interest payment on a series of Tortoise Notes shall be paid on the Interest
Payment Date therefor to the Holders of that series as their names appear on the security
ledger or security records of the Company on the Business Day next preceding such Interest
Payment Date. Interest in arrears for any past Rate Period may be declared and paid at any
time, without reference to any regular Interest Payment Date, to the Holders as their names
appear on the books or records of the Company on such date, not exceeding 15 days preceding
the payment date thereof, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors. No interest will be
payable in respect of any Interest Payment or payments which may be in arrears.
(c)(i) The interest rate on Outstanding Tortoise Notes of each series during the period from
and after the Original Issue Date to and including the last day of the initial Rate Period therefor
shall be equal to ___%. For each subsequent Rate Period with respect to the Tortoise Notes
Outstanding thereafter, the
A-10
interest rate shall be equal to the rate per annum that results from an Auction; provided,
however, that if an Auction for any subsequent Rate Period of a series of Tortoise Notes is not
held for any reason or if Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made in an Auction (other than as
a result of all series of Tortoise Notes being the subject of Submitted Hold Orders), then the
interest rate on a series of Tortoise Notes for any such Rate Period shall be the Maximum Rate
(except during a Default Period (as defined below) when the interest rate shall be the Default
Rate, as set forth in (c)(ii) below). The All Hold Rate will apply automatically following an
Auction in which all of the Outstanding series of Tortoise Notes are subject (or are deemed to be
subject) to Hold Orders. The rate per annum at which interest is payable on a series of Tortoise
Notes as determined pursuant to this Section 2(c)(i) shall be the Applicable Rate. For Standard
Rate Periods or shorter periods only, the Applicable Rate resulting from an Auction will not be
less than the Minimum Rate.
(ii) Subject to the cure provisions below, a Default Period with respect to a
particular series will commence on any date the Company fails to deposit irrevocably in
trust in same-day funds, with the Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, (A) the
full amount of any redemption price (the Redemption Price) payable on the date fixed for
redemption (the Redemption Date) (a Redemption Default, which shall constitute an Event
of Default pursuant to Section 5.1(7) of the Original Indenture) or (B) the full amount of
any accrued interest on that series payable on the Interest Payment Date (an Interest
Default and together with a Redemption Default, hereinafter referred to as Default).
Subject to the cure provisions of (c)(iii) below, a Default Period with respect to an
Interest Default or a Redemption Default shall end on the Business Day on which, by 12:00
noon, New York City time, all unpaid interest and any unpaid Redemption Price shall have
been deposited irrevocably in trust in same-day funds with the Paying Agent. In the case of
an Interest Default, the Applicable Rate for each Rate Period commencing during a Default
Period will be equal to the Default Rate, and each subsequent Rate Period commencing after
the beginning of a Default Period shall be a Standard Rate Period; provided, however, that
the commencement of a Default Period will not by itself cause the commencement of a new Rate
Period. No Auction shall be held during a Default Period with respect to an Interest
Default applicable to that series of Tortoise Notes.
(iii) No Default Period with respect to an Interest Default or Redemption Default shall
be deemed to commence if the amount of any interest or any Redemption Price due (if such
default is not solely due to the willful failure of the Company) is deposited irrevocably in
trust, in same-day funds with the Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time within
three Business Days after the applicable Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, together
with an amount equal to the Default Rate applied to the amount of such non-payment based on
the actual number of days comprising such period divided by 360 for each series. The
Default Rate shall be equal to the Reference Rate multiplied by three (3).
(iv) The amount of interest per Unit of Tortoise Notes payable on each Interest Payment
Date of each Rate Period of less than one (1) year (or in respect of interest on another
date in connection with a redemption during such Rate Period) shall be computed by
multiplying the Applicable Rate (or the Default Rate) for such Rate Period (or a portion
thereof) by a fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of days in such Rate
Period (or portion thereof) that such Tortoise Notes were outstanding and for which the
Applicable Rate or the Default Rate was applicable and the denominator of which will be 360,
multiplying the amount so obtained by $25,000, and rounding the amount so obtained to the
nearest cent. During any Rate Period of one (1) year or more, the amount of interest per
Unit of Tortoise Notes payable on any Interest Payment Date (or in respect of interest on
another date in connection with a redemption during such Rate Period) shall be computed as
described in the preceding sentence.
A-11
(d) Any Interest Payment made on any series of Tortoise Notes shall first be credited against
the earliest accrued but unpaid interest due with respect to such series.
Section 2.03 Redemption
(a)(i) After the initial Rate Period, subject to the provisions of the Indenture and to the
extent permitted under the Investment Company Act, the Company may, at its option, redeem in whole
or in part out of funds legally available therefor a series of Tortoise Notes designated in the
Indenture as (A) having a Rate Period of one year or less, on the Business Day after the last day
of such Rate Period by delivering a notice of redemption not less than 15 days and not more than
40 days prior to the date fixed for such redemption, at a redemption price equal to the aggregate
principal amount, plus an amount equal to accrued but unpaid interest thereon (whether or not
earned) to the date fixed for redemption (Redemption Price), or (B) having a Rate Period of more
than one year, on any Business Day prior to the end of the relevant Rate Period by delivering a
notice of redemption not less than 15 days and not more than 40 days prior to the date fixed for
such redemption, at the Redemption Price, plus a redemption premium, if any, determined by the
Board of Directors after consultation with the Broker-Dealers and set forth in any applicable
Specific Redemption Provisions at the time of the designation of such Rate Period as set forth in
the Indenture; provided, however, that during a Rate Period of more than one year no series of
Tortoise Notes will be subject to optional redemption except in accordance with any Specific
Redemption Provisions approved by the Board of Directors after consultation with the Broker-Dealers
at the time of the designation of such Rate Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company
shall not give a notice of or effect any redemption pursuant to this paragraph (a)(i) unless, on
the date on which the Company intends to give such notice and on the date of redemption (a) the
Company has available certain Deposit Securities with maturity or tender dates not later than the
day preceding the applicable redemption date and having a value not less than the amount (including
any applicable premium) due to Holders of a series of Tortoise Notes by reason of the redemption of
such Tortoise Notes on such date fixed for the redemption and (b) the Company would have Eligible
Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal the Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance
Amount immediately subsequent to such redemption, if such redemption were to occur on such date, it
being understood that the provisions of paragraph (d) below shall be applicable in such
circumstances in the event the Company makes the deposit and takes the other action required
thereby.
(ii) If the Company fails to maintain, as of any Valuation Date, Eligible Assets with
an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount
or, as of the last Business Day of any month, the 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage,
and such failure is not cured within ten Business Days following such Valuation Date in the
case of a failure to maintain the Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount or on the last
Business Day of the following month in the case of a failure to maintain the 1940 Act
Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage as of such last Business Day (each an Asset Coverage Cure
Date), the Tortoise Notes will be subject to mandatory redemption out of funds legally
available therefor. The aggregate principal amount of Tortoise Notes to be redeemed in such
circumstances will be equal to the lesser of (A) the minimum principal amount of Tortoise
Notes the redemption of which, if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening
of business on the relevant Asset Coverage Cure Date, would result in the Company having
Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the Tortoise Notes
Basic Maintenance Amount, or sufficient to satisfy 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage,
as the case may be, in either case as of the relevant Asset Coverage Cure Date (provided
that, if there is no such minimum principal amount of Tortoise Notes the redemption of which
would have such result, all Tortoise Notes then Outstanding will be redeemed), and (B) the
maximum principal amount of Tortoise Notes that can be redeemed out of funds expected to be
available therefor on the Mandatory Redemption Date at the Mandatory Redemption Price set
forth in subparagraph (a)(iii) below.
A-12
(iii) In determining the Tortoise Notes required to be redeemed in accordance with the
foregoing subparagraph (a)(ii), the Company shall allocate the aggregate principal amount of
Tortoise Notes required to be redeemed to satisfy the Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance
Amount or the 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage, as the case may be, pro rata among the
Holders of Tortoise Notes in proportion to the aggregate principal amount of Tortoise Notes
they hold, by lot or by such other method as the Company shall deem equitable, subject to
the further provisions of this subparagraph (iii). The Company shall effect any required
mandatory redemption pursuant to subparagraph (a)(ii) above no later than 40 days after the
Asset Coverage Cure Date (the Mandatory Redemption Date), except that if the Company does
not have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is not otherwise legally
permitted to redeem, the aggregate principal amount of Tortoise Notes which would be
required to be redeemed by the Company under clause (A) of subparagraph (a)(ii) above if
sufficient funds were available, or the Company otherwise is unable to effect such
redemption on or prior to such Mandatory Redemption Date, the Company shall redeem those
Tortoise Notes, and other Notes, on the earliest practicable date on which the Company will
have such funds available, upon notice pursuant to paragraph (b) below to record owners of
the Tortoise Notes to be redeemed and the Paying Agent. The Company will deposit with the
Paying Agent funds sufficient to redeem the specified aggregate principal amount of Tortoise
Notes with respect to a redemption required under subparagraph (a)(ii) above, by 1:00 p.m.,
New York City time, of the Business Day immediately preceding the Mandatory Redemption Date.
If fewer than all of the Outstanding Tortoise Notes are to be redeemed pursuant to this
subparagraph (iii), the aggregate principal amount of Tortoise Notes to be redeemed shall be
redeemed pro rata from the Holders of such Tortoise Notes in proportion to the aggregate
principal amount of such Tortoise Notes held by such Holders, by lot or by such other method
as the Company shall deem fair and equitable, subject, however, to the terms of any
applicable Specific Redemption Provisions. Mandatory Redemption Price means the
Redemption Price plus (in the case of a Rate Period of one year or more only) a redemption
premium, if any, determined by the Board of Directors after consultation with the
Broker-Dealers and set forth in any applicable Specific Redemption Provisions.
(b) In the event of a redemption pursuant to paragraph (a) above, the Company will file a
notice of its intention to redeem with the Commission so as to provide at least the minimum notice
required under Rule 23c-2 under the Investment Company Act or any successor provision. In
addition, the Company shall deliver a notice of redemption to the Auction Agent and the Trustee
(the Notice of Redemption) containing the information set forth below (i) in the case of an
optional redemption pursuant to subparagraph (a)(i) above, at least three Business Days prior to
the giving of notice to the Holders and (ii) in the case of a mandatory redemption pursuant to
subparagraph (a)(ii) above, on or prior to the 30th day preceding the Mandatory Redemption Date.
The Trustee will use its reasonable efforts to provide notice to each Holder of Tortoise Notes
called for redemption by electronic or other reasonable means not later than the close of business
on the Business Day immediately following the day on which the Trustee determines the Tortoise
Notes to be redeemed (or, during a Default Period with respect to such Tortoise Notes, not later
than the close of business on the Business Day immediately following the day on which the Trustee
receives Notice of Redemption from the Company). The Trustee shall confirm such notice in writing
not later than the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the date fixed for
redemption by providing the Notice of Redemption to each Holder of Tortoise Notes called for
redemption, the Paying Agent (if different from the Trustee) and the Securities Depository. Notice
of Redemption will be addressed to the registered owners of each series of Tortoise Notes at their
addresses appearing on the books or records of the Company. Such Notice of Redemption will set
forth (i) the date fixed for redemption, (ii) the principal amount and identity of Tortoise Notes
to be redeemed, (iii) the redemption price (specifying the amount of accrued interest to be
included therein and any redemption premium, if any), (iv) that interest on the Tortoise Notes to
be redeemed will cease to accrue on such date fixed for redemption, (v) applicable cusip number(s)
and (vi) the provision under which redemption shall
A-13
be made. No defect in the Notice of Redemption or in the transmittal or mailing thereof will
affect the validity of the redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law. If fewer
than all Tortoise Notes held by any Holder are to be redeemed, the Notice of Redemption mailed to
such Holder shall also specify the principal amount of Tortoise Notes to be redeemed from such
Holder.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) above, no Tortoise Notes may be redeemed
unless all interest on the Outstanding Tortoise Notes and all Notes of the Company ranking on a
parity with the Tortoise Notes, have been or are being contemporaneously paid or set aside for
payment; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of all
Outstanding Tortoise Notes pursuant to the successful completion of an otherwise lawful purchase or
exchange offer made on the same terms to, and accepted by, Holders of all Outstanding Tortoise
Notes.
(d) Upon the deposit of funds sufficient to redeem any Tortoise Notes with the Paying Agent
and the giving of the Notice of Redemption to the Trustee under paragraph (b) above, interest on
such Tortoise Notes shall cease to accrue and such Tortoise Notes shall no longer be deemed to be
Outstanding for any purpose (including, without limitation, for purposes of calculating whether the
Company has maintained the requisite Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount or the 1940 Act
Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage), and all rights of the Holder of the Tortoise Notes so called for
redemption shall cease and terminate, except the right of such Holder to receive the redemption
price specified herein, but without any interest or other additional amount. Such redemption price
shall be paid by the Paying Agent to the nominee of the Securities Depository. The Company shall
be entitled to receive from the Paying Agent, promptly after the date fixed for redemption, any
cash deposited with the Paying Agent in excess of (i) the aggregate redemption price of the
Tortoise Notes called for redemption on such date and (ii) such other amounts, if any, to which
Holders of the Tortoise Notes called for redemption may be entitled. Any funds so deposited that
are unclaimed at the end of two years from such redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by
law, be paid to the Company, after which time the Holders of Tortoise Notes so called for
redemption may look only to the Company for payment of the redemption price and all other amounts,
if any, to which they may be entitled. The Company shall be entitled to receive, from time to time
after the date fixed for redemption, any interest earned on the funds so deposited.
(e) To the extent that any redemption for which Notice of Redemption has been given is not
made by reason of the absence of legally available funds therefor, or is otherwise prohibited, such
redemption shall be made as soon as practicable to the extent such funds become legally available
or such redemption is no longer otherwise prohibited. Failure to redeem any series of Tortoise
Notes shall be deemed to exist at any time after the date specified for redemption in a Notice of
Redemption when the Company shall have failed, for any reason whatsoever, to deposit in trust with
the Paying Agent the redemption price with respect to any Tortoise Notes for which such Notice of
Redemption has been given. Notwithstanding the fact that the Company may not have redeemed any
Tortoise Notes for which a Notice of Redemption has been given, interest may be paid on a series of
Tortoise Notes and shall include those Tortoise Notes for which Notice of Redemption has been given
but for which deposit of funds has not been made.
(f) All moneys paid to the Paying Agent for payment of the redemption price of any Tortoise
Notes called for redemption shall be held in trust by the Paying Agent for the benefit of Holders
of Tortoise Notes to be redeemed.
(g) So long as any Tortoise Notes are held of record by the nominee of the Securities
Depository, the redemption price for such Tortoise Notes will be paid on the date fixed for
redemption to the nominee of the Securities Depository for distribution to Agent Members for
distribution to the persons for whom they are acting as agent.
A-14
(h) Except for the provisions described above, nothing contained herein limits any right of
the Company to purchase or otherwise acquire any Tortoise Notes outside of an Auction at any price,
whether higher or lower than the price that would be paid in connection with an optional or
mandatory redemption, so long as, at the time of any such purchase, there is no arrearage in the
payment of interest on, or the mandatory or optional redemption price with respect to, any series
of Tortoise Notes for which Notice of Redemption has been given and the Company is in compliance
with the 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage and has Eligible Assets with an aggregate
Discounted Value at least equal to the Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount after giving effect
to such purchase or acquisition on the date thereof. If fewer than all the Outstanding Tortoise
Notes of any series are redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Company, the Company shall give
notice of such transaction to the Trustee, in accordance with the procedures agreed upon by the
Board of Directors.
(i) The Board of Directors may, without further consent of the holders of the Tortoise Notes
or the holders of shares of capital stock of the Company, authorize, create or issue any class or
series of Notes, including other series of Tortoise Notes, ranking prior to or on a parity with the
Tortoise Notes to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, if, upon issuance, either
(A) the net proceeds from the sale of such Notes (or such portion thereof needed to redeem or
repurchase the Outstanding Tortoise Notes) are deposited with the Trustee in accordance with
paragraph (d), Notice of Redemption as contemplated by Section 2.03(b) has been delivered prior
thereto or is sent promptly thereafter, and such proceeds are used to redeem all Outstanding
Tortoise Notes or (B) the Company would meet the 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage, the
Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount and the requirements set forth below in Certain Other
Restrictions.
(j) If any Tortoise Notes are to be redeemed and such Tortoise Notes are held by the
Securities Depository, the Company shall include in the notice of redemption delivered to the
Securities Depository: (i) under an item entitled Publication Date for Securities Depository
Purposes, the Interest Payment Date prior to the Redemption Date, and (ii) an instruction to the
Securities Depository to (x) determine on such Publication Date after the Auction held on the
immediately preceding Auction Date has settled, the Depository participants whose Securities
Depository positions will be redeemed and the principal amount of such Tortoise Notes to be
redeemed from each such position (the Securities Depository Redemption Information), and
(y) notify the Auction Agent immediately after such determination of (A) the positions of the
Depository Participants in such Tortoise Notes immediately prior to such Auction settlement,
(B) the positions of the Depository Participants in such Tortoise Notes immediately following such
Auction settlement and (C) the Securities Depository Redemption Information. Publication Date
shall mean three Business Days after the Auction Date next preceding such Redemption Date.
Section 2.04 Designation of Rate Period
The initial Rate Period for each series of Tortoise Notes is as set forth under Designation
in the Indenture. The Company will designate the duration of subsequent Rate Periods of each
series of Tortoise Notes; provided, however, that no such designation is necessary for a Standard
Rate Period and, provided further, that any designation of a Special Rate Period shall be effective
only if (i) notice thereof shall have been given as provided herein, (ii) any failure to pay in a
timely manner to the Trustee the full amount of any interest on, or the redemption price of,
Tortoise Notes shall have been cured as provided above, (iii) Sufficient Clearing Bids shall have
existed in an Auction held on the Auction Date immediately preceding the first day of such proposed
Special Rate Period, (iv) if the Company shall have mailed a Notice of Redemption with respect to
any Tortoise Notes, the redemption price with respect to such Tortoise Notes shall have been
deposited with the Paying Agent, and (v) in the case of the designation of a Special Rate Period,
the Company has confirmed that as of the Auction Date next preceding the first day of such Special
Rate Period, it has Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted
A-15
Value at least equal to the Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount, and the Company has
consulted with the Broker-Dealers and has provided notice of such designation and otherwise
complied with the Rating Agency Guidelines.
If the Company proposes to designate any Special Rate Period, not fewer than 7 (or two
Business Days in the event the duration of the Rate Period prior to such Special Rate Period is
fewer than 8 days) nor more than 30 Business Days prior to the first day of such Special Rate
Period, notice shall be (i) made by press release and (ii) communicated by the Company by
telephonic or other means to the Trustee and confirmed in writing promptly thereafter. Each such
notice shall state (A) that the Company proposes to exercise its option to designate a succeeding
Special Rate Period, specifying the first and last days thereof and (B) that the Company will by
3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day next preceding the first day of such
Special Rate Period, notify the Auction Agent and the Trustee, who will promptly notify the
Broker-Dealers, of either (x) its determination, subject to certain conditions, to proceed with
such Special Rate Period, subject to the terms of any Specific Redemption Provisions, or (y) its
determination not to proceed with such Special Rate Period, in which latter event the succeeding
Rate Period shall be a Standard Rate Period.
No later than 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day next preceding the
first day of any proposed Special Rate Period, the Company shall deliver to the Auction Agent and
Trustee, who will promptly deliver to the Broker-Dealers and Existing Holders, either:
(i) a notice stating (A) that the Company has determined to designate the next
succeeding Rate Period as a Special Rate Period, specifying the first and last days thereof
and (B) the terms of any Specific Redemption Provisions; or
(ii) a notice stating that the Company has determined not to exercise its option to
designate a Special Rate Period.
If the Company fails to deliver either such notice with respect to any designation of any proposed
Special Rate Period to the Auction Agent or is unable to make the confirmation described above by
3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day next preceding the first day of such
proposed Special Rate Period, the Company shall be deemed to have delivered a notice to the Auction
Agent with respect to such Rate Period to the effect set forth in clause (ii) above, thereby
resulting in a Standard Rate Period.
Section 2.05 Restrictions on Transfer
Tortoise Notes may be transferred only (a) pursuant to an order placed in an Auction, (b) to
or through a Broker-Dealer or (c) to the Company or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
a transfer other than pursuant to an Auction will not be effective unless the selling Existing
Holder or the Agent Member of such Existing Holder, in the case of an Existing Holder whose
Tortoise Notes are listed in its own name on the books of the Auction Agent, or the Broker-Dealer
or Agent Member of such Broker-Dealer, in the case of a transfer between persons holding Tortoise
Notes through different Broker-Dealers, advises the Auction Agent of such transfer. The
certificates representing the Tortoise Notes issued to the Securities Depository will bear legends
with respect to the restrictions described above and stop-transfer instructions will be issued to
the Transfer Agent and/or Registrar.
Section 2.06 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage
The Company shall maintain, as of the last Business Day of each month in which any Tortoise
Notes are Outstanding, asset coverage with respect to the Tortoise Notes which is equal to or
greater than the 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage; provided, however, that subparagraph
(a)(ii) of Redemption above shall be the sole remedy in the event the Company fails to do so.
A-16
Section 2.07 Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount
So long as the Tortoise Notes are Outstanding and any Rating Agency is then rating the
Tortoise Notes, the Company shall maintain, as of each Valuation Date, Eligible Assets having an
aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount;
provided, however, that Section 2.03(a)(ii) shall be the sole remedy in the event the Company fails
to do so.
Section 2.08 Certain Other Restrictions
For so long as any Tortoise Notes are Outstanding and any Rating Agency is then rating the
Tortoise Notes, the Company will not engage in certain proscribed transactions set forth in the
Rating Agency Guidelines, unless it has received written confirmation from each such Rating Agency
that proscribes the applicable transaction in its Rating Agency Guidelines that any such action
would not impair the rating then assigned by such Rating Agency to a series of Tortoise Notes.
For so long as any Tortoise Notes are Outstanding, the Company will not declare, pay or set
apart for payment any dividend or other distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in
shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase, common shares or other
shares of capital stock of the Company) upon any class of shares of capital stock of the Company,
unless, in every such case, immediately after such transaction, the 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset
Coverage would be achieved after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase
price, as the case may be; provided, however, that dividends may be declared upon any preferred
shares of capital stock of the Company if the Tortoise Notes and any other senior securities
representing indebtedness of the Company have an asset coverage of at least 200% at the time of
declaration thereof, after deducting the amount of such dividend.
A declaration of a dividend or other distribution on or purchase or redemption of any common
or preferred shares of capital stock of the Company is prohibited (i) at any time that an Event of
Default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing, (ii) if after giving effect to such
declaration, the Company would not have Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value at least
equal to the Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount or the 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage,
or (iii) the Company has not redeemed the full amount of Tortoise Notes required to be redeemed by
any provisions for mandatory redemption contained herein.
Section 2.09 Compliance Procedures for Asset Maintenance Tests
For so long as any Tortoise Notes are Outstanding and any Rating Agency is then rating such
Tortoise Notes:
(a) As of each Valuation Date, the Company shall determine in accordance with the procedures
specified herein (i) the Market Value of each Eligible Asset owned by the Company on that date,
(ii) the Discounted Value of each such Eligible Asset using the Discount Factors, (iii) whether the
Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount is met as of that date, (iv) the value of the total assets
of the Company, less all liabilities, and (v) whether the 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage is
met as of that date.
(b) Upon any failure to maintain the required Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount or 1940
Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage on any Valuation Date, the Company may use reasonable commercial
efforts (including, without limitation, altering the composition of its portfolio, purchasing
Tortoise Notes outside of an Auction or in the event of a failure to file a Rating Agency
Certificate (as defined below) on a timely basis, submitting the requisite Rating Agency
Certificate) to re-attain (or certify in the case of a failure to file on a timely basis, as the
case may be) the required Tortoise Notes
A-17
Basic Maintenance Amount or 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage on or prior to the Asset
Coverage Cure Date.
