As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 27, 2010

Securities Act File No. 333-170030

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22485

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 


 

FORM N-2

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 x

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No.  1

Post Effective Amendment No.      o

 

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
x

 

Amendment No.  1

 

Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

399 Park Avenue, 6th Floor

New York, NY 10022

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(212) 878-3500

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Sonia E. Gardner
Avenue Capital Group
399 Park Avenue, 6
th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 878-3500
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 


 

Copies to:

 

Nora M. Jordan

 

David Wohl

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

 

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

450 Lexington Avenue

 

767 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10017

 

New York, NY 10153

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

 

If any of the securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box.  o

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective when declared effective (check appropriate box):

 

o            when declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c).

 


 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title of Securities Being Registered

 

Amount Being Registered

 

Proposed Maximum
Offering Price per Unit

 

Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(1)

 

Amount of
Registration Fee (2)(3)

 

Common Shares, $0.001 par value

 

50,000 Shares

 

$

20.00

 

$

1,000,000

 

$

71.30

 

 


(1)          Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.

 

(2)          A registration fee of $71.30 was previously paid on October 19, 2010.

 

(3)   Includes Shares that may be offered to Underwriters pursuant to an option to cover over-allotments.

 

The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such dates as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


PROSPECTUS   Subject to Completion                                   
                                 Preliminary Prospectus dated December 27, 2010                                   

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

                                 Shares    

 

Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund

Common Shares
$20.00 per Share

Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy. Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund (the "Fund") is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.

Depending on current market conditions and the Fund's outlook over time, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by opportunistically investing primarily in loan and debt instruments (and loan-related or debt-related instruments, including repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and derivative instruments) (collectively, "credit obligations") of issuers that operate in a variety of industries and geographic regions.

The Fund expects to emphasize high current income, with a secondary emphasis on capital appreciation, by investing generally in senior secured floating rate and fixed rate loans ("Senior Loans") and in second lien or other subordinated loans or debt instruments, including non-stressed and stressed credit obligations, and related derivatives. The Fund will seek to capitalize on market inefficiencies and reallocate the portfolio of the Fund to opportunistically emphasize those investments, categories of investments and geographic exposures believed to be best suited to the current investment and interest rate environment and market outlook. An investment committee of the Fund's investment adviser and subadviser expects to manage the allocation of the portfolio of the Fund between the adviser and the subadviser based on the availability of opportunities at the time. There is no minimum or maximum limit on the amount of the Fund's assets that may be invested in non-U.S. credit obligations, generally, or in emerging market credit obligations, specifically. In pursuing the Fund's investment objectives or for hedging purposes, the Fund may invest in instruments that give it short exposure to credit obligations.

(continued on the following page)

No prior history.  Because the Fund is newly organized, its common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per common share (the "Common Shares") have no history of public trading. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase investors' risk of loss. This risk may be greater for investors expecting to sell their shares in a relatively short period after completion of this public offering.

It is anticipated that the Fund's Common Shares will be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance. The trading or "ticker" symbol of the Common Shares is expected to be "ACP."

Before buying any Common Shares, you should read the discussion of the principal risks of investing in the Fund, including that the Fund may invest all or a substantial portion of its assets in below investment grade securities which are often referred to as high yield or "junk" securities. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized in "Prospectus Summary—Risk Factors" beginning on page 14 of this prospectus and further described in "Risk Factors" beginning on page 54 of this prospectus.

    Per Share   Total(1)  
Public offering price   $ 20.00     $      
Sales load(2)   $ 0.90     $      
Proceeds, after expenses, to the Fund(3)   $ 19.06     $      

 

(notes on following page)

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the Common Shares to purchasers on or about , 2011.

Morgan Stanley     Citi  
    Deutsche Bank Securities      
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC   Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.   Maxim Group LLC  

 

The date of this prospectus is , 2011.



(notes from cover page)

(1)  The Fund has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to             additional Common Shares at the public offering price, less the sales load, within 45 days of the date of this prospectus solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If such option is exercised in full, the public offering price, the sales load and proceeds, after expenses, to the Fund will be $        , $         and $          , respectively. See "Underwriters."

(2)  The Fund's investment adviser, Avenue Capital Management II, L.P. (the "Adviser"), has agreed to pay, from its own assets, an upfront marketing and structuring fee to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and an upfront structuring fee to Citigroup Global Markets Inc., and may pay certain other qualifying underwriters a marketing and structuring fee, a sales incentive fee or additional compensation in connection with this offering. The Adviser has agreed to pay TS Capital, LLC ("TSC") and ABAX Brokerage Services, Inc. ("ABAX") for distribution assistance in connection with the offering and for on-going structuring and shareholder services. The fees referenced in this footnote are not reflected under the sales load in the table above. The aggregate amount of such fees is approximately $           . Certain expenses incurred by TSC or ABAX in connection with the offering may be reimbursed by the Fund and, to the extent reimbursed, are treated as expenses of the Fund in the table above. See "Underwriters—Additional Compensation to the Underwriters and their Affiliates and Other Relationships."

(3)  The per share and total proceeds, after expenses, to the Fund shown in the table reflect the deduction of the sales load and the aggregate offering expenses paid by the Fund. In addition to the sales load, the Fund will pay offering expenses up to an aggregate of $0.04 per Common Share, estimated to total $400,000 (assuming the Fund issues approximately 10,000,000 Common Shares). Both the sales load, which is directly borne by investors in this offering, and the aggregate offering expenses paid by the Fund, which are indirectly borne by investors in this offering, will immediately reduce the net asset value of the Common Shares of each investor in this offering. The Adviser has agreed to pay all organizational expenses of the Fund and the amount by which the aggregate of all of the Fund's offering expenses (other than the sales load) exceed $0.04 per Common Share (to the extent such excess offering expenses are not borne by another person other than the Fund). It is estimated that the Adviser will pay $600,000 ($0.06 per Common Share (assuming the Fund issues approximately 10,000,000 Common Shares)) of the Fund's offering expenses. If the Fund issues preferred shares and/or notes, the Fund's holders of Common Shares will also bear the expenses of such an offering.

(continued from cover page)

Portfolio Construction Guidelines. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its "Managed Assets" in any combination of the following credit obligations and related instruments: (i) Senior Loans (including those that, at the time of investment, are rated below investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or are unrated but deemed by the Fund's investment adviser or subadviser to be of comparable quality; these types of below investment grade instruments are commonly known as "junk" securities and are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal); (ii) second lien or other subordinated or unsecured floating rate and fixed rate loans or debt (including those that, at the time of investment, could be considered "junk" securities as described above); (iii) other debt obligations, including high-yield, high-risk obligations (i.e., instruments that are commonly known as "junk" securities as described above); (iv) structured products, including collateralized debt and loan obligations (collectively, "structured products") that provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations; (v) swaps and other derivative instruments (including credit default, total return, index and interest rate swaps, options, forward contracts, futures contracts and options on futures contracts) that provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations; (vi) foreign currencies and foreign currency derivatives (including foreign currency related swaps, futures contracts and forward contracts) acquired for the purpose of hedging the currency risk arising from the credit obligations in the Fund's portfolio; and (vii) short-term debt securities such as U.S. government securities, commercial paper and other money market instruments and cash equivalents (including shares of money market funds). Certain types of structured products, swaps and other derivative instruments provide short exposure to other credit obligations because the value of such instruments is inversely related to the value of one or more other credit obligations. "Managed Assets" are the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes, including proceeds from (and assets subject to) reverse repurchase agreements, any credit facility and any issuance of preferred shares or notes) minus the sum of the Fund's accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the purpose of leverage).

Under normal market conditions, the Fund may also invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in any combination of the following: (i) structured products that do not provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations; (ii) swaps and other derivative instruments (including total return, index and interest rate swaps, options, warrants, forward contracts, futures contracts and options on futures contracts) that do not provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations; and (iii) equity securities obtained through the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable instruments, debt restructurings or bankruptcy proceedings and hedges on such positions. If the Fund receives equity securities in a debt restructuring or bankruptcy proceeding in an amount that would cause it to exceed the foregoing 20% limitation, the Fund will not be required to reduce its positions in such securities, or in any related hedges or any other investment, if the Fund's investment adviser or subadviser believes it would not be in the best interest of the Fund to do so.


ii



The types of derivative instruments that the Fund currently anticipates investing in (or considering for investment) are: structured products, swaps, futures contracts, forward contracts and options (including options on swaps, futures contracts and foreign currencies).

Credit Quality and Geographic Origin of Portfolio Investments. In making investments in accordance with the foregoing portfolio construction guidelines, the Fund may invest in credit obligations of any credit quality, and may invest without limitation in credit obligations below investment grade, provided that the Fund will not invest in credit obligations that at the time of investment have a total yield above credit thresholds established by an investment committee of the Fund's investment adviser and subadviser. See "Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Investment Philosophy." The Fund does not intend to invest in credit obligations issued by issuers that, at the time of investment, the Fund's investment adviser and subadviser believe to be distressed (i.e., unable to service their debts). See "Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Portfolio—Credit Quality, Liquidity and Geographic Origin of Portfolio Investments."

In making investments in accordance with the foregoing portfolio construction guidelines, the Fund may invest globally in U.S. and non-U.S. issuers' obligations and such obligations may be U.S. dollar denominated as well as non-U.S. dollar denominated. The Fund will typically seek to limit its exposure to foreign currency risks by entering into forward transactions and other hedging transactions to the extent practical. There can be no assurance that the Fund's currency hedging strategies will succeed. Under normal market conditions, the Fund expects to invest in both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. The Fund anticipates that its initial areas of geographic focus will be the United States and, secondarily, Europe. The Fund is also, among other areas, considering investments in Canada and South Africa. The geographic areas of focus are subject to change from time to time and may be changed without notice to the Fund's shareholders.

Leverage. The Fund is permitted to obtain leverage using any form or combination of financial leverage instruments, including reverse repurchase agreements, credit facilities such as bank loans or commercial paper, and the issuance of preferred shares or notes. Following the completion of the Fund's initial public offering of Common Shares, and subject to prevailing market conditions, the Fund intends to use leveraging instruments to add financial leverage to its portfolio representing up to approximately 331/3% of the Fund's total assets (including the assets subject to, and obtained with the proceeds of, such instruments). The Fund intends to use leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its leverage, or use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments, at any time based on the Fund's assessment of market conditions and the investment environment.

Use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased income and return for holders of Common Shares ("Common Shareholders") but, at the same time, creates risks, including the likelihood of greater volatility in the net asset value and market price of, and distributions on, the Common Shares. There can be no assurance that the Fund will use leverage or that its leveraging strategy will be successful. The investment advisory fees paid by the Fund will be calculated on the basis of the Fund's Managed Assets, which includes proceeds from (and assets subject to) reverse repurchase agreements, any credit facility and any issuance of preferred shares or notes, so that the investment advisory fees payable to the Fund's investment adviser and subadviser will be higher when leverage is utilized. This will create a conflict of interest between the Fund's investment adviser and subadviser, on the one hand, and Common Shareholders, on the other hand. To monitor this potential conflict, the Board of Trustees intends periodically to review the Fund's use of leverage, including its impact on Fund performance and on the fees of the Fund's investment adviser and subadviser. See "Management of the Fund—Potential Conflicts of Interest of the Avenue Managers" in the Statement of Additional Information ("SAI"). Fees and expenses in respect of financial leverage, as well as the investment advisory fee and all other expenses of the Fund, will be borne entirely by the Common Shareholders, and not by preferred shareholders, noteholders or any other leverage providers. See "Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Use of Leverage and Related Risks."

Other Information. This prospectus sets forth concisely information about the Fund you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus carefully before deciding whether to invest and retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information dated            has been filed with the SEC. A table of contents to the SAI is located on page 89 of this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the entire SAI. The SAI is available along with other Fund-related materials at the SEC's public reference room in Washington, DC (call 1-202-551-8090 for information on the operation of the reference room), on the EDGAR database on the SEC's internet site (http://www.sec.gov), upon payment of copying fees by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic mail at publicinfo@sec.gov.

You may also request a free copy of the SAI, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders when available, and additional information about the Fund, and may make other shareholder inquiries, by calling 1-888-301-3838, by writing to the Fund or visiting the Fund's website (http:/www.avenuecapital.com).

The Fund's Common Shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed by or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depositary institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.


iii




TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Summary     1    
Summary of Common Shareholder Fees and Expenses     31    
The Fund     33    
Use of Proceeds     33    
Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy     34    
Risk Factors     54    
Management of the Fund     69    
Net Asset Value     71    
Distributions     72    
Tax Matters     73    
Closed-End Fund Structure     75    
Dividend Reinvestment Plan     76    
Description of Capital Structure     78    
Underwriters     84    
Custodian, Dividend Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar     88    
Legal Opinions     88    
Reports to Shareholders     88    
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm     88    
Additional Information     88    
Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional Information     89    

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The Fund has not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund and the underwriters are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.


iv




PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This is only a summary. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the Fund's common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per common share (the "Common Shares"). You should review the more detailed information contained in this prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information (the "SAI").

The Fund   Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund (the "Fund") is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund's investment adviser is Avenue Capital Management II, L.P. (the "Adviser"), and the Fund's investment subadviser is Avenue Europe International Management, L.P. (the "Subadviser"). The Adviser and the Subadviser, which are referred to herein collectively as the "Avenue Managers," are both part of Avenue Capital Group, which comprises four registered investment advisers that have extensive expertise investing in stressed and distressed obligations throughout the world. Avenue Capital Group was founded in 1995 by Marc Lasry and Sonia E. Gardner. As of October 31, 2010, Avenue Capital Group had approximately $20 billion in assets under management. Avenue Capital Group, the Adviser and the Subadviser are located at 399 Park Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022. The Adviser has not previously managed a registered investment company. The Subadviser currently serves as the subadviser to another registered investment company. An investment committee (the "Investment Committee" ) comprising representatives of the Avenue Managers will be responsible for allocating the portions of the Fund's assets to be invested by the Adviser and Subadviser, respectively.  
The Offering   The Fund is offering             Common Shares through a group of underwriters (the "Underwriters") led by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. The Fund has given the Underwriters an option to purchase up to              additional Common Shares to cover over-allotments, if any. The initial public offering price is $20.00 per Common Share. The minimum purchase in this offering is 100 Common Shares ($2,000). The Adviser has agreed to pay all organizational expenses of the Fund and the amount by which the aggregate of all of the Fund's offering expenses (other than the sales load) exceed $0.04 per Common Share (to the extent such excess offering expenses are not borne by a person other than the Fund).  
Who May Want to Invest   Investors should consider their investment goals, time horizons and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors, and the Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund may be an appropriate investment for investors who are seeking:  
                                               a closed-end fund that seeks attractive risk adjusted returns with a high level of current income by investing generally in senior secured floating rate and fixed rate loans ("Senior Loans") and in second lien or other subordinated loans or debt instruments,
including non-stressed and stressed credit obligations, and related derivatives;
 
     a fund that seeks a balance between credit risk and interest rate risk and investment returns;  

 


1



     exposure to Senior Loans for an overall portfolio that lacks such exposure; and  
     a portfolio that may be invested globally with professional selection and active management by the Avenue Managers.  
Investment Objectives and Principal
Investment Strategy
  The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.  
                        Depending on current market conditions and the Fund's outlook over time, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by opportunistically investing primarily in loan and debt instruments (and loan-related or debt-related instruments, including repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and derivative instruments) (collectively, "credit obligations") of issuers that operate in a variety of industries and geographic regions.  
                        The Fund's investment objectives and principal investment strategy are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed without the vote of the Fund's shareholders by the board of trustees of the Fund (the "Board") with at least 60 days written notice provided to shareholders.  
Rationale   The Avenue Managers believe that changing investment and interest rate environments over time offer attractive investment opportunities in the markets for credit obligations, as well as varying degrees of investment risk. To both capitalize on attractive investments and effectively manage potential risk, the Avenue Managers believe that the combination of a thorough and continuous credit analysis (including an analysis of an issuer's ability to make loan or debt payments when due) and the ability to reallocate the portfolio of the Fund among different categories of investments at different points in the credit cycle (i.e., the cycle between overall positive economic environments and less positive economic environments for credit obligations) is critical to achieving higher risk-adjusted returns, including higher current income and/or capital appreciation, relative to other high-yielding investments. The Avenue Managers expect to emphasize high current income, with a secondary emphasis on capital appreciation, by investing generally in Senior Loans, and in second lien or other subordinated loans or debt instruments, including non-stressed and stressed credit obligations, and related derivatives. The Fund will seek to capitalize on market inefficiencies and reallocate the portfolio of the Fund to opportunistically emphasize those investments, geographies and categories of investments best suited to the current investment and interest rate environment and market outlook. The Investment Committee expects to manage the allocation of the portfolio of the Fund between the Adviser and the Subadviser based on the availability of opportunities at the time.  
                        The Fund's portfolio turnover rate may vary from year to year. The Fund generally expects, under normal market conditions, its portfolio turnover to be up to 100%. Because it is difficult to predict accurately portfolio turnover rates, actual turnover may be higher or lower. A high portfolio turnover rate increases a fund's transaction costs (including brokerage commissions and dealer costs), which  

 


2



                                              would adversely impact a fund's performance. Higher portfolio turnover may result in the realization of more short-term capital gains than if a fund had lower portfolio turnover.  
Portfolio   Portfolio Construction Guidelines. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its "Managed Assets" in any combination of the following credit obligations and related instruments: (i) Senior Loans (including those that, at the time of investment, are rated below investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (a "NRSRO") or are unrated but deemed by an Avenue Manager to be of comparable quality; these types of below investment grade instruments are commonly known as "junk" securities and are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal); (ii) second lien or other subordinated or unsecured floating rate and fixed rate loans or debt (including those that, at the time of investment, could be considered "junk" securities as described above); (iii) other debt obligations, including high-yield, high-risk obligations (i.e., instruments that are commonly known as "junk" securities as described above); (iv) structured products, including collateralized debt and loan obligations (collectively, "structured products") that provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations; (v) swaps and other derivative instruments (including credit default, total return, index and interest rate swaps, options, forward contracts, futures contracts and options on futures contracts) that provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations; (vi) foreign currencies and foreign currency derivatives (including foreign currency related swaps, futures contracts and forward contracts) acquired for the purpose of hedging the currency risk arising from the credit obligations in the Fund's portfolio; and (vii) short-term debt securities such as U.S. government securities, commercial paper and other money market instruments and cash equivalents (including shares of money market funds). Certain types of structured products, swaps and other derivative instruments provide short exposure to other credit obligations because the value of such instruments is inversely related to the value of one or more other credit obligations. "Managed Assets" are the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes, including proceeds from (and assets subject to) reverse repurchase agreements, any credit facility and any issuance of preferred shares or notes) minus the sum of the Fund's accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the purpose of leverage).  
                        The Fund will not invest in credit obligations or related instruments that, at the time of investment, are in default. The Fund may invest in credit obligations or related instruments that, at the time of investment, are likely to default. The credit obligations and related instruments in which the Fund may invest include mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities and securities whose value depends on the value of mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities. These types of investments present special risks. See "Risk Factors—Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed (or Mortgage-Related) Instruments Risk." The Fund may act as a lender originating a Senior Loan.  
                        Under normal market conditions, the Fund may also invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in any combination of the following: (i) structured products that do not provide long or short exposure to  

 


3



                                              other credit obligations; (ii) swaps and other derivative instruments (including total return, index and interest rate swaps, options, warrants, forward contracts, futures contracts and options on futures contracts) that do not provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations; and (iii) equity securities obtained through the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable instruments, debt restructurings or bankruptcy proceedings and hedges on such positions. Structured products, swaps and other derivative instruments that do not provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations are those instruments whose reference or underlying assets or indices are not credit obligations or indices of credit obligations. Examples of such instruments include equity- and commodity-linked notes, total return swaps based on the value of an equity security and commodity futures contracts. The Fund may invest in such instruments in order, for example, (i) to seek current income or capital appreciation or (ii) to reduce the Fund's exposure solely to credit obligations. The Avenue Managers believe that the flexibility afforded by being able to invest in such instruments may benefit the Fund by (i) allowing the Fund to invest in potentially attractive investment opportunities that are not credit obligations and (ii) increasing the mix of instruments in the Fund's portfolio which could reduce the overall risk of the Fund's portfolio (although the Fund intends to remain a non-diversified investment company). There can be no assurance that these benefits will be realized and such instruments may expose the Fund to risks not presented by credit obligations.  
                        If the Fund receives equity securities in a debt restructuring or bankruptcy proceeding in an amount that would cause it to exceed the foregoing 20% limitation, the Fund will not be required to reduce its positions in such securities, or in any related hedges or any other investment, if the Adviser or Subadviser believes it would not be in the best interest of the Fund to do so.  
                        Percentage limitations described in this prospectus are as of the time of investment by the Fund and may be exceeded after such time because of changes in the market value of the Fund's assets.  
                        The Fund will not invest in a derivative (other than a credit default swap or a currency hedging instrument) if, immediately after the investment, derivatives (other than credit default swaps and currency hedging instruments) would represent more than 30% of the Fund's Managed Assets on a marked-to-market basis. The Fund may use derivative instruments for hedging, as well as speculative, purposes.  
                        The Fund's policy of investing, under normal market conditions, in accordance with the foregoing portfolio construction guidelines, is not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed without the vote of the Fund's shareholders by the Board with at least 60 days written notice provided to shareholders.  
                                              The types of derivative instruments that the Fund currently anticipates investing in (or considering for investment) are: structured products, swaps, futures contracts, forward contracts and options (including options on swaps, futures contracts and foreign currencies). In the future, the Fund may invest in other types of derivative instruments if deemed advisable by the Adviser or Subadviser. The Fund may commence investing in such other types of derivative instruments without notice to Common Shareholders.  

 


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                                              Credit Quality, Liquidity and Geographic Origin of Portfolio Investments. The Fund may invest, without limitation, in credit obligations that are rated below investment grade by a NRSRO such as Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or unrated credit obligations that are deemed by the Adviser or the Subadviser to be of comparable quality, commonly known in either case as "junk" securities. Such securities are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations and involve significant risk exposure to adverse conditions. Any of the Fund's investments may be issued, at the time of investment by the Fund, by "non-stressed" or "stressed" issuers. The Fund may invest in credit obligations of any maturity or duration. See "—Investment Philosophy" below and "Management of the Fund—Potential Conflicts of Interest of the Avenue Managers" in the SAI. "Non-stressed issuers" generally refers to those issuers that are in compliance with respect to their financial obligations and are not stressed or distressed issuers. "Non-stressed obligations" generally refers to credit obligations issued by non-stressed issuers. "Stressed issuers" generally refers to those issuers that the market expects to become distressed issuers in the near future. "Stressed obligations" generally refers to credit obligations issued by stressed issuers. "Distressed issuers" generally refers to those issuers that are unable to service their debt. "Distressed obligations" generally refers to credit obligations issued by distressed issuers. The Fund does not intend to invest in credit obligations issued by issuers that, at the time of investment, the Adviser and Subadviser believe to be distressed issuers.  
                        In making investments in accordance with the foregoing portfolio construction guidelines, the Fund may invest globally in U.S. and non-U.S. issuers' obligations and such obligations may be U.S. dollar denominated as well as non-U.S. dollar denominated. The Fund will typically seek to limit its exposure to foreign currency risks by entering into forward transactions and other hedging transactions to the extent practical. There can be no assurance that the Fund's currency hedging strategies will succeed. Under normal market conditions, the Fund expects to invest in both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. The Fund anticipates that its initial areas of geographic focus will be the United States and, secondarily, Europe. The Fund is also, among other areas, considering investments in Canada and South Africa. The geographic areas of focus are subject to change from time to time and may be changed without notice to the Fund's shareholders. There is no minimum or maximum limit on the amount of the Fund's assets that may be invested in non-U.S. credit obligations, generally, or in emerging market credit obligations, specifically.  
                        The Fund may invest in loans and bonds issued by issuers of any size. The Fund currently intends to focus on middle market issuers. Middle market issuers are issuers with between approximately $100 million and $5 billion in balance sheet debt. The Fund's focus with respect to borrower size is subject to change from time to time and may be changed without notice to the Fund's shareholders. The Fund may invest in credit obligations at all levels of the capital structure. In investing in credit obligations, the Fund currently intends to focus on senior secured debt and other senior debt (including senior  

 


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                                              unsecured debt issued by an issuer that has also issued senior secured debt). The Fund's focus in this regard is subject to change from time to time and may be changed without notice to the Fund's shareholders.  
Investment Philosophy   The Avenue Managers have expertise in Senior Loans and subordinated debt instruments, including those of stressed and distressed issuers, and are responsible for the overall management of the Fund.  
                        The Avenue Managers seek to maximize risk adjusted returns, including by seeking to manage risk through shorting and other hedging strategies when deemed advisable by the Avenue Managers. There can be no assurance that the Fund's hedging strategies will succeed. The Avenue Managers seek to achieve the Fund's investment objectives while carefully evaluating risk/return within the capital structure of a company, as well as the industry and asset class. The Avenue Managers look to maintain trading flexibility and to preserve capital. They conduct thorough in-depth research and employ a disciplined investment philosophy and a consistent investment approach in their focus on credit opportunities. The Avenue Managers' investment teams use a robust credit process that includes research and analysis using a top-down/bottom-up approach to find mispriced or undervalued opportunities: from the top down, they consider macroeconomic themes of the overall credit market and industries, and from the bottom up, they conduct detailed fundamental analysis related to credit obligations of specific issuers, including examining issuers' financials and operations, including sales, earnings, growth potential, assets, debt, management and competition. The Avenue Managers also seek to understand historic and prospective industry trends affecting an investment opportunity. The Avenue Managers expect that the Fund's portfolio will not consist of a large number of issuers to permit a more thorough analysis of each issuer and to focus on the investments the Avenue Managers believe to be most attractive. The potential concentration of the Fund's portfolio creates risk. See "Risk Factors—Non-Diversification Risk" and "—Concentration Risk." The Fund will typically seek to balance interest rate risk with investment performance by investing, when deemed advisable by the Avenue Managers, in both floating rate credit obligations, which are more likely to maintain their value in changing interest rate environments, and fixed rate credit obligations, which are more likely to lose value in rising interest rate environments but may pay higher rates of interest than floating rate credit obligations. See "Risk Factors—Market Risk." The Fund will typically seek to balance credit risk with investment performance by investing, when deemed advisable by the Avenue Managers, in both Senior Loans, which may pose less credit risk, and other credit obligations, which may offer the prospect of higher returns with more credit risk. See "Risk Factors—Credit Risk." The Avenue Managers' investment process is subject to change in their discretion.  
                        When investing in credit obligations, the Avenue Managers will invest the Fund's assets in credit obligations with total yields that at the time of purchase are equal to or below an applicable benchmark plus a credit spread set from time to time by the Investment Committee (the "Avenue Credit Thresholds"). See "Investment  

 


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                                              Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy", "Risk Factors—Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk" and "Management of the Fund—Potential Conflicts of Interest of the Avenue Managers" in the SAI. The Avenue Credit Thresholds are determined by the Investment Committee in its sole discretion, and may be revised as markets change. Along the credit spectrum of non-stressed and stressed obligations, obligations with total yields at or below the Avenue Credit Thresholds generally will be less stressed obligations. Because the Adviser invests primarily in U.S. and Canadian investments, and the Subadviser invests primarily in non-North American investments, the Avenue Credit Thresholds applicable to the Adviser and the Subadviser may differ. There is no guarantee that the yield on the Fund's portfolio will equal or exceed the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds.  
                        As an example, as of the date of this prospectus, the following types of U.S. and Canadian credit obligations would be at or below the applicable "Avenue Credit Thresholds" if, at the time of investment, they have yields at or below the following benchmarks plus the indicated credit spreads:  
     for floating rate obligations, LIBOR plus 650 basis points; and  
     for fixed rate obligations, current U.S. Treasury plus 650 basis points.  
                        As an additional example, as of the date of this prospectus, the following types of non-North American credit obligations would be at or below the applicable "Avenue Credit Thresholds" if, at the time of investment, they have yields at or below the following benchmarks plus the indicated credit spreads:  
     for floating rate obligations, LIBOR plus 650 basis points, EURIBOR plus 650 basis points, and Sterling LIBOR plus 650 basis points, as applicable, depending upon the currency and term of the investment; and  
     for fixed rate obligations, current U.S. Treasury plus 650 basis points, Bundesobligationen (of the Federal Republic of Germany) plus 650 basis points, Bundesschatzanweisungen (of the Federal Republic of Germany) plus 650 basis points and UK Gilt rates plus 650 basis points, as applicable, depending upon the currency and term of the investment.  
                        The Adviser and Subadviser manage assets for accounts other than the Fund, including private funds. The Subadviser also currently serves as an investment subadviser to another registered closed-end management investment company (the "Subadvised Credit Fund") and, pursuant to its subadvisory agreement with the Subadvised Credit Fund, is responsible for investing a portion of that fund's assets. The expected risk and return profile for the Fund is generally lower than for most of the Avenue Managers' other accounts. Thus, except for the Subadvised Credit Fund, the Fund and most of the Avenue Managers' other accounts generally will not invest in the same credit obligations (although their investments may include different obligations of the same issuer). (For example, the Fund might invest in a Senior Loan issued by a borrower and one or more of the Avenue Managers' other accounts might invest in the borrower's junior debt.) In particular, except in the limited cases described below, the Avenue Managers will allocate credit  

 


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                                              obligations with a total yield at the time of investment at or below the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds to the Fund and the Subadvised Credit Fund, and credit obligations with a total yield above the Avenue Credit Thresholds to the Avenue Managers' other accounts.  
                        In the following cases, credit obligations with a total yield at the time of investment at or below the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds may also be allocated to the Avenue Managers' other accounts. Each of the Avenue Managers, on behalf of its other accounts, will be able to sell short or otherwise take short positions in obligations (including purchasing a credit default swap) at or below the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds for hedging purposes (and thus at times an Avenue Manager may purchase the same obligations for both its other clients and the Fund). Investments, such as equities and currencies, that do not have credit-based yields, are not subject to the Avenue Credit Thresholds. In addition, a portfolio management team (the "CLO Team") in the Adviser manages certain accounts (including private funds) that invest in certain types of credit obligations in which the Fund may also invest. The CLO Team operates on a different trading system than the Avenue Managers' other investment professionals and the Avenue Managers employ various policies and procedures intended to separate the CLO Team from such other professionals, including policies and procedures regarding physical separation and regarding limitations on the sharing of information. The CLO Team will not be involved in the management of the Fund and the Fund's portfolio managers will not be involved in the management of the CLO Team's accounts. The Avenue Credit Thresholds will not apply to investments made by the CLO Team and the CLO Team, on behalf of its accounts, may invest in credit obligations that have a total yield at the time of investment at or below (or above) the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds. Investment opportunities in credit obligations sourced by the CLO Team will solely be allocated to the CLO Team's accounts and not to the Fund.  
                        Investment opportunities appropriate for both the Fund and the portion of the Subadvised Credit Fund managed by the Subadviser generally will, to the extent practicable, be allocated on a pro rata basis between the Fund and the Subadvised Credit Fund. This means that such opportunities will be allocated pro rata among the Fund and the Subadvised Credit Fund based on the available cash of the respective funds. Nevertheless, investments and/or opportunities may be allocated other than on a pro rata basis, if an Avenue Manager deems in good faith that a different allocation among the Fund and the Subadvised Credit Fund is appropriate, taking into account, among other considerations: (a) applicable investment objectives, restrictions and guidelines; (b) the need to invest or re-balance a fund's portfolio following its launch or receipt of a significant cash contribution; (c) the potential for the proposed investment to create an imbalance in one of the fund's portfolios; (d) liquidity requirements of the funds; (e) tax consequences; (f) regulatory restrictions; and (g) the need to re-size risk in the funds' portfolios. To the extent that the Adviser or Subadviser serves as an investment manager to other accounts in the future that have the same  

 


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                                              investment strategy as the Fund, investment opportunities within such strategy will also, to the extent practicable, be allocated among the Fund and such other accounts on a pro rata basis.  
                        Investors should note that the investment advisory fee structure for the Avenue Capital Group's accounts that are not registered investment companies or managed by the CLO Team is different and generally higher than the investment advisory fee structure for the Fund. See "Management of the Fund—Potential Conflicts of Interest of the Avenue Managers" in the SAI for more information on the Avenue Credit Thresholds, advisory fees and the Adviser's and Subadviser's policies and procedures to address conflicts of interest. The Fund offers an opportunity for its investors to have some indirect access to the Avenue Managers, which normally is not directly available to retail investors, albeit only at the lower risk and return segment of the market.  
Temporary Investments   During temporary defensive periods or in order to keep the Fund's cash fully invested, including during the period when the net proceeds of the offering of Common Shares are being invested, the Fund may deviate from its investment objectives and principal investment strategy. During such periods, the Fund may invest all or a portion of its Managed Assets in certain short-term (less than one year to maturity) and medium-term (not greater than five years to maturity) debt securities or hold cash. The short-term and medium-term debt securities in which the Fund may invest consist of: (i) obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; (ii) bank deposits and bank obligations (including certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances) of U.S. or foreign banks denominated in any currency; (iii) floating rate securities and other instruments denominated in any currency issued by various governments or international development agencies; (iv) finance company and corporate commercial paper and other short-term corporate debt obligations of U.S. or foreign corporations; (v) repurchase agreements with banks and broker-dealers with respect to such securities; and (vi) shares of money market funds. See "Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Other Investments—Temporary Investments" and "Use of Proceeds" below.  
Leverage   The Fund is permitted to obtain leverage using any form or combination of financial leverage instruments, including reverse repurchase agreements, credit facilities such as bank loans or commercial paper and the issuance of preferred shares or notes. Following the completion of the Fund's initial public offering of Common Shares, and subject to prevailing market conditions, the Fund intends to use leveraging instruments to add financial leverage to its portfolio representing up to approximately 331/3% of the Fund's total assets (including the assets subject to, and obtained with the proceeds of, such instruments). The Fund's intention to limit its use of financial leverage to 331/3% of the Fund's total assets is not a fundamental policy of the Fund and may be changed without notice to the holders of Common Shares (the "Common Shareholders"). The Fund intends to use leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its leverage, or use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments, at any time based on the Fund's assessment of market conditions and the investment environment.  

 


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                                              The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "1940 Act") generally limit the extent to which the Fund may utilize "uncovered" reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings, together with any other senior securities representing indebtedness, to 331/3% of the Fund's total assets at the time utilized. In addition, the 1940 Act limits the extent to which the Fund may issue preferred shares to 50% of the Fund's total assets (less the Fund's obligations under uncovered reverse repurchase agreements and other senior securities representing indebtedness). "Covered" reverse repurchase agreements will not be counted against the foregoing limits under the 1940 Act. A reverse repurchase agreement will be considered "covered" if the Fund segregates an amount of cash and/or liquid securities equal to the Fund's obligations under such reverse repurchase agreement (or segregates such other amounts as may be permitted by the 1940 Act or SEC guidance from time to time); otherwise, a reverse repurchase agreement will be considered "uncovered." The Fund may not cover a reverse repurchase agreement if it does not need to do so to comply with the foregoing 1940 Act requirements and, in the view of an Avenue Manager, the assets that would have been used to cover could be better used for a different purpose.  
                        Use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased income and return for Common Shareholders but, at the same time, creates risks, including the likelihood of greater volatility in the net asset value and market price of, and distributions on, the Common Shares. There can be no assurance that the Fund will use leverage or that its leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. The Fund may be subject to investment restrictions of one or more NRSROs and/or credit facility lenders as a result of its use of financial leverage. These restrictions may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or portfolio requirements will significantly impede the Avenue Managers in managing the Fund's portfolio in accordance with its investment objectives and policies. Nonetheless, if these covenants or guidelines are more restrictive than those imposed by the 1940 Act, the Fund may not be able to utilize as much leverage as it otherwise could have, which could reduce the Fund's investment returns. In addition, the Fund expects that any notes or a credit facility/commercial paper program would contain covenants that, among other things, will likely impose geographic exposure limitations, credit quality minimums, liquidity minimums, concentration limitations and currency hedging requirements on the Fund. These covenants would also likely limit the Fund's ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations. Such restrictions could cause the Avenue Managers to make different investment decisions than if there were no such restrictions and could limit the ability of the Board and Common Shareholders to change fundamental investment policies. If preferred shares are used, holders of preferred shares will have rights to elect a minimum of two trustees. This voting power may negatively affect Common Shareholders, and the interests of holders of preferred shares may  

 


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                                              otherwise differ from the interests of Common Shareholders. Any trustees elected by preferred shareholders will represent both Common Shareholders as well as holders of preferred shares. Such trustees may have a conflict of interest when the interests of Common Shareholders differ from those of holders of preferred shares.  
                        The costs of a financial leverage program (including the costs of offering preferred shares and notes) will be borne by Common Shareholders and consequently will result in a reduction of the net asset value of Common Shares. During periods in which the Fund is using leverage, the fees paid by the Fund for investment advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the investment advisory fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund's Managed Assets, which includes proceeds from (and assets subject to) reverse repurchase agreements, any credit facility and any issuance of preferred shares or notes, so that the investment advisory fees payable to the Avenue Managers will be higher when leverage is utilized. This will create a conflict of interest between the Avenue Managers, on the one hand, and Common Shareholders, on the other hand. To monitor this potential conflict, the Board intends periodically to review the Fund's use of leverage, including its impact on Fund performance and on the Avenue Managers' fees. See "Management of the Fund—Potential Conflicts of Interest of the Avenue Managers" in the SAI. Fees and expenses in respect of financial leverage, as well as the investment advisory fee and all other expenses of the Fund, will be borne entirely by the Common Shareholders, and not by preferred shareholders, noteholders or any other leverage providers.  
                        The Fund also expects to enter into other transactions that may give rise to a form of leverage including, among others, swaps, futures and forward contracts, options and other derivative transactions. See "Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Use of Leverage and Related Risks" and "Risk Factors." To the extent that the Fund covers its obligations under such other transactions, as described in this prospectus, such transactions should not be treated as borrowings for purposes of the 1940 Act. However, these transactions, even if covered, may represent a form of economic leverage and will create risks. The potential loss on derivative instruments may be substantial relative to the initial investment therein. See "Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Portfolio Composition", "—Structured Products", "—Swaps" and "—Other Derivative Instruments"; and "Risk Factors—Risks of Structured Products", "—Risks of Swaps" and "—Risks of Other Derivative Instruments."  
Listing   It is anticipated that the Fund's Common Shares will be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance. The trading or "ticker" symbol of the Common Shares is expected to be "ACP."  
The Adviser and the Subadviser   Under an advisory agreement, the Adviser will receive an annual fee, payable monthly by the Fund, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the Fund's average daily Managed Assets, which means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes, including proceeds from (and assets subject to) reverse repurchase agreements, any credit facility and any issuance  

 


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                                              of preferred shares or notes) minus the sum of the Fund's accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the purpose of leverage).  
                        Under an investment subadvisory agreement with the Adviser, the Adviser will pay the Subadviser an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the average daily value of the assets managed by the Subadviser.  
The Investment Committee   The Investment Committee comprising representatives of the Avenue Managers will be responsible for allocating the portions of the Fund's assets to be invested by the Adviser and the Subadviser, respectively. The Investment Committee generally bases its allocation decisions on market conditions and the attractiveness of available investment opportunities in the United States and other geographic regions. In general, the Adviser will be responsible for the Fund's North American investments and the Subadviser will be responsible for the Fund's non-North American investments. The Investment Committee will meet on a monthly basis (or more frequently, if necessary) to review market conditions and the allocation of the Fund's assets between the Adviser and the Subadviser. See "Management of the Fund—The Investment Committee."  
The Administrator   State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), located at State Street Financial Center, 1 Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as administrator to the Fund. Under the administration agreement, State Street is generally responsible for managing the administrative affairs of the Fund.  
                                              For administration related services, State Street is entitled to receive an annual fee of $174,000, plus certain out-of-pocket expenses.  
                        During periods when the Fund is using leverage, the fee paid to State Street (for various services) will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated on the basis of the Fund's Managed Assets, which includes the assets purchased through leverage. See "Management of the Fund—The Administrator."  
Distributions   Commencing with the Fund's initial dividend, the Fund intends to make regular monthly distributions of all or a portion of the Fund's net interest and other investment company taxable income to Common Shareholders. The Fund expects to declare the initial monthly dividend on the Fund's Common Shares within approximately 45 days after completion of this offering and to pay that initial monthly dividend approximately 60 to 90 days after completion of this offering. The Fund expects to pay its Common Shareholders annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income. In addition, the Fund intends to distribute, on an annual basis, all or substantially all of any net capital gains to its Common Shareholders.  
                        Various factors will affect the level of the Fund's net interest and other investment company taxable income, of which the Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all on an annual basis to meet the requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Fund may from time to time distribute less than the entire amount of income earned in a particular period. The undistributed  

 


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                                              income would be available to supplement future distributions. As a result, the distributions paid by the Fund for any particular month may be more or less than the amount of income actually earned by the Fund during that period. Undistributed income will add to the Fund's net asset value and, correspondingly, distributions will reduce the Fund's net asset value.  
Dividend Reinvestment Plan   The Fund has established a dividend reinvestment plan. A Common Shareholder will automatically have all dividends and distributions reinvested in Common Shares newly issued by the Fund or Common Shares of the Fund purchased in the open market in accordance with the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan unless the Common Shareholder specifically elects to receive cash. See "Distributions" and "Dividend Reinvestment Plan."  
Custodian, Dividend Paying Agent,
Transfer Agent and Registrar
  State Street will serve as custodian (the "Custodian") for the Fund. State Street also provides accounting services to the Fund. State Street will also serve as the Fund's dividend paying agent, transfer agent and registrar. See "Custodian, Dividend Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar."  
Closed-End Structure   Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly referred to as mutual funds) in that closed-end funds generally list their shares for trading on a securities exchange and do not redeem their shares at the option of the shareholder. By comparison, mutual funds issue securities redeemable at net asset value at the option of the shareholder and typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Mutual funds are subject to continuous asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management, whereas closed-end funds generally can stay more fully invested in securities consistent with the closed-end fund's investment objectives and policies. In addition, in comparison to open-end funds, closed-end funds have greater flexibility in the employment of financial leverage and in the ability to make certain types of investments, including investments in illiquid securities.  
                                              However, shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. In recognition of the possibility that the Common Shares might trade at a discount to net asset value and that any such discount may not be in the interest of Common Shareholders, the Board, in consultation with the Adviser, from time to time may review possible actions to reduce any such discount. The Board might consider open market repurchases or tender offers for Common Shares at net asset value. There can be no assurance, however, that the Board will decide to undertake any of these actions or that, if undertaken, such actions would result in the Common Shares trading at a price equal to or close to net asset value per Common Share. The Board might also consider the conversion of the Fund to an open-end mutual fund, which would also require a vote of the shareholders of the Fund. Conversion of the Fund to an open-end mutual fund would require approval by both (i) a majority of the Board and (ii) a vote of shareholders representing the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund at a shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present in person or by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.  

 


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                        The Fund has no limitation on investments in illiquid securities (closed-end funds are not required to have any such limitation) and may invest all or a portion of its assets in illiquid securities. In order to meet redemptions upon request by shareholders, open-end funds typically cannot have more than 15% of their assets in illiquid securities. Thus, if the Fund were to convert to an open-end fund, it would have to adopt a limitation on illiquid securities and may need to revise its investment objectives, strategies and policies. The composition of the Fund's portfolio and/or its investment policies could prohibit the Fund from complying with regulations of the SEC applicable to open-end management investment funds absent significant changes in portfolio holdings, including with respect to certain illiquid securities, and investment policies. The Board believes, however, that the closed-end structure is desirable, given the Fund's investment objectives, strategies and policies. Investors should assume, therefore, that it is highly unlikely that the Board would vote to convert the Fund to an open-end investment company. Investors should note that the issuance of preferred shares to provide investment leverage could make a conversion to an open-end fund more difficult because of the voting rights of preferred shareholders, the costs of redeeming preferred shares and other factors. See "Description of Capital Structure."  
Risk Factors   Investing in the Fund involves risks, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or that you may lose part or all of your investment. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following principal risks before investing in the Fund.  
                        Market Risk. Market risk is the possibility that the market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline. The values of fixed income securities tend to fall as interest rates rise, and such declines tend to be greater among fixed income securities with longer remaining maturities. Market risk is often greater among certain types of fixed income securities, such as zero coupon bonds which do not make regular interest payments but are instead bought at a discount to their face values and paid in full upon maturity. As interest rates change, these securities often fluctuate more in price than securities that make regular interest payments and therefore subject the Fund to greater market risk than a fund that does not own these types of securities. The values of adjustable, variable or floating rate income securities tend to have less fluctuation in response to changes in interest rates, but will have some fluctuation particularly when the next interest rate adjustment on such security is further away in time or adjustments are limited in number or degree over time. The Fund has no policy limiting the maturity of credit obligations it purchases. Such obligations often have mandatory and optional prepayment provisions and because of prepayments, the actual remaining maturity of loans and debts may be considerably less than their stated maturity. Obligations with longer remaining maturities or durations generally expose the Fund to more market risk. When-issued and delayed delivery transactions are subject to changes in market conditions from the time of the commitment until settlement. This may adversely affect the prices or yields of the securities being purchased. The greater the Fund's outstanding commitments for these securities, the greater the Fund's exposure to market price fluctuations. Interest rate risk can be considered a type of market risk.  

