fxbyncsrmar2014.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number: 811-09261
|
Foxby Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
11 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10005
|
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zipcode)
|
Jacob Bukshbaum, Esq.
11 Hanover Square
New York, NY 10005
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-212-785-0900
Date of fiscal year end: 12/31
Date of reporting period: 1/1/13 - 12/31/13
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policy making roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a current valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. sec. 3507.
Item 1. Report to Shareholders.
PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS
|
|
|
December 31, 2013 |
TOP TEN
HOLDINGS
|
December 31, 2013
|
|
TOP TEN
INDUSTRIES
|
December 31, 2013
|
1
|
Amazon.com, Inc.
|
|
1
|
Soap, Detergents, Cleaning Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics
|
2
|
The Home Depot, Inc.
|
|
2
|
Retail - Catalog & Mail Order Houses
|
3
|
Google Inc.
|
|
3
|
Retail - Lumber & Other Building Materials Dealers
|
4
|
Franklin Resources, Inc.
|
|
4
|
Information Retrieval Services
|
5
|
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B
|
|
5
|
Investment Advice
|
6
|
The Procter & Gamble Company
|
|
6
|
Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance
|
7
|
United Parcel Service, Inc.
|
|
7
|
Petroleum Refining
|
8
|
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
|
|
8
|
Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas
|
9
|
McDonald’s Corp.
|
|
9
|
Trucking & Courier Services
|
10
|
3M Company
|
|
10
|
Retail - Variety Stores
|
Top ten holdings comprise approximately 53% of total assets.
|
|
|
Holdings are subject to change. The above portfolio information should not be considered as a recommendation to purchase or sell a particular security and there is no assurance that any securities will remain in or out of the fund.
Dear Fellow shareholders:
It is a pleasure to welcome our new shareholders who find Foxby corp.’s total return investment objective attractive and to submit this 2013 Annual report. In seeking its objective, the Fund may invest in equity and fixed income securities of both new and seasoned U.S. and foreign issuers, including securities convertible into common stock and debt securities, closed end funds, and mutual funds, and the Fund may also invest defensively, for example, in high grade money market instruments. The Fund uses a flexible strategy in the selection of securities and is not limited by the issuer’s location, industry, or market capitalization. The Fund also may employ aggressive and speculative investment techniques, such as selling securities short and borrowing money for investment purposes, an approach known as “leverage.” A potential benefit of its closed end structure, the Fund may invest without limit in illiquid investments such as private placements and private companies.
Economic and Market Report
Minutes of the December 2013 staff review of the economic situation with the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve Bank (the “Fed”) suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a moderate pace, with total payroll employment increasing further, and the unemployment rate declining but remaining elevated. According to the minutes of the meeting, manufacturing production accelerated after in- creasing at a subdued pace in the third quarter, and the gains were broad across industries. Real personal consumption expenditures (PCE), a measure of inflation employed by the FOMC, was reported to have increased modestly in the third quarter but rose at a faster pace early in the fourth quarter. Interestingly, households’ net worth was noted to have likely expanded as equity values and home prices increased and real disposable income rose. Not surprisingly given this increased prosperity, we believe that consumer sentiment by some measures has improved.
The change in real GDP projected in December 2013 by the fed’s board members and bank presidents has broadened to a 2.2% to 3.3% range for 2014, in contrast to the 3.0% to 3.5% range projected in June 2013, perhaps reflecting greater uncertainty. In contrast, the World Bank recently raised its global growth forecast to 3.2% for 2014, from 3% midway through 2013. Encouragingly, improvement is expected from the Eurozone economy, which is forecasted to grow about 1.1% out of its recession, while Japan’s recovery is forecast to moderate at a 1.4% rate. With regard to china, the world’s second largest economy, the world bank forecasts decelerating 7.7% growth as consumption becomes a larger factor. For 2015, the World Bank forecasts continuing global expansion, increasing to a 3.4% rate.
While we continue to anticipate gradual improvement in broad global economic data, we note that investor and consumer sentiment has strengthened over the course of the year to levels that might begin to cause concern. Likewise, equity prices generally rose in 2013, and in some cases to levels that reflect full valuations. Yet, we believe some securities — of higher quality companies — appear to offer good value and attractive prospects. Given current market complacency, however, we caution investors to expect greater market volatility during the course of the year.
Total Return Strategy
In view of these economic developments, the Fund’s general strategy in 2013 was to focus on large, quality companies. The Fund tended to concentrate its investment in relatively large individual positions, with the top ten holdings comprising approximately 53% of total assets. Over the course of the year, the Fund began to employ leverage. At June 30, 2013, almost 12% of the Fund’s net assets were invested in money market fund shares, as compared to December 31, 2013 when it was employing leverage of about 12% of net assets. At year end, the Fund’s holdings included some of the largest and best known U.S. companies in the technology, investment management, insurance, and retail industries. As the Fund pursues its total return objective through its flexible investment approach, these holdings and allocations are subject to substantial change at any time.
In 2013, the Fund’s net asset value return was 28.23%, including the reinvestment of dividends, and its market return, also including the reinvestment of dividends, was 35.50%. Generally, the Fund’s total return on a market value basis will be higher than total return on a net asset value basis in periods where there is a decrease in the discount or an increase in the premium of the market value to the net asset value from the beginning to the end of such periods. For comparison, in the same period, the S&P 500 index total return was 32.39%. The index is unmanaged and does not reflect fees and expenses, nor is it available for direct investment.
December Dividend
On December 2, 2013, the Fund declared a dividend for the year, amounting to $0.02 per share, payable December 30, 2013 to shareholders of record as of December 16, 2013. As of December 2, 2013 and based on the Fund’s results and estimates for the quarter, the distribution included approximately 84%, 0%, and 16% from net investment income, capital gains, and return of capital, respectively.
The Fund’s distributions are not tied to its investment income and realized capital gains and do not represent yield or investment return. The amounts and sources of distributions reported above are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the entirety of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. In early 2014, the Fund intends to send a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year concerning the tax treatment of the dividend distributions that were paid to shareholders of record during the 12 months ended December 31, 2013.
Fund Website
The Fund’s website, www.FoxbyCorp.com, provides investors with investment information, news, and other material about the Fund. The website also has links to SEC filings, performance data, and daily net asset value reporting. You are invited to use this excellent resource to learn more about the Fund.
Long Term Strategies
Our current view of financial conditions continues to suggest that the Fund may benefit during the current year from its flexible portfolio approach, investing opportunistically in a variety of markets, and employing aggressive and speculative investment techniques as deemed appropriate. We thank you for investing in the Fund and share your enthusiasm for the Fund, as evidenced by the fact that affiliates of the investment manager own approximately 24% of the Fund’s shares. We look forward to serving your investment needs over the years ahead.
Sincerely,
Thomas B. Winmill
Chairman, Investment Policy Committee
SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
|
|
|
December 31, 2013 |
|
|
Common Stocks (111.77%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arrangement of Transportation of Freight & Cargo (2.02%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,400 |
|
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
|
|
$ |
145,965 |
|
|
$ |
140,016 |
|
|
|
|
Cigarettes (2.55%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
Lorillard, Inc.
|
|
|
178,741 |
|
|
|
177,380 |
|
|
|
|
Computer Communications Equipment (2.91%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
Cisco Systems, Inc.
|
|
|
194,419 |
|
|
|
202,050 |
|
|
|
|
Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas (4.97%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
Apache Corporation
|
|
|
135,683 |
|
|
|
128,910 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
Ultra Petroleum Corp. (a)
|
|
|
192,122 |
|
|
|
216,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
327,805 |
|
|
|
345,410 |
|
|
|
|
Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance (5.98%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. - Class B (a) (b)
|
|
|
296,368 |
|
|
|
414,960 |
|
|
|
|
Gold and Silver Ores (1.86%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
Yamana Gold Inc.
|
|
|
130,190 |
|
|
|
129,300 |
|
|
|
|
Information Retrieval Services (8.07%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
500 |
|
Google Inc. (a) (b)
|
|
|
231,910 |
|
|
|
560,355 |
|
|
|
|
Investment Advice (7.48%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
Franklin Resources, Inc. (b)
|
|
|
303,381 |
|
|
|
519,570 |
|
|
|
|
In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (1.81%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
Myriad Genetics, Inc. (a)
|
|
|
152,388 |
|
|
|
125,880 |
|
|
|
|
Leather & Leather Products (2.43%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
Coach, Inc.
|
|
|
152,271 |
|
|
|
168,390 |
|
|
|
|
Metal Mining (2.02%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.
|
|
|
141,774 |
|
|
|
140,250 |
|
|
|
|
National Commercial Banks (3.92%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
Wells Fargo & Company (b)
|
|
|
163,265 |
|
|
|
272,400 |
|
|
|
|
Operative Builders (2.66%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
Toll Brothers, Inc. (a)
|
|
|
116,697 |
|
|
|
185,000 |
|
|
|
|
Petroleum Refining (5.26%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
900 |
|
Chevron Corp.
|
|
|
90,629 |
|
|
|
112,419 |
|
|
2,500 |
|
Exxon Mobil Corp. (b)
|
|
|
171,549 |
|
|
|
253,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
262,178 |
|
|
|
365,419 |
|
|
|
|
Pharmaceutical Preparations (3.42%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
AstraZeneca PLC
|
|
|
188,030 |
|
|
|
237,480 |
|
|
|
|
Retail - Catalog & Mail Order Houses (8.61%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
Amazon.com, Inc. (a) (b)
|
|
|
127,830 |
|
|
|
598,185 |
|
|
|
|
Retail Consulting and Investment (0%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
72,728 |
|
Amerivon Holdings LLC (a) (c)
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
Retail - Drug Stores and Proprietary Stores (2.53%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
Express Scripts Holding Company (a)
|
|
|
154,187 |
|
|
|
175,600 |
|
See notes to financial statements.
SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
|
|
|
December 31, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stocks (concluded)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
Retail - Eating Places (4.19%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
McDonald's Corp. (b)
|
|
$ |
167,748 |
|
|
$ |
291,090 |
|
|
|
|
Retail - Lumber & Other Building Materials Dealers (8.30%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000 |
|
The Home Depot, Inc. (b)
|
|
|
191,873 |
|
|
|
576,380 |
|
|
|
|
Retail - Variety Stores (4.31%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,800 |
|
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (b)
|
|
|
196,260 |
|
|
|
299,022 |
|
|
|
|
Services - Business Services (2.72%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,300 |
|
Accenture plc
|
|
|
138,155 |
|
|
|
189,106 |
|
|
|
|
Services - Personal Services (1.90%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
Weight Watchers International, Inc.
|
|
|
157,781 |
|
|
|
131,720 |
|
|
|
|
Services - Prepackaged Software (3.23%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
Microsoft Corp.
|
|
|
141,020 |
|
|
|
224,580 |
|
|
|
|
Soap, Detergents, Cleaning Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (10.04%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,300 |
|
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
|
|
|
132,957 |
|
|
|
152,444 |
|
|
2,100 |
|
Ecolab Inc.
|
|
|
135,298 |
|
|
|
218,967 |
|
|
4,000 |
|
The Procter & Gamble Company (b)
|
|
|
234,390 |
|
|
|
325,640 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
502,645 |
|
|
|
697,051 |
|
|
|
|
Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (4.04%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
3M Company
|
|
|
185,130 |
|
|
|
280,500 |
|
|
|
|
Trucking & Courier Services (4.54%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
United Parcel Service, Inc. (b)
|
|
|
221,388 |
|
|
|
315,240 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total common stocks
|
|
|
5,169,399 |
|
|
|
7,762,334 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PREFERRED STOCKS (1.45%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retail Consulting and Investment (1.45%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
183,882 |
|
Amerivon Holdings LLC (c)
|
|
|
508,973 |
|
|
|
100,583 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investments (113.22%)
|
|
$ |
5,678,372 |
|
|
|
7,862,917 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities in excess of other assets (-13.22%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(917,964 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets (100.00%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6,944,953 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Non-income producing.