(c) Compliance with the Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount and 1940 Act Tortoise Notes
Asset Coverage tests shall be determined with reference to those Tortoise Notes which are deemed to
be Outstanding under the Indenture.
(d) The Company shall deliver to each Rating Agency which is then rating Tortoise Notes and
any other party specified in the Rating Agency Guidelines all certificates that are set forth in
the respective Rating Agency Guidelines regarding 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage, Tortoise
Notes Basic Maintenance Amount and/or related calculations at such times and containing such
information as set forth in the respective Rating Agency Guidelines (each, a Rating Agency
Certificate).
(e) In the event that any Rating Agency Certificate is not delivered within the time periods
set forth in the Rating Agency Guidelines, the Company shall be deemed to have failed to maintain
the Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount or the 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage, as the
case may be, on such Valuation Date for purposes of paragraph (b) above. In the event that any
Rating Agency Certificate with respect to an applicable Asset Coverage Cure Date is not delivered
within the time periods set forth in the Rating Agency Guidelines, the Company shall be deemed to
have failed to have Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the
Tortoise Notes Basic Maintenance Amount or to meet the 1940 Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage, as the
case may be, as of the related Valuation Date, and such failure shall be deemed not to have been
cured as of such Asset Coverage Cure Date for purposes of the mandatory redemption provisions.
Section 2.10 Delivery of Notes
Upon the execution and delivery of the Supplemental Indenture, the Company shall execute and
deliver to the Trustee and the Trustee shall authenticate the Tortoise Notes and deliver them to
The Depository Trust Company and as hereinafter in this Section provided.
Prior to the delivery by the Trustee of any of the Tortoise Notes, there shall have been filed
with or delivered to the Trustee the following:
(a) A resolution duly adopted by the Company, certified by the Secretary or other Authorized
Officer thereof, authorizing the execution and delivery of the Supplemental Indenture and the
issuance of the Tortoise Notes.
(b) Duly executed copies of the Supplemental Indenture and a copy of the Indenture.
(c) Rating letters from each Rating Agency rating the Tortoise Notes.
(d) An Opinion of Counsel and an Officers Certificate pursuant to Sections 3.3 and 9.3 of the
Original Indenture.
Section 2.11 Trustees Authentication Certificate
The Trustees authentication certificate upon the Tortoise Notes shall be substantially in the
forms provided. No Tortoise Note shall be secured hereby or entitled to the benefit hereof, or
shall be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless a certificate of authentication, substantially
in such form, has been duly executed by the Trustee; and such certificate of the Trustee upon any
Tortoise Note shall be conclusive evidence and the only competent evidence that such Bond has been
authenticated and delivered. The Trustees certificate of authentication shall be deemed to have
been duly executed by it if
A-18
manually signed by an authorized officer of the Trustee, but it shall not be necessary that
the same person sign the certificate of authentication on all of the Tortoise Notes issued.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES
Events of Default
An Event of Default means any one of the following events set forth below (whatever the
reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by
operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or
regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(a) default in the payment of any interest upon a series of Tortoise Notes when it becomes due
and payable and the continuance of such default for thirty (30) days; or
(b) default in the payment of the principal of, or any premium on, a series of Tortoise Notes
at its Stated Maturity; or
(c) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in the
Indenture, and continuance of such default or breach for a period of ninety (90) days after there
has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee a written notice
specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a
Notice of Default; or
(d) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for
relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal
or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order
adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any
applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee,
trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its
property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such
decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of
60 consecutive days; or
(e) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable
Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case
or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a
decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any
applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the
commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of
a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or
State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking
possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar
official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay
its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in
furtherance of any such action; or
(f) if, pursuant to Section 18(a)(1)(c)(ii) of the 1940 Act on the last business day of each
of twenty-four (24) consecutive calendar months, the 1940 Act Tortoise Notes Asset Coverage is less
than 100%; or
A-19
(g) any other Event of Default provided with respect to a series of Tortoise Notes, including
a default in the payment of any Redemption Price payable on the date fixed for redemption.
Unless otherwise noted, an Event of Default that relates only to one series of Tortoise Notes
will not affect any other series.
Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment
If an Event of Default with respect to Tortoise Notes of a series at the time Outstanding
occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Tortoise Notes of that series may declare the
principal amount of all the Tortoise Notes of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a
notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by holders), and upon any such
declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable.
If an Event of Default specified in paragraphs (d) and (e) above with respect to Tortoise Notes of
any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Tortoise Notes of that
series shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee
or any holder, become immediately due and payable.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Tortoise Notes of any
series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained
by the Trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Tortoise Notes of
that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such
declaration and its consequences if:
(a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(i) all overdue interest on all Tortoise Notes of that series,
(ii) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Tortoise Notes of that series which
have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon
at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Tortoise Notes,
(iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue
interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Tortoise Notes,
(iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee and the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(b) all Events of Default with respect to Tortoise Notes of that series, other than the
non-payment of the principal of Tortoise Notes of that series which have become due solely by such
declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee
The Company covenants that if:
(a) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Tortoise Notes when such interest
becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 90 days, or
A-20
(b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Tortoise
Notes at the Maturity thereof, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the
benefit of the holders of such Tortoise Notes, the whole amount then due and payable on such
Tortoise Notes for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such
interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any
overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Tortoise Notes, and, in addition
thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection,
including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its
agents and counsel.
If an Event of Default with respect to Tortoise Notes of any series occurs and is continuing,
the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the
holders of Tortoise Notes of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee
shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific
enforcement of any covenant or agreement in the Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power
granted in the Indenture, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Application of Money Collected
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture relating to an
Event of Default shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee
and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest,
upon presentation of the Tortoise Notes and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially
paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under the Indenture;
and
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium
and interest on the Tortoise Notes in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has
been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due
and payable on such Tortoise Notes for principal and any premium and interest, respectively.
Limitation On Suits
No holder of any Tortoise Notes of any series shall have any right to institute any
proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a
receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
(a) such holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of
Default with respect to the Tortoise Notes of that series;
(b) the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Tortoise
Notes of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in
respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(c) such holder or holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it
against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity
has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
A-21
(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during
such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Tortoise
Notes of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such holders shall have any right in any
manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of the Indenture to affect, disturb
or prejudice the rights of any other of such holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or
preference over any other of such holders or to enforce any right under the Indenture, except in
the manner provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such holders.
Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest
Notwithstanding any other provision in the Indenture, the holder of any Tortoise Notes shall
have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and any
premium and (subject to the provisions of any supplemental indenture) interest on such Tortoise
Notes on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Tortoise Notes (or, in the case of
redemption, on the Redemption Date), and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment
and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such holder.
Restoration of Rights and Remedies
If the Trustee or any holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy
under the Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has
been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such holder, then and in every such case, subject to
any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the holders shall be restored
severally and respectively to their former positions and thereafter all rights and remedies of the
Trustee and the holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Rights and Remedies Cumulative
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Tortoise Notes, no right or remedy conferred upon or reserved to the
Trustee or to the holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right
and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other
right and remedy given or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The
assertion or employment of any right or remedy, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Control By Holders
The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Tortoise Notes
of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on
the Trustee, with respect to the Tortoise Notes of such series, provided that
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with the Indenture, and
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not
inconsistent with such direction.
A-22
Waiver of Past Defaults
The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Tortoise Notes
of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the Tortoise Notes of such series waive any past
default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default
(1) in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Tortoise Notes of
such series, or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of the holder of each Outstanding Tortoise Notes of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom
shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of the Indenture; but no such waiver shall
extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
The Indenture shall upon request of the Company cease to be of further effect (except as to
any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of any Tortoise Notes expressly
provided for herein or in the terms of such security), and the Trustee, at the expense of the
Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of the
Indenture, when
(a) Either:
(i) all Tortoise Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than
(1) securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or
paid as provided in the Indenture; and (2) Tortoise Notes for whose payment money has
theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and
thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in the
Indenture) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(ii) all such Tortoise Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
have become due and payable, or will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within
one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory
to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the
expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of this subsection (ii) has deposited
or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust money in an amount
sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such securities not theretofore
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the
date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the
Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Trust;
and
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the
satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture have been complied with.
A-23
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture, the obligations of the Company to
the Trustee under the Indenture and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant
to subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a) above, the obligations of the Trustee under certain
provisions of the Indenture shall survive.
THE TRUSTEE
Certain Duties and Responsibilities
(1) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default,
(A) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are
specifically set forth in the Indenture and as required by the Trust Indenture Act, and no
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into the Indenture against the Trustee; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to
the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon
certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of the
Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision of
the Indenture are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be
under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the
requirements of the Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of
mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(2) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise
such of the rights and powers vested in it by the Indenture, and use the same degree of care and
skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the
conduct of his or her own affairs.
(3) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or
consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit)
irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and
regardless of the form of action.
(4) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the
performance of its obligations arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond
its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or
terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and
interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and
hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are
consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as
practicable under the circumstances.
(5) No provision of the Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for
its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except
that:
(A) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (1)(A) of
this Section;
(B) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a
Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts;
A-24
(C) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be
taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding securities of any series, determined as provided in the
Indenture, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the
Trustee, under the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and
(D) no provision of the Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own
funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or
in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for
believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability
is not reasonably assured to it.
Notice of Defaults
If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Tortoise Notes of any series, the Trustee shall
give the Holders of Tortoise Notes of such series notice of such default as and to the extent
provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in the case of any default with
respect to Tortoise Notes of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least
90 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose hereof, the term default means any event
which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect
to Tortoise Notes of such series.
Certain Rights of Trustee
Subject to the provisions under Certain Duties and Responsibilities above:
(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from
acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or
parties;
(b) any request or direction of the Company shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company
Request or Company Order, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently
evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(c) whenever in the administration of the Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a
matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the
Trustee may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers Certificate;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the written advice of such
counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in
it by the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders pursuant to the Indenture,
unless such holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory
to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with
such request or direction;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated
in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document,
but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts
or matters as it may see fit, and,
A-25
if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be
entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or
attorney;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers or perform any duties hereunder either
directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any
misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder;
(h) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by
it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights
or powers conferred upon it by the Indenture;
(i) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any default or Event of Default unless a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any
event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of
the Trustee, and such notice references the Tortoise Notes and the Indenture;
(j) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee,
including its rights to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee
in each of its capacities hereunder; and
(k) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers Certificate setting forth
the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified
actions pursuant to the Indenture, which Officers Certificate may be signed by any person
authorized to sign an Officers Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any
such certificate previously delivered and not superceded.
Compensation and Reimbursement
The Company agrees:
(a) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as shall be agreed in writing
between the parties for all services rendered by it (which compensation shall not be limited by any
provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all
reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with
any provision of the Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may
be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and
(c) to indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless
against, any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims or expenses including taxes (other than
taxes imposed on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part,
arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts
hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted
by the Company, a holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default,
the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation
for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal
or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
A-26
The provisions hereof shall survive the termination of the Indenture.
Conflicting Interests
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the
manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and the Indenture.
To the extent not prohibited by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a
conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under the Indenture with respect to Tortoise
Notes of more than one series.
Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee shall
become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with
the applicable requirements.
The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Tortoise Notes of one or more series by
giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor
Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 60 days after the giving of such notice
of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Tortoise
Notes of such series.
The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Tortoise Notes of any series by Act
of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Tortoise Notes of such series,
delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor
Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of a notice of
removal pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the
Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Tortoise Notes of such series.
If at any time:
(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply after written request therefor by the Company or by any
holder who has been a bona fide holder of Tortoise Notes for at least six months, or
(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible and shall fail to resign after written request
therefor by the Company or by any such holder, or
(c) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent
or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take
charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation,
conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may
remove the Trustee with respect to all Tortoise Notes, or (ii) any holder who has been a bona fide
holder of Tortoise Notes for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly
situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect
to all Tortoise Notes and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall
occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Tortoise Notes of one or more
series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees
with respect to the Tortoise Notes of that or those series (it being understood that any such
successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Tortoise Notes of one or more or all of such
series and that at any time there
A-27
shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Tortoise Notes of any particular series) and
shall comply with the applicable requirements. If, within one year after such resignation, removal
or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the
Tortoise Notes of any series shall be appointed by Act of the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Tortoise Notes of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring
Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such
appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements, become the successor Trustee with
respect to the Tortoise Notes of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee
appointed by the Company.
If no successor Trustee with respect to the Tortoise Notes of any series shall have been so
appointed by the Company or the holders and accepted appointment in the manner required, any holder
who has been a bona fide holder of Tortoise Notes of such series for at least six months may, on
behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction
for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Tortoise Notes of such series.
The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect
to the Tortoise Notes of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the
Tortoise Notes of any series to all holders of Tortoise Notes of such series in the manner
provided. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Tortoise
Notes of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Acceptance of Appointment by Successor
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Tortoise
Notes, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the
Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee,
without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor
Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an
instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring
Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and
money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Tortoise Notes
of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee
with respect to the Tortoise Notes of one or more series shall execute and deliver a supplemental
indenture wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain
such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each
successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to
the Tortoise Notes of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee
relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Tortoise Notes, shall
contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Tortoise Notes of that or
those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the
retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of the Indenture as shall be
necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one
Trustee, it being understood that nothing in the Indenture shall constitute such Trustees
co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts
hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such
Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or
removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such
successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the
rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the
A-28
Tortoise Notes of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee
relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly
assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring
Trustee hereunder with respect to the Tortoise Notes of that or those series to which the
appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments
for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights,
powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such
successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible.
Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be
consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which
the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the
corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided
such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible, without the execution or filing of any
paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Tortoise Notes
shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by
merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication
and deliver the Tortoise Notes so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee
had itself authenticated such Tortoise Notes.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only On Certain Terms
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or
lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, and the Company shall
not permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into the Company, unless:
(a) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person or convey,
transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person
formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by
conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as
an entirety shall be a corporation, partnership or trust, shall be organized and validly existing
under the laws of any domestic or foreign jurisdiction and shall expressly assume, by an indenture
supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee,
the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Tortoise
Notes and the performance or observance of every covenant of the Indenture on the part of the
Company to be performed or observed;
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which
becomes an obligation of the Company or any subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having
been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of
Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of
Default, shall have happened and be continuing;
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a
supplemental
A-29
indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply
and that all conditions precedent in the Indenture provided for relating to such transaction have
been complied with.
Successor Substituted
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or
any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an
entirety, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or
to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and
may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture with the same effect as if
such successor Person had been named as the Company in the Indenture, and thereafter, except in the
case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under
the Indenture and the Tortoise Notes.
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Defeasance and Discharge
Upon the Companys exercise of its option (if any) to have the provisions of the Indenture
relating to Defeasance applied to any Tortoise Notes or any series of Tortoise Notes, as the case
may be, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations, with respect to
such Tortoise Notes as provided in the Indenture on and after the date the conditions set forth are
satisfied (hereinafter called Defeasance). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the
Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such
Tortoise Notes and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Tortoise Notes and the
Indenture insofar as such Tortoise Notes are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the
Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which
shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the rights of holders of
such Tortoise Notes to receive, solely from the trust fund, payments in respect of the principal of
and any premium and interest on such Tortoise Notes when payments are due, (2) the Companys
obligations with respect to such Tortoise Notes, (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and
immunities of the Trustee.
Covenant Defeasance
Upon the Companys exercise of its option (if any) to have provisions of the Indenture
relating to Covenant Defeasance applied to any Tortoise Notes or any series of Tortoise Notes, as
the case may be, (1) the Company shall be released from its obligations under certain provisions of
the Indenture for the benefit of the holders of such Tortoise Notes and (2) the occurrence of any
event specified in the Indenture, and any such covenants provided pursuant to certain provisions of
the Indenture shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect
to such Tortoise Notes as provided in the Indenture on and after the date the conditions are
satisfied (hereinafter called Covenant Defeasance). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance
means that, with respect to such Tortoise Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have
no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified
section of the Indenture, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere in
the Indenture, or by reason of any reference in any such section or article of the Indenture to any
other provision in the Indenture or in any other document, but the remainder of the Indenture and
such Tortoise Notes shall be unaffected thereby.
A-30
Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee
(or another trustee which satisfies the requirements and agrees to comply with the provisions of
the relevant Article of the Indenture applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of
making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the
benefits of the holders of such Tortoise Notes, (i) money in an amount, or (ii) U.S. Government
Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in
accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any
payment, money in an amount, or (iii) such other obligations or arrangements as may be specified
with respect to such Tortoise Notes, or (iv) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the
opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written
certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by
the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and any
premium and interest on such Tortoise Notes on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture and such Tortoise Notes. As used in the Indenture, U.S. Government
Obligation means (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of America
for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or
(ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or
instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed
as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case (i) or
(ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the Company thereof, and (y) any depositary
receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Tortoise Notes Act) as custodian
with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in Clause (x) above and held by
such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific
payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and
held, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any
deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received
by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal
or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
(b) In the event of an election to have Defeasance and Discharge apply to any Tortoise Notes
or any series of Tortoise Notes, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the
Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been
published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (ii) since the date of this instrument,
there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case (i) or (ii) to the
effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of such Tortoise Notes
will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit,
Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Tortoise Notes and will be subject to
Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the
case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.
(c) In the event of an election to have Covenant Defeasance apply to any Tortoise Notes or any
series of Tortoise Notes, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holders of such Tortoise Notes will not recognize gain or
loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be
effected with respect to such Tortoise Notes and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same
amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant
Defeasance were not to occur.
(d) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate to the effect
that neither such Tortoise Notes nor any other Tortoise Notes of the same series, if then listed on
any Tortoise Notes exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit.
A-31
(e) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of
Default with respect to such Tortoise Notes or any other Tortoise Notes shall have occurred and be
continuing at the time of such deposit or, with regard to any such event specified, at any time on
or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition
shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day).
(f) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting
interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act (assuming all Tortoise Notes are in default
within the meaning of such Act).
(g) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by
which it is bound.
(h) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such
deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act unless
such trust shall be registered under the Investment Company Act or exempt from registration
thereunder.
(i) No event or condition shall exist that would prevent the Company from making payments of
the principal of (and any premium) or interest on the Tortoise Notes of such series on the date of
such deposit or at any time on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being
understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day).
(j) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance have been complied with.
(k) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel substantially to the
effect that (i) the trust funds deposited pursuant hereto will not be subject to any rights of any
holders of indebtedness or equity of the Company, and (ii) after the 90th day following the
deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors rights generally, except that if a
court were to rule under any such law in any case or proceeding that the trust funds remained
property of the Company, no opinion is given as to the effect of such laws on the trust funds
except the following: (A) assuming such trust funds remained in the possession of the trustee with
whom such funds were deposited prior to such court ruling to the extent not paid to holders of such
Tortoise Notes, such trustee would hold, for the benefit of such holders, a valid and perfected
security interest in such trust funds that is not avoidable in bankruptcy or otherwise and (B) such
holders would be entitled to receive adequate protection of their interests in such trust funds if
such trust funds were used.
A-32
APPENDIX A-I
AUCTION PROCEDURES
1. Orders by Existing Holders and Potential Beneficial Owners. (a) Prior to the
Broker-Dealer Deadline for each Series of Tortoise Notes on each Auction Date:
(i) each Existing Holder may submit to a Broker-Dealer, in writing or by such other
method as shall be reasonably acceptable to such Broker-Dealer, one or more Orders as to:
(A) the principal amount of Tortoise Notes, if any, of the series held by the
Existing Holder which the Existing Holder commits to continue to hold for the next
succeeding Auction Period without regard to the Applicable Rate for such Auction
Period;
(B) the principal amount of Tortoise Notes, if any, of the series held by the
Existing Holder which the Existing Holder commits to continue to hold for the next
succeeding Auction Period if the Applicable Rate for Tortoise Notes for the next
succeeding Auction Period is not less than the rate per annum specified in such
Order (and if the Auction Rate is less than such specified rate, the effect of the
Order shall be as set forth in paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this Section); and/or
(C) the principal amount of Tortoise Notes, if any, of the series held by the
Existing Holder which the Existing Holder offers to sell on the first Business Day
of the next succeeding Auction Period without regard to the Applicable Rate for
Tortoise Notes for the next succeeding Auction Period; and
(ii) each Potential Beneficial Owner may submit to a Broker-Dealer, in writing or by
such other method as shall be reasonably acceptable to such Broker-Dealer, an Order as to
the principal amount of outstanding Tortoise Notes of a series which each such Potential
Beneficial Owner offers to purchase if the Applicable Rate for the Tortoise Notes of such
series for the next succeeding Rate Period is not less than the rate per annum then
specified by such Potential Beneficial Owner.
For the purposes of the Auction Procedures, an Order containing the information referred to in
clause (i)(A) of this paragraph (a) is referred to as a Hold Order, an Order containing the
information referred to in clause (i)(B) or (ii) of this paragraph (a) is referred to as a Bid,
and an Order containing the information referred to in clause (i)(C) of this paragraph (a) is
referred to as a Sell Order.
No Auction Desk of a Broker-Dealer shall accept as an Order a submission (whether received
from an Existing Holder or a Potential Beneficial Owner or generated by the Broker-Dealer for its
own account) which does not conform to the requirements of the Auction Procedures, including, but
not limited to, submissions which are not in Authorized Denominations, specify a rate which
contains more than three figures to the right of the decimal point or specify an amount greater
than the amount of outstanding Tortoise Notes. No Auction Desk of a Broker-Dealer shall accept a
Bid or Sell Order which is conditioned on being filled in whole or a Bid which does not specify a
specific interest rate.
A-I-1
(b) (i) A Bid by an Existing Holder shall constitute an offer to sell on the first Business
Day of the next succeeding Auction Period:
(A) the principal amount of outstanding Tortoise Notes specified in the Bid if
the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Auction Period shall be less than the
rate specified in such Bid; or
(B) the principal amount or a lesser principal amount of outstanding Tortoise
Notes to be determined as described in clause (v) of paragraph (a) of Section 5 of
this Appendix A-I if the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Auction Period
shall be equal to such specified rate; or
(C) a lesser principal amount of outstanding Tortoise Notes be determined as
described in clause (iv) of paragraph (b) of Section 5 of this Appendix A-I if the
rate specified therein shall be higher than the Maximum Rate and Sufficient Clearing
Bids do not exist.
(ii) A Sell Order by an Existing Holder shall constitute an offer to sell:
(A) the principal amount of outstanding Tortoise Notes of the series specified
in the Sell Order; or
(B) the principal amount or a lesser principal amount of outstanding Tortoise
Notes of the series as set forth in clause (iv) of paragraph (b) of Section 5 of
this Appendix A-I if Sufficient Clearing Bids for Tortoise Notes of the series do
not exist;
(iii) A Bid by a Potential Holder of Tortoise Notes shall constitute an offer to
purchase:
(A) the principal amount of outstanding Tortoise Notes of the series specified
in the Bid if the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Auction Period shall be
higher than the rate specified therein; or
(B) the principal amount or a lesser principal amount of outstanding Tortoise
Notes of the series as set forth in clause (vi) of paragraph (a) of Section 5 of
this Appendix A-I if the Applicable Rate for the Tortoise Notes determined on the
Auction Date shall be equal to the rate specified therein.