 


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                                              Credit Risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a security will be unable to make timely interest payments and/or repay the principal on its debt. Because the Fund may invest, without limitation, in securities that are below investment grade, the Fund is subject to a greater degree of credit risk than a fund investing primarily in investment grade securities. Below investment grade securities (that is, securities rated Ba or lower by Moody's or BB or lower by S&P) are commonly referred to as "junk" securities. Generally, lower-grade securities provide a higher yield than higher-grade securities of similar maturity but are subject to greater risks, such as greater credit risk, greater market risk and volatility, greater liquidity concerns and potentially greater manager risk. Such securities are generally regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuers' capacity to pay interest or repay principal in accordance with their terms. Lower-grade securities are more susceptible to non-payment of interest and principal and default than higher-grade securities and are more sensitive to specific issuer developments or real or perceived general adverse economic changes than higher-grade securities. The market for lower-grade securities may also have less information available than the market for other securities, further complicating evaluations and valuations of such securities and placing more emphasis on the experience, judgment and analysis of the Avenue Managers.  
                        Credit obligations of stressed issuers (including those that are in covenant or payment default) are subject to a multitude of legal, industry, market, economic and governmental forces each of which make analysis of these companies inherently difficult. The Avenue Managers rely on company management, outside experts, market research and personal experience to analyze potential investments. There can be no assurance that any of these sources will provide credible information, or that the Adviser's or the Subadviser's analysis will produce conclusions that lead to profitable investments. Obligations of stressed issuers generally trade significantly below par and are considered speculative. The repayment of defaulted obligations is subject to significant uncertainties. Defaulted obligations might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings or result in only partial recovery of cash payments or an exchange of the defaulted obligation for other debt or equity securities of the issuer or its affiliates, which may in turn be illiquid or speculative.  
                        There are a number of significant risks inherent in the bankruptcy process. Many events in a bankruptcy are the product of contested matters and adversary proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. A bankruptcy court may approve actions that would be contrary to the interests of the Fund. A bankruptcy filing by an issuer may cause such issuer to lose its market position and key employees and otherwise become incapable of restoring itself as a viable entity, and its liquidation value may be less than its value was believed to be at the time of investment. In addition, the duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is difficult to predict and, as such, a creditor's return on investment can be adversely affected by delays while the plan of reorganization is being negotiated, approved by the creditors and confirmed by the bankruptcy court and until it ultimately becomes effective. The administrative costs in connection with a bankruptcy  

 


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                                              proceeding are frequently high and would be paid out of the debtor's estate prior to any return to creditors. Further, in the early stages of the bankruptcy process it is often difficult to estimate the extent of any contingent claims that might be made and, as such, there is a risk that the Fund's influence with respect to the class of obligations it owns could be lost by increases in the number and amount of claims in that class or by different classification and treatment. A creditor, such as the Fund, can also lose its ranking and priority if it is determined that such creditor exercised "domination and control" over a debtor and other creditors can demonstrate that they have been harmed by such actions. In addition, certain claims have priority by law, such as claims for taxes, which may be substantial and could affect the ability of the Fund to be repaid.  
                        In any investment involving stressed obligations, there is a risk that the transaction involving such debt obligations will be unsuccessful, take considerable time or will result in a distribution of cash or a new security or obligation in exchange for the stressed obligations, the value of which may be less than the Fund's purchase price of such obligations. Furthermore, if an anticipated transaction does not occur, the Fund may be required to sell its investment at a loss. However, investments in equity securities obtained through debt restructurings or bankruptcy proceedings may be illiquid and thus difficult or impossible to sell.  
                        Interest Rate and Income Risk. The income you receive from the Fund is based in large part on interest rates, which can vary widely over the short and long term. If interest rates drop, your income from the Fund may drop as well. The more the Fund invests in adjustable, variable or floating rate securities or in securities susceptible to prepayment risk, the greater the Fund's income risk. Market interest rates are at or near their lowest levels in many years and thus there is a substantial risk that the Fund's portfolio will decline in value as interest rates rise.  
                        Prepayment or Call Risk. If interest rates fall, it is possible that issuers of fixed income securities with high interest rates will prepay or "call" their securities before their maturity dates. In this event, the proceeds from the prepaid or called securities would likely be reinvested by the Fund in securities bearing the new, lower interest rates, resulting in a possible decline in the Fund's income and distributions to shareholders.  
                        Risks of Senior Loans. There is less readily available and reliable information about most Senior Loans than is the case for many other types of instruments, including listed securities. Senior Loans are not listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system and as such, many Senior Loans are illiquid, meaning that the Fund may not be able to sell them quickly at a fair price. To the extent that a secondary market does exist for certain Senior Loans, the market is more volatile than for liquid, listed securities and may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. The market for Senior Loans could be disrupted in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase or decrease in interest rates, resulting in fluctuations in the Fund's net asset value and difficulty in valuing the Fund's portfolio of Senior Loans. Although the Avenue Managers  

 


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                                              believe that the Fund's investments in adjustable rate Senior Loans could limit fluctuations in the Fund's net asset value as a result of changes in interest rates, extraordinary and sudden changes in interest rates could nevertheless disrupt the market for such Senior Loans and result in fluctuations in the Fund's net asset value and difficulty in valuing the Fund's portfolio of Senior Loans.  
                        Senior Loans, like most other debt obligations, are subject to the risk of default. Default in the payment of interest or principal on a Senior Loan will result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the Senior Loan and a potential decrease in the Fund's net asset value. The risk of default will increase in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase in interest rates. Each of the Avenue Managers relies primarily on its own evaluation of borrower credit quality rather than on any available independent sources. As a result, the Fund is particularly dependent on the analytical abilities of the Avenue Managers.  
                        The Fund may acquire or hold Senior Loans of borrowers that are experiencing, or are more likely to experience, financial difficulty, including Senior Loans issued to highly leveraged borrowers or borrowers that have filed for bankruptcy protection. Borrowers may have outstanding debt obligations, including Senior Loans, that are rated below investment grade. The Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in Senior Loans that are rated below investment grade or that are unrated at the time of purchase but are deemed by the Adviser or Subadviser to be of comparable quality. If a Senior Loan is rated at the time of purchase, the Fund may consider the rating when evaluating the Senior Loan but, in any event, does not view ratings as a determinative factor in investment decisions. As a result, the Fund is dependent on the credit analytical abilities of the Avenue Managers. Because of the protective terms of Senior Loans, the Avenue Managers believe that the Fund is more likely to recover more of its investment in a defaulted Senior Loan than would be the case for most other types of defaulted credit obligations. The values of Senior Loans of borrowers that have filed for bankruptcy protection or that are experiencing payment difficulty could be affected by, among other things, the assessment of the likelihood that the lenders ultimately will receive repayment of the principal amount of such Senior Loans, the likely duration, if any, of a lapse in the scheduled payment of interest and repayment of principal and prevailing interest rates. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to recover any amount on Senior Loans of such borrowers or that sale of the collateral granted in connection with Senior Loans would raise enough cash to satisfy the borrower's payment obligation or that the collateral can or will be liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy, liquidation may not occur and the bankruptcy court may not give lenders the full benefit of their senior position in the capital structure of the borrower.  
                        The Fund may act as an original lender under Senior Loans or may acquire Senior Loans through assignments or participations. The Fund may make Senior Loans to, or acquire Senior Loans of, borrowers that, at the time of the making or acquisition of the loan by the Fund, are experiencing, or are likely to experience, financial difficulty (including highly leveraged borrowers) and such loans may constitute a material amount of the Fund's portfolio. The Fund will  

 


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                                              not make Senior Loans to, or acquire Senior Loans of, borrowers that, at the time of the making or acquisition of the loan by the Fund, are in bankruptcy.  
                        If the Fund acquires a Senior Loan through an assignment agreement, it will typically succeed to all the rights and obligations of the assigning institution and become a lender under the credit agreement with respect to the debt obligation purchased; however, its rights can be more restricted than those of the assigning institution, and, in any event, the Fund may not be able to unilaterally enforce all rights and remedies of the lenders under the loan agreement and with regard to any associated collateral. If the Fund acquires an interest in a Senior Loan through a participation agreement, the Fund will enter into a contractual relationship with the institution selling the participation, not with the borrower. In purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement or any rights of setoff against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation. When purchasing a participation, the applicable Avenue Manager will analyze the credit risk posed by the institution selling the participation. Each of the Avenue Managers relies primarily on its own evaluation of the credit quality of such selling institutions rather than on any available independent sources. As a result, the Fund is particularly dependent on the analytical abilities of the Avenue Managers. Because of the nature of its investments, the Fund may be subject to allegations of lender liability and other claims. See "Risk Factors—Lender Liability Risk." In addition, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), deems certain persons to be "underwriters" if they purchase a security from an issuer and later sell it to the public. Although it is not believed that the application of this Securities Act provision would cause the Fund to be engaged in the business of underwriting, a person who purchases an instrument from the Fund that was acquired by the Fund from the issuer of such instrument could allege otherwise. Under the Securities Act, an underwriter may be liable for material omissions or misstatements in an issuer's registration statement or prospectus.  
                        Risks of Second Lien or Other Subordinated or Unsecured Loans or Debt. Second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt generally are subject to similar risks as those associated with investments in Senior Loans. In addition, because second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt are subordinated in payment and/or lower in lien priority to Senior Loans, they are subject to additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing the loan or debt, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the senior secured obligations of the borrower. This risk is generally higher for subordinated unsecured loans or debt, which are not backed by a security interest in any specific collateral. Second lien or subordinated loans or debt, both secured and unsecured, are expected to have greater price volatility than Senior Loans and may be less liquid. There is also a possibility that originators will not be able to sell participations in second lien loans and subordinated loans or  

 


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                                              debt, both secured and unsecured, which would create greater credit risk exposure. Second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt of below investment grade quality share risks similar to those associated with investments in other below investment grade securities and obligations.  
                        Risks of Structured Products. The Fund may invest in structured products, including collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs"), collateralized bond obligations ("CBOs"), collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs"), structured notes, credit-linked notes and other types of structured products. Holders of structured products bear risks of the underlying investments, index or reference obligation and are subject to counterparty risk. The Fund may have the right to receive payments to which it is entitled only from the issuer of the structured product, and generally does not have direct rights against the issuer of, or the entity that sold, assets underlying the structured product. While certain structured products enable the investor to acquire interests in a pool of securities without the brokerage and other expenses associated with directly holding such securities, investors in structured products generally pay their share of the structured product's administrative and other expenses. When investing in structured products, it is impossible to predict whether the underlying indices or prices of the underlying assets will rise or fall, but prices of the underlying indices and assets (and, therefore, the prices of structured products) will be influenced by the same types of political and economic events that affect particular issuers of securities and capital markets generally. Certain structured products may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing the Fund's illiquidity to the extent that the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for, and may have difficulty valuing, these securities.  
                        CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are typically privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CDOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities; however, an active dealer market may exist for CDOs allowing a CDO to be considered liquid in some circumstances. In addition to the general risks associated with fixed income securities discussed herein, CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or the collateral may go into default; (iii) the possibility that the CDOs are subordinate to other classes of obligations issued by the same issuer; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.  
                        Investments in structured notes involve risks including income risk, credit risk and market risk. Recent market conditions have magnified the risks related to an investment in structured products, including greater volatility, increased lack of liquidity and significant losses in value. Where the return on a structured note held by the Fund is based upon the movement of one or more factors, including currency exchange rates, interest rates, referenced bonds and stock indices, depending on the factor used and the use of multipliers or deflators, changes in interest rates and movement of the factor may cause significant fluctuations in the price of the structured note.  

 


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                                              Additionally, changes in the reference instrument or security may cause the interest rate on the structured note to be reduced to zero and any further changes in the reference instrument may then reduce the principal amount payable on maturity. Structured notes may be less liquid than other types of securities and more volatile than the reference instrument or security underlying the note.  
                        Counterparty Risk. Changes in the credit quality of the companies that serve as the Fund's counterparties with respect to derivatives, swaps or other transactions supported by the counterparty's credit will affect the value of those instruments. Certain entities that have served as counterparties in the markets for these transactions have recently incurred significant financial hardships including bankruptcy and losses as a result of exposure to subprime mortgages or other lower quality credit investments that have experienced recent defaults or otherwise suffered extreme credit deterioration. As a result, such hardships have reduced such entities' capital and called into question their continued ability to perform their obligations under such transactions. By using derivatives, swaps or other transactions, the Fund assumes the risk that its counterparties could experience similar financial hardships. In the event of default by, or the insolvency of, a counterparty, the Fund may sustain losses or be unable to liquidate a derivative or swap position. The Fund and the Avenue Managers seek to deal only with counterparties of high creditworthiness. To that end, the Avenue Managers have adopted Broker-Dealer Approval Policies and Procedures that, if applicable, they will follow in considering counterparty creditworthiness. All of the Fund's broker-dealer counterparties (including broker-dealer derivative counterparties) will be subject to approval by the Avenue Managers' risk and compliance groups. The Avenue Managers' risk group will also monitor approved counterparties on an ongoing basis and will evaluate and assess the creditworthiness of these counterparties on a quarterly basis.  
                        Below Investment Grade (High-Yield or Junk Bond) Securities Risk. Fixed income securities rated below investment grade generally offer a higher current yield than that available from higher grade issues, but typically involve greater risk. These securities are especially sensitive to adverse changes in general economic conditions, to changes in the financial condition of their issuers and to price fluctuation in response to changes in interest rates. During periods of economic downturn or rising interest rates, issuers of below investment grade instruments may experience financial stress that could adversely affect their ability to make payments of principal and interest and increase the possibility of default. The secondary market for high-yield securities may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor which may have an adverse effect on the Fund's ability to dispose of a particular security. There are fewer dealers in the market for high-yield securities than for investment grade obligations. The prices quoted by different dealers may vary significantly, and the spread between the bid and asked price is generally much larger for high-yield securities than for higher quality instruments. Under continuing adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for high-yield securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular  

 


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                                              issuer, and these securities may become illiquid. In addition, adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and liquidity of below investment grade securities, especially in a market characterized by a low volume of trading.  
                        Risks of Swaps. The Fund may enter into swap transactions, including credit default, total return, index and interest rate swap agreements, as well as options thereon, and may purchase or sell interest rate caps, floors and collars. Such transactions are subject to market risk, risk of default by the other party to the transaction (i.e., counterparty risk), risk of imperfect correlation and manager risk and may involve commissions or other costs. Swaps generally do not involve delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swaps generally is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make, or in the case of the other party to a swap defaulting, the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. Caps, floors and collars are more recent innovations for which standardized documentation has not yet been fully developed and, accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps. If the Avenue Managers are incorrect in their forecast of market values, interest rates or currency exchange rates, the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if these investment techniques were not used.  
                        In addition, recent market developments related to swaps have prompted increased scrutiny with respect to these instruments. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act") (which was passed into law in July 2010), swaps may in the future be subject to increased regulation. Such regulation may limit the Fund's ability to use swaps and increase the cost of using swaps.  
                        Financial Leverage Risk. The Fund is permitted to obtain leverage using any form or combination of financial leverage instruments, including reverse repurchase agreements, credit facilities such as bank loans or commercial paper, and the issuance of preferred shares or notes. The Fund intends to use leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its leverage, or use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments, at any time based on the Fund's assessment of market conditions and the investment environment.  
                        There can be no assurance that a financial leveraging strategy will be utilized by the Fund or that, if utilized, it will be successful during any period in which it is employed. Leverage creates risks for Common Shareholders, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of, and distributions on, the Common Shares and the risk that fluctuations in the costs to borrow, or in the distribution or interest rates on any preferred shares or notes, may affect the return to Common Shareholders. To the extent the income derived from investments purchased with proceeds received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, the Fund's distributions will be greater than if leverage had not been used.  

 


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                                              Conversely, if the income from the investments purchased with such proceeds is not sufficient to cover the cost of the financial leverage, the amount available for distribution to Common Shareholders will be less than if leverage had not been used. In the latter case, the Fund may nevertheless maintain its leveraged position if such action is deemed to be appropriate based on market conditions. If preferred shares are used, holders of preferred shares will have rights to elect a minimum of two trustees. This voting power may negatively affect Common Shareholders (or the interests of holders of preferred shares may differ from the interests of Common Shareholders). The use of leverage by the Fund may magnify the Fund's losses when there is a decrease in the value of a Fund investment and even totally eliminate the Fund's equity in its portfolio or a Common Shareholder's equity in the Fund. See "Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Use of Leverage and Related Risks."  
                        The costs of a financial leverage program (including the costs of offering preferred shares and notes) will be borne by Common Shareholders and consequently will result in a reduction of the net asset value of Common Shares. During periods in which the Fund is using leverage, the fees paid by the Fund for investment advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the investment advisory fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund's Managed Assets, which includes proceeds from (and assets subject to) reverse repurchase agreements, any credit facility and any issuance of preferred shares or notes, so that the investment advisory fees payable to the Avenue Managers will be higher when leverage is utilized. This will create a conflict of interest between the Avenue Managers, on the one hand, and Common Shareholders, on the other hand. Fees and expenses in respect of financial leverage, as well as the investment advisory fee and all other expenses of the Fund, will be borne entirely by the Common Shareholders, and not by preferred shareholders, noteholders or any other leverage providers.  
                        Any lender in connection with a credit facility may impose specific restrictions as a condition to borrowing. The credit facility fees may include, among other things, up front structuring fees and ongoing commitment fees (including fees on amounts undrawn on the facility) in addition to the traditional interest expense on amounts borrowed. The credit facility may involve a lien on the Fund's assets. Similarly, to the extent the Fund issues preferred shares or notes, the Fund currently intends to seek an AAA or equivalent credit rating from one or more NRSROs on any preferred shares or notes it issues and the Fund may be subject to fees, covenants and investment restrictions required by the NRSRO as a result. Such covenants and restrictions imposed by a NRSRO or lender may include asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or restrictions will significantly impede the Avenue Managers in managing the Fund's portfolio in accordance with its investment objectives and policies. Nonetheless, if these covenants or guidelines are more restrictive than those imposed by the 1940 Act, the Fund may not be able to utilize as much leverage as it otherwise could have, which could reduce the Fund's investment returns. See "Description of Capital Structure—Preferred Shares" and "—Credit Facility/Commercial Paper Program/Notes."  

 


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                                              The Fund also expects to enter into other transactions that may give rise to a form of leverage including, among others, swaps, futures and forward contracts, options and other derivative transactions. To the extent that the Fund covers its obligations under such other transactions, as described in this prospectus, such transactions should not be treated as borrowings for purposes of the 1940 Act. However, these transactions, even if covered, may represent a form of economic leverage and will create risks. The potential loss on derivative instruments may be substantial relative to the initial investment therein. See "Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Portfolio Composition", "—Structured Products", "—Swaps" and "—Other Derivative Instruments"; and "Risk Factors—Risks of Structured Products", "—Risks of Swaps" and "—Risks of Other Derivative Instruments."  
                        Foreign Securities Risk. The Fund will invest in credit obligations, including loans, of issuers that are organized or located in countries other than the United States, including non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. Investing in non-U.S. issuers involves risks, including that non-U.S. issuers may be subject to less rigorous accounting and reporting requirements than U.S. issuers, less rigorous regulatory requirements, different legal systems and laws relating to creditors' rights, the potential inability to enforce legal judgments, the potential for political, social and economic adversity and currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and non-U.S. currencies may negatively affect an investment. The value of investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies may fluctuate based on changes in the value of those currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, and a decline in such relative value could reduce the value of such investments held by the Fund.  
                        The foreign securities in which the Fund may invest may be issued by companies or governments located in emerging market countries. Investing in the securities of issuers operating in emerging markets involves a high degree of risk and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the securities of other foreign or U.S. issuers. Compared to the United States and other developed countries, emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries and securities markets that trade a small number of securities. Securities issued by companies or governments located in emerging market countries tend to be especially volatile and may be less liquid than securities traded in developed countries. Securities in these countries have been characterized by greater potential loss than securities of companies and governments located in developed countries. Investments in the securities of issuers located in emerging markets could be affected by risks associated with expropriation and/or nationalization, political or social instability, pervasiveness of corruption and crime, armed conflict, the impact on the economy of civil war, religious or ethnic unrest and the withdrawal or non-renewal of any license enabling the Fund to trade in securities of a particular country, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on transfers of assets, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, less publicly available financial and other information, diplomatic development which could affect U.S. investments in those countries, and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations.  

 


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                                              Since the Fund may invest in credit obligations of foreign issuers denominated in the local currency, changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of credit obligations in the Fund's portfolio and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments. In addition to changes in the value of the Fund's portfolio investments resulting from currency fluctuations, the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The Fund may also invest directly in currencies for hedging purposes. The Fund is subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. For example, the recent debt crisis in certain European countries could cause the value of the Euro to deteriorate. The values of the currencies of the emerging market countries in which the Fund may invest may be subject to a high degree of fluctuation due to changes in interest rates, the effects of monetary policies of the United States, foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities, the imposition of currency controls or due to other national or global political or economic developments. Foreign exchange dealers realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer normally will offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire immediately to resell that currency to the dealer. The Fund will conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into forward, futures or options contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. Therefore, the Fund's exposure to foreign currencies may result in reduced returns to the Fund. The Fund may, from time to time, seek to protect the value of some portion or all of its portfolio holdings against currency risks by engaging in currency hedging transactions. Such transactions may include entering into forward currency exchange contracts, currency futures contracts and options on such futures contracts as well as purchasing put or call options on currencies, in U.S. or foreign markets. Currency hedging involves risks, including possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of hedging could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. In addition, in certain countries in which the Fund may invest, currency hedging opportunities may not be available. The use of currency transactions can result in the Fund incurring losses because of the imposition of exchange controls, suspension of settlements or the inability of the Fund to deliver or receive a specified currency. See "Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Foreign Securities" and "—Foreign Currency Transactions."  
                        The Fund will compute and expects to distribute its income in U.S. dollars, and the computation of income is made on the date that the income is earned by the Fund at the foreign exchange rate in effect on that date. If the value of the foreign currencies in which the Fund receives its income falls relative to the U.S. dollar between the date of earning of the income and the time at which the Fund converts the foreign currencies to U.S. dollars, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities in order to make distributions if the Fund has insufficient cash in U.S. dollars to meet distribution requirements.  

 


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                                              See "Distributions" and "Dividend Reinvestment Plan." The liquidation of investments, if required, may have an adverse impact on the Fund's performance.  
                                              Risks of Other Derivative Instruments. The Fund may utilize options, forward contracts, futures contracts and options on futures contracts. These instruments involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, the possible default by the other party to the transaction (i.e., counterparty risk), illiquidity of the derivative instrument and, to the extent the prediction as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such instruments could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. In addition, transactions in such instruments may involve commissions and other costs, which may increase the Fund's expenses and reduce its return. Amounts paid as premiums and cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to such instruments are not otherwise available to the Fund for investment purposes.  
                        Further, the use of such instruments by the Fund could create the possibility that losses on the instrument would be greater than gains in the value of the Fund's position. In addition, futures and options markets could be illiquid in some circumstances, and certain over-the-counter options could have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a position without incurring substantial losses. To the extent that the Fund utilizes forward contracts, futures contracts or options transactions for hedging, such transactions should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position and, at the same time, limit any potential gain to the Fund that might result from an increase in value of the position. In addition, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of call options, in which case the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium and transaction costs. Losses resulting from the use of hedging will reduce the Fund's net asset value, and possibly income, and the losses can be greater than if hedging had not been used. Forward contracts may limit gains on portfolio securities that could otherwise be realized had they not been utilized and could result in losses. The contracts may also increase the Fund's volatility and may involve a significant amount of risk relative to the investment of cash. The use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund, force the sale of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than at current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to any transactions in options, forward contracts, futures contracts or options on futures contracts. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.  

 


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                                              When conducted outside the United States, transactions in options, forward contracts, futures contracts or options on futures contracts may not be regulated as rigorously as in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors; (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions; (iii) delays in the Fund's ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States; (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States; and (v) lower trading volume and liquidity.  
                        Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is classified as "non-diversified" under the 1940 Act. As a result, it can invest a greater portion of its assets in obligations of a single issuer than a "diversified" fund. The Fund may therefore be more susceptible than a diversified fund to being adversely affected by a single corporate, economic, political or regulatory occurrence. The Fund, however, does intend to satisfy the less stringent diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the Code in order to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies. For a discussion of these diversification requirements, see "Tax Matters—Taxation of the Fund" in the SAI.  
                        Concentration Risk. Because the Fund may invest a high percentage of its assets in a relatively small number of issuers, the Fund is more susceptible to any single economic, market, political or regulatory event affecting those issuers than is a more broadly diversified fund.  
                        Lender Liability Risk. A number of U.S. judicial decisions have upheld judgments for borrowers against lending institutions on the basis of various evolving legal theories, collectively termed "lender liability." Generally, lender liability is founded on the premise that a lender has violated a duty (whether implied or contractual) of good faith, commercial reasonableness and fair dealing, or a similar duty owed to the borrower or has assumed an excessive degree of control over the borrower resulting in the creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or its other creditors or shareholders. Because of the nature of its investments, the Fund may be subject to allegations of lender liability.  
                        In addition, under common law principles that in some cases form the basis for lender liability claims, if a lender or bondholder (a) intentionally takes an action that results in the undercapitalization of a borrower to the detriment of other creditors of such borrower, (b) engages in other inequitable conduct to the detriment of such other creditors, (c) engages in fraud with respect to, or makes misrepresentations to, such other creditors or (d) uses its influence as a stockholder to dominate or control a borrower to the detriment of other creditors of such borrower, a court may elect to subordinate the claim of the offending lender or bondholder to the claims of the disadvantaged creditor or creditors, a remedy called "equitable subordination."  

 


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                                              Because affiliates of, or persons related to, the Adviser or the Subadviser may hold equity or other interests in obligors of the Fund, the Fund could be exposed to claims for equitable subordination or lender liability or both based on such equity or other holdings.  
                        Net Asset Value Discount Risk. Frequently, shares of closed-end investment companies, such as the Fund, trade at a price below their net asset value, commonly referred to as a "discount." Historically, shares of closed-end funds, have traded at a discount to their net asset value, and the Fund can provide no assurance that its Common Shares will trade at or above their net asset value. Immediately following the offering, the net asset value of the Fund's Common Shares will be reduced by offering expenses paid by the Fund (and the net asset value will also reflect the fact that the proceeds to the Fund from the offering were reduced by the sales load). Because the market price of the Fund's Common Shares may be determined by factors such as net asset value, there is an increased risk that the Fund will trade below its offering price for a period following the offering. Therefore, there is an added risk to investors who may sell their shares shortly after the offering. Before making an investment decision, a prospective investor should consider the suitability of this investment with respect to the investor's investment objectives and personal situation. See "Description of Capital Structure."  
                        Manager Risk. As with any managed fund, neither of the Avenue Managers may be successful in selecting the best-performing investments or investment techniques in managing its respective portion of the Fund's portfolio, and the Fund's performance may lag behind that of similar funds. The Adviser has not previously managed a registered investment company.  
                        Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk. Because the Avenue Managers may manage assets for other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and/or other accounts (including institutional clients, pension plans and certain high net worth individuals), there may be an incentive to favor one client over another resulting in conflicts of interest. For instance, the Adviser or the Subadviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fees received from the Fund, or receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts. In those instances, the portfolio managers may have an incentive to favor the higher and/or performance-based fee accounts over the Fund. In addition, a conflict of interest could exist to the extent the Adviser or the Subadviser has proprietary investments in certain accounts, where portfolio managers have personal investments in certain accounts or when certain accounts are investment options in the Adviser's or the Subadviser's employee benefits plans. The Avenue Managers may have an incentive to favor these accounts over the Fund. If the Adviser or the Subadviser manages accounts that engage in short sales of (or otherwise take short positions in) securities or other instruments of the type in which the Fund invests, the Adviser or the Subadviser could be seen as harming the performance of the Fund for the benefit of the accounts taking short positions, if such short positions cause the market value of the securities to fall.  
                        Conflicts of interest may arise where the Fund and other funds managed by the Avenue Managers or other affiliates of Avenue Capital Group simultaneously hold securities representing different  

 


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                                              parts of the capital structure of a stressed or distressed issuer. In such circumstances, decisions made with respect to the securities held by one fund may cause (or have the potential to cause) harm to the different class of securities of the issuer held by other funds (including the Fund). For example, if such an issuer goes into bankruptcy or reorganization, becomes insolvent or otherwise experiences financial distress or is unable to meet its payment obligations or comply with covenants relating to credit obligations held by the Fund or by the other Avenue funds, such other funds may have an interest that conflicts with the interests of the Fund. If additional financing for such an issuer is necessary as a result of financial or other difficulties, it may not be in the best interests of the Fund to provide such additional financing, but if the other Avenue funds were to lose their respective investments as a result of such difficulties, an Avenue Manager may have a conflict in recommending actions in the best interests of the Fund. Also, conflicts of interest may arise where the Fund and other funds managed by the Avenue Managers or other affiliates of Avenue Capital Group hold different investment positions with respect to the same issuer, and a decision that benefits one fund may potentially harm other funds (including the Fund). In such situations the Avenue Managers will seek to act in the best interests of their clients and will seek to resolve such conflicts in accordance with their compliance procedures.  
                        In addition, the 1940 Act limits the Fund's ability to enter into certain transactions with certain affiliates of the Avenue Managers. As a result of these restrictions, the Fund may be prohibited from buying or selling any security directly from or to any portfolio company of a fund managed by an Avenue Manager or one of its affiliates. Nonetheless, the Fund may under certain circumstances purchase any such portfolio company's loans or securities in the secondary market, which could create a conflict for the Avenue Managers between the interests of the Fund and the portfolio company, in that the ability of the Avenue Managers to recommend actions in the best interest of the Fund might be impaired. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain "joint" transactions with certain of the Fund's affiliates (which includes other funds managed by the Avenue Capital Group), which could be deemed to include certain types of investments, or certain types of restructurings of investments, in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times). These limitations may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to the Fund.  
                        Although the professional staff of the Avenue Managers will devote as much time to the management of the Fund as the Avenue Managers deem appropriate to perform their duties in accordance with the investment advisory and subadvisory agreements and in accordance with reasonable commercial standards, the professional staff of the Avenue Managers may have conflicts in allocating their time and services among the Fund and the Avenue Managers' other investment vehicles and accounts. The Avenue Managers and their affiliates are not restricted from forming additional investment funds, from entering into other investment advisory relationships or from engaging in other business activities, even though such activities may be in competition with the Fund and/or may involve substantial time and resources of the Avenue Managers and their  

 


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                                              professional staff. These activities could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest in that the time and effort of the members of the Avenue Managers and their officers and employees will not be devoted exclusively to the business of the Fund but will be allocated between the business of the Fund and the management of the assets of other clients of the Avenue Managers.  
                        The Avenue Managers or their respective members, officers, directors, employees, principals or affiliates may come into possession of material, non-public information. The possession of such information may limit the ability of the Fund to buy or sell a security or otherwise to participate in an investment opportunity. Situations may occur where the Fund could be disadvantaged because of the investment activities conducted by the Avenue Managers for other clients.  
                        No Operating History. The Fund is a newly organized, closed-end management investment company with no operating history and is designed for long-term investors and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund's Common Shares may trade at a price that is less than their offering price.  
                        Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements. In its purchase of repurchase agreements, the Fund does not bear the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security unless the seller defaults under its repurchase obligation. In the event of the bankruptcy or other default of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying securities and losses, including possible decline in the value of the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period, and expenses of enforcing its rights. A repurchase agreement effectively represents a loan from the Fund to the seller under the agreement.  
                        The Fund's use of reverse repurchase agreements involve many of the same risks involved in the Fund's use of financial leverage, as the proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements generally will be invested in additional securities. There is a risk that the market value of the securities acquired in the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities that the Fund has sold but remains obligated to repurchase. In addition, there is a risk that the market value of the securities retained by the Fund may decline. If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement were to file for bankruptcy or experience insolvency, the Fund may be adversely affected. Also, in entering into reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement are less than the value of the underlying securities. In addition, due to the interest costs associated with reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund's net asset value will decline, and, in some cases, the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if the Fund had not used such instruments. A reverse repurchase agreement effectively represents a loan from the buyer to the Fund under the agreement.  

 


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                                              Certain Affiliations Risk. Certain broker-dealers, including major ones, may be considered to be affiliated persons of the Fund or the Avenue Managers. Absent an exemption from the SEC or other regulatory relief, the Fund is generally precluded from effecting certain principal transactions with affiliated brokers, and its ability to purchase securities being underwritten by an affiliated broker or syndicate including an affiliated broker or to utilize affiliated brokers for agency transactions is subject to restrictions. This could limit the Fund's ability to engage in securities transactions and take advantage of market opportunities. In addition, until the underwriting syndicate is broken in connection with the initial public offering of the Common Shares, the Fund will be precluded from effecting principal transactions with brokers who are members of the syndicate.  

 


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SUMMARY OF COMMON SHAREHOLDER FEES AND EXPENSES

The purpose of the following tables and the example below is to help you understand the fees and expenses that you, as a Common Shareholder, would bear directly or indirectly. The expenses shown in the table under "Other expenses" and "Total annual expenses" are based on estimated amounts for the Fund's annual operations and assume that the Fund issues approximately 10,000,000 Common Shares. If the Fund issues fewer Common Shares, all other things being equal, these expenses would increase as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares. The tables also assume the use of leverage by the Fund through bank borrowings, representing in the aggregate 331/3% of the Fund's total assets (including the assets subject to, and obtained with the proceeds of, such instruments), and show Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares.

Common Shareholder transaction expenses      
Sales load paid by you (as a percentage of offering price)     4.50 %  
Offering expenses borne by you (as a percentage of the Common Share
offering price)
    0.20 %(1)(2)  
Dividend reinvestment plan fees     None(3)    
Annual expenses   As a Percentage of Net
Assets Attributable to
Common Shares
(Assumes 331/3%
Leverage)(4)
 
Advisory fee(5)     1.88 %  
Interest expenses on bank borrowings(4)     0.83 %  
Other expenses(6)     0.58 %  
Total annual expenses     3.29 %  
Expense reimbursement(6)     (0.08 %)  
Total annual expenses after expense reimbursement(6)     3.21 %  

 

Example

The following example illustrates the expenses that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in the Fund's Common Shares (including a sales load of $45 and estimated offering expenses of $2 for the Common Shares) and assuming (i) the Fund issues 10,000,000 Common Shares in this offering, (ii) total annual expenses of 3.21% of net assets attributable to Common Shares in years 1 through 10 (assuming leverage in an amount equal to 331/3% of the Fund's total assets)(4), (iii) a 5% annual return and (iv) reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value:

1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years  
$ 78     $ 143     $ 210     $ 388    

 

The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. The example assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at net asset value. Moreover, the Fund's actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.

(1)  The Adviser has agreed to pay all organizational expenses of the Fund and the amount by which the aggregate of all the Fund's offering expenses (other than the sales load) exceeds $0.04 per Common Share (to the extent such excess offering expenses are not borne by a person other than the Fund). Assuming an offering of 10,000,000 Common Shares at a total public offering price of $200,000,000, aggregate offering expenses (other than the sales load) are estimated to be $1,000,000 (of which $400,000 will be paid by the Fund (and thus borne by the Fund's Common Shareholders) and the remainder will be paid by the Adviser (or another person other than the Fund)). Offering expenses borne by the Fund's Common Shareholders, along with all of the other fees and expenses disclosed in the tables above, will result in a reduction of capital of the Fund attributable to Common Shares.

(2)  The Adviser has agreed to pay, from its own assets, an upfront marketing and structuring fee to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and an upfront structuring fee to Citigroup Global Markets Inc., and may pay certain other qualifying underwriters a marketing and structuring fee, a sales incentive fee or additional compensation in connection with this offering. The Adviser has agreed to compensate TS Capital, LLC


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("TSC") and its affiliated broker-dealer, ABAX Brokerage Services, Inc. ("ABAX") for distribution assistance in connection with the offering and for on-going structuring and shareholder services. See "Underwriters—Additional Compensation to the Underwriters and their Affiliates and Other Relationships." The fees described in this footnote will not be paid by the Fund and are not reflected as offering expenses or annual expenses in the tables above. Certain expenses incurred by TSC or ABAX in connection with the offering may be reimbursed by the Fund, and to the extent reimbursed, are reflected as offering expenses in the tables above.

(3)  You will pay a brokerage commission if you direct the Plan Agent (as defined under "Dividend Reinvestment Plan") to sell your Common Shares held in a dividend reinvestment account.

(4)  The Fund may use any form or combination of financial leverage instruments, including reverse repurchase agreements, credit facilities such as bank loans or commercial paper, and the issuance of preferred shares or notes. The Fund currently intends to use leveraging instruments to add financial leverage to its portfolio representing up to approximately 331/3% of the Fund's total assets (including the assets subject to, and obtained with the proceeds of, such instruments). For the purposes of this table, we have assumed such leverage will be obtained through a bank credit facility in an amount equal to approximately 33.3% of the Fund's total assets (i.e., approximately $95,300,000), with an estimated annual interest rate of 1.65%.

(5)  The Adviser will receive a monthly fee at an annual rate of 1.25% of the average daily value of the Fund's Managed Assets. The advisory fee percentage calculation assumes the use of leverage by the Fund as discussed in footnote (4). To derive the annual advisory fee as a percentage of the Fund's net assets (which are the Fund's total assets less all of the Fund's liabilities), the Fund's estimated Managed Assets (approximately $285,900,000) were multiplied by the annual advisory fee rate and then divided by the Fund's estimated net assets (approximately $190,600,000).

(6)  The Adviser has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund so that total other expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares of the Fund ) are limited to 0.50% until March 1, 2012 (excluding (i) interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and expenditures capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (ii) portfolio transactions and investment related expenses and (iii) extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business). The Fund is required to repay any such reimbursement from the Adviser if, within three years of the reimbursement, the Fund could repay the Adviser without causing the Fund's total other expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares of the Fund) to exceed 0.50% for the fiscal year in which such repayment would occur.


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THE FUND

The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware on October 12, 2010. The Fund has no operating history. The Fund's principal office is located at 399 Park Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022, and its telephone number is (212) 878-3500.

This prospectus relates to the initial public offering of the Fund's Common Shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share. See "Underwriters."

USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds of this offering of Common Shares will be approximately $         (or $         if the Underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), which, after payment of the estimated offering expenses, will be invested in accordance with the Fund's investment objectives and policies. It is currently anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering in securities that meet the Fund's investment objectives and policies within approximately three months after the completion of this offering. Pending such investment, it is anticipated that the proceeds will be invested in temporary investments. See "Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Other Investments—Temporary Investments." The Adviser has agreed to pay organizational expenses and the amount by which the aggregate of all of the Fund's offering expenses (other than the sales load) exceed $0.04 per Common Share (to the extent such excess offering expenses are not borne by a person other than the Fund).


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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy

The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.

Depending on current market conditions and the Fund's outlook over time, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by opportunistically investing primarily in credit obligations of issuers that operate in a variety of industries and geographic regions.

The Fund expects to emphasize high current income, with a secondary emphasis on capital appreciation, by investing generally in Senior Loans and in second lien or other subordinated loans or debt instruments, including non-stressed and stressed credit obligations, and related derivatives. The Fund will seek to capitalize on market inefficiencies and reallocate the portfolio of the Fund to opportunistically emphasize those investments, categories of investments and geographic exposures believed to be best suited to the current investment and interest rate environment and market outlook. An investment committee of the Avenue Managers expects to manage the allocation of the portfolio of the Fund between the Adviser and Subadviser based on the availability of opportunities at the time. There is no minimum or maximum limit on the amount of the Fund's assets that may be invested in non-U.S. credit obligations, generally, or in emerging market credit obligations, specifically. In pursuing the Fund's investment objectives or for hedging purposes, the Fund may invest in instruments that give it short exposure to credit obligations.

The types of derivative instruments that the Fund currently anticipates investing in (or considering for investment) are: structured products, swaps, futures contracts, forward contracts and options (including options on swaps, futures contracts and foreign currencies). In the future, the Fund may invest in other types of derivative instruments if deemed advisable by the Adviser or Subadviser. The Fund may commence investing in such other types of derivative instruments without notice to Common Shareholders.

There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The Fund's investment objectives and principal investment strategy are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed without the vote of the Fund's shareholders by the Board with at least 60 days written notice provided to shareholders.

Investment advisory services for the Fund are provided by affiliates of Avenue Capital Group. The Fund's investment adviser is Avenue Capital Management II, L.P. and the Fund's investment subadviser is Avenue Europe International Management, L.P.

Rationale

The Avenue Managers believe that changing investment and interest rate environments over time offer attractive investment opportunities in the markets for credit obligations, as well as varying degrees of investment risk. To both capitalize on attractive investments and effectively manage potential risk, the Avenue Managers believe that the combination of a thorough and continuous credit analysis (including an analysis of an issuer's ability to make loan or debt payments when due) and the ability to reallocate the portfolio of the Fund among different categories of investments at different points in the credit cycle (i.e., the cycle between overall positive economic environments and less positive economic environments for credit obligations) is critical to achieving higher risk-adjusted returns, including higher current income and/or capital appreciation, relative to other high-yielding investments. The Avenue Managers expect to emphasize high current income, with a secondary emphasis on capital appreciation, by investing generally in Senior Loans, and in second lien or other subordinated loans or debt instruments, including non-stressed and stressed credit obligations, and related derivatives. The Fund will seek to capitalize on market inefficiencies and reallocate the portfolio of the Fund to opportunistically emphasize those investments, geographies and categories of investments best suited to the current investment and interest rate environment and market outlook. The Investment Committee expects to manage the allocation of the portfolio of the Fund between the Adviser and the Subadviser based on the availability of opportunities at the time.

The Fund's portfolio turnover rate may vary from year to year. The Fund generally expects, under normal market conditions, its portfolio turnover to be up to 100%. Because it is difficult to predict accurately portfolio turnover rates, actual turnover may be higher or lower. A high portfolio turnover rate increases a fund's transaction costs (including brokerage commissions and dealer costs), which would adversely impact a fund's performance. Higher portfolio turnover may result in the realization of more short-term capital gains than if a fund had lower portfolio turnover.


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Portfolio

Portfolio Construction Guidelines.  Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in any combination of the following credit obligations and related instruments: (i) Senior Loans (including those that, at the time of investment, are rated below investment grade by a NRSRO or are unrated but deemed by an Avenue Manager to be of comparable quality; these types of below investment grade instruments are commonly known as "junk" securities and are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal); (ii) second lien or other subordinated or unsecured floating rate and fixed rate loans or debt (including those that, at the time of investment, could be considered "junk" securities as described above); (iii) other debt obligations, including high-yield, high-risk obligations (i.e., instruments that are commonly known as "junk" securities as described above); (iv) structured products, including collateralized debt and loan obligations (collectively, "structured products") that provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations; (v) swaps and other derivative instruments (including credit default, total return, index and interest rate swaps, options, forward contracts, futures contracts and options on futures contracts) that provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations; (vi) foreign currencies and foreign currency derivatives (including foreign currency related swaps, futures contracts and forward contracts) acquired for the purpose of hedging the currency risk arising from the credit obligations in the Fund's portfolio; and (vii) short-term debt securities such as U.S. government securities, commercial paper and other money market instruments and cash equivalents (including shares of money market funds). Certain types of structured products, swaps and other derivative instruments provide short exposure to other credit obligations because the value of such instruments is inversely related to the value of one or more other credit obligations.

The Fund will not invest in credit obligations or related instruments that, at the time of investment, are in default. The Fund may invest in credit obligations or related instruments that, at the time of investment, are likely to default. The credit obligations and related instruments in which the Fund may invest include mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities and securities whose value depends on the value of mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities. These types of investments present special risks. See "Risk Factors—Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed (or Mortgage-Related) Instruments Risk." The Fund may act as a lender originating a Senior Loan.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund may also invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in any combination of the following: (i) structured products that do not provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations; (ii) swaps and other derivative instruments (including total return, index and interest rate swaps, options, warrants, forward contracts, futures contracts and options on futures contracts) that do not provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations; and (iii) equity securities obtained through the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable instruments, debt restructurings or bankruptcy proceedings and hedges on such positions. Structured products, swaps and other derivative instruments that do not provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations are those instruments whose reference or underlying assets or indices are not credit obligations or indices of credit obligations. Examples of such instruments include equity- and commodity-linked notes, total return swaps based on the value of an equity security and commodity futures contracts. The Fund may invest in such instruments in order, for example, (i) to seek current income or capital appreciation or (ii) to reduce the Fund's exposure solely to credit obligations. The Avenue Managers believe that the flexibility afforded by being able to invest in such instruments may benefit the Fund by (i) allowing the Fund to invest in potentially attractive investment opportunities that are not credit obligations and (ii) increasing the mix of instruments in the Fund's portfolio which could reduce the overall risk of the Fund's portfolio (although the Fund intends to remain a non-diversified investment company). There can be no assurance that these benefits will be realized and such instruments may expose the Fund to risks not presented by credit obligations.