(b) All or a portion of these securities have been segregated as collateral pursuant to the bank credit facility. As of December 31, 2013, the value of securities pledged as collateral was $4,425,842.
(c) Illiquid and/or restricted security that has been fair valued (Note 6).
See notes to financial statements.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
|
|
|
Financial Statements |
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
Investments at value (cost $5,678,372)
|
|
$ |
7,862,917 |
|
Dividends receivable
|
|
|
5,285 |
|
Other assets
|
|
|
1,835 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
7,870,037 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Bank credit facility borrowing
|
|
|
846,665 |
|
Payables
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
68,867 |
|
Investment management fee
|
|
|
5,165 |
|
Administrative services
|
|
|
4,387 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
925,084 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets
|
|
$ |
6,944,953 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value Per Share
|
|
|
|
|
(applicable to 2,610,050 shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
500,000,000 shares of $.01 par value authorized)
|
|
$ |
2.66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets Consist of
|
|
|
|
|
Paid in capital
|
|
$ |
7,684,825 |
|
Accumulated undistributed net investment income
|
|
|
4,736 |
|
Accumulated net realized loss on investments
|
|
|
(2,929,153 |
) |
Net unrealized appreciation on investments
|
|
|
2,184,545 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,944,953 |
|
See notes to financial statements.
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
|
|
Investment Income
|
|
|
|
Dividends (net of $146 foreign tax expense)
|
|
$ |
155,272 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investment income
|
|
|
155,272 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
Investment management
|
|
|
58,476 |
|
Auditing
|
|
|
15,650 |
|
Administrative services
|
|
|
11,752 |
|
Directors
|
|
|
5,825 |
|
Other
|
|
|
3,204 |
|
Custody
|
|
|
2,438 |
|
Interest on bank credit facility
|
|
|
992 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
98,337 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
56,935 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized gain on investments
|
|
|
347,631 |
|
Unrealized appreciation on investments
|
|
|
1,150,377 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain
|
|
|
1,498,008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
|
|
$ |
1,554,943 |
|
See notes to financial statements.
STATEMENT OF CHANGE IN NET ASSETS
|
|
|
Financial Statements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income (loss)
|
|
$ |
56,935 |
|
|
$ |
(103,557 |
) |
Net realized gain (loss)
|
|
|
347,631 |
|
|
|
(258,824 |
) |
Unrealized appreciation
|
|
|
1,150,377 |
|
|
|
1,169,434 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
resulting from operations
|
|
|
1,554,943 |
|
|
|
807,053 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
(52,201 |
) |
|
|
(15,598 |
) |
Return of capital
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(10,503 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(52,201 |
) |
|
|
(26,101 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total increase in net assets
|
|
|
1,502,742 |
|
|
|
780,952 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
|
5,442,211 |
|
|
|
4,661,259 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
$ |
6,944,953 |
|
|
$ |
5,442,211 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period net assets include
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
undistributed net investment income
|
|
$ |
4,736 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
See notes to financial statements.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
December 31, 2013 |
|
Financial Statements |
1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Foxby Corp., a Maryland corporation registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), is a non- diversified, closed end management investment company whose shares are quoted over the counter under the ticker symbol FXBY. The Fund’s non-fundamental investment objective is total return which it may seek from growth of capital and from income in any security type and in any industry sector. The Fund retains Midas Management Corporation as its Investment Manager.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Subsequent events, if any, through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Valuation of Investments – Portfolio securities are valued by various methods depending on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Most equity securities for which the primary market is in the United States are valued at the official closing price, last sale price or, if no sale has occurred, at the closing bid price. Most equity securities for which the primary market is outside the United States are valued using the official closing price or the last sale price in the principal market in which they are traded. If the last sale price on the local exchange is unavailable, the last evaluated quote or closing bid price normally is used. Debt obligations with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Certain of the securities in which the Fund may invest are priced through pricing services that may utilize a matrix pricing system which takes into consideration factors such as yields, prices, maturities, call features, and ratings on comparable securities. Bonds may be valued according to prices quoted by a bond dealer that offers pricing services. Open end investment companies are valued at their net asset value. Foreign securities markets may be open on days when the U.S. markets are closed. For this reason, the value of any foreign securities owned by the Fund could change on a day when shareholders cannot buy or sell shares of the Fund. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or reliable and other assets may be valued as determined in good faith by the investment manager under the direction of or pursuant to procedures established or approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors, called fair value pricing. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuation, fair value pricing values may differ from the values that would have been used had a readily available market for the securities existed. These differences in valuation could be material. A security’s valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value.
The use of fair value pricing by the Fund may cause the net asset value of its shares to differ from the net asset value that would be calculated using market prices. A fair value price is an estimate and there is no assurance that such price will be at or close to the price at which a security is next quoted or next trades.
Foreign Currency Translation – Securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates. Realized gain or loss on sales of such investments in local currency terms is reported separately from gain or loss attributable to a change in foreign exchange rates for those investments.
Short Sales – The Fund may sell a security short it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security. When the Fund sells a security short, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the broker/dealer through which it made the short sale. The Fund is liable for any dividends or interest paid on securities sold short. A gain, limited to the price at which the Fund sold the security short, or a loss, unlimited in size, will be recognized upon the termination of the short sale. Securities sold short result in off balance sheet risk as the Fund’s ultimate obligation to satisfy the terms of a sale of securities sold short may exceed the amount recognized in the Statement of Assets and liabilities.
Derivatives – The Fund may use derivatives for a variety of reasons, such as to attempt to protect against possible changes in the value of its portfolio holdings or to generate potential gain. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their values from other securities or commodities, or that are based on indices. Derivative instruments are marked to market with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation or depreciation. Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized accordingly, except when taking delivery of a security underlying a contract. In these instances, the recognition of gain or loss is postponed until the disposal of the security underlying the contract. Risk may arise as a result of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Derivative instruments include written options, purchased options, futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and swap agreements.
Investments in Other Investment Companies – The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies (the “Acquired Funds”) in accordance with the Act and related rules. Shareholders in the Fund bear the pro rata portion of the fees and expenses of the Acquired Funds in addition to the Fund’s expenses. Expenses incurred by the Fund that are disclosed in the Statement of operations do not include fees and expenses incurred by the Acquired Funds. The fees and expenses of the Acquired Funds are reflected in the Fund’s total returns.
Investment Transactions – Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date (the date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains or losses are determined by specifically identifying the cost basis of the investment sold.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
December 31, 2013 continued |
|
Financial Statements |
Investment Income – Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or in the case of certain foreign securities, as soon as practicable after the Fund is notified. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Taxes withheld on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.
Expenses – Expenses deemed by the Investment Manager to have been incurred solely by the Fund are charged to the Fund. Expenses deemed by the Investment manager to have been incurred jointly by the Fund and one or more of the investment companies for which the Investment Manager or its affiliates serve as investment manager, an internally managed investment company with substantially similar officers and directors, or other entities are allocated on the basis of relative net assets, except where a more appropriate allocation can be made fairly in the judgment of the Investment manager.
Expense Reduction Arrangement – Through arrangements with the Fund’s custodian and cash management bank, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce custodian expenses. No credits were realized by the Fund during the periods covered by this report.
Distributions to Shareholders – Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and are re-corded on the ex-dividend date.
Income Taxes – No provision has been made for U.S. income taxes because the Fund’s current intention is to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code (the “IRC”) and to distribute to its shareholders substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains. Foreign securities held by the Fund may be subject to foreign taxation. Foreign taxes, if any, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Fund invests. The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. The Fund has reviewed its tax positions and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on federal, state, and local income tax returns for open tax years (2010-2012) or expected to be taken in the Fund’s 2013 tax returns.
New Accounting Guidance – On January 1, 2013, the fund adopted new accounting guidance, issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, that requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. Adoption had no effect on the Fund’s net assets or results of operations.
2. FEES AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES The Fund has retained the Investment manager pursuant to an investment management agreement. Under the terms of the investment management agreement, the investment manager receives a fee payable monthly for investment advisory services at an annual rate of 0.95% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. “Managed Assets” means the average weekly value of the Fund’s total assets minus the sum of the Fund’s liabilities, which liabilities exclude debt relating to leverage, short term debt, and the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock.
Pursuant to the investment management agreement, the Fund reimburses the investment manager for providing at cost certain administrative services comprised of compliance and accounting services. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Fund incurred total administrative costs of $11,752, comprised of $6,314 and $5,438 for compliance and accounting services, respectively. Certain officers and directors of the Fund are officers and directors of the investment manager.
3. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND DISTRIBUTABLE EARNINGS The tax character of distributions paid by the Fund are summarized as follows:
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary income
|
|
$ |
52,201 |
|
|
$ |
15,598 |
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
10,503 |
|
Total distributions
|
|
$ |
52,201 |
|
|
$ |
26,101 |
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2013, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Undistributed net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4,736 |
|
Capital loss carryover
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,929,153 |
) |
Unrealized appreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,184,545 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(739,872 |
) |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
December 31, 2013 continued |
|
Financial Statements |
Federal income tax regulations permit post-October net capital losses, if any, to be deferred and recognized on the tax return of the next succeeding taxable year.
Capital loss carryovers are calculated and reported as of a specific date. Results of transactions and other activity after that date may affect the amount of capital loss carryovers actually available for the Fund to utilize under the IRC and related regulations.
Under the IRC, capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010, are allowed to be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. The Fund has a net capital loss carryover as of December 31, 2013 of $2,929,153, of which $129,642 of short term losses may be carried forward indefinitely, and $1,033,623, $964,048, and $801,840 expires in 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. As a transition rule the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be utilized before pre-enactment net capital losses.
GAAP requires certain components related to permanent differences of net assets to be classified differently for financial reporting than for tax reporting purposes. These differences have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. These differences which may result in distribution reclassifications are due to expiring capital loss carryovers. As of December 31, 2013, the following financial reporting reclassification was made to the net asset accounts to reflect those differences:
Accumulated
Net Investment
|
Accumulated Net
Realized Losses
|
|
|
|
|
The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, for the security, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for investments categorized in level 3.
The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a description of the valuation techniques applied to the Fund’s major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Equity securities (common and preferred stock) – Most publicly traded equity securities are valued normally at the most recent official closing price, last sale price, evaluated quote, or closing bid price. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they may be categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Preferred stock and other equities on inactive markets or valued by reference to similar instruments may be categorized in level 2.