(C) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding:
(1) if an Order or Orders covering all of the Tortoise Notes of a
particular series held by any Existing Holder is not submitted to the
Broker-Dealer prior to the Broker-Dealer Deadline, such Broker-Dealer shall
deem a Hold Order to have been submitted on behalf of the Existing Holder
covering the principal amount of outstanding Tortoise Notes of the series
held by the Existing Holder and not subject to Orders submitted to the
Auction Agent; provided, however, that if there is a conversion from one
Auction Period to a longer Auction Period and Orders have not been submitted
to such Broker-Dealer prior to the Broker-Dealer Deadline covering the
aggregate principal amount of Tortoise Notes of a particular series to be
converted held by such Existing Holder, such Broker-Dealer shall deem a Sell
Order to have been submitted on behalf of the Existing Holder covering the
principal amount of Tortoise Notes to
A-I-2
be converted held by the Existing Holder and not subject to Orders
submitted to such Broker-Dealer;
(2) for purposes of any Auction, any Order by an Existing Holder or
Potential Holder shall be revocable until the Broker-Dealer Deadline, and
after the Broker-Dealer Deadline all such Orders shall be irrevocable except
as provided in Sections 2(e)(ii) and 2(f); and
(3) for purposes of any Auction, any Tortoise Notes sold or purchased
pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of paragraph (b) of this Section 1
shall be sold or purchased at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount
thereof.
2. Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent.
(a) Each Broker-Dealer shall submit to the Auction Agent in writing, or by such other
electronic means, as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Auction Agent, prior to the Submission
Deadline on each Auction Date for Tortoise Notes of a series, all Orders with respect to Tortoise
Notes of such series accepted by such Broker-Dealer in accordance with Section 1 above and
specifying with respect to each Order or aggregation of Orders pursuant to paragraph (b) of this
Section 2:
(i) the name of the Broker-Dealer;
(ii) the number of Bidders placing Orders, if requested by the Auction Agent;
(iii) the aggregate number of Units of Tortoise Notes of the series, if any, that are
the subject of the Order;
(iv) to the extent that the Bidder is an Existing Holder of Tortoise Notes of the
series:
(A) the number of Units of Tortoise Notes, if any, of the series subject to any
Hold Order placed by the Existing Holder;
(B) the number of Units of Tortoise Notes, if any, of the series subject to any
Bid placed by the Existing Holder and the rate specified in the Bid; and
(C) the number of Units of Tortoise Notes, if any, of the series subject to any
Sell Order placed by the Existing Holder; and
(v) to the extent the Bidder is a Potential Holder of Tortoise Notes of the series, the
rate specified in such Bid.
(b) If more than one Bid is submitted to a Broker-Dealer on behalf of any single Potential
Beneficial Owner, the Broker-Dealer shall aggregate each Bid on behalf of such Potential Beneficial
Owner submitted with the same rate and consider such Bids as a single Bid and shall consider each
Bid submitted with a different rate a separate Bid with the rate and the number of Units of
Tortoise Notes of the series specified therein.
A Broker-Dealer may aggregate the Orders of different Potential Beneficial Owners with those
of other Potential Beneficial Owners on whose behalf the Broker-Dealer is submitting Orders and may
aggregate the Orders of different Existing Holders with other Existing Holders on whose behalf the
A-I-3
Broker-Dealer is submitting Orders; provided, however, Bids may only be aggregated if the
interest rates on the Bids are the same.
(c) None of the Company, the Trustee or the Auction Agent shall be responsible for the failure
of any Broker-Dealer to submit an Order to the Auction Agent on behalf of any Beneficial Owner,
Potential Beneficial Owner, Existing Holder or Potential Holder.
(d) Nothing contained herein shall preclude a Broker-Dealer from placing an Order for some or
all of the Tortoise Notes of a series for its own account.
(e) Until the Submission Deadline, a Broker-Dealer may withdraw or modify any Order previously
submitted to the Auction Agent (i) for any reason if the Order was generated by the Auction Desk of
the Broker-Dealer for the account of the Broker-Dealer or (ii) to correct a Clerical Error on the
part of the Broker-Dealer in the case of any other Order, including Orders from the Broker-Dealer
which were not originated by the Auction Desk.
(f) After the Submission Deadline, and prior to the Error Correction Deadline, a Broker-Dealer
may:
(i) submit to the Auction Agent an Order received from an Existing Holder, Potential
Beneficial Owner or a Broker-Dealer which is not an Order generated by the Auction Desk, in
each case prior to the Broker-Dealer Deadline, or an Order generated by the Broker-Dealers
Auction Desk for its own account prior to the Submission Deadline (provided that in each
case the Broker-Dealer has a record of such Order and the time when such Order was received
or generated) and not submitted to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission Deadline
(provided that the Broker-Dealer has a record of such Order and the time when such Order was
received or granted) as a result of (A) an event of force majeure or a technological failure
which made delivery prior to the Submission Deadline impossible or, under the conditions
then prevailing, impracticable or (B) a clerical error on the part of the Broker-Dealer; or
(ii) modify or withdraw an Order received from an Existing Holder or a Potential
Beneficial Owner or generated by the Broker-Dealer (whether generated by the Broker-Dealers
Auction Desk or elsewhere within the Broker-Dealer) for its own account and submitted to the
Auction Agent prior to the Submission Deadline or pursuant to clause (i) above, if the
Broker-Dealer determines that such Order contained a Clerical Error on the part of the
Broker-Dealer.
In the event a Broker-Dealer makes a submission, modification or withdrawal pursuant to this
Section 2(f) and the Auction Agent has already run the Auction, the Auction Agent shall rerun the
Auction, taking into account such submission, modification or withdrawal. Each submission,
modification or withdrawal of an Order submitted pursuant to this Section 2(f) by a Broker-Dealer
after the Submission Deadline and prior to the Error Correction Deadline shall constitute a
representation by the Broker-Dealer that (A) in the case of a newly submitted Order or portion
thereof or revised Order, the failure to submit such Order prior to the Submission Deadline
resulted from an event described in clause (i) above and such Order was received from an Existing
Holder or Potential Beneficial Owner or is an Order received from the Broker-Dealer that was not
originated by the Auction Desk, in each case, prior to the Broker-Dealer Deadline, or generated
internally by such Broker-Dealers Auction Desk for its own account prior to the Submission
Deadline or (B) in the case of a modified or withdrawn Order, such Order was received from an
Existing Holder, a Potential Beneficial Owner or the Broker-Dealer which was not originated by the
Auction Desk prior to the Broker-Dealer Deadline, or generated internally by such Broker-Dealers
Auction Desk for its own account prior to the Submission Deadline and such Order as submitted to
the Auction Agent contained a Clerical Error on the part of the Broker-Dealer and that such Order
has been modified or
A-I-4
withdrawn solely to effect a correction of such Clerical Error, and in the case of either (A) or
(B), as applicable, the Broker-Dealer has a record of such Order and the time when such Order was
received or generated. The Auction Agent shall be entitled to rely conclusively (and shall have no
liability for relying) on such representation for any and all purposes of the Auction Procedures.
(g) If after the Auction Agent announces the results of an Auction, a Broker-Dealer becomes
aware that an error was made by the Auction Agent, the Broker-Dealer shall communicate such
awareness to the Auction Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the Auction Date. If the
Auction Agent determines there has been such an error (as a result of either a communication from a
Broker-Dealer or its own discovery) prior to 3:00 p.m., New York City time on the first day of the
Auction Period with respect to which such Auction was conducted, the Auction Agent shall correct
the error and notify each Broker-Dealer that submitted Bids or held a position in the Tortoise
Notes of the series subject to such Auction of the corrected results.
(h) Nothing contained herein shall preclude the Auction Agent from:
(i) advising a Broker-Dealer prior to the Submission Deadline that it has not received
Sufficient Clearing Bids for Tortoise Notes of the series, provided, however, that if the
Auction Agent so advises any Broker-Dealer, it shall so advise all Broker-Dealers; or
(ii) verifying the Orders of a Broker-Dealer prior to the Submission Deadline,
provided, however, that if the Auction Agent verifies the Orders of any Broker-Dealer, it
shall verify the Orders of all Broker-Dealers requesting such verification.
3. Treatment of Orders by the Auction Agent. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding:
(a) If the Auction Agent receives an Order which does not conform to the requirements of the
Auction Procedures, the Auction Agent may contact the Broker-Dealer submitting such Order until one
hour after the Submission Deadline and inform such Broker-Dealer that it may resubmit such Order so
that it conforms to the requirements of the Auction Procedures. Upon being so informed, such
Broker-Dealer may correct and resubmit to the Auction Agent any such Order that, solely as a result
of a Clerical Error on the part of such Broker-Dealer, did not conform to the requirements of the
Auction Procedures when previously submitted to the Auction Agent. Any such resubmission by a
Broker-Dealer shall constitute a representation by such Broker-Dealer that the failure of such
Order to have so conformed was solely as a result of a Clerical Error on the part of such
Broker-Dealer. If the Auction Agent has not received a corrected conforming Order within one hour
and fifteen minutes of the Submission Deadline, the Auction Agent shall, if and to the extent
applicable, adjust or apply such Order, as the case may be, in conformity with the provisions of
subsections (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 3 and, if the Auction Agent is unable to so adjust or
apply such Order, the Auction Agent shall reject such Order.
(b) If any rate specified in any Bid contains more than three figures to the right of the
decimal point, the Auction Agent shall round the rate up to the next highest one thousandth of one
percent (0.001%).
(c) If one or more Orders covering in the aggregate more than the number of Units of Tortoise
Notes of a particular series are submitted by a Broker-Dealer to the Auction Agent, such Orders
shall be considered valid in the following order of priority:
(i) all Hold Orders for Tortoise Notes of a series shall be considered Hold Orders, but
only up to and including in the aggregate the number of Units of outstanding Tortoise Notes
of the series for which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record;
A-I-5
(ii) (A) any Bid of a Broker-Dealer shall be considered valid as a Bid of an Existing
Holder up to and including the excess of the number of Units of outstanding Tortoise Notes
of such series for which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record over the number
of Units of Tortoise Notes of such series subject to any Hold Orders referred to in
clause (i) above;
(B) subject to subclause (A), all Bids of a Broker-Dealer with the same rate
shall be aggregated and considered a single Bid of an Existing Holder up to and
including the excess of the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of the series for
which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record over the number of Units of
Tortoise Notes of such series for which the Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of
record subject to any Hold Orders referred to in clause (i) above;
(C) subject to subclause (A), if more than one Bid with different rates is
submitted by a Broker-Dealer, such Bids shall be considered Bids of an Existing
Holder in the ascending order of their respective rates up to the amount of excess
of the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of the series for which such Broker-Dealer
is the Broker-Dealer of record over the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such
Series for which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record subject to any
Hold Orders referred to in clause (i) above;
(D) the number of Units, if any, of outstanding Tortoise Notes of the series
subject to Bids not considered to be Bids for which such Broker-Dealer is the
Broker-Dealer of record under this clause (ii) shall be treated as the subject of a
Bid for Tortoise Notes of the series by a Potential Beneficial Owner; and
(iii) all Sell Orders shall be considered Sell Orders, but only up to and including the
number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such series equal to the excess of the number of Units
of Tortoise Notes of such series for which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record
over the sum of the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such series subject to Hold Orders
referred to in clause (i) above and the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such series
considered to be subject to Bids for which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record
pursuant to clause (ii) above.
(d) If an Order is for other than an integral number of Units, then the Auction Agent shall
round the number down to the nearest number of whole Units, and the Auction Agent shall conduct the
Auction Procedures as if such Order had been submitted in such number of Units.
(e) If the Auction Agent has been notified by the Trustee or the Company that any portion of
an Order by a Broker-Dealer relates to a Tortoise Note of a series that has been called for
redemption on or prior to the Interest Payment Date next succeeding such Auction, the Order shall
be invalid with respect to such portion and the Auction Agent shall conduct the Auction Procedures
as if such portion of such Order had not been submitted.
(f) No Tortoise Note of a series which the Auction Agent has been notified by the Trustee or
the Company has been called for redemption on or prior to the Interest Payment Date next succeeding
such Auction shall be included in the calculation of Available Tortoise Notes for such Auction.
(g) If an Order or Orders covering all of the Tortoise Notes of a particular series is not
submitted by a Broker-Dealer of record prior to the Submission Deadline, the Auction Agent shall
deem a Hold Order to have been submitted on behalf of such Broker-Dealer covering the number of
Units
A-I-6
of Tortoise Notes for which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record and not subject
to Orders submitted to the Auction Agent; provided, however, that if there is a conversion from one
Auction Period to a longer Auction Period and Orders have not been submitted by such Broker-Dealer
prior to the Submission Deadline covering the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of a particular
series to be converted for which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record, the Auction
Agent shall deem a Sell Order to have been submitted on behalf of such Broker-Dealer covering the
number of Units of Tortoise Notes to be converted for which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer
of record not subject to Orders submitted by such Broker-Dealer.
4. Determination of Applicable Rate. (a) If requested by the Trustee or a
Broker-Dealer, not later than 10:30 a.m., New York City time (or such other time as may be agreed
to by the Auction Agent and all Broker-Dealers), on each Auction Date for each series of Tortoise
Notes, the Auction Agent shall advise such Broker-Dealer (and thereafter confirm to the Trustee, if
requested) of the All Hold Rate. Such advice, and confirmation, shall be made by telephone or
other electronic means acceptable to the Auction Agent.
(b) Promptly after the Submission Deadline for the Tortoise Notes of a series on each Auction
Date, the Auction Agent shall assemble all Orders submitted or deemed submitted to it by the
Broker-Dealers (each such Order as submitted or deemed submitted by a Broker-Dealer being
hereinafter referred to as a Submitted Hold Order, a Submitted Bid or a Submitted Sell Order,
as the case may be, and collectively as a Submitted Order) and shall determine (i) the Available
Tortoise Notes, (ii) whether there are Sufficient Clearing Bids, and (iii) the Applicable Rate.
(c) In the event the Auction Agent shall fail to calculate or, for any reason, fails to
provide the Auction Rate on the Auction Date, for any Auction Period (i) if the preceding Auction
Period was a period of 35 days or less, (A) a new Auction Period shall be established for the same
length of time as the preceding Auction Period, if the failure to make such calculation was because
there was not at the time a duly appointed and acting Auction Agent or Broker-Dealer, and the
Applicable Rate for the new Auction Period shall be the percentage of the Index set forth in
Section 4(f) below if the Index is ascertainable on such date (by the Auction Agent, if there is at
the time an Auction Agent, or the Trustee, if at the time there is no Auction Agent) or, (B) if the
failure to make such calculation was for any other reason or if the Index is not ascertainable on
such date, the prior Auction Period shall be extended to the seventh day following the day that
would have been the last day of the preceding Auction Period (or if such seventh day is not
followed by a Business Day then to the next succeeding day that is followed by a Business Day) and
the Applicable Rate for the period as so extended shall be the same as the Applicable Rate for the
Auction Period prior to the extension, and (ii) if the preceding Auction Period was a period of
greater than 35 days, (A) a new Auction Period shall be established for a period that ends on the
seventh day following the day that was the last day of the preceding Auction Period, (or if such
seventh day is not followed by a Business Day then to the next succeeding day which is followed by
a Business Day) if the failure to make such calculation was because there was not at the time a
duly appointed and acting Auction Agent or Broker-Dealer, and the Applicable Rate for the new
Auction Period shall be the percentage of the Index set forth in Section 4(f) below if the Index is
ascertainable on such date (by the Auction Agent, if there is at the time an Auction Agent, or the
Trustee, if at the time there is no Auction Agent) or, (B) if the failure to make such calculation
was for any other reason or if the Index is not ascertainable on such date, the prior Auction
Period shall be extended to the seventh day following the day that would have been the last day of
the preceding Auction Period (or if such seventh day is not followed by a Business Day then to the
next succeeding day that is followed by a Business Day) and the Applicable Rate for the period as
so extended shall be the same as the Applicable Rate for the Auction Period prior to the extension.
In the event a new Auction Period is established as set forth in clause (ii) (A) above, an Auction
shall be held on the last Business Day of the new Auction Period to determine an Auction Rate for
an Auction Period beginning on the Business Day immediately following the last day of
A-I-7
the new Auction Period and ending on the date on which the Auction Period otherwise would have
ended had there been no new Auction Period or Auction Periods subsequent to the last Auction Period
for which a Winning Bid Rate had been determined. In the event an Auction Period is extended as
set forth in clause (i) (B) or (ii) (B) above, an Auction shall be held on the last Business Day of
the Auction Period as so extended to determine an Auction Rate for an Auction Period beginning on
the Business Day immediately following the last day of the extended Auction Period and ending on
the date on which the Auction Period otherwise would have ended had there been no extension of the
prior Auction Period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither new nor extended Auction Periods shall total more than
35 days in the aggregate. If at the end of the 35 days the Auction Agent fails to calculate or
provide the Auction Rate, or there is not at the time a duly appointed and acting Auction Agent or
Broker-Dealer, the Applicable Rate shall be the Maximum Rate.
(d) In the event of a failed conversion from an Auction Period to any other period or in the
event of a failure to change the length of the current Auction Period due to the lack of Sufficient
Clearing Bids at the Auction on the Auction Date for the first new Auction Period, the Applicable
Rate for the next Auction Period shall be the Maximum Rate and the Auction Period shall be a
seven-day Auction Period.
(e) If the Tortoise Notes are no longer maintained in book-entry-only form by the Securities
Depository, then the Auctions shall cease and the Applicable Rate shall be the Maximum Rate.
(f) The percentage of the Index in Section 4(c) is 100%.
5. Allocation of Tortoise Notes. (a) In the event of Sufficient Clearing Bids for the
Tortoise Notes of a series subject to the further provisions of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this
Section 5. Submitted Orders for Tortoise Notes of the series shall be accepted or rejected as
follows in the following order of priority:
(i) the Submitted Hold Order of each Existing Holder shall be accepted, thus requiring
each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Tortoise Notes that are the subject of
such Submitted Hold Order;
(ii) the Submitted Sell Order of each Existing Holder shall be accepted and the
Submitted Bids of each Existing Holder specifying any rate that is higher than the Winning
Bid Rate shall be rejected, thus requiring each Existing Holder to sell the Tortoise Notes
that are the subject of such Submitted Sell Order or Submitted Bid;
(iii) the Submitted Bid of each Existing Holder specifying any rate that is lower than
the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring each such Existing Holder to continue
to hold the Tortoise Notes that are the subject of the Submitted Bid;
(iv) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying any rate that is lower than
the Winning Bid Rate for Tortoise Notes of the series shall be accepted, thus requiring each
such Potential Holder to purchase the Tortoise Notes that are the subject of the Submitted
Bid;
(v) the Submitted Bid of each Existing Holder specifying a rate that is equal to the
Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring each such Existing Holder to continue to
hold the Tortoise Notes of the series that are the subject of the Submitted Bid, but only up
to and including the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such series obtained by
multiplying (A) the aggregate number of Units of Tortoise Notes which are not the subject of
Submitted Hold
A-I-8
Orders described in clause (i) of this paragraph (a) or of Submitted Bids described in
clauses (iii) and (iv) of this paragraph (a) by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which shall
be the number of Units of Tortoise Notes held by such Existing Holder subject to such
Submitted Bid and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate number of Units of
Tortoise Notes subject to such Submitted Bids made by all such Existing Holders that
specified a rate equal to the Winning Bid Rate, and the remainder, if any, of such Submitted
Bid shall be rejected, thus requiring each such Existing Holder to sell any excess amount of
Tortoise Notes;
(vi) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying a rate that is equal to the
Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring each such Potential Holder to purchase
the Tortoise Notes of the series that are the subject of such Submitted Bid, but only in an
amount equal to the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such series obtained by multiplying
(A) the aggregate number of Units of Outstanding Tortoise Notes which are not the subject of
Submitted Hold Orders described in clause (i) of this paragraph (a) or of Submitted Bids
described in clauses (iii), (iv) or (v) of this paragraph (a) by (B) a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the number of Units of Tortoise Notes subject to such Submitted
Bid and the denominator of which shall be the sum of the aggregate number of Units of
Tortoise Notes subject to such Submitted Bids made by all such Potential Holders that
specified a rate equal to the Winning Bid Rate, and the remainder of such Submitted Bid
shall be rejected; and
(vii) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying any rate that is higher
than the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected.
(b) In the event there are not Sufficient Clearing Bids for the Tortoise Notes of a series,
Submitted Orders for the Tortoise Notes of the series shall be accepted or rejected as follows in
the following order of priority:
(i) the Submitted Hold Order of each Existing Holder shall be accepted, thus requiring
each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Tortoise Notes that are the subject of
such Submitted Hold Order;
(ii) the Submitted Bid of each Existing Holder specifying any rate that is not higher
than the Maximum Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring each such Existing Holder to
continue to hold the Tortoise Notes that are the subject of such Submitted Bid;
(iii) the Submitted Bids specifying any rate that is not higher than the Maximum Rate
for the Tortoise Notes shall be accepted, thus requiring each such Potential Holder to
purchase the Tortoise Notes that are the subject of such Submitted Bid; and
(iv) the Submitted Sell Orders of each Existing Holder shall be accepted as Submitted
Sell Orders and the Submitted Bids of each Existing Holder specifying any rate that is
higher than the Maximum Rate shall be deemed to be and shall be accepted as Submitted Sell
Orders, in both cases only up to and including the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such
series obtained by multiplying (A) the number of Units of Tortoise Notes subject to
Submitted Bids described in clause (iii) of this paragraph (b) by (B) a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the number of Units of Tortoise Notes held by such Existing
Holder subject to such Submitted Sell Order or such Submitted Bid deemed to be a Submitted
Sell Order and the denominator of which shall be the number of Units of Tortoise Notes
subject to all such Submitted Sell Orders and such Submitted Bids deemed to be Submitted
Sell Orders, and the remainder of each such Submitted Sell Order or Submitted Bid shall be
deemed to be and shall be accepted as a Hold Order and each such Existing Holder shall be
required to continue to hold such excess amount of Tortoise Notes; and
A-I-9
(v) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying any rate that is higher than
the Maximum Rate shall be rejected.
(c) If, as a result of the undertakings described in Section 5(a) or (b) above, any Existing
Holder or Potential Holder would be required to purchase or sell an aggregate principal amount of
Tortoise Notes that is not an integral multiple of an Authorized Denomination on any Auction Date,
the Auction Agent shall by lot, in such manner as it shall determine in its sole discretion, round
up or down the principal amount of the Tortoise Notes to be purchased or sold by any Existing
Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date so that the aggregate principal amount of the
Tortoise Notes purchased or sold by each Existing Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date
shall be an integral multiple of such Authorized Denomination, even if such allocation results in
one or more of such Existing Holder or Potential Holder not purchasing or selling any Tortoise
Notes on such Auction Date.
(d) If, as a result of the undertakings described in Section 5(a) above, any Potential Holder
would be required to purchase less than an Authorized Denomination in principal amount of the
Tortoise Notes on any Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall by lot, in such manner as it shall
determine in its sole discretion, allocate the Tortoise Notes for purchase among Potential Holders
so that the principal amount of the Tortoise Notes purchased on such Auction Date by any Potential
Holder shall be an integral multiple of such Authorized Denomination, even if such allocation
results in one or more of such Potential Holders not purchasing the Tortoise Notes on such Auction
Date.