If the Fund receives equity securities in a debt restructuring or bankruptcy proceeding in an amount that would cause it to exceed the foregoing 20% limitation, the Fund will not be required to reduce its positions in such securities, or in any related hedges or any other investment, if the Adviser or Subadviser believes it would not be in the best interest of the Fund to do so.

Percentage limitations described in this prospectus are as of the time of investment by the Fund and may be exceeded after such time because of changes in the market value of the Fund's assets.

The Fund will not invest in a derivative (other than a credit default swap or a currency hedging instrument) if, immediately after the investment, derivatives (other than credit default swaps and currency hedging instruments) would represent more than 30% of the Fund's Managed Assets on a marked-to-market basis. The Fund may use derivative instruments for hedging, as well as speculative, purposes.


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The Fund's policy of investing, under normal market conditions, in accordance with the foregoing portfolio construction guidelines is not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed, without the vote of the Fund's shareholders, by the Board with at least 60 days' written notice provided to shareholders.

Credit Quality, Liquidity and Geographic Origin of Portfolio Investments.  The Fund may invest, without limitation, in credit obligations that are rated below investment grade by a NRSRO such as S&P or Moody's or unrated credit obligations that are deemed by the Adviser or the Subadviser to be of comparable quality, commonly known in either case as "junk" securities. Such securities are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations and involve significant risk exposure to adverse conditions. Any of the Fund's investments may be issued, at the time of investment by the Fund, by "non-stressed" or "stressed" issuers. The Fund may invest in credit obligations of any maturity or duration. "Non-stressed issuers" generally refers to those issuers that are in compliance with respect to their financial obligations and are not stressed or distressed issuers. "Non-stressed obligations" generally refers to credit obligations issued by non-stressed issuers. "Stressed issuers" generally refers to those issuers that the market expects to become distressed issuers in the near future. "Stressed obligations" generally refers to credit obligations issued by stressed issuers. "Distressed issuers" generally refers to those issuers that are unable to service their debt. "Distressed obligations" generally refers to credit obligations issued by distressed issuers. The Fund does not intend to invest in credit obligations issued by issuers that, at the time of investment, the Adviser and Subadviser believe to be distressed issuers.

In making investments in accordance with the foregoing portfolio construction guidelines, the Fund may invest globally in U.S. and non-U.S. issuers' obligations and such obligations may be U.S. dollar denominated as well as non-U.S. dollar denominated. The Fund will typically seek to limit its exposure to foreign currency risks by entering into forward transactions and other hedging transactions to the extent practical. There can be no assurance that the Fund's currency hedging strategies will succeed. Under normal market conditions, the Fund expects to invest in both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. The Fund anticipates that its initial areas of geographic focus will be the United States and, secondarily, Europe. The Fund is also, among other areas, considering investments in Canada and South Africa. The geographic areas of focus are subject to change from time to time and may be changed without notice to the Fund's shareholders. There is no minimum or maximum limit on the amount of the Fund's assets that may be invested in non-U.S. credit obligations, generally, or in emerging market credit obligations, specifically.

The Fund may invest in loans and bonds issued by issuers of any size. The Fund currently intends to focus on middle market issuers. Middle market issuers are issuers with between approximately $100 million and $5 billion in balance sheet debt. The Fund's focus with respect to borrower size is subject to change from time to time and may be changed without notice to the Fund's shareholders. The Fund may invest in credit obligations at all levels of the capital structure. In investing in credit obligations, the Fund currently intends to focus on senior secured debt and other senior debt (including senior unsecured debt issued by an issuer that has also issued senior secured debt). The Fund's focus in this regard is subject to change from time to time and may be changed without notice to the Fund's shareholders.

Investment Philosophy

The Avenue Managers have expertise in Senior Loans and subordinated debt instruments, including those of stressed and distressed issuers, and are responsible for the overall management of the Fund.

The Avenue Managers seek to maximize risk adjusted returns, including by seeking to manage risk through shorting and other hedging strategies when deemed advisable by the Avenue Managers. There can be no assurance that the Fund's hedging strategies will succeed. The Avenue Managers seek to achieve the Fund's investment objectives while carefully evaluating risk/return within the capital structure of a company, as well as the industry and asset class. The Avenue Managers look to maintain trading flexibility and to preserve capital. They conduct thorough in-depth research and employ a disciplined investment philosophy and a consistent investment approach in their focus on credit opportunities. The Avenue Managers' investment teams use a robust credit process that includes research and analysis using a top-down/bottom-up approach to find mispriced or undervalued opportunities: from the top down, they consider macroeconomic themes of the overall credit market and industries, and from the bottom up, they conduct detailed fundamental analysis related to credit obligations of specific issuers, including examining issuers' financials and operations, including sales, earnings, growth potential, assets, debt, management and competition. The Avenue Managers also seek to understand historic and prospective industry trends affecting an investment opportunity. The Avenue Managers expect that the Fund's portfolio will not consist of a large number of issuers to permit a more thorough analysis of each issuer and to focus on the investments the


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Avenue Managers believe to be most attractive. The potential concentration of the Fund's portfolio creates risk. See "Risk Factors—Non-Diversification Risk" and "—Concentration Risk." The Fund will typically seek to balance interest rate risk with investment performance by investing, when deemed advisable by the Avenue Managers, in both floating rate credit obligations, which are more likely to maintain their value in changing interest rate environments, and fixed rate credit obligations, which are more likely to lose value in rising interest rate environments but may pay higher rates of interest than floating rate credit obligations. See "Risk Factors—Market Risk." The Fund will typically seek to balance credit risk with investment performance by investing, when deemed advisable by the Avenue Managers, in both Senior Loans, which may pose less credit risk, and other credit obligations, which may offer the prospect of higher returns with more credit risk. See "Risk Factors—Credit Risk." The Avenue Managers' investment process is subject to change in their discretion.

When investing in credit obligations, the Avenue Managers will invest the Fund's assets in credit obligations with total yields that at the time of purchase are equal to or below the applicable Avenue Credit Threshold. See "Risk Factors—Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk" and "Management of the Fund—Potential Conflicts of Interest of the Avenue Managers" in the SAI. The Avenue Credit Thresholds are determined by the Investment Committee in its sole discretion, and may be revised as markets change. Along the credit spectrum of non-stressed and stressed obligations, obligations with total yields at or below the Avenue Credit Thresholds generally will be less stressed obligations. Because the Adviser invests primarily in U.S. and Canadian investments, and the Subadviser invests primarily in non-North American investments, the Avenue Credit Thresholds applicable to the Adviser and the Subadviser may differ. There is no guarantee that the yield on the Fund's portfolio will equal or exceed the Avenue Credit Thresholds.

As an example, as of the date of this prospectus, the following types of U.S. and Canadian credit obligations would be at or below the applicable "Avenue Credit Thresholds" if, at the time of investment, they have yields at or below the following benchmarks plus the indicated credit spreads:

  for floating rate obligations, LIBOR plus 650 basis points; and

  for fixed rate obligations, current U.S. Treasury plus 650 basis points.

As an additional example, as of the date of this prospectus, the following types of non-North American credit obligations would be at or below the applicable "Avenue Credit Thresholds" if, at the time of investment, they have yields at or below the following benchmarks plus the indicated credit spreads:

  for floating rate obligations, LIBOR plus 650 basis points, EURIBOR plus 650 basis points, and Sterling LIBOR plus 650 basis points, as applicable, depending upon the currency and term of the investment; and

  for fixed rate obligations, current U.S. Treasury plus 650 basis points, Bundesobligationen (of the Federal Republic of Germany) plus 650 basis points, Bundesschatzanweisungen (of the Federal Republic of Germany) plus 650 basis points and UK Gilt rates plus 650 basis points, as applicable, depending upon the currency and term of the investment.

The Adviser and Subadviser manage assets for accounts other than the Fund, including private funds. The Subadviser also currently serves as an investment subadviser to the Subadvised Credit Fund and, pursuant to its subadvisory agreement with the Subadvised Credit Fund, is responsible for investing a portion of that fund's assets. The expected risk and return profile for the Fund is generally lower than for most of the Avenue Managers' other accounts. Thus, except for the Subadvised Credit Fund, the Fund and most of the Avenue Managers' other accounts generally will not invest in the same credit obligations (although their investments may include different obligations of the same issuer). (For example, the Fund might invest in a Senior Loan issued by a borrower and one or more of the Avenue Managers' other accounts might invest in the borrower's junior debt.) In particular, except in the limited cases described below, the Avenue Managers will allocate credit obligations with a total yield at the time of investment at or below the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds to the Fund and the Subadvised Credit Fund, and credit obligations with a total yield above the Avenue Credit Thresholds to the Avenue Managers' other accounts.

In the following cases, credit obligations with a total yield at the time of investment at or below the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds may also be allocated to the Avenue Managers' other accounts. Each of the Avenue Managers, on behalf of its other accounts, will be able to sell short or otherwise take short positions in obligations (including purchasing a credit default swap) at or below the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds for hedging purposes (and thus at times an Avenue Manager may purchase the same obligations for both its other clients and the Fund). Investments, such as equities and currencies, that do not have credit-based yields, are not subject to the Avenue Credit Thresholds. In addition, the CLO Team manages certain accounts (including private funds) that


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invest in certain types of credit obligations in which the Fund may also invest. The CLO Team operates on a different trading system than the Avenue Managers' other investment professionals and the Avenue Managers employ various policies and procedures intended to separate the CLO Team from such other professionals, including policies and procedures regarding physical separation and regarding limitations on the sharing of information. The CLO Team will not be involved in the management of the Fund and the Fund's portfolio managers will not be involved in the management of the CLO Team's accounts. The Avenue Credit Thresholds will not apply to investments made by the CLO Team and the CLO Team, on behalf of its accounts, may invest in credit obligations that have a total yield at the time of investment at or below (or above) the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds. Investment opportunities in credit obligations sourced by the CLO Team will solely be allocated to the CLO Team's accounts and not to the Fund.

Investment opportunities appropriate for both the Fund and the portion of the Subadvised Credit Fund managed by the Subadviser generally will, to the extent practicable, be allocated on a pro rata basis between the Fund and the Subadvised Credit Fund. This means that such opportunities will be allocated pro rata among the Fund and the Subadvised Credit Fund based on the available cash of the respective funds. Nevertheless, investments and/or opportunities may be allocated other than on a pro rata basis, if an Avenue Manager deems in good faith that a different allocation among the Fund and the Subadvised Credit Fund is appropriate, taking into account, among other considerations: (a) applicable investment objectives, restrictions and guidelines; (b) the need to invest or re-balance a fund's portfolio following its launch or receipt of a significant cash contribution; (c) the potential for the proposed investment to create an imbalance in one of the fund's portfolios; (d) liquidity requirements of the funds; (e) tax consequences; (f) regulatory restrictions; and (g) the need to re-size risk in the funds' portfolios. To the extent that the Adviser or Subadviser serves as an investment manager to other accounts in the future that have the same investment strategy as the Fund, investment opportunities within such strategy will also, to the extent practicable, be allocated among the Fund and such other accounts on a pro rata basis.

Investors should note that the investment advisory fee structure for the Avenue Capital Group's accounts that are not registered investment companies or managed by the CLO Team is different and generally higher than the investment advisory fee structure for the Fund. See "Management of the Fund—Potential Conflicts of Interest of the Avenue Managers" in the SAI for more information on the Avenue Credit Thresholds, advisory fees and the Adviser's and Subadviser's policies and procedures to address conflicts of interest. The Fund offers an opportunity for its investors to have some indirect access to the Avenue Managers, which normally is not directly available to retail investors, albeit only at the lower risk and return segment of the market.

Portfolio Composition

The Fund's investments (primarily in Senior Loans, subordinated loans and debt, other debt obligations, structured products and swaps—each of which is described in more detail below) may be all or substantially in investments that are generally considered to have a credit quality rated below investment grade by a NRSRO or unrated credit obligations that are deemed to be of comparable quality by the Adviser and Subadviser. Below investment grade securities (that is, securities rated Ba or lower by Moody's or BB or lower by S&P) are commonly referred to as "junk" securities and are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Generally, lower-grade securities provide a higher yield than higher-grade securities of similar maturity but are subject to greater risks, such as greater credit risk, greater market risk and volatility, greater liquidity concerns and potentially greater manager risk. Lower-grade securities are more susceptible to non-payment of interest and principal and default than higher-grade securities. Adverse changes in the economy or to the individual issuer often have a more significant impact on the ability of lower-grade issuers to make payments, meet projected goals or obtain additional financing. When an issuer of such securities is in financial difficulties, the Fund may incur additional expenditures or invest additional assets in an effort to obtain partial or full recovery on amounts due. Some of the securities held by the Fund, which may not be paying interest currently or may be in payment default, may be comparable to securities rated as low as C by Moody's or CCC or lower by S&P. These securities are considered to have extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing, to have a current identifiable vulnerability to default, to be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due in the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions and/or to be in default or not current in the payment of interest or principal.

While all credit obligations tend to fluctuate inversely with changes in interest rates, the prices of lower-grade securities generally are less sensitive to changes in interest rates and are more sensitive to specific issuer developments or real or perceived general adverse economic changes than higher-grade securities. A projection of an economic downturn, for example, could cause a decline in prices of lower-grade securities because the advent


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of a recession could lessen the ability of a highly leveraged company to make principal and interest payments on its securities or obtain additional financing when necessary. A significant increase in market interest rates or a general economic downturn could severely disrupt the market as well as the market values of such securities. Such securities also often experience more volatility in prices than higher-grade securities. The secondary trading market for lower-grade securities may be less liquid than the market for higher-grade securities. Prices of lower-grade securities may decline rapidly in the event a significant number of holders decide to sell. Changes in expectations regarding an individual issuer, an industry or lower-grade securities generally could reduce market liquidity for such securities and make their sale by the Fund more difficult, at least in the absence of price concessions. The market for lower-grade securities may also have less information available, further complicating evaluations and valuations of such securities and placing more emphasis on the Avenue Managers' experience, judgment and analysis than higher-grade securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and liquidity of securities rated below investment grade and unrated securities especially in a market characterized by a low volume of trading.

The Fund may invest in the credit obligations of stressed issuers, including obligations that are in covenant or payment default. Credit obligations that are or become stressed generally trade at prices below par, thus creating opportunities for capital appreciation (or loss) as the values of such securities change over time. Such obligations are subject to a multitude of legal, industry, market, economic and governmental forces each of which make analysis of these companies inherently difficult. The Avenue Managers rely on company management, outside experts, market participants and personal experience to analyze potential investments. There can be no assurance that any of these sources will provide credible information, or that the analysis of the Adviser or the Subadviser will produce conclusions that lead to profitable investments for the respective portion of the Fund's portfolio managed by each. Obligations of stressed issuers generally trade significantly below par and are considered speculative. The repayment of defaulted obligations is subject to significant uncertainties. Defaulted obligations might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings or result in only partial recovery of cash payments or an exchange of the defaulted obligation for other debt or equity securities of the issuer or its affiliates, which may in turn be illiquid or speculative.

There are a number of significant risks inherent in the bankruptcy process. Many events in a bankruptcy are the product of contested matters and adversary proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. There can be no assurance that a bankruptcy court would not approve actions that would be contrary to the interests of the Fund. A bankruptcy filing by an issuer may cause such issuer to lose its market position and key employees and otherwise become incapable of restoring itself as a viable entity, and its liquidation value may be less than its value was believed to be at the time of investment. In addition, the duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is difficult to predict and as such, a creditor's return on investment can be adversely affected by delays while the plan of reorganization is being negotiated, approved by the creditors and confirmed by the bankruptcy court and until it ultimately becomes effective. The administrative costs in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and would be paid out of the debtor's estate prior to any return to creditors. Further, in the early stages of the bankruptcy process it is often difficult to estimate the extent of any contingent claims that might be made and as such, there is a risk that the Fund's influence with respect to the class of obligations it owns can be lost by increases in the number and amount of claims in that class or by different classification and treatment. A creditor, such as the Fund, can also lose its ranking and priority if it is determined that such creditor exercised "domination and control" over a debtor and other creditors can demonstrate that they have been harmed by such actions. In addition, certain claims have priority by law, such as claims for taxes, which may be substantial and could affect the ability of the Fund to be repaid.

In any investment involving stressed obligations, there is a risk that the transaction involving such debt obligations will be unsuccessful, take considerable time or will result in a distribution of cash or a new security or obligation in exchange for the stressed obligations, the value of which may be less than the Fund's purchase price of such obligations. Furthermore, if an anticipated transaction does not occur, the Fund may be required to sell its investment at a loss.

The Fund may sell portfolio securities without regard to the length of time they have been held to take advantage of new investment opportunities, when the Adviser or the Subadviser believe the potential for high current income or capital appreciation has lessened, or for other reasons. The Fund's portfolio turnover rate may vary from year to year.


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Senior Loans

Senior Loans are business loans made to borrowers that may be corporations, partnerships or other entities that operate in a variety of industries and geographic regions. Senior Loans generally are negotiated between a borrower and several financial institution lenders represented by one or more lenders acting as agent of all the lenders. The agent is responsible for negotiating the loan agreement that establishes the terms and conditions of the Senior Loan and the rights of the borrower and the lenders. The Fund may act as one of the original lenders originating a Senior Loan, may purchase portions of Senior Loans through assignments from lenders and may invest in participations in Senior Loans. Senior Loans have the most senior position in a borrower's capital structure or share the senior position with other senior debt securities of the borrower. This capital structure position generally gives holders of Senior Loans a claim on some or all of the borrower's assets that is senior to that held by unsecured creditors, subordinated debt holders and stockholders of the borrowers. Senior Loans also have contractual terms designed to protect lenders. The Fund will generally acquire Senior Loans of borrowers that, among other things, in the Adviser's or the Subadviser's judgment, can make timely payments on their Senior Loans and that satisfy other credit standards established by the Adviser or the Subadviser. Because of the protective features of Senior Loans, the Fund and the Avenue Managers believe that Senior Loans of borrowers that are experiencing, or are more likely to experience, financial difficulty may represent attractive investment opportunities.

Interest rates on Senior Loans may be fixed or may float periodically. On floating rate Senior Loans, the interest rates typically are adjusted based on a base rate plus a premium or spread over the base rate. The base rate usually is a standard inter-bank offered rate, such as LIBOR, the prime rate offered by one or more major U.S. banks, or the certificate of deposit rate or other base lending rates used by commercial lenders. Floating rate Senior Loans may adjust over different time periods, including daily, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. The Fund may use interest rate swaps and other investment practices to shorten the effective interest rate adjustment period of floating rate Senior Loans or to adjust the overall interest rate exposure of the Fund.

When interest rates rise, the values of fixed income securities generally decline. When interest rates fall, the values of fixed income securities generally increase. The prices of adjustable, variable or floating rate income securities tend to have less fluctuation in response to changes in interest rates, but will have some fluctuation particularly when the next interest rate adjustment on such security is further away in time or adjustments are limited in amount over time.

The Fund's Senior Loan investments will typically be secured by specific assets of the borrower that qualify as collateral, such as trademarks, accounts receivable, inventory, buildings, real estate, franchises and common and preferred stock in its subsidiaries and affiliates. Collateral may also include guarantees or other credit support by affiliates of the borrower. In some cases, a Senior Loan may be secured only by stock of the borrower or its subsidiaries. The borrower may experience financial difficulty and/or the value of collateral may decline over time. The loan agreement may or may not require the borrower to pledge additional collateral to secure the Senior Loan if the value of the initial collateral declines. In certain circumstances, the loan agreement may authorize the agent to liquidate the collateral and to distribute the liquidation proceeds pro rata among the lenders. As described below, the Fund may also invest in loans that are not secured by specific collateral. Investments in such unsecured loans involve a greater risk of loss.

Senior Loans also have contractual terms designed to protect lenders. Loan agreements often include restrictive covenants that limit the activities of the borrower. These covenants may include mandatory prepayment out of excess cash flows, restrictions on dividend payments, the maintenance of minimum financial ratios, limits on indebtedness and other financial tests. Breach of these covenants generally is an event of default and, if not waived by the lenders, may give lenders the right to accelerate principal and interest payments.

The proceeds of Senior Loans that the Fund will purchase typically will be used by borrowers to finance leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases, debt refinancings and, to a lesser extent, for general operating and other purposes.

The Fund may purchase and retain in its portfolio Senior Loans of borrowers that have filed for protection under the federal bankruptcy laws or similar laws or that have had involuntary bankruptcy petitions filed against them by creditors. Investing in Senior Loans involves investment risk, and some borrowers default on their Senior Loan payments. The Fund attempts to manage these risks through selection of a varied portfolio of Senior Loans and analysis and monitoring of borrowers.

The Fund generally invests in a Senior Loan if, in the Adviser's or the Subadviser's judgment, the borrower can meet its future payment obligations. An Avenue Manager will perform its own independent credit analysis of


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the borrower in addition to utilizing information prepared and supplied by the agent or other lenders with respect to the portion of the Fund's portfolio managed by each. When evaluating a borrower, an Avenue Manager will consider many factors, including the borrower's past and future projected financial performance. The Avenue Manager also considers a borrower's management, collateral and industry. The Fund generally acquires a collateralized Senior Loan if the Adviser or the Subadviser believes that the collateral coverage equals or exceeds the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Loan. The Adviser or the Subadviser continues to monitor a borrower on an ongoing basis for so long as the Fund continues to own the Senior Loan. Although the Avenue Managers will use their best judgment in selecting Senior Loans, there can be no assurance that such analysis will disclose factors that may impair the value of a Senior Loan. The Fund's net asset value will fluctuate as a result of changes in the credit quality of borrowers and other factors. A serious deterioration in the credit quality of a borrower could cause a permanent decrease in the Fund's net asset value. See "Risk Factors—Risks of Senior Loans."

There is no minimum rating or other independent evaluation of a borrower or its securities limiting the Fund's investments. Although a Senior Loan may not be rated by a NRSRO at the time the Fund purchases the Senior Loan, NRSROs have become more active in rating Senior Loans, and at any given time a substantial portion of the Senior Loans in the Fund's portfolio may be rated. There is no limit on the percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in Senior Loans that are rated below investment grade or that are unrated but deemed by the Adviser or Subadviser to be of comparable quality.

Original Lender. When the Fund acts as an original lender, it may participate in structuring the Senior Loan. When the Fund is an original lender, it will have a direct contractual relationship with the borrower, may enforce compliance of the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement and may have rights with respect to any funds acquired by other lenders through set-off. Lenders typically also have full voting and consent rights under loan agreements. Certain actions of the borrower typically requires the vote or consent of the holders of some specified percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Loan. Certain decisions, such as reducing the amount of interest on or principal of a Senior Loan, releasing collateral, changing the maturity of a Senior Loan or a change in control of the borrower, frequently require the unanimous vote or consent of all lenders affected. The Fund intends never to act as the agent or principal negotiator or administrator of a Senior Loan, except to the extent it might be considered to be the principal negotiator of a loan negotiated by an Avenue Manager for the Fund and/or one or more other registered investment companies managed by an Avenue Manager.

The Fund will not act as an original lender for a loan if, after making such loan, loans originated by the Fund would exceed 20% of the Fund's Managed Assets. The Fund will generally only act as an original lender for a loan if, among other things, in the Adviser's or the Subadviser's judgment, the borrower can make timely payments on its loans and satisfy other credit standards established by the Adviser or the Subadviser. Each of the Avenue Managers relies primarily on its own evaluation of the credit quality of such a borrower. As a result, the Fund is particularly dependent on the analytical abilities of the Avenue Managers. Because of the nature of its investments, the Fund may be subject to allegations of lender liability and other claims. See "Risks Factors—Lender Liability Risk." In addition, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), deems certain persons to be "underwriters" if they purchase a security from an issuer and later sell it to the public. Although it is not believed that the application of this Securities Act provision would cause the Fund to be engaged in the business of underwriting, a person who purchases an instrument from the Fund that was acquired by the Fund from the issuer of such instrument could allege otherwise. Under the Securities Act, an underwriter may be liable for material omissions or misstatements in an issuer's registration statement or prospectus.

The Fund will not originate a loan (i) to a borrower that is a portfolio company controlled by a fund managed by the Avenue Capital Group or (ii) where a member of the Avenue Capital Group or a fund managed by the Avenue Capital Group is the agent, principal negotiator or administrator of the loan, except to the extent that an Avenue Manager or another registered investment company managed by an Avenue Manager might be considered to be the principal negotiator of a loan it negotiates for the Fund and/or one or more other registered investment companies managed by an Avenue Manager.

Senior Loan assignments and participations. The Fund may purchase Senior Loans by assignment from a lender in the original syndicate of lenders or from subsequent assignees. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning lender and becomes a lender under the loan agreement. Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender. The Fund may also purchase participations from lenders in the original syndicate making Senior Loans. When the Fund purchases a participation in a Senior Loan, the Fund will usually have a contractual


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relationship only with the lender selling the participation and not with the borrower. The Fund may have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the participation and only upon receipt by the lender of such payments from the borrower. As a result, the Fund may assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender selling the participation. In the event of insolvency of the lender selling a participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender.

In the case of a participation, the Fund generally will not have the right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the loan agreement, nor rights to any funds acquired by other lenders through set-off against the borrower. In addition, when the Fund holds a participation in a Senior Loan, it may not have the right to vote on whether to waive enforcement of any restrictive covenant breached by a borrower. Lenders voting in connection with a potential waiver of a restrictive covenant may have interests different from those of the Fund and may not consider the interests of the Fund. The Fund may not benefit directly from the collateral supporting a Senior Loan in which it has purchased the participation, although lenders that sell participations generally are required to distribute liquidation proceeds received by them pro rata among the holders of such participations.

Second Lien or Other Subordinated or Unsecured Loans or Debt

The Fund may invest in second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt. Such loans or debt are made by public and private corporations and other non-governmental entities and issuers for a variety of purposes. As in the case of Senior Loans, the Fund may purchase interests in second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt through assignments or participations (each as described above).

Second lien loans are secured by a second priority security interest in or lien on specified collateral securing the borrower's Senior Loans on a first lien basis. This means that Senior Loans are repaid in full with proceeds of the collateral before second lien loans are repaid. Second lien loans typically have less protections and rights as Senior Loans. Second lien loans are not (and by their terms cannot become) junior in lien priority to any obligation of the related borrower other than Senior Loans of such borrower. Second lien loans may have fixed or floating rate interest payments. Because second lien loans are secured on a junior basis to Senior Loans, they present a greater degree of investment risk but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this additional risk. In addition, second lien loans of below investment grade quality share many of the risk characteristics of other non-investment grade securities. Second lien and subordinated loans typically have greater price volatility than Senior Loans and may be less liquid.

Subordinated loans or debt may, and generally will, rank lower in priority of payment to Senior Loans and second lien loans of the borrower. Subordinated secured loans or debt typically are secured by a lower priority security interest in or lien on specified collateral, and typically have more subordinated protections and rights than Senior Loans and second lien loans. Subordinated loans may have fixed or adjustable floating rate interest payments. Because subordinated loans may rank lower as to priority of payment than Senior Loans and second lien loans of the borrower, they may present a greater degree of investment risk than Senior Loans and second lien loans but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this additional risk. Other than their more subordinated status, such investments have many characteristics and risks similar to Senior Loans and second lien loans discussed above. Subordinated interests of below investment grade quality share risks similar to those of below investment grade securities.

Unsecured loans or debt generally have lower priority in right of payment compared to holders of secured loans of the borrower. Unsecured loans are not secured by a security interest in or lien on specified collateral. Unsecured loans by their terms may be or may become subordinate in right of payment to other obligations of the borrower, including Senior Loans, second lien loans and other debt. Unsecured loans may have fixed or adjustable floating rate interest payments. Because unsecured loans are subordinate to the Senior Loans and secured debt of the borrower, they may present a greater degree of investment risk but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this additional risk. Unsecured interests of below investment grade quality share risks similar to those associated with other below investment grade securities.

Structured Products

The Fund may also invest in structured products, including CDOs, CBOs, CLOs, structured notes, credit-linked notes and other types of structured products. Generally, investments in structured products are interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of the underlying investment interests or securities. These investment entities may be structured as trusts or other types of pooled investment vehicles. This type of restructuring generally involves the deposit with or purchase by an entity of the underlying investments and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of securities backed by, or


42



representing interests in, the underlying investments or referencing an indicator related to such investments. The cash flow or rate of return on the underlying investments may be apportioned among the newly issued securities to create different investment characteristics, such as varying maturities, credit quality, payment priorities and interest rate provisions. The cash flow or rate of return on a structured product may be determined by applying a multiplier to the rate of total return on the underlying investments or referenced indicator. Application of a multiplier is comparable to the use of financial leverage, both being speculative techniques. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. As a result, a relatively small decline in the value of the underlying investments or referenced indicator could result in a relatively large loss in the value of a structured product. Holders of structured products bear risks of the underlying investment, index or reference obligation (including income risk, credit risk and market risk) and are subject to counterparty risk. Certain structured products may be terminated early by the issuer if it is unable to hedge its obligations under the product, which could result in a loss to the Fund. In addition, the Fund may invest in other derivative instruments that are developed over time if their use would be consistent with the objectives of the Fund.

CDOs, CBOs and CLOs are types of asset-backed securities issued by special purpose vehicles created to reapportion the risk and return characteristics of a pool of assets. The underlying pool for a CLO, for example, may include domestic and foreign Senior Loans, senior unsecured loans and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. For CDOs, CBOs and CLOs, the cashflows are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The assets, typically Senior Loans, are used as collateral supporting the various debt tranches issued by the special purpose vehicle. The key feature of these structures is the prioritization of the cash flows from a pool of underlying securities among the several classes of securities issued by a structured product. CBOs are structured debt securities backed by a diversified pool of high yield, public or private fixed income securities. These may be fixed pools or may be "market value" (or managed) pools of collateral. The riskiest portion is the "equity" tranche which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust and serves to protect to some degree the other, more senior tranches from default. Since it is partially protected from defaults, a senior tranche typically has higher ratings and lower yields than its underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, the various tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to such securities as a class.

Certain structured products may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing the Fund's illiquidity to the extent that the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for, and may have difficulty valuing, these securities. CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are typically privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CDOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities; however, an active dealer market may exist for CDOs allowing a CDO to be considered liquid in some circumstances. In addition to the general risks associated with fixed income securities discussed herein, CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or the collateral may go into default; (iii) the possibility that the CDOs are subordinate to other classes of obligations issued by the same issuer; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.

Structured notes are derivative securities for which the amount of principal repayment and/or interest payments is based on the movement of one or more "factors." These factors include, but are not limited to: currency exchange rates, interest rates (such as the prime lending rate or LIBOR), referenced bonds and stock indices. Some of these factors may or may not correlate to the total rate of return on one or more underlying instruments referenced in such notes. In some cases, the impact of the movements of these factors may increase or decrease through the use of multipliers or deflators. A credit-linked note is a derivative instrument that is an obligation between two or more parties where the payment of principal and/or interest is based on the performance of some obligation (a reference obligation).

The Fund may have the right to receive payments to which it is entitled only from the issuer of the structured product, and generally does not have direct rights against the issuer of, or the entity that sold, the assets underlying the structured product. While certain structured products enable the investor to acquire interests in a pool of securities without the brokerage and other expenses associated with directly holding such securities, investors in structured products generally pay their share of the structured product's administrative and other expenses. Structured products may be private investment funds (structured as trusts or other types of pooled investment


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companies that are excluded from the definition of "investment company" under the 1940 Act by the operation of Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) thereof) or investment companies that are registered under the 1940 Act. Investment in such products involves operating expenses and fees that are in addition to the expenses and fees of the Fund, and such expenses and fees are borne indirectly by holders of the Fund's Common Shares. For structured products that are registered under the 1940 Act, please also see "—Other Investments—Securities of Other Investment Companies."

Swaps

The Fund may enter into swap transactions, including credit default, total return, index and interest rate swap agreements, as well as options thereon, and may purchase or sell interest rate caps, floors and collars. A swap is a derivative in the form of an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. A swap transaction involves swapping one or more investment characteristics of a security or a basket of securities with another party. The payment streams are calculated by reference to the investment characteristic(s) chosen applied to an agreed upon notional amount.

A credit default swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange the credit risk of a particular issuer or reference entity. In a credit default swap transaction, a buyer pays periodic fees in return for payment by the seller which is contingent upon an adverse credit event occurring in the underlying issuer or reference entity. The seller collects periodic fees from the buyer and profits if the credit of the underlying issuer or reference entity remains stable or improves while the swap is outstanding, but the seller in a credit default swap contract would be required to pay an agreed upon amount to the buyer (which may be the entire notional amount of the swap) in the event of an adverse credit event in the reference entity. A buyer of a credit default swap is said to buy protection whereas a seller of a credit default swap is said to sell protection.

Total return and index swaps are used as substitutes for owning the physical securities that compose a given market index or to obtain non-leveraged exposure in markets where no physical securities are available such as an interest rate index. Total return refers to the payment (or receipt) of an index's total return, which is then exchanged for the receipt (or payment) of a floating interest rate. Total return swaps provide the Fund with the additional flexibility of gaining exposure to a market or sector index by using the most cost-effective vehicle available.

An interest rate swap involves the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a contractually-based principal amount from the party selling the interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a contractually-based principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate collar combines the elements of purchasing a cap and selling a floor. The collar protects against an interest rate rise above the maximum amount but foregoes the benefit of an interest rate decline below the minimum amount.

The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms.

Swaps generally do not involve the delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swaps is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. However, because some swap agreements have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the swap itself. If the other party to a swap defaults, the Fund's risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. Currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. If there is a default by the counterparty, the Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. Caps, floors and collars are more recent innovations for which standardized documentation has not yet been fully developed and, accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps.

The Fund may engage in swap options for hedging purposes, to manage and mitigate credit and interest rate risks and to gain exposure to credit obligations. The use of swap options involves risks, including, among others, (i) changes in the market value of securities held by the Fund, and of swap options relating to those securities may


44



not be proportionate, (ii) there may not be a liquid market to sell a swap option, which could result in difficulty closing a position, (iii) swap options can magnify the extent of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities to which they relate and (iv) counterparty risk.

The Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund's obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the maintenance of a segregated account consisting of cash or liquid securities to avoid any potential leveraging of the Fund. The Fund may enter into over-the-counter derivatives transactions (swaps, caps, floors and puts).

It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures and swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Fund from using such instruments as part of its investment strategy, which could negatively impact the Fund. For example, through its comprehensive new regulatory regime for derivatives, the Dodd-Frank Act will impose mandatory clearing, exchange-trading and margin requirements on many derivatives transactions (including formerly unregulated over-the-counter derivatives) in which the Fund may engage. The Dodd-Frank Act also creates new categories of regulated market participants, such as "swap dealers," "security-based swap dealers," "major swap participants," and "major security-based swap participants" who will be subject to significant new capital, registration, recordkeeping, reporting, disclosure, business conduct and other regulatory requirements. The details of these requirements and the parameters of these categories remain to be clarified through rulemaking and interpretations by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the SEC, the Federal Reserve Board and other regulators in a regulatory implementation process which is expected to take a year or more to complete.

Nonetheless, the possible effect of the Dodd-Frank Act likely will be to increase the Fund's overall costs of entering into derivatives transactions. In particular, new margin requirements, position limits and capital charges, even if not directly applicable to the Fund, may cause an increase in the pricing of derivatives transactions sold by market participants to whom such requirements apply. Administrative costs, due to new requirements such as registration, recordkeeping, reporting, and compliance, even if not directly applicable to the Fund, may also be reflected in higher pricing of derivatives. New exchange-trading and trade reporting requirements may lead to reductions in the liquidity of derivative transactions, causing higher pricing or reduced availability of derivatives, or the reduction of arbitrage opportunities for the Fund, adversely affecting the performance of certain of the Fund's trading strategies.

The Fund intends to comply with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing swaps, including the segregation of cash and/or liquid securities on the books of the Fund's custodian, as mandated by SEC rules or SEC staff positions.

Use of Segregated and Other Accounts

Many transactions in derivative instruments (including swaps), in addition to other requirements, require that the Fund segregate cash and/or liquid securities to the extent Fund obligations are not covered or subject to offsetting positions or transactions. In general, either the full amount of any obligation by the Fund to pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by the securities, instruments or currency required to be delivered (or securities convertible into the needed securities without additional consideration), or, subject to any regulatory restrictions, the Fund must segregate cash and/or liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the current amount of the obligation. In the case of a futures contract or an option on a futures contract, the Fund must deposit initial margin and possible daily variation margin in addition to segregating cash and/or liquid securities sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase or provide securities or currencies, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of a cash settled futures contract. Transactions in derivative instruments may be covered by other means when consistent with applicable regulatory policies. The Fund may also enter into offsetting transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated cash and/or liquid securities, equals its net outstanding obligation.

Foreign Securities

The Fund may invest without limitation in securities of borrowers that are organized or located in countries other than the United States, including non-U.S. dollar denominated securities and may invest without limitation in obligations of issuers located in emerging market countries. The percentage of assets invested in securities of a particular country or denominated in a particular currency will vary in accordance with the Fund's assessment of the relative yield, appreciation potential and the relationship of a country's currency to the U.S. dollar, which is


45



based upon such factors as fundamental economic strength, credit quality and interest rate trends. Investments in securities of foreign issuers present certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers, including that non-U.S. issuers may be subject to less rigorous accounting and reporting requirements than U.S. issuers, less rigorous regulatory requirements, different and perhaps not as well formulated and defined legal systems and laws relating to creditors' rights, the potential inability to enforce legal judgments and the potential for political, social and economic adversity. Investments by the Fund in non-U.S. dollar denominated investments will be subject to substantially similar risks to those associated with direct investment in securities of foreign issuers, and are subject to currency risk as well. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and non-U.S. currencies may negatively affect an investment. The value of investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies may fluctuate based on changes in the value of those currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, and a decline in applicable foreign exchange rates could reduce the value of such investments held by the Fund. The Fund may also hold non-U.S. dollar denominated Senior Loans or other securities received as part of a reorganization or restructuring. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.

The foreign securities in which the Fund may invest may be issued by companies or governments located in emerging market countries. Investing in the securities of issuers operating in emerging markets involves a high degree of risk and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the securities of other foreign or U.S. issuers. Compared to the United States and other developed countries, emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries and securities markets that trade a small number of securities. Securities issued by companies or governments located in emerging market countries tend to be especially volatile and may be less liquid than securities traded in developed countries. Securities in these countries have been characterized by greater potential loss than securities of companies and governments located in developed countries. Investments in the securities of issuers located in emerging markets could be affected by risks associated with expropriation and/or nationalization, political or social instability, pervasiveness of corruption and crime, armed conflict, the impact on the economy of civil war, religious or ethnic unrest and the withdrawal or non-renewal of any license enabling the Fund to trade in securities of a particular country, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on transfers of assets, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, less publicly available financial and other information, diplomatic development which could affect U.S. investments in those countries and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations.

Since the Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers denominated in the local currency, changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of securities in the Fund's portfolio and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments. In addition to changes in the value of the Fund's portfolio investments resulting from currency fluctuations, the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The Fund may also invest directly in currencies for hedging purposes. The Fund is subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. The values of the currencies of the emerging market countries in which the Fund may invest may be subject to a high degree of fluctuation due to changes in interest rates, the effects of monetary policies issued by the United States, foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities, the imposition of currency controls or due to other national or global political or economic developments. Foreign exchange dealers realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer normally will offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire immediately to resell that currency to the dealer. The Fund will conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into forward, futures or options contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. Therefore, the Fund's exposure to foreign currencies may result in reduced returns to the Fund. The Fund may also engage in foreign currency hedging transactions. See "—Foreign currency transactions" below.

Foreign currency transactions. The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts") for hedging purposes. A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large, commercial and investment banks) and their customers. A non-deliverable currency forward contract is a short-term forward contract on a thinly traded non-convertible foreign currency where the profit and loss is the difference between a specified exchange rate and the spot rate at the time of settlement. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of dollars or other


46



currency, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying security transactions, the Fund may be able to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar or other currency which is being used for the security purchase and the foreign currency in which the security is denominated during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received. They may also be used to lock in the current exchange rate of the currency in which those securities anticipated to be purchased are denominated. At times, the Fund may enter into "cross-currency" hedging transactions involving currencies other than those in which securities that are held or proposed to be purchased are denominated. The Fund may also enter into currency swap transactions. A currency swap generally involves an agreement to pay interest streams in one currency based on a specified index in exchange for receiving interest streams denominated in another currency. Such swaps also usually involve initial and final exchanges of the designated currency that correspond to an agreed upon notional amount. Currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations.

The Fund may conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. The Fund will not enter into forward contracts or maintain a net exposure to these contracts where the consummation of the contracts would obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of the value of the Fund's portfolio securities. When required by law, the Fund will cause its custodian bank to earmark cash or other liquid portfolio securities in an amount equal to the net amounts of the Fund's currency exposure under its forward contracts. If the value of the securities so earmarked declines, additional cash or liquid securities will be earmarked on a daily basis so that the value of such securities will equal the net amount of the Fund's currency exposure with respect to such contracts. Forward contracts may limit gains on portfolio securities that could otherwise be realized had they not been utilized and could result in losses. The contracts may also increase the Fund's volatility and may involve a significant amount of risk relative to the investment of cash.

Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily basis. It will, however, do so from time to time, and investors should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the spread between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.

Other Derivative Instruments

The Fund generally seeks to use certain derivative instruments as portfolio management or hedging techniques. In doing so, the Fund seeks to protect against possible adverse changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased for the Fund's portfolio, protect the Fund's unrealized gains, facilitate the sale of certain securities for investment purposes, protect against changes in currency exchange rates or adjust the exposure to a particular currency, manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund's portfolio, or establish positions in the derivatives markets as a substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities. The Fund may also use derivative instruments to earn income. Among derivative instruments the Fund may utilize are forward contracts, options, futures contracts and options on futures contracts. In addition, the Fund may invest in other derivative instruments that are developed over time if their use would be consistent with the objectives of the Fund.

Derivative instruments have risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, the possible default of the other party to the transaction and illiquidity of the derivative instrument. Furthermore, the ability to successfully use derivative instruments depends on the ability of the Fund to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. In addition, transactions in such instruments may involve commissions and other costs, which may increase the Fund's expenses and reduce its return. Thus, the use of derivative instruments may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require the Fund to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can otherwise realize on an investment, or may cause the Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. In addition, amounts paid as premiums and cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to derivative instruments are not otherwise available to the Fund for investment purposes.

When conducted outside the United States, transactions in derivative instruments may not be regulated as rigorously as in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political,


47



legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund's ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (v) lower trading volume and liquidity.

The Fund can engage in options transactions on securities, indices or on futures contracts to attempt to manage the Fund's risk in advancing or declining markets. For example, the value of a put option generally increases as the value of the underlying security declines. Value is protected against a market decline to the degree the performance of the put correlates with the performance of the Fund's investment portfolio. If the market remains stable or advances, the Fund can refrain from exercising the put and its portfolio will participate in the advance, having incurred only the premium cost for the put. The Fund may purchase and sell listed and over-the-counter options ("OTC Options"). OTC Options are subject to certain additional risks including default by the other party to the transaction and the liquidity of the transactions.

The Fund may enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of securities or contracts based on financial indices including any index of domestic or foreign government securities (futures contracts) and may purchase and write put and call options to buy or sell futures contracts (options on futures contracts). A sale of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the securities called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. A purchase of a futures contract means the incurring of a contractual obligation to acquire the securities called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. The purchaser of a futures contract on an index agrees to take delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between a specified multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date of the contract and the price at which the contract was originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities underlying the index is made. These investment techniques generally are used to protect against anticipated future changes in interest rates which otherwise might either adversely affect the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or adversely affect the price of securities which the Fund intends to purchase at a later date. In addition, some strategies can be performed with greater ease and at lower cost by utilizing the options and futures contracts markets rather than purchasing or selling portfolio securities. However, such transactions involve risks different from those involved with direct investments in underlying securities.

The Fund intends to comply with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing derivative instruments including the segregation of cash and/or liquid securities on the books of the Fund's custodian, as mandated by SEC rules or SEC staff positions. See "Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks—Additional Risks of Other Derivative Instruments" in the Fund's SAI.