4. VALUE MEASUREMENTS GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of inputs are:
• Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities including securities actively traded on a securities exchange.
• Level 2 – observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability which may include quoted prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates, and similar data.
• Level 3 – unobservable inputs for the asset or liability including the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability.
Restricted and/or illiquid securities – Restricted and/or illiquid securities for which quotations are not readily available or reliable may be valued with fair value pricing as determined in good faith by the investment manager under the direction of or pursuant to procedures established by the Fund’s Board of Directors. Restricted securities issued by publicly traded companies are generally valued at a discount to similar publicly traded securities. Restricted or illiquid securities issued by nonpublic entities may be valued by reference to comparable public entities or fundamental data relating to the issuer or both or similar inputs. Depending on the relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified in either level 2 or level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
December 31, 2013 continued |
|
Financial Statements |
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2013 in valuing the Fund’s assets. Refer to the Schedule of Portfolio Investments for detailed information on specific investments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments, at value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMMON STOCKS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arrangement of Transportation of Freight & Cargo
|
|
$ |
140,016 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
140,016 |
|
Cigarettes
|
|
|
177,380 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
177,380 |
|
Computer Communications Equipment
|
|
|
202,050 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
202,050 |
|
Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas
|
|
|
345,410 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
345,410 |
|
Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance
|
|
|
414,960 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
414,960 |
|
Gold and Silver Ores
|
|
|
129,300 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
129,300 |
|
Information Retrieval Services
|
|
|
560,355 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
560,355 |
|
Investment Advice
|
|
|
519,570 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
519,570 |
|
In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances
|
|
|
125,880 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
125,880 |
|
Leather & Leather Products
|
|
|
168,390 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
168,390 |
|
Metal Mining
|
|
|
140,250 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
140,250 |
|
National Commercial Banks
|
|
|
272,400 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
272,400 |
|
Operative Builders
|
|
|
185,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
185,000 |
|
Petroleum Refining
|
|
|
365,419 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
365,419 |
|
Pharmaceutical Preparations
|
|
|
237,480 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
237,480 |
|
Retail - Catalog & Mail Order Houses
|
|
|
598,185 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
598,185 |
|
Retail Consulting and Investment
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Retail - Drug Stores and Proprietary Stores
|
|
|
175,600 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
175,600 |
|
Retail - Eating Places
|
|
|
291,090 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
291,090 |
|
Retail - Lumber & Other Building Materials Dealers
|
|
|
576,380 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
576,380 |
|
Retail - Variety Stores
|
|
|
299,022 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
299,022 |
|
Services - Business Services
|
|
|
189,106 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
189,106 |
|
Services - Personal Services
|
|
|
131,720 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
131,720 |
|
Services - Prepackaged Software
|
|
|
224,580 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
224,580 |
|
Soap, Detergents, Cleaning Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics
|
|
|
697,051 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
697,051 |
|
Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus
|
|
|
280,500 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
280,500 |
|
Trucking & Courier Services
|
|
|
315,240 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
315,240 |
|
PREFERRED STOCKS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retail Consulting and Investment
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
100,583 |
|
|
|
100,583 |
|
Total investments, at value
|
|
$ |
7,762,334 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
100,583 |
|
|
$ |
7,862,917 |
|
There were no securities transferred from level 1 on December 31, 2012 to level 2 on December 31, 2013. transfers from level 1 to level 2, or from level 2 to level 1 are valued utilizing values at the beginning of the period.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
December 31, 2013 continued |
|
Financial Statements |
The following is a reconciliation of level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value including securities valued at zero:
|
|
Common
Stocks
|
|
|
Preferred
Stocks
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2012
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
81,528 |
|
|
$ |
81,528 |
|
Payment of in-kind dividends
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
28,299 |
|
|
|
28,299 |
|
Change in unrealized depreciation
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(9,244 |
) |
|
|
(9,244 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2013
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
100,583 |
|
|
$ |
100,583 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in unrealized depreciation attributable to
assets still held as level 3 at December 31, 2013
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(9,244 |
) |
|
$ |
(9,244 |
) |
There were no transfers into or out of level 3 assets during the period. Unrealized gains (losses) are included in the related amounts on investments in the Statement of Operations.
The Investment Manager under the direction of the Fund’s Board of Directors considers various valuation approaches for valuing securities categorized within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The factors used in determining the value of the Fund’s private investments may include, but are not limited to: the discounts applied to the selection of comparable investments due to the private nature of the investment; the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer or analysts; an analysis of the company’s or issuer’s financial statements; or an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market in which the security is purchased and sold. Significant changes in any of those inputs in isolation may result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. The pricing of all fair value holdings is subsequently reported to the Fund’s Board of Directors.
The following table presents additional information about valuation methodologies and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized as level 3 as of December 31, 2013:
|
|
Fair Value December 31, 2013
|
|
Valuation Technique
|
Unobservable Input
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMMON STOCKS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retail - Consulting and Investment
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Value of book equity per share
|
Discount rate due to lack of marketability
|
|
|
100 |
% |
PREFERRED STOCKS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retail - Consulting and
Investment
|
|
$ |
100,583 |
|
Value of book equity per share
|
Discount rate due to lack of marketability
|
|
|
50 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS Purchases and proceeds from sales or maturities of investment securities, excluding short term securities, were $1,763,820 and $727,136, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2013, for federal income tax purposes, the aggregate cost of investment securities was $5,678,372 and net unrealized appreciation was $2,184,545, comprised of gross unrealized appreciation of $2,662,001 and gross unrealized depreciation of $477,456.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
December 31, 2013 continued |
|
Financial Statements |
6. ILLIQUID AND RESTRICTED SECURITIES The Fund owns securities which have a limited trading market and/or certain restrictions on trading and, therefore, may be considered illiquid and/or restricted. Such securities have been valued using fair value pricing. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuation, fair value pricing values may differ from the values that would have been used had a readily available market for the securities existed. These differences in valuation could be material. Illiquid and/or restricted securities owned at December 31, 2013 were as follows:
|
Acquisition Date |
|
Cost |
|
|
Value |
|
Amerivon Holdings LLC preferred shares |
9/20/07 |
|
$ |
508,973 |
|
|
$ |
100,583 |
|
Amerivon Holdings LLC common equity units |
9/20/07 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
508,973 |
|
|
$ |
100,583 |
|
Percent of net assets
|
|
|
|
7 |
% |
|
|
1 |
% |
7. BORROWING AND SECURITIES LENDING The Fund has entered into a Committed Facility Agreement (the “CFA”) with BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage, Inc. (“BNP”) which allows the Fund to adjust its credit facility amount up to $2,500,000, subject to BNP’s approval, and a lending Agreement, as defined below. Borrowings under the CFA are secured by assets of the Fund that are held with the Fund’s custodian in a separate account (the “pledged collateral”). Interest is charged at the 1 month LIBOR (london Inter-bank Offered Rate) plus 0.95% on the amount borrowed and 0.50% on the undrawn balance. Because the Fund adjusts the facility amount each day to equal borrowing drawn that day, the annualized rate charge on undrawn facility amounts provided for by the CFA has not been incurred. The outstanding loan balance and the value of eligible collateral investments as of December 31, 2013 were $846,665 and $4,425,842, respectively, and the weighted average interest rate and average daily amount outstanding under the CFA for the year ended December 31, 2013 were 1.12% and $93,000, respectively. The maximum outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2013 was $852,765.
The Lending Agreement provides that BNP may borrow a portion of the pledged collateral (the “Lent Securities”) in an amount not to exceed the outstanding borrowings owed by the Fund to BNP under the CFA. BNP may re-register the Lent Securities in its own name or in another name other than the Fund and may pledge, re-pledge, sell, lend, or otherwise transfer or use the Lent Securities with all attendant rights of ownership. The Fund may designate any security within the pledged collateral as ineligible to be a Lent Security, provided there are eligible securities within the pledged collateral in an amount equal to the outstanding borrowing owed by the Fund. BNP must remit payment to the Fund equal to the amount of all dividends, interest, or other distributions earned or made by the Lent Securities.
Under the Lending Agreement, Lent Securities are marked to market daily and, if the value of the Lent Securities exceeds the value of the then-outstanding borrowings owed by the Fund to BNP under the CFA (the “current borrowings”), BNP must, on that day, either (1) return Lent Securities to the Fund’s custodian in an amount sufficient to cause the value of the outstanding Lent Securities to equal the current borrowings; or (2) post cash collateral with the Fund’s custodian equal to the difference between the value of the Lent Securities and the value of the current borrowings. If BNP fails to perform either of these actions as required, the Fund may recall securities, as discussed below, in an amount sufficient to cause the value of the outstanding Lent Securities to equal the current borrowings. The Fund can recall any of the Lent Securities and BNP is obligated to the extent commercially possible, return such security or equivalent security to the Fund’s custodian no later than three business days after such request. If the Fund recalls a Lent Security pursuant to the lending Agreement, and BNP fails to return the Lent Securities or equivalent securities in a timely fashion, BNP normally remains liable to the Fund’s custodian for the ultimate delivery of such Lent Securities, or equivalent securities, and for any buy-in costs that the executing broker for the sales transaction may impose with respect to the failure to deliver. The Fund also has the right to apply and set-off an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the then-current fair value of such Lent Securities against the current borrowings. The Fund earns securities lending income consisting of payments received from BNP for lending certain securities, less any rebates paid to borrowers and lending agent fees associated with the loan. During the year ended December 31, 2013, there was no securities lending activity.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
December 31, 2013 concluded |
|
Financial Statements |
8. FOREIGN SECURITIES RISK Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve special risks which include changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of future adverse political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities in foreign issuers and markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of U.S. issuers and markets.
9. CAPITAL STOCK As of December 31, 2013, there were 2,610,050 shares of $.01 par value common stock outstanding and 500,000,000 shares authorized. There were no transactions in capital stock during 2013 and 2012. As of December 31, 2013, an affiliate of the investment manager owned approximately 24% of the Fund’s outstanding common stock.
10. SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM In accordance with Section 23(c) of the Act, the Fund may from time to time repurchase its shares in the open market at the discretion of and upon such terms as determined by the Board of Directors. The Fund did not repurchase any of its shares during 2013 and 2012.
11. CONTINGENCIES The Fund indemnifies its officers and directors from certain liabilities that might arise from their performance of their duties for the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which may provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as it involves future claims that may be made against the Fund under circumstances that have not occurred.