6. Notice of Applicable Rate. (a) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall
notify each Broker-Dealer that participated in the Auction held on such Auction Date by electronic
means acceptable to the Auction Agent and the applicable Broker-Dealer of the following, with
respect to the Tortoise Notes of a series for which an Auction was held on such Auction Date:
(i) the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date for the succeeding Auction
Period;
(ii) whether Sufficient Clearing Bids existed for the determination of the Winning Bid
Rate;
(iii) if such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid or a Sell Order on behalf of an Existing
Holder, whether such Bid or Sell Order was accepted or rejected and the number of Units of
Tortoise Notes of the series, if any, to be sold by such Existing Holder;
(iv) if such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid on behalf of a Potential Holder, whether
such Bid was accepted or rejected and the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of the series,
if any, to be purchased by such Potential Holder;
(v) if the aggregate number of Units of Tortoise Notes of a series to be sold by all
Existing Holders on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted Bids or Sell Orders is
different from the aggregate number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such series to be
purchased by all Potential Holders on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid, the
name or names of one or more Broker-Dealers (and the Agent Member, if any, of each such
other Broker-Dealer) and the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such series to be
(A) purchased from one or more Existing Holders on whose behalf such other Broker-Dealers
submitted Bids or Sell Orders or (B) sold to one or more Potential Holders on whose behalf
such Broker-Dealer submitted Bids;
(vi) the amount of interest payable per Unit on each Interest Payment Date with respect
to such Auction Period; and
A-I-10
(vii) the immediately succeeding Auction Date.
(b) On each Auction Date, with respect to each series of Tortoise Notes for which an Auction
was held on such Auction Date, each Broker-Dealer that submitted an Order on behalf of any Existing
Holder or Potential Holder shall: (i) if requested by an Existing Holder or a Potential Holder
advise such Existing Holder or Potential Holder on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted an
Order as to (A) the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date, (B) whether any Bid or Sell
Order submitted on behalf of each such Owner was accepted or rejected and (C) the immediately
succeeding Auction Date; (ii) instruct each Potential Holder on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer
submitted a Bid that was accepted, in whole or in part, to instruct such Potential Holders Agent
Member to pay to such Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member) through the Securities Depository the
amount necessary to purchase the number of Units of Tortoise Notes of such series to be purchased
pursuant to such Bid against receipt of such Tortoise Notes; and (iii) instruct each Existing
Holder on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Sell Order that was accepted or a Bid that
was rejected in whole or in part, to instruct such Existing Holders Agent Member to deliver to
such Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member) through the Securities Depository the number of Units of
Tortoise Notes of the series to be sold pursuant to such Bid or Sell Order against payment
therefor.
(c) The Auction Agent shall give notice of the Auction Rate to the Company and the Trustee by
mutually acceptable electronic means and the Trustee shall promptly give notice of such Auction
Rate to the Securities Depository.
7. Miscellaneous Provisions Regarding Auctions. (a) In this Appendix A-I, each
reference to the purchase, sale or holding of Tortoise Notes shall refer to beneficial interests in
Tortoise Notes, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(b) During an auction Rate Period with respect to each series of Tortoise Notes, the
provisions of the Indenture and the definitions contained therein and described in this
Appendix A-I, including without limitation the definitions of All Hold Rate, Interest Payment Date,
Maximum Rate, and Applicable Rate, may be amended pursuant to the Indenture by obtaining the
consent of the majority of the owners of the affected Outstanding Tortoise Notes of a series
bearing interest at the Applicable Rate as follows. If on the first Auction Date occurring at
least 20 days after the date on which the Trustee mailed notice of such proposed amendment to the
registered owners of the affected Outstanding Tortoise Notes of the series, (i) the Applicable Rate
which is determined on such date is the Winning Bid Rate or the All Hold Rate and (ii) there is
delivered to the Company and the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that such amendment
shall not adversely affect the validity of the Tortoise Notes of the series, the proposed amendment
shall be deemed to have been consented to by the owners of all affected Outstanding Tortoise Notes
of the series bearing interest at the Applicable Rate.
(c) If the Securities Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as registered owner of the Tortoise Notes of a series or if at any time the Securities
Depository shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation and a successor to the Securities
Depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives notice or
becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, the Auctions shall cease and the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver certificates representing the Tortoise Notes
of the series. Such Tortoise Notes shall be registered in such names and Authorized Denominations
as the Securities Depository, pursuant to instructions from the Agent Members or otherwise, shall
instruct the Company and the Trustee.
(d) During an Auction Period, so long as the ownership of the Tortoise Notes of a series is
maintained in book-entry form by the Securities Depository, an Existing Holder or a Beneficial
Owner may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of a Tortoise Note only pursuant to a Bid or Sell
Order in
A-I-11
accordance with the Auction Procedures or to or through a Broker-Dealer, provided that (i) in
the case of all transfers other than pursuant to Auctions such Existing Holder or its Broker-Dealer
or its Agent Member advises the Auction Agent of such transfer and (ii) a sale, transfer or other
disposition of Tortoise Notes of the series from a customer of a Broker-Dealer who is listed on the
records of that Broker-Dealer as the holder of such Tortoise Notes to that Broker-Dealer or another
customer of that Broker-Dealer shall not be deemed to be a sale, transfer or other disposition for
purposes of this paragraph if such Broker-Dealer remains the Existing Holder of the Tortoise Notes
so sold, transferred or disposed or immediately after such sale, transfer or disposition.
8. Changes in Auction Period or Auction Date.
(a) Changes in Auction Period.
(i) During any Auction Period, the Issuer, may, from time to time on the Interest
Payment Date immediately following the end of any Auction Period, change the length of the
Auction Period with respect to all of the Tortoise Notes of a series in order to accommodate
economic and financial factors that may affect or be relevant to the length of the Auction
Period and the rate of Tortoise Notes of such series. The Company shall initiate the change
in the length of the Auction Period by giving written notice to the Trustee, Auction Agent,
the Broker-Dealers and the Securities Depository that the Auction Period shall change if the
conditions described herein are satisfied and the proposed effective date of the change, at
least 10 Business Days prior to the Auction Date for such Auction Period.
(ii) Any such changed Auction Period shall be for a period of one day, seven-days,
28-days, 35-days, three months, six months and shall be for all of the Tortoise Notes of
such series.
(iii) The change in length of the Auction Period shall take effect only if Sufficient
Clearing Bids exist at the Auction on the Auction Date for such new Auction Period. For
purposes of the Auction for such new Auction Period only, except to the extent any Existing
Holder submits an Order with respect to such Tortoise Notes of any series each Existing
Holder shall be deemed to have submitted Sell Orders with respect to all of its Tortoise
Notes of such series if the change is to a longer Auction Period and a Hold Order if the
change is to a shorter Auction Period. If there are not Sufficient Clearing Bids for the
first Auction Period, the Auction Rate for the new Auction Period shall be the Maximum Rate,
and the Auction Period shall be a seven-day Auction Period.
(b) Changes in Auction Date. During any Auction Period, the Auction Agent, at the direction
of the Company, may specify an earlier or later Auction Date (but in no event more than five
Business Days earlier or later) than the Auction Date that would otherwise be determined in
accordance with the definition of Auction Date in order to conform with then current market
practice with respect to similar securities or to accommodate economic and financial factors that
may affect or be relevant to the day of the week constituting an Auction Date and the rate of the
Tortoise Notes of the series. The Auction Agent shall provide notice of the Companys direction to
specify an earlier Auction Date for an Auction Period by means of a written notice delivered at
least 45 days prior to the proposed changed Auction Date to the Company and the Broker-Dealers with
a copy to the Securities Depository. In the event the Auction Agent is instructed to specify an
earlier or later Auction Date, the days of the week on which an Auction Period begins and ends and
the Interest Payment Dates shall be adjusted accordingly.
(c) Changes Resulting from Unscheduled Holidays. If, in the opinion of the Auction Agent and
the Broker-Dealers, there is insufficient notice of an unscheduled holiday to allow the efficient
implementation of the Auction Procedures set forth herein, the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers
A-I-12
may, as they deem appropriate, and after providing notice to the Company, set a different
Auction Date and adjust any Interest Payment Dates and Auction Periods affected by such unscheduled
holiday. In the event there is not agreement among the Broker-Dealers, the Auction Agent shall set
the different Auction Date and make such adjustments as directed by a majority of the
Broker-Dealers (based on the number of Units for which a Broker-Dealer is listed as the
Broker-Dealer in the Existing Holder registry maintained by the Auction Agent pursuant to Section
2.2 of the Auction Agreement), and, if there is not a majority so directing, the Auction Date shall
be moved to the next succeeding Business Day following the scheduled Auction Date, and the Interest
Payment Date and the Auction Period shall be adjusted accordingly.
9. Index.
(a) If for any reason on any Auction Date the Index shall not be determined as provided in
Appendix A-I Tortoise Notes Auction Procedures, the Index shall be the Index for the prior Business
Day.
(b) The determination of the Index as provided in the Indenture and Appendix A-I Tortoise Notes
Auction Procedures shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company, the Trustee, the
Broker-Dealers, the Auction Agent and the holders of the Tortoise Notes.
A-I-13
APPENDIX B FORM OF ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
SERIES ___TORTOISE AUCTION PREFERRED SHARES
Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corporation (the Company), a Maryland corporation, certifies
to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:
FIRST: Under a power contained in Article V, of the charter of the Company (the Charter),
the Board of Directors by duly adopted resolutions classified and designated shares of
authorized but unissued Preferred Stock (as defined in the Charter) as shares of Series ___Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares, liquidation preference $ per share, with the following preferences,
rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions,
qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption, which, upon any restatement of the Charter,
shall become part of Article V of the Charter, with any necessary or appropriate renumbering or
relettering of the sections or subsections hereof.
TORTOISE
AUCTION PREFERRED SHARES
DESIGNATION
Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares: shares of Preferred Stock are classified and
designated as Series ___Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, liquidation preference $ per share
(Series ___Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares). The initial Dividend Period for the Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares shall be the period from and including the Original Issue Date thereof to
but excluding
,
200____. Each Tortoise Auction Preferred Share shall have an Applicable Rate
for its initial Dividend Period equal to ___% per annum and an initial Dividend Payment Date of
,
200____. Each Tortoise Auction Preferred Share shall have such other preferences, rights,
voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications
and terms and conditions of redemption, in addition to those required by applicable law or set
forth in the Charter applicable to shares of Preferred Stock (Preferred Shares), as are set forth
in Part I and Part II of these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares. The Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares shall constitute a separate series of Preferred Shares.
Subject to the provisions of Section 11 of Part I hereof, the Board of Directors of the
Company may, in the future, authorize the issuance of additional Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
with the same preferences, rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and
other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption and other terms herein
described, except that the initial Dividend Period, the Applicable Rate for the initial Dividend
Period and the initial Dividend Payment Date shall be as set forth in the Articles Supplementary
relating to such additional Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
As used in Part I and Part II of these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares,
capitalized terms shall have the meanings provided in Section 17 of Part I.
PART I. TORTOISE AUCTION PREFERRED SHARES TERMS
1. Number of Shares; Ranking. (a) The initial number of authorized Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares is shares. No fractional Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall be issued.
(b) Any Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares which at any time have been redeemed or purchased by
the Company shall, after redemption or purchase, be returned to the status of authorized but
unissued Preferred Shares, without further designation as to series.
B-1
(c) The Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall rank on a parity with shares of any other
series of Preferred Shares (including any other Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares) as to the
payment of dividends to which the shares are entitled and the distribution of assets upon
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company.
(d) No Holder of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall have, solely by reason of being a
Holder, any preemptive right, or, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, other
right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, shares of common
stock of the Company (Common Shares) or other securities of the Company which it may hereafter
issue or sell.
(e) No Holder of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall be entitled to exercise the rights of
an objecting stockholder under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the
MGCL) or any successor provision.
2. Dividends. (a) The Holders of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall be entitled
to receive cash dividends, when, as and if authorized by the Board of Directors and declared by the
Company, out of funds legally available therefor, at the rate per annum equal to the Applicable
Rate, determined as set forth in paragraph (c) of this Section 2, and no more, payable on the
respective dates determined as set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section 2. Dividends on
Outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares issued on the Original Issue Date shall accumulate
from the Original Issue Date.
(b) (i) Dividends shall be payable when, as and if authorized by the Board of Directors and
declared by the Company following the initial Dividend Payment Date, subject to subparagraph
(b)(ii) of this Section 2, on Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, with respect to any Dividend
Period on the first Business Day following the last day of the Dividend Period; provided, however,
if the Dividend Period is greater than 30 days, then on a monthly basis on the first Business Day
of each month within the Dividend Period and on the Business Day following the last day of the
Dividend Period.
(ii) If a day for payment of dividends resulting from the application of subparagraph
(b)(i) above is not a Business Day, then the Dividend Payment Date shall be the first
Business Day that falls after such day for payment of dividends.
(iii) The Company shall pay to the Paying Agent not later than 3:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Business Day next preceding each Dividend Payment Date for the Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares, an aggregate amount of federal funds or similar same-day funds, equal to
the dividends to be paid to all Holders of such shares on such Dividend Payment Date. The
Company shall not be required to establish any reserves for the payment of dividends.
(iv) All moneys paid to the Paying Agent for the payment of dividends shall be held in
trust for the payment of such dividends by the Paying Agent for the benefit of the Holders
specified in subparagraph (b)(v) of this Section 2. Any moneys paid to the Paying Agent in
accordance with the foregoing but not applied by the Paying Agent to the payment of
dividends, will, to the extent permitted by law, be repaid to the Company at the end of 90
days from the date on which such moneys were to have been so applied.
(v) Each dividend on Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall be paid on the Dividend
Payment Date therefor to the Holders as their names appear on the share ledger or share
records of the Company on the Business Day next preceding such Dividend Payment Date.
Dividends in arrears for any past Dividend Period may be declared and paid at any time,
without reference to any regular Dividend Payment Date, to the Holders as their names appear
on the share ledger or share records of the Company on such date, not exceeding 15 days
preceding the
B-2
payment date thereof, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors. No interest will be
payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments which may be in arrears.
(c) (i) The dividend rate on Outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares during the period
from and after the Original Issue Date to and including the last day of the initial Dividend Period
therefor shall be equal to the rate per annum set forth under Designation above. For each
subsequent Dividend Period with respect to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Outstanding
thereafter, the dividend rate shall be equal to the rate per annum that results from an Auction;
provided, however, that if Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made in an Auction (other than as
a result of all Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares being the subject of Submitted Hold Orders), then
the dividend rate on the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares for any such Dividend Period shall be
the Maximum Rate (except during a Default Period when the dividend rate shall be the Default Rate).
If an Auction for any subsequent Dividend Period is not held for any reason, including because
there is no Auction Agent or Broker-Dealer, then the dividend rate on the Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares for such Dividend Period shall be the Maximum Rate (except during a Default Period
when the dividend rate shall be the Default Rate).
The All Hold Rate will apply automatically following an Auction in which all of the
Outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares are subject (or are deemed to be subject) to Hold
Orders. The rate per annum at which dividends are payable on Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares as
determined pursuant to this Section 2(c)(i) shall be the Applicable Rate.
(ii) Subject to the cure provisions below, a Default Period will commence on any
Dividend Payment Date or any date fixed for redemption, as applicable, if the Company fails
to deposit irrevocably in trust in federal funds or similar same-day funds, with the Paying
Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, (A) the full amount of any declared dividend
payable on the Dividend Payment Date (a Dividend Default) or (B) the full amount of any
Redemption Price payable on the date fixed for redemption (the Redemption Date) (a
Redemption Default, and together with a Dividend Default, hereinafter referred to as
Default). Subject to the cure provisions of Section 2(c)(iii) below, a Default Period
with respect to a Dividend Default or a Redemption Default shall end on the Business Day on
which, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, all unpaid dividends and any unpaid Redemption
Price shall have been deposited irrevocably in trust in same-day funds with the Paying
Agent. In the case of a Dividend Default, the Applicable Rate for each Dividend Period
commencing during a Default Period will be equal to the Default Rate, and each subsequent
Dividend Period commencing after the beginning of a Default Period shall be a Standard
Dividend Period; provided, however, that the commencement of a Default Period will not by
itself cause the commencement of a new Dividend Period. No Auction shall be held during a
Default Period.
(iii) No Default Period with respect to a Dividend Default or Redemption Default shall
be deemed to commence if the amount of any dividend or any Redemption Price due (if such
default is not solely due to the willful failure of the Company) is deposited irrevocably in
trust, in same-day funds with the Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time within
three Business Days after the applicable Dividend Payment Date or Redemption Date, together
with an amount equal to the Default Rate applied to the amount of such non-payment based on
the actual number of days comprising such period divided by 360.
(iv) The amount of dividends per share payable (if declared) on each Dividend Payment
Date of each Dividend Period (or in respect of dividends on another date in connection with
a redemption during such Dividend Period) shall be computed by multiplying the Applicable
Rate (or the Default Rate) for such Dividend Period (or a portion thereof) by a
B-3
fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of days in such Dividend Period (or
portion thereof) that such share was Outstanding and for which the Applicable Rate or the
Default Rate was applicable and the denominator of which will be 360, multiplying the amount
so obtained by the liquidation preference per share, and rounding the amount so obtained to
the nearest cent.
(d) Any dividend payment made on Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall first be credited
against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividends due with respect to such Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares.
(e) For so long as the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares are Outstanding, except as
contemplated by Part I of these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, the Company will
not declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividend or other distribution (other than a dividend
or distribution paid in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase,
Common Shares or other shares of capital stock, if any, ranking junior to the Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares as to dividends or upon liquidation) with respect to Common Shares or any other
shares of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
as to dividends or upon liquidation, or call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire
for consideration any Common Shares or any other such junior shares (except by conversion into or
exchange for shares of the Company ranking junior to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares as to
dividends and upon liquidation) or any such parity shares (except by conversion into or exchange
for shares of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with the Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares as to dividends and upon liquidation), unless (1) there is no event of default under any
borrowings (including the Tortoise Notes) that is continuing; (2) immediately after such
transaction, the Company would have Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value at least
equal to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance Amount and the 1940 Act Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares Asset Coverage would be achieved, (3) immediately after the transaction,
the Company would have eligible portfolio holdings with an aggregated discounted value at least
equal to the asset coverage requirements, if any, under any Borrowings, (4) full cumulative
dividends on the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares due on or prior to the date of the transaction
have been declared and paid and (5) the Company has redeemed the full number of Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares required to be redeemed by any provision for mandatory redemption contained in
Section 3(a)(ii).
3. Redemption. (a) (i) After the initial Dividend Period, subject to the provisions
of this Section 3 and to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and Maryland law, the Company may,
at its option, redeem in whole or in part out of funds legally available therefor Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares herein designated as (A) having a Dividend Period of one year or less, on the
Business Day after the last day of such Dividend Period by delivering a notice of redemption to the
Auction Agent not less than 15 calendar days and not more than 40 calendar days prior to the date
fixed for such redemption, at a redemption price per share equal to $ , plus an amount equal
to accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed
for redemption (Redemption Price), or (B) having a Dividend Period of more than one year, on any
Business Day prior to the end of the relevant Dividend Period by delivering a notice of redemption
to the Auction Agent not less than 15 calendar days and not more than 40 calendar days prior to the
date fixed for such redemption, at the Redemption Price, plus a redemption premium, if any,
determined solely by the Board of Directors and set forth in any applicable Specific Redemption
Provisions at the time of the designation of such Dividend Period as set forth in Section 4 of
these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares; provided, however, that during a Dividend
Period of more than one year no Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares will be subject to optional
redemption except in accordance with any Specific Redemption Provisions approved by the Board of
Directors after consultation with the Broker-Dealers at the time of the designation of such
Dividend Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not give a notice of or effect
any redemption pursuant to this Section 3(a)(i) unless, on the date on which the Company intends to
give such notice and on the date of redemption (1) the Company has available certain Deposit
Securities with maturity or
B-4
tender dates not later than the day preceding the applicable redemption date and having a
value not less than the amount (including any applicable premium) due to Holders of Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares by reason of the redemption of such Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares on
such date fixed for the redemption and (2) the Company would have Eligible Assets with an aggregate
Discounted Value at least equal to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance Amount
immediately subsequent to such redemption, if such redemption were to occur on such date.
(ii) If the Company fails to maintain, as of any Valuation Date, Eligible Assets with
an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic
Maintenance Amount or, as of the last Business Day of any month, the 1940 Act Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares Asset Coverage, and such failure is not cured within ten Business
Days following such Valuation Date in the case of a failure to maintain the Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance Amount or on the last Business Day of the following month
in the case of a failure to maintain the 1940 Act Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Asset
Coverage (each an Asset Coverage Cure Date), the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares will be
subject to mandatory redemption out of funds legally available therefor. The number of
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares to be redeemed in such circumstances will be equal to the
lesser of (1) the minimum number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares the redemption of
which, if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the
relevant Asset Coverage Cure Date, would result in the Company having Eligible Assets with
an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic
Maintenance Amount, or sufficient to satisfy the 1940 Act Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
Asset Coverage, as the case may be, in either case as of the relevant Asset Coverage Cure
Date (provided that, if there is no such minimum number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
the redemption of which would have such result, all Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares then
Outstanding will be redeemed), and (2) the maximum number of Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares that can be redeemed out of funds expected to be available therefor on the Mandatory
Redemption Date at the Mandatory Redemption Price set forth in subparagraph (a)(iii) of this
Section 3.
(iii) In determining the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares required to be redeemed in
accordance with the foregoing Section 3(a)(ii), the Company shall allocate the number of
shares required to be redeemed to satisfy the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic
Maintenance Amount or the 1940 Act Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Asset Coverage, as the
case may be, pro rata among the Holders of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares in proportion
to the number of shares they hold by lot or by such other method as the Company shall deem
fair and equitable, subject to any mandatory redemption provisions, subject to the further
provisions of this subparagraph (iii). The Company shall effect any required mandatory
redemption pursuant to subparagraph (a)(ii) of this Section 3 no later than 40 calendar days
after the Asset Coverage Cure Date (the Mandatory Redemption Date), except that if the
Company does not have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is not otherwise
legally permitted to redeem, the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares which would be
required to be redeemed by the Company under subparagraph (a)(ii) of this Section 3 if
sufficient funds were available, together with shares of other Preferred Shares which are
subject to mandatory redemption under provisions similar to those contained in this Section
3, or the Company otherwise is unable to effect such redemption on or prior to such
Mandatory Redemption Date, the Company shall redeem those Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares,
and shares of other Preferred Shares which it was unable to redeem, on the earliest
practicable date on which the Company will have such funds available, upon notice pursuant
to Section 3(b) to record owners of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares to be redeemed and
the Paying Agent. The Company will deposit with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to redeem
the specified number of Tortoise Auction Preferred
B-5
Shares with respect to a redemption required under subparagraph (a)(ii) of this Section
3, by 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Mandatory Redemption Date. If fewer than all
of the Outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares are to be redeemed pursuant to this
Section 3(a)(iii), the number of shares to be redeemed shall be redeemed pro rata from the
Holders of such shares in proportion to the number of such shares held by such Holders, by
lot or by such other method as the Company shall deem fair and equitable, subject, however,
to the terms of any applicable Specific Redemption Provisions. Mandatory Redemption Price
means the Redemption Price plus (in the case of a Dividend Period of one year or more only)
a redemption premium, if any, determined by the Board of Directors after consultation with
the Broker-Dealers and set forth in any applicable Specific Redemption Provisions.