Equity Securities

Common stock generally represents an ownership or equity interest in an issuer, without preference over any other class of securities, including such issuer's debt securities, preferred stock and other senior equity securities. Common stocks are entitled to the income and increase in the value of the assets and business of the issuer after all its debt obligations and obligations to preferred stockholders are satisfied. Common stocks generally have voting rights. Common stocks fluctuate in price in response to many factors including historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity. They may or may not pay dividends, as some issuers reinvest all of their profits back into their businesses, while others pay out some of their profits to stockholders as dividends, while others do not generate sufficient income to support a dividend.

Other Investments

Securities of Other Investment Companies

The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other open- and closed-end investment companies, including affiliated registered investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company's expenses, and will remain subject to payment of the Fund's investment advisory and other fees and expenses with respect to assets so invested. Common Shareholders will therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent that the Fund invests in other investment companies. Expenses will be taken into account when evaluating the merits of such investments. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to certain leverage risks. The net asset value and market value of leveraged securities will be more volatile and the yield to stockholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged securities. Investment companies may have investment policies that differ from those of the Fund. If the Fund invests in


48



securities issued by an investment company that are not credit obligations, such investment will only count toward the Fund's 80% portfolio guideline if the investment company itself has a policy to invest at least 80% of its assets in credit obligations. If the Fund invests in affiliated registered investment companies, it is not anticipated that such investment companies would waive any sales load or other fees for the Fund.

Zero Coupon Bonds

Certain debt obligations purchased by the Fund may take the form of zero coupon bonds. A zero coupon bond is a bond that does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, its return comes from the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. Zero coupon bonds allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments and, as a result, may involve greater market risk and credit risk than bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. The Fund would be required to distribute the income on any of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, to make income distributions to its shareholders. Distributions attributable to the Fund's "original issue discount" income accruing on zero coupon bonds, and of all other ordinary income, will generally be taxable to the Common Shareholders as ordinary income. As a consequence of selling investments in order to make distributions of "original issue discount" income and other income in respect of which the Fund has not received a corresponding amount of cash, the Fund may realize additional income that gives rise to additional distribution requirements; distributions of such additional income may be taxable to the Common Shareholders as ordinary income or as long-term capital gain depending on which investments are sold. See "Tax Matters."

Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions to earn incremental income on temporarily available cash which would otherwise be uninvested. A repurchase agreement is a short-term investment in which the purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires ownership of a security and the seller agrees to repurchase the obligation at a future time and set price, thereby determining the yield during the holding period. Repurchase agreements involve certain risks in the event of default by the other party. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions deemed to be creditworthy.

Repurchase agreements are required to be fully collateralized by the underlying securities and are considered to be loans under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays for such securities only upon physical delivery or evidence of book entry transfer to the account of a custodian or bank acting as agent. The seller under a repurchase agreement will be required to maintain the value of the underlying collateral securities marked-to-market daily at not less than the repurchase price. The underlying securities (normally securities of the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities) may have maturity dates exceeding one year.

The Fund may borrow through entering into reverse repurchase agreements under which the Fund sells portfolio investments to financial institutions such as banks and broker-dealers and generally agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed future date and price. Generally, the effect of a reverse repurchase agreement is that, during the term of the agreement, the Fund can obtain and reinvest all or most of the cash value of the portfolio investment it sold under the agreement and still be entitled to the returns associated with such portfolio investment—thereby resulting in a transaction similar to a borrowing and giving rise to leverage for the Fund. The Fund may utilize reverse repurchase agreements when it is anticipated that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the proceeds of the transaction is greater than the interest expense of the transaction.

In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund's use of the proceeds of the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund's obligation to repurchase the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings under the 1940 Act unless the Fund segregates an amount of cash and/or liquid securities equal to the Fund's obligations under the reverse repurchase agreements (or segregates such other amount permitted by the 1940 Act or SEC guidance from time to time).

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities

The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a "when-issued" or "delayed delivery" basis whereby the Fund buys or sells a security with payment and delivery taking place in the future. The payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the Fund enters into the commitment. No income accrues to the Fund on securities


49



in connection with such transactions prior to the date the Fund actually takes delivery of such securities. These transactions are subject to market risk as the value or yield of a security at delivery may be more or less than the purchase price or the yield generally available on securities when delivery occurs. In addition, the Fund is subject to counterparty risk because it relies on the buyer or seller, as the case may be, to consummate the transaction, and failure by the other party to complete the transaction may result in the Fund missing the opportunity of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. When the Fund is the buyer in such a transaction, however, it will segregate cash and/or liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of such purchase commitments until payment is made. An increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.

Private Placements and Restricted Securities

The Fund may invest in securities which are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). These securities are generally referred to as private placements or restricted securities. Limitations on the resale of these securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at reasonable prices. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration.

The Fund has no liquidity limitation or restriction; thus, some or all of the Fund investments may be in illiquid securities. At times, private placements or restricted securities, as well as other securities in which the Fund may invest, may be deemed illiquid. Investments in illiquid securities tend to restrict the Fund's ability to dispose of instruments in a timely fashion and restrict the Fund's ability to take advantage of market opportunities.

Short Sales

The Fund may engage in short sales. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells an instrument that it does not own in anticipation that the market price will decline. To deliver the securities to the buyer, the Fund arranges through a broker to borrow the securities and, in so doing, the Fund becomes obligated to replace the securities borrowed at their market price at the time of replacement. When selling short, the Fund intends to replace the securities at a lower price and therefore, profit from the difference between the cost to replace the securities and the proceeds received from the sale of the securities. When the Fund makes a short sale, the proceeds it receives from the sale will be held on behalf of a broker until the Fund replaces the borrowed securities. The Fund may have to pay a premium to borrow the securities and must pay any dividends or interest payable on the securities until they are replaced. The Fund's obligation to replace the securities borrowed in connection with a short sale will be secured by collateral deposited with the broker that consists of cash and/or liquid securities. In addition, the Fund will place in a segregated account an amount of cash and/or liquid securities equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the market value of the securities sold at the time they were sold short, and (ii) any cash and/or liquid securities deposited as collateral with the broker in connection with the short sale. Short sales involve certain risks and special considerations. If the Fund incorrectly predicts that the price of the borrowed security will decline, the Fund will have to replace the securities with securities with a greater value than the amount received from the sale. As a result, losses from short sales differ from losses that could be incurred from a purchase of a security, because losses from short sales may be unlimited, whereas losses from purchases can equal only the total amount invested.

Warrants

Warrants give holders the right, but not the obligation, to buy common stock of an issuer at a given price, usually higher than the market price at the time of issuance, during a specified period. The risk of investing in a warrant is that the warrant may expire prior to the market value of the common stock exceeding the price fixed by the warrant. Warrants have a subordinate claim on a borrower's assets compared with Senior Loans. As a result, the values of warrants generally are dependent on the financial condition of the borrower and less dependent on fluctuations in interest rates than are the values of many debt securities. The values of warrants may be more volatile than those of Senior Loans and this may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.

Temporary Investments

During the period in which the net proceeds of this offering are being invested, in order to keep the Fund's cash fully invested and, for defensive purposes, during periods in which the Avenue Managers believe that changes in economic, financial or political conditions make it advisable to do so, the Fund may reduce its primary investment holdings (when taking a defensive position) and invest in certain short-term (less than one year to maturity) and medium-term (not greater than five years to maturity) debt securities or hold cash. The short-term and medium-term debt securities in which the Fund may invest consist of: (i) obligations of the U.S. government,


50



its agencies or instrumentalities; (ii) bank deposits and bank obligations (including certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances) of U.S. or foreign banks denominated in any currency; (iii) floating rate securities and other instruments denominated in any currency issued by various governments or international development agencies; (iv) finance company and corporate commercial paper and other short-term corporate debt obligations of U.S. or foreign corporations; (v) repurchase agreements with banks and broker-dealers with respect to such securities; and (vi) shares of money market funds. The Fund intends to invest for these temporary purposes only in short-term and medium-term debt securities that the Avenue Managers believe to be of high quality, i.e., subject to relatively low risk of loss of interest or principal. In taking such positions, the Fund temporarily would not be pursuing and may not achieve its investment objectives. It is impossible to predict when, or for how long, the Fund will use these alternative strategies. There can be no assurance that such strategies will be successful.

Use of Leverage and Related Risks

The Fund currently intends to utilize financial leverage for investment purposes (i.e., to purchase additional portfolio securities consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and primary investment strategy). Although the Fund currently intends to use leverage as discussed below, there can be no assurance that the Fund will utilize financial leverage or that, if utilized, the Fund will be successful during any period in which leverage is employed. Generally speaking, if the Fund can invest the proceeds from financial leverage in portfolio securities that have higher rates of return than the costs of such financial leverage and other expenses of the Fund, then the Common Shareholders would have a net benefit.

The Fund is permitted to obtain leverage using any form or combination of financial leverage instruments, including reverse repurchase agreements, credit facilities such as bank loans or commercial paper, and the issuance of preferred shares or notes. Following the completion of the Fund's initial public offering of Common Shares, and subject to prevailing market conditions, the Fund intends to use leveraging instruments to add financial leverage to its portfolio representing up to approximately 331/3% of the Fund's total assets (including the assets subject to, and obtained with the proceeds of, such instruments). The Fund's intention to limit its use of financial leverage to 331/3% of the Fund's total assets is not a fundamental policy of the Fund and may be changed without notice to the Fund's Common Shareholders. The Fund intends to use leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its leverage, or use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments, at any time based on the Fund's assessment of market conditions and the investment environment.

The 1940 Act generally limits the extent to which the Fund may utilize "uncovered" reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings, together with any other senior securities representing indebtedness. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after such incurrence the Fund has an asset coverage of at least 300% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the indebtedness (i.e., such indebtedness may not exceed 331/3% of the fund's total assets (including the proceeds from leverage)). Additionally, under the 1940 Act, the Fund generally may not declare any dividend or other distribution upon any class of its capital shares, or purchase any such capital shares, unless the aggregate indebtedness of the Fund has, at the time of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, or at the time of any such purchase, an asset coverage of at least 300% after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be. With respect to asset coverage for preferred shares, under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue preferred shares unless immediately after such issuance the net asset value of the Fund's portfolio is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred shares (i.e., such liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the Fund's total assets (less the Fund's obligations under uncovered reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings and other senior securities representing indebtedness)). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such distribution, the net asset value of the Fund's portfolio (determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution) is at least 200% of such liquidation value. If the Fund uses a combination of borrowing (including notes and other securities representing indebtedness) and issuing preferred shares, the maximum asset coverage required would be between 300% and 200% depending on the relative amounts of borrowings and preferred shares.

The asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act set forth in the foregoing paragraph would only apply to the Fund's "uncovered" reverse repurchase agreements. "Covered" reverse repurchase agreements will not be counted against the foregoing limits under the 1940 Act (although the proceeds of, and assets subject to, such agreements would still be counted as part of the Fund's total assets). A reverse repurchase agreement will be considered "covered" if the Fund segregates an amount of cash and/or liquid securities equal to the Fund's obligations under such reverse repurchase agreement (or segregates such other amounts as may be permitted by the 1940 Act or SEC guidance from time to time); otherwise, a reverse repurchase agreement will be considered "uncovered." The Fund may not cover a reverse repurchase agreement if it does not need to do so to comply with


51



the foregoing 1940 Act requirements and, in the view of an Avenue Manager, the assets that would have been used to cover could be better used for a different purpose.

The Fund's Board will regularly review the Fund's use of financial leverage (i.e., the relative costs and benefits of leverage on the Fund's Common Shares) and review the alternative means to leverage (i.e., the relative benefits and costs of using reverse repurchase agreements, credit facilities such as bank loans or commercial paper, the issuance of preferred shares or notes, or combinations thereof).

Leverage creates risks for holders of the Common Shares, including the likelihood of greater volatility in the net asset value and market price of, and distributions on, the Common Shares. There is a risk that fluctuations in the distribution rates on any outstanding preferred shares or notes may adversely affect the return to the holders of the Common Shares. If the income from the investments purchased with such funds is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage, the return on the Fund will be less than if leverage had not been used, and therefore the amount available for distribution to Common Shareholders will be reduced. The Fund in its reasonable judgment nevertheless may determine to maintain the Fund's leveraged position if it deems such action to be appropriate in the circumstances.

Changes in the value of the Fund's investment portfolio (including investments bought with the proceeds of leverage) will be borne entirely by the Common Shareholders. If there is a net decrease (or increase) in the value of the Fund's investment portfolio, the leverage will decrease (or increase) the net asset value per Common Share to a greater extent than if the Fund were not leveraged. The use of leverage by the Fund may magnify the Fund's losses when there is a decrease in the value of a Fund investment and even totally eliminate the Fund's equity in its portfolio or a Common Shareholder's equity in the Fund. During periods in which the Fund is using leverage, the fees paid by the Fund for investment advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the investment advisory fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund's Managed Assets, which include proceeds from leverage. As discussed under "Description of Capital Structure," if preferred shares are used, holders of preferred shares will have rights to elect a minimum of two trustees. This voting power may negatively affect Common Shareholders, and the interests of holders of preferred shares may otherwise differ from the interests of Common Shareholders. Any trustees elected by preferred shareholders will represent both Common Shareholders as well as holders of preferred shares. Such trustees may have a conflict of interest when the interests of Common Shareholders differ from those of holders of preferred shares.

Capital raised through leverage will be subject to distribution and/or interest payments, which may exceed the income and appreciation on the assets purchased. The issuance of preferred shares or notes involves offering expenses and other costs and may limit the Fund's freedom to pay distributions on Common Shares or to engage in other activities. All costs of offering and servicing any of the leverage methods the Fund may use will be borne entirely by the Fund's Common Shareholders. The interests of persons with whom the Fund enters into leverage arrangements (such as, bank lenders, note holders and preferred shareholders) will not necessarily be aligned with the interests of the Fund's Common Shareholders and such persons will have claims on the Fund's assets that are senior to those of the Fund's Common Shareholders. Leverage creates an opportunity for a greater return per Common Share, but at the same time it is a speculative technique that will increase the Fund's exposure to capital risk. Unless the income and appreciation, if any, on assets acquired with leverage exceeds the cost of such leverage, the use of leverage will diminish the investment performance of the Fund's Common Shares compared with what it would have been without leverage.

Any lender in connection with a credit facility may impose specific restrictions as a condition to borrowing. The credit facility fees may include, among other things, up front structuring fees and ongoing commitment fees (including fees on amounts undrawn on the facility) in addition to the traditional interest expense on amounts borrowed. The credit facility may involve a lien on the Fund's assets. Similarly, to the extent the Fund issues preferred shares or notes, the Fund currently intends to seek an AAA or equivalent credit rating from one or more NRSROs on any preferred shares or notes it issues and the Fund may be subject to fees, covenants and investment restrictions required by the NRSRO as a result. Such covenants and restrictions imposed by a NRSRO or lender may include asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or restrictions will significantly impede the Avenue Managers in managing the Fund's portfolio in accordance with its investment objectives and policies. Nonetheless, if these covenants or guidelines are more restrictive than those imposed by the 1940 Act, the Fund may not be able to utilize as much leverage as it otherwise could have, which could reduce the Fund's investment returns. In addition, the Fund expects that any notes or a credit facility/commercial paper program would contain covenants that, among other things, will likely impose geographic exposure limitations, credit quality minimums, liquidity minimums, concentration limitations and currency hedging requirements on the Fund. These covenants


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would also likely limit the Fund's ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations. Such restrictions could cause the Avenue Managers to make different investment decisions than if there were no such restrictions and could limit the ability of the Board and Common Shareholders to change fundamental investment policies.

The Fund must distribute in each taxable year at least 90% of its net investment income (including net interest income and net short-term gain) to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies. The Fund also will be required to distribute annually substantially all of its income and capital gain, if any, to avoid imposition of a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax. Prohibitions on dividends and other distributions on the Fund's Common Shares could impair the Fund's ability to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code.

If the Fund is precluded from making distributions on the Common Shares because of any applicable asset coverage requirements, the terms of the preferred shares (if any) may provide that any amounts so precluded from being distributed, but required to be distributed for the Fund to meet the distribution requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company, will be paid to the holders of the preferred shares as a special distribution. This distribution can be expected to decrease the amount that holders of preferred shares would be entitled to receive upon redemption or liquidation of the shares.

If the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company or failed to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in any taxable year, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its taxable income, including its net capital gain, even if such income were distributed to its shareholders, and all distributions out of earnings and profits would be taxed to shareholders as ordinary dividend income. Requalifying as a regulated investment company could subject the Fund to significant tax costs. See "Tax Matters—Taxation of the Fund" in the SAI.

The Fund's willingness to utilize leverage, and the amount of leverage the Fund will assume, will depend on many factors, the most important of which are market conditions and interest rates. Successful use of a leveraging strategy may depend on the Fund's ability to predict correctly interest rates and market movements, and there is no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. Any leveraging of the Common Shares cannot be achieved until the proceeds resulting from the use of leverage have been invested in accordance with the Fund's investment objectives and policies.

The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effects of leverage on Common Share total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (consisting of income and changes in the value of investments held in the Fund's portfolio) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns expected to be experienced by the Fund. The table assumes that the Fund adds financial leverage to its portfolio through bank borrowings representing 331/3% of the Fund's total assets (including the assets subject to, and obtained with the proceeds of, such instruments) with an estimated annual interest rate of 1.65%.

Assumed portfolio return (net of expenses)     (10 )%     (5 )%     0 %     5 %     10 %  
Corresponding Common Share return assuming
331/3% leverage through bank borrowings
    (15.83 )%     (8.33 )%     (.83 )%     6.68 %     14.18 %  

 

Common Share total return is composed of two elements—the Common Share dividends paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the net investment income of the Fund) and gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the tables above assume that the Fund is more likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, to assume a total return of 0% the Fund must assume that the interest it receives on its investments is entirely offset by losses in the value of those investments.

Until the Fund enters into reverse repurchase agreements or other transactions that may give rise to a form of leverage, enters into a credit facility and/or issues preferred shares or notes, the Common Shares will not be leveraged, and the risks and special considerations related to leverage described in this prospectus will not apply.

In addition to leverage for investment purposes, the Fund may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of distributions and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Fund investments.


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RISK FACTORS

Market Risk

Market risk is the possibility that the market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline. The values of fixed income securities tend to fall as interest rates rise, and such declines tend to be greater among fixed income securities with longer remaining maturities. Market risk is often greater among certain types of fixed income securities, such as zero coupon bonds which do not make regular interest payments but are instead bought at a discount to their face values and paid in full upon maturity. As interest rates change, these securities often fluctuate more in price than securities that make regular interest payments and therefore subject the Fund to greater market risk than a fund that does not own these types of securities. The values of adjustable, variable or floating rate income securities tend to have less fluctuation in response to changes in interest rates, but will have some fluctuation particularly when the next interest rate adjustment on such security is further away in time or adjustments are limited in number over time. The Fund has no policy limiting the maturity of credit obligations it purchases. Such obligations often have mandatory and optional prepayment provisions and because of prepayments, the actual remaining maturity of loans and debts may be considerably less than their stated maturity. Obligations with longer remaining maturities or durations generally expose the Fund to more market risk. When-issued and delayed delivery transactions are subject to changes in market conditions from the time of the commitment until settlement. This may adversely affect the prices or yields of the securities being purchased. The greater the Fund's outstanding commitments for these securities, the greater the Fund's exposure to market price fluctuations. Interest rate risk can be considered a type of market risk.

Credit Risk

Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a security will be unable to make timely interest payments and/or repay the principal on its debt. Because the Fund may invest, without limitation, in securities that are below investment grade, the Fund is subject to a greater degree of credit risk than a fund investing primarily in investment grade securities. Below investment grade securities (that is, securities rated Ba or lower by Moody's or BB or lower by S&P) are commonly referred to as "junk" securities. Generally, lower-grade securities provide a higher yield than higher-grade securities of similar maturity but are subject to greater risks, such as greater credit risk, greater market risk and volatility, greater liquidity concerns and potentially greater manager risk. Such securities are generally regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuers' capacity to pay interest or repay principal in accordance with their terms. Lower-grade securities are more susceptible to non-payment of interest and principal and default than higher-grade securities and are more sensitive to specific issuer developments or real or perceived general adverse economic changes than higher-grade securities. The market for lower-grade securities may also have less information available than the market for other securities, further complicating evaluations and valuations of such securities and placing more emphasis on the experience, judgment and analysis of each of the Avenue Managers with respect to the portion of the Fund's portfolio that each manages.

The Fund may invest in credit obligations of stressed issuers including those that are in covenant or payment default. Such obligations are subject to a multitude of legal, industry, market, economic and governmental forces each of which make analysis of these companies inherently difficult. The Avenue Managers rely on company management, outside experts, market participants and personal experience to analyze potential investments. There can be no assurance that any of these sources will provide credible information, or that each of the Adviser's and the Subadviser's analysis will produce conclusions that lead to profitable investments for the portion of the Fund's portfolio that each manages. Obligations of stressed issuers generally trade significantly below par and are considered speculative. The repayment of defaulted obligations is subject to significant uncertainties. Defaulted obligations might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings or result in only partial recovery of cash payments or an exchange of the defaulted obligation for other debt or equity securities of the issuer or its affiliates, which may in turn be illiquid or speculative.

There are a number of significant risks inherent in the bankruptcy process. Many events in a bankruptcy are the product of contested matters and adversary proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. A bankruptcy court may approve actions that would be contrary to the interests of the Fund. A bankruptcy filing by an issuer may cause such issuer to lose its market position and key employees and otherwise become incapable of restoring itself as a viable entity, and its liquidation value may be less than its value was believed to be at the time of investment. In addition, the duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is difficult to predict and as such, a creditor's return on investment can be adversely affected by delays while the plan of reorganization is being negotiated, approved by the creditors and confirmed by the bankruptcy court and until it ultimately becomes effective. The administrative costs in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and would be paid out of the debtor's estate prior to any return to creditors. Further, in the early stages of the bankruptcy process it is often


54



difficult to estimate the extent of any contingent claims that might be made and, as such, there is a risk that the Fund's influence with respect to the class of obligations it owns could be lost by increases in the number and amount of claims in that class or by different classification and treatment. A creditor, such as the Fund, can also lose its ranking and priority if it is determined that such creditor exercised "domination and control" over a debtor and other creditors can demonstrate that they have been harmed by such actions. In addition, certain claims have priority by law, such as claims for taxes, which may be substantial and could affect the ability of the Fund to be repaid.

In any investment involving stressed debt obligations, there is a risk that the transaction involving such debt obligations will be unsuccessful, take considerable time or will result in a distribution of cash or a new security or obligation in exchange for the stressed debt obligations, the value of which may be less than the Fund's purchase price of such obligations. Furthermore, if an anticipated transaction does not occur, the Fund may be required to sell its investment at a loss. However, investments in equity securities obtained through debt restructurings or bankruptcy proceedings may be illiquid and thus difficult or impossible to sell.

Interest Rate and Income Risk

The income you receive from the Fund is based in large part on interest rates, which can vary widely over the short and long term. If interest rates drop, your income from the Fund may drop as well. The more the Fund invests in adjustable, variable or floating rate securities or in securities susceptible to prepayment risk, the greater the Fund's income risk. Market interest rates are at or near their lowest levels in many years and thus there is a substantial risk that the Fund's portfolio will decline in value as interest rates rise.

Prepayment or Call Risk

If interest rates fall, it is possible that issuers of fixed income securities with high interest rates will prepay or "call" their securities before their maturity dates. In this event, the proceeds from the prepaid or called securities would likely be reinvested by the Fund in securities bearing the new, lower interest rates, resulting in a possible decline in the Fund's income and distributions to shareholders.

Risks of Senior Loans

There is less readily available and reliable information about most Senior Loans than is the case for many other types of instruments, including listed securities. Senior Loans are not listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system and as such, many Senior Loans are illiquid, meaning that the Fund may not be able to sell them quickly at a fair price. To the extent that a secondary market does exist for certain Senior Loans, the market is more volatile than for liquid, listed securities and may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. The market for Senior Loans could be disrupted in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase or decrease in interest rates, resulting in fluctuations in the Fund's net asset value and difficulty in valuing the Fund's portfolio of Senior Loans. Although the Avenue Managers believe that the Fund's investments in adjustable rate Senior Loans could limit fluctuations in the Fund's net asset value as a result of changes in interest rates, extraordinary and sudden changes in interest rates could nevertheless disrupt the market for such Senior Loans and result in fluctuations in the Fund's net asset value and difficulty in valuing the Fund's portfolio of Senior Loans.

Senior Loans, like most other debt obligations, are subject to the risk of default. Default in the payment of interest or principal on a Senior Loan will result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the Senior Loan and a potential decrease in the Fund's net asset value. The risk of default will increase in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase in interest rates. Each of the Avenue Managers relies primarily on its own evaluation of borrower credit quality rather than on any available independent sources. As a result, the Fund is particularly dependent on the analytical abilities of the Avenue Managers.

The Fund may acquire or hold Senior Loans of borrowers that are experiencing, or are more likely to experience, financial difficulty, including Senior Loans issued to highly leveraged borrowers or borrowers that have filed for bankruptcy protection. Borrowers may have outstanding debt obligations, including Senior Loans, that are rated below investment grade. The Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in Senior Loans that are rated below investment grade or that are unrated at the time of purchase but are deemed by the Adviser or Subadviser to be of comparable quality. If a Senior Loan is rated at the time of purchase, the Fund may consider the rating when evaluating the Senior Loan but, in any event, does not view ratings as a determinative factor in investment decisions. As a result, the Fund is dependent on the credit analytical abilities of the Avenue Managers. Because of the protective terms of Senior Loans, the Avenue Managers believe that the Fund is more likely to recover more of its investment in a defaulted Senior Loan than would be the case for most other types of defaulted


55



credit obligations. The values of Senior Loans of borrowers that have filed for bankruptcy protection or that are experiencing payment difficulty could be affected by, among other things, the assessment of the likelihood that the lenders ultimately will receive repayment of the principal amount of such Senior Loans, the likely duration, if any, of a lapse in the scheduled payment of interest and repayment of principal and prevailing interest rates. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to recover any amount on Senior Loans of such borrowers or that sale of the collateral granted in connection with Senior Loans would raise enough cash to satisfy the borrower's payment obligation or that the collateral can or will be liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy, liquidation may not occur and the bankruptcy court may not give lenders the full benefit of their senior position in the capital structure of the borrower.

The Fund may act as an original lender under Senior Loans or may acquire Senior Loans through assignments or participations. The Fund may make Senior Loans to, or acquire Senior Loans of, borrowers that, at the time of the making or acquisition of the loan by the Fund, are experiencing, or are likely to experience, financial difficulty (including highly leveraged borrowers) and such loans may constitute a material amount of the Fund's portfolio. The Fund will not make Senior Loans to, or acquire Senior Loans of, borrowers that, at the time of the making or acquisition of the loan by the Fund, are in bankruptcy.

If the Fund acquires a Senior Loan through an assignment agreement, it will typically succeed to all the rights and obligations of the assigning institution and become a lender under the credit agreement with respect to the debt obligation purchased; however, its rights can be more restricted than those of the assigning institution, and, in any event, the Fund may not be able to unilaterally enforce all rights and remedies of the lenders under the loan agreement and with regard to any associated collateral. If the Fund acquires an interest in a Senior Loan through a participation agreement, the Fund will enter into a contractual relationship with the institution selling the participation, not with the borrower. In purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement or any rights of setoff against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation. When purchasing a participation, the applicable Avenue Manager will analyze the credit risk posed by the institution selling the participation. Each of the Avenue Managers relies primarily on its own evaluation of the credit quality of such selling institutions rather than on any available independent sources. As a result, the Fund is particularly dependent on the analytical abilities of the Avenue Managers. Because of the nature of its investments, the Fund may be subject to allegations of lender liability and other claims. See "Risk Factors—Lender Liability Risk." In addition, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), deems certain persons to be "underwriters" if they purchase a security from an issuer and later sell it to the public. Although it is not believed that the application of this Securities Act provision would cause the Fund to be engaged in the business of underwriting, a person who purchases an instrument from the Fund that was acquired by the Fund from the issuer of such instrument could allege otherwise. Under the Securities Act, an underwriter may be liable for material omissions or misstatements in an issuer's registration statement or prospectus.

Risks of Second Lien or Other Subordinated or Unsecured Loans or Debt

Second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt generally are subject to similar risks as those associated with investments in Senior Loans. In addition, because second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt are subordinated in payment and/or lower in lien priority to Senior Loans, they are subject to additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing the loan or debt, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the senior secured obligations of the borrower. This risk is generally higher for subordinated unsecured loans or debt, which are not backed by a security interest in any specific collateral. Second lien or subordinated loans or debt, both secured and unsecured, are expected to have greater price volatility than Senior Loans and may be less liquid. There is also a possibility that originators will not be able to sell participations in second lien loans and subordinated loans or debt, both secured and unsecured, which would create greater credit risk exposure. Second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt of below investment grade quality share risks similar to those associated with investments in other below investment grade securities and obligations.

Risks of Structured Products

The Fund may invest in structured products, including CDOs, CBOs, CLOs, structured notes, credit-linked notes and other types of structured products. Holders of structured products bear risks of the underlying investments, index or reference obligation and are subject to counterparty risk. The Fund may have the right to receive payments to which it is entitled only from the issuer of the structured product, and generally does not have


56



direct rights against the issuer of, or the entity that sold, assets underlying the structured product. While certain structured products enable the investor to acquire interests in a pool of securities without the brokerage and other expenses associated with directly holding the same securities, investors in structured products generally pay their share of the structured product's administrative and other expenses. When investing in structured products, it is impossible to predict whether the underlying index or prices of the underlying assets will rise or fall, but prices of the underlying indices and assets (and, therefore, the prices of structured products) will be influenced by the same types of political and economic events that affect particular issuers of securities and capital markets generally. Certain structured products may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing the Fund's illiquidity to the extent that the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for, and may have difficulty valuing, these securities.

CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are typically privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CDOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities; however an active dealer market may exist for CDOs allowing a CDO to be considered liquid in some circumstances. In addition to the general risks associated with fixed income securities discussed herein, CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or the collateral may go into default; (iii) the possibility that the CDOs are subordinate to other classes of obligations issued by the same issuer; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.

Investments in structured notes involve risks including income risk, credit risk and market risk. Recent market conditions have magnified the risks related to an investment in structured products, including greater volatility, increased lack of liquidity and significant losses in value. Where the return on a structured note held by the Fund is based upon the movement of one or more factors, including currency exchange rates, interest rates, referenced bonds and stock indices, depending on the factor used and the use of multipliers or deflators, changes in interest rates and movement of the factor may cause significant fluctuations in the price of the structured note. Additionally, changes in the reference instrument or security may cause the interest rate on the structured note to be reduced to zero and any further changes in the reference instrument may then reduce the principal amount payable on maturity. Structured notes may be less liquid than other types of securities and more volatile than the reference instrument or security underlying the note.

Counterparty Risk

Changes in the credit quality of the companies that serve as the Fund's counterparties with respect to derivatives, swaps or other transactions supported by the counterparty's credit will affect the value of those instruments. Certain entities that have served as counterparties in the markets for these transactions have recently incurred significant financial hardships including bankruptcy and losses as a result of exposure to subprime mortgages or other lower quality credit investments that have experienced recent defaults or otherwise suffered extreme credit deterioration. As a result, such hardships have reduced such entities' capital and called into question their continued ability to perform their obligations under such transactions. By using derivatives, swaps or other transactions, the Fund assumes the risk that its counterparties could experience similar financial hardships. In the event of default, or the insolvency of a counterparty, the Fund may sustain losses or be unable to liquidate a derivative or swap position. The Fund and the Avenue Managers seek to deal only with counterparties of high creditworthiness. To that end, the Avenue Managers have adopted Broker-Dealer Approval Policies and Procedures that, if applicable, they will follow in considering counterparty creditworthiness. All of the Fund's broker-dealer counterparties (including broker-dealer derivative counterparties) will be subject to approval by the Avenue Managers' risk and compliance groups. The Avenue Managers' risk group will also monitor approved counterparties on an ongoing basis and will evaluate and assess the creditworthiness of these counterparties on a quarterly basis.

Below Investment Grade (High-Yield or Junk Bond) Securities Risk

Fixed income securities rated below investment grade generally offer a higher current yield than that available from higher grade issues, but typically involve greater risk. These securities are especially sensitive to adverse changes in general economic conditions, to changes in the financial condition of their issuers and to price fluctuation in response to changes in interest rates. During periods of economic downturn or rising interest rates, issuers of below investment grade instruments may experience financial stress that could adversely affect their ability to make payments of principal and interest and increase the possibility of default. The secondary market for high-yield securities may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor which


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may have an adverse effect on the Fund's ability to dispose of a particular security. There are fewer dealers in the market for high-yield securities than for investment grade obligations. The prices quoted by different dealers may vary significantly, and the spread between the bid and asked price is generally much larger for high-yield securities than for higher quality instruments. Under continuing adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for high-yield securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer, and these securities may become illiquid. In addition, adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and liquidity of below investment grade securities, especially in a market characterized by a low volume of trading.

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed (or Mortgage-Related) Instruments Risk

To the extent the Fund invests in asset-backed and mortgage-backed (or mortgage-related) securities or other instruments, its exposure to prepayment and extension risks may be greater than other investments in fixed income instruments. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage-backed (or mortgage-related) instruments, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. In addition, mortgage-backed (or mortgage-related) instruments are subject to prepayment risk—the risk that borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected, particularly when interest rates decline. This can reduce the Fund's returns because the Fund may have to reinvest that money at lower prevailing interest rates. The Fund's investments in other asset-backed instruments, such as securities backed by car loans, are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-backed (or mortgage-related) securities.

Privately issued asset-backed and mortgage-backed (or mortgage-related) instruments are typically not traded on an exchange and may have a limited market. Without an active trading market, these instruments may be particularly difficult to value given the complexities in valuing the underlying collateral. Unlike many mortgage-backed (or mortgage-related) instruments issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or a government-sponsored enterprise (such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, or Fannie Mae), asset-backed and mortgage-backed (or mortgage-related) instruments issued by private issuers do not have a government or government-sponsored enterprise guarantee and may, and frequently do, have less favorable collateral, credit risk or other characteristics. Although instruments issued by a government-sponsored enterprise are sometimes considered to carry an implicit guarantee from the U.S. government, there can be no assurance that the U.S. government would in fact guarantee such instruments.

Risks of Swaps

The Fund may enter into swap transactions, including credit default, total return, index and interest rate swap agreements, as well as options thereon, and may purchase or sell interest rate caps, floors and collars. Such transactions are subject to market risk, risk of default by the other party to the transaction (i.e., counterparty risk), risk of imperfect correlation and manager risk and may involve commissions or other costs. Swaps generally do not involve delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swaps generally is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make, or in the case of the other party to a swap defaulting, the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. Caps, floors and collars are more recent innovations for which standardized documentation has not yet been fully developed and, accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps. If an Avenue Manager is incorrect in its forecast of market values, interest rates or currency exchange rates, the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if these investment techniques were not used.

In addition, recent market developments related to swaps have prompted increased scrutiny with respect to these instruments. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, swaps may in the future be subject to increased regulation. Such regulation may limit the Fund's ability to use swaps and increase the cost of using swaps.

Financial Leverage Risk

The Fund is permitted to obtain leverage using any form or combination of financial leverage instruments, including reverse repurchase agreements, credit facilities such as bank loans or commercial paper, and the issuance of preferred shares or notes. The Fund intends to use leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its leverage, or use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments, at any time based on the Fund's assessment of market conditions and the investment environment.

There can be no assurance that a financial leveraging strategy will be utilized by the Fund or that, if utilized, it will be successful during any period in which it is employed. Leverage creates risks for Common Shareholders,


58



including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of, and distributions on, the Common Shares and the risk that fluctuations in the costs to borrow, or in the distribution or interest rates on any preferred shares or notes, may affect the return to Common Shareholders. To the extent the income derived from investments purchased with proceeds received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, the Fund's distributions will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income from the investments purchased with such proceeds is not sufficient to cover the cost of the financial leverage, the amount available for distribution to Common Shareholders will be less than if leverage had not been used. In the latter case, the Fund may nevertheless maintain its leveraged position if such action is deemed to be appropriate based on market conditions. If preferred shares are used, holders of preferred shares will have rights to elect a minimum of two trustees. This voting power may negatively affect Common Shareholders (or the interests of holders of preferred shares may differ from the interests of Common Shareholders). The use of leverage by the Fund may magnify the Fund's losses when there is a decrease in the value of a Fund investment and even totally eliminate the Fund's equity in its portfolio or a Common Shareholder's equity in the Fund. See "Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Use of Leverage and Related Risks."

The costs of a financial leverage program (including the costs of offering preferred shares and notes) will be borne by Common Shareholders and consequently will result in a reduction of the net asset value of Common Shares. During periods in which the Fund is using leverage, the fees paid by the Fund for investment advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the investment advisory fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund's Managed Assets, which includes proceeds from (and assets subject to) reverse repurchase agreements, any credit facility and any issuance of preferred shares or notes, so that the investment advisory fees payable to the Avenue Managers will be higher when leverage is utilized. This will create a conflict of interest between the Avenue Managers, on the one hand, and Common Shareholders, on the other hand. Fees and expenses in respect of financial leverage, as well as the investment advisory fee and all other expenses of the Fund, will be borne entirely by the Common Shareholders, and not by preferred shareholders, noteholders or any other leverage providers.

Any lender in connection with a credit facility may impose specific restrictions as a condition to borrowing. The credit facility fees may include, among other things, up front structuring fees and ongoing commitment fees (including fees on amounts undrawn on the facility) in addition to the traditional interest expense on amounts borrowed. The credit facility may involve a lien on the Fund's assets. Similarly, to the extent the Fund issues preferred shares or notes, the Fund currently intends to seek an AAA or equivalent credit rating from one or more NRSROs on any preferred shares or notes it issues and the Fund may be subject to fees, covenants and investment restrictions required by the NRSRO as a result. Such covenants and restrictions imposed by a NRSRO or lender may include asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or restrictions will significantly impede the Avenue Managers in managing the Fund's portfolio in accordance with its investment objectives and policies. Nonetheless, if these covenants or guidelines are more restrictive than those imposed by the 1940 Act, the Fund may not be able to utilize as much leverage as it otherwise could have, which could reduce the Fund's investment returns. See "Description of Capital Structure—Preferred Shares and—Credit Facility/Commercial Paper Program/Notes."

The Fund also expects to enter into other transactions that may give rise to a form of leverage including, among others, swaps, futures and forward contracts, options and other derivative transactions. To the extent that the Fund covers its obligations under such other transactions, as described in this prospectus, such transactions should not be treated as borrowings for purposes of the 1940 Act. However, these transactions, even if covered, may represent a form of economic leverage and will create risks. The potential loss on derivative instruments may be substantial relative to the initial investment therein. See "Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Portfolio Composition", "—Structured Products", "—Swaps" and "—Other Derivative Instruments"; and "Risk Factors—Risks of Structured Products", "—Risks of Swaps" and "—Risks of Other Derivative Instruments."

Foreign Securities Risk

The Fund will invest in credit obligations of issuers that are organized or located in countries other than the United States, including non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. Investing in non-U.S. issuers involves risks, including that non-U.S. issuers may be subject to less rigorous accounting and reporting requirements than U.S. issuers, less rigorous regulatory requirements, different legal systems and laws relating to creditors' rights, the potential inability to enforce legal judgments, the potential for political, social and economic adversity and currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and non-U.S.


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currencies may negatively affect an investment. The value of investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies may fluctuate based on changes in the value of those currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, and a decline in such relative value could reduce the value of such investments held by the Fund.

The foreign securities in which the Fund may invest may be issued by companies or governments located in emerging market countries. Investing in the securities of issuers operating in emerging markets involves a high degree of risk and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the securities of other foreign or U.S. issuers. Compared to the United States and other developed countries, emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries and securities markets that trade a small number of securities. Securities issued by companies or governments located in emerging market countries tend to be especially volatile and may be less liquid than securities traded in developed countries. Securities in these countries have been characterized by greater potential loss than securities of companies and governments located in developed countries. Investments in the securities of issuers located in emerging markets could be affected by risks associated with expropriation and/or nationalization, political or social instability, pervasiveness of corruption and crime, armed conflict, the impact on the economy of civil war, religious or ethnic unrest and the withdrawal or non-renewal of any license enabling the Fund to trade in securities of a particular country, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on transfers of assets, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, less publicly available financial and other information, diplomatic development which could affect U.S. investments in those countries and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations.

Since the Fund may invest in credit obligations of foreign issuers denominated in the local currency, changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of credit obligations in the Fund's portfolio and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments. In addition to changes in the value of the Fund's portfolio investments resulting from currency fluctuations, the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The Fund may also invest directly in currencies for hedging purposes. The Fund is subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. For example, the recent debt crisis in certain European countries could cause the value of the Euro to deteriorate. The values of the currencies of the emerging market countries in which the Fund may invest may be subject to a high degree of fluctuation due to changes in interest rates, the effects of monetary policies of the United States, foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities, the imposition of currency controls or due to other national or global political or economic developments. Foreign exchange dealers realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer normally will offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire immediately to resell that currency to the dealer. The Fund will conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into forward, futures or options contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. Therefore, the Fund's exposure to foreign currencies may result in reduced returns to the Fund. The Fund may, from time to time, seek to protect the value of some portion or all of its portfolio holdings against currency risks by engaging in currency hedging transactions. Such transactions may include entering into forward currency exchange contracts, currency futures contracts and options on such futures contracts, as well as purchasing put or call options on currencies, in U.S. or foreign markets. Currency hedging involves risks, including possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of hedging could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. In addition, in certain countries in which the Fund may invest, currency hedging opportunities may not be available. The use of currency transactions can result in the Fund incurring losses because of the imposition of exchange controls, suspension of settlements or the inability of the Fund to deliver or receive a specified currency. See "Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Portfolio Composition", "—Foreign Securities" and "—Foreign currency transactions."

The Fund will compute and expects to distribute its income in U.S. dollars, and the computation of income is made on the date that the income is earned by the Fund at the foreign exchange rate in effect on that date. If the value of the foreign currencies in which the Fund receives its income falls relative to the U.S. dollar between the date of earning of the income and the time at which the Fund converts the foreign currencies to U.S. dollars, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities in order to make distributions if the Fund has insufficient cash in U.S. dollars to meet distribution requirements. See "Distributions" and "Dividend Reinvestment Plan." The liquidation of investments, if required, may have an adverse impact on the Fund's performance.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk

Investments in government debt securities involve special risks. Certain countries have historically experienced, and may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange rate fluctuations,


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large amounts of external debt, balance of payments and trade difficulties and extreme poverty and unemployment. The issuer or governmental authority that controls the repayment of a country's debt may not be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt. A debtor's willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation and, in the case of a government debtor, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government debtor's policy towards the International Monetary Fund and the political constraints to which a government debtor may be subject.

Government debtors may default on their debt and may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others abroad to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The commitment on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on a debtor's implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor's obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties' commitments to lend funds to the government debtor, which may further impair such debtor's ability or willingness to service its debts on a timely basis. Holders of government debt, potentially including the Fund, may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to government debtors.

As a result of the foregoing, a government obligor may default on its obligations. If such an event occurs, the Fund may have limited legal recourse against the issuer and/or guarantor. Remedies must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself, and the ability of the holder of foreign government debt securities to obtain recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant country.

Risks of Other Derivative Instruments

The Fund may utilize options, forward contracts, futures contracts and options on futures contracts. These instruments involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, the possible default by the other party to the transaction (i.e., counterparty risk), illiquidity of the derivative instrument and, to the extent the prediction as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such instruments could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. In addition, transactions in such instruments may involve commissions and other costs, which may increase the Fund's expenses and reduce its return. Amounts paid as premiums and cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to such instruments are not otherwise available to the Fund for investment purposes.

Further, the use of such instruments by the Fund could create the possibility that losses on the instrument would be greater than gains in the value of the Fund's position. In addition, futures and options markets could be illiquid in some circumstances, and certain over-the-counter options could have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a position without incurring substantial losses. To the extent that the Fund utilizes forward contracts, futures contracts or options transactions for hedging, such transactions should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position and, at the same time, limit any potential gain to the Fund that might result from an increase in value of the position. In addition, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of call options, in which case the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium and transaction costs. Losses resulting from the use of hedging will reduce the Fund's net asset value, and possibly income, and the losses can be greater than if hedging had not been used. Forward contracts may limit gains on portfolio securities that could otherwise be realized had they not been utilized and could result in losses. The contracts may also increase the Fund's volatility and may involve a significant amount of risk relative to the investment of cash. The use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund, force the sale of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than at current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to any transactions in options, forward contracts, futures contracts or options on futures contracts. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.