12. OTHER INFORMATION The Fund may at times raise cash for investment by issuing shares through one or more offerings, including rights offerings. Proceeds from any such offerings will be invested in accordance with the investment objective and policies of the Fund.
|
December 31, 2013 |
|
Financial Statements |
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Per Share Operating Performance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$ |
2.09 |
|
|
$ |
1.79 |
|
|
$ |
1.72 |
|
|
$ |
1.65 |
|
|
$ |
1.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income (loss) (1)
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
-0.04 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
-0.01 |
|
|
|
- |
2 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
|
|
|
0.57 |
|
|
|
0.35 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
0.39 |
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
0.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
(0.02) |
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
* |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.02) |
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$ |
2.66 |
|
|
$ |
2.09 |
|
|
$ |
1.79 |
|
|
$ |
1.72 |
|
|
$ |
1.65 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market value, end of period
|
|
$ |
1.95 |
|
|
$ |
1.45 |
|
|
$ |
1.24 |
|
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
|
$ |
1.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value
|
|
|
28.23 |
% |
|
|
17.53 |
% |
|
|
4.07 |
% |
|
|
4.24 |
% |
|
|
30.95 |
% |
Based on market price
|
|
|
35.50 |
% |
|
|
17.70 |
% |
|
|
12.73 |
% |
|
|
7.84 |
% |
|
|
85.45 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets at end of period (000s omitted)
|
|
$ |
6,945 |
|
|
$ |
5,442 |
|
|
$ |
4,661 |
|
|
$ |
4,491 |
|
|
$ |
4,302 |
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
|
|
|
1.60 |
% |
|
|
4.57 |
%(4) |
|
|
2.03 |
% |
|
|
2.28 |
% |
|
|
2.61 |
% |
Ratio of expenses excluding loan interest and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
fees to average net assets
|
|
|
1.60 |
% |
|
|
4.57 |
%(4) |
|
|
2.03 |
% |
|
|
2.25 |
% |
|
|
2.56 |
% |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets
|
|
|
0.92 |
% |
|
|
(1.94) |
% |
|
|
0.34 |
% |
|
|
(0.41) |
% |
|
|
0.09 |
% |
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
12.30 |
% |
|
|
14.92 |
% |
|
|
11.41 |
% |
|
|
4.49 |
% |
|
|
85.91 |
% |
(1) The per share amounts were calculated using the average number of shares outstanding during the period.
(2) The amount of net investment income (loss) was less than $.005 per share.
(3) Total return on a market value basis is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock on the opening of the first day and a sale on the closing of the last day of each period reported. Dividend and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of this calculation to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan if in effect or, if there is no plan in effect, at the lower of the per share net asset value or the closing market price of the Fund’s shares on the dividend/distribution date. Generally, total return on a net asset value basis will be higher than total return on a market value basis in periods where there is an increase in the discount or a decrease in the premium of the market value to the net asset value from the beginning to the end of such periods. Conversely, total return on a net asset value basis will be lower than total return on a market value basis in periods where there is a decrease in the discount or an increase in the premium of the market value to the net asset value from the beginning to the end of such periods. The calculation does not reflect brokerage commissions, if any.
(4) Expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with a special meeting of shareholders held on September 12, 2012, increased the ratio of expenses to average net assets by 2.27% for the year ended December 31, 2012.
* Less than $0.005 per share.
See notes to financial statements.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
December 31, 2013 |
|
Financial Statements |
To The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Foxby Corp.
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Foxby Corp. (the “Fund”), including the schedule of portfolio investments as of December 31, 2013, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2013, by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Foxby Corp. as of December 31, 2013, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for the five years presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 28, 2014
|
(Unaudited) |
|
Additional Information |
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the Directors currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Fund. Unless otherwise noted, the address of record for the Directors and Officers is 11 Hanover Square, New York, New York 10005.
INTERESTED DIRECTOR
|
Name, Address and Date of Birth
|
Position(s) Held
with the
Fund
|
Director
Since
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
for the Past Five Years
|
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Director (1)
|
Other Directorships Held by Director (2)
|
THOMAS B. WINMILL, ESQ.(3)
P.O. Box 4
Walpole, NH 03608
June 25, 1959.
|
Class IV
Director
|
2002
|
He is President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Trustee or Director of the Fund, Dividend and Income Fund, and Midas Series Trust. He is President, Chief Executive Officer, and General Counsel of the Investment Manager and Bexil Advisers LLC (registered investment advisers, collectively, the “Advisers”), Bexil Securities LLC and Midas Securities Group, Inc. (registered broker-dealers, collectively the “Broker-Dealers”), Bexil Corporation, and Winmill & Co. Incorporated (“Winco”). He is a Director and Vice President of Self Storage Group, Inc. He is a Director of Bexil American Mortgage Inc. and Castle Mortgage Corporation. He is Vice President of Tuxis Corporation. He is Chairman of the Investment Policy Committee of each of the Advisers (the “IPCs”), which currently manage the Fund, Dividend and Income Fund, Midas Magic, and Midas Perpetual Portfolio, and he is the portfolio manager of Midas Fund. He is a member of the New York State Bar and the SEC Rules Committee of the Investment Company Institute.
|
6
|
Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.
|
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
|
BRUCE B. HUBER, CLU, ChFC, MSFS
February 7, 1930.
|
Class II
Director
|
2004
|
Retired. He is a former Financial Representative with New England Financial, specializing in financial, estate, and insurance matters. He is a member of the Board, emeritus, of the Millbrook School, and Chairman of the Endowment Board of the Community YMCA of Red Bank, NJ.
|
6
|
None
|
JAMES E. HUNT
December 14, 1930.
|
Class I
Director
|
2004
|
He is a Limited Partner of Hunt Howe Partners LLC, executive recruiting consultants.
|
6
|
None
|
PETER K. WERNER
August 16, 1959.
|
Class IIl
Director
|
2002
|
Since 1996, he has been teaching, coaching, and directing a number of programs at The Governor's Academy of Byfield, MA. Currently, he serves as chair of the History Department. Previously, he held the position of Vice President in the Fixed Income Departments of Lehman Brothers and First Boston. His responsibilities included trading sovereign debt instruments, currency arbitrage, syndication, medium term note trading, and money market trading.
|
6
|
None
|
(1) The Fund Complex is comprised of the Fund, Dividend and Income Fund, Self Storage Group, Inc., and Midas Series Trust which are managed by the Investment Manager and its affiliates. (2) Refers to directorships held by a director in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any company registered as an investment company under the Act, excluding those within the Fund Complex. (3) He is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the Act due to his affiliation with the Investment Manager.
Messrs. Huber, Hunt, and Werner also serve on the Audit and Nominating Committees of the Board. Mr. Thomas Winmill serves on the Executive Committee of the Board. Each of the directors serves on the Continuing Directors Committee of the Board.
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
Additional Information |
The executive officers, other than those who serve as Directors, and their relevant biographical information are set forth below.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
|
Name and
Date of Birth
|
Position(s) Held with
the Fund
|
Officer
Since*
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
for the Past Five Years
|
Jacob Bukhsbaum, Esq.
July 3, 1983
|
Chief Compliance Officer,
AML Officer, Associate General Counsel, and Vice President
|
2012
|
Chief Compliance Officer, AML Officer, Associate General Counsel, and Vice President of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex, the Advisers, the Broker-Dealers, Bexil Corporation, Tuxis Corporation, and Winco. He is a member of the New York State Bar.
|
Heidi Keating
March 28, 1959
|
Vice
President
|
2002
|
Vice President of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex, the Advisers, Bexil Corporation, Winco, and Tuxis Corporation. She is a member of the IPCs.
|
Thomas O’Malley
July 22, 1958
|
CAO, CFO, Treasurer, and
Vice President
|
2005
|
Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, and Treasurer of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex, the Advisers, the Broker- Dealers, Bexil Corporation, Winco, and Tuxis Corporation. He is Vice President of Bexil American Mortgage Inc. He is a certified public accountant.
|
John F. Ramirez, Esq.
April 29, 1977
|
General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, Vice President, and Secretary
|
2008
|
General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, Vice President, and Secretary of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex and Tuxis Corporation. He is Vice President, Senior Associate General Counsel, and Secretary of the Advisers, the Broker-Dealers, Bexil Corporation, and Winco. He is Vice President and Secretary of Bexil American Mortgage Inc. and Castle Mortgage Corporation. He is a member of the IPCs. He also is a member of the New York State Bar and the Investment Advisers Committee, Small Funds Committee, and Compliance Advisory Committee of the Investment Company Institute.
|
Mark C. Winmill
November 26, 1957
|
Vice President
|
2012
|
Vice President of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex and the Advisers. He is a member of the IPCs. He is President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of Self Storage Group, Inc. and Tuxis Corporation. He is Executive Vice President and a Director of Winco, Vice President of Bexil Corporation, and a principal of the Broker-Dealers.
|
*Officers hold their positions with the Fund until a successor has been duly elected and qualifies. Officers are generally elected annually. The officers were last elected on
December 11, 2013.
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
Additional Information |
Proxy Voting
The Fund’s Proxy Voting Guidelines, as well as its voting record for the most recent 12 months ended June 30, are available without charge by calling the Fund collect at 1-212-785-0900, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and on the Fund’s website at www.FoxbyCorp.com.
Quarterly Schedule of Portfolio Holdings
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on
Form N-Q. The Fund’s forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public reference room in Washington, DC, and information on the operation of the public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The Fund makes the Forms N-Q available on its website at www.foxbycorp.com.
STOCK DATA AT DECEMBER 31, 2013
Market price per Share
Net Asset Value per Share
Market Price Discount to Net Asset Value
Ticker Symbol
CUSIP Number
|
$1.95
$2.66
26.7%
FXBY
351645106
|
FUND INFORMATION
Investment Manager
Midas Management Corporation
11 Hanover Square
New York, NY 10005
www.FoxbyCorp.com
1-212-785-0900
Stock Transfer Agent and Registrar
IST Shareholder Services
433 S. Carlton Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187 www.ilstk.com
1-800-757-5755
FOXBYCORP.COM
Visit us on the web at www.FoxbyCorp.com. The site provides information about the Fund including market performance, net asset value, dividends, press releases, and shareholder reports. For further information, please email us at info@FoxbyCorp.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements - this report contains “forward looking statements” as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will,” and similar expressions identify forward looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to materially differ from the Fund’s historical experience and its current expectations or projections indicated in any forward looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, equity securities risk, corporate bonds risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, leverage and borrowing risk, additional risks of certain securities in which the Fund invests, market discount from net asset value, distribution policy risk, management risk, and other risks discussed in the Fund’s filings with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Fund undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements made herein. There is no assurance that the Fund’s investment objectives will be attained.
Fund Information - this report, including the financial statements herein, is transmitted to the shareholders of the Fund for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular, or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, or an exemption therefrom.
Section 23 Notice - pursuant to Section 23 of the investment company Act of 1940, as amended, notice is hereby given that the Fund may in the future purchase its own shares in the open market. These purchases may be made from time to time, at such times, and in such amounts, as may be deemed advantageous to the Fund, although nothing herein shall be considered a commitment to purchase such shares.
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
(a)
|
|
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code”) that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
No information need be disclosed pursuant to this paragraph.
|
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
Not applicable.
|
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
Not applicable.
|
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
Not applicable.
|
|
|
|
(f)
|
|
The text of the Code can be viewed on the registrant’s website, www.foxbycorp.com, or a copy of the Code may be obtained free of charge by calling collect 1-212-480-6432
|
|
|
|
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that it has three “audit committee financial experts” serving on its audit committee, each of whom are “independent” Directors: Bruce B. Huber, James E. Hunt, and Peter K. Werner. Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and Board of Directors in the absence of such designation or identification. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this Item does not affect the duties, obligations, or liability of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
|
(a)
|
The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
AUDIT FEES
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013 - $14,000
|
|
|
2012 - $13,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
AUDIT-RELATED FEES
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013 - $1,500
|
|
|
2012 - $1,500
|
|
|
|
|
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Audit-related fees include amounts reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements, including the issuance of a report on internal controls and review of periodic reporting.