(b) In the event of a redemption pursuant to Section 3(a), the Company will file a notice of
its intention to redeem with the Commission so as to provide at least the minimum notice required
under Rule 23c-2 under the 1940 Act or any successor provision. In addition, the Company shall
deliver a notice of redemption to the Auction Agent (the Notice of Redemption) containing the
information set forth below (1) in the case of an optional redemption pursuant to subparagraph
(a)(i) above, one Business Day prior to the giving of notice to the Holders, and (2) in the case of
a mandatory redemption pursuant to subparagraph (a)(ii) above, on or prior to the 30th day
preceding the Mandatory Redemption Date. The Auction Agent will use its reasonable efforts to
provide notice to each Holder of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares called for redemption by
electronic or other reasonable means not later than the close of business on the Business Day
immediately following the day on which the Auction Agent determines the shares to be redeemed (or,
during a Default Period with respect to such shares, not later than the close of business on the
Business Day immediately following the day on which the Auction Agent receives Notice of Redemption
from the Company). The Auction Agent shall confirm such notice in writing not later than the close
of business on the third Business Day preceding the date fixed for redemption by providing the
Notice of Redemption to each Holder of shares called for redemption, the Paying Agent (if different
from the Auction Agent) and the Securities Depository. Notice of Redemption will be addressed to
the registered owners of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares at their addresses appearing on the
share records of the Company. Such Notice of Redemption will set forth (1) the date fixed for
redemption, (2) the number and identity of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares to be redeemed, (3)
the redemption price (specifying the amount of accumulated dividends to be included therein and the
amount of the redemption premium, if any), (4) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will
cease to accumulate on such date fixed for redemption, and (5) the provision under which redemption
shall be made. No defect in the Notice of Redemption or in the transmittal or mailing thereof will
affect the validity of the redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law. If fewer
than all shares held by any Holder are to be redeemed, the Notice of Redemption mailed to such
Holder shall also specify the number of shares to be redeemed from such Holder.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 3, but subject to Section
7(f), no Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares may be redeemed unless all dividends in arrears on the
Outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares and all shares of capital stock of the Company
ranking on a parity with the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends
or upon liquidation, have been or are being contemporaneously paid or set aside for payment;
provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of all
Outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares pursuant to the successful completion of an otherwise
lawful purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to, and accepted by, Holders of all
Outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(d) Upon the deposit of funds sufficient to redeem Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares with the
Paying Agent on the date fixed for redemption and the giving of the Notice of Redemption to the
Auction Agent under paragraph (b) of this Section 3, dividends on such shares shall cease to
accumulate
B-6
and such shares shall no longer be deemed to be Outstanding for any purpose (including,
without limitation, for purposes of calculating whether the Company has maintained the requisite
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance Amount or the 1940 Act Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares Asset Coverage), and all rights of the Holder of the shares so called for
redemption shall cease and terminate, except the right of such Holder to receive the redemption
price specified herein, but without any interest or other additional amount. Such redemption price
shall be paid by the Paying Agent to the nominee of the Securities Depository. Upon written
request, the Company shall be entitled to receive from the Paying Agent, promptly after the date
fixed for redemption, any cash deposited with the Paying Agent in excess of (1) the aggregate
redemption price of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares called for redemption on such date and
(2) such other amounts, if any, to which Holders of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares called for
redemption may be entitled. Any funds so deposited that are unclaimed at the end of two years from
such redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be paid to the Company upon its written
request, after which time the Holders of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares so called for redemption
may look only to the Company for payment of the redemption price and all other amounts, if any, to
which they may be entitled.
(e) To the extent that any redemption for which a Notice of Redemption has been given is not
made by reason of the absence of legally available funds therefor, or is otherwise prohibited, such
redemption shall be made as soon as practicable to the extent such funds become legally available
or such redemption is no longer otherwise prohibited. Failure to redeem Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares shall be deemed to exist when the Company shall have failed, for any reason whatsoever, to
deposit in trust with the Paying Agent the redemption price with respect to any shares for which
such Notice of Redemption has been given in accordance with Section 2(c)(ii) hereof.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Company may not have redeemed Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
for which a Notice of Redemption has been given, dividends may be declared and paid on Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares and shall include those Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares for which Notice
of Redemption has been given but for which deposit of funds has not been made.
(f) All moneys paid to the Paying Agent for payment of the redemption price of Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares called for redemption shall be held in trust by the Paying Agent for the
benefit of Holders of shares so to be redeemed.
(g) So long as any Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares are held of record by the nominee of the
Securities Depository, the redemption price for such shares will be paid on the date fixed for
redemption to the nominee of the Securities Depository for distribution to Agent Members for
distribution to the persons for whom they are acting as agent.
(h) Except for the provisions described above, nothing contained in these terms of the
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares limits any right of the Company to purchase or otherwise acquire
any Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares outside of an Auction at any price, whether higher or lower
than the price that would be paid in connection with an optional or mandatory redemption, so long
as, at the time of any such purchase, there is no arrearage in the payment of dividends on, or the
mandatory or optional redemption price with respect to, any Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares for
which Notice of Redemption has been given and the Company is in compliance with the 1940 Act
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Asset Coverage and has Eligible Assets with an aggregate
Discounted Value at least equal to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance Amount
after giving effect to such purchase or acquisition on the date thereof. If fewer than all the
Outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares are redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Company,
the Company shall give notice of such transaction to the Auction Agent, in accordance with the
procedures agreed upon by the Board of Directors.
B-7
(i) In the case of any redemption pursuant to this Section 3, only whole Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares shall be redeemed, and in the event that any provision of the Charter would
require redemption of a fractional share, the Auction Agent shall be authorized to round up so that
only whole shares are redeemed.
(j) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, including, without limitation, Sections
2(e) and 6(f) hereof, the Board of Directors may authorize, create or issue any class or series of
shares of capital stock, including other series of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, ranking prior
to or on a parity with the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares with respect to the payment of
dividends or the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs
of the Company, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended, if, upon issuance, the Company
would meet the 1940 Act Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Asset Coverage, the Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance Amount and the requirements of Section 11 of Part I hereof.
4. Designation of Dividend Period. (a) The initial Dividend Period for the Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares is as set forth under Designation above. The Company will designate the
duration of subsequent Dividend Periods of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares; provided, however,
that no such designation is necessary for a Standard Dividend Period and, provided further, that
any designation of a Special Dividend Period shall be effective only if (1) notice thereof shall
have been given as provided herein, (2) any failure to pay in a timely manner to the Auction Agent
the full amount of any dividend on, or the redemption price of, Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
shall have been cured as provided above, (3) Sufficient Clearing Bids shall have existed in an
Auction held on the Auction Date immediately preceding the first day of such proposed Special
Dividend Period, (4) if the Company shall have mailed a Notice of Redemption with respect to any
shares, the redemption price with respect to such shares shall have been deposited with the Paying
Agent, and (5) in the case of the designation of a Special Dividend Period, the Company has
confirmed that as of the Auction Date next preceding the first day of such Special Dividend Period,
it has Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance Amount, and the Company has consulted with the Broker-Dealers
and has provided notice of such designation and a Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic
Maintenance Report to Moodys (if Moodys is then rating the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares),
Fitch (if Fitch is then rating the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares) and any Other Rating Agency
which is then rating the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares and so requires.
(b) If the Company proposes to designate any Special Dividend Period, not fewer than seven (or
two Business Days in the event the duration of the Dividend Period prior to such Special Dividend
Period is fewer than eight days) nor more than 30 Business Days prior to the first day of such
Special Dividend Period, notice shall be (1) made by press release and (2) communicated by the
Company by telephonic or other means to the Auction Agent and confirmed in writing promptly
thereafter. Each such notice shall state (A) that the Company proposes to exercise its option to
designate a succeeding Special Dividend Period, specifying the first and last days thereof and (B)
that the Company will by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day next preceding
the first day of such Special Dividend Period, notify the Auction Agent, who will promptly notify
the Broker-Dealers and the Existing Holders, of either (x) its determination, subject to certain
conditions, to proceed with such Special Dividend Period, subject to the terms of any Specific
Redemption Provisions, or (y) its determination not to proceed with such Special Dividend Period,
in which latter event the succeeding Dividend Period shall be a Standard Dividend Period.
No later than 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day next preceding the
first day of any proposed Special Dividend Period, the Company shall deliver to the Auction Agent,
who will promptly deliver to the Broker-Dealers and Existing Holders, either:
B-8
(i) a notice stating (A) that the Company has determined to designate the next
succeeding Dividend Period as a Special Dividend Period, specifying the first and last days
thereof and (B) the terms of any Specific Redemption Provisions; or
(ii) a notice stating that the Company has determined not to exercise its option to
designate a Special Dividend Period.
If the Company fails to deliver either such notice with respect to any designation of any
proposed Special Dividend Period to the Auction Agent or is unable to make the confirmation
provided in clause (v) of paragraph (a) of this Section 4 by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
second Business Day next preceding the first day of such proposed Special Dividend Period, the
Company shall be deemed to have delivered a notice to the Auction Agent with respect to such
Dividend Period to the effect set forth in clause (ii) above, thereby resulting in a Standard
Dividend Period.
5. Restrictions on Transfer. Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares may be transferred
only (a) pursuant to an order placed in an Auction, (b) to or through a Broker-Dealer or (c) to the
Company or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transfer other than pursuant to an
Auction will not be effective unless the selling Existing Holder or the Agent Member of such
Existing Holder, in the case of an Existing Holder whose shares are listed in its own name on the
books of the Auction Agent, or the Broker-Dealer or Agent Member of such Broker-Dealer, in the case
of a transfer between persons holding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares through different
Broker-Dealers, advises the Auction Agent of such transfer. The certificate representing the
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares issued to the Securities Depository will bear legends with
respect to the restrictions described above and stop-transfer instructions will be issued to the
Transfer Agent and/or Registrar.
6. Voting Rights. (a) Except for matters which do not require the vote of holders of
Preferred Shares under the 1940 Act and except as otherwise provided in the Charter or Bylaws,
herein or as otherwise required by applicable law, (1) each holder of Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares shall be entitled to one vote for each Tortoise Auction Preferred Share held on each matter
submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Company, and (2) the holders of Outstanding Preferred
Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, and Common Shares shall vote together as a
single class on all matters submitted to stockholders; provided, however, that the holders of
Outstanding Preferred Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, shall be entitled,
as a class, to the exclusion of the holders of shares of all other classes of stock of the Company,
to elect two Directors of the Company at all times. The identity and class (if the Board of
Directors is then classified) of the nominees for such Directors may be fixed by the Board of
Directors. Subject to paragraph (b) of this Section 6, the holders of outstanding Common Shares
and Preferred Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, voting together as a single
class, shall elect the balance of the Directors.
(b) During any period in which any one or more of the conditions described below shall exist
(such period being referred to herein as a Voting Period), the number of Directors constituting
the Board of Directors shall automatically increase by the smallest number that, when added to the
two Directors elected exclusively by the holders of Preferred Shares, including the Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares, would constitute a majority of the Board of Directors as so increased by
such smallest number; and the holders of Preferred Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares, shall be entitled, voting as a class on a one-vote-per-share basis (to the exclusion of the
holders of all other securities and classes of shares of the Company), to elect such smallest
number of additional Directors, together with the two Directors that such holders are in any event
entitled to elect. A Voting Period shall commence:
B-9
(i) if at the close of business on any Dividend Payment Date accumulated dividends
(whether or not earned or declared) on Preferred Shares equal to at least two full years
dividends shall be due and unpaid; or
(ii) if at any time holders of any Preferred Shares are entitled under the 1940 Act to
elect a majority of the Directors of the Company.
Upon the termination of a Voting Period, the voting rights described in this paragraph (b) of
Section 6 shall cease, subject always, however, to the revesting of such voting rights in the
holders of Preferred Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, upon the further
occurrence of any of the events described in this paragraph (b) of Section 6.
(c) As soon as practicable after the accrual of any right of the holders of Preferred Shares,
including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, to elect additional Directors as described in
paragraph (b) of this Section 6, the Company shall notify the Auction Agent, and the Auction Agent
shall instruct the Directors to call a special meeting of such holders, and mail a notice of such
special meeting to such holders, such meeting to be held not less than 10 nor more than 30 calendar
days after the date of mailing of such notice. If the Company fails to send such notice to the
Auction Agent or if a special meeting is not called, it may be called by any such holder on like
notice. The record date for determining the holders entitled to notice of and to vote at such
special meeting shall be the close of business on the fifth Business Day preceding the day on which
such notice is mailed. At any such special meeting and at each meeting of holders of Preferred
Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, held during a Voting Period at which
Directors are to be elected, such holders, voting together as a class (to the exclusion of the
holders of all other securities and classes of capital stock of the Company), shall be entitled to
elect the number of Directors prescribed in paragraph (b) of this Section 6 on a one-vote-per-share
basis.
(d) The terms of office of all persons who are Directors of the Company at the time of a
special meeting of holders of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares and holders of other Preferred
Shares to elect Directors shall continue, notwithstanding the election at such meeting by the
holders of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares and such holders of other Preferred Shares of the
number of Directors that they are entitled to elect, and the persons so elected by such holders,
together with the two incumbent Directors elected by such holders and the remaining incumbent
Directors, shall constitute the duly elected Directors of the Company.
(e) Simultaneously with the termination of a Voting Period, the terms of office of the
additional Directors elected by the holders of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares and holders of
other Preferred Shares pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 6 shall terminate, the number of
Directors constituting the Board of Directors shall decrease accordingly, the remaining Directors
shall constitute the Directors of the Company and the voting rights of such holders to elect
additional Directors pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 6 shall cease, subject to the
provisions of the last sentence of paragraph (b) of this Section 6.
(f) So long as any of the shares of Preferred Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares, are Outstanding, the Company will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares determined with reference to a majority of
outstanding voting securities as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act (a 1940
Act Majority), voting as a separate class:
(i) amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or powers of such class of
Preferred Shares so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers
as defined in Section 6(h) below;
B-10
(ii) create, authorize or issue shares of any class of capital stock ranking senior to
or on a parity with the Preferred Shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the
distribution of assets, or any securities convertible into, or warrants, options or similar
rights to purchase, acquire or receive, such shares of capital stock ranking senior to or on
a parity with the Preferred Shares or reclassify any authorized shares of capital stock of
the Company into any shares ranking senior to or on a parity with the Preferred Shares
(except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to the provisions of either Section
3(j) or 11, as applicable, the Board of Directors, without the vote or consent of the
holders of the Preferred Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, may from
time to time authorize, create and classify, and the Company may from time to time issue,
shares or series of Preferred Shares, including other series of Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares, ranking on a parity with the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares with respect to the
payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding
up of the affairs of the Company, and may authorize, reclassify and/or issue any additional
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, including shares previously purchased or redeemed by the
Company, subject to continuing compliance by the Company with 1940 Act Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares Asset Coverage and Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance
Amount requirements);
(iii) institute any proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, or consent to
the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or file a petition
seeking or consenting to reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law
relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or consent to the appointment of a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or a
substantial part of its property, or make any assignment for the benefit of creditors, or,
except as may be required by applicable law, admit in writing its inability to pay its debts
generally as they become due or take any corporate action in furtherance of any such action;
(iv) create, incur or suffer to exist, or agree to create, incur or suffer to exist, or
consent to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise)
the creation, incurrence or existence of any material lien, mortgage, pledge, charge,
security interest, security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt or other material
encumbrance of any kind upon any of the Companys assets as a whole, except (A) liens the
validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (B) liens
for taxes that are not then due and payable or that can be paid thereafter without penalty,
(C) liens, pledges, charges, security interests, security agreements or other encumbrances
arising in connection with any indebtedness senior to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
or arising in connection with any futures contracts or options thereon, interest rate swap
or cap transactions, forward rate transactions, put or call options, short sales of
securities or other similar transactions; (D) liens, pledges, charges, security interests,
security agreements or other encumbrances arising in connection with any indebtedness
permitted under clause (v) below and (E) liens to secure payment for services rendered
including, without limitation, services rendered by the Companys custodian and the Auction
Agent; or
(v) create, authorize, issue, incur or suffer to exist any indebtedness for borrowed
money or any direct or indirect guarantee of such indebtedness for borrowed money or any
direct or indirect guarantee of such indebtedness, except the Company may borrow and issue
senior securities as may be permitted by the Companys investment restrictions or as may be
permitted by the 1940 Act; provided, however, that transfers of assets by the Company
subject to an obligation to repurchase shall not be deemed to be indebtedness for purposes
of this provision to the extent that after any such transaction the Company has Eligible
Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares Basic Maintenance Amount as of the immediately preceding Valuation Date.
B-11
(g) The affirmative vote of the holders of a 1940 Act Majority of the Outstanding Preferred
Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, shall be
required to approve any plan of reorganization (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) adversely
affecting such shares or any action requiring a vote of security holders of the Company under
Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act.
(h) The affirmative vote of the holders of a 1940 Act Majority of the Outstanding Preferred
Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, voting separately from any other series,
shall be required with respect to any matter that materially and adversely affects the rights,
preferences, or powers of that series in a manner different from that of other series of classes of
the Companys shares of capital stock. For purposes of the foregoing, no matter shall be deemed to
adversely affect any right, preference or power unless such matter (i) alters or abolishes any
preferential right of such series; (ii) creates, alters or abolishes any right in respect of
redemption of such series; or (iii) creates or alters (other than to abolish) any restriction on
transfer applicable to such series. The vote of holders of any shares described in this Section
6(h) will in each case be in addition to a separate vote of the requisite percentage of Common
Shares and/or Preferred Shares, if any, necessary to authorize the action in question.
(i) The rights of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares or the Holders thereof, including,
without limitation, the interpretation or applicability of any or all covenants or other
obligations of the Company contained herein or of the definitions of the terms contained herein,
all such covenants, obligations and definitions having been adopted pursuant to Rating Agency
Guidelines, may from time to time be modified, altered or repealed by the Board of Directors in its
sole discretion, based on a determination by the Board of Directors that such action is necessary
or appropriate in connection with obtaining or maintaining the rating of any Rating Agency with
respect to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares or revising the Companys investment restrictions
or policies consistent with guidelines of any Rating Agency, and any such modification, alteration
or repeal will not be deemed to affect the preferences, rights or powers of Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares or the Holders thereof, provided that the Board of Directors receives written
confirmation from each relevant Rating Agency (with such confirmation in no event being required to
be obtained from a particular Rating Agency with respect to definitions or other provisions
relevant only to and adopted in connection with another Rating Agencys rating of the Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares) that any such modification, alteration or repeal would not adversely
affect the rating then assigned by such Rating Agency.
The terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares are subject to the Rating Agency
Guidelines, as reflected in a written document and as amended from time to time by the respective
Rating Agency, for so long as the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares are then rated by the
applicable Rating Agency. Such Rating Agency Guidelines may be amended by the respective Rating
Agency without the vote, consent or approval of the Company, the Board of Directors and any holder
of shares of Preferred Shares, including any series of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, or any
other stockholder of the Company.
In addition, subject to compliance with applicable law, the Board of Directors may modify the
definition of Maximum Rate to increase the percentage amount by which the Reference Rate is
multiplied to determine the Maximum Rate shown therein without the vote or consent of the holders
of the Preferred Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, or any other stockholder
of the Company, and without receiving any confirmation from any rating agency after consultation
with the Broker-Dealers, provided that immediately following any such increase the Company would be
in compliance with the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance Amount.
B-12
(j) Unless otherwise required by law, Holders of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall not
have any relative rights or preferences or other special rights other than those specifically set
forth herein. The Holders of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall have no rights to cumulative
voting. If the Company fails to pay any dividends on the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, the
exclusive remedy of the Holders shall be the right to vote for Directors pursuant to the provisions
of this Section 6.
(k) The foregoing voting provisions will not apply with respect to the Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares if, at or prior to the time when a vote is required, such shares have been (i)
redeemed or (ii) called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to
effect such redemption.
7. Liquidation Rights. (a) Upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
affairs of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the Holders of Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares then outstanding, together with holders of shares of any class of shares ranking on a parity
with the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up, shall be
entitled to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Company (or the proceeds thereof)
available for distribution to its stockholders after satisfaction of claims of creditors of the
Company an amount equal to the liquidation preference with respect to such shares. The liquidation
preference for Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall be $____ per share, plus an amount equal
to all accumulated dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared but without interest) to
the date payment of such distribution is made in full or a sum sufficient for the payment thereof
is set apart with the Paying Agent. No redemption premium shall be paid upon any liquidation even
if such redemption premium would be paid upon optional or mandatory redemption of the relevant
shares. In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary
liquidation), by dividend, redemption or otherwise, is permitted under the MGCL, amounts that would
be needed, if the Company were to be dissolved at the time of distribution, to satisfy the
liquidation preference of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares will not be added to the Companys
total liabilities.
(b) If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary, the assets of the Company available for distribution among the holders of
all outstanding Preferred Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, shall be
insufficient to permit the payment in full to holders of the amounts to which they are entitled,
then the available assets shall be distributed among the holders of all outstanding Preferred
Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, ratably in any distribution of assets
according to the respective amounts which would be payable on all the shares if all amounts thereon
were paid in full.
(c) Upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary, until payment in full is made to the holders of Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares of the liquidation distribution to which they are entitled, (1) no dividend or
other distribution shall be made to the holders of Common Shares or any other class of shares of
capital stock of the Company ranking junior to Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares upon dissolution,
liquidation or winding up and (2) no purchase, redemption or other acquisition for any
consideration by the Company shall be made in respect of the Common Shares or any other class of
shares of capital stock of the Company ranking junior to Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares upon
dissolution, liquidation or winding up.
(d) A consolidation, reorganization or merger of the Company with or into any other trust or
company, or a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in
consideration for the issuance of equity securities of another trust or company shall not be deemed
to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes
of this Section 7.
B-13
(e) After the payment to the holders of Preferred Shares, including Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares, of the full preferential amounts provided for in this Section 7, the holders of Preferred
Shares, including Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, as such shall have no right or claim to any of
the remaining assets of the Company.
(f) If the assets of the Company or proceeds thereof available for distribution to the Holders
of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, upon any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
affairs of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all
amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 7, no such
distribution shall be made on account of any shares of any other class or series of Preferred
Shares ranking on a parity with Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares unless proportionate distributive
amounts shall be paid on account of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, ratably, in proportion
to the full distributable amounts to which holders of all such parity shares are entitled upon such
dissolution, liquidation or winding up.
(g) Subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series or class or classes of stock
ranking on a parity with Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares with respect to the distribution of
assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, after payment
shall have been made in full to the holders of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares as provided in
paragraph (a) of this Section 7, but not prior thereto, any other series or class or classes of
stock ranking junior to Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares with respect to the distribution of
assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company shall, subject to
any respective terms and provisions (if any) applying thereto, be entitled to receive any and all
assets remaining to be paid or distributed, and the holders of the Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares shall not be entitled to share therein.
8. Auction Agent. For so long as any Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares are
Outstanding, the Auction Agent, duly appointed by the Company to so act, shall be in each case a
commercial bank, trust company or other financial institution independent of the Company and its
Affiliates (which, however, may engage or have engaged in business transactions with the Company or
its Affiliates) and at no time shall the Company or any of its Affiliates act as the Auction Agent
in connection with the Auction Procedures. If the Auction Agent resigns or for any reason its
appointment is terminated during any period that any Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares are
outstanding, the Company shall use its best efforts promptly thereafter to appoint another
qualified commercial bank, trust company or financial institution to act as the Auction Agent.
9. 1940 Act Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Asset Coverage. The Company shall
maintain, as of the last Business Day of each month in which any shares of the Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares are Outstanding, asset coverage with respect to the Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares which is equal to or greater than the 1940 Act Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Asset
Coverage; provided, however, that Section 3(a)(ii) shall be the sole remedy if the Company fails to
do so.
10. Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance Amount. So long as the
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares are Outstanding and Moodys, Fitch or any Other Rating Agency
which so requires is then rating the shares of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, the Company
shall maintain, as of each Valuation Date, Moodys Eligible Assets (if Moodys is then rating the
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares), Fitch Eligible Assets (if Fitch is then rating the Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares) and (if applicable) Other Rating Agency Eligible Assets having an
aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic
Maintenance Amount; provided, however, that Section 3(a)(ii) shall be the sole remedy in the event
the Company fails to do so.
11. Certain Other Restrictions. For so long as any Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
are Outstanding and any Rating Agency is then rating such shares, the Company will not, unless it
has received written confirmation from each such rating agency that any such action would not
impair the
B-14
rating then assigned by such Rating Agency to such shares, engage in certain proscribed
transactions set forth in the Rating Agency Guidelines.