When conducted outside the United States, transactions in options, forward contracts, futures contracts or options on futures contracts may not be regulated as rigorously as in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the


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prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors; (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions; (iii) delays in the Fund's ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States; (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (v) lower trading volume and liquidity.

Non-Diversification Risk

The Fund is classified as "non-diversified" under the 1940 Act. As a result, it can invest a greater portion of its assets in obligations of a single issuer than a "diversified" fund. The Fund may therefore be more susceptible than a diversified fund to being adversely affected by a single corporate, economic, political or regulatory occurrence. The Fund, however, does intend to satisfy the less stringent diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the Code in order to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies. For a discussion of these diversification requirements, see "Tax Matters—Taxation of the Fund" in the SAI.

Concentration Risk

Because the Fund may invest a high percentage of its assets in a relatively small number of issuers, the Fund is more susceptible to any single economic, market, political or regulatory event affecting those issuers than is a more broadly diversified fund.

Lender Liability Risk

A number of U.S. judicial decisions have upheld judgments for borrowers against lending institutions on the basis of various evolving legal theories, collectively termed "lender liability." Generally, lender liability is founded on the premise that a lender has violated a duty (whether implied or contractual) of good faith, commercial reasonableness and fair dealing, or a similar duty owed to the borrower or has assumed an excessive degree of control over the borrower resulting in the creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or its other creditors or shareholders. Because of the nature of its investments, the Fund may be subject to allegations of lender liability.

In addition, under common law principles that in some cases form the basis for lender liability claims, if a lender or bondholder (a) intentionally takes an action that results in the undercapitalization of a borrower to the detriment of other creditors of such borrower, (b) engages in other inequitable conduct to the detriment of such other creditors, (c) engages in fraud with respect to, or makes misrepresentations to, such other creditors or (d) uses its influence as a stockholder to dominate or control a borrower to the detriment of other creditors of such borrower, a court may elect to subordinate the claim of the offending lender or bondholder to the claims of the disadvantaged creditor or creditors, a remedy called "equitable subordination."

Because affiliates of, or persons related to, the Adviser or the Subadviser may hold equity or other interests in obligors of the Fund, the Fund could be exposed to claims for equitable subordination or lender liability or both based on such equity or other holdings.

Net Asset Value Discount Risk

Frequently, shares of closed-end investment companies, such as the Fund, trade at a price below their net asset value, commonly referred to as a "discount." Historically, shares of closed-end funds, have traded at a discount to their net asset value, and the Fund can provide no assurance that its Common Shares will trade at or above their net asset value. Immediately following the offering, the net asset value of the Fund's Common Shares will be reduced by offering expenses paid by the Fund (and the net asset value will also reflect to the Fund that the proceeds to the Fund from the offering were reduced by the sales load). Because the market price of the Fund's Common Shares may be determined by factors such as net asset value, there is an increased risk that the Fund will trade below its offering price for a period following the offering. Therefore, there is an added risk to investors who may sell their shares shortly after the offering. Before making an investment decision, a prospective investor should consider the suitability of this investment with respect to the investor's investment objectives and personal situation. See "Description of Capital Structure."

Manager Risk

As with any managed fund, neither of the Avenue Managers may be successful in selecting the best-performing investments or investment techniques in managing its respective portion of the Fund's portfolio, and the Fund's performance may lag behind that of similar funds. The Adviser has not previously managed a registered investment company.


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Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk

Because the Avenue Managers may manage assets for other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and/or other accounts (including institutional clients, pension plans and certain high net worth individuals), there may be an incentive to favor one client over another resulting in conflicts of interest. For instance, the Adviser or the Subadviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fees received from the Fund, or receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts. In those instances, the portfolio managers may have an incentive to favor the higher and/or performance-based fee accounts over the Fund. In addition, a conflict of interest could exist to the extent the Adviser or the Subadviser has proprietary investments in certain accounts, where portfolio managers have personal investments in certain accounts or when certain accounts are investment options in the Adviser's or the Subadviser's employee benefits plans. The Avenue Managers may have an incentive to favor these accounts over the Fund. If the Adviser or the Subadviser manages accounts that engage in short sales of (or otherwise take short positions in) securities or other instruments of the type in which the Fund invests, the Adviser or the Subadviser could be seen as harming the performance of the Fund for the benefit of the accounts taking short positions, if such short positions cause the market value of the securities to fall.

Conflicts of interest may arise where the Fund and other funds managed by the Avenue Managers or other affiliates of Avenue Capital Group simultaneously hold securities representing different parts of the capital structure of a stressed or distressed issuer. In such circumstances, decisions made with respect to the securities held by one fund may cause (or have the potential to cause) harm to the different class of securities of the issuer held by other funds (including the Fund). For example, if such an issuer goes into bankruptcy or reorganization, becomes insolvent or otherwise experiences financial distress or is unable to meet its payment obligations or comply with covenants relating to credit obligations held by the Fund or by the other Avenue funds, such other funds may have an interest that conflicts with the interests of the Fund. If additional financing for such an issuer is necessary as a result of financial or other difficulties, it may not be in the best interests of the Fund to provide such additional financing, but if the other Avenue funds were to lose their respective investments as a result of such difficulties, an Avenue Manager may have a conflict in recommending actions in the best interests of the Fund. Also, conflicts of interest may arise where the Fund and other funds managed by the Avenue Managers or other affiliates of Avenue Capital Group hold different investment positions with respect to the same issuer, and a decision that benefits one fund may potentially harm other funds (including the Fund). In such situations the Avenue Managers will seek to act in the best interests of their clients and will seek to resolve such conflicts in accordance with their compliance procedures.

In addition, the 1940 Act limits the Fund's ability to enter into certain transactions with certain affiliates of the Avenue Managers. As a result of these restrictions, the Fund may be prohibited from buying or selling any security directly from or to any portfolio company of a fund managed by an Avenue Manager or one of its affiliates. Nonetheless, the Fund may under certain circumstances purchase any such portfolio company's loans or securities in the secondary market, which could create a conflict for the Avenue Managers between the interests of the Fund and the portfolio company, in that the ability of the Avenue Managers to recommend actions in the best interest of the Fund might be impaired. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain "joint" transactions with certain of the Fund's affiliates (which includes other funds managed by the Avenue Capital Group), which could be deemed to include certain types of investments, or restructuring of investments, in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times). These limitations may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to the Fund.

Although the professional staff of the Avenue Managers will devote as much time to the management of the Fund as the Avenue Managers deem appropriate to perform their duties in accordance with the investment advisory and subadvisory agreements and in accordance with reasonable commercial standards, the professional staff of the Avenue Managers may have conflicts in allocating their time and services among the Fund and the Avenue Managers' other investment vehicles and accounts. The Avenue Managers and their affiliates are not restricted from forming additional investment funds, from entering into other investment advisory relationships or from engaging in other business activities, even though such activities may be in competition with the Fund and/or may involve substantial time and resources of the Avenue Managers and their professional staff. These activities could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest in that the time and effort of the members of the Avenue Managers and their officers and employees will not be devoted exclusively to the business of the Fund but will be allocated between the business of the Fund and the management of the assets of other clients of the Avenue Managers.

The Avenue Managers or their respective members, officers, directors, employees, principals or affiliates may come into possession of material, non-public information. The possession of such information may limit the


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ability of the Fund to buy or sell a security or otherwise to participate in an investment opportunity. Situations may occur where the Fund could be disadvantaged because of the investment activities conducted by the Avenue Managers for other clients.

Other Risks of Investing in the Fund

No Operating History

The Fund is a newly organized, closed-end management investment company with no operating history and is designed for long-term investors and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund's Common Shares may trade at a price that is less than their offering price.

Investment Risk

You may lose money by investing in the Fund, including the possibility that you may lose all of your investment. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

The Fund is intended to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not designed to provide investors with a means of speculating on short-term stock market movements. Investors should not consider the Fund a complete investment program.

Risks of Investing in Other Investment Companies

The Fund may acquire shares in other investment companies, including foreign investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The market value of the shares of other investment companies may differ from the net asset value of the particular fund. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Fund would bear its ratable share of that entity's expenses, including its investment advisory and administration fees. At the same time, the Fund would continue to pay its own investment advisory fees and other expenses. As a result, the Fund and its Common Shareholders, in effect, will be absorbing duplicate levels of fees with respect to investments in other investment companies.

Zero Coupon Securities Risk

Certain debt obligations purchased by the Fund may take the form of zero coupon bonds. A zero coupon bond is a bond that does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, its return comes from the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. Zero coupon bonds allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments and, as a result, may involve greater credit risk than bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. The Fund would be required to distribute the income on any of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, to make income distributions to its stockholders.

Distributions attributable to the Fund's "original issue discount" income accruing on zero coupon bonds, and of all other ordinary income, will generally be taxable to the Common Shareholders as ordinary income. As a consequence of selling investments in order to make distributions of "original issue discount" income and other income in respect of which the Fund has not received a corresponding amount of cash, the Fund may realize additional income that gives rise to additional distribution requirements; distributions of such additional income may be taxable to the Common Shareholders as ordinary income or as long-term capital gain depending on which investments are sold. See "Tax Matters."

Inflation Risk

Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. To the extent that inflation occurs, it will reduce the real value of dividends paid by the Fund and the Fund's shares. Most emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high and volatile, rates of inflation. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. In an attempt to control inflation, wage and price controls have been imposed at times in certain countries.


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Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk

The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements. In its purchase of repurchase agreements, the Fund does not bear the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security unless the seller defaults under its repurchase obligation. In the event of the bankruptcy or other default of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying securities and losses, including possible decline in the value of the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period, and expenses of enforcing its rights. A repurchase agreement effectively represents a loan from the Fund to the seller under the agreement.

The Fund's use of reverse repurchase agreements involve many of the same risks involved in the Fund's use of financial leverage, as the proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements generally will be invested in additional securities. There is a risk that the market value of the securities acquired in the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities that the Fund has sold but remains obligated to repurchase. In addition, there is a risk that the market value of the securities retained by the Fund may decline. If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement were to file for bankruptcy or experience insolvency, the Fund may be adversely affected. Also, in entering into reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement are less than the value of the underlying securities. In addition, due to the interest costs associated with reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund's net asset value will decline, and, in some cases, the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if the Fund had not used such instruments. A reverse repurchase agreement effectively represents a loan from the buyer to the Fund under the agreement.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities Risk

The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a "when-issued" or "delayed delivery" basis whereby the Fund buys or sells a security with payment and delivery taking place in the future. These transactions are subject to market risk as the value or yield of a security at delivery may be more or less than the purchase price or the yield generally available on securities when delivery occurs. In addition, the Fund is subject to counterparty risk because it relies on the buyer or seller, as the case may be, to consummate the transaction, and failure by the other party to complete the transaction may result in the Fund missing the opportunity of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. When the Fund is the buyer in such a transaction, however, it will segregate cash and/or liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of such purchase commitments until payment is made. An increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.

Illiquid Investments Risk

The Fund's investments in relatively illiquid securities and loans may restrict the ability of the Fund to dispose of its investments in a timely fashion and for fair value, as well as its ability to fairly value such investments and take advantage of market opportunities. The risks associated with illiquidity will be particularly acute in situations in which the Fund's operations require cash, such as when the Fund pays dividends or distributions, and could result in the Fund borrowing to meet short-term cash requirements or incurring capital losses on the sale of illiquid investments.

Short Sales Risk

The Fund may engage in short sales. Short sales involve certain risks and special considerations. If the Fund incorrectly predicts that the price of the borrowed security will decline, the Fund will have to replace the securities with securities with a greater value than the amount received from the sale. As a result, losses from short sales differ from losses that could be incurred from a purchase of a security, because losses from short sales may be unlimited, whereas losses from purchases can equal only the total amount invested.

Warrants Risk

The Fund may invest in warrants. The risk of investing in a warrant is that the warrant may expire prior to the market value of the common stock exceeding the price fixed by the warrant. Warrants have a subordinate claim on a borrower's assets compared with Senior Loans. As a result, the values of warrants generally are dependent on the financial condition of the borrower and less dependent on fluctuations in interest rates than are the values of many debt securities. The values of warrants may be more volatile than those of Senior Loans and this may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.


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Temporary Investments Risk

During periods in which the Avenue Managers believe that changes in economic, financial or political conditions make it advisable to do so, the Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, reduce its primary investment holdings and invest in certain short-term and medium-term debt securities or hold cash. The Fund intends to invest for temporary defensive purposes only in short-term and medium-term debt securities believed to be of high quality, which are expected to be subject to relatively low risk of loss of interest or principal. In taking such defensive position, the Fund temporarily would not be pursuing and may not achieve its investment objectives.

Tax Risk

The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a "regulated investment company" under the Code. If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company, it generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its net investment income, including net capital gain, that it distributes (including amounts that are treated as such and reinvested pursuant to the Plan, as described below) to shareholders, provided that, for each taxable year, the Fund distributes (or is treated as distributing) to its shareholders an amount at least equal to 90% of its "investment company taxable income" as that term is defined in the Code (which includes, among other items, dividends, taxable interest, original issue discount, market discount and the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, as reduced by certain deductible expenses). The Fund intends to distribute annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain. In order for the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company in any taxable year, the Fund must also meet certain asset diversification tests and at least 90% of its gross income for such year must be comprised of certain types of qualifying income. If, for any taxable year, the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, it will be treated as a corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax on its net income and capital gains at the regular corporate tax rates (without a deduction for distributions to shareholders). In addition, shareholders will be subject to tax on distributions at ordinary income tax rates to the extent of the Fund's current or accumulated earnings and profits. Accordingly, in such event, the Fund's ability to achieve its investment objectives would be adversely affected, and Common Shareholders would be subject to the risk of diminished investment returns.

Valuation Risk

Unlike publicly traded common stock which trades on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for loans or fixed-income instruments to trade. Loans and fixed-income instruments generally trade on an 'over-the-counter' market which may be anywhere in the world where the buyer and seller can settle on a price. Due to the lack of centralized information and trading, the valuation of loans or fixed-income instruments may carry more risk than that of common stock. Uncertainties in the conditions of the financial market, unreliable reference data, lack of transparency and inconsistency of valuation models and processes may lead to inaccurate asset pricing. In addition, other market participants may value securities differently than the Fund. As a result, the Fund may be subject to the risk that when a loan or fixed-income instrument is sold in the market, the amount received by the Fund is less than the value of such loans or fixed-income instruments carried on the Fund's books.

Dependence on Key Personnel Risk

The Avenue Managers are dependent upon the experience and expertise of certain key personnel in providing services with respect to the Fund's investments. If either of the Avenue Managers were to lose the services of these individuals, its ability to service the Fund could be adversely affected. The investment professionals associated with the Avenue Managers are actively involved in other investment activities not concerning the Fund and will not be able to devote all of their time to the Fund's business and affairs. In addition, individuals not currently associated with the Adviser or the Subadviser may become associated with the Fund and the performance of the Fund may also depend on the experience and expertise of such individuals.

Certain Affiliations Risk

Certain broker-dealers, including major ones, may be considered to be affiliated persons of the Fund or the Avenue Managers. Absent an exemption from the SEC or other regulatory relief, the Fund is generally precluded from effecting certain principal transactions with affiliated brokers, and its ability to purchase securities being underwritten by an affiliated broker or syndicate including an affiliated broker or to utilize affiliated brokers for agency transactions is subject to restrictions. This could limit the Fund's ability to engage in securities transactions and take advantage of market opportunities. In addition, until the underwriting syndicate is broken in connection with the initial public offering of the Common Shares, the Fund will be precluded from effecting principal transactions with brokers who are members of the syndicate.


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U.S. Government Debt Securities Risk

U.S. government debt securities have historically not involved the credit risks associated with investments in other types of debt securities, although, as a result, the yields available from U.S. government debt securities are generally lower than the yields available from other securities. Like other debt securities, however, the values of U.S. government securities change as interest rates fluctuate. Fluctuations in the value of portfolio securities will not affect interest income on existing portfolio securities but will be reflected in the Fund's net asset value. Since the magnitude of these fluctuations will generally be greater at times when the Fund's average maturity is longer, under certain market conditions the Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, accept lower current income from short-term investments rather than investing in higher yielding long-term securities.

Recent Developments

The U.S. credit markets have been experiencing extreme volatility and disruption for more than 2 years. Instability in the credit markets has made it more difficult for a number of issuers of debt securities to obtain financing or refinancing for their investment or lending activities or operations. In particular, because of volatile conditions in the credit markets, issuers of debt securities may be subject to increased cost for debt, tightening underwriting standards and reduced liquidity for loans they make, securities they purchase and securities they issue.

For example, certain borrowers may, due to macroeconomic conditions, be unable to make interest and/or principal payments on credit obligations during this period. A borrower's failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of the credit obligations and foreclosure on the borrower's assets securing the credit obligations, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize the borrower's ability to meet other debt obligations. The Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting borrower. In addition, if a borrower were to commence bankruptcy proceedings, even though the Fund may hold a Senior Loan of such borrower, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which the Fund actually provided managerial assistance to such borrower, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize the Fund's debt holding and subordinate all or a portion of its claim to that of other creditors. The current adverse economic conditions may also decrease the value of collateral securing some of the Fund's loans and the value of its equity investments. Such conditions could lead to financial losses in the Fund's portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and the value of the Fund's assets.

These developments may increase the volatility of the value of securities owned by the Fund. These developments may also make it more difficult for the Fund to accurately value its securities or to sell its securities on a timely basis. These developments could adversely affect the ability of the Fund to use leverage for investment purposes and increase the cost of such leverage, which would reduce returns to the Common Shareholders. These developments may also adversely affect the broader economy, which in turn may adversely affect the ability of issuers of securities owned by the Fund to make payments of principal and interest when due, lead to lower credit ratings of the issuer and increased defaults by the issuer. Such developments could, in turn, reduce the value of securities owned by the Fund and adversely affect the net asset value and market price of the Fund's Common Shares.

The Dodd-Frank Act significantly revises and expands the rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement authority of federal bank, securities and commodities regulators. It is unclear how these regulators will exercise these revised and expanded powers and whether they will undertake rulemaking, supervisory or enforcement actions that would adversely affect the Fund or investments made by the Fund. Possible regulatory actions taken under these revised and expanded powers may include actions related to financial consumer protection, proprietary trading and derivatives. There can be no assurance that future regulatory actions authorized by the Dodd-Frank Act will not significantly reduce the profitability of the Fund. Legislators and regulators in the U.S. are currently considering a wide range of proposals beyond the Dodd-Frank Act that, if enacted, could result in major changes to the way banking operations are regulated. Some of these major changes could materially affect the profitability of the Fund or the value of investments made by the Fund or force the Fund to revise its investment strategy or divest itself from certain investments. Any of these developments could reduce the profitability of the Fund by exposing it to additional costs, taxes, liabilities, enforcement actions and reputational risk.

In addition, the recent European debt crisis and related financial restructuring efforts has contributed to the instability in global credit markets. The strength and duration of any economic recovery will be impacted by the European debt crisis and the reaction to any efforts to address the crisis.


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Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk

The instability in the Middle East and Korea, terrorist attacks in the United Sates and around the world and social unrest globally may result in market volatility and may have long-term effects on the U.S. and worldwide financial markets and may cause further economic uncertainties in the United States and worldwide. The Fund cannot predict the effects of geopolitical events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets.

Government Intervention in the Financial Markets Risk

The recent instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. government (as well as certain foreign governments) to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity. It is possible that governments (whether domestic or foreign) will not take any additional actions to support the financial markets or the economy (including by prohibiting any future "bailouts"), which may materially and adversely affect the Fund.

Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies or self regulatory organizations may take additional actions that affect the regulation of the securities or structured products in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such securities or structured products, in ways that are unforeseeable. Borrowers under Senior Loans held by the Fund may seek protection under bankruptcy laws. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Fund's ability to achieve its investment objectives. The Avenue Managers will monitor developments and seek to manage the Fund's portfolio in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund's investment objectives, but there can be no assurance that they will be successful in doing so.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

The Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to open-end status and delay or limit the ability of other persons to acquire control of the Fund. These provisions could deprive the Common Shareholders of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then-current market price of the Common Shares or at net asset value. The Fund's Board has determined that these provisions are in the best interests of shareholders generally.


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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Trustees

The management of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser and the Subadviser, is the responsibility of the Board under the laws of the State of Delaware and the 1940 Act.

The Adviser and the Subadviser

The Adviser and Subadviser will provide day-to-day investment management services to the Fund. The Adviser is Avenue Capital Management II, L.P., and the Subadviser is Avenue Europe International Management, L.P. The Adviser and the Subadviser, which are referred to herein collectively as the "Avenue Managers," are both part of Avenue Capital Group, which comprises four registered investment advisers that have extensive expertise investing in stressed and distressed obligations throughout the world. Avenue Capital Group was founded in 1995 by Marc Lasry and Sonia E. Gardner. As of October 31, 2010, Avenue Capital Group had approximately $20 billion in assets under management. Avenue Capital Group, the Adviser and the Subadviser are located at 399 Park Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022. The Adviser has not previously managed a registered investment company. The Subadviser currently serves as the subadviser to another registered investment company.

The Adviser is 99% owned by Avenue Management Holdco, L.P., a limited partner, and is 1% owned and 100% controlled by Avenue Capital Management II GenPar, LLC, its general partner. The Subadviser is 99% owned by Avenue GL Europe, LLC, a limited partner, and is 1% owned and 100% controlled by Avenue Europe International Management GenPar, LLC, its general partner. Both the limited partners and the general partners of the Adviser and the Subadviser are controlled by Marc Lasry and Sonia Gardner, who are the principals of Avenue Capital Group. Morgan Stanley, the global financial services firm, owns an indirect, non-controlling minority interest in Avenue Capital Group. In that regard, a Morgan Stanley affiliate is (i) a limited partner of an entity that is a limited partner of the Adviser and (ii) a limited partner of an entity that is a member of a limited partner of the Subadviser.

Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement

Under an advisory agreement, the Adviser will receive an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the Fund's average daily Managed Assets, which means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes, including proceeds from (and assets subject to) reverse repurchase agreements, any credit facility and any issuance of preferred shares or notes) minus the sum of the Fund's accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the purpose of leverage).

Under an investment subadvisory agreement with the Adviser, the Adviser will pay the Subadviser an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the average daily value of the assets managed by the Subadviser.

The Fund will pay all of its other expenses including, among others, legal fees and expenses of counsel to the Fund and the Fund's independent trustees; insurance (including trustees' and officers' errors and omissions insurance); auditing and accounting expenses; taxes and governmental fees; listing fees; dues and expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; fees and expenses of the Fund's custodians, administrators, transfer agents, registrars and other service providers; expenses for portfolio pricing services by a pricing agent, if any; other expenses in connection with the issuance, offering and underwriting of shares or debt instruments issued by the Fund or with the securing of any credit facility or other loans for the Fund; expenses relating to investor and public relations; expenses of registering or qualifying securities of the Fund for public sale; brokerage commissions and other costs of acquiring or disposing of any portfolio holding of the Fund; expenses of preparation and distribution of reports, notices and dividends to shareholders; expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan (except for brokerage expenses paid by participants in such plan); compensation and expenses of trustees; costs of stationery; any litigation expenses; and costs of shareholders' and other meetings.

A discussion of the basis for the Board's approval of the advisory agreement and subadvisory agreement will be included in the Fund's initial report to shareholders.

The Investment Committee

The Investment Committee, which comprises representatives of the Avenue Managers, will be responsible for allocating the portions of the Fund's assets to be invested by the Adviser and the Subadviser, respectively. The Investment Committee generally bases its allocation decisions upon market conditions and the attractiveness of available investment opportunities in the United States and other geographic regions. In general, the Adviser will be responsible for the Fund's North American investments and the Subadviser will be responsible for the Fund's


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non-North American investments. The Investment Committee will meet on a monthly basis (or more frequently, if necessary) to review market conditions and the allocation of the Fund's assets between the Adviser and the Subadviser.

Investment Management Team

The individuals noted below are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's assets.

Portfolio Manager of the Adviser

Rob Symington is the Senior Portfolio Manager of the Avenue Capital Group's U.S. funds and is primarily responsible for managing the Avenue Capital Group U.S. strategy team's resources. Prior to joining Avenue Capital Group in 2005, Mr. Symington was Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of the M.D. Sass Corporate Resurgence Funds of Resurgence Asset Management, L.L.C. At Resurgence, he was responsible for analyzing and actively managing a portfolio of distressed investments in a variety of industries. Mr. Symington has extensive experience analyzing companies undergoing Chapter 7 liquidation, reorganization under Chapter 11 and the pre-bankruptcy and postbankruptcy process. Mr. Symington has also served on several creditor committees, bank debt steering committees and boards of directors. Prior to his 13 years at Resurgence, Mr. Symington was a credit analyst and loan officer at the Philadelphia National Bank.

Mr. Symington received a B.A. in English literature from Dickinson College (1986) and an MBA in finance and accounting from Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management (1992).

Portfolio Manager of the Subadviser

Richard Furst is the Senior Portfolio Manager of the Avenue Capital Group's Europe funds and is primarily responsible for directing the investment activities of the Europe funds. Prior to joining Avenue Capital Group in 2004, he was a Portfolio Manager with Moore Capital Group, managing approximately $1.0 billion of U.S. and European distressed and high yield securities. Prior to that, he was a Managing Director and Head of U.S. Special Situations Trading group for Bank of America, managing $300 million in capital. Previously, Mr. Furst was a Vice President in the High Yield and Distressed Trading and Research department of Salomon Brothers, Inc., after serving as an Analyst in their Mergers, Acquisitions, and Restructuring group.

Mr. Furst received a B.S. in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (1986) and an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University (1989).

Mr. Symington and Mr. Furst will be assisted in the management of the Fund by the investment teams of the Adviser and the Subadviser.

The Fund's SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers' compensation structure, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers' ownership of securities in the Fund.

The Administrator

State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), located at State Street Financial Center, 1 Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 serves as administrator to the Fund. Under the administration agreement, State Street is generally responsible for managing the administrative affairs of the Fund.

For administration related services, State Street is entitled to receive an annual fee of $174,000, plus certain out-of-pocket expenses.

During periods when the Fund is using leverage, the fee paid to State Street (for various services) will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated on the basis of the Fund's Managed Assets, which includes the assets purchased through leverage.


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NET ASSET VALUE

The net asset value of the Common Shares of the Fund will be computed based upon the value of the Fund's total assets. Net asset value per Common Share will be determined daily by the Custodian on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business as of the close of the regular trading session on the New York Stock Exchange. The net asset value per share of the Common Shares is determined by calculating the total value of the Fund's assets (the value of the securities, plus cash or other assets, including interest accrued but not yet received), deducting its total liabilities (including accrued expenses or dividends), and dividing the result by the number of Common Shares outstanding of the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to calculate the net asset value more frequently if deemed desirable.

Loans and securities will be valued by the Fund following valuation guidelines established and periodically reviewed by the Board. Under the valuation guidelines, loans and securities for which reliable market quotes are readily available are valued at current market value and all other loans, securities and assets of the Fund are valued at fair value in good faith following procedures established by the Board.

If events materially affecting the price of foreign portfolio securities occur between the time when their price was last determined on such foreign securities exchange or market and the time when the Fund's net asset value was last calculated (for example, movements in certain U.S. securities indices which demonstrate strong correlation to movements in certain foreign securities markets), such securities may be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures established by the Board. For purposes of calculating net asset value per Common Share, all assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollars at the mean of the bid price and ask price of such currencies against the U.S. dollar as quoted by a major bank.

When a holder of Common Shares sells shares he or she will typically receive the market price for such shares, which may be less than the net asset value of such Common Shares. See "Closed-End Fund Structure."


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DISTRIBUTIONS

Commencing with the Fund's initial dividend, the Fund intends to make regular monthly distributions to Common Shareholders. The amount of each monthly distribution will vary depending on a number of factors, including distributions payable on preferred shares or notes (if any) or other costs of financial leverage. As portfolio and market conditions change, the rate of distribution on the Common Shares and the Fund's distribution policy could change. On an annual basis, the Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net investment income (after it pays accrued distributions on any outstanding preferred shares or other costs of financial leverage) to meet the requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code. The initial distribution to Common Shareholders is expected to be declared approximately 45 days and paid approximately 60 to 90 days after the completion of this offering, depending on market conditions.

The net investment income of the Fund will consist of all interest income accrued on portfolio investments, short-term capital gain (including short-term gains on options, futures and forward positions and gains on the sale of portfolio investments held for one year or less) in excess of long-term capital loss and income from certain hedging transactions, less all expenses of the Fund. Expenses of the Fund will be accrued each day. The Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of the Fund's net investment income each year. In addition, at least annually the Fund intends to distribute any net capital gain (which is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss). To the extent that the Fund's net investment income and net capital gain for any year exceed the total distributions paid during the year, the Fund will make a special distribution at or near year-end of such excess amount as may be required. Under the 1940 Act, for any distribution that includes amounts from sources other than net income, the Fund is required to provide Common Shareholders a written statement regarding the components of such distribution. Such a statement will be provided at the time of any distribution believed to include any such amounts.

If, for any taxable year, the total distributions made exceed the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profit, the excess will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to each Common Shareholder up to the amount of the Common Shareholder's tax basis in his or her Common Shares, and thereafter as gain from the sale of Common Shares. The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce the Common Shareholder's adjusted tax basis in his or her Common Shares, thereby increasing his or her potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the subsequent sale of his or her Common Shares. To the extent the Fund's distribution policy results in distributions in excess of its net investment income and net capital gain, such distributions will decrease its total assets and increase its expense ratio to a greater extent than would have been the case if distributions were limited to these amounts. Distributions in any year may or may not include a substantial return of capital component.

Common Shareholders will automatically reinvest some or all of their distributions in additional Common Shares pursuant to the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan, unless such shareholders contact the Plan Agent and elect to receive distributions in cash. See "Dividend Reinvestment Plan."


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TAX MATTERS

The following is a description of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of Common Shares and of some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund. The discussion below provides general tax information related to an investment in Common Shares, but this discussion does not purport to be a complete description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Common Shares. It is based on the Code and Treasury regulations and administrative pronouncements, all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of a Common Shareholder's particular circumstances, including alternative minimum tax consequences and tax consequences applicable to Common Shareholders subject to special tax rules, such as certain financial institutions; dealers or traders in securities who use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting; persons holding Common Shares as part of a hedging transaction, wash sale, conversion transaction or integrated transaction or persons entering into a constructive sale with respect to the Common Shares; entities classified as partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes; real estate investment trusts; insurance companies; U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; or tax-exempt entities, including "individual retirement accounts" or "Roth IRAs." Unless otherwise noted, the following discussion only applies to a Common Shareholder that holds Common Shares as a capital asset and is a U.S. holder. A "U.S. holder" is a holder who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of Common Shares and is (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust if it (x) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. Tax laws are complex and often change, and Common Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. For more information, please see the section of the SAI entitled "Tax Matters."

The Fund intends to elect to be treated as, and to qualify in each taxable year as, a regulated investment company (a "RIC") under Subchapter M of the Code. Assuming the Fund so qualifies and satisfies certain distribution requirements, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income distributed (including amounts that are reinvested pursuant to the Plan) in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gain distributions. If the Fund retains any net capital gains for reinvestment, it may elect to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to its shareholders. If the Fund makes such an election, each shareholder will be required to report its share of such undistributed net capital gain as long-term capital gain and will be entitled to claim its share of the U.S. federal income taxes paid by the Fund on such undistributed net capital gain as a credit against its own U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and to claim a refund on a properly-filed U.S. federal income tax return to the extent that the credit exceeds such liability. In addition, each shareholder will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of its Common Shares by the difference between its share of such undistributed net capital gain and the related credit. There can be no assurance that the Fund will make this election if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain for a taxable year.

To qualify as a RIC for any taxable year, the Fund must, among other things, satisfy both an income test and an asset test for such taxable year. Specifically, (i) at least 90% of the Fund's gross income for such taxable year must consist of dividends; interest; payments with respect to certain securities loans; gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies; other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies; and net income derived from interests in "qualified publicly traded partnerships" (such income, "Qualifying RIC Income") and (ii) the Fund's holdings must be diversified so that, at the end of each quarter of such taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets is represented by cash and cash items, securities of other RICs, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets is invested (x) in securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or (y) in the securities of one or more "qualified publicly traded partnerships." The Fund's share of income derived from a partnership other than a "qualified publicly traded partnership" will be treated as Qualifying RIC Income only to the extent that such income would have constituted Qualifying RIC Income if derived directly by the Fund. A "qualified publicly traded partnership" is generally defined as an entity that is


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treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes if (i) interests in such entity are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof and (ii) less than 90% of its gross income for the relevant taxable year consists of Qualifying RIC Income. The Code provides that the Treasury Department may by regulation exclude from Qualifying RIC Income foreign currency gains that are not directly related to the RIC's principal business of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures with respect to stock or securities). The Fund anticipates that, in general, its foreign currency gains will be directly related to its principal business of investing in stock and securities.

Distributions of the Fund's ordinary income and net short-term capital gains will generally be taxable to the Common Shareholders as ordinary income to the extent such distributions are paid out of the Fund's current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Distributions or deemed distributions, if any, of net capital gains will be taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time the Common Shareholder has owned Common Shares. A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated by a Common Shareholder as a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce the Common Shareholder's basis in its Common Shares. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013, distributions made to a non-corporate Common Shareholder out of "qualified dividend income," if any, received by the Fund will be subject to tax at the lower rates applicable to net capital gains, provided that the Common Shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to its Common Shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the Common Shareholder's basis in its Common Shares, the excess will be treated as gain from a sale or exchange of the Common Shares. Distributions will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or invested in additional Common Shares pursuant to the Plan.

A Common Shareholder may recognize a capital gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of Common Shares. The amount of the gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the amount realized and the Common Shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the relevant Common Shares. Such gain or loss generally will be a long-term gain or loss if the Common Shareholder's holding period for such Common Shares is more than one year. Under current law, net capital gains recognized by non-corporate Common Shareholders are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax at lower rates than the rates applicable to ordinary income. Losses realized by a Common Shareholder on the sale or exchange of Common Shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital losses to the extent of any distribution of long-term capital gain received (or deemed received, as discussed above) with respect to such Common Shares. In addition, no loss will be allowed on a sale or other disposition of Common Shares if the Common Shareholder acquires (including pursuant to the Plan) Common Shares within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the securities acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

If a Common Shareholder is a nonresident alien, a foreign trust or estate or a foreign corporation, as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (a "non-U.S. Common Shareholder") whose ownership of Common Shares is not "effectively connected" with a U.S trade or business, certain dividends distributed to such non-U.S. Common Shareholder by the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower rate under an applicable treaty). Dividends paid by the Fund in its taxable years beginning before January 1, 2012, will generally be exempt from this withholding tax to the extent that they are properly reported by the Fund as "interest-related dividends" or "short-term capital gain dividends." In general, "interest-related dividends" and "short-term capital gain dividends" are distributions of U.S.-source interest income or short-term capital gain that would not have been subject to U.S. withholding tax if derived directly by a non-U.S. Common Shareholder. It is unclear whether any future legislation will be enacted that would extend this exemption from withholding for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012. Net capital gain dividends distributed by the Fund to a non-U.S. Common Shareholder will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax. For a discussion of the tax consequences of the ownership of Common Shares by a non-U.S. Common Shareholder whose ownership of Common Shares is "effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business, please see the discussion in the SAI under "Tax Matters—Non-U.S. Common Shareholders."

If a Common Shareholder does not provide the payor with its correct taxpayer identification number and any required certifications, such Common Shareholder may be subject to backup withholding on the distributions it receives (or is deemed to receive) from the Fund. Backup withholding will not, however, be applied to payments that have been subject to the 30% withholding tax applicable to non-U.S. Common Shareholders.

Recent legislation generally imposes withholding at a rate of 30% on payments to certain foreign entities (including financial intermediaries), after December 31, 2012, of dividends on and the gross proceeds of dispositions of U.S. common stock, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (generally relating to ownership by U.S. persons of interests in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied. Common Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their investment in Common Shares.


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CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE

The Fund is a closed-end management investment company with no operating history. Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly referred to as mutual funds) in that closed-end funds generally list their shares for trading on a securities exchange and do not redeem their shares at the option of the shareholder. By comparison, mutual funds issue securities redeemable at net asset value at the option of the shareholder and typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Mutual funds are subject to continuous asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management, whereas closed-end funds generally can stay more fully invested in securities consistent with the closed-end fund's investment objectives and policies. In addition, in comparison to open-end funds, closed-end funds have greater flexibility in the employment of financial leverage and in the ability to make certain types of investments, including investments in illiquid securities.

However, shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. In recognition of the possibility that the Common Shares might trade at a discount to net asset value and that any such discount may not be in the interest of Common Shareholders, the Board, in consultation with the Adviser, from time to time may review possible actions to reduce any such discount. The Board might consider open market repurchases or tender offers for Common Shares at net asset value. There can be no assurance, however, that the Board will decide to undertake any of these actions or that, if undertaken, such actions would result in the Common Shares trading at a price equal to or close to net asset value per Common Share. The Board might also consider the conversion of the Fund to an open-end mutual fund, which would also require a vote of the shareholders of the Fund. Conversion of the Fund to an open-end mutual fund would require approval by both (i) a majority of the Board and (ii) a vote of shareholders representing the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund at a shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present in person or by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.

The Fund has no limitation on investments in illiquid securities (closed-end funds are not required to have any such limitation) and may invest all or a portion of its assets in illiquid securities. In order to meet redemptions upon request by shareholders, open-end funds typically cannot have more than 15% of their assets in illiquid securities. Thus, if the Fund were to convert to an open-end fund, it would have to adopt a limitation on illiquid securities and may need to revise its investment objectives, strategies and policies. The composition of the Fund's portfolio and/or its investment policies could prohibit the Fund from complying with regulations of the SEC applicable to open-end management investment funds absent significant changes in portfolio holdings, including with respect to certain illiquid securities, and investment policies. The Board believes, however, that the closed-end structure is desirable, given the Fund's investment objectives, strategies and policies. Investors should assume, therefore, that it is highly unlikely that the Board would vote to convert the Fund to an open-end investment company. Investors should note that the issuance of preferred shares to provide investment leverage could make a conversion to an open-end fund more difficult because of the voting rights of preferred shareholders, the costs of redeeming preferred shares and other factors. See "Description of Capital Structure."


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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

The Fund offers a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to which distributions of dividends and all capital gains on Common Shares are automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares, unless a Common Shareholder specifically elects to receive cash by providing the required notice to the Plan Agent. Common Shareholders whose shares are held in the name of a broker or other nominee may have distributions reinvested only if such a service is provided by the broker or the nominee or if the broker or the nominee permits participation in the Plan.

State Street Bank and Trust Company, as plan agent (the "Plan Agent"), serves as agent for the Common Shareholders of each Fund in administering the Plan. All Common Shareholders are deemed to be participants in the Plan unless they specifically elect not to participate.

If the Fund declares an income dividend or a realized capital gains distribution payable either in the Fund's shares or in cash, as shareholders may have elected, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive shares. If the market price per share (plus expected commissions) on the valuation date equals or exceeds net asset value per share on that date, the Fund will issue new shares to participants at net asset value unless the net asset value is less than 95% of the market price on the valuation date, in which case, shares will be issued at 95% of the market price. With respect to Common Shares credited to a participant's account at a price below the current market price, all or a portion of the amount of the discount from such market price may be taxable to the participant as ordinary income. The valuation date will be the dividend or distribution payment date or, if that date is not a trading day on the exchange on which the Fund's shares are then listed, the next preceding trading day. If the net asset value per share exceeds the market price per share (plus expected commissions) at such time, the Plan Agent's broker will buy the Fund's shares in the open market, or elsewhere, with the cash in respect of the dividend or distribution, for the participants' account on, or shortly after, the payment date. For purposes of such purchases, the Plan Agent may use an affiliated or unaffiliated broker.

In the event of a market discount on the dividend or distribution payment date, the Plan Agent's broker will have up to 30 days after such payment date to invest the dividend or distribution amount in Common Shares acquired in open-market purchases. If, before the Plan Agent's broker has completed its open-market purchases, the market price of a Common Share (plus expected commissions) exceeds the net asset value per Common Share, the average per Common Share purchase price paid by the Plan Agent's broker may exceed the net asset value of the Fund's Common Shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer Common Shares than if the distribution had been paid in newly issued Common Shares on the payment date. Therefore, the Plan provides that if the Plan Agent's broker is unable to invest the full dividend or distribution amount in open-market purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Agent's broker will cease making open-market purchases and will invest the uninvested portion of the dividend or distribution amount in newly issued Common Shares.

The Plan Agent maintains all Common Shareholders' accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by Common Shareholders for tax records. Common Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Agent on behalf of the Plan participant, and each Common Shareholder proxy will include those Common Shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan.

The Plan Agent will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for Common Shares held pursuant to the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the participants.

In the case of Common Shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees that hold Common Shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Common Shares certified from time to time by the record Common Shareholder's name and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan. A shareholder who holds his shares through a broker or other nominee will only be eligible to participate in the Plan if it is permitted by such broker or nominee. Such shareholders will not necessarily participate automatically in the Plan, and must contact their broker or nominee for more information.

There will be no brokerage charges to Common Shareholders with respect to Common Shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of dividends or distributions payable either in Common Shares or in cash. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent's open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or distributions.


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Common Shareholders participating in the Plan may receive benefits not available to Common Shareholders not participating in the Plan. If the market price (plus commissions) of the Fund's Common Shares is above their net asset value, participants in the Plan will receive Common Shares of the Fund at less than they could otherwise purchase them and will have Common Shares with a cash value greater than the value of any cash distribution they would have received on their Common Shares. If the market price plus commissions is below the net asset value, participants will receive distributions in Common Shares with a net asset value greater than the per Common Share value of any cash distribution they would have received on their Common Shares. However, there may be insufficient Common Shares available in the market to make distributions in Common Shares at prices below the net asset value. Also, since the Fund does not redeem its Common Shares, the price on resale may be more or less than the net asset value.

The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions does not relieve participants of any income tax that may be payable on such dividends and distributions. See "Tax Matters—Taxation of the Fund" in the SAI.

You may obtain additional information about the Plan by writing to the Plan Agent at State Street Bank and Trust Company, 200 Clarendon Street, 16th Floor, Boston, MA 02116.

Common Shareholders may terminate their participation in the Plan at any time by writing to the Plan Agent at the address listed above. Such termination will be effective immediately if the participant's notice is received and processed by the Plan Agent not less than three business days prior to any dividend or distribution payment date; otherwise such termination will be effective the first trading day after the payment for such dividend or distribution with respect to any subsequent dividend or distribution. Common Shareholders of the Fund may again elect to participate in the Plan at any time by writing to the Plan Agent at the address listed above. The Plan may be terminated by the Plan Agent or the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to participants at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund. Upon any termination described in the paragraph, shares will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form in the name of the participant. If a participant elects by notice to the Plan Agent in writing or by telephone (as described above) in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of the participant's Common Shares and to remit the proceeds to the participant, the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage commissions for such transaction from the proceeds. To sell such shares, the Plan Agent may use an affiliated or unaffiliated broker.

Upon 90 days' notice to Plan participants, the Fund and the Plan Agent reserve the right to amend or supplement the terms and conditions of the Plan.


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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE

The Fund is a statutory trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware pursuant to an Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated December 9, 2010 ("Declaration of Trust"). The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share. The Fund intends to hold annual meetings of shareholders so long as the Common Shares are listed on a national securities exchange and such meetings are required as a condition to such listing.

Common Shares

The Declaration of Trust permits the Fund to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional Common Shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per Common Share. Each Common Share represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets of the Fund with each other Common Share in the Fund. Common Shareholders will be entitled to the payment of distributions when, as and if declared by the Board. The 1940 Act or the terms of any borrowings or preferred shares may limit the payment of distributions to the Common Shareholders. Each whole Common Share shall be entitled to one vote as to matters on which it is entitled to vote pursuant to the terms of the Declaration of Trust. Upon liquidation of the Fund, after paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities of the Fund and the liquidation preference with respect to any outstanding preferred shares, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding agreements as they deem necessary for their protection, the Trustees may distribute the remaining assets of the Fund among the holders of the Common Shares. The Declaration of Trust provides that, to the extent permitted by law, shareholders shall not have any duties (including fiduciary duties) or liabilities at law or in equity to the Fund, any other shareholder or any other person.