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(c)
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The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. Registrants shall describe the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category are as follows:
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TAX FEES
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2013 - $3,500
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2012 - $2,250
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Tax fees include amounts related to tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice.
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(d)
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The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item. Registrants shall describe the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category are as follows:
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ALL OTHER FEES
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2013 - N/A
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2012 - N/A
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(e)
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(1) Pursuant to the registrant’s Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee shall consider for pre-approval any audit and non-audit services proposed to be provided by the auditors to the registrant and any non-audit services proposed to be provided by such auditors to the registrant’s Investment Manager, if the engagement relates directly to the registrant’s operations or financial reporting. In those situations when it is not convenient to obtain full Audit Committee approval, the Chairman of the Audit Committee is delegated the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit, audit-related, tax, and all other services so long as all such pre-approved decisions are reviewed with the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Such pre-approval of non-audit services proposed to be provided by the auditors to the Fund is not necessary, however, under the following circumstances: (1) all such services do not aggregate to more than 5% of total revenues paid by the Fund to the auditor in the fiscal year in which services are provided, (2) such services were not recognized as non-audit services at the time of the engagement, and (3) such services are brought to the attention of the Audit Committee, and approved by the Audit Committee, prior to the completion of the audit.
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(2) No services included in (b) - (d) above were approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
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(f)
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Not applicable.
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(g)
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The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant were $26,250 and $28,250, respectively.
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(h)
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The registrant’s audit committee has determined that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered by accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
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Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
The registrant has a standing audit committee. The members of the audit committee are Bruce B. Huber, James E. Hunt and Peter K. Werner.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments.
Included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
AMENDED PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
2014
Foxby Corp.
Foxby Corp. (the “Fund") delegates the responsibility for voting proxies of portfolio companies held in the Fund’s portfolio to Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”). A concise summary of the Proxy Voting Guidelines of ISS (see attached) is incorporated by reference herein as the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, as supplemented by the terms hereof. The Fund retains the right to override the delegation to ISS on a case-by-case basis, in which case the ADDENDUM – NON-DELEGATED PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES supersede the Proxy Voting Guidelines of ISS in their entirety. In all cases, the Fund will seek to vote its proxies in the best interests of the Fund.
With respect to a vote upon which the Fund overrides the delegation to ISS, to the extent that such vote presents a material conflict of interest between the Fund and its Investment Manager or any affiliated person of the Investment Manager, the Fund normally will disclose such conflict to, and obtain consent from, its Independent Directors, or a committee thereof, prior to voting the proxy.
ADDENDUM
NON-DELEGATED PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
These proxy voting policies and procedures are intended to provide general guidelines regarding the issues they address. As such, they cannot be “violated.” In each case the vote generally will be based on maximizing shareholder value over the long term, as consistent with overall investment objectives and policies.
Board and Governance Issues
Board of Director Composition
Typically, we will not object to slates with at least a majority of independent directors.
We generally will not object to shareholder proposals that request that the board audit, compensation and/or nominating committees include independent directors exclusively.
Approval of IRPAF
We will evaluate on a case-by-case basis instances in which the audit firm has a significant audit relationship with the company to determine whether we believe independence has been compromised.
We will review and evaluate the resolutions seeking ratification of the auditor when fees for financial systems design and implementation substantially exceed audit and all other fees, as this can compromise the independence of the auditor.
We will carefully review and evaluate the election of the audit committee chair if the audit committee recommends an auditor whose fees for financial systems design and implementation substantially exceed audit and all other fees, as this can compromise the independence of the auditor.
Increase Authorized Common Stock
We will generally support the authorization of additional common stock necessary to facilitate a stock split.
We will generally support the authorization of additional common stock.
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Blank check preferred is stock with a fixed dividend and a preferential claim on company assets relative to common shares. The terms of the stock (voting, dividend and conversion rights) are determined at the discretion of the Board when the stock is issued. Although such an issue can in theory be used for financing purposes, often it has been used in connection with a takeover defense. Accordingly, we will generally evaluate the creation of blank check preferred stock.
Classified or “Staggered” Board
On a classified (or staggered) board, directors are divided into separate classes (usually three) with directors in each class elected to overlapping three-year terms. Companies argue that such Boards offer continuity in direction which promotes long-term planning. However, in some instances they may serve to deter unwanted takeovers since a potential buyer would have to wait at least two years to gain a majority of Board seats.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis on issues involving classified boards.
Supermajority Vote Requirements
Supermajority vote requirements in a company charter or bylaws require a level of voting approval in excess of simple majority. Generally, supermajority provisions require at least 2/3 affirmative vote for passage of issues.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis regarding issues involving supermajority voting.
Restrictions on Shareholders to Act by Written Consent
Written consent allows shareholders to initiate and carry out a shareholder action without waiting until the annual meeting or by calling a special meeting. It permits action to be taken by the written consent of the same percentage or outstanding shares that would be required to effect the proposed action at a shareholder meeting.
We will generally not object to proposals seeking to preserve the right of shareholders to act by written consent.
Restrictions on Shareholders to Call Meetings
We will generally not object to proposals seeking to preserve the right of the shareholders to call meetings.
Limitations, Director Liability and Indemnification
Because of increased litigation brought against directors of corporations and the increase costs of director liability insurance, many states have passed laws limiting director liability for those acting in good faith. Shareholders, however, often must opt into such statutes. In addition, many companies are seeking to add indemnification of directors to corporate bylaws.
We will generally support director liability and indemnification resolutions because it is important for companies to be able to attract the most qualified individuals to their Boards.
Reincorporation
Corporations are in general bound by the laws of the state in which they are incorporated. Companies reincorporate for a variety of reasons including shifting incorporation to a state where the company has its most active operations or corporate headquarters, or shifting incorporation to take advantage of state corporate takeovers laws.
We typically will not object to reincorporation proposals.
Cumulative Voting
Cumulative voting allows shareholders to cumulate their votes behind one or a few directors running for the board that is, cast more than one vote for a director thereby helping a minority of shareholders to win board representation. Cumulative voting generally gives minority shareholders an opportunity to effect change in corporate affairs.
We typically will not object to proposals to adopt cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Dual Classes of Stock
In order to maintain corporate control in the hands of a certain group of shareholders, companies may seek to create multiple classes of stock with differing rights pertaining to voting and dividends.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis dual classes of stock. However, we will typically not object to dual classes of stock.
Limit Directors Tenure
In general, corporate directors may stand for re-election indefinitely. Opponents of this practice suggest that limited tenure would inject new perspectives into the boardroom as well as possibly creating room for directors from diverse backgrounds; however, continuity is important to corporate leadership and in some instances alternative means may be explored for injecting new ideas or members from diverse backgrounds into corporate boardrooms.
Accordingly, we will vote on a case-by-case basis regarding attempts to limit director tenure.
Minimum Director Stock Ownership
The director share ownership proposal requires that all corporate directors own a minimum number of shares in the corporation. The purpose of this resolution is to encourage directors to have the same interest as other shareholders.
We normally will not object to resolutions that require corporate directors to own shares in the company.
Executive Compensation
Disclosure of CEO, Executive, Board and Management Compensation
On a case-by-case basis, we will support shareholder resolutions requesting companies to disclose the salaries of top management and the Board of Directors.
Compensation for CEO, Executive, Board and Management
We typically will not object to proposals regarding executive compensation if we believe the compensation clearly does not reflect the current and future circumstances of the company.
Formation and Independence of Compensation Review Committee
We normally will not object to shareholder resolutions requesting the formation of a committee of independent directors to review and examine executive compensation.
Stock Options for Board and Executives
We will generally review the overall impact of stock option plans that in total offer greater than 25% of shares outstanding because of voting and earnings dilution.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis option programs that allow the repricing of underwater options.
In most cases, we will oppose stock option plans that have option exercise prices below the marketplace on the day of the grant.
Generally, we will support options programs for outside directors subject to the same constraints previously described.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOPs)
We will generally not object to ESOPs created to promote active employee ownership. However, we will generally oppose any ESOP whose purpose is to prevent a corporate takeover.
Changes to Charter or By-Laws
We will conduct a case-by-case review of the proposed changes with the voting decision resting on whether the proposed changes are in shareholder best interests.
Confidential Voting
Typically, proxy voting differs from voting in political elections in that the company is made aware of shareholder votes as they are cast. This enables management to contact dissenting shareholders in an attempt to get them to change their votes.
We generally will not object to confidential voting.
Equal Access to Proxy
Equal access proposals ask companies to give shareholders access to proxy materials to state their views on contested issues, including director nominations. In some cases they would actually allow shareholders to nominate directors. Companies suggest that such proposals would make an increasingly complex process even more burdensome.
In general, we will not oppose resolutions for equal access proposals.
Golden Parachutes
Golden parachutes are severance payments to top executives who are terminated or demoted pursuant to a takeover. Companies argue that such provisions are necessary to keep executives from “jumping ship” during potential takeover attempts.
We will not object to the right of shareholders to vote on golden parachutes because they go above and beyond ordinary compensation practices. In evaluating a particular golden parachute, we will examine if considered material total management compensation, the employees covered by the plan, and the quality of management and all other factors deemed pertinent.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers, Restructuring and Spin-offs
A merger, restructuring, or spin-off in some way affects a change in control of the company assets. In evaluating the merit of each issue, we will consider the terms of each proposal. This will include an analysis of the potential long-term value of the investment.
On a case by case basis, we will review management proposals for merger or restructuring to determine the extent to which the transaction appears to offer fair value and other proxy voting policies stated are not violated.
Poison Pills
Poison pills (or shareholder rights plans) are triggered by an unwanted takeover attempt and cause a variety of events to occur which may make the company financially less attractive to the suitor. Typically, directors have enacted these plans without shareholder approval. Most poison pill resolutions deal with putting poison pills up for a vote or repealing them altogether.
We typically will not object to most proposals to put rights plans up for a shareholder vote. In general, poison pills will be reviewed for the additional value provided to shareholders, if any.
Anti-Greenmail Proposals
Greenmail is the payment a corporate raider receives in exchange for his/her shares. This payment is usually at a premium to the market price, so while greenmail can ensure the continued independence of the company, it discriminates against other shareholders.
We generally will support anti-greenmail provisions.
Opt-Out of State Anti-takeover Law
A strategy for dealing with anti-takeover issues has been a shareholder resolution asking a company to opt-out of a particular state anti-takeover laws.
We generally will not object to bylaws changes requiring a company to opt out of state anti-takeover laws. Resolutions requiring companies to opt into state anti-takeover statutes generally will be subject to further review for appropriateness.
Other Situations
In the event an issue is not addressed in the above guidelines, we will determine on a case-by-case basis any proposals that may arise from management or shareholders. To the extent that a proposal from management does not infringe on shareholder rights, we will generally support management position. We may also elect to abstain or not vote on any given matter.
January 1, 2014
2014 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines
January 13, 2014
Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.