12. Compliance Procedures for Asset Maintenance Tests. For so long as any Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares are Outstanding and Moodys, Fitch or any Other Rating Agency which so
requires is then rating such shares, the Company shall deliver to each rating agency which is then
rating Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares and any other party specified in the Rating Agency
Guidelines all certificates that are set forth in the respective Rating Agency Guidelines regarding
1940 Act Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Asset Coverage, Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic
Maintenance Amount and/or related calculations at such times and containing such information as set
forth in the respective Rating Agency Guidelines.
13. Notice. All notices or communications hereunder, unless otherwise specified in
these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, shall be sufficiently given if in writing and
delivered in person, by telecopier, by electronic means or mailed by first-class mail, postage
prepaid. Notices delivered pursuant to this Section 13 shall be deemed given on the earlier of the
date received or the date five days after which such notice is mailed, except as otherwise provided
in these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares or by the MGCL for notices of Stockholders
meetings.
14. Waiver. To the extent permitted by Maryland law, holders of a 1940 Act Majority
of the Outstanding Preferred Shares, including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, acting
collectively or voting separately from any other series, may by affirmative vote waive any
provision hereof intended for their respective benefit in accordance with such procedures as may
from time to time be established by the Board of Directors.
15. Termination. If no Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares are outstanding, all rights
and preferences of such shares established and designated hereunder shall cease and terminate, and
all obligations of the Company under these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, shall
terminate.
16. Facts Ascertainable Outside Charter. Subject to the provisions of these terms of
the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, the Board of Directors may, by resolution duly adopted,
without stockholder approval (except as otherwise provided by these terms of the Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares or required by applicable law), modify these terms of the Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares to reflect any modification hereto which the Board of Directors is entitled to
adopt pursuant to the terms of Section 6(i) hereof or otherwise without stockholder approval. To
the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board of Directors may interpret, modify or adjust the
provisions of these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares to resolve any inconsistency or
ambiguity or to remedy any defect.
17. Definitions. As used in Part I and Part II of these terms of the Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares, the following terms shall have the following meanings (with terms defined in the
singular having comparable meanings when used in the plural and vice versa), unless the context
otherwise requires:
(a) AA Composite Commercial Paper Rate on any date means (i) the interest equivalent of the
30-day rate, in the case of a Dividend Period which is a Standard Dividend Period or shorter, or
the 180-day rate, in the case of all other Dividend Periods, on commercial paper on behalf of
issuers whose corporate bonds are rated AA by Standard & Poors, or the equivalent of such rating
by another nationally recognized rating agency, as announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York for the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding such date; or (ii) if the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not make available such a rate, then the arithmetic average
of the interest equivalent of such rates on commercial paper placed on behalf of such issuers, as
quoted on a discount basis or otherwise by the Commercial Paper Dealers to the Auction Agent for
the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding such date (rounded to the next
highest .001 of 1%). If any
B-15
Commercial Paper Dealer does not quote a rate required to determine the AA Composite
Commercial Paper Rate, such rate shall be determined on the basis of the quotations (or quotation)
furnished by the remaining Commercial Paper Dealers (or Dealer), if any, or, if there are no such
Commercial Paper Dealers, by a nationally recognized dealer in commercial paper of such issuers
then making such quotations selected by the Company. For purposes of this definition, (A)
Commercial Paper Dealers shall mean (1) Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc.,
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Goldman Sachs & Co.; (2) in lieu of any
thereof, its respective Affiliate or successor; and (3) if any of the foregoing shall cease to
quote rates for commercial paper of issuers of the sort described above, in substitution therefor,
a nationally recognized dealer in commercial paper of such issuers then making such quotations
selected by the Company, and (B) interest equivalent of a rate stated on a discount basis for
commercial paper of a given number of days maturity shall mean a number equal to the quotient
(rounded upward to the next higher one-thousandth of 1%) of (1) such rate expressed as a decimal,
divided by (2) the difference between (x) 1.00 and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be
the product of such rate expressed as a decimal, multiplied by the number of days in which such
commercial paper shall mature and the denominator of which shall be 360.
(b) Affiliate or affiliate means any person controlled by, in control of or under common
control with the Company; provided that no Broker-Dealer controlled by, in control of or under
common control with the Company shall be deemed to be an Affiliate nor shall any corporation or any
person controlled by, in control of or under common control with such corporation, one of the
directors or executive officers of which also is a Director of the Company be deemed to be an
Affiliate solely because such director or executive officer also is a Director of the Company.
(c) Agent Member means a member of, or participant in, the Securities Depository who shall
act on behalf of a Bidder.
(d) All Hold Rate means 80% of the AA Composite Commercial Paper Rate.
(e) Applicable Percentage means the percentage associated with the lower of the credit
ratings assigned to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares by Moodys or Fitch, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys |
|
Fitch |
|
Applicable |
Credit Rating |
|
Credit Rating |
|
Percentage |
Aa3 or above |
|
AA- or above |
|
200% |
A3 to A1 |
|
A- to A+ |
|
250% |
Baa3 to Baa1 |
|
BBB- to BBB+ |
|
275% |
Below Baa3 |
|
Below BBB- |
|
300% |
(f) Applicable Rate means, with respect to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares for each
Auction Period (i) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist for the Auction in respect thereof, the
Winning Bid Rate, (ii) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist for the Auction in respect thereof,
the Maximum Rate, (iii) in the case where all the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares are the subject
of Hold Orders for the Auction in respect thereof, the All Hold Rate, (iv) if a Default Period is
occurring, the Default Rate, and (v) if an Auction is not held for any reason (including the
circumstance where there is no Auction Agent or Broker-Dealer), the Maximum Rate.
(g) Asset Coverage Cure Date has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(ii).
(h) Auction means each periodic implementation of the Auction Procedures.
B-16
(i) Auction Agent means The Bank of New York unless and until another commercial bank, trust
company, or other financial institution appointed by a resolution of the Board of Directors enters
into an agreement with the Company to follow the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining
the Applicable Rate.
(j) Auction Agreement means the agreement between the Auction Agent and the Company pursuant
to which the Auction Agent agrees to follow the procedures specified in Part II of these terms of
the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, as such agreement may from time to time be amended or
supplemented.
(k) Auction Date means the first Business Day next preceding the first day of a Dividend
Period.
(l) Auction Desk means the business unit of a Broker-Dealer that fulfills the
responsibilities of the Broker-Dealer under a Broker-Dealer Agreement, including soliciting Bids
for the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, and units of the Broker-Dealer which are not separated
from such business unit by information controls appropriate to control, limit and monitor the
inappropriate dissemination of information about Bids.
(m) Auction Period means with respect to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, either a
Standard Auction Period or a Special Auction Period, as applicable.
(n) Auction Procedures means the procedures for conducting Auctions set forth in Part II
hereof.
(o) Available Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares means for each series of Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares on each Auction Date, the number of Outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
of the series that are not the subject of Submitted Hold Orders.
(p) Beneficial Owner, with respect to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, means a
customer of a Broker-Dealer who is listed on the records of that Broker-Dealer (or, if applicable,
the Auction Agent) as a holder of shares of the series.
(q) Bid shall have the meaning specified in paragraph (a) of Section 1 of Part II of these
terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(r) Bidder means each Beneficial Owner, Potential Beneficial Owner and Broker Dealer who
places an Order.
(s) Board of Directors or Board means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly
authorized committee thereof as permitted by applicable law.
(t) Broker-Dealer means any broker-dealer or broker-dealers, or other entity permitted by
law to perform the function required of a Broker-Dealer by the Auction Procedures, that has been
selected by the Company and that is a party to a Broker-Dealer Agreement with the Auction Agent.
The Broker-Dealer of record with respect to any Tortoise Auction Preferred Share is the
Broker-Dealer which placed the Order for such Tortoise Auction Preferred Share or whom the Existing
Holder of such Tortoise Auction Preferred Share has designated as its Broker-Dealer with respect to
such Tortoise Auction Preferred Share, in each case as reflected in the records of the Auction
Agent.
(u) Broker-Dealer Agreement means an agreement between the Auction Agent and a
Broker-Dealer, pursuant to which the Broker-Dealer agrees to follow the Auction Procedures.
B-17
(v) Broker-Dealer Deadline means, with respect to an Order, the internal deadline
established by the Broker-Dealer through which the Order was placed after which it will not accept
Orders or any change in any Order previously placed with such Broker-Dealer; provided, however,
that nothing shall prevent the Broker-Dealer from correcting Clerical Errors by the Broker-Dealer
with respect to Orders from Bidders after the Broker-Dealer Deadline pursuant to the provisions
herein. Any Broker-Dealer may change the time or times of its Broker-Dealer Deadline as it relates
to such Broker-Dealer by giving notice not less than two Business Days prior to the date such
change is to take effect to Bidders who place Orders through such Broker-Dealer.
(w) Business Day means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and
which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in the City of New York, New York are
authorized or obligated by law to close, days on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is not
open for business, days on which banking institutions or trust companies located in the state in
which the operations of the Auction Agent are conducted are authorized or required to be closed by
law, regulation or executive order of the state in which the Auction Agent conducts operations with
respect to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(x) Clerical Error means a clerical error in the processing of an Order, and includes, but
is not limited to, the following: (i) a transmission error, including but not limited to, an Order
sent to the wrong address or number, failure to transmit certain pages or illegible transmission,
(ii) failure to transmit an Order received from one or more Existing Holders or Potential
Beneficial Owners (including Orders from the Broker-Dealer which were not originated by the Auction
Desk) prior to the Broker-Dealer Deadline or generated by the Broker-Dealers Auction Desk for its
own account prior to the Submission Deadline or (iii) a typographical error. Determining whether
an error is a Clerical Error is within the reasonable judgment of the Broker-Dealer, provided
that the Broker-Dealer has a record of the correct Order that shows it was so received or so
generated prior to the Broker-Dealer Deadline or the Submission Deadline, as applicable.
(y) Commercial Paper Dealers has the meaning set forth in the definition of AA Composite
Commercial Paper Rate.
(z) Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(aa) Common Shares means the shares of common stock, par value $.001 per share, of the
Company.
(bb) Default has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(ii) of this Part I.
(cc) Default Period has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(ii) of this Part I.
(dd) Default Rate means the Reference Rate multiplied by three (3).
(ee) Deposit Securities means cash and any obligations or securities, including short-term
money market instruments that are Eligible Assets, rated at least AAA, A-1 or SP-1 by Standard &
Poors, except that, for purposes of section 3(a)(i) of this Part I, such obligations or securities
shall be considered Deposit Securities only if they are also rated at least P-2 by Moodys.
(ff) Discount Factor means the Fitch Discount Factor (if Fitch is then rating the Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares), the Moodys Discount Factor (if Moodys is then rating the Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares) or any Other Rating Agency Discount Factor (if any Other Rating Agency is
then rating the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares), whichever is applicable.
B-18
(gg) Discounted Value has the meaning set forth in the Rating Agency Guidelines.
(hh) Dividend Default has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(ii) of this Part I.
(ii) Dividend Payment Date with respect to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares means any
date on which dividends are payable pursuant to Section 2(b) of this Part I.
(jj) Dividend Period means, with respect to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, the
period commencing on the Original Issue Date thereof and ending on the date specified for such
series on the Original Issue Date thereof and thereafter, as to such series, the period commencing
on the day following each Dividend Period for such series and ending on the day established for
such series by the Company.
(kk) Eligible Assets means Fitchs Eligible Assets or Moodys Eligible Assets (if Moodys or
Fitch are then rating the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares) and/or Other Rating Agency Eligible
Assets (if any Other Rating Agency is then rating the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares), whichever
is applicable.
(ll) Error Correction Deadline means one hour after the Auction Agent completes the
dissemination of the results of the Auction to Broker-Dealers without regard to the time of receipt
of such results by any Broker-Dealer; provided, however, in no event shall the Error Correction
Deadline extend past 4:00 p.m., New York City time unless the Auction Agent experiences
technological failure or force majeure in disseminating the Auction results which causes a delay in
dissemination past 3:00 p.m., New York City time.
(mm) Existing Holder, with respect to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, shall mean a
Broker-Dealer (or any such other Person as may be permitted by the Company) that is listed on the
records of the Auction Agent as a holder of shares of such series.
(nn) Fitch means Fitch Ratings and its successors at law.
(oo) Fitch Discount Factor means the discount factors set forth in the Fitch Guidelines for
use in calculating the Discounted Value of the Companys assets in connection with Fitchs ratings
of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(pp) Fitch Eligible Assets means the assets of the Company set forth in the Fitch Guidelines
as eligible for inclusion in calculating the Discounted Value of the Companys assets in connection
with Fitchs ratings of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(qq) Fitch Guidelines mean the guidelines provided by Fitch, as may be amended from time to
time, in connection with Fitchs ratings of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(rr) Hold Order shall have the meaning specified in paragraph (a) of Section 1 of Part II of
these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares or an Order deemed to have been submitted as
provided in paragraph (c) of Section 1 of Part II of these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares.
(ss) Holder means, with respect to Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, the registered holder
of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares as the same appears on the share ledger or share records of
the Company.
B-19
(tt) LIBOR on any Auction Date, means (i) the rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for the
designated Dividend Period, which appears on display page 3750 of Moneylines Telerate Service
(Telerate Page 3750) (or such other page as may replace that page on that service, or such other
service as may be selected by Lehman Brothers Inc. or its successors) as of 11:00 a.m., London
time, on the day that is the London Business Day on the Auction Date or, if the Auction Date is not
a London Business Day, the London Business Day preceding the Auction Date (the LIBOR Determination
Date), or (ii) if such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750 or such other page as may
replace such Telerate Page 3750, (A) Lehman Brothers Inc. shall determine the arithmetic mean of
the offered quotations of the reference banks to leading banks in the London interbank market for
deposits in U.S. dollars for the designated Dividend Period in an amount determined by Lehman
Brothers Inc. by reference to requests for quotations as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time)
on such date made by Lehman Brothers Inc. to the reference banks, (B) if at least two of the
reference banks provide such quotations, LIBOR shall equal such arithmetic mean of such quotations,
(C) if only one or none of the reference banks provide such quotations, LIBOR shall be deemed to be
the arithmetic mean of the offered quotations that leading banks in The City of New York selected
by Lehman Brothers Inc. (after obtaining the Companys approval) are quoting on the relevant LIBOR
Determination Date for deposits in U.S. dollars for the designated Dividend Period in an amount
determined by Lehman Brothers Inc. (after obtaining the Companys approval) that is representative
of a single transaction in such market at such time by reference to the principal London offices of
leading banks in the London interbank market; provided, however, that if Lehman Brothers Inc. is
not a Broker-Dealer or does not quote a rate required to determine the LIBOR, the LIBOR will be
determined on the basis of the quotation or quotations furnished by any other Broker-Dealer
selected by the Company to provide such rate or rates not being supplied by Lehman Brothers Inc.;
provided further, that if Lehman Brothers Inc. and/or a substitute Broker-Dealer are required but
unable to determine a rate in accordance with at least one of the procedures provided above, the
LIBOR shall be the most recently determinable LIBOR. If the number of Dividend Period days shall
be (i) 7 or more but fewer than 21 days, such rate shall be the seven-day LIBOR rate; (ii) more
than 21 but fewer than 49 days, such rate shall be one-month LIBOR rate; (iii) 49 or more but fewer
than 77 days, such rate shall be the two-month LIBOR rate; (iv) 77 or more but fewer than 112 days,
such rate shall be the three-month LIBOR rate; (v) 112 or more but fewer than 140 days, such rate
shall be the four-month LIBOR rate; (vi) 140 or more but fewer than 168 days, such rate shall be
the five-month LIBOR rate; (vii) 168 or more but fewer than 189 days, such rate shall be the
six-month LIBOR rate; (viii) 189 or more but fewer than 217 days, such rate shall be the
seven-month LIBOR rate; (ix) 217 or more but fewer than 252 days, such rate shall be the
eight-month LIBOR rate; (x) 252 or more but fewer than 287 days, such rate shall be the nine-month
LIBOR rate; (xi) 287 or more but fewer than 315 days, such rate shall be the ten-month LIBOR rate;
(xii) 315 or more but fewer than 343 days, such rate shall be the eleven-month LIBOR rate; and
(xiii) 343 or more but fewer than 365 days, such rate shall be the twelve-month LIBOR rate.
(uu) London Business Day means any day on which commercial banks are generally open for
business in London.
(vv) Mandatory Redemption Date has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(iii) of this Part I.
(ww) Mandatory Redemption Price has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(iii) of this Part I.
(xx) Market Value means the market value of an asset of the Company determined as follows:
For equity securities, the value obtained from readily available market quotations. If an equity
security is not traded on an exchange or not available from a Board-approved pricing service, the
value obtained from written broker-dealer quotations. For fixed-income securities, the value
obtained
B-20
from readily available market quotations based on the last sale price of a security on the day
the Company values its assets or the market value obtained from a pricing service or the value
obtained from a direct written broker-dealer quotation from a dealer who has made a market in the
security. Market Value for other securities will mean the value obtained pursuant to the
Companys valuation procedures. If the market value of a security cannot be obtained, or the
Companys investment adviser determines that the value of a security as so obtained does not
represent the fair value of a security, fair value for that security shall be determined pursuant
to the valuation procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.
(yy) Maximum Rate means, on any date on which the Applicable Rate is determined, the rate
equal to the Applicable Percentage of the Reference Rate, subject to upward but not downward
adjustment in the discretion of the Board of Directors after consultation with the Broker-Dealers,
provided that immediately following any such increase the Company would be in compliance with the
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance Amount.
(zz) Minimum Rate means, on any Auction Date with respect to an Auction Period of 30 days or
fewer, 70% of the AA Composite Commercial Paper Rate at the close of business on the Business Day
next preceding such Auction Date. There shall be no Minimum Rate on any Auction Date with respect
to an Auction Period of more than the Standard Auction Period.
(aaa) Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its
successors at law.
(bbb) Moodys Discount Factor means the discount factors set forth in the Moodys Guidelines
as eligible for use in calculating the Discounted Value of the Companys assets in connection with
Moodys ratings of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(ccc) Moodys Eligible Assets means assets of the Company set forth in the Moodys
Guidelines as eligible for inclusion in calculating the Discounted Value of the Companys assets in
connection with Moodys ratings of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(ddd) Moodys Guidelines mean the guidelines provided by Moodys, as may be amended from
time to time, in connection with Moodys ratings of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(eee) 1940 Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.
(fff) 1940 Act Majority has the meaning set forth in Section 6(f) of this Part I.
(ggg) 1940 Act Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Asset Coverage means asset coverage, as
determined in accordance with Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act, of at least 200% with respect to all
outstanding senior securities of the Company which are stock, including all outstanding Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares (or such other asset coverage as may in the future be specified in or
under the 1940 Act as the minimum asset coverage for senior securities which are stock of a
closed-end investment company as a condition of declaring dividends on its common stock),
determined on the basis of values calculated as of a time within 48 hours next preceding the time
of such determination.
(hhh) Notice of Redemption means any notice with respect to the redemption of Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares pursuant to Section 3.
(iii) Order means a Hold Order, Bid or Sell Order.
B-21
(jjj) Original Issue Date means, with respect to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares,
Series ___,
,
200_____.
(kkk) Other Rating Agency means each rating agency, if any, other than Fitch or Moodys then
providing a rating for the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares pursuant to the request of the
Company.
(lll) Other Rating Agency Discount Factor means the discount factors set forth in the Other
Rating Agency Guidelines as eligible for use in calculating the Discounted Value of the Companys
assets in connection with such Other Rating Agencys ratings of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(mmm) Other Rating Agency Eligible Assets means assets of the Company designated by any
Other Rating Agency as eligible for inclusion in calculating the Discounted Value of the Companys
assets in connection with such Other Rating Agencys rating of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(nnn) Other Rating Agency Guidelines means the guidelines provided by each Other Rating
Agency, as may be amended from time to time, in connection with the Other Rating Agencys rating of
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(ooo) Outstanding or outstanding means, as of any date, Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
theretofore issued by the Company except, without duplication, (i) any Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares theretofore canceled, redeemed or repurchased by the Company, or delivered to the Auction
Agent for cancellation or with respect to which the Company has given notice of redemption and
irrevocably deposited with the Paying Agent sufficient funds to redeem such Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares and (ii) any Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares represented by any certificate in
lieu of which a new certificate has been executed and delivered by the Company. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (A) for purposes of voting rights (including the determination of the number of
shares required to constitute a quorum), any of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares to which the
Company or any Affiliate of the Company shall be the Existing Holder shall be disregarded and not
deemed outstanding; (B) in connection with any Auction, any Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares as to
which the Company or any person known to the Auction Agent to be an Affiliate of the Company shall
be the Existing Holder thereof shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding; and (C) for
purposes of determining the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance Amount, Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares held by the Company shall be disregarded and not deemed outstanding but
shares held by any Affiliate of the Company shall be deemed outstanding.
(ppp) Paying Agent means The Bank of New York unless and until another entity appointed by a
resolution of the Board of Directors enters into an agreement with the Company to serve as paying
agent.
(qqq) Person or person means and includes an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a
trust, a company, an unincorporated association, a joint venture or other entity or a government or
any agency or political subdivision thereof.
(rrr) Potential Beneficial Owner, with respect to shares of a series of Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares, shall mean a customer of a Broker-Dealer that is not a Beneficial Owner of shares
of such series but that wishes to purchase shares of such series, or that is a Beneficial Owner of
shares of such series that wishes to purchase additional shares of such series; provided, however,
that for purposes of conducting an Auction, the Auction Agent may consider a Broker-Dealer acting
on behalf of its customer as a Potential Beneficial Owner.
B-22
(sss) Potential Holder, with respect to shares of a series of Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares, shall mean a Broker-Dealer (or any such other person as may be permitted by the Company)
that is not an Existing Holder of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such series or that is an
Existing Holder of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such series that wishes to become the
Existing Holder of additional Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such series; provided, however,
that for purposes of conducting an Auction, the Auction Agent may consider a Broker-Dealer acting
on behalf of its customer as a Potential Holder.
(ttt) Preferred Shares means the shares of preferred stock, par value $.001 per share,
including the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, of the Company from time to time.
(uuu) Rating Agency means each of Fitch (if Fitch is then rating Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares), Moodys (if Moodys is then rating Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares), and any Other
Rating Agency.
(vvv) Rating Agency Guidelines mean Fitch Guidelines (if Fitch is then rating Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares), Moodys Guidelines (if Moodys is then rating Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares) and any Other Rating Agency Guidelines (if any Other Rating Agency is then rating Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares), whichever is applicable.
(www) Redemption Default has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(ii) of this Part I.
(xxx) Redemption Price has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(i) of this Part I.
(yyy) Reference Rate means, with respect to the determination of the Maximum Rate and
Default Rate, the greater of (1) the applicable AA Composite Commercial Paper Rate (for a
Dividend Period of fewer than 184 days) or the applicable Treasury Index Rate (for a Dividend
Period of 184 days or more), or (2) the applicable LIBOR.
(zzz) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
(aaaa) Securities Depository means The Depository Trust Company and its successors and
assigns or any successor securities depository selected by the Company that agrees to follow the
procedures required to be followed by such securities depository in connection with the Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares.
(bbbb) Sell Order shall have the meaning specified in paragraph (a) of Section 1 of Part II
of these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(cccc) Special Auction Period means an Auction Period that is not a Standard Auction Period.
(dddd) Special Dividend Period means a Dividend Period that is not a Standard Dividend
Period.