In general, except as provided in the following paragraph, when there are any borrowings, including reverse repurchase agreements, or preferred shares and/or notes outstanding, the Fund may not be permitted to declare any cash distribution on its Common Shares, unless at the time of such declaration, (i) all accrued distributions on preferred shares or accrued interest on borrowings have been paid and (ii) the value of the Fund's total assets (determined after deducting the amount of such distribution), less all liabilities and indebtedness of the Fund not represented by senior securities, is at least 300% of the aggregate amount of such securities representing indebtedness and at least 200% of the aggregate amount of securities representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation value of the outstanding preferred shares (expected to equal the aggregate original purchase price of the outstanding preferred shares plus the applicable redemption premium, if any, together with any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon, whether or not earned or declared and on a cumulative basis). In addition to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund may be required to comply with other asset coverage requirements as a condition of the Fund obtaining a rating of the preferred shares or notes from a NRSRO. These requirements may include an asset coverage test more stringent than under the 1940 Act. This limitation on the Fund's ability to make distributions on its Common Shares could in certain circumstances impair the ability of the Fund to maintain its qualification for taxation as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. The Fund intends, however, to the extent possible to purchase or redeem preferred shares or notes or reduce borrowings from time to time to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements and may pay special distributions to the holders of the preferred shares in certain circumstances in connection with any such impairment of the Fund's status as a regulated investment company. See "Distributions." Depending on the timing of any such redemption or repayment, the Fund may be required to pay a premium in addition to the liquidation preference of the preferred shares to the holders thereof.

The asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act set forth in the foregoing paragraph would only apply to the Fund's "uncovered" reverse repurchase agreements. "Covered" reverse repurchase agreements will not be counted against the foregoing limits under the 1940 Act (although the proceeds of, and assets subject to, such agreements would still be counted as part of the Fund's total assets). A reverse repurchase agreement will be considered "covered" if the Fund segregates an amount of cash and/or liquid securities equal to the Fund's obligations under such reverse repurchase agreement (or segregates such other amounts as may be permitted by the 1940 Act or SEC guidance from time to time); otherwise, a reverse repurchase agreement will be considered "uncovered." The Fund may not cover a reverse repurchase agreement if it does not need to do so to comply with the foregoing 1940 Act requirements and, in the view of an Avenue Manager, the assets that would have been used to cover could be better used for a different purpose.

The Fund has no present intention of offering additional Common Shares, except as described herein. Other offerings of its Common Shares, if made, will require approval of the Board. Any additional offering will not be sold at a price per Common Share below the then current net asset value (exclusive of underwriting discounts and commissions) except in connection with an offering to existing Common Shareholders or with the consent of a majority of the Fund's outstanding common shareholders. The Common Shares have no preemptive rights.


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The Fund will not issue certificates for the Common Shares.

It is anticipated that the Fund's Common Shares will be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance. The trading or "ticker" symbol of the Common Shares is expected to be "ACP."

Repurchase of Common Shares

The Board currently has no intention to take action in response to a discount from net asset value (if any). Further, it is the Board's intention not to authorize repurchases of Common Shares or a tender offer for such shares if: (1) such transactions, if consummated, would (a) result in the delisting of the Common Shares from the New York Stock Exchange or (b) impair the Fund's status as a regulated investment company under the Code (which would make the Fund a taxable entity, causing the Fund's income to be taxed at the trust level in addition to the taxation of shareholders who receive dividends from the Fund) or as a registered closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act; (2) the Fund would not be able to liquidate portfolio securities in an orderly manner and consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and policies in order to repurchase shares; or (3) there is, in the Board's judgment, any (a) material legal action or proceeding instituted or threatened challenging such transactions or otherwise materially adversely affecting the Fund, (b) general suspension of or limitation on prices for trading securities on the New York Stock Exchange, (c) declaration of a banking moratorium by Federal or state authorities or any suspension of payment by U.S. or New York banks, (d) material limitation affecting the Fund or the issuers of its portfolio securities by Federal or state authorities on the extension of credit by lending institutions or on the exchange of foreign currency, (e) commencement or continuation of war, armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States or (f) other event or condition which would have a material adverse effect (including any adverse tax effect) on the Fund or its shareholders if shares were repurchased. Even in the absence of such conditions, the Board may decline to take action in response to a discount from net asset value. The Board may in the future modify these conditions in light of experience.

Preferred Shares

The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with preference rights, including preferred shares, having a par value of $0.001 per share, in one or more series, with rights as determined by the Board, by action of the Board without the approval of the Common Shareholders.

Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund must, immediately after the issuance of any preferred shares, have an "asset coverage" of at least 200%. Asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liability and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness of the Fund, if any, plus the aggregate liquidation preference of the preferred shares. If the Fund seeks a rating of the preferred shares, asset coverage requirements, in addition to those set forth in the 1940 Act, may be imposed. The liquidation value of the preferred shares is expected to equal their aggregate original purchase price plus the applicable redemption premium, if any, together with any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon (on a cumulative basis), whether or not earned or declared. The terms of the preferred shares, including their distribution rate, voting rights, liquidation preference and redemption provisions, will be determined by the Board (subject to applicable law and the Fund's Declaration of Trust) if and when it authorizes the preferred shares. The Fund may issue preferred shares that provide for the periodic redetermination of the distribution rate at relatively short intervals through an auction or remarketing procedure, although the terms of the preferred shares may also enable the Fund to lengthen such intervals. At times, the distribution rate on the Fund's preferred shares may exceed the Fund's return after expenses on the investment of proceeds from the preferred shares, resulting in a lower rate of return to Common Shareholders than if the preferred shares were not outstanding.

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the terms of any preferred shares may entitle the holders of preferred shares to receive a preferential liquidating distribution (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus the applicable redemption premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid distributions, whether or not earned or declared and on a cumulative basis) before any distribution of assets is made to Common Shareholders. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the preferred shareholders would not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.

Holders of preferred shares, voting as a class, shall be entitled to elect two of the Fund's Trustees. Under the 1940 Act, if at any time distributions on the preferred shares are unpaid in an amount equal to two full years' distributions thereon, the holders of all outstanding preferred shares, voting as a class, will be allowed to elect a


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majority of the Fund's Trustees until all distributions in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. The 1940 Act also requires that, in addition to any approval by shareholders that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding preferred shares, voting separately as a class, would be required to (1) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the preferred shares and (2) take any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including among other things, changes in the Fund's sub-classification as a closed-end investment company or changes in its fundamental investment restrictions. In addition, if required by a NRSRO rating the preferred shares or if the Board determines it to be in the best interests of the Common Shareholders, issuance of the preferred shares may result in more restrictive provisions than required by the 1940 Act being imposed. In this regard, holders of the preferred shares may be entitled to elect a majority of the Fund's Board in other circumstances, for example, if one payment on the preferred shares is in arrears.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of any outstanding preferred shares, voting as a separate class, will be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or powers of holders of preferred shares so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers, or to increase or decrease the authorized number of preferred shares. The class vote of holders of preferred shares described above will in each case be in addition to any other vote required to authorize the action in question.

The Fund currently intends to seek the highest credit rating possible from one or more NRSROs on any preferred shares that the Fund issues. The Fund intends that, as long as preferred shares are outstanding, the composition of its portfolio will reflect guidelines established by such NRSRO. Although, as of the date hereof, no NRSRO has established guidelines relating to the Fund's preferred shares, based on previous guidelines established by NRSROs for the securities of other issuers, the Fund anticipates that the guidelines with respect to the preferred shares will establish a set of tests for portfolio composition and asset coverage that supplement (and in some cases are more restrictive than) the applicable requirements under the 1940 Act. Although no assurance can be given at this time as to the nature or extent of the guidelines that may be imposed in connection with obtaining a rating of the preferred shares, the Fund currently anticipates that such guidelines will include asset coverage requirements which are more restrictive than those under the 1940 Act, restrictions on certain portfolio investments and investment practices, requirements that the Fund maintain a portion of its assets in short-term, high-quality investments and certain mandatory redemption requirements relating to the preferred shares. No assurance can be given that the guidelines actually imposed with respect to the preferred shares by a NRSRO will be more or less restrictive than as described in this prospectus.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Derivatives

Financial leverage may be achieved through entering into reverse repurchase agreements under which the Fund sells portfolio securities to financial institutions such as banks and broker-dealers and generally agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed future date and price. The 1940 Act generally limits the extent to which the Fund may utilize "uncovered" reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings, together with any other senior securities representing indebtedness, to 331/3% of the Fund's total assets at the time utilized. "Covered" reverse repurchase agreements will not be counted against the foregoing limits under the 1940 Act. A reverse repurchase agreement will be considered "covered" if the Fund segregates an amount of cash and/or liquid securities equal to the Fund's obligations under such reverse repurchase agreement (or segregates such other amounts as may be permitted by the 1940 Act or SEC guidance from time to time); otherwise, a reverse repurchase agreement will be considered "uncovered." The Fund may not cover a reverse repurchase agreement if it does not need to do so to comply with the foregoing 1940 Act requirements and, in the view of an Avenue Manager, the assets that would have been used to cover could be better used for a different purpose.

The Fund also expects to enter into other transactions that may give rise to a form of leverage including, among others, swaps, futures and forward contracts, options and other derivative transactions. To the extent that the Fund covers its obligations under such other transactions, as described in this prospectus, such transactions should not be treated as borrowings for purposes of the 1940 Act. However, these transactions, even if covered, may represent a form of economic leverage and will create risks. Further, the Fund may incur losses on such transactions (including the entire amount of the Fund's investment in such transaction) even if they are covered.

Credit Facility/Commercial Paper Program/Notes

The Fund currently intends to utilize leverage through borrowings and may enter into definitive agreements with respect to a credit facility/commercial paper program or other borrowing program. The Fund may negotiate with commercial banks to arrange a credit facility/commercial paper program pursuant to which the Fund would expect to be entitled to borrow an amount equal to approximately one-third of the Fund's total assets (inclusive of


80



the amount borrowed) following the closing of the offer and sale of the Common Shares offered hereby. Any such borrowings would constitute financial leverage. Such a credit facility/commercial paper program is not expected to be convertible into any other securities of the Fund, outstanding amounts are expected to be prepayable by the Fund prior to final maturity without significant penalty and there are not expected to be any sinking fund or mandatory retirement provisions. Outstanding amounts would be payable at maturity or such earlier times as required by the agreement. The Fund may be required to prepay outstanding amounts under the credit facility/commercial paper program or incur a penalty rate of interest upon the occurrence of certain events of default. The Fund would be expected to indemnify the lenders under the credit facility/commercial paper program against liabilities they may incur in connection with the credit facility/commercial paper program.

The Fund may also obtain leverage through the issuance of notes representing indebtedness. Such notes are not expected to be convertible into any other securities of the Fund. Outstanding amounts would be payable at maturity or such earlier times as required by the terms of the notes. The Fund may be required to prepay outstanding amounts under the notes or incur a penalty rate of interest upon the occurrence of certain events of default.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness, including through the issuance of notes or other debt securities, unless immediately thereafter the total asset value of the Fund's portfolio is at least 300% of the aggregate amount of the outstanding indebtedness (i.e., such aggregate amount may not exceed 331/3% of the Fund's total assets). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the net asset value of the Fund's portfolio (determined after deducting the amount of such distribution) is at least 300% of such aggregate amount. If the Fund issues notes, borrows money or enters into credit facility/commercial paper program, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to retire outstanding debt, from time to time, to maintain coverage of any outstanding indebtedness of at least 300%.

The Fund may seek the highest credit rating possible from one or more NRSROs on any notes that the Fund issues. In such a case, the Fund intends that, as long as notes are outstanding, the composition of its portfolio will reflect guidelines established by such NRSRO. Although, as of the date hereof, no NRSRO has established guidelines relating to the Fund's notes, based on previous guidelines established by NRSROs for the securities of other issuers, the Fund anticipates that the guidelines with respect to the notes will establish a set of tests for portfolio composition and asset coverage that supplement (and in some cases are more restrictive than) the applicable requirements under the 1940 Act. Although, at this time, no assurance can be given as to the nature or extent of the guidelines which may be imposed in connection with obtaining a rating of the notes, the Fund currently anticipates that such guidelines will include asset coverage requirements which are more restrictive than those under the 1940 Act, restrictions on certain portfolio investments and investment practices, requirements that the Fund maintain a portion of its assets in short-term, high-quality investments and certain mandatory redemption requirements relating to the notes. No assurance can be given that the guidelines actually imposed with respect to the notes by a NRSRO will be more or less restrictive than as described in this prospectus.

In addition, the Fund expects that any notes or a credit facility/commercial paper program would contain covenants that, among other things, will likely impose geographic exposure limitations, credit quality minimums, liquidity minimums, concentration limitations and currency hedging requirements on the Fund. These covenants would also likely will limit the Fund's ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change its fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations, and may require asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. The Fund would only agree to a limit on its ability to change its fundamental investment policies if doing so was consistent with the 1940 Act and applicable state law. The Fund may be required to pledge (or otherwise grant a security interest in) some or all of its assets and to maintain a portion of its assets in cash or high-grade securities as a reserve against interest or principal payments and expenses. The Fund expects that any notes or credit facility/commercial paper program would have customary covenant, negative covenant and default provisions. There can be no assurance that the Fund will enter into an agreement for a credit facility/commercial paper program, or issue notes, on terms and conditions representative of the foregoing, or that additional material terms will not apply. In addition, if entered into or issued, any such notes or credit facility/commercial paper program may in the future be replaced or refinanced by one or more credit facilities having substantially different terms or by the issuance of preferred shares and/or notes or debt securities.

Anti-Takeover and Certain Other Provisions in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust

The Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Fund contain provisions, which are described below in this section, that could have the effect of limiting (i) the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the


81



Fund, (ii) the Fund's freedom to engage in certain transactions or (iii) the ability of the Fund's Trustees or shareholders to amend the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws or effectuate changes in the Fund's management. These provisions of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Fund may be regarded as "anti-takeover" provisions.

The Board is divided into three classes, with the terms of one class expiring at each annual meeting of shareholders. At each annual meeting, one class of Trustees is elected to a three-year term. This provision could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of the Board. Shareholders have no right to remove any Trustee, other than by electing a different Trustee at an annual meeting of shareholders. The Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that, unless a two-thirds majority of the Board determines otherwise, the affirmative vote of at least three-fourths of the Fund's outstanding shares of each affected class or series entitled to be cast, voting together unless otherwise entitled to vote as a separate class or series, is required in order to approve (i) any amendment to, repeal of, or adoption of any provision inconsistent with, the Fund's Declaration of Trust regarding election and term of Trustees or (ii) any amendment to the Declaration of Trust that reduces the foregoing three-fourths vote requirement. A trustee may be removed from office for cause only, and not without cause, and only by the action of two-thirds of the remaining trustees.

The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees may (i) sell, convey and transfer all or substantially all of the assets of the Fund to another trust, corporation, partnership, association, or other entity, (ii) merge or consolidate the Fund with any other trust, corporation, partnership, association or other entity, or (iii) dissolve the Fund. The trustees may require a shareholder vote on such matters as well. The Declaration of Trust does not contemplate that the shareholders could effect any of the foregoing actions directly.

The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control by a third party. These provisions also provide, however, the advantage of potentially requiring persons seeking control of the Fund to negotiate with its management regarding the price to be paid and facilitating the continuity of the Fund's investment objectives and policies. The provisions of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws described above could have the effect of discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction.

The Board has determined that provisions with respect to the Board and the shareholder voting requirements are in the best interests of the shareholders generally. Reference should be made to the Declaration of Trust on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.

Under the 1940 Act, as interpreted by the staff of the SEC, the Fund may not amend its By-laws to become subject to a control share statute that limits the voting rights of shareholders acquiring a controlling position in the Fund. The Fund would not so amend its By-laws to become subject to such a statute unless it were consistent with the 1940 Act and the staff's interpretations thereof.

The Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund will fully indemnify (except in the case of certain disabling conduct) each of its trustees, officers, and employees, and any investment adviser or subadviser in connection with their service with the Fund. The Declaration of Trust also provides for advancement of expenses (including counsel fees) to such indemnified persons.

Conversion to Open-End Fund

The Fund may be converted to an open-end management investment company at any time if approved by both (i) a majority of the Board and (ii) a vote of shareholders representing the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund at a shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present in person or by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The composition of the Fund's portfolio and/or its investment policies could prohibit the Fund from complying with regulations of the SEC applicable to open-end management investment companies unless significant changes in portfolio holdings, which might be difficult and could involve losses, and investment policies are made. Conversion of the Fund to an open-end management investment company also would require the redemption of any outstanding preferred shares and could require the repayment of borrowings, which would reduce the leveraged capital structure of the Fund with respect to the Common Shares. In the event of conversion, the Common Shares would cease to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or other national securities exchange or market system. The Board believes the closed-end structure is desirable, given the Fund's investment objectives and policies. Investors should assume, therefore, that it is unlikely that the Board would vote to convert the Fund to an open-end management investment company. Common Shareholders of an open-end management investment company can require the company to redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances


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as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their net asset value, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of a redemption. If converted to an open-end fund, the Fund expects to pay all redemption requests in cash, but reserves the right to pay redemption requests in a combination of cash or securities. If such partial payment in securities were made, investors may incur brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash. If the Fund were converted to an open-end fund, it is likely that new Common Shares would be sold at net asset value plus a sales load.


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UNDERWRITERS

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the Underwriters named below, for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are acting as representatives (the "Representatives"), have severally agreed to purchase, and the Fund has agreed to sell to them, the number of Common Shares indicated below.

Name   Number of
Common Shares
 
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated    
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.    
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.    
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC    
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.    
Maxim Group LLC    
Total:    

 

The Underwriters are offering the Common Shares subject to their acceptance of the Common Shares from the Fund and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several Underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the Common Shares offered by this prospectus are subject to the approval of legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The Underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the Common Shares offered by this prospectus if any such Common Shares are taken. However, the Underwriters are not required to take or pay for the Common Shares covered by the Underwriters' over-allotment option described below.

The Underwriters initially propose to offer part of the Common Shares directly to the public at the initial offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $         per Common Share under the initial offering price. After the initial offering of the Common Shares, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the Representatives. The underwriting discounts and commissions (sales load) of $0.90 per Common Share are equal to 4.50% of the initial offering price. Investors must pay for any Common Shares purchased on or before          , 2011.

The Fund has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of Common Shares at the initial offering price per Common Share listed on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The Underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the Common Shares offered by this prospectus. To the extent the option is exercised, each Underwriter will become obligated, subject to limited conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of the additional Common Shares as the number listed next to the Underwriter's name in the preceding table bears to the total number of Common Shares listed next to the names of all Underwriters in the preceding table. If the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, the total price to the public would be $          , the total Underwriters' discounts and commissions (sales load) would be $         , and the total proceeds to the Fund would be $          .

The following table summarizes the estimated expenses and compensation that the Fund will pay:

    Per Common Share   Total  
    Without
Over-
allotment
  With
Over-
allotment
  Without
Over-
allotment
  With
Over-
allotment
 
Public offering price   $ 20.00     $ 20.00     $     $      
Sales load   $ 0.90     $ 0.90     $     $      
Estimated offering expenses   $ 0.04     $ 0.04     $     $      
Proceeds, after expenses, to the Fund   $ 19.06     $ 19.06     $     $      

 

The fees described below under "—Additional Compensation to the Underwriters and their Affiliates and Other Relationships" are not reimbursable to the Adviser by the Fund, and are therefore not reflected in expenses payable by the Fund in the table above except for the reimbursement of certain expenses by the Fund to TSC and ABAX as described below which are reflected in the table above.


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Offering expenses paid by the Fund (other than sales load) will not exceed $0.04 per Common Share sold by the Fund in this offering. If the offering expenses referred to in the preceding sentence exceed this amount, the Adviser will pay the excess. The aggregate offering expenses (excluding sales load) are estimated to be $1,000,000 in total (assuming the Fund issues approximately 10,000,000 Common Shares), $400,000 of which will be borne by the Fund (assuming the Fund issues approximately 10,000,000 Common Shares) (or $          if the Underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). If the Fund issues preferred shares and/or notes, the Fund's Common Shareholders will also bear the expenses of such an offering. See "Summary of Common Shareholder Fees and Expenses."

The Underwriters have informed the Fund that they do not intend sales to discretionary accounts to exceed five percent of the total number of Common Shares offered by them.

In order to meet requirements for listing the Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange, the Underwriters have undertaken to sell lots of 100 or more shares to a minimum of 400 beneficial owners in the United States. The minimum investment requirement is 100 Common Shares ($2,000).

It is anticipated that the Fund's Common Shares will be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance, under the trading or "ticker" symbol "ACP."

The Fund has agreed that, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, it will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus:

• offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares, or

• enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Shares,

whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of Common Shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise; or file any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, the Fund issues an earnings release or announces material news or a material event relating to the Fund occurs; or (ii) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, the Fund announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day restricted period, the restrictions described above shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of the earnings release or the announcement of the material news or the occurrence of the material event. These lock-up agreements will not apply to the Common Shares to be sold pursuant to the underwriting agreement or any Common Shares issued pursuant to the Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan or any preferred share issuance.

In order to facilitate the offering of the Common Shares, the Underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the Common Shares. Specifically, the Underwriters may sell more Common Shares than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position in the Common Shares for their own account. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of Common Shares available for purchase by the Underwriters under the over-allotment option (exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus). The Underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the over-allotment option or purchasing Common Shares in the open market. In determining the source of Common Shares to close out a covered short sale, the Underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of the Common Shares compared to the price available under the over-allotment option. The Underwriters may also sell Common Shares in excess of the over-allotment option, creating a naked short position. The Underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing Common Shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the Underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Common Shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. As an additional means of facilitating the offering, the Underwriters may bid for, and purchase, Common Shares in the open market to stabilize the price of the Common Shares. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may also reclaim selling concessions allowed to an Underwriter or a dealer for distributing the Common Shares in the offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed Common Shares in transactions to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the Common Shares. Any of these activities may raise or maintain the market price of the Common Shares above independent market levels or prevent


85



or retard a decline in the market price of the Common Shares. The Underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public or private market for the Common Shares or any other securities of the Fund. Consequently, the offering price for the Common Shares was determined by negotiation among the Fund, the Adviser and the Representatives. There can be no assurance, however, that the price at which the Common Shares trade after this offering will not be lower than the price at which they are sold by the Underwriters or that an active trading market in the Common Shares will develop and continue after this offering.

The Fund anticipates that the Representatives and certain other Underwriters may from time to time act as brokers and dealers in connection with the execution of its portfolio transactions after they have ceased to be Underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, may act as such brokers while they are Underwriters.

In connection with this offering, certain of the Underwriters or selected dealers may distribute prospectuses electronically. The Fund, the Avenue Managers and the Underwriters have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Prior to the public offering of Common Shares, the Adviser purchased Common Shares from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act. As of the date of this prospectus, the Adviser owned 100% of the outstanding Common Shares. The Adviser may be deemed to control the Fund until such time as it owns less than 25% of the outstanding Common Shares, which is expected to occur as of the completion of the offering of Common Shares.

The principal business address of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated is 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036. The principal business address of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013.

The Underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the Underwriters or their respective affiliates from time to time have provided in the past, and may provide in the future, investment banking, securities trading, hedging, brokerage activities, commercial lending and financial advisory services to the Fund, certain of its executive officers and affiliates and the Avenue Managers and their affiliates in the ordinary course of business, for which they have received, and may receive, customary fees and expenses. An affiliate of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated is (i) a limited partner of an entity that is a limited partner of the Adviser and (ii) a limited partner of an entity that is a member of a limited partner of the Subadviser.

No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the Common Shares, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus or any other material relating to the Fund or the Common Shares where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the Common Shares may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither this prospectus nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the Common Shares may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

Additional Compensation to the Underwriters and their Affiliates and Other Relationships

The Adviser (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay, from its own assets, an upfront marketing and structuring fee to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated in the amount of $          (which amount will not exceed       % of gross proceeds) and an upfront structuring fee to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. in the amount of $          (which amount will not exceed        % of gross proceeds). In contrast to the underwriting discounts and commissions (earned under the underwriting agreement by the underwriting syndicate as a group), the marketing and structuring fees will be earned by and paid to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. by the Adviser for advice to the Adviser relating to the structure, design and organization of the Fund, including without limitation, views from an investor market and distribution perspective on (i) diversification and concentration approaches for Senior Loans and other credit obligations in light of current market conditions, (ii) the amount and nature of leverage that could be accepted by the potential investor community, (iii) marketing issues with respect to the Fund investing in Senior Loans, second lien or subordinated floating or fixed rate debt, below investment grade securities, securities of financially distressed issuers, corporate bonds, securities of non-U.S. issuers, structured products and derivatives, (iv) the proportion of the Fund's Managed Assets to invest in Senior Loans, (v) the proportion of the Fund's Managed Assets to invest in non-U.S. securities and (vi) the overall marketing and positioning thesis for the Fund's initial public offering. These services are unrelated to the Adviser's function of advising the Fund as to its investments in securities or use of investment strategies and investment techniques. The


86



Adviser (and not the Fund) may also pay certain other qualifying Underwriters a structuring fee, a sales incentive fee or additional compensation in connection with this offering.

The Adviser and the Fund have entered into a distribution agreement with TSC and ABAX under which TSC and ABAX provide assistance to the Adviser with respect to distribution of the Common Shares and shareholder services. The fees due pursuant to this distribution agreement will be paid exclusively by the Adviser (and not the Fund). The Adviser has agreed to compensate TSC and ABAX in the amount of $          . In addition, for on-going structuring and shareholder services, the Adviser will pay additional compensation to TSC and ABAX quarterly in arrears for three years at the annual rate of 0.10% of the Fund's Managed Assets (subject to a maximum amount of 1% of the total price to the public of the Common Shares sold in the offering). The Fund has agreed to treat certain offering-related expenses of TSC and ABAX under the distribution agreement as offering expenses of the Fund and to reimburse such expenses to the extent that they, together with all other Fund offering expenses, do not exceed $0.04 per Common Share. Under the distribution agreement, the Fund has agreed to indemnify TSC and ABAX for the Fund's material breach of the agreement and for the Fund's failure to comply with applicable law.

The services provided by TSC and ABAX include without limitation (i) marketing support and preparation of marketing materials, (ii) development and coordination of a targeted "road show" for the offering of the Fund's Common Shares, (iii) assistance in the preparation of press releases, (iv) replying to requests for information from broker-dealers or prospective shareholders concerning the Fund, and (v) providing on-going structuring and shareholder services. These services are unrelated to the Adviser's function of advising the Fund as to its investments in securities or use of investment strategies and investment techniques.

As part of the Fund's payment of its offering expenses, the Fund has agreed to pay expenses related to the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with the review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA") of the terms of the sale of the Common Shares, the filing fees incident to the filing of marketing materials with FINRA and the transportation and other expenses incurred by the Underwriters in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Common Shares. Such expenses will not exceed $          in the aggregate.

Total underwriting compensation determined in accordance with FINRA rules is summarized as follows. The sales load the Fund will pay of $0.90 per share is equal to 4.50% of gross proceeds. The Fund has agreed to reimburse the Underwriters the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with the review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Common Shares, the filing fees incident to the filing of marketing materials with FINRA and the transportation and other expenses incurred by the Underwriters in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Common Shares, in an amount not to exceed $      in the aggregate, which amount will not exceed     % of gross proceeds. The Adviser (and not the Fund) will pay marketing and structuring fees to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., which will not exceed $         million in the aggregate, and will pay a fee to TSC and ABAX for distribution and shareholder services which will not exceed $         . The Fund has also agreed to reimburse TSC and ABAX for certain offering related expenses in an amount that will not exceed $         . Total compensation to the Underwriters, TSC and ABAX will not exceed 9.0% of gross proceeds.


87



CUSTODIAN, DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

State Street will serve as Custodian for the Fund. The Custodian will hold cash, securities, and other assets of the Fund as required by the 1940 Act and also provides certain Fund accounting services. Custody and accounting fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and other factors, plus reimbursement for certain out of pocket expenses. The principal business address of the custodian is State Street Financial Center, 1 Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. State Street will also act as the Fund's dividend paying agent, transfer agent and the registrar for the Fund's Common Shares. The principal address of the transfer agent and dividend paying agent is 200 Clarendon Street, 16th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.

LEGAL OPINIONS

Certain legal matters in connection with the Common Shares will be passed on for the Fund by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and, with respect to certain matters of Delaware law, by Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. and for the Underwriters by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and the Fund may rely on the opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. as to certain matters of Delaware law.

REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The Fund will send to Common Shareholders unaudited semi-annual and audited annual reports, including a list of investments held.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The financial statement as of December 13, 2010 included in the SAI has been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The address of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is 300 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Prospectus and the SAI do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement that the Fund has filed with the SEC (file No. 333-170030). The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations. The SAI can be obtained without charge by calling 1-888-301-3838.

Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other documents referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    Page  
Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks     2    
Investment Restrictions     13    
Management of the Fund     15    
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocation     26    
Description of Shares     28    
Repurchase of Common Shares     29    
Tax Matters     30    
Proxy Voting Policy and Proxy Voting Record     36    
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm     36    
Legal Counsel     36    
Additional Information     36    
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm     F-1    
Financial Statement     F-2    
Appendix A: Description of Securities Ratings     A-1    
Appendix B: Proxy Voting Guidelines     B-1    

 


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       Shares

Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund

Common Shares
$20.00 per Share

PROSPECTUS

, 2011

Morgan Stanley
Citi
Deutsche Bank Securities
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.
Maxim Group LLC

Until                , 2011 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade the Common Shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.




 

The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to completion December 27, 2010

 

 GRAPHIC

 

Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund

 

Statement of Additional Information

 

Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page

Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks

 

2

Investment Restrictions

 

13

Management of the Fund

 

15

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocation

 

26

Description of Shares

 

28

Repurchase of Common Shares

 

29

Tax Matters

 

30

Proxy Voting Policy and Proxy Voting Record

 

36

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

36

Legal Counsel

 

36

Additional Information

 

36

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

F-1

Financial Statement

 

F-2

Appendix A: Description of Securities Ratings

 

A-1

Appendix B: Proxy Voting Guidelines

 

B-1

 

THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS DATED                    .

 

This Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) is not a prospectus and is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only if preceded or accompanied by the Prospectus for the Fund dated                     , as supplemented from time to time, which is incorporated herein by reference. This SAI should be read in conjunction with such Prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained without charge by contacting your financial intermediary or by calling the Fund at 1-888-301-3838. You may also obtain a copy of the Prospectus on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) web site (http://www.sec.gov).

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this SAI have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks

 

The following disclosure supplements the disclosure set forth under the caption “Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy” in the prospectus and does not, by itself, present a complete or accurate explanation of the matters disclosed. Readers must refer also to this caption in the prospectus for a complete presentation of the matters disclosed below.

 

Senior Loans

 

The Senior Loan Process

 

Senior Loans are generally negotiated between a borrower and several lenders represented by one or more lenders acting as agent of all the lenders. The agent is responsible for negotiating the loan agreement that establishes the terms and conditions of the Senior Loan and the rights of the borrower and the lenders. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the agent, holds any collateral on behalf of the lenders. The agent is paid a fee by the borrower for its services.

 

The agent generally is required to administer and manage the Senior Loan on behalf of other lenders. When evaluating Senior Loans, the Avenue Managers may consider, and may rely in part on, analysis performed by the agent and other lenders. This analysis may include an evaluation of the value and sufficiency of collateral securing the Senior Loans. If the agent is also acting as collateral agent, it will be required to monitor the collateral. The agent may rely on independent appraisals of specific collateral. The agent need not, however, obtain an independent appraisal of assets pledged as collateral in all cases. The agent generally is also responsible for determining that the lenders have obtained a perfected security interest in the collateral securing a Senior Loan.

 

The Fund normally relies on the agent to collect principal of and interest on a Senior Loan. Furthermore, the Fund also relies in part on the agent to monitor compliance by the borrower with the restrictive covenants in the loan agreement and to notify the lenders, to the extent the agent becomes aware or receives notice thereof, of any adverse change in the borrower’s financial condition. The Fund will not purchase interests in Senior Loans unless the agent, lender and any other person positioned between the Fund and the borrower has entered into an agreement that provides for the holding of assets in safekeeping for, or the prompt disbursement of assets to, the Fund. Insolvency of the agent or other persons positioned between the Fund and the borrower could result in losses for the Fund.

 

The Fund may be required to pay and may receive various fees in connection with purchasing, selling and holding of interests in Senior Loans. The fees normally paid by borrowers include three primary types: structuring fees, commitment fees and prepayment penalties. Structuring fees are paid to lenders when a Senior Loan is originated. Commitment fees are paid to lenders on an ongoing basis based on the unused portion of a Senior Loan commitment. Prepayment penalties are fees paid to lenders when a borrower prepays a Senior Loan under certain circumstances set forth in the loan process. If the Fund acts as a lender originating a Senior Loan (an “original lender”), it will receive these fees directly from the borrower. If the Fund subsequently becomes a lender through an assignment or novation (an “Assignment”), it will receive any commitment fees and prepayment penalties directly from the borrower. Whether the Fund receives a facility fee in the case of an Assignment, or any fees in the case of an investment in a Senior Loan through a participation (a “Participation”), depends on negotiations between the Fund and the lender selling such interests. When the Fund buys a loan through an Assignment, it may be required to pay a fee to the lender selling the loan, or to forgo a portion of interest and fees payable to the Fund. Occasionally, the assignor pays a fee to the assignee. A person selling a Participation to the Fund may deduct a portion of the interest and any fees payable to the Fund as an administrative fee. The Fund may be required to pass along to a person that buys a Senior Loan from the Fund a portion of any fees that the Fund is entitled to receive.

 

The Fund may have obligations under a loan agreement, including the obligation to make additional loans in certain circumstances. The Fund intends to reserve against such contingent obligations by segregating cash and/or liquid securities.

 

2


 

Types of Senior Loan Investments

 

The Fund may act as an original lender originating a Senior Loan, may purchase Senior Loans through Assignments and may invest in Senior Loans through Participations.

 

Original Lender. When the Fund acts as an original lender, it may participate in structuring the Senior Loan. When the Fund is an original lender, it will have a direct contractual relationship with the borrower, may enforce compliance of the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement and may have rights with respect to any funds acquired by other lenders through set-off. Lenders typically also have full voting and consent rights under loan agreements. Certain actions of the borrower typically requires the vote or consent of the holders of some specified percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Loan. Certain decisions, such as reducing the amount of interest on or principal of a Senior Loan, releasing collateral, changing the maturity of a Senior Loan or a change in control of the borrower, frequently require the unanimous vote or consent of all lenders affected. The Fund intends never to act as the agent or principal negotiator or administrator of a Senior Loan, except to the extent it might be considered to be the principal negotiator of a loan negotiated by an Avenue Manager for the Fund and/or one or more other registered investment companies managed by an Avenue Manager.

 

The Fund will not act as an original lender for a loan if, after making such loan, loans originated by the Fund would exceed 20% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.  The Fund will generally only act as an original lender for a loan if, among other things, in the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s judgment, the borrower can make timely payments on its loans and satisfy other credit standards established by the Adviser or the Subadviser.  Each of the Avenue Managers relies primarily on its own evaluation of the credit quality of such a borrower.  The Fund will not originate a loan (i) to a borrower that is a portfolio company controlled by a fund managed by the Avenue Capital Group or (ii) where a member of the Avenue Capital Group or a fund managed by the Avenue Capital Group is the agent, principal negotiator or administrator of the loan, except to the extent that an Avenue Manager or another registered investment company managed by an Avenue Manager might be considered to be the principal negotiator of a loan it negotiates for the Fund and/or one or more other registered investment companies managed by an Avenue Manager.

 

Assignment. The purchaser of a loan through an Assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning lender and becomes a lender under the loan agreement. Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.

 

Participations. When the Fund purchases an interest in a loan through a Participation, the Fund will usually have a contractual relationship only with the lender selling the Participation and not with the borrower. The Fund may have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the lender of such payments from the borrower. As a result, the Fund may assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender selling the Participation. In the event of insolvency of the lender selling a Participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender.

 

The Fund generally will not have the right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the loan agreement, nor rights to any funds acquired by other lenders through set-off against the borrower. In addition, when the Fund holds a Participation in a Senior Loan, it may not have the right to vote on whether to waive enforcement of any restrictive covenant breached by a borrower. Lenders voting in connection with a potential waiver of a restrictive covenant may have interests different from those of the Fund and may not consider the interests of the Fund. The Fund may not benefit directly from the collateral supporting a Senior Loan in which it has purchased the Participation, although lenders that sell Participations generally are required to distribute liquidation proceeds received by them pro rata among the holders of such Participations.

 

Lower Grade Loans and Debt

 

The Fund’s investments may include credit obligations with the lowest grade assigned by a NRSRO and unrated credit obligations of comparable quality. Credit obligations assigned the lowest grade ratings include those of companies that are in default or are in bankruptcy or reorganization. Credit obligations of such companies are regarded by the NRSROs as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing and are usually available at deep discounts from the face values of the instruments. A security purchased at a deep discount

 

3


 

may currently pay a very high effective yield. In addition, if the financial condition of the company improves, the underlying value of the obligation may increase, resulting in capital appreciation. If the company defaults on its credit obligations or remains in default, or if the plan of reorganization does not provide sufficient payments for debtholders, the deep discount credit obligations may stop generating income and lose value or become worthless. The Avenue Managers seek to balance the benefits of deep discount credit obligations with the risks associated with investments in such obligations. While a diversified portfolio may reduce the overall impact of a deep discount obligation that is in default or loses its value, the risk cannot be eliminated.

 

Few lower-grade credit obligations are listed for trading on any national securities exchange, and issuers of lower-grade credit obligations may choose not to have a rating assigned to their credit obligations by any NRSRO. As a result, the Fund’s portfolio may consist of a greater portion of unlisted or unrated credit obligations as compared with a fund that invests primarily in higher-grade credit obligations. Unrated credit obligations are usually not as attractive to as many buyers as are rated credit obligations, a factor which may make unrated credit obligations less marketable. These factors may have the effect of limiting the availability of the credit obligations for purchase by the Fund and may also limit the ability of the Fund to sell such credit obligations at their fair value either to raise cash for the repurchase of Common Shares, meet redemption requests or in response to changes in the economy or the financial markets. Further, to the extent the Fund owns or may acquire illiquid or restricted lower-grade credit obligations, these credit obligations may involve special registration responsibilities, liabilities and costs, and liquidity and valuation difficulties.

 

The markets for lower-grade loans and debt credit obligations may be less liquid than the markets for higher-grade credit obligations. Liquidity relates to the ability to sell an obligation in a timely manner at a price which reflects the value of that obligation. To the extent that there is no established retail market for some of the lower-grade securities in which the Fund may invest, trading in such securities may be relatively inactive. Prices of lower-grade credit obligations may decline rapidly in the event a significant number of holders decide to sell. Changes in expectations regarding an individual issuer of lower-grade credit obligations generally could reduce market liquidity for such credit obligations and make their sale by the Fund more difficult, at least in the absence of price concessions. The effects of adverse publicity and investor perceptions may be more pronounced for securities for which no established retail market exists as compared with the effects on securities for which such a market does exist. An economic downturn or an increase in interest rates could severely disrupt the market for such credit obligations and adversely affect the value of outstanding credit obligations or the ability of the issuers to repay principal and interest. Further, the Fund may have more difficulty selling such credit obligations in a timely manner and at their stated value than would be the case for credit obligations for which an established retail market does exist.

 

During periods of reduced market liquidity or in the absence of readily available market quotations for lower-grade or other credit obligations held in the Fund’s portfolio, the ability of the Fund to value the Fund’s investments becomes more difficult and the judgment of the Avenue Managers may play a greater role in the valuation of the Fund’s investments due to the reduced availability of reliable objective data.

 

The Fund will rely on the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s judgment, analysis and experience in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issuer. The amount of available information about the financial condition of certain lower-grade issuers may be less extensive than other issuers. In their analysis, the Avenue Managers may consider the credit ratings of NRSROs in evaluating credit obligations although the Avenue Managers do not rely primarily on these ratings. Credit ratings of NRSROs evaluate only the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market risk. In addition, ratings are general and not absolute standards of quality, and credit ratings are subject to the risk that the creditworthiness of an issuer may change and the NRSROs may fail to change such ratings in a timely fashion. A rating downgrade does not require the Fund to dispose of a security. The Avenue Managers continuously monitor the issuers of credit obligations held in their respective managed portions of the Fund. Additionally, since most non-U.S. income credit obligations are not rated, the Fund will invest in such credit obligations based on the analysis of the Avenue Managers without any guidance from published ratings. Because of the number of investment considerations involved in investing in lower-grade credit obligations and foreign income credit obligations, achievement of the Fund’s investment objectives may be more dependent upon the credit analysis of the Avenue Managers than is the case with investing in higher-grade credit obligations.

 

4


 

New or proposed laws may have an impact on the market for lower-grade credit obligations. The Fund is unable at this time to predict what effect, if any, legislation may have on the market for lower-grade credit obligations.

 

Other Derivative Instruments

 

The Fund may, but is not required to, use various transactions in derivative instruments to earn income, to facilitate portfolio management and to mitigate risks. Techniques and instruments may change over time as new instruments and strategies are developed or as regulatory changes occur. Although the Avenue Managers seeks to use such transactions to further the Fund’s investment objectives, no assurance can be given that the use of these transactions will achieve this result. The Fund’s activities involving derivative instruments may be limited due to the Fund’s intent to qualify under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), as a regulated investment company.

 

Call and Put Options

 

The Fund may purchase and sell call or put options on securities, including U.S. Treasury and agency securities, foreign sovereign debt, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt securities, Eurodollar instruments and foreign debt securities that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets and may also purchase related futures contracts on such securities, indices and currencies. All calls sold by the Fund must be “covered” (i.e., the Fund must own the securities or futures contract subject to the call) or must meet the asset segregation requirements described below as long as the call is outstanding. Even though the Fund will receive the option premium as compensation, a call sold by the Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold a security or instrument which it might otherwise have sold.  If a written call option is not covered, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may have to purchase the underlying securities in the market upon exercise of the option (in order to deliver the securities to the option holder) at a price that is higher than the exercise price and premiums received by the Fund. In selling put options, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.

 

Selling Call and Put Options

 

Purpose. The principal reason for selling options is to obtain, through receipt of premiums, a greater current return than would be realized on the underlying securities alone. Such current return could be expected to fluctuate because premiums earned from an option selling program and dividend or interest income yields on portfolio securities vary as economic and market conditions change. Selling options on portfolio securities is likely to result in a higher portfolio turnover rate.

 

Selling Options. The purchaser of a call option pays a premium to the seller (i.e., the writer) for the right to buy the underlying security from the seller at a specified price during a certain period. The Fund would write call options only on a covered basis or for cross-hedging purposes. A call option is covered if, at all times during the option period, the Fund owns or has the right to acquire securities of the type that it would be obligated to deliver if any outstanding option were exercised. An option is for cross-hedging purposes if it is not covered by the security subject to the option, but is designed to provide a hedge against another security which the Fund owns or has the right to acquire. In such circumstances, the Fund collateralizes the option by segregating cash and/or liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the underlying security, marked to market daily, while the option is outstanding.

 

The purchaser of a put option pays a premium to the seller (i.e., the writer) for the right to sell the underlying security to the writer at a specified price during a certain period. The Fund would sell put options only on a secured basis, which means that, at all times during the option period, the Fund would segregate cash and/or liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the exercise price of the option, or would hold a put on the same underlying security at an equal or greater exercise price.

 

Closing Purchase Transactions and Offsetting Transactions. To terminate its position as a writer of a call or put option, the Fund could enter into a “closing purchase transaction,” which is the purchase of a call (put) on the same underlying security and having the same exercise price and expiration date as the call (put) previously sold by the

 

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Fund. The Fund would realize a gain (loss) if the premium plus commission paid in the closing purchase transaction is lesser (greater) than the premium it received on the sale of the option. The Fund would also realize a gain if an option it has written lapses unexercised.

 

The Fund could sell options that are listed on an exchange as well as options which are privately negotiated in OTC transactions. The Fund could close out its position as a seller of an option only if a liquid secondary market exists for options of that series, but there is no assurance that such a market will exist, particularly in the case of OTC options, since they can be closed out only with the other party to the transaction. Alternatively, the Fund could purchase an offsetting option, which would not close out its position as a seller, but would provide an asset of equal value to its obligation under the option sold. If the Fund is not able to enter into a closing purchase transaction or to purchase an offsetting option with respect to an option it has sold, it will be required to maintain the securities subject to the call or the collateral securing the option until a closing purchase transaction can be entered into (or the option is exercised or expires) even though it might not be advantageous to do so.

 

Risks of Writing Options. By selling a call option, the Fund loses the potential for gain on the underlying security above the exercise price while the option is outstanding; by selling a put option the Fund might become obligated to purchase the underlying security at an exercise price that exceeds the then current market price.  If a written call option is not covered, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it may have to purchase the underlying securities in the market upon exercise of the option (in order to deliver the securities to the option holder) at a price that is higher than the exercise price and premiums received by the Fund.