ISS' 2014 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines
Updated: Jan. 13, 2014
The policies contained herein are a sampling of select, key proxy voting guidelines and are not exhaustive. A full listing of ISS’ 2014 proxy voting guidelines can be found at: http://www.issgovernance.com/policy/2014/policy_information
Routine/Miscellaneous
Auditor Ratification
Vote for proposals to ratify auditors unless any of the following apply:
· An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent;
· There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position;
· Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a serious level of concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP, or material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures; or
· Fees for non-audit services (“Other” fees) are excessive.
Non-audit fees are excessive if:
· Non-audit (“other”) fees > audit fees + audit-related fees + tax compliance/preparation fees
Board of Directors:
Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections
Four fundamental principles apply when determining votes on director nominees:
1. Accountability
2. Responsiveness
3. Composition
4. Independence
Generally vote for director nominees, except under the following circumstances:
1. Accountability
Vote against1 or withhold from the entire board of directors (except new nominees2, who should be considered case-by-case) for the following:
1 In general, companies with a plurality vote standard use “Withhold” as the contrary vote option in director elections; companies with a majority vote standard use “Against”. However, it will vary by company and the proxy must be checked to determine the valid contrary vote option for the particular company.
2 A “new nominee” is any current nominee who has not already been elected by shareholders and who joined the board after the problematic action in question transpired. If ISS cannot determine whether the nominee joined the board before or after the problematic action transpired, the nominee will be considered a “new nominee” if he or she joined the board within the 12 months prior to the upcoming shareholder meeting.
Problematic Takeover Defenses
Classified Board Structure:
1.1. The board is classified, and a continuing director responsible for a problematic governance issue at the board/committee level that would warrant a withhold/against vote recommendation is not up for election. All appropriate nominees (except new) may be held accountable.
Director Performance Evaluation:
1.2. The board lacks accountability and oversight, coupled with sustained poor performance relative to peers. Sustained poor performance is measured by one- and three-year total shareholder returns in the bottom half of a company’s four-digit GICS industry group (Russell 3000 companies only). Take into consideration the company’s five-year total shareholder return and operational metrics. Problematic provisions include but are not limited to:
· A classified board structure;
· A supermajority vote requirement;
· Either a plurality vote standard in uncontested director elections or a majority vote standard with no plurality carve-out for contested elections;
· The inability of shareholders to call special meetings;
· The inability of shareholders to act by written consent;
· A dual-class capital structure; and/or
· A non–shareholder-approved poison pill.
1.3. The company’s poison pill has a “dead-hand” or “modified dead-hand” feature. Vote against or withhold from nominees every year until this feature is removed;
1.4. The board adopts a poison pill with a term of more than 12 months (“long-term pill”), or renews any existing pill, including any “short-term” pill (12 months or less), without shareholder approval. A commitment or policy that puts a newly adopted pill to a binding shareholder vote may potentially offset an adverse vote recommendation. Review such companies with classified boards every year, and such companies with annually elected boards at least once every three years, and vote against or withhold votes from all nominees if the company still maintains a non-shareholder-approved poison pill; or
1.5. The board makes a material adverse change to an existing poison pill without shareholder approval.
Vote case-by-case on all nominees if:
1.6. The board adopts a poison pill with a term of 12 months or less (“short-term pill”) without shareholder approval, taking into account the following factors:
· The date of the pill‘s adoption relative to the date of the next meeting of shareholders—i.e. whether the company had time to put the pill on ballot for shareholder ratification given the circumstances;
· The issuer’s rationale;
· The issuer’s governance structure and practices; and
· The issuer’s track record of accountability to shareholders.
Problematic Audit-Related Practices
Generally vote against or withhold from the members of the Audit Committee if:
1.7. The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive (see discussion under “ Auditor Ratification ”);
1.8. The company receives an adverse opinion on the company’s financial statements from its auditor; or
1.9. There is persuasive evidence that the Audit Committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.
Vote case-by-case on members of the Audit Committee, and potentially the full board, if:
1.10. Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a level of serious concern, such as: fraud, misapplication of GAA; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures. Examine the severity, breadth, chronological sequence, and duration, as well as the company’s efforts at remediation or corrective actions, in determining whether withhold/against votes are warranted.
Problematic Compensation Practices/Pay for Performance Misalignment
In the absence of an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation ballot item or in egregious situations, vote against or withhold from the members of the Compensation Committee, and potentially the full board, if:
1.11. There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);
1.12. The company maintains significant problematic pay practices;
1.13. The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders;
1.14. The company fails to submit one-time transfers of stock options to a shareholder vote; or
1.15. The company fails to fulfill the terms of a burn rate commitment made to shareholders.
Vote case-by-case on Compensation Committee members (or, in exceptional cases, the full board) and the Management Say-on-Pay proposal if:
1.16. The company's previous say-on-pay proposal received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:
· The company's response, including:
o Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors regarding the issues that contributed to the low level of support;
o Specific actions taken to address the issues that contributed to the low level of support;
o Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;
· Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;
· The company's ownership structure; and
· Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.
Governance Failures
Under extraordinary circumstances, vote against or withhold from directors individually, committee members, or the entire board, due to:
1.17. Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight3, or fiduciary responsibilities at the company;
1.18. Failure to replace management as appropriate; or
3 Examples of failure of risk oversight include, but are not limited to: bribery; large or serial fines or sanctions from regulatory bodies; significant adverse legal judgments or settlements; hedging of company stock; or significant pledging of company stock.
1.19. Egregious actions related to a director’s service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company.
2. Responsiveness
Vote case-by-case on individual directors, committee members, or the entire board of directors, as appropriate, if:
2.1. The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received the support of a majority of the shares cast in the previous year. Factors that will be considered are:
· Disclosed outreach efforts by the board to shareholders in the wake of the vote;
· Rationale provided in the proxy statement for the level of implementation;
· The subject matter of the proposal;
· The level of support for and opposition to the resolution in past meetings;
· Actions taken by the board in response to the majority vote and its engagement with shareholders;
· The continuation of the underlying issue as a voting item on the ballot (as either shareholder or management proposals); and
· Other factors as appropriate.
2.2. The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of shares are tendered;
2.3. At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent withhold/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote;
2.4. The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received the majority of votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency; or
2.5. The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received a plurality, but not a majority, of the votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency, taking into account:
· The board's rationale for selecting a frequency that is different from the frequency that received a plurality;
· The company's ownership structure and vote results;
· ISS' analysis of whether there are compensation concerns or a history of problematic compensation practices; and
· The previous year's support level on the company's say-on-pay proposal.
3. Composition
Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings:
3.1. Generally vote against or withhold from directors (except new nominees, who should be considered case-by-case4) who attend less than 75 percent of the aggregate of their board and committee meetings for the period for which they served, unless an acceptable reason for absences is disclosed in the proxy or another SEC filing. Acceptable reasons for director absences are generally limited to the following:
4 For new nominees only, schedule conflicts due to commitments made prior to their appointment to the board are considered if disclosed in the proxy or another SEC filing.
· Medical issues/illness;
· Family emergencies; and
· Missing only one meeting (when the total of all meetings is three or fewer).
3.2. If the proxy disclosure is unclear and insufficient to determine whether a director attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate of his/her board and committee meetings during his/her period of service, vote against or withhold from the director(s) in question.
Overboarded Directors:
Vote against or withhold from individual directors who:
3.3. Sit on more than six public company boards; or
3.4. Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies besides their own—withhold only at their outside boards5.
5 Although all of a CEO’s subsidiary boards will be counted as separate boards, ISS will not recommend a withhold vote from the CEO of a parent company board or any of the controlled (>50 percent ownership) subsidiaries of that parent, but will do so at subsidiaries that are less than 50 percent controlled and boards outside the parent/subsidiary relationships.
4. Independence
Vote against or withhold from Inside Directors and Affiliated Outside Directors when:
4.1. The inside or affiliated outside director serves on any of the three key committees: audit, compensation, or nominating;
4.2. The company lacks an audit, compensation, or nominating committee so that the full board functions as that committee;
4.3. The company lacks a formal nominating committee, even if the board attests that the independent directors fulfill the functions of such a committee; or
4.4. Independent directors make up less than a majority of the directors.
Proxy Access
ISS supports proxy access as an important shareholder right, one that is complementary to other best-practice corporate governance features. However, in the absence of a uniform standard, proposals to enact proxy access may vary widely; as such, ISS is not setting forth specific parameters at this time and will take a case-by-case approach in evaluating these proposals.
Vote case-by-case on proposals to enact proxy access, taking into account, among other factors:
· Company-specific factors; and
· Proposal-specific factors, including:
· The ownership thresholds proposed in the resolution (i.e., percentage and duration);
· The maximum proportion of directors that shareholders may nominate each year; and
· The method of determining which nominations should appear on the ballot if multiple shareholders submit nominations.
Proxy Contests—Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections
Vote case-by-case on the election of directors in contested elections, considering the following factors:
· Long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry;
· Management’s track record;
· Background to the proxy contest;
· Nominee qualifications and any compensatory arrangements;
· Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of critique against management;
· Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates); and
· Stock ownership positions.
When the addition of shareholder nominees to the management card (“proxy access nominees”) results in a number of nominees on the management card which exceeds the number of seats available for election, vote case-by-case considering the same factors listed above.
Shareholder Rights & Defenses
Poison Pills- Management Proposals to Ratify Poison Pill
Vote case-by-case on management proposals on poison pill ratification, focusing on the features of the shareholder rights plan. Rights plans should contain the following attributes:
· No lower than a 20% trigger, flip-in or flip-over;
· A term of no more than three years;
· No dead-hand, slow-hand, no-hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill;
· Shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause); if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced, 10 percent of the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill.
In addition, the rationale for adopting the pill should be thoroughly explained by the company. In examining the request for the pill, take into consideration the company’s existing governance structure, including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, and any problematic governance concerns.
Poison Pills- Management Proposals to Ratify a Pill to Preserve Net Operating Losses (NOLs)
Vote against proposals to adopt a poison pill for the stated purpose of protecting a company's net operating losses (NOL) if the term of the pill would exceed the shorter of three years and the exhaustion of the NOL.
Vote case-by-case on management proposals for poison pill ratification, considering the following factors, if the term of the pill would be the shorter of three years (or less) and the exhaustion of the NOL:
· The ownership threshold to transfer (NOL pills generally have a trigger slightly below 5 percent);
· The value of the NOLs;
· Shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision, or commitment to cause expiration of the pill upon exhaustion or expiration of NOLs);
· The company's existing governance structure including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, track record of responsiveness to shareholders, and any other problematic governance concerns; and
· Any other factors that may be applicable.
*****
Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent
Generally vote against management and shareholder proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholders' ability to act by written consent.
Generally vote for management and shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to act by written consent, taking into account the following factors:
· Shareholders' current right to act by written consent;
· The consent threshold;
· The inclusion of exclusionary or prohibitive language;
· Investor ownership structure; and
· Shareholder support of, and management's response to, previous shareholder proposals.
Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals if, in addition to the considerations above, the company has the following governance and antitakeover provisions:
· An unfettered6 right for shareholders to call special meetings at a 10 percent threshold;
· A majority vote standard in uncontested director elections;
· No non-shareholder-approved pill; and
· An annually elected board.