(eeee) Specific Redemption Provisions means, with respect to any Special Dividend Period of
more than one year, either, or any combination of (i) a period (a Non-Call Period) determined by
the Board of Directors after consultation with the Broker-Dealers, during which the shares subject
to such Special Dividend Period are not subject to redemption at the option of the Company pursuant
to Section 3(a)(ii) and (ii) a period (a Premium Call Period), consisting of a number of whole
years as determined by the Board of Directors after consultation with the Broker-Dealers, during
each year of
B-23
which the shares subject to such Special Dividend Period shall be redeemable at the Companys
option pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) and/or in connection with any mandatory redemption pursuant to
Section 3(a)(ii) at a price per share equal to $25,000 plus accumulated but unpaid dividends plus a
premium expressed as a percentage or percentages of $25,000 or expressed as a formula using
specified variables as determined by the Board of Directors after consultation with the
Broker-Dealers.
(ffff) Standard Auction Period means an Auction Period of ___days.
(gggg) Standard Dividend Period means a Dividend Period of ___days.
(hhhh) Submission Deadline means 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on any Auction Date or such
other time on such date as shall be specified by the Auction Agent from time to time pursuant to
the Auction Agreement as the time by which the Broker-Dealers are required to submit Orders to the
Auction Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Auction Agent will follow the Securities
Industry and Financial Markets Associations Early Market Close Recommendations for shortened
trading days for the bond markets (the SIFMA Recommendation) unless the Auction Agent is
instructed otherwise in writing by the Company. In the event of a SIFMA Recommendation with
respect to an Auction Date, the Submission Deadline will be 11:30 A.M., instead of 1:00 P.M., New
York City time.
(iiii) Submitted Bid shall have the meaning specified in paragraph (a) of Section 3 of Part
II of these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(jjjj) Submitted Hold Order shall have the meaning specified in paragraph (a) of Section 3
of Part II of these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(kkkk) Submitted Order shall have the meaning specified in paragraph (a) of Section 3 of
Part II of these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(llll) Submitted Sell Order shall have the meaning specified in paragraph (a) of Section 3
of Part II of these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(mmmm) Sufficient Clearing Bids means for each series of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares,
an Auction for which the number of outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares subject to
Submitted Bids by Potential Beneficial Owners specifying one or more rates not higher than the
Maximum Rate is not less than the number of outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares subject
to Submitted Sell Orders and of Submitted Bids by Existing Holders specifying rates higher than the
Maximum Rate.
(nnnn) Tortoise Notes shall mean the $ in principal amount of the Companys
currently outstanding Auction Rate Senior Notes Series A, B, C and D and any additional series of
such notes which may be issued from time to time by the Company.
(oooo) Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares means Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares,
liquidation preference $25,000 per share.
(pppp) Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance Amount as of any Valuation Date
has the meaning set forth in the Rating Agency Guidelines.
(qqqq) Treasury Index Rate means the average yield to maturity for actively traded
marketable U.S. Treasury fixed interest rate securities having the same number of 30-day periods to
maturity as the length of the applicable Dividend Period, determined, to the extent necessary, by
linear
B-24
interpolation based upon the yield for such securities having the next shorter and next longer
number of 30-day periods to maturity treating all Dividend Periods with a length greater than the
longest maturity for such securities as having a length equal to such longest maturity, in all
cases based upon data set forth in the most recent weekly statistical release published by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (currently in H.15(519)); provided, however, if
the most recent such statistical release shall not have been published during the 15 days preceding
the date of computation, the foregoing computations shall be based upon the average of comparable
data as quoted to the Company by at least three recognized dealers in U.S. Government securities
selected by the Company.
(rrrr) Valuation Date has the meaning set forth in the Rating Agency Guidelines.
(ssss) Winning Bid Rate means for the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a series, the
lowest rate specified in any Submitted Bid of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, which if
selected by the Auction Agent as the Applicable Rate would cause the number of Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares of such series that are the subject of Submitted Bids specifying a rate not
greater than such rate to be not less than the number of Available Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares.
18. Interpretation. References to sections, subsections, clauses, sub-clauses,
paragraphs and subparagraphs are to such sections, subsections, clauses, sub-clauses, paragraphs
and subparagraphs contained in this Part I or Part II hereof, as the case may be, unless
specifically identified otherwise.
PART II: AUCTION PROCEDURES
1. Orders by Existing Holders and Potential Beneficial Owners. (a) Prior to the
Broker-Dealer Deadline for each series of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares on each Auction Date:
(i) each Existing Holder may submit to a Broker-Dealer, in writing or by such other
method as shall be reasonably acceptable to such Broker-Dealer, one or more Orders as to:
(A) the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, if any, of the series held
by the Existing Holder which the Existing Holder commits to continue to hold for the
next succeeding Auction Period without regard to the Applicable Rate for such
Auction Period;
(B) the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, if any, of the series held
by the Existing Holder which the Existing Holder commits to continue to hold for the
next succeeding Auction Period if the Applicable Rate for Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares for the next succeeding Auction Period is not less than the rate per annum
specified in such Order (and if the Auction Rate is less than such specified rate,
the effect of the Order shall be as set forth in paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this
Section); and/or
(C) the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, if any, of the series held
by the Existing Holder which the Existing Holder offers to sell on the first
Business Day of the next succeeding Auction Period without regard to the Applicable
Rate for Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares for the next succeeding Auction Period;
and
(ii) each Potential Beneficial Owner may submit to a Broker-Dealer, in writing or by
such other method as shall be reasonably acceptable to such Broker-Dealer, an Order as to
the number of outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a series which each such
Potential Beneficial Owner offers to purchase if the Applicable Rate for the Tortoise
B-25
Auction Preferred Shares of a series for the next succeeding Dividend Period is not
less than the rate per annum then specified by such Potential Beneficial Owner.
For the purposes of the Auction Procedures, an Order containing the information referred to in
clause (i)(A) of this paragraph (a) is referred to as a Hold Order, an Order containing the
information referred to in clause (i)(B) or (ii) of this paragraph (a) is referred to as a Bid,
and an Order containing the information referred to in clause (i)(C) of this paragraph (a) is
referred to as a Sell Order. No Auction Desk of a Broker-Dealer shall accept as an Order a
submission (whether received from an Existing Holder or a Potential Beneficial Owner or generated
by the Broker-Dealer for its own account) which does not conform to the requirements of the Auction
Procedures, including, but not limited to, submissions which are not in Authorized Denominations,
specify a rate which contains more than three figures to the right of the decimal point or specify
an amount greater than the number of outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares. No Auction
Desk of a Broker-Dealer shall accept a Bid or Sell Order which is conditioned on being filled in
whole or a Bid which does not specify a specific dividend rate.
(b) (i) A Bid by an Existing Holder shall constitute an offer to sell on the first Business
Day of the next succeeding Auction Period:
(A) the number of outstanding Series ___Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
specified in the Bid if the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Auction Period
shall be less than the rate specified in such Bid; or
(B) the number or a lesser number of outstanding Series ___Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares to be determined as described in clause (v) of paragraph (a) of
Section 5 of this Part II if the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Auction
Period shall be equal to such specified rate; or
(C) a lesser number of outstanding Series ___Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
to be determined as described in clause (iv) of paragraph (b) of Section 5 of this
Part II if the rate specified therein shall be higher than the Maximum Rate for
shares of the series and Sufficient Clearing Bids for shares of the series do not
exist.
(ii) A Sell Order by an Existing Holder shall constitute an offer to sell:
(A) the number of outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of the series
specified in the Sell Order; or
(B) the number or a lesser number of outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares of the series as set forth in clause (iv) of paragraph (b) of Section 5 of
this Part II if Sufficient Clearing Bids for Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of
the series do not exist;
(iii) A Bid by a Potential Holder of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall constitute
an offer to purchase:
(A) the number of outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of the series
specified in the Bid if the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Auction Period
shall be higher than the rate specified therein; or
(B) the number or a lesser number of outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares of the series as set forth in clause (vi) of paragraph (a) of Section 5 of
B-26
this Part II if the Applicable Rate for the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
determined on the Auction Date shall be equal to the rate specified therein.
(C) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding:
(1) if an Order or Orders covering all of the Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares of a particular series held by any Existing Holder is not
submitted to the Broker-Dealer prior to the Broker-Dealer Deadline, such
Broker-Dealer shall deem a Hold Order to have been submitted on behalf of
the Existing Holder covering the number of outstanding Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares of the series held by the Existing Holder and not subject
to Orders submitted to the Auction Agent; provided, however, that if there
is a conversion from one Auction Period to a longer Auction Period and
Orders have not been submitted to such Broker-Dealer prior to the
Broker-Dealer Deadline covering the number of outstanding Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares of a particular series to be converted held by such
Existing Holder, such Broker-Dealer shall deem a Sell Order to have been
submitted on behalf of the Existing Holder covering the number of Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares to be converted held by the Existing Holder and not
subject to Orders submitted to the Broker-Dealer;
(2) for purposes of any Auction, any Order by an Existing Holder or
Potential Holder shall be revocable until the Broker-Dealer Deadline, and
after the Broker-Dealer Deadline all such Orders shall be irrevocable except
as provided in Section 2(e)(ii) and 2(f); and
(3) for purposes of any Auction, any Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
sold or purchased pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of paragraph (b) of
this Section 1 shall be sold or purchased at a price equal to 100% of the
liquidation preference thereof.
2. Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent. (a) Each Broker-Dealer
shall submit to the Auction Agent in writing, or by such other electronic means, as shall be
reasonably acceptable to the Auction Agent, prior to the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date
for Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a series, all Orders with respect to Tortoise Auction
Preferred shares of such series accepted by such Broker-Dealer in accordance with Section 1 above
and specifying with respect to each Order or aggregation of Orders pursuant to paragraph (b) of
this Section 2:
(i) the name of the Broker-Dealer;
(ii) the number of Bidders placing Orders if requested by the Auction Agent;
(iii) the aggregate number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of the series, if any,
that are the subject of the Order;
(iv) to the extent that the Bidder is an Existing Holder of Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares of the series:
(A) the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, if any, of the series
subject to any Hold Order placed by the Existing Holder;
B-27
(B) the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, if any, of the series
subject to any Bid placed by the Existing Holder and the rate specified in the Bid;
and
(C) the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, if any, of the series
subject to any Sell Order placed by the Existing Holder; and
(v) to the extent the Bidder is a Potential Holder of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
of the series, the rate specified in such Bid.
(b) If more than one Bid is submitted to a Broker-Dealer on behalf of any single Potential
Beneficial Owner, the Broker-Dealer shall aggregate each Bid submitted on behalf of such Potential
Beneficial Owner with the same rate and consider such Bids as a single Bid and shall consider each
Bid submitted with a different rate a separate Bid with the rate and the number of Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares of the series specified therein.
A Broker-Dealer may aggregate the Orders of different Potential Beneficial Owners with those
of other Potential Beneficial Owners on whose behalf the Broker-Dealer is submitting Orders and may
aggregate the Orders of different Existing Holders with other Existing Holders on whose behalf the
Broker-Dealer is submitting Orders; provided, however, Bids may only be aggregated if the dividend
rates on the Bids are the same.
(c) None of the Company or the Auction Agent shall be responsible for the failure of any
Broker-Dealer to submit an Order to the Auction Agent on behalf of any Beneficial Owner, Potential
Beneficial Owner, Existing Holder or Potential Holder.
(d) Nothing contained herein shall preclude a Broker-Dealer from placing an Order for some or
all of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a series for its own account.
(e) Until the Submission Deadline, a Broker-Dealer may withdraw or modify any Order previously
submitted to the Auction Agent (i) for any reason if the Order was generated by the Auction Desk of
the Broker-Dealer for the account of the Broker-Dealer or (ii) to correct a Clerical Error on the
part of the Broker-Dealer in the case of any other Order, including Orders from the Broker-Dealer
which were not originated by the Auction Desk.
(f) After the Submission Deadline, and prior to the Error Correction Deadline, a Broker-Dealer
may:
(i) submit to the Auction Agent an Order received from an Existing Holder, Potential
Beneficial Owner or a Broker-Dealer which is not generated by the Auction Desk, in each case
prior to the Broker-Dealer Deadline, or an Order generated by the Broker-Dealers Auction
Desk for its own account prior to the Submission Deadline (provided that in each case the
Broker-Dealer has a record of such Order and the time when such Order was received or
generated) and not submitted to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission Deadline as a
result of (A) an event of force majeure or a technological failure which made delivery prior
to the Submission Deadline impossible or, under the conditions then prevailing,
impracticable or (B) a clerical error on the part of the Broker-Dealer; or
(ii) modify or withdraw an Order received from an Existing Holder or a Potential
Beneficial Owner or generated by the Broker-Dealer (whether generated by the Broker-Dealers
Auction Desk or elsewhere within the Broker-Dealer) for its own account and submitted to the
Auction Agent prior to the Submission Deadline or pursuant to clause (i) above, if the
B-28
Broker-Dealer determines that such Order contained a Clerical Error on the part of the
Broker-Dealer.
In the event a Broker-Dealer makes a submission, modification or withdrawal pursuant to this
Section 2(f) and the Auction Agent has already run the Auction, the Auction Agent shall rerun the
Auction, taking into account such submission, modification or withdrawal. Each submission,
modification or withdrawal of an Order submitted pursuant to this Section 2(f) by a Broker-Dealer
after the Submission Deadline and prior to the Error Correction Deadline shall constitute a
representation by the Broker-Dealer that (A) in the case of a newly submitted Order or portion
thereof or revised Order, the failure to submit such Order prior to the Submission Deadline
resulted from an event described in clause (i) above and such Order was received from an Existing
Holder or Potential Beneficial Owner or is an Order received from the Broker-Dealer that was not
originated by the Auction Desk, in each case, prior to the Broker-Dealer Deadline, or generated
internally by such Broker-Dealers Auction Desk for its own account prior to the Submission
Deadline or (B) in the case of a modified or withdrawn Order, such Order was received from an
Existing Holder, a Potential Beneficial Owner or the Broker-Dealer which was not originated by the
Auction Desk prior to the Broker-Dealer Deadline, or generated internally by such Broker-Dealers
Auction Desk for its own account prior to the Submission Deadline and such Order as submitted to
the Auction Agent contained a Clerical Error on the part of the Broker-Dealer and that such Order
has been modified or withdrawn solely to effect a correction of such Clerical Error, and in the
case of either (A) or (B), as applicable, the Broker-Dealer has a record of such Order and the time
when such Order was received or generated. The Auction Agent shall be entitled to rely
conclusively (and shall have no liability for relying) on such representation for any and all
purposes of the Auction Procedures.
(g) If after the Auction Agent announces the results of an Auction, a Broker-Dealer becomes
aware that an error was made by the Auction Agent, the Broker-Dealer shall communicate such
awareness to the Auction Agent prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Auction Date. If the
Auction Agent determines there has been such an error (as a result of either a communication from a
Broker-Dealer or its own discovery) prior to 3:00 p.m., New York City time on the first day of the
Auction Period with respect to which such Auction was conducted, the Auction Agent shall correct
the error and notify each Broker-Dealer that submitted Bids or held a position in the Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares subject to such Auction of the corrected results.
(h) Nothing contained herein shall preclude the Auction Agent from:
(i) advising a Broker-Dealer prior to the Submission Deadline that it has not received
Sufficient Clearing Bids for Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of the series, provided,
however, that if the Auction Agent so advises any Broker-Dealer, it shall so advise all
Broker-Dealers; or
(ii) verifying the Orders of a Broker-Dealer prior to the Submission Deadline,
provided, however, that if the Auction Agent verifies the Orders of any Broker-Dealer, it
shall verify the Orders of all Broker-Dealers requesting such verification.
3. Treatment of Orders by the Auction Agent. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding:
(a) If the Auction Agent receives an Order which does not conform to the requirements of the
Auction Procedures, the Auction Agent may contact the Broker-Dealer submitting such Order until one
hour after the Submission Deadline and inform such Broker-Dealer that it may resubmit such Order so
that it conforms to the requirements of the Auction Procedures. Upon being so informed, such
Broker-Dealer may correct and resubmit to the Auction Agent any such Order that, solely as a result
of a Clerical Error on the part of such Broker-Dealer, did not conform to the requirements of
B-29
the Auction Procedures when previously submitted to the Auction Agent. Any such resubmission
by a Broker-Dealer shall constitute a representation by such Broker-Dealer that the failure of such
Order to have so conformed was solely as a result of a Clerical Error on the part of such
Broker-Dealer. If the Auction Agent has not received a corrected conforming Order within one hour
and fifteen minutes of the Submission Deadline, the Auction Agent shall, if and to the extent
applicable, adjust or apply such Order, as the case may be, in conformity with the provisions of
subsections (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 3 and, if the Auction Agent is unable to so adjust or
apply such Order, the Auction Agent shall reject such Order.
(b) If any rate specified in any Bid contains more than three figures to the right of the
decimal point, the Auction Agent shall round the rate up to the next highest one thousandth of one
percent (0.001%).
(c) If one or more Orders covering in the aggregate more than the number of outstanding
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a particular series are submitted by a Broker-Dealer to the
Auction Agent, such Orders shall be considered valid in the following order of priority:
(i) all Hold Orders for Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a series shall be
considered Hold Orders, but only up to and including in the aggregate the number of
outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of the series for which such Broker-Dealer is
the Broker-Dealer of record;
(ii) (A) any Bid of a Broker-Dealer shall be considered valid as a Bid of an Existing
Holder up to and including the excess of the number of outstanding Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares of such series for which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record
over the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such series subject to any Hold
Orders referred to in clause (i) above;
(B) subject to subclause (A), all Bids of a Broker-Dealer with the same rate
shall be aggregated and considered a single Bid of an Existing Holder up to and
including the excess of the number of outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
of the series for which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker Dealer of record over the
number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such series for which the
Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record subject to any Hold Orders referred to
in clause (i) above;
(C) subject to subclause (A), if more than one Bid with different rates is
submitted by a Broker-Dealer, such Bids shall be considered Bids of an Existing
Holder in the ascending order of their respective rates up to the amount of excess
of the number of outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of the series for
which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record over the number of Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares of such Series for which such Broker-Dealer is the
Broker-Dealer of record subject to any Hold Orders referred to in clause (i) above;
(D) the number, if any, of outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of the
series subject to Bids not considered to be Bids for which the Broker-Dealer is the
Broker-Dealer of record under this clause (ii) shall be treated as the subject of a
Bid for Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of the series by a Potential Beneficial
Owner; and
(iii) all Sell Orders shall be considered Sell Orders, but only up to and including a
number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such series equal to the excess of the number
of outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such series for which such Broker-Dealer
is the Broker-Dealer of record over the sum of the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares of such series subject to Hold Orders referred to in clause (i) above and the number
of
B-30
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such series considered to be subject to Bids for
which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record pursuant to clause (ii) above.
(d) If any Order is for other than an integral number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares,
then the Auction Agent shall round the number down to the nearest number of whole Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares, and the Auction Agent shall conduct the Auction Procedures as if such Order had
been submitted in such number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares.
(e) If the Auction Agent has been notified by the Company that any portion of an Order by a
Broker-Dealer relates to an Tortoise Auction Preferred Share that has been called for redemption on
or prior to the Dividend Payment Date next succeeding such Auction, the Order shall be invalid with
respect to such portion and the Auction Agent shall conduct the Auction Procedures as if such
portion of such Order had not been submitted.
(f) No Tortoise Auction Preferred Share which the Auction Agent has been notified by the
Company has been called for redemption on or prior to the Dividend Payment Date next succeeding
such Auction shall be included in the calculation of Available Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
for such Auction.
(g) If an Order or Orders covering all of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a
particular series is not submitted by a Broker-Dealer of record prior to the Submission Deadline,
the Auction Agent shall deem a Hold Order to have been submitted on behalf of such Broker-Dealer
covering the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares for which such Broker-Dealer is the
Broker-Dealer of record and not subject to Orders submitted to the Auction Agent; provided,
however, that if there is a conversion from one Auction Period to a longer Auction Period and
Orders have not been submitted by such Broker-Dealer prior to the Submission Deadline covering the
number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a particular series to be converted for which such
Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record, the Auction Agent shall deem a Sell Order to have
been submitted on behalf of such Broker-Dealer covering the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares to be converted for which such Broker-Dealer is the Broker-Dealer of record not subject to
Orders submitted by such Broker-Dealer.
4. Determination of Applicable Rate. (a) If requested by a Broker-Dealer, not later
than 10:30 a.m., New York City time (or such other time as may be agreed to by the Auction Agent
and all Broker-Dealers), on each Auction Date for each series of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares,
the Auction Agent shall advise such Broker-Dealer of the All Hold Rate. Such advice, and
confirmation, shall be made by telephone or other electronic means acceptable to the Auction Agent.
(b) Promptly after the Submission Deadline for the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a
series on each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall assemble all Orders submitted or deemed
submitted to it by the Broker-Dealers (each such Order as submitted or deemed submitted by a
Broker-Dealer being hereinafter referred to as a Submitted Hold Order, a Submitted Bid or a
Submitted Sell Order, as the case may be, and collectively as a Submitted Order) and shall
determine (i) the Available Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, (ii) whether there are Sufficient
Clearing Bids, and (iii) the Applicable Rate.
(c) In the event the Auction Agent shall fail to calculate or, for any reason, fails to
provide the Applicable Rate on the Auction Date, for any Auction Period (i) if the preceding
Auction Period was a period of 35 days or less, (A) a new Auction Period shall be established for
the same length of time as the preceding Auction Period, if the failure to make such calculation
was because there was not at the time a duly appointed and acting Auction Agent or Broker-Dealer,
and the Applicable Rate for the new Auction Period shall be the percentage of the Index set forth
in Section 4(f) below if the Index is ascertainable on such date (by the Auction Agent, if there is
at the time an Auction Agent, or the
B-31
Company, if at the time there is no Auction Agent) or, (B) if the failure to make such
calculation was for any other reason or if the Index is not ascertainable on such date, the prior
Auction Period shall be extended to the seventh day following the day that would have been the last
day of the preceding Auction Period (or if such seventh day is not followed by a Business Day then
to the next succeeding day that is followed by a Business Day) and the Applicable Rate for the
period as so extended shall be the same as the Applicable Rate for the Auction Period prior to the
extension, and (ii) if the preceding Auction Period was a period of greater than 35 days, (A) a new
Auction Period shall be established for a period that ends on the seventh day following the day
that was the last day of the preceding Auction Period, (or if such seventh day is not followed by a
Business Day then to the next succeeding day which is followed by a Business Day) if the failure to
make such calculation was because there was not at the time a duly appointed and acting Auction
Agent or Broker-Dealer, and the Applicable Rate for the new Auction Period shall be the percentage
of the Index set forth in Section 4(f) below if the Index is ascertainable on such date (by the
Auction Agent, if there is at the time an Auction Agent, or the Company, if at the time there is no
Auction Agent) or, (B) if the failure to make such calculation was for any other reason or if the
Index is not ascertainable on such date, the prior Auction Period shall be extended to the seventh
day following the day that would have been the last day of the preceding Auction Period (or if such
seventh day is not followed by a Business Day then to the next succeeding day that is followed by
a Business Day) and the Applicable Rate for the period as so extended shall be the same as the
Applicable Rate for the Auction Period prior to the extension. In the event a new Auction Period
is established as set forth in clause (ii) (A) above, an Auction shall be held on the last Business
Day of the new Auction Period to determine an Applicable Rate for an Auction Period beginning on
the Business Day immediately following the last day of the new Auction Period and ending on the
date on which the Auction Period otherwise would have ended had there been no new Auction Period or
Auction Periods subsequent to the last Auction Period for which a Winning Bid Rate had been
determined. In the event an Auction Period is extended as set forth in clause (i) (B) or (ii) (B)
above, an Auction shall be held on the last Business Day of the Auction Period as so extended to
determine an Applicable Rate for an Auction Period beginning on the Business Day immediately
following the last day of the extended Auction Period and ending on the date on which the Auction
Period otherwise would have ended had there been no extension of the prior Auction Period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither new nor extended Auction Periods shall total more than
35 days in the aggregate. If at the end of the 35 days the Auction Agent fails to calculate or
provide the Applicable Rate, or there is not at the time a duly appointed and acting Auction Agent
or Broker-Dealer, the Applicable Rate shall be the Maximum Rate.