 

Purchasing Call and Put Options

 

The Fund could purchase call options to protect against anticipated increases in the prices of securities it wishes to acquire. Alternatively, call options could be purchased for capital appreciation. Since the premium paid for a call option is typically a small fraction of the price of the underlying security, a given amount of funds will purchase call options covering a much larger quantity of such security than could be purchased directly. By purchasing call options, the Fund could benefit from any significant increase in the price of the underlying security to a greater extent than had it invested the same amount in the security directly. However, because of the very high volatility of option premiums, the Fund would bear a significant risk of losing the entire premium if the price of the underlying security did not rise sufficiently, or if it did not do so before the option expired.

 

Put options may be purchased to protect against anticipated declines in the market value of either specific portfolio securities or of the Fund’s assets generally. Alternatively, put options may be purchased for capital appreciation in anticipation of a price decline in the underlying security and a corresponding increase in the value of the put option. The purchase of put options for capital appreciation involves the same significant risk of loss as described above for call options. In any case, the purchase of options for capital appreciation would increase the Fund’s volatility by increasing the impact of changes in the market price of the underlying securities on the Fund’s net asset value.

 

OTC Options

 

The Fund is authorized to purchase and sell OTC options. OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial institutions of other parties (“Counterparties”) through direct bilateral agreement with the Counterparty.  OTC options expose the Fund to counterparty risk.

 

Futures Contracts

 

The Fund may engage in transactions involving futures contracts and options on futures contracts in accordance with the rules and interpretations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) under which the Fund would be exempt from registration as a “commodity pool.” An index futures contract is an agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take and make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount multiplied by the difference between the index value at a specified time and the price at which the futures contract originally was struck. No physical delivery of the underlying securities in the index is made. An interest rate futures contract is an agreement pursuant to which a party agrees to take or make delivery of a specified debt security (such as U.S. Treasury bonds or notes) or to take or make delivery of cash based upon the change in value of a basket or

 

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index of securities at a specified future time and at a specified price. Interest rate futures contracts also include cash settlement contracts based upon a specified interest rate such as the London interbank offered rate for dollar deposits or LIBOR.

 

Initial and Variation Margin. In contrast to the purchase or sale of a security, no price is paid or received upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund is required to deposit an amount of cash and/or liquid securities equal to a percentage (which will normally range between 1% and 10%) of the contract amount with either a futures commission merchant pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated under the 1940 Act or with its custodian in an account in the broker’s name. This amount is known as initial margin. The nature of initial margin in futures contract transactions is different from that of margin in securities transactions in that futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by the customer to finance the transaction. Rather, the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract, which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract and satisfaction of its contractual obligations. Subsequent payments to and from the initial margin account, called variation margin, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying securities or index fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking to market. At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may elect to terminate the position by taking an opposite position. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or a gain.

 

Futures Contract Strategies. When the Fund anticipates a significant market or market sector advance, the purchase of a futures contract affords a hedge against not participating in the advance at a time when the Fund is otherwise fully invested (“anticipatory hedge”). Such purchase of a futures contract would serve as a temporary substitute for the purchase of individual securities, which may be purchased in an orderly fashion once the market has stabilized. As individual securities are purchased, an equivalent amount of futures contracts could be terminated by offsetting sales. The Fund may sell futures contracts in anticipation of or in a general market or market sector decline that may adversely affect the market value of the Fund’s securities (“defensive hedge”). To the extent that the Fund’s portfolio of securities changes in value in correlation with the underlying security or index, the sale of futures contracts would substantially reduce the risk to the Fund of a market decline and, by so doing provides an alternative to the liquidation of securities positions in the Fund. Ordinarily transaction costs associated with futures contract transactions are lower than transaction costs that would be incurred in the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.

 

Risks Associated with Futures Contract Transactions. There are several risks connected with the use of futures contracts. These include the risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and of the underlying securities or index; the risk of market distortion; the risk of illiquidity; and the risk of error in anticipating price movement. There may be an imperfect correlation (or no correlation) between movements in the price of the futures contracts and of the securities being hedged. The risk of imperfect correlation increases as the composition of the securities being hedged diverges from the securities or other reference value upon which the futures contract is based. If the price of the futures contract moves less than the price of the securities being hedged, the hedge will not be fully effective. To compensate for the imperfect correlation, the Fund could buy or sell futures contracts in a greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of securities being hedged if the historical volatility of the securities being hedged is greater than the historical volatility of the securities or other reference value underlying the futures contract. Conversely, the Fund could buy or sell futures contracts in a lesser dollar amount than the dollar amount of securities being hedged if the historical volatility of the securities being hedged is less than the historical volatility of the securities or other reference value underlying the futures contracts. It is also possible that the value of futures contracts held by the Fund could decline at the same time as portfolio securities being hedged; if this occurred, the Fund would lose money on the futures contract in addition to suffering a decline in value in the portfolio securities being hedged.

 

There is also the risk that the price of futures contracts may not correlate perfectly with movements in the securities or index underlying the futures contract due to certain market distortions. First, all participants in the futures contract market are subject to margin depository and maintenance requirements. Rather than meet additional margin depository requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions, which could distort the normal relationship between the futures contract market and the securities or index underlying the futures contract. Second, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures contract market are

 

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less onerous than margin requirements in the securities markets. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures contract markets may cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortion in the futures contract markets and because of the imperfect correlation between movements in futures contracts and movements in the securities underlying them, a correct forecast of general market trends by the Adviser or Subadviser may still not result in a successful hedging transaction.

 

There is also the risk that futures contract markets may not be sufficiently liquid. Futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange or board of trade that provides a market for such futures contracts. Although the Fund intends to purchase or sell futures contracts only on exchanges and boards of trade where there appears to be an active secondary market, there can be no assurance that an active secondary market will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. In the event of such illiquidity, it might not be possible to close a futures contract position and, in the event of adverse price movement, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily payments of variation margin. Since the securities being hedged would generally not be sold until the related futures contract is sold, an increase, if any, in the price of the securities may to some extent offset losses on the related futures contract. In such event, the Fund would lose the benefit of the appreciation in value of the securities.

 

Successful use of futures contracts is also subject to the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s ability to correctly predict the direction of movements in the market. For example, if the Fund hedges against a decline in the market, and market prices instead advance, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increase in value of its securities holdings because it will have offsetting losses in futures contracts. In such cases, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so to meet the daily variation margin.

 

Although the Fund intends to enter into futures contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time. Most U.S. futures contract exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit. It is possible that futures contract prices would move to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures contract positions and subjecting some futures contract traders to substantial losses. In such event, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. In such circumstances, an increase in the value of the portion of the portfolio being hedged, if any, may partially or completely offset losses on the futures contract. However, there is no guarantee that the price of the securities being hedged will, in fact, correlate with the price movements in a futures contract and thus provide an offset to losses on the futures contract.

 

Options on Futures Contracts

 

The Fund could also purchase and write options on futures contracts. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the option period. As a writer of an option on a futures contract, the Fund would be subject to initial margin and maintenance requirements similar to those applicable to futures contracts. In addition, net option premiums received by the Fund are required to be included as initial margin deposits. When an option on a futures contract is exercised, delivery of the futures contract position is accompanied by cash representing the difference between the current market price of the futures contract and the exercise price of the option. The Fund could purchase put options on futures contracts in lieu of, and for the same purposes as the sale of a futures contract; at the same time, it could write put options at a lower strike price (a “put bear spread”) to offset part of the cost of the strategy to the Fund. The purchase of call options on futures contracts is intended to serve the same purpose as the actual purchase of the futures contracts.

 

Risks of Transactions in Options on Futures Contracts. In addition to the risks described above which apply to all options transactions, there are several risks relating to options on futures contracts. An Avenue Manager will not purchase options on futures contracts on any exchange unless in the Avenue Manager’s opinion, a liquid secondary exchange market for such options exists. Compared to the use of futures contracts, the purchase of options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to the Fund because the maximum amount at risk with purchased options is the premium paid for the options (plus transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances, such as when there is no movement in the price of the underlying security or index, when the use of an option on a future contract would result in a loss to the Fund when the use of a future contract would not.

 

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Options on Foreign Currencies

 

The Fund may purchase and write options on foreign currencies in a manner similar to that in which forward contracts or futures contracts on foreign currencies will be utilized. For example, a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which portfolio securities are denominated will reduce the dollar value of such securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. To protect against such diminutions in the value of portfolio securities, the Fund may purchase put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency does decline, the Fund will have the right to sell such currency for a fixed amount in dollars and will thereby offset, in whole or in part, the adverse effect on its portfolio which otherwise would have resulted. Conversely, where a rise in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which securities to be acquired are denominated is projected, thereby increasing the cost of such securities, the Fund may purchase call options thereon. The purchase of such options could offset, at least partially, the effects of the adverse movements in exchange rates. As in the case of other types of options, however, the benefit to the Fund deriving from purchases of foreign currency options will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In addition, where currency exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the extent anticipated, the Fund could sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency options which would require it to forego a portion or all of the benefits of advantageous changes in such rates.

 

The Fund may write options on foreign currencies for the same types of purposes. For example, where the Fund anticipates a decline in the dollar value of foreign currency denominated securities due to adverse fluctuations in exchange rates it could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a call option on the relevant currency. If the expected decline occurs, the option will most likely not be exercised, and the diminution in value of portfolio securities will be offset by the amount of the premium received. Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option to protect against an anticipated increase in the dollar cost of securities to be acquired, the Fund could write a put option on the relevant currency which, if rates move in the manner projected, will expire unexercised and allow the Fund to protect against such increased cost up to the amount of the premium. As in the case of other types of options, however, the writing of a foreign currency option will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium, and only if rates move in the expected direction. If this does not occur, the option may be exercised and the Fund would be required to purchase or sell the underlying currency at a loss which may not be offset by the amount of the premium. Through the writing of options on foreign currencies, the Fund may also be required to forego all or a portion of the benefits which might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements in exchange rates.

 

The value of a foreign currency option is dependent upon the value of the underlying foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. As a result, the price of the option position may vary with changes in the value of either or both currencies and has no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market (conducted directly between currency traders, usually large commercial banks, and their customers) involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be involved in the use of foreign currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round lots.

 

There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies and there is no regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation information available is generally representative of very large transactions in the interbank market and thus may not reflect relatively smaller transactions (i.e., less than $1 million) where rates may be less favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To the extent that the U.S. options markets are closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, significant price and rate movements may take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets.

 

The Fund may write call options on foreign currencies for cross-hedging purposes. A call option on a foreign currency is for cross-hedging purposes if it is not covered, but is designed to protect against a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a security which the Fund owns or has the right to acquire and which is denominated in the currency underlying the option due to an adverse change in the exchange rate. In such circumstances, the Fund collateralizes the option by segregating cash and/or liquid securities in an amount not less than the value of the underlying foreign currency in U.S. dollars marked to market daily.

 

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Combined Transactions

 

The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures contracts transactions, multiple currency transactions (including forward currency contracts) and multiple interest rate transactions and any combination of futures contracts, options, currency and interest rate transactions (“component” transactions), instead of a single derivative instrument as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of the Adviser or the Subadviser, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. A combined transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally entered into based on the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s judgment that the combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.

 

Additional Risks of Other Derivative Instruments

 

Each of the U.S. exchanges has established limitations governing the maximum number of call or put options on the same underlying security or futures contract (whether or not covered) which may be written by a single investor, whether acting alone or in concert with others (regardless of whether such options are written on the same or different exchanges or are held or written on one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). Option positions of all investment companies advised by the Adviser or the Subadviser are combined for purposes of these limits. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of these limits and it may impose other sanctions or restrictions. These position limits may restrict the number of listed options which the Fund may write.

 

In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker or futures commission merchant through which the Fund engages in transactions in options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts, the Fund could experience delays and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or incur a loss of all or part of its margin deposits. Transactions are entered into by the Fund only with brokers or financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Adviser or Subadviser.

 

Unlike transactions entered into by the Fund in futures contracts, options on foreign currencies and forward contracts are not traded on contract markets regulated by the CFTC or (with the exception of certain foreign currency options) by the SEC. To the contrary, such instruments are traded through financial institutions acting as market-makers, although foreign currency options are also traded on certain national securities exchanges, subject to SEC regulation. Similarly, options on currencies may be traded OTC. In an OTC trading environment, many of the protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available. For example, there are no daily price fluctuation limits, and adverse market movements could, therefore, continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. Although the purchaser of an option cannot lose more than the amount of the premium plus related transaction costs, this entire amount could be lost. Moreover, the option writer and a trader of forward contracts could lose amounts substantially in excess of their initial investments, due to the margin and collateral requirements associated with such positions.

 

Options on foreign currencies traded on national securities exchanges are within the jurisdiction of the SEC, as are other securities traded on such exchanges. As a result, many of the protections provided to traders on organized exchanges will be available with respect to such transactions. In particular, all foreign currency option positions entered into on a national securities exchange are cleared and guaranteed by the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”), thereby reducing the risk of counterparty default. Further, a liquid secondary market in options traded on a national securities exchange may be more readily available than in the OTC market, potentially permitting the Fund to liquidate open positions at a profit prior to exercise or expiration, or to limit losses in the event of adverse market movements.

 

The purchase and sale of exchange-traded foreign currency options, however, is subject to the risks of the availability of a liquid secondary market described above, as well as the risks regarding adverse market movements, margining of options written, the nature of the foreign currency market, possible intervention by governmental authorities and the effects of other political and economic events. In addition, exchange-traded options on foreign currencies involve certain risks not presented by the OTC market. For example, exercise and settlement of such

 

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options must be made exclusively through the OCC, which has established banking relationships in applicable foreign countries for this purpose. As a result, the OCC may, if it determines that foreign governmental restrictions or taxes would prevent the orderly settlement of foreign currency option exercises, or would result in undue burdens on the OCC or its clearing member, impose special procedures on exercise and settlement, such as technical changes in the mechanics of delivery of currency, the fixing of dollar settlement prices or prohibitions, on exercise.

 

In addition, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and options on foreign currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in or the prices of foreign currencies or securities. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political, legal, and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during nonbusiness hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (v) lesser trading volume.

 

Swap Transactions

 

The Fund may enter into swap transactions including currency, credit default, total return and interest rate swap agreements, as well as options thereon, and may purchase or sell caps, floors and collars.

 

The Fund may enter into total return swaps. Total return swaps are used as substitutes for owning a particular physical security, or the securities comprised by a given market index, or to obtain exposure in markets where no physical securities are available such as an interest rate index. Total return refers to the payment (or receipt) of the total return on the security, index or other instrument underlying the swap, which is then exchanged for the receipt (or payment) of a floating interest rate. Total return swaps provide the Fund with the additional flexibility of gaining exposure to a particular security or index by using the most cost-effective vehicle available. Total return swaps provide the Fund with the opportunity to actively manage the cash maintained by the Fund as a result of not having to purchase the actual securities or other instruments underlying the swap. Similar to interest rate swaps, the cash backing total return swaps is actively managed to seek to earn a return in excess of the floating rate paid on the swap.

 

The Fund may enter into credit default swap contracts or credit-linked notes for hedging purposes or to gain exposure to or similar to a credit security in which the Fund may otherwise invest. A credit default swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange the credit risk of an issuer (reference entity). A buyer of a credit default swap is said to buy protection by paying periodic fees in return for a contingent payment from the seller if the reference entity has a credit event such as bankruptcy, a failure to pay outstanding obligations or deteriorating credit while the swap is outstanding. A seller of a credit default swap is said to sell protection and thus collects the periodic fees and profits if the credit of the reference entity remains stable or improves while the swap is outstanding but the seller in a credit default swap contract would be required to pay an agreed-upon amount to the buyer in the event of an adverse credit event of the reference entity. A credit-linked note is a synthetic security, typically issued by a special purpose vehicle or a bank, that trades like a bond issued by the reference entity but with the economics of the credit default swap. For this security, the buyer of protection sells the note. The buyer of protection (note seller) will typically make periodic payments to the note holder while the reference entity is not in default.  If the reference entity defaults, the note seller may profit through the termination of its obligations to make periodic payments and to return the note holder’s principal. Unlike the swap, the buyer of protection in a credit-linked note will receive money at the time of transaction from the sale of the note, and will return this money at the contract’s maturity if no credit event occurs. Conversely, the seller of protection purchases the notes. As with a credit default swap, the note purchaser (protection seller) receives periodic payments. Unlike the swap transaction, the protection seller must pay for the note at the time of the transaction and will collect this money at the contract’s maturity if no credit event occurs.

 

Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount of principal. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent

 

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that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a contractually-based principal amount from the party selling the interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a contractually-based principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate collar combines the elements of purchasing a cap and selling a floor. The collar protects the purchaser against an interest rate rise above the maximum amount but requires the purchaser to forego the benefit of an interest rate decline below the minimum amount.

 

The Fund will enter into swap, cap or floor transactions only with counterparties approved by the Adviser or the Subadviser in accordance with guidelines established by the Board. The Adviser and Subadviser will monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties to the Fund’s swap, cap, floor and collar transactions on an ongoing basis. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. The Fund may enter into swaps, caps, floors and collars on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, and will usually enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap will be accrued on a daily basis and the Fund segregates an amount of cash and/or liquid securities having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess. If the Fund enters into a swap transaction on other than a net basis, the Fund would segregate the full amount accrued on a daily basis of the Fund’s obligations with respect to the swap. To the extent the Fund sells (i.e., writes) caps, floors and collars, it will segregate cash and/or liquid securities having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the full amount, accrued on a daily basis, of the Fund’s net obligations with respect to the caps, floors or collars.

 

A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options.

 

The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If the Adviser or the Subadviser is incorrect in its forecasts of the market values, interest rates and other applicable factors, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these investment techniques were not used. The use of swaps, caps, collars and floors may also have the effect of shifting the recognition of income between current and future periods.

 

Structured Notes

 

Structured notes are derivative debt securities, the interest rate and/or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator. Indexed securities include structured notes as well as securities other than debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator. Indexed securities may include a multiplier that multiplies the indexed element by a specified factor and, therefore, the value of such securities may be very volatile. The terms of structured notes and indexed securities may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity and therefore, may result in a loss of invested capital. Structured notes and indexed securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the reference may produce an increase or a decrease in the interest rate or the value of the structured or indexed security at maturity may be calculated as a specified multiple of the change in the value of the reference; therefore, the value of such security may be very volatile. Structured notes and indexed securities may entail a greater degree of market risk than other types of debt securities because the investor bears the risk of the reference indicator. Structured notes or indexed securities may also be more volatile, less liquid, and more difficult to accurately price than less complex securities or more traditional debt securities.

 

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Investment Restrictions

 

The following are fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities (which for this purpose and under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the Fund’s voting securities present at a meeting at which more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities). Except as otherwise noted, all percentage limitations set forth below apply immediately after a purchase and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market fluctuations does not require any action. With respect to the limitations on the issuance of senior securities and in the case of borrowings, the percentage limitations apply at the time of issuance and on an ongoing basis. The Fund may not:

 

1.     Issue senior securities or borrow money, except the Fund may issue senior securities and/or borrow money (including through reverse repurchase agreements) to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, and as modified or supplemented from time to time by (i) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time and (ii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time. The Fund does not have an investment policy limiting the amount of leverage that may be obtained through the use of covered reverse repurchase agreements.

 

2.     Act as an underwriter of securities issued by others, except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of loans or portfolio securities, it may be deemed to be an underwriter under applicable securities laws.

 

3.     Invest in any security if as a result, 25% or more of the value of the Fund’s total assets, taken at market value at the time of each investment, are in the securities of issuers in any particular industry except (a) securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities or securities of state and municipal governments or their political subdivisions (however, not including private purpose industrial development bonds issued on behalf of non-government issuers), or (b) as otherwise provided by the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, and as modified or supplemented from time to time by (i) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, and (ii) any exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.  For purposes of this restriction, (i) an investment in a loan participation will be considered to be an investment in the securities or obligations of the issuer of the loan to which the participation relates and (ii) an investment in a repurchase agreement, reverse repurchase agreement, CLO, CBO, CDO or a swap or other derivative will be considered to be an investment in the industry (if any) of the underlying or reference security, instrument or asset. The Fund defines an industry by reference to Standard & Poor’s GICS codes for industry classifications.

 

4.     Purchase or sell real estate, except that the Fund may: (a) acquire or lease office space for its own use, (b) invest in securities and/or other instruments of issuers that invest in real estate or interests therein or that are engaged in or operate in the real estate industry, (c) invest in securities and/or other instruments that are secured by real estate or interests therein, (d) purchase and sell mortgage-related securities and/or other instruments, and (e) hold and sell real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities and/or other instruments.

 

5.     Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments; provided that this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts and related options thereon, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and any other financial or derivative instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities.

 

6.     Make loans of money or property to any person, except (a) to the extent that securities, instruments, credit obligations or interests (including Senior Loans) in which the Fund may invest, or which the Fund may originate, are considered to be loans, (b) through the loan of portfolio securities or (c) by engaging in repurchase agreements.

 

Thus, with respect to the foregoing restrictions 1 and 3, the Fund currently may not:

 

1.  Issue senior securities or borrow money, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.  Currently, the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder generally limit the extent to which the Fund may utilize “uncovered” reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings, together with any other senior securities representing indebtedness, to 331/3% of the Fund’s total assets at the time utilized.  In addition, the 1940 Act limits the extent to which the Fund may issue preferred shares to 50% of the Fund’s total assets (less the Fund’s obligations under uncovered reverse repurchase agreements and other senior securities representing indebtedness).  “Covered” reverse repurchase agreements will not be counted against the foregoing limits under the 1940 Act.  A reverse repurchase agreement will be considered “covered” if the Fund segregates an amount of cash and/or liquid securities equal to the Fund’s obligations under such reverse repurchase agreement (or segregates such other

 

13


 

amounts as may be permitted by the 1940 Act or SEC guidance from time to time); otherwise, a reverse repurchase agreement will be considered “uncovered.”

 

2.  Invest in any security if, as a result 25% or more of the value of the Fund’s total assets, taken at market value at the time of each investment, are in the securities of issuers in any particular industry except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities or securities of state and municipal governments or their political subdivisions (however, not including private purpose industrial development bonds issued on behalf of non-government issuers).

 

The latter part of certain of the Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions (i.e., the references to “as may otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time and as modified or supplemented from time to time by (i) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, and (ii) any exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time”) provide the Fund with flexibility to change its limitations in connection with changes in applicable law, rules, regulations or exemptive relief. The language used in these restrictions provides the necessary flexibility to allow the Fund’s Board to respond efficiently to these kinds of developments without the delay and expense of a shareholder meeting.

 

14


 

Management of the Fund

 

Trustees and Officers

 

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board and the Fund’s officers appointed by the Board. The tables below list the trustees and officers of the Fund and their present positions and principal occupations during the past five years.  The business address of the Fund, its board members and officers, the Adviser and the Subadviser is 399 Park Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10022, unless specified otherwise below. The term “Fund Complex” includes each of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser or the Subadviser or their affiliates as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information. Trustees serve three year terms or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Officers are annually elected by the Trustees.

 

Independent Trustees(1)

 

Name, Age and Address
of Independent Trustee

 

Position(s)
Held
with Fund

 

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served

 

Principal Occupations(s)
During Past 5 Years

 

Number of 
Registered 
Investment 
Companies in 
Fund Complex 
Overseen by 
Trustee

 

Other Directorships
Held by Trustee

Joel Citron (48)
399 Park Avenue, 6
th Floor
New York, NY 10022

 

Trustee

 

Since December 2010

 

Chief Investment Officer/Managing Member of TAH Management/TAH Capital Partners, a private investment management firm (since 2009), and CEO of Tenth Avenue Holdings, a related holding company (since 2008); Managing Partner of Jove Partners, a hedge fund and private equity firm (2006 -2008); CEO of Jovian Holdings, a privately held investment and operating company (2002-2008).

 

1

 

Chairman of Tenth Avenue Commerce, an e-commerce company (since 2010); Director of Communications Capital Group, LLC (since 2009); Director of Attivio, Inc., a software company (since 2009), Director of Symbius Medical, LLC, a medical service provider (since 2007); Chairman of Oxigene Inc., a biotech company (2001-2009), Chairman of Provide Commerce Inc., an e-commerce company (2001-2006).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darren Thompson (47)
399 Park Avenue, 6
th Floor
New York, NY 10022

 

Trustee

 

Since December 2010

 

Chief Financial Officer of Revolution Money, Inc., a payment network (now a subsidiary of American Express Company) (since 2006); Chief Executive Officer of Avenue Mortgage, Inc., a private investment management company (2005-2006); Head of Credit Finance of Fannie Mae, a mortgage financing government sponsored enterprise (2002-2005).

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julie Dien Ledoux (41)
399 Park Avenue, 6
th Floor
New York, NY 10022

 

Trustee

 

Since December 2010

 

Analyst and Portfolio Manager of Avenue Capital Group (1998-2007)

 

1

 

Board Member and on the Executive Committee of East Sixties Property Owners Association PMB 282, a non-profit neighborhood group

 

Interested Trustee(1)

 

Name, Age and Address of
Interested Trustee(2)

 

Position(s)
 Held with 
Fund

 

Term of Office 
and Length of 
Time Served

 

Principal Occupations(s)
During Past 5 Years

 

Number of 
Registered 
Investment 
Companies in 
Fund Complex 
Overseen by 
Trustee

 

Other Directorships
Held by Trustee

Randolph Takian (36)
399 Park Avenue, 6
th Floor
New York, NY 10022

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee

 

Since October 2010

 

Managing Director and Head of Traditional Asset Management of Avenue Capital Group (since 2010); President and Principal Executive Officer of certain open-end and closed-end funds advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management

 

1

 

Board Member and member of Executive Committee of Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, a non-profit

 

15


 

Name, Age and Address of
Interested Trustee(2)

 

Position(s)
 Held with 
Fund

 

Term of Office 
and Length of 
Time Served

 

Principal Occupations(s)
During Past 5 Years

 

Number of 
Registered 
Investment 
Companies in 
Fund Complex 
Overseen by 
Trustee

 

Other Directorships
Held by Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inc. (“MSIM”) or an affiliated person of MSIM (2008-2010); President and Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. (2008-2010); President of MSIM (2008-2010); Managing Director and Head of Americas distribution, product and marketing for MSIM (2009-2010); Head of Liquidity and Bank Trust business (2008-2010) and the Latin American Franchise (July 2008-2010) at MSIM., Managing Director, Director and/or Officer of MSIM and various entities affiliated with MSIM. Formerly, Head of Retail and Intermediary business, Head of Strategy and Product Development for the Alternatives Group and Senior Loan Investment Management. Formerly with Bank of America (1996-2006), most recently as Head of the Strategy, Mergers and Acquisitions team for Global Wealth and Investment Management.

 

 

 

organization

 


(1)  “Independent trustees” are those Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Fund, and “interested trustees” are those Trustees who are “interested persons” of the Fund.

(2)  Mr. Takian is an “interested trustee” due to his employment with the Adviser and the Subadviser.

 

Principal Officers who are not Trustees

 

Name, Age and Address of
Officer

 

Position(s) Held 
with Fund

 

Term of Office
 and Length of
 Time Served

 

Principal Occupations(s)
During Past 5 Years

 

 

 

 

Robert Ollwerther (54)
399 Park Avenue, 6
th Floor
New York, NY 10022

 

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

 

Since December 2010

 

Chief Operating Officer of Avenue Capital Group, an investment management firm (since 2008); Formerly with Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., a financial management and advisory company (1981-2008), most recently as a Managing Director (2005-2008).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ty Darren Oyer (39)
399 Park Avenue, 6
th Floor
New York, NY 10022

 

Secretary

 

Since December 2010

 

Compliance Manager of Avenue Capital Group, an investment management firm (since 2008); Compliance Officer of D.B. Zwirn & Co., an investment management firm (2007-2008); Vice President of Vastardis Capital Services (2004-2007), a financial services firm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric Ross (41)
399 Park Avenue, 6
th Floor
New York, NY 10022

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2010

 

Chief Compliance Officer of Avenue Capital Group, an investment management firm (since 2006); Attorney at Cobb & Eisenberg, a law firm (2004-2006)

 

 

 

 

 

16


 

Risk Oversight

 

As an integral part of its responsibility for oversight of the Fund in the interests of shareholders, the Board oversees risk management of the Fund’s investment program and business affairs. The Board views risk management as an important responsibility of management.  Oversight of the risk management process is part of the Board’s general oversight of the Fund and its service providers. The Board exercises oversight of the risk management processes through oversight by the full Board. The Fund faces a number of risks, such as investment risk, counterparty risk, valuation risk, reputational risk, risk of operational failure or lack of business continuity and legal, compliance, conflict of interests and regulatory risk. Risk management seeks to identify and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Fund. Under the overall supervision of the Board, the Avenue Managers and the affiliates of the Avenue Managers and other service providers to the Fund, employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various of those possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Various personnel, including the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, as well as various personnel of the Avenue Managers and other service providers such as the Fund’s independent accountant, make reports to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management, as well as events and circumstances that have arisen and responses thereto.

 

The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment related risks) to achieve the Fund’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the trustees as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. Furthermore, it is in the very nature of certain risks that they can be evaluated only as probabilities, and not as certainties. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations, and no risk management program can predict the likelihood or seriousness of, or mitigate the effects of, all potential risks.

 

Experience of Trustees

 

The trustees were selected to join the Board based upon the following as to each trustee: his character and integrity; such person’s business and/or financial experience; such person’s willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a trustee.  No factor, by itself, was controlling.

 

Compensation

 

Each trustee who is not an employee of Avenue Capital Group is compensated by an annual retainer and meeting fees (including additional compensation for service as chairperson of the Board or chairperson of a Board committee).

 

Additional information regarding compensation and benefits for trustees is set forth below for the periods described in the notes accompanying the table.

 

Compensation Table*

 

 

 

Estimated

 

Fund Complex

 

Name

 

Compensation from
the Fund for the
Fiscal Year ending
October 31, 2011

 

Estimated Pension or
Retirement Benefits
Accrued as Part of
 Expenses

 

Estimated Annual
Benefits from the
Fund Complex upon
Retirement

 

Total Compensation
 from Fund Complex
Paid to Board

 

Independent Trustees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joel Citron

 

$

25,000

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

25,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julie Dien Ledoux

 

$

25,000

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

25,000

 

 

17


 

 

 

Estimated

 

Fund Complex

 

Name

 

Compensation from
the Fund for the
Fiscal Year ending
October 31, 2011

 

Estimated Pension or
Retirement Benefits
Accrued as Part of
 Expenses

 

Estimated Annual
Benefits from the
Fund Complex upon
Retirement

 

Total Compensation
 from Fund Complex
Paid to Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darren Thompson

 

$

25,000

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

25,000

 

Interested Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Randolph Takian

 

$

0

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

 


*                 Because the Fund has not completed its first full year, compensation is estimated based upon future payments to be made by the Fund.  The Fund has no employees.  The Fund’s officers and Mr. Takian are compensated by the Avenue Managers and/or their affiliates.

 

Board Committees

 

The Board currently has two committees, an audit committee and a nominating committee. Each of the Board’s committees are composed solely of “independent trustees,” which is defined for purposes hereof as trustees who: (1) are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined by the 1940 Act and (2) are “independent” of the Fund as defined by the New York Stock Exchange listing standards.

 

The Board’s audit committee consists of Mr. Citron, Ms. Dien Ledoux and Mr. Thompson.  The audit committee makes recommendations to the Board concerning the selection of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, reviews with such independent registered public accounting firm the scope and results of the Fund’s annual audit and considers any comments which the independent registered public accounting firm may have regarding the Fund’s financial statements, accounting records or internal controls.  The Board has adopted a formal written charter for the audit committee which sets forth the audit committee’s responsibilities.

 

The Board’s nominating committee consists of Mr. Citron, Ms. Dien Ledoux and Mr. Thompson. The nominating committee identifies individuals qualified to serve as independent trustees on the Board and on committees of the Board and advises the Board with respect to Board composition, procedures and committees. The independent trustees of the Fund select and nominate any other nominee independent trustees for the Fund. While the nominating committee is solely responsible for the selection and nomination of the Board, the nominating committee shall review and consider nominations for the office of trustee made by management and by Fund shareholders who have sent nominations (which include the biographical information and the qualifications of the proposed nominee) to the chief executive officer of the Fund, as the Trustees deem appropriate.

 

The Board may establish additional committees as it deems necessary or convenient.

 

Shareholder Communications

 

Shareholders may send communications to the Board. Shareholders should send communications intended for the Board by addressing the communication directly to the Board (or individual Board members) and/or otherwise clearly indicating in the salutation that the communication is for the Board (or individual Board members) and by sending the communication to either the Fund’s office or directly to such Board member(s) at the address specified for such trustee above. Other shareholder communications received by the Fund not directly addressed and sent to the Board will be reviewed and generally responded to by management, and will be forwarded to the Board only at management’s discretion based on the matters contained therein.

 

Share Ownership

 

The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities owned by the trustees in the Fund and in other investment companies overseen by the trustee within the same family of investment companies as of December 31, 2009. Investment companies are considered to be in the same family if they share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter and hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services.

 

18


 

2010 Trustee Beneficial Ownership of Securities

 

Independent Trustees

 

Name of Trustee

 

Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in the Fund(*)

 

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Overseen by Trustees in
 the Family of Registered
Investment Companies(**)

 

Joel Citron

 

 

 

Julie Dien Ledoux

 

 

 

Darren Thompson

 

 

 

 


*                 As of December 31, 2009, the trustees could not own shares in the Fund because the Fund had not yet begun investment operations.

 

**          The term “family of investment companies” means any two or more registered investment companies that (i) share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter, and (ii) hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services.

 

Interested Trustee

 

Name of Trustee

 

Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in the Fund(*)

 

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Overseen by trustees in
 the Family of Investment
Companies(**)

 

Randolph Takian

 

 

 

 


*                 As of December 31, 2009, the trustee could not own shares in the Fund because the Fund had not yet begun investment operations.

 

**          The term “family of investment companies” means any two or more registered investment companies that (i) share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter, and (ii) hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services.

 

For independent trustees and their family members, the following table provides information regarding each class of securities owned beneficially in an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund, or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund as of December 31, 2009.

 

Name

 

Name of owners 
and relationships 
to trustees

 

Company

 

Title of Class

 

Value of 
Securities

 

Percent of Class

Joel Citron

 

None

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

Julie Dien Ledoux*

 

Self

 

MAGS Capital VI, LLC; MAGS Capital VIII, LLC

 

limited liability company interest

 

Less than $20,000

 

4.4% in MAGS Capital VI, LLC; 9.5% in MAGS Capital VIII, LLC

Daren Thompson

 

None

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 


*              Ms. Dien Ledoux, a former employee of Avenue Capital Management II, L.P., is an investor in MAGS Capital VI, LLC and MAGS Capital VIII, LLC, which are investment entities formed by affiliates of Avenue Capital Group for the acquisition of certain trade claims.  Ms. Dien Ledoux became an investor in both investment entities prior to 2005.  Ms. Dien Ledoux’s current investments in MAGS Capital VI, LLC and MAGS Capital VIII, LLC total less than $20,000. Ms. Dien Ledoux has no control over MAGS Capital VI, LLC or MAGS Capital VIII, LLC.  Ms. Dien Ledoux also receives contractual payments from three private funds that are advised by affiliates of Avenue Capital Group.  For the year ended December 31, 2008, Ms. Dien Ledoux received payments of $2,257.  For the year ended December 31, 2009, Ms. Dien Ledoux received no payments from these three funds. Ms. Dien Ledoux

 

19


 

has received aggregate payments of $1,124,855 from these three private funds from inception to December 31, 2009.

 

Codes of Ethics

 

The Fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser have each adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Codes of Ethics”) that sets forth general and specific standards relating to the securities trading activities of their employees. The Codes of Ethics are intended to ensure that all employees conduct their personal transactions in a manner that does not interfere with the portfolio transactions of the Fund or other Avenue Capital Group funds and that such employees do not take unfair advantage of their relationship with the Fund. The Codes of Ethics limit the types of securities that employees may trade for their personal accounts, and all employees must submit regular reports regarding their securities transaction activities.  Exceptions to these and other provisions of the Codes of Ethics may be granted in particular circumstances after review by appropriate personnel. The Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, DC (call 1-202-551-8090 for information on the operation of the public reference room); on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site http://www.sec.gov; or, upon payment of copying fees, by writing the SEC’s public reference section, Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic mail at publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

Adviser

 

The Fund’s investment adviser is Avenue Capital Management II, L.P.  The Adviser’s principal office is located at 399 Park Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

 

Advisory Agreement

 

The Fund and the Adviser are parties to an advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund retains the Adviser to act as the investment adviser for and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies and limitations, and to manage the day-to-day business and affairs of the Fund (except with respect to matters in the charge of the Fund’s chief compliance officer or other service providers retained by the Fund), for the period and on the terms set forth in the Advisory Agreement.

 

Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser will (i) supervise the investment activities of the Fund, including advising and consulting with the Board as the Board may reasonably request; (ii) continuously manage the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Fund; (iii) determine the securities to be purchased, sold or otherwise disposed of by the Fund and the timing of such purchases, sales and dispositions, including the placing of purchase and sale orders on behalf of the Fund, as necessary or appropriate; (iv) furnish offices, facilities and equipment to the Fund to the extent necessary for the management of the Fund; and (v) render periodic reports to the Board as the Board may reasonably request regarding the Fund’s investment program and the services provided by the Adviser hereunder.

 

The Fund will pay all of its other expenses, including, among others, legal fees and expenses of counsel to the Fund and the Fund’s independent trustees; insurance (including trustees’ and officers’ errors and omissions insurance); auditing and accounting expenses; taxes and governmental fees; listing fees; dues and expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; fees and expenses of the Fund’s custodians, administrators, transfer agents, registrars and other service providers; expenses for portfolio pricing services by a pricing agent, if any; other expenses in connection with the issuance, offering and underwriting of shares or debt instruments issued by the Fund or with the securing of any credit facility or other loans for the Fund; expenses relating to investor and public relations; expenses of registering or qualifying securities of the Fund for public sale; brokerage commissions and other costs of acquiring or disposing of any portfolio holding of the Fund; expenses of preparation and distribution of reports, notices and dividends to shareholders; expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan (except for brokerage expenses paid by participants in such plan); compensation and expenses of trustees; costs of stationery; any litigation expenses; and costs of shareholders’ and other meetings.

 

For services under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is paid a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 1.25% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.

 

20

 

 


 

Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is permitted to provide investment advisory services to other clients.

 

The Advisory Agreement will continue for an initial term of two years and may be continued thereafter from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner required by the 1940 Act.  The Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time without payment of penalty by the Fund or by the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice. The Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, as defined under the 1940 Act.

 

The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law, or for any act or omission or any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with matters to which the Advisory Agreement relates, except for a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties (“disabling conduct”) and provides for indemnification by the Fund of the Adviser for any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) not resulting from disabling conduct by the Adviser, subject to certain limitations and conditions.

 

Subadviser

 

The Fund’s investment subadviser is Avenue Europe International Management, L.P. The Subadviser’s principal office is located at 399 Park Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

 

Subadvisory Agreement

 

The Fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser are parties to a subadvisory agreement (the “Subadvisory Agreement”).  Under the Subadvisory Agreement, the Fund and the Adviser retain the Subadviser to act as the investment adviser for and to manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund, as shall be allocated to the Subadviser by the Investment Committee from time to time (the “Allocated Assets”), in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies and limitations, for the period and on the terms set forth in the Subadvisory Agreement.

 

Under the terms of the Subadvisory Agreement, the Subadviser will (i) supervise the investment activities of the Fund with respect to the Allocated Assets, including advising and consulting with the Board as the Board may reasonably request; (ii) continuously manage the Allocated Assets in a manner consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Fund; (iii) with respect to the Allocated Assets, determine the securities to be purchased, sold or otherwise disposed of by the Fund and the timing of such purchases, sales and dispositions, including the placing of purchase and sale orders on behalf of the Fund, as necessary or appropriate; (iv) render periodic reports to the Board as the Board may reasonably request regarding the Fund’s investment program with respect to the Allocated Assets and the services provided by the Subadviser; and (v) make and maintain for the required period all records required to be made under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder relating to transactions with respect to the Allocated Assets effected by the Subadviser, except to the extent such records are made or maintained by the Adviser.  The Subadviser shall make available to the Fund and the Adviser all such records maintained by the Subadviser upon reasonable request.

 

Under the Subadvisory Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Subadviser an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the average daily assets of the Fund managed by the Subadviser.

 

Under the Subadvisory Agreement, the Subadviser is permitted to provide investment advisory services to other clients.

 

The Subadvisory Agreement will continue for an initial term of two years and may be continued thereafter from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner required by the 1940 Act.  The Subadvisory Agreement may be terminated at any time without payment of penalty by the Fund, the Adviser or the Subadviser upon 60 days’ written notice to the other parties.  The Subadvisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, as defined under the 1940 Act and upon termination of the Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Fund.

 

21


 

The Subadvisory Agreement provides that the Subadviser will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law, or for any act or omission or any loss suffered by the Fund or the Adviser in connection with matters to which the Subadvisory Agreement relates, except for a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Subadviser in the performance of its duties and provides for indemnification by the Fund of the Subadviser for any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) not resulting from disabling conduct by the Subadviser, subject to certain limitations and conditions.

 

Administrator

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), located at State Street Financial Center, 1 Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as administrator to the Fund. Under the administration agreement, State Street is generally responsible for managing the administrative affairs of the Fund.

 

For administration related services, State Street is entitled to receive an annual fee of $174,000, plus certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

During periods when the Fund is using leverage, the fee paid to State Street (for various services) will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, which includes the assets purchased through leverage.

 

The Fund will indemnify State Street, as administrator, and its directors, officers, employees and agents harmless from all loss, cost, damage and expenses, including reasonable fees and expenses for counsel, incurred by State Street resulting from any claim, demand, action or suit in connection with any action or omission by State Street in the performance of its duties under the administration agreement, or as a result of acting upon any instructions reasonably believed by it to have been duly authorized by the Fund or upon reasonable reliance on information or records given or made by the Fund or the Adviser, provided that this indemnification does not apply to actions or omissions of State Street, its officers or employees in cases of its or their own negligence, willful misfeasance or willful misconduct.

 

Custodian, Dividend Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

State Street will serve as custodian (the “Custodian”) for the Fund. State Street also provides accounting services to the Fund.  State Street will serve together as the Fund’s dividend paying agent, transfer agent and registrar. See “Custodian, Dividend Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar.”

 

The Fund will indemnify the Custodian from and against any and all costs, expenses, losses, damages, charges, counsel fees, payments and liabilities which may be asserted against the Custodian in connection with its duties under the custodian agreement, except as may arise from the Custodian’s own negligence, willful misfeasance or willful misconduct.

 

The Fund will indemnify State Street as transfer agent from any against from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees (including the defense of any lawsuit in which the transfer agent or affiliate is a named party), payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to its actions taken pursuant to the transfer agency and service agreement, provided that such actions are taken in good faith without negligence, willful misfeasance or willful misconduct.

 

Portfolio Management

 

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

 

Unless otherwise indicated, the information below is provided as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

 

The table below indentifies the number of accounts (other than the Fund) for which the Fund’s portfolio managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance is also

 

22


 

indicated as of October 31, 2010. As of October 31, 2010, Rob Symington managed or was a member of the management team for the following client accounts:

 

 

 

Number of
Accounts

 

Assets of
Accounts

 

Number of
Accounts Subject to
a Performance Fee

 

Assets Subject to a
Performance Fee

 

Registered Investment Companies

 

0

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Pooled Investment Vehicles Other Than Registered Investment Companies

 

10

 

$

12.2 billion

 

10

 

$

12.2 billion

 

Other Accounts

 

0

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

As of October 31, 2010, Richard Furst managed or was a member of the management team for the following client accounts:

 

 

 

Number of
Accounts

 

Assets of
Accounts

 

Number of
Accounts Subject to
a Performance Fee

 

Assets Subject to a
Performance Fee

 

Registered Investment Companies

 

1

 

$

435 million

 

0

 

0

 

Pooled Investment Vehicles Other Than Registered Investment Companies

 

8

 

$

3.43 billion

 

8

 

$

3.43 billion

 

Other Accounts

 

0

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager Compensation

 

The Avenue Managers’ financial arrangements with their portfolio managers, their competitive compensation and their career path emphasis at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary, a discretionary bonus and carried interest payments.

 

Base Compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their individual seniority and/or their position with the firm.

 

Discretionary Compensation. In addition to base compensation, portfolio managers may receive discretionary compensation. Discretionary compensation is based on their individual seniority and contribution.  The discretionary bonus may also be based in part on the overall performance of the Adviser and Subadviser.

 

Carried Interest. Each portfolio manager is paid a share of the carried interest generated from managing the assets of certain clients (other than the Fund).

 

Securities Ownership of Portfolio Managers

 

The Fund is a newly-organized investment company. Accordingly, as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, none of the portfolio managers beneficially owned any securities issued by the Fund.