6 "Unfettered" means no restrictions on agenda items, no restrictions on the number of shareholders who can group together to reach the 10 percent threshold, and only reasonable limits on when a meeting can be called: no greater than 30 days after the last annual meeting and no greater than 90 prior to the next annual meeting.
CAPITAL/RESTRUCTURING
Common Stock Authorization
Vote for proposals to increase the number of authorized common shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with a transaction on the same ballot that warrants support.
Vote against proposals at companies with more than one class of common stock to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of common stock that has superior voting rights.
Vote against proposals to increase the number of authorized common shares if a vote for a reverse stock split on the same ballot is warranted despite the fact that the authorized shares would not be reduced proportionally.
Vote case-by-case on all other proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance. Take into account company-specific factors that include, at a minimum, the following:
· Past Board Performance:
o The company's use of authorized shares during the last three years
· The Current Request:
o Disclosure in the proxy statement of the specific purposes of the proposed increase;
o Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific and severe risks to shareholders of not approving the request; and
o The dilutive impact of the request as determined by an allowable increase calculated by ISS (typically 100 percent of existing authorized shares) that reflects the company's need for shares and total shareholder returns.
Dual Class Structure
Generally vote against proposals to create a new class of common stock, unless:
· The company discloses a compelling rationale for the dual-class capital structure, such as:
· The company's auditor has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern; or
· The new class of shares will be transitory;
· The new class is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders in both the short term and long term; and
· The new class is not designed to preserve or increase the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder.
Preferred Stock Authorization
Vote for proposals to increase the number of authorized preferred shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with a transaction on the same ballot that warrants support.
Vote against proposals at companies with more than one class or series of preferred stock to increase the number of authorized shares of the class or series of preferred stock that has superior voting rights.
Vote case-by-case on all other proposals to increase the number of shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance. Take into account company-specific factors that include, at a minimum, the following:
· Past Board Performance:
o The company's use of authorized preferred shares during the last three years;
· The Current Request:
o Disclosure in the proxy statement of the specific purposes for the proposed increase;
o Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific and severe risks to shareholders of not approving the request;
o In cases where the company has existing authorized preferred stock, the dilutive impact of the request as determined by an allowable increase calculated by ISS (typically 100 percent of existing authorized shares) that reflects the company's need for shares and total shareholder returns; and
o Whether the shares requested are blank check preferred shares that can be used for antitakeover purposes.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Vote case-by-case on mergers and acquisitions. Review and evaluate the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:
·Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, emphasis is placed on the offer premium, market reaction and strategic rationale.
·Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction should cause closer scrutiny of a deal.
·Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions.
·Negotiations and process - Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at arm's-length? Was the process fair and equitable? A fair process helps to ensure the best price for shareholders. Significant negotiation "wins" can also signify the deal makers' competency. The comprehensiveness of the sales process (e.g., full auction, partial auction, no auction) can also affect shareholder value.
·Conflicts of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? As the result of potential conflicts, the directors and officers of the company may be more likely to vote to approve a merger than if they did not hold these interests. Consider whether these interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend the merger. The CIC figure presented in the "ISS Transaction Summary" section of this report is an aggregate figure that can in certain cases be a misleading indicator of the true value transfer from shareholders to insiders. Where such figure appears to be excessive, analyze the underlying assumptions to determine whether a potential conflict exists.
·Governance - Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.
COMPENSATION
Executive Pay Evaluation
Underlying all evaluations are five global principles that most investors expect corporations to adhere to in designing and administering executive and director compensation programs:
1. Maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment, with emphasis on long-term shareholder value: This principle encompasses overall executive pay practices, which must be designed to attract, retain, and appropriately motivate the key employees who drive shareholder value creation over the long term. It will take into consideration, among other factors, the link between pay and performance; the mix between fixed and variable pay; performance goals; and equity-based plan costs;
2. Avoid arrangements that risk “pay for failure”: This principle addresses the appropriateness of long or indefinite contracts, excessive severance packages, and guaranteed compensation;
3. Maintain an independent and effective compensation committee: This principle promotes oversight of executive pay programs by directors with appropriate skills, knowledge, experience, and a sound process for compensation decision-making (e.g., including access to independent expertise and advice when needed);
4. Provide shareholders with clear, comprehensive compensation disclosures: This principle underscores the importance of informative and timely disclosures that enable shareholders to evaluate executive pay practices fully and fairly;
5. Avoid inappropriate pay to non-executive directors: This principle recognizes the interests of shareholders in ensuring that compensation to outside directors does not compromise their independence and ability to make appropriate judgments in overseeing managers’ pay and performance. At the market level, it may incorporate a variety of generally accepted best practices.
Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation—Management Proposals (Management Say-on-Pay)
Vote case-by-case on ballot items related to executive pay and practices, as well as certain aspects of outside director compensation.
Vote against Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Management Say-on-Pay—MSOP) if:
· There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance ( pay for performance );
· The company maintains significant problematic pay practices ;
· The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders.
Vote against or withhold from the members of the Compensation Committee and potentially the full board if:
· There is no MSOP on the ballot, and an against vote on an MSOP is warranted due to a pay for performance misalignment, problematic pay practices, or the lack of adequate responsiveness on compensation issues raised previously, or a combination thereof;
· The board fails to respond adequately to a previous MSOP proposal that received less than 70 percent support of votes cast;
· The company has recently practiced or approved problematic pay practices, including option repricing or option backdating; or
· The situation is egregious.
Vote against an equity plan on the ballot if:
· A pay for performance misalignment is found, and a significant portion of the CEO’s misaligned pay is attributed to non-performance-based equity awards, taking into consideration:
o Magnitude of pay misalignment;
o Contribution of non-performance-based equity grants to overall pay; and
o The proportion of equity awards granted in the last three fiscal years concentrated at the named executive officer (NEO) level.
Primary Evaluation Factors for Executive Pay
Pay-for-Performance Evaluation
ISS annually conducts a pay-for-performance analysis to identify strong or satisfactory alignment between pay and performance over a sustained period. With respect to companies in the Russell 3000 index, this analysis considers the following:
1. Peer Group7 Alignment:
· The degree of alignment between the company's annualized TSR rank and the CEO's annualized total pay rank within a peer group, each measured over a three-year period.
· The multiple of the CEO's total pay relative to the peer group median.
7 The revised peer group is generally comprised of 14-24 companies that are selected using market cap, revenue (or assets for certain financial firms), GICS industry group and company's selected peers' GICS industry group with size constraints, via a process designed to select peers that are closest to the subject company in terms of revenue/assets and industry and also within a market cap bucket that is reflective of the company's.
2. Absolute Alignment – the absolute alignment between the trend in CEO pay and company TSR over the prior five fiscal years – i.e., the difference between the trend in annual pay changes and the trend in annualized TSR during the period.
If the above analysis demonstrates significant unsatisfactory long-term pay-for-performance alignment or, in the case of non-Russell 3000 index companies, misaligned pay and performance are otherwise suggested, our analysis may include any of the following qualitative factors, if they are relevant to the analysis to determine how various pay elements may work to encourage or to undermine long-term value creation and alignment with shareholder interests:
· The ratio of performance- to time-based equity awards;
· The overall ratio of performance-based compensation;
· The completeness of disclosure and rigor of performance goals;
· The company's peer group benchmarking practices;
· Actual results of financial/operational metrics, such as growth in revenue, profit, cash flow, etc., both absolute and relative to peers;
· Special circumstances related to, for example, a new CEO in the prior FY or anomalous equity grant practices (e.g., bi-annual awards);
· Realizable pay8 compared to grant pay; and
· Any other factors deemed relevant.
8 ISS research reports will include realizable pay for S&P1500 companies.
Problematic Pay Practices
The focus is on executive compensation practices that contravene the global pay principles, including:
· Problematic practices related to non-performance-based compensation elements;
· Incentives that may motivate excessive risk-taking; and
· Options Backdating.
Problematic Pay Practices related to Non-Performance-Based Compensation Elements
Pay elements that are not directly based on performance are generally evaluated case-by-case considering the context of a company's overall pay program and demonstrated pay-for-performance philosophy. Please refer to ISS' Compensation FAQ document for detail on specific pay practices that have been identified as potentially problematic and may lead to negative recommendations if they are deemed to be inappropriate or unjustified relative to executive pay best practices. The list below highlights the problematic practices that carry significant weight in this overall consideration and may result in adverse vote recommendations:
· Repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/SARS without prior shareholder approval (including cash buyouts and voluntary surrender of underwater options);
· Excessive perquisites or tax gross-ups, including any gross-up related to a secular trust or restricted stock vesting;
· New or extended agreements that provide for:
o CIC payments exceeding 3 times base salary and average/target/most recent bonus;
o CIC severance payments without involuntary job loss or substantial diminution of duties ("single" or "modified single" triggers);
o CIC payments with excise tax gross-ups (including "modified" gross-ups).
Incentives that may Motivate Excessive Risk-Taking
· Multi-year guaranteed bonuses;
· A single or common performance metric used for short- and long-term plans;
· Lucrative severance packages;
· High pay opportunities relative to industry peers;
· Disproportionate supplemental pensions; or
· Mega annual equity grants that provide unlimited upside with no downside risk.
Factors that potentially mitigate the impact of risky incentives include rigorous claw-back provisions and robust stock ownership/holding guidelines.
Options Backdating
The following factors should be examined case-by-case to allow for distinctions to be made between “sloppy” plan administration versus deliberate action or fraud:
· Reason and motive for the options backdating issue, such as inadvertent vs. deliberate grant date changes;
· Duration of options backdating;
· Size of restatement due to options backdating;
· Corrective actions taken by the board or compensation committee, such as canceling or re-pricing backdated options, the recouping of option gains on backdated grants; and
· Adoption of a grant policy that prohibits backdating, and creates a fixed grant schedule or window period for equity grants in the future.
Board Communications and Responsiveness
Consider the following factors case-by-case when evaluating ballot items related to executive pay on the board’s responsiveness to investor input and engagement on compensation issues:
· Failure to respond to majority-supported shareholder proposals on executive pay topics; or
· Failure to adequately respond to the company's previous say-on-pay proposal that received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:
o The company's response, including:
§ Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors regarding the issues that contributed to the low level of support;
§ Specific actions taken to address the issues that contributed to the low level of support;
§ Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;
o Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;
o The company's ownership structure; and
o Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.
Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation ("Say When on Pay")
Vote for annual advisory votes on compensation, which provide the most consistent and clear communication channel for shareholder concerns about companies' executive pay programs.
Voting on Golden Parachutes in an Acquisition, Merger, Consolidation, or Proposed Sale
Vote case-by-case on say on Golden Parachute proposals, including consideration of existing change-in-control arrangements maintained with named executive officers rather than focusing primarily on new or extended arrangements.
Features that may result in an against recommendation include one or more of the following, depending on the number, magnitude, and/or timing of issue(s):
· Single- or modified-single-trigger cash severance;
· Single-trigger acceleration of unvested equity awards;
· Excessive cash severance (>3x base salary and bonus);
· Excise tax gross-ups triggered and payable (as opposed to a provision to provide excise tax gross-ups);
· Excessive golden parachute payments (on an absolute basis or as a percentage of transaction equity value); or
· Recent amendments that incorporate any problematic features (such as those above) or recent actions (such as extraordinary equity grants) that may make packages so attractive as to influence merger agreements that may not be in the best interests of shareholders; or
· The company's assertion that a proposed transaction is conditioned on shareholder approval of the golden parachute advisory vote.