(d) In the event of a failed conversion from an Auction Period to any other period or in the
event of a failure to change the length of the current Auction Period due to the lack of Sufficient
Clearing Bids at the Auction on the Auction Date for the first new Auction Period, the Applicable
Rate for the next Auction Period shall be the Maximum Rate and the Auction Period shall be a
seven-day Auction Period.
(e) If the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares are no longer maintained in book-entry-only form
by the Securities Depository, then the Auctions shall cease and the Applicable Rate shall be the
Maximum Rate.
(f) The percentage of the Index in Section 4(c) is ___%.
(g) Promptly after the Auction Agent has made such determination, it shall advise the Company
of the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period.
B-32
5. Allocation of Shares. (a) In the event of Sufficient Clearing Bids for the
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a series subject to the further provisions of paragraphs (c)
and (d) of this Section 5, Submitted Orders for shares of the series shall be accepted or rejected
as follows in the following order of priority:
(i) the Submitted Hold Order of each Existing Holder shall be accepted, thus requiring
each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares that are
the subject of such Submitted Hold Order;
(ii) the Submitted Sell Order of each Existing Holder shall be accepted and the
Submitted Bids of each Existing Holder specifying any rate that is higher than the Winning
Bid Rate shall be rejected, thus requiring each Existing Holder to sell the Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares that are the subject of such Submitted Sell Order or Submitted Bid;
(iii) the Submitted Bid of each Existing Holder specifying any rate that is lower than
the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring each such Existing Holder to continue
to hold the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares that are the subject of the Submitted Bid;
(iv) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying any rate that is lower than
the Winning Bid Rate for shares of the series shall be accepted, thus requiring each such
Potential Holder to purchase the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares that are the subject of
the Submitted Bid;
(v) the Submitted Bid of each Existing Holder specifying a rate that is equal to the
Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring each such Existing Holder to continue to
hold the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of the series that are the subject of the
Submitted Bid, but only up to and including the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
of such series obtained by multiplying (A) the aggregate number of Outstanding Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares which are not the subject of Submitted Hold Orders described in
clause (i) of this paragraph (a) or of Submitted Bids described in clauses (iii) and (iv) of
this paragraph (a) by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the principal amount
of Outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares held by such Existing Holder subject to
such Submitted Bid and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate number of Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares subject to such Submitted Bids made by all such Existing Holders
that specified a rate equal to the Winning Bid Rate, and the remainder, if any, of such
Submitted Bid shall be rejected, thus requiring each such Existing Holder to sell any excess
amount of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares;
(vi) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying a rate that is equal to the
Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring each such Potential Holder to purchase
the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of the series that are the subject of such Submitted
Bid, but only in an amount equal to the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such
series obtained by multiplying (A) the aggregate number of Outstanding Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares which are not the subject of Submitted Hold Orders described in clause (i)
of this paragraph (a) or of Submitted Bids described in clauses (iii), (iv) or (v) of this
paragraph (a) by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Outstanding Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares subject to such Submitted Bid and the denominator of which shall be
the sum of the aggregate number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares subject to such
Submitted Bids made by all such Potential Holders that specified a rate equal to the Winning
Bid Rate, and the remainder of such Submitted Bid shall be rejected; and
(vii) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying any rate that is higher
than the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected.
B-33
(b) In the event there are not Sufficient Clearing Bids for the Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares of a series, Submitted Orders for the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of the series shall
be accepted or rejected as follows in the following order of priority:
(i) the Submitted Hold Order of each Existing Holder shall be accepted, thus requiring
each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares that are
the subject of such Submitted Hold Order;
(ii) the Submitted Bid of each Existing Holder specifying any rate that is not higher
than the Maximum Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring each such Existing Holder to
continue to hold the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares that are the subject of such
Submitted Bid;
(iii) the Submitted Bids specifying any rate that is not higher than the Maximum Rate
for the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall be accepted, thus requiring each such
Potential Holder to purchase the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares that are the subject of
such Submitted Bid; and
(iv) the Submitted Sell Orders of each Existing Holder shall be accepted as Submitted
Sell Orders and the Submitted Bids of each Existing Holder specifying any rate that is
higher than the Maximum Rate shall be deemed to be and shall be accepted as Submitted Sell
Orders, in both cases only up to and including the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares of such series obtained by multiplying (A) the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares subject to Submitted Bids described in clause (iii) of this paragraph (b) by (B) a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares
held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Sell Order or such Submitted Bid
deemed to be a Submitted Sell Order and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate
number of Outstanding Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares subject to all such Submitted Sell
Orders and such Submitted Bids deemed to be Submitted Sell Orders, and the remainder of each
such Submitted Sell Order or Submitted Bid shall be deemed to be and shall be accepted as a
Hold Order and each such Existing Holder shall be required to continue to hold such excess
amount of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares; and
(v) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying any rate that is higher than
the Maximum Rate shall be rejected.
(c) If, as a result of the undertakings described in Section 5(a) or (b) above, any Existing
Holder or Potential Holder would be required to purchase or sell an aggregate number of Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares that is not an integral multiple of $25,000 on any Auction Date, the
Auction Agent shall by lot, in such manner as it shall determine in its sole discretion, round up
or down the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares to be purchased or sold by any Existing
Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date so that the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares purchased or sold by each Existing Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date shall be
an integral multiple of $25,000, even if such allocation results in one or more of such Existing
Holder or Potential Holder not purchasing or selling any Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares on such
Auction Date.
(d) If, as a result of the undertakings described in Section 5(a) above, any Potential Holder
would be required to purchase less than $25,000 or an integral multiple thereof of Tortoise Auction
Preferred Shares on any Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall by lot, in such manner as it shall
determine in its sole discretion, allocate the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares for purchase among
Potential Holders so that the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares purchased on such Auction
Date by any Potential Holder shall be an integral multiple of $25,000, even if such allocation
results in
B-34
one or more of such Potential Holders not purchasing the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares on
such Auction Date.
6. Notice of Applicable Rate. (a) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall
notify each Broker-Dealer that participated in the Auction held on such Auction Date by electronic
means acceptable to the Auction Agent and the applicable Broker-Dealer of the following, with
respect to the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a series for which an Auction was held on such
Auction Date:
(i) the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date for the succeeding Auction
Period;
(ii) whether Sufficient Clearing Bids existed for the determination of the Winning Bid
Rate;
(iii) if such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid or a Sell Order on behalf of an Existing
Holder, whether such Bid or Sell Order was accepted or rejected and the number of Tortoise
Auction Preferred Shares of a series, if any, to be sold by such Existing Holder;
(iv) if such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid on behalf of a Potential Holder, whether
such Bid was accepted or rejected and the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a
series, if any, to be purchased by such Potential Holder;
(v) if the aggregate number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a series to be sold
by all Existing Holders on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted Bids or Sell Orders is
different from the aggregate number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such series to
be purchased by all Potential Holders on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid,
the name or names of one or more Broker-Dealers (and the Agent Member, if any, of each such
other Broker-Dealer) and the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such series to
be (A) purchased from one or more Existing Holders on whose behalf such other Broker-Dealers
submitted Bids or Sell Orders or (B) sold to one or more Potential Holders on whose behalf
such Broker-Dealer submitted Bids;
(vi) the amount of dividends payable per share on each Dividend Payment Date with
respect to such Auction Period; and
(vii) the immediately succeeding Auction Date.
(b) On each Auction Date, with respect to each series of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares for
which an Auction was held on such Auction Date, each Broker-Dealer that submitted an Order on
behalf of any Existing Holder or Potential Holder shall: (i) if requested by an Existing Holder or
Potential Holder advise such Existing Holder or Potential Holder on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer
submitted an Order as to (A) the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date, (B) whether any
Bid or Sell Order submitted on behalf of each such Owner was accepted or rejected and (C) the
immediately succeeding Auction Date; (ii) instruct each Potential Holder on whose behalf such
Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid that was accepted, in whole or in part, to instruct such Potential
Holders Agent Member to pay to such Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member) through the Securities
Depository the amount necessary to purchase the number of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such
series to be purchased pursuant to such Bid against receipt of such shares; and (iii) instruct each
Existing Holder on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Sell Order that was accepted or a
Bid that was rejected in whole or in part, to instruct such Existing Holders Agent Member to
deliver to such Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member) through the Securities Depository the number of
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of the series to be sold pursuant to such Bid or Sell Order
against payment therefor.
B-35
(c) The Auction Agent shall give notice of the Auction Rate to the Company by mutually
acceptable electronic means and the Company shall promptly give notice of such Auction Rate to the
Securities Depository.
7. Miscellaneous Provisions Regarding Auctions.
(a) If the Securities Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as registered owner of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares or if at any time the
Securities Depository shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation and a successor to the
Securities Depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives
notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, the Auctions shall cease and the
Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver certificates
representing the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares. Such Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall
be registered in such names and Authorized Denominations as the Securities Depository, pursuant to
instructions from the Agent Members or otherwise, shall instruct the Company and the Transfer
Agent.
(b) During an Auction Period, so long as the ownership of the Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares is maintained in book-entry form by the Securities Depository, an Existing Holder or a
Beneficial Owner may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of an Tortoise Auction Preferred Share
only pursuant to a Bid or Sell Order in accordance with the Auction Procedures or to or through a
Broker-Dealer, provided that (i) in the case of all transfers other than pursuant to Auctions, such
Existing Holder or its Broker-Dealer or its Agent Member advises the Auction Agent of such transfer
and (ii) a sale, transfer or other disposition of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares from a customer
of a Broker-Dealer who is listed on the records of that Broker-Dealer as the holder of such
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares to that Broker-Dealer or another customer of that Broker-Dealer
shall not be deemed to be a sale, transfer or other disposition for purposes of this paragraph if
such Broker-Dealer remains the Existing Holder of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares so sold,
transferred or disposed of immediately after such sale, transfer or disposition.
8. Changes in Auction Period or Auction Date.
(a) Changes in Auction Period. (i) During any Auction Period, the Company, may, from time to
time on the Dividend Payment Date immediately following the end of any Auction Period, change the
length of the Auction Period with respect to all of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of a
series in order to accommodate economic and financial factors that may affect or be relevant to the
length of the Auction Period and the rate of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such series. The
Company shall initiate the change in the length of the Auction Period by giving written notice to
the Auction Agent, the Broker-Dealers and the Securities Depository that the Auction Period shall
change if the conditions described herein are satisfied and the proposed effective date of the
change, at least 10 Business Days prior to the Auction Date for such Auction Period.
(ii) Any such changed Auction Period shall be for a period of one day, seven-days,
28-days, 35-days, three months, six months and shall be for all of the shares of a series of
Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares in an Auction Period.
(iii) The change in length of the Auction Period shall take effect only if Sufficient
Clearing Bids exist at the Auction on the Auction Date for such new Auction Period. For
purposes of the Auction for such new Auction Period only, except to the extent any Existing
Holder submits an Order with respect to such Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of any series
each Existing Holder shall be deemed to have submitted Sell Orders with respect to all of
its Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares of such series if the change is to a longer Auction
Period and a
B-36
Hold Order if the change is to a shorter Auction Period. If there are not Sufficient
Clearing Bids for the first Auction Period, the Auction Rate for the new Auction Period
shall be the Maximum Rate, and the Auction Period shall be a seven-day Auction Period.
(b) Changes in Auction Date. During any Auction Period, the Auction Agent, at the direction
of the Company, may specify an earlier or later Auction Date (but in no event more than five
Business Days earlier or later) than the Auction Date that would otherwise be determined in
accordance with the definition of Auction Date in order to conform with then current market
practice with respect to similar securities or to accommodate economic and financial factors that
may affect or be relevant to the day of the week constituting an Auction Date and the rate of the
shares of the series of Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares. The Auction Agent shall provide notice
of the Companys direction to specify an earlier Auction Date for an Auction Period by means of a
written notice delivered at least 45 days prior to the proposed changed Auction Date to the Company
and the Broker-Dealers with a copy to the Securities Depository. In the event the Auction Agent is
instructed to specify an earlier or later Auction Date, the days of the week on which an Auction
Period begins and ends and the Dividend Payment Dates shall be adjusted accordingly.
(c) Changes Resulting from Unscheduled Holidays. If, in the opinion of the Auction Agent and
the Broker-Dealers, there is insufficient notice of an unscheduled holiday to allow the efficient
implementation of the Auction Procedures set forth herein, the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers
may, as they deem appropriate, and after providing notice to the Company, set a different Auction
Date and adjust any Interest Payment Dates and Auction Periods affected by such unscheduled
holiday. In the event there is not agreement among the Broker-Dealers, the Auction Agent shall set
the different Auction Date and make such adjustments as directed by a majority of the
Broker-Dealers (based on the number of shares for which a Broker-Dealer is listed as the
Broker-Dealer in the Existing Holder registry maintained by the Auction Agent pursuant to Section
2.2 of the Auction Agreement), and, if there is not a majority so directing, the Auction Date shall
be moved to the next succeeding Business Day following the scheduled Auction Date, and the Dividend
Payment Date and the Auction Period shall be adjusted accordingly.
9. Index.
(a) If for any reason on any Auction Date the Index shall not be determined as provided in
Part II of these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares, the Index shall be the Index for
the prior Business Day.
(b) The determination of the Index as provided in the Articles Supplementary and Part II of
these terms of the Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares shall be conclusive and binding upon the
Company, the Broker-Dealers, the Auction Agent and the holders of the Tortoise Auction Preferred
Shares.
SECOND: The Series ___Tortoise Auction Preferred Shares have been classified and designated
by the Board of Directors under the authority contained in the charter.
THIRD: These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board of Directors in the
manner and by the vote required by law.
B-37
FOURTH: The undersigned President of the Company acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to
be the corporate act of the Company and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under
oath, the undersigned President acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and
belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made
under the penalties for perjury.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
B-38
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its
name and on its behalf by its President and attested to by its Secretary on this ___day of
,
200____.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ATTEST: |
|
TORTOISE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
Connie J. Savage
|
|
Name:
|
|
David J. Schulte |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Secretary
|
|
Title:
|
|
President |
|
|
B-39
APPENDIX C RATING OF INVESTMENTS
MOODYS INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
Moodys long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed-income
obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a
financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings reflect both the likelihood of
default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.
Aaa Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit
risk.
Aa Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit
risk.
A Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered
medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to
substantial credit risk.
B Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high
credit risk.
Ca Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default,
with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default,
with little prospect for recovery of principal and interest.
Note: Moodys appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification
from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its
generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range; and the modifier 3 indicates a
ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
US Municipal and Tax-Exempt Ratings
Municipal ratings are based upon the analysis of four primary factors relating to municipal
finance: economy, debt, finances, and administration/management strategies. Each of the factors
is evaluated individually and for its effect on the other factors in the context of the
municipalitys ability to repay its debt.
Aaa Issuers or issues rated Aaa demonstrate the strongest creditworthiness relative to other
US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Aa Issuers or issues rated Aa demonstrate very strong creditworthiness relative to other US
municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
A Issuers or issues rated A present above average creditworthiness relative to other US
municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
C -1
Baa Issuers or issues rated Baa represent average creditworthiness relative to other US
municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Ba Issuers or issues rated Ba demonstrate below-average creditworthiness relative to other
US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
B Issuers or issues rated B demonstrate weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal
or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Caa Issuers or issues rated Caa demonstrate very weak creditworthiness relative to other US
municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Ca Issuers or issues rated Ca demonstrate extremely weak creditworthiness relative to other
US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
C Issuers or issues rated C demonstrate the weakest creditworthiness relative to other US
municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Note: Moodys appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating category from Aa
through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the issuer or obligation ranks in the higher end of its
generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates
a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
Description of Moodys Highest Ratings of State and Municipal Notes and Other Short-Term
Loans
Moodys ratings for state and municipal notes and other short-term loans are designated
Moodys Investment Grade (MIG or, for variable or floating rate obligations, VMIG). Such
ratings recognize the differences between short-term credit risk and long-term risk. Factors
affecting the liquidity of the borrower and short-term cyclical elements are critical in short-term
ratings. Symbols used will be as follows:
MIG-1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded
by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to
the market for refinancing.
MIG-2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample,
although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG-3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow
protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this
category may lack sufficient margins of protection. Demand features rated in this category may be
supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may
lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase
price upon demand.
VMIG 1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded
by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal
protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
C -2
VMIG 2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the
strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections
that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded
by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal
protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
Description of Moodys Short Term Ratings
Moodys short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term
financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual
short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding
thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.
P-1 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay
short-term debt obligations.
P-2 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay
short-term debt obligations.
P-3 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay
short-term obligations.
NP Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime
rating categories.
C -3
FITCH RATINGS
A brief description of the applicable Fitch Ratings (Fitch) ratings symbols and meanings (as
published by Fitch) follows:
Long-Term Credit Ratings
Investment Grade
AAA Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk.
They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be affected adversely by foreseeable events.
AA Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk.
They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is
not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A High credit quality. A ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may,
nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the
case for higher ratings.
BBB Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that there is currently a low
expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered
adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair
this capacity. This is the lowest investment-grade category.
Speculative Grade
BB Speculative. BB ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk
developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or
financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated
in this category are not investment grade.
B Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but
a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however,
capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic
environment.
CCC, CC, C High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting
financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic
developments. A CC rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. C ratings
signal imminent default.
DDD, DD, And D Default The ratings of obligations in this category are based on their
prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor.
While expected recovery values are highly speculative and cannot be estimated with any precision,
the following serve as general guidelines. DDD obligations have the highest potential for
recovery, around 90%-100% of outstanding amounts and accrued interest. DD indicates potential
recoveries in the range of 50%-90%, and D the lowest recovery potential, i.e., below 50%.
Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations. Entities rated
DDD have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or
without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated DD and D are generally undergoing a
formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated DD are likely to satisfy a higher
portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated D have a poor prospect for
repaying all obligations.
C -4
Short-Term Credit Ratings
A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to
three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity
necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
F1 Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of
financial commitments; may have an added + to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2 Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
F3 Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is
adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.
B Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus
vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial
commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
D Default. Denotes actual or imminent payment default.
Notes to Long-term and Short-term ratings:
+ or - may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating
categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA Long-term rating category, to categories
below CCC, or to Short-term ratings other than F1.
NR indicates that Fitch Ratings does not rate the issuer or issue in question.
Withdrawn A rating is withdrawn when Fitch Ratings deems the amount of information
available to be inadequate for rating purposes, or when an obligation matures, is called, or
refinanced.
Rating Watch Ratings are placed on Rating Watch to notify investors that there is a
reasonable probability of a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are
designated as Positive, indicating a potential upgrade, Negative, for a potential downgrade, or
Evolving, if ratings may be raised, lowered or maintained. Rating Watch typically is resolved
over a relatively short period.
A Rating Outlook indicates the direction a rating is likely to move over a one to two year
period. Outlooks may be positive, stable, or negative. A positive or negative Rating Outlook does
not imply a rating change is inevitable. Similarly, ratings for which outlooks are `stable could
be downgraded before an outlook moves to positive or negative if circumstances warrant such an
action. Occasionally, Fitch Ratings may be unable to identify the fundamental trend. In these
cases, the Rating Outlook may be described as evolving.
C -5
STANDARD & POORS CORPORATION
A brief description of the applicable Standard & Poors Corporation, a division of The McGraw-Hill
Companies (Standard & Poors or S&P), rating symbols and their meanings (as published by S&P)
follows:
A Standard & Poors issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an
obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations,
or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium term note programs and commercial
paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or
other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation. The issue credit rating is not a
recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a financial obligation, inasmuch as it does not comment
as to market price or suitability for a particular investor.
Issue credit ratings are based on current information furnished by the obligors or obtained by
Standard & Poors from other sources it considers reliable. Standard & Poors does not perform an
audit in connection with any credit rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial
information. Credit ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or
unavailability of, such information, or based on other circumstances.
Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term ratings are generally
assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for
example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days including
commercial paper.
Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect
to put features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term
ratings address the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating. Medium-term notes are
assigned long-term ratings.
Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings
Issue credit ratings are based in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
1. Likelihood of payment capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial
commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;
2. Nature of and provisions of the obligation; and
3. Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of
bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws
affecting creditors rights. The issue ratings definitions are expressed in terms of default risk.
As such, they pertain to senior obligations of an entity. Junior obligations are typically rated
lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above.
AAA An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poors. The
obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only in small
degree. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes
in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the
obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
C -6
BBB An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse
economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB, B, CCC, CC, AND C Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as
having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and
C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse
conditions.
BB An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues.
However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or
economic conditions, which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
B An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but
the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse
business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligors capacity or
willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon
favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions,
the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been
filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued.
D An obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not
expired, unless Standard & Poors believes that such payments will be made during such grace
period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of
a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
+/- Plus (+) or minus (-). The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
c The c subscript is used to provide additional information to investors that the bank
may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long-term credit rating of the
issuer is below an investment-grade level and/or the issuers bonds are deemed taxable.
P The letter p indicates that the rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes
the successful completion of the project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that
payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, timely
completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to
completion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon
failure of such completion. The investor should exercise his own judgment with respect to such
likelihood and risk.
* Continuance of the ratings is contingent upon Standard & Poors receipt of an executed
copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flows.
C -7
r The r highlights derivative, hybrid, and certain other obligations that Standard &
Poors believes may experience high volatility or high variability in expected returns as a result
of noncredit risks. Examples of such obligations are securities with principal or interest return
indexed to equities, commodities, or currencies; certain swaps and options; and interest-only and
principal-only mortgage securities. The absence of an r symbol should not be taken as an
indication that an obligation will exhibit no volatility or variability in total return.
N.R. Not rated.
Debt obligations of issuers outside the United States and its territories are rated on the
same basis as domestic corporate and municipal issues. The ratings measure the creditworthiness of
the obligor but do not take into account currency exchange and related uncertainties.
Bond Investment Quality Standards
Under present commercial bank regulations issued by the Comptroller of the Currency, bonds
rated in the top four categories (AAA, AA, A, BBB, commonly known as investment-grade
ratings) generally are regarded as eligible for bank investment. Also, the laws of various states
governing legal investments impose certain rating or other standards for obligations eligible for
investment by savings banks, trust companies, insurance companies, and fiduciaries in general.
Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings
Notes
Standard & Poors note ratings reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique
to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing
beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will
be used in making that assessment:
Amortization schedule the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more
likely it will be treated as a note; and
Source of payment the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the
more likely it will be treated as a note.
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a
very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to
adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
A note rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a security inasmuch as it
does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The ratings are
based on current information furnished to S&P by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources
it considers reliable.
C -8
S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on
unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result
of changes in or unavailability of such information or based on other circumstances.
Commercial Paper
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of
debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Ratings are graded into several
categories, ranging from A-1 for the highest quality obligations to D for the lowest. These
categories are as follows:
A-1 A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by Standard &
Poors. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong.
Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that
the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2 A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating
categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is
satisfactory.
A-3 A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters.
However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a
weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligors
inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
C A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation.
D A short-term obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is
used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace
period has not expired, unless Standard & Poors believes that such payments will be made during
such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or
the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
A commercial rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a security inasmuch as
it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The ratings are
based on current information furnished to S&P by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources
it considers reliable.
S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on
unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result
of changes in or unavailability of such information or based on other circumstances.
C -9
Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corporation
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
February 12, 2008