Recent amendment(s) that incorporate problematic features will tend to carry more weight on the overall analysis. However, the presence of multiple legacy problematic features will also be closely scrutinized.
In cases where the golden parachute vote is incorporated into a company's advisory vote on compensation (management say-on-pay), ISS will evaluate the say-on-pay proposal in accordance with these guidelines, which may give higher weight to that component of the overall evaluation.
Equity-Based and Other Incentive Plans
Vote case-by-case on equity-based compensation plans. Vote against the equity plan if any of the following factors apply:
· The total cost of the company’s equity plans is unreasonable;
· The plan expressly permits repricing;
· A pay-for-performance misalignment is found;
· The company’s three year burn rate exceeds the burn rate cap of its industry group;
· The plan has a liberal change-of-control definition; or
· The plan is a vehicle for problematic pay practices.
Social/Environmental Issues
Global Approach
Issues covered under the policy include a wide range of topics, including consumer and product safety, environment and energy, labor standards and human rights, workplace and board diversity, and corporate political issues. While a variety of factors goes into each analysis, the overall principle guiding all vote recommendations focuses on how the proposal may enhance or protect shareholder value in either the short or long term.
Generally vote case-by-case, taking into consideration whether implementation of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value, and, in addition, the following will also be considered:
· If the issues presented in the proposal are more appropriately or effectively dealt with through legislation or government regulation;
· If the company has already responded in an appropriate and sufficient manner to the issue(s) raised in the proposal;
· Whether the proposal's request is unduly burdensome (scope or timeframe) or overly prescriptive;
· The company's approach compared with any industry standard practices for addressing the issue(s) raised by the proposal;
· If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not reasonable and sufficient information is currently available to shareholders from the company or from other publicly available sources; and
· If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not implementation would reveal proprietary or confidential information that could place the company at a competitive disadvantage.
Political Activities
Lobbying
Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting information on a company’s lobbying (including direct, indirect, and grassroots lobbying) activities, policies, or procedures, considering:
· The company’s current disclosure of relevant lobbying policies, and management and board oversight;
· The company’s disclosure regarding trade associations or other groups that it supports, or is a member of, that engage in lobbying activities; and
· Recent significant controversies, fines, or litigation regarding the company’s lobbying-related activities.
Political Contributions
Generally vote for proposals requesting greater disclosure of a company's political contributions and trade association spending policies and activities, considering:
· The company's current disclosure of policies and oversight mechanisms related to its direct political contributions and payments to trade associations or other groups that may be used for political purposes, including information on the types of organizations supported and the business rationale for supporting these organizations; and
· Recent significant controversies, fines, or litigation related to the company's political contributions or political activities.
Vote against proposals barring a company from making political contributions. Businesses are affected by legislation at the federal, state, and local level; barring political contributions can put the company at a competitive disadvantage.
Vote against proposals to publish in newspapers and other media a company's political contributions. Such publications could present significant cost to the company without providing commensurate value to shareholders.
Political Ties
Generally vote against proposals asking a company to affirm political nonpartisanship in the workplace, so long as:
· There are no recent, significant controversies, fines, or litigation regarding the company’s political contributions or trade association spending; and
· The company has procedures in place to ensure that employee contributions to company-sponsored political action committees (PACs) are strictly voluntary and prohibit coercion.
Vote against proposals asking for a list of company executives, directors, consultants, legal counsels, lobbyists, or investment bankers that have prior government service and whether such service had a bearing on the business of the company. Such a list would be burdensome to prepare without providing any meaningful information to shareholders.
8. Foreign Private Issuers Listed on U.S. Exchanges
Vote against (or withhold from) non-independent director nominees at companies which fail to meet the following criteria: a majority-independent board, and the presence of an audit, a compensation, and a nomination committee, each of which is entirely composed of independent directors.
Where the design and disclosure levels of equity compensation plans are comparable to those seen at U.S. companies, U.S. compensation policy will be used to evaluate the compensation plan proposals. Otherwise, they, and all other voting items, will be evaluated using the relevant ISS regional or market proxy voting guidelines.
Disclosure/Disclaimer
This document and all of the information contained in it, including without limitation all text, data, graphs, and charts (collectively, the "Information") is the property of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), its subsidiaries, or, in some cases third party suppliers.
The Information has not been submitted to, nor received approval from, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory body. None of the Information constitutes an offer to sell (or a solicitation of an offer to buy), or a promotion or recommendation of, any security, financial product or other investment vehicle or any trading strategy, and ISS does not endorse, approve, or otherwise express any opinion regarding any issuer, securities, financial products or instruments or trading strategies.
The user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information.
ISS MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS for A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE INFORMATION.
Without limiting any of the foregoing and to the maximum extent permitted by law, in no event shall ISS have any liability regarding any of the Information for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential (including lost profits), or any other damages even if notified of the possibility of such damages. The foregoing shall not exclude or limit any liability that may not by applicable law be excluded or limited.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
As of March 11, 2014, the registrant’s portfolio is managed by the investment adviser’s Investment Policy Committee (“IPC”). The following table provides information relating to each member and their role within the IPC.
Name
|
Title
|
Business Experience During Past 5 Years
|
Thomas B. Winmill
|
Chairman
|
He is President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Trustee or Director of the Fund, Foxby Corp., and Midas Series Trust. He is President, Chief Executive Officer, and General Counsel of the Investment Manager and Midas Manage- ment Corporation (registered investment advisers, collec- tively, the “Advisers”), Bexil Securities LLC and Midas Securities Group, Inc. (registered broker-dealers, collec- tively the “Broker-Dealers”), Bexil Corporation, and Winmill & Co. Incorporated (“Winco”). He is a Director and Vice President of Self Storage Group, Inc. He is a Director of Bexil American Mortgage Inc. and Castle Mortgage Corporation. He is Vice President of Tuxis Corporation. He is Chairman of the Investment Policy Committee of each of the Advisers (the “IPCs”), which currently manage the Fund, Foxby Corp., Midas Magic, and Midas Perpetual Portfolio, and he is the portfolio manager of Midas Fund. He is a member of the New York State Bar and the SEC Rules Committee of the Investment Company Institute.
|
|
|
|
Mark C. Winmill
|
Chief Investment Strategist
|
Vice President of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex and the Advisers. He is a member of the IPCs. He is President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of Self Storage Group, Inc. and Tuxis Corporation. He is Executive Vice President and a Director of Winco, Vice President of Bexil Corporation, and a principal of the Broker-Dealers.
|
|
|
|
John F. Ramírez
|
Director of Fixed Income
|
General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, Vice President, and Secretary of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex and Tuxis Corporation. He is Vice President, Senior Associate General Counsel, and Secretary of the Advisers, the Broker-Dealers, Bexil Corporation, and Winco. He is Vice President and Secretary of Bexil American Mortgage Inc. and Castle Mortgage Corporation. He is a member of the IPCs. He also is a member of the New York State Bar and the Investment Advisers Committee, Small Funds Committee, and Compliance Advisory Committee of the Investment Company Institute.
|
|
|
|
Heidi Keating
|
Trading
|
Vice President of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex, the Advisers, Bexil Corporation, Winco, and Tuxis Corporation. She is a member of the IPCs.
|
Each member of the IPC receives compensation for his or her services. As of December 31, 2013, the IPC member compensation plan generally consists of base salary, employee benefits plan participation, qualified retirement plan participation, annual and asset level bonuses, certain prerequisites, and participation in equity based compensation plans. A portion of an IPC member’s compensation may be deferred based on criteria established by the investment manager, or at the election of the IPC member.
Each IPC member’s base salary is determined annually by level of responsibility and tenure at the investment manager or its affiliates. The primary components of each IPC member’s annual bonus are based on (i) number of weeks’ salary paid as annual bonuses to employees generally of the investment manager and its affiliates, and (ii) the financial performance of the investment manager and its affiliates. A subjective component of each IPC member’s annual bonus is based on the IPC member’s overall contribution to management of the investment manager and its affiliates. IPC members may receive an asset level bonus upon assets under management reaching certain levels. Each IPC member also may be compensated under equity based compensation plans linked to increases or decreases in the market value of the stock of the parent of the investment manager and its affiliates.
The IPC member compensation plan may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. Each IPC member’s base pay tends to increase with additional and more complex responsibilities often reflecting increased assets under management and marketing efforts, which together indirectly link compensation to sales of Fund shares. The asset level bonus, although intended to encourage above average investment performance and account servicing, as well as lower expense ratios may give rise to potential conflicts of interest by linking compensation to sales. The management of multiple Funds and accounts (including proprietary accounts) may give rise to potential conflicts of interest if the Funds and accounts have different objectives, benchmarks, time horizons, and fees as the IPC member must allocate his or her time and investment ideas across multiple Funds and accounts. Each IPC member may execute transactions for one Fund or account that may adversely impact the value of securities held by another Fund. Securities selected for one Fund or accounts rather than another Fund may outperform the securities selected for the Fund. The management of personal accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest; there is no assurance that the Funds’ codes of ethics will adequately address such conflicts.
The following table provides information relating to other (non-registrant) accounts managed where the IPC member is jointly or primarily responsible for day to day management as of December 31, 2013. No IPC member manages such accounts or assets with performance based advisory fees, or other pooled investment vehicles.
IPC Members
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
|
Other Accounts
|
Thomas B. Winmill
|
Number:
|
2
|
N/A
|
2
|
Assets (millions):
|
$224
|
N/A
|
$0
|
Mark C. Winmill
|
Number:
|
3
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Assets (millions):
|
$260
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
John F. Ramírez
|
Number:
|
2
|
N/A
|
2
|
Assets (millions):
|
$224
|
N/A
|
$0
|
Heidi Keating
|
Number:
|
2
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Assets (millions):
|
$224
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
As of March 11, 2014, the dollar range of shares in the registrant beneficially owned by: Thomas B. Winmill was $1 - $50,000; Mark C. Winmill was $0; John F. Ramírez was $1 - $50,000; and Heidi Keating was $0.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant's board of directors made or implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407), or this Item.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a)
|
The registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
|
(b)
|
There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the registrant's second fiscal quarter of the period covered by the report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
|
Item 12. Exhibits.
(a)
|
Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940(17 CFR 270.360a-2) attached hereto as Exhibits EX-31 and certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto as Exhibit EX-32.
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
Foxby Corp.
|
|
|
March 11, 2014
|
By: /s/ Thomas B. Winmill
|
|
Thomas B. Winmill
|
|
President
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foxby Corp.
|
|
|
March 11, 2014
|
By: /s/ Thomas O’Malley
|
|
Thomas O’Malley
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
|
|
|
Foxby Corp.
|
|
|
March 11, 2014
|
By: /s/ Thomas B. Winmill
|
|
Thomas B. Winmill
|
|
President
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foxby Corp.
|
|
|
March 11, 2014
|
By: /s/ Thomas O’Malley
|
|
Thomas O’Malley
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|