 

Potential Conflicts of Interest of the Avenue Managers

 

Because the Avenue Managers may manage assets for other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and/or other accounts (including institutional clients, pension plans and certain high net worth individuals), there may be an incentive to favor one client over another resulting in conflicts of interest.  For instance, the Adviser or the Subadviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fees received from the Fund, or receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts.  In those instances, the portfolio managers may have an incentive to favor the higher and/or performance-based fee accounts over the Fund.  In addition, a conflict of interest could exist to the extent the Adviser or the Subadviser has proprietary investments in certain accounts, where portfolio managers have personal investments in certain accounts or when certain accounts are investment options in the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s employee benefits plans. The Avenue Managers may have an incentive to favor

 

23


 

these accounts over the Fund.  If the Adviser or the Subadviser manages accounts that engage in short sales of (or otherwise take short positions in) securities or other instruments of the type in which the Fund invests, the Adviser or the Subadviser could be seen as harming the performance of the Fund for the benefit of the accounts taking short positions, if such short positions cause the market value of the securities to fall.

 

As noted above, the Adviser and Subadviser manage assets for accounts other than the Fund, including private funds.  The Subadviser also currently serves as an investment subadviser to another registered closed-end management investment company (the “Subadvised Credit Fund”) and, pursuant to its subadvisory agreement with the Subadvised Credit Fund, is responsible for investing a portion of that fund’s assets. The expected risk and return profile for the Fund is generally lower than for most of the Avenue Managers’ other accounts.  Thus, except for the Subadvised Credit Fund, the Fund and most of the Avenue Managers’ other accounts generally will not invest in the same credit obligations (although their investments may include different obligations of the same issuer). (For example, the Fund might invest in Senior Loans issued by a borrower and one or more of the Avenue Managers’ other accounts might invest in the borrower’s junior debt.)  In particular, except in the limited cases described below, the Avenue Managers will allocate credit obligations with a total yield at the time of investment at or below the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds to the Fund and the Subadvised Credit Fund, and credit obligations with a total yield above the Avenue Credit Thresholds to the Avenue Managers’ other accounts.

 

In the following cases, credit obligations with a total yield at the time of investment at or below the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds may also be allocated to the Avenue Managers’ other accounts.  Each of the Avenue Managers, on behalf of its other accounts, will be able to sell short or otherwise take short positions in obligations (including purchasing a credit default swap) at or below the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds for hedging purposes (and thus at times an Avenue Manager may purchase the same obligations for both its other clients and the Fund). Investments, such as equities and currencies, that do not have credit-based yields, are not subject to the Avenue Credit Thresholds.  In addition, a portfolio management team (the “CLO Team”) in the Adviser manages certain accounts (including private funds) that invest in certain types of credit obligations in which the Fund may also invest.  The CLO Team operates on a different trading system than the Avenue Managers’ other investment professionals and the Avenue Managers employ various policies and procedures intended to separate the CLO Team from such other professionals, including policies and procedures regarding physical separation and regarding limitations on the sharing of information.  The CLO Team will not be involved in the management of the Fund and the Fund’s portfolio managers will not be involved in the management of the CLO Team’s accounts.  The Avenue Credit Thresholds will not apply to investments made by the CLO Team and the CLO Team, on behalf of its accounts, may invest in credit obligations that have a total yield at the time of investment at or below (or above) the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds.  Investment opportunities in credit obligations sourced by the CLO Team will be solely allocated to the CLO Team’s accounts and not to the Fund.

 

Investment opportunities appropriate for both the Fund and the portion of the Subadvised Credit Fund managed by the Subadviser generally will, to the extent practicable, be allocated on a pro rata basis between the Fund and the Subadvised Credit Fund.  This means that such opportunities will be allocated pro rata among the Fund and the Subadvised Credit Fund based on the available cash of the respective funds. Nevertheless, investments and/or opportunities may be allocated other than on a pro rata basis, if an Avenue Manager deems in good faith that a different allocation among the Fund and the Subadvised Credit Fund is appropriate, taking into account, among other considerations; (a) applicable investment objectives, restrictions and guidelines; (b) the need to invest or re-balance a fund’s portfolio following its launch or receipt of a significant cash contribution; (c) the potential for the proposed investment to create an imbalance in one of the fund’s portfolios; (d) liquidity requirements of the funds; (e) tax consequences; (f) regulatory restrictions; and (g) the need to re-size risk in the funds’ portfolios. To the extent that the Adviser or Subadviser serves as an investment manager to other accounts in the future that have the same investment strategy as the Fund, investment opportunities within such strategy will also, to the extent practicable, be allocated among the Fund and such other accounts on a pro rata basis.

 

The Avenue Managers may use credit default swaps, and may do so to a significant extent, to take active long or short positions with respect to the likelihood of a default by an issuer. Each of the Avenue Managers, on behalf of its other clients, will be able to sell short or otherwise take short positions in obligations (including purchasing a credit default swap) at or below the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds for hedging or other purposes (and thus at times an Avenue Manager may purchase the same obligations for both its other clients and the Fund). The Avenue Managers, on behalf of the Fund, generally will only be able to sell short or otherwise take short positions in

 

24


 

obligations at or below the applicable Avenue Credit Thresholds.  Investments, such as equities and currencies, that do not have credit-based yields, are not subject to the Avenue Credit Thresholds.  Instead, the Avenue Managers will seek to allocate such investments, to the extent appropriate, for the Fund and the Avenue Managers’ other clients, fairly and equitably amongst the Fund the Avenue Manager’s other clients.

 

Conflicts of interest may arise where the Fund and other funds managed by the Avenue Managers or other affiliates of Avenue Capital Group simultaneously hold securities representing different parts of the capital structure of a stressed or distressed issuer.  In such circumstances, decisions made with respect to the securities held by one fund may cause (or have the potential to cause) harm to the different class of securities of the issuer held by other funds (including the Fund). For example, if such an issuer goes into bankruptcy or reorganization, becomes insolvent or otherwise experiences financial distress or is unable to meet its payment obligations or comply with covenants relating to credit obligations held by the Fund or by the other Avenue funds, such other funds may have an interest that conflicts with the interests of the Fund.  If additional financing for such an issuer is necessary as a result of financial or other difficulties, it may not be in the best interests of the Fund to provide such additional financing, but if the other Avenue funds were to lose their respective investments as a result of such difficulties, an Avenue Manager may have a conflict in recommending actions in the best interests of the Fund. Also, conflicts of interest may arise where the Fund and other funds managed by the Avenue Managers or other affiliates of Avenue Capital Group hold different investment positions with respect to the same issuer, and a decision that benefits one fund may potentially harm other funds (including the Fund).  In such situations the Avenue Managers will seek to act in the best interests of their clients and will seek to resolve such conflicts in accordance with their compliance procedures.

 

In addition, the 1940 Act limits the Fund’s ability to enter into certain transactions with certain affiliates of the Avenue Managers. As a result of these restrictions, the Fund may be prohibited from buying or selling any security directly from or to any portfolio company of a fund managed by an Avenue Manager or one of its affiliates. Nonetheless, the Fund may under certain circumstances purchase any such portfolio company’s loans or securities in the secondary market, which could create a conflict for the Avenue Managers between the interests of the Fund and the portfolio company, in that the ability of the Avenue Managers to recommend actions in the best interest of the Fund might be impaired. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of the Fund’s affiliates (which includes other funds managed by the Avenue Capital Group), which could be deemed to include certain types of investments, or certain types of restructurings of investments, in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times). These limitations may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to the Fund.

 

Although the professional staff of the Avenue Managers will devote as much time to the management of the Fund as the Avenue Managers deem appropriate to perform their duties in accordance with the investment advisory and subadvisory agreements and in accordance with reasonable commercial standards, the professional staff of the Avenue Managers may have conflicts in allocating their time and services among the Fund and the Avenue Managers’ other investment vehicles and accounts. The Avenue Managers and their affiliates are not restricted from forming additional investment funds, from entering into other investment advisory relationships or from engaging in other business activities, even though such activities may be in competition with the Fund and/or may involve substantial time and resources of the Avenue Managers and their professional staff. These activities could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest in that the time and effort of the members of the Avenue Managers and their officers and employees will not be devoted exclusively to the business of the Fund but will be allocated between the business of the Fund and the management of the assets of other clients of the Avenue Managers.

 

The Avenue Managers or their respective members, officers, directors, employees, principals or affiliates may come into possession of material, non-public information. The possession of such information may limit the ability of the Fund to buy or sell a security or otherwise to participate in an investment opportunity.  Situations may occur where the Fund could be disadvantaged because of the investment activities conducted by the Avenue Managers for other clients.

 

25


 

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocation

 

Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser has responsibility for decisions to buy and sell securities and other instruments for the Fund, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions and the negotiation of prices and any brokerage commissions on such transactions. While the Avenue Managers will be primarily responsible for the placement of the Fund’s portfolio business, the policies and practices in this regard are subject to review by the Board.

 

With respect to interests in Senior Loans, the Fund generally will engage in privately negotiated transactions for purchase or sale in which the Adviser and the Subadviser, as applicable, will negotiate on behalf of the Fund (although a more developed market may exist for certain Senior Loans). The Fund may be required to pay fees, or give up a portion of interest and any fees payable to the Fund, to the lender selling Participations or Assignments to the Fund. The Avenue Managers will determine the lenders from whom the Fund will purchase Assignments and Participations by considering their professional ability, level of service, relationship with the borrower, financial condition, credit standards and quality of management. The illiquidity of many Senior Loans may restrict the ability of an Avenue Manager to locate in a timely manner persons willing to purchase the Fund’s interests in Senior Loans at a fair price should the Fund desire to sell such interests. See “Risk Factors— Risks of Senior Loans” in the prospectus. Affiliates of the Avenue Managers may participate in the primary and secondary market for Senior Loans. Because of certain limitations imposed by the 1940 Act, this may restrict the Fund’s ability to acquire some Senior Loans. The Avenue Managers do not believe that this will have a material effect on the Fund’s ability to acquire Senior Loans consistent with its investment policies.

 

As most transactions made by the Fund are principal transactions at net prices, the Fund generally incurs little or no brokerage costs. The portfolio securities in which the Fund invests are normally purchased directly from the issuer or in the OTC market from an underwriter or market maker for the securities. Purchases from underwriters of portfolio securities include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers serving as market makers include a spread or markup to the dealer between the bid and asked price. Sales to dealers are effected at bid prices.

 

The Fund may also purchase certain money market instruments directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid (although the Fund may indirectly bear fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests), or may purchase and sell listed securities on an exchange, which are effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services.

 

In effecting securities transactions, the Avenue Managers will seek to obtain the best execution of orders. Commission rates are a component of price and are considered along with other relevant factors. In determining the broker or dealer to be used and the commission rates to be paid, the Avenue Managers will consider the utility and reliability of brokerage services, including execution capability and performance, financial responsibility, investment information, market insights, other research provided by such brokers, and access to analysts, management and idea generation. Accordingly, the commissions charged by any such broker may be greater than the amount another firm might charge if the Avenue Managers determine in good faith that the amount of such commissions is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage services and research information provided by such brokers. Consistent with the requirements of best execution, brokerage commissions on accounts may be directed to brokers in recognition of investment research and information furnished as well as for services rendered in execution of orders by such brokers. By allocating transactions in this manner, the Avenue Managers may be able to supplement their research and analysis with the views and information of brokerage firms. An Avenue Manager may also allocate a portion of its brokerage business to firms whose employees participate as brokers in the introduction of investors to the Avenue Manager or who agree to bear the expense of capital introduction, marketing or related services by third parties. Eligible research or brokerage services provided by brokers through which portfolio transactions for an Avenue Manager are executed may include research reports on particular industries and companies, economic surveys and analyses, recommendations as to specific securities, online quotations, news and research services, financial publications and other products and services (e.g., software based applications for market quotes and news, database programs providing portfolio company and industry data) providing lawful and appropriate assistance to the portfolio managers and their designees in the performance of their investment decision-making responsibilities on behalf of the Avenue Managers and other accounts which their affiliates manage (collectively, “Soft Dollar Items”). The Avenue Managers and their affiliates generally use such products and

 

26


 

services (if any) for the benefit of all of their accounts. Soft Dollar Items may be provided directly by brokers, by third parties at the direction of brokers or purchased on behalf of the Fund and its affiliates with credits or rebates provided by brokers. Any Soft Dollar Items obtained in connection with portfolio transactions for the Fund are intended to fall within the “safe harbor” of Section 28(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). As noted above, because most of the Fund’s transactions will likely be principal transactions, the Fund will likely not incur significant brokerage commissions (although it will be subject to mark ups and mark downs imposed by dealers). Section 28(e) generally only applies with respect to brokerage commissions; as such, the Fund may not benefit from any significant amount of Soft Dollar Items.

 

The Avenue Managers may also place portfolio transactions, to the extent permitted by law, with brokerage firms affiliated with the Fund or the Avenue Managers if they reasonably believe that the quality of execution and the commission are comparable to that available from other qualified firms. Similarly, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the same considerations on quality of execution and comparable commission rates, the Avenue Managers may direct an executing broker to pay a portion or all of any commissions, concessions or discounts to a firm supplying research or other services.

 

An Avenue Manager may place portfolio transactions at or about the same time for other advisory accounts, including other investment companies. The Avenue Manager will seek to allocate portfolio transactions equitably whenever concurrent decisions are made to purchase or sell securities for the Fund and another advisory account. In some cases, this procedure could have an adverse effect on the price or the amount of securities available to the Fund. In making such allocations among the Fund and other advisory accounts, the main factors considered by the Avenue Managers are the respective sizes of the Fund and other advisory accounts, the respective investment objectives, the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment, the size of investment commitments generally held and opinions of the persons responsible for recommending the investment. See “Management of the Fund—Potential Conflicts of Interest of the Avenue Managers.”

 

The placing and execution of orders for the Fund also is subject to restrictions under U.S. securities laws, including certain prohibitions against trading among the Fund and its affiliates (including the Avenue Managers or their affiliates). Certain broker-dealers, through which the Fund may effect securities transactions, may be affiliated persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or affiliated persons of such affiliates.  The Board has adopted certain policies incorporating the standards of Rule 17e-1 issued by the SEC under the 1940 Act which require that the commissions paid to affiliates of the Fund be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities during a comparable period of time. The rule and procedures also contain review requirements and require the Avenue Managers to furnish reports to the trustees and to maintain records in connection with such reviews. In addition, the Fund may purchase securities in a placement for which affiliates of the Avenue Managers have acted as agent to or for issuers, consistent with applicable rules adopted by the SEC or regulatory authorization, if necessary. The Fund will not purchase securities from or sell securities to any affiliate of the Adviser or the Subadviser acting as principal.  The Avenue Managers are prohibited from directing brokerage transactions on the basis of the referral of clients or the sale of shares of advised investment companies.

 

27


 

Description of Shares

 

Common Shares

 

The Fund’s Common Shares are described in the Prospectus. The Fund intends to hold annual meetings of shareholders so long as the Common Shares are listed on a national securities exchange and such meetings are required as a condition to such listing.

 

Preferred Shares

 

The terms of any preferred shares issued by the Fund, including their dividend rate, voting rights, liquidation preference and redemption provisions, will be determined by the Board (subject to applicable law and the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust) if and when it authorizes an offering of preferred shares.

 

If the Board determines to proceed with an offering of preferred shares, the terms of the preferred shares may be the same as, or different from, the terms described in the Prospectus, subject to applicable law and the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The Board, without the approval of the Common Shareholders, may authorize an offering of preferred shares or may determine not to authorize such an offering, and may fix the terms of the preferred shares to be offered.

 

Other Shares

 

The Board (subject to applicable law and the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust) may authorize an offering, without the approval of the holders of either Common Shares or preferred shares, of other classes of shares, or other classes or series of shares, as they determine to be necessary, desirable or appropriate, having such terms, rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions as the Board sees fit. The Fund currently does not expect to issue any other classes of shares, or series of shares, except for the Common Shares, and possibly, the preferred shares.

 

28


 

Repurchase of Common Shares

 

The Fund is a closed-end management investment company and as such its shareholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their shares. Instead, the Fund’s Common Shares will trade in the open market at a price that will be a function of several factors, including dividend levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), net asset value, call protection, dividend stability, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, general market and economic conditions and other factors. Because shares of a closed-end investment company may frequently trade at prices lower than net asset value, the Board may consider actions that might be taken to reduce or eliminate any material discount from net asset value in respect of Common Shares, which may include the repurchase of such shares in the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. The Board may decide not to take any of these actions. In addition, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tender offers, if undertaken, will reduce market discount.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time when the Fund has preferred shares outstanding, the Fund may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its Common Shares unless (1) all accrued preferred share dividends have been paid and (2) at the time of such purchase, redemption or acquisition, the net asset value of the Fund’s portfolio (determined after deducting the acquisition price of the Common Shares) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred shares (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon). Any service fees incurred in connection with any tender offer made by the Fund will be borne by the Fund and will not reduce the stated consideration to be paid to tendering shareholders.

 

Subject to its investment restrictions, the Fund may borrow to finance the repurchase of shares or to make a tender offer. Interest on any borrowings to finance share repurchase transactions or the accumulation of cash by the Fund in anticipation of share repurchases or tenders will reduce the Fund’s net income. Any share repurchase, tender offer or borrowing that might be approved by the Board would have to comply with the Exchange Act, the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

The Board currently has no intention to take action in response to a discount from net asset value (if any).  Further, it is the Board’s intention not to authorize repurchases of Common Shares or a tender offer for such shares if: (1) such transactions, if consummated, would (a) result in the delisting of the Common Shares from the New York Stock Exchange or (b) impair the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under the Code (which would make the Fund a taxable entity, causing the Fund’s income to be taxed at the trust level in addition to the taxation of shareholders who receive dividends from the Fund) or as a registered closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act; (2) the Fund would not be able to liquidate portfolio securities in an orderly manner and consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies in order to repurchase shares; or (3) there is, in the Board’s judgment, any (a) material legal action or proceeding instituted or threatened challenging such transactions or otherwise materially adversely affecting the Fund, (b) general suspension of or limitation on prices for trading securities on the New York Stock Exchange, (c) declaration of a banking moratorium by Federal or state authorities or any suspension of payment by U.S. or New York banks, (d) material limitation affecting the Fund or the issuers of its portfolio securities by Federal or state authorities on the extension of credit by lending institutions or on the exchange of foreign currency, (e) commencement or continuation of war, armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States or (f) other event or condition which would have a material adverse effect (including any adverse tax effect) on the Fund or its shareholders if shares were repurchased. Even in the absence of such conditions, the Board may decline to take action in response to a discount from net asset value.  The Board may in the future modify these conditions in light of experience.

 

The repurchase by the Fund of its shares at prices below net asset value will result in an increase in the net asset value of those shares that remain outstanding. However, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tender offers at or below net asset value will result in the Fund’s shares trading at a price equal to their net asset value.

 

In addition, a purchase by the Fund of its Common Shares will decrease the Fund’s Managed Assets which would likely have the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio. Any purchase by the Fund of its Common Shares at a time when preferred shares are outstanding will increase the leverage applicable to the outstanding Common Shares then remaining.

 

Before deciding whether to take any action if the Common Shares trade below net asset value, the Board would likely consider all relevant factors, including the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, the impact of any action that might be taken on the Fund or its shareholders and market considerations. Based on these considerations, even if the Fund’s shares should trade at a discount, the Board may determine that, in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders, no action should be taken.

 

29


 

Tax Matters

 

The following is a description of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of Common Shares. The discussion below provides general tax information related to an investment in Common Shares, but this discussion does not purport to be a complete description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Common Shares. It is based on the Code and Treasury regulations thereunder and administrative pronouncements, all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of a Common Shareholder’s particular circumstances, including alternative minimum tax consequences and tax consequences applicable to Common Shareholders subject to special tax rules, such as certain financial institutions; dealers or traders in securities who use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting; persons holding Common Shares as part of a hedging transaction, wash sale, conversion transaction or integrated transaction or persons entering into a constructive sale with respect to the Common Shares; entities classified as partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes; real estate investment trusts; insurance companies; U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; or tax-exempt entities, including “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs.” Unless otherwise noted, the following discussion applies only to a Common Shareholder that holds Common Shares as a capital asset and is a U.S. holder. A “U.S. holder” is a holder who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of Common Shares and is (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust if it (x) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. Tax laws are complex and often change, and Common Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.

 

Taxation of the Fund

 

The Fund intends to elect to be treated as, and to qualify in each taxable year as, a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code. To qualify as a RIC for any taxable year, the Fund must, among other things, satisfy both an income test and an asset test for such taxable year. Specifically, (i) at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income for such taxable year must consist of dividends; interest; payments with respect to certain securities loans; gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies; other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies; and net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (such income, “Qualifying RIC Income”) and (ii) the Fund’s holdings must be diversified so that, at the end of each quarter of such taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, securities of other RICs, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested (x) in securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or (y) in the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” The Fund’s share of income derived from a partnership other than a “qualified publicly traded partnership” will be treated as Qualifying RIC Income only to the extent that such income would have constituted Qualifying RIC Income if derived directly by the Fund. A “qualified publicly traded partnership” is generally defined as an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes if (i) interests in such entity are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof and (ii) less than 90% of its gross income for the relevant taxable year consists of Qualifying RIC Income. The Code provides that the Treasury Department may by regulation exclude from Qualifying RIC Income foreign currency gains that are not directly related to the RIC’s principal business of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures with respect to stock or securities). The Fund anticipates that, in general, its foreign currency gains will be directly related to its principal business of investing in stock and securities.

 

30


 

As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its “investment company taxable income” and net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that it distributes (including amounts that are reinvested pursuant to the Plan, as described below) to its shareholders, provided that it distributes on a timely basis with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” and its net tax-exempt interest income for such taxable year. In general, a RIC’s “investment company taxable income” for any taxable year is its taxable income, determined without regard to net capital gain and with certain other adjustments. The Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its “investment company taxable income,” net tax-exempt interest income (if any) and net capital gain on an annual basis. Any taxable income, including any net capital gain, that the Fund does not distribute to its shareholders in a timely manner will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates.

 

If the Fund retains any net capital gains for reinvestment, it may elect to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to its shareholders. If the Fund makes such an election, each shareholder will be required to report its share of such undistributed net capital gain as long-term capital gain and will be entitled to claim its share of the U.S. federal income taxes paid by the Fund on such undistributed net capital gain as a credit against its own U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and to claim a refund on a properly-filed U.S. federal income tax return to the extent that the credit exceeds such liability. In addition, each shareholder will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of its Common Shares by the difference between its share of such undistributed net capital gain and the related credit. There can be no assurance that the Fund will make this election if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain for a taxable year.

 

A RIC will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on certain amounts that it fails to distribute during each calendar year. In order to avoid this excise tax, a RIC must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary taxable income for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ended on October 31 of the calendar year and (iii) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during those years. For purposes of determining whether the Fund has met this distribution requirement, (i) certain ordinary gains and losses that would otherwise be taken into account for the portion of the calendar year after October 31 will be treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year and (ii) the Fund will be deemed to have distributed any income or gains on which it paid U.S. federal income tax. The Fund intends generally to make distributions sufficient to permit it to avoid the imposition of this excise tax, but there can be no assurance in this regard.

 

If the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC or failed to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in any taxable year, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its taxable income, including its net capital gain, even if such income were distributed to its shareholders, and all distributions out of earnings and profits would be taxed to shareholders as ordinary dividend income. Such distributions generally would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (any of which could be subject to interest charges) before requalifying for taxation as a RIC. If the Fund fails to satisfy the income test or diversification test described above, however, it may be able to avoid losing its status as a RIC by timely providing notice of such failure to the Internal Revenue Service, curing such failure and possibly paying an additional tax.

 

Some of the investments that the Fund is expected to make, such as investments in debt securities that are treated as issued with original issue discount, will cause the Fund to recognize income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes prior to the receipt of any corresponding cash or other property. Because the distribution requirements described above will apply to this income, the Fund may be required to borrow money or dispose of other securities in order to make the relevant distributions.

 

If the Fund utilizes leverage through the issuance of preferred shares or borrowings, it will be prohibited from declaring a distribution or dividend if it would fail the applicable asset coverage test(s) under the 1940 Act after the payment of such distribution or dividend. In addition, certain covenants in credit facilities or indentures may impose greater restrictions on the Fund’s ability to declare and pay dividends on Common Shares. Limits on the Fund’s ability to pay dividends on Common Shares may prevent the Fund from meeting the distribution requirements described above, and may therefore jeopardize the Fund’s qualification for taxation as a RIC and subject the Fund to the 4% excise tax. The Fund will endeavor to avoid restrictions on its ability to make dividend payments. If the Fund is precluded from making distributions on the Common Shares because of any applicable asset coverage requirements, the terms of the preferred shares (if any) may provide that any amounts so precluded from being distributed, but required to be distributed for the Fund to meet the distribution requirements for qualification as a RIC, will be paid to the holders of the preferred shares as a special distribution. This distribution can be

 

31


 

expected to decrease the amount that holders of preferred shares would be entitled to receive upon redemption or liquidation of the shares.

 

Certain of the Fund’s investments are expected to be subject to special U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert lower-taxed long-term capital gain into higher-taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss, the deductibility of which is more limited, (iv) adversely affect when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (v) adversely alter the intended characterization of certain complex financial transactions (vi) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash and (vii) produce income that will not constitute Qualifying RIC Income. The application of these rules could cause the Fund to be subject to U.S. federal income tax or the nondeductible 4% excise tax and, under certain circumstances, could affect the Fund’s status as a RIC. The Fund will monitor its investments and may make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the effect of these provisions. Moreover, there may be uncertainty as to the appropriate treatment of certain of the Fund’s investments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In particular, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of investments in debt securities that are rated below investment grade is uncertain in various respects.

 

Distributions

 

Distributions of the Fund’s ordinary income and net short-term capital gains will, except as described below with respect to distributions of “qualified dividend income,” generally be taxable to the Common Shareholders as ordinary income to the extent such distributions are paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Distributions (or deemed distributions, as described above), if any, of net capital gains will be taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time the Common Shareholder has owned Common Shares. The ultimate tax characterization of the Fund’s distributions made in a taxable year cannot be determined until after the end of the taxable year. As a result, there is a possibility that the Fund may make total distributions during a taxable year in an amount that exceeds the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund. A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated by a Common Shareholder as a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce the Common Shareholder’s basis in its Common Shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the Common Shareholder’s basis in its Common Shares, the excess will be treated as gain from a sale or exchange of the Common Shares.

 

It is expected that a very substantial portion of the Fund’s income will consist of ordinary income. For example, interest and original issue discount derived by the Fund will constitute ordinary income. In addition, gain derived by the Fund from the disposition of debt securities with “market discount” (generally, securities purchased by the Fund at a discount to their stated redemption price) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the market discount that has accrued, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, at the time of such disposition unless the Fund makes an election to accrue market discount on a current basis. In addition, certain of the Fund’s investments will be subject to special U.S. federal income tax provisions that may affect the character, increase the amount and/or accelerate the timing of distributions to Common Shareholders.

 

Dividends distributed by a RIC to a corporate shareholder will qualify for the dividends-received deduction only to the extent that the dividends consist of distributions of qualifying dividends received by the RIC. In addition, any such dividends-received deduction will be disallowed or reduced if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy certain requirements, including a holding period requirement, with respect to its shares of the RIC. Distributions of “qualified dividend income” to an individual or other non-corporate shareholder made or deemed made by a RIC during a taxable year of such shareholder beginning before January 1, 2013, will be treated as “qualified dividend income” to such shareholder and will be taxed at long-term capital gain rates, provided the shareholder satisfies the applicable holding period and other requirements.  It is unclear whether any legislation will be enacted that would extend this treatment for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013. “Qualified dividend income” generally includes dividends from domestic corporations and dividends from foreign corporations that meet certain specified criteria. Given the Fund’s investment strategy, it is not expected that a large portion of the distributions made by the Fund will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the reduced rates applicable to “qualified dividend income”.

 

32


 

Distributions will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or invested in additional Common Shares pursuant to the Plan. If the Common Shares are trading below net asset value, Common Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional Common Shares will be treated as receiving a distribution in the amount of cash that they would have received if they had elected to receive the distribution in cash. If the Fund issues additional Common Shares with a fair market value equal to or greater than net asset value, however, Common Shareholders will be treated as receiving a distribution in the amount of the fair market value of the distributed Common Shares.

 

Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, dividends declared in October, November or December, payable to Common Shareholders of record on a specified date in one of those months, and paid during the following January, will be treated as having been distributed by the Fund (and received by shareholders) on December 31 of the year in which declared.

 

The Internal Revenue Service currently requires that a RIC that has two or more classes of stock allocate to each class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (such as ordinary income, capital gains and dividends qualifying for the dividends-received deduction) based upon the percentage of total dividends paid to each class for the tax year. Accordingly, if the Fund issues preferred shares, the Fund will allocate capital gain dividends and dividends qualifying for the dividends-received deduction, if any, between its Common Shares and shares of preferred stock in proportion to the total dividends paid to each class with respect to such tax year.

 

Common Shareholders will be notified annually as to the U.S. federal tax status of distributions, and shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares will receive a report as to the net asset value of those shares.

 

Sale or Exchange of Common Shares

 

A Common Shareholder may recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of Common Shares. The amount of the gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the amount realized and the Common Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the relevant Common Shares. Such gain or loss generally will be a long-term gain or loss if the Common Shareholder’s holding period for such Common Shares is more than one year. Under current law, net capital gains recognized by non-corporate Common Shareholders are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax at lower rates than the rates applicable to ordinary income.

 

Losses realized by a Common Shareholder on the sale or exchange of Common Shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital losses to the extent of any distribution of long-term capital gain received (or deemed received, as discussed above) with respect to such Common Shares. In addition, no loss will be allowed on a sale or other disposition of Common Shares if the Common Shareholder acquires (including pursuant to the Plan), or enters into a contract or option to acquire, Common Shares within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the securities acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

 

Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a Common Shareholder recognizes losses with respect to Common Shares of $2 million or more for an individual Common Shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate Common Shareholder, the Common Shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Internal Revenue Service Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Information returns will be filed with the Internal Revenue Service in connection with payments on the Common Shares and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of the Common Shares. A Common Shareholder will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments if it fails to provide the payor with its correct taxpayer identification number (generally on an Internal Revenue Service form W-9) and to make required certifications or

 

33


 

otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Corporate Common Shareholders and certain other Common Shareholders generally are exempt from backup withholding.  Backup withholding is not an additional tax.  Any amounts withheld pursuant to these rules may be credited against the applicable Common Shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Non-U.S. Common Shareholders

 

The U.S. federal income taxation of a Common Shareholder that is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate or a foreign corporation, as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a “non-U.S. Common Shareholder”) depends on whether the income that the Common Shareholder derives from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the Common Shareholder.

 

If the income that a Common Shareholder derives from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such non-U.S. Common Shareholder, distributions of “investment company taxable income” will generally be subject to a U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower rate under an applicable treaty). However, provided that certain requirements are satisfied, this withholding tax will not be imposed on dividends paid by the Fund in its taxable years of the Fund beginning before January 1, 2012 to the extent that the underlying income out of which the dividends are paid consists of U.S. - source interest income or short-term capital gains that would not have been subject to U.S. withholding tax if received directly by the non-U.S. Common Shareholder (“interest-related dividends” and “short-term capital gain dividends,” respectively).  The Fund will notify the Common Shareholders annually of the aggregate amount of “interest-related dividends” and “short-term capital gain dividends” paid during its taxable year.  It is unclear whether any legislation will be enacted that would extend this exemption from withholding for the Fund’s taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012.

 

A non-U.S. Common Shareholder whose income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business will generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of shares of the Fund. If, however, such a non-U.S. Common Shareholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements such capital gain dividends, undistributed capital gains and gains from the sale or exchange of Common Shares will be subject to a 30% U.S. tax.

 

If the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a non-U.S. Common Shareholder, any distributions of “investment company taxable income,” any capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. income tax, on a net income basis, in the same manner, and at the graduated rates applicable to, U.S. persons. If such a non-U.S. Common Shareholder is a corporation, it may also be subject to the U.S. branch profits tax.

 

A non-U.S. Common Shareholder other than a corporation may be subject to backup withholding on net capital gain distributions that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax or on distributions that would otherwise be taxable at a reduced treaty rate if such Common Shareholder does not certify its non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establish an exemption.

 

The tax consequences to a non-U.S. Common Shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein. Non-U.S. Common Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

 

Recent legislation generally imposes withholding at a rate of 30% on payments to certain foreign entities (including financial intermediaries), after December 31, 2012, of dividends on and the gross proceeds of dispositions of U.S. common stock, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (generally relating to ownership by U.S. persons of interests in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied. Common Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their investment in Common Shares.

 

34


 

Other Taxes

 

Common Shareholders may be subject to state, local and non U.S. taxes on their Fund distributions. Common Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

 

35


 

Proxy Voting Policy and Proxy Voting Record

 

The Board has delegated the day-to-day responsibility to the Adviser to vote the Fund’s proxies.  Proxies are voted by the Adviser pursuant to the Board approved proxy guidelines, a copy of which as currently in effect as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information is attached hereto as Appendix B.

 

Information on how the Fund voted proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12 month period ending June 30 will be available on the Fund’s website at http://www.avenuecapital.com, or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The financial statement as of December 13, 2010 included in this SAI has been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.  The address of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is 300 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017.

 

Legal Counsel

 

Counsel to the Fund is Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.

 

Additional Information

 

A registration statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the Common Shares offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC. The Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the Common Shares offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement.  A copy of the registration statement may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC or on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

 

36


 

GRAPHIC

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Trustees and Shareholders of Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund:

 

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of net assets presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund (the “Fund”) at December 13, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit. We conducted our audit of this financial statement in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

 

December 15, 2010

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 300 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017

T: (646) 471 3000, F: (646) 471 8320, www.pwc.com/us

 

F-1


 

Financial Statement

 

STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS

 

 

 

December 13, 2010

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

100,084

 

Total Assets

 

$

100,084

 

NET ASSETS

 

 

 

Net Assets (5,240 shares of $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding;
 unlimited shares authorized)

 

$

100,084

 

Net asset value per share

 

$

19.10

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement of net assets.

 

F-2


 

NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS

December 13, 2010

 

1.

ORGANIZATION:

 

Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund (the “Fund”) was organized as a statutory trust under the laws of the state of Delaware on October 12, 2010 and is registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income, with a secondary investment objective of capital appreciation. The Fund has had no operations to date other than matters relating to its organization, and the sale and issuance to Avenue Capital Management II, L.P. of 5,240 common shares of beneficial interest at an aggregate purchase price of $100,084. Avenue Capital Management II, L.P (the “Investment Manager”) and Avenue Europe International Management, L.P. (the “Subadviser”), which are Delaware limited partnerships registered as investment advisers with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 203 of the 1940 Act, serve as the investment manager and investment subadviser, respectively, of the Fund.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Investment Manager, on behalf of the Fund, has agreed to incur all of the Fund’s organizational expenses and has also agreed to pay the amount by which the aggregate of all the Fund’s offering costs (other than the sales load) exceed $0.04 per common share issued. Offering costs borne by the Fund will be charged to paid-in capital at the time such shares are issued.

 

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

 

Basis of Preparation and Use of Estimates - This statement of net assets has been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require the use of estimates and assumptions by the Investment Manager that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in this statement of net assets. Actual amounts and results could differ from these estimates, and such differences could be material.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Taxes - The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. By distributing substantially all of its ordinary income and long-term capital gains, if any, during each calendar year, the Fund intends not to be subject to U.S. federal income and excise tax. Accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal income or excise taxes is required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indemnifications - In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into general business contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund expects the risk of material loss to be remote and no amounts have been recorded for such arrangements.

 

 

 

 

3.

INVESTMENT MANAGER AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

 

The Fund is expected to enter into an investment advisory agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Investment Manager to serve as the investment adviser to the Fund. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Fund will pay the Investment Manager an annual advisory fee, payable monthly, equal to 1.25% per annum of the Fund’s average daily total managed assets. Total managed assets refer to the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to any form of outstanding leverage) minus accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing leverage).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Fund and the Investment Manager are expected to enter into an investment subadvisory agreement (the “Subadviser Agreement”) with the Subadviser to serve as the investment adviser for a portion of the Fund’s assets (the “Allocated

 

F-3


 

NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS

December 13, 2010

 

 

 

 

Assets”). Pursuant to the Subadviser Agreement, the Investment Manager (not the Fund) will pay a portion of the fees it receives as Investment Manager to the Subadviser in return for its services, payable monthly, equal to 1.25% per annum of the average daily value of the Allocated Assets.

 

 

 

 

4.

ADMINISTRATOR AND CUSTODIAN:

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company (“SSBT”) is expected to act as the administrator and custodian of the Fund. SSBT will be responsible for calculating the net asset value of the common shares, maintain books and records and provide accounting services, provide custodian services and generally managing the administrative affairs of the Fund.

 

 

 

 

5.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

 

The Fund has evaluated subsequent events through the date this statement of net assets was issued and has concluded that no subsequent events that would require adjustment to or disclosure in this statement occurred from the date of this statement through the date this statement was issued.

 

F-4

 


 

Appendix A—Description of Securities Ratings

 

Moody’s Investors Service Inc.—A brief description of the applicable Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moody’s) follows:

 

1.              Long-Term Obligation Ratings

 

Moody’s long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of financial obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings use Moody’s Global Scale and reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.

 

Moody’s Long-Term Rating Definitions:

 

Aaa:

 

Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

 

 

 

Aa:

 

Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

 

 

 

A:

 

Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

 

 

 

Baa:

 

Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

 

 

 

Ba:

 

Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

 

 

 

B:

 

Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

 

 

 

Caa:

 

Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

 

 

 

Ca:

 

Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

 

 

 

C:

 

Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

 

 

 

Note:

 

Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

 

Short-Term Debt Ratings

 

There are three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels—MIG 1 through MIG 3. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation.

 

MIG 1.

 

This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

 

 

 

MIG 2.

 

This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

 

A-1


 

MIG 3.

 

This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

 

 

 

SG.

 

This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

 

Demand Obligation Ratings

 

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating.

 

When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.

 

VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features.

 

VMIG 1.

 

This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

 

 

VMIG 2.

 

This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

 

 

VMIG 3.

 

This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

 

 

SG.

 

This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

2.              Short-Term Ratings

 

Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

 

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

 

P-1

 

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

 

 

P-2

 

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

 

 

P-3

 

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

 

 

NP

 

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

 

A-2


 

NOTE:

 

Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider.

 

Standard & Poor’s

 

A brief description of the applicable Standard & Poor’s (S&P) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by S&P) follows:

 

Issue Credit Rating Definitions

 

A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects Standard & Poor’s view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

 

Issue credit ratings can be either long term or short term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term rating addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

 

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings

 

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:

 

·                  Likelihood of payment-capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

 

·                  Nature of and provisions of the obligation;

 

·                  Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

 

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

 

AAA:

 

An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

 

 

 

AA:

 

An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

 

 

 

A:

 

An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

 

 

 

BBB:

 

An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

A-3


 

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C:

 

Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

 

 

 

BB:

 

An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

 

 

B:

 

An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

 

 

CCC:

 

An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

 

 

CC:

 

An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

 

 

 

C:

 

A ‘C’ rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among others, the ‘C’ rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

 

 

 

D:

 

An obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation, including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ upon completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

 

 

 

Plus (+) or minus (-):

 

The ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

 

 

 

N.R.:

 

This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

 

Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings

 

A-1:

 

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

 

 

 

A-2:

 

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the

 

A-4


 

 

 

obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

 

 

 

A-3:

 

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

 

 

B:

 

A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. Ratings of ‘B-1’, ‘B-2’, and ‘B-3’ may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the ‘B’ category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

 

 

B-1:

 

A short-term obligation rated ‘B-1’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

 

 

 

B-2:

 

A short-term obligation rated ‘B-2’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

 

 

 

B-3:

 

A short-term obligation rated ‘B-3’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meets its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

 

 

 

C:

 

A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

 

 

D:

 

A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation, including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

 

A-5


 

Appendix B—Proxy Voting Guidelines

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

A.                                    General

 

This policy is designed to ensure that the Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund (the “Fund”) fulfills its obligations and complies with the requirements under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “Investment Company Act”), the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) with respect to proxy voting, disclosure, and recordkeeping. This policy is also designed to ensure that all corporate actions are voted in the best interest of the Fund, to provide disclosure of the Fund’s proxy voting record and to ensure that certain documentation is retained.

 

Pursuant to delegation by the Fund, individually and collectively, Avenue Capital Management II, L.P., the Fund’s investment adviser, and Avenue Europe International Management, L.P., the Fund’s subadviser ( the “Adviser”) has authority to make proxy decisions on behalf of the Fund. The Adviser’s objective is to ensure that its proxy voting and corporate action activities on behalf of the Fund are conducted in a manner consistent, under all circumstances, with the best interest of the Fund.

 

B.                                    Proxy Voting Policies

 

The Adviser believes that the voting of proxies is an important part of portfolio management.  As a result, it is the policy of the Adviser to vote proxies in accordance with the following guidelines (to the extent each is applicable):

 

Proxy Proposal Issue

 

Adviser’s Voting Policy

 

 

 

Routine Election of Directors

 

For

 

 

 

Issuance of Authorized Common Stock

 

For

 

 

 

Stock Repurchase Plans

 

For

 

 

 

Reincorporation

 

For

 

 

 

Director Indemnification

 

For

 

 

 

Require Shareholder approval to issue Preferred Stock

 

For

 

 

 

Require Shareholder approval to issue Golden Parachutes

 

For

 

 

 

Require Shareholder approval of Poison Pill

 

For

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Right to Call Special Meetings

 

For

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Right to Act by Written Consent

 

For

 

 

 

Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors With or Without Cause

 

For

 

 

 

Shareholders Electing Directors to Fill Board Vacancies

 

For

 

 

 

Majority of Independent Directors

 

For

 

 

 

Board Committee Membership exclusively of Independent Directors

 

For

 

B-1


 

Proxy Proposal Issue

 

Adviser’s Voting Policy

 

 

 

401(k) Savings Plans for Employees

 

For

 

 

 

Anti-greenmail Charter or By-laws Amendments

 

For

 

 

 

Corporate Name Change

 

For

 

 

 

Ratification of Auditors

 

For

 

 

 

Supermajority Vote Requirement

 

Against

 

 

 

Blank Check Preferred

 

Against

 

 

 

Dual Classes of Stock

 

Against

 

 

 

Staggered or Classified Boards

 

Against

 

 

 

Fair Price Requirements

 

Against

 

 

 

Limited Terms for Directors

 

Against

 

 

 

Require Director Stock Ownership

 

Against

 

 

 

Accept Plan of Reorganization

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Reprice Management Options

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Adopt/Amend Stock Option Plan

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Adopt/Amend Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Approve Merger/Acquisitions

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Spin-offs

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Corporate Restructurings

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Asset Sales

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Liquidations

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Adopt Poison Pill

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Golden Parachutes

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Executive/Director Compensation

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Social Issues

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Contested Election of Directors

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Stock Based compensation for Directors

 

Case by Case

 

B-2


 

Proxy Proposal Issue

 

Adviser’s Voting Policy

 

 

 

Increase authorized shares

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Tender Offers

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Exchange Offers

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Preemptive Rights

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Debt Restructuring

 

Case by Case

 

 

 

Loan Waivers and Consents

 

Case by Case

 

C.                                    Proxy Voting Procedures

 

The Adviser will have the responsibility of voting proxies that it receives on behalf of the Fund.  Proxy proposals received by the Adviser and designated above in the proxy voting policies as “For” or “Against” will be voted by the Adviser in accordance with the proxy voting policies.  Proxy proposals received by the Adviser and designated above in the proxy voting policies as “Case by Case” (or not addressed in the proxy voting policies) will be thoroughly reviewed by the Adviser, and voted in the best interests of the Fund.  In accordance with Rule 204-2 of the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), with respect to “Case by Case” issues, the Adviser will document the basis for the Adviser’s voting decisions with the assistance of the analyst who is in charge of the issuer.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adviser may vote a proxy contrary to the proxy voting guidelines if the Adviser with the assistance of the analyst who is in charge of the issuer determines that such action is in the best interest of the Fund.  In the event that the Adviser votes contrary to the proxy voting guidelines, the Adviser with the assistance of the analyst who is in charge of the issuer will document the basis for the Adviser’s contrary voting decision.

 

In addition, the Adviser may choose not to vote proxies in certain situations, such as (i) where the Fund has informed the Adviser that it wishes to retain the right to vote the proxy, (ii) where the Adviser deems the cost of voting would exceed any anticipated benefit to the Fund or (iii) where a proxy is received by the Adviser for a security it no longer manages on behalf of the Fund.  The Adviser with the assistance of the analyst who is in charge of the issuer will document the basis for the Adviser’s decision not to vote.

 

The Adviser has developed procedures for handling the receipt and voting of Fund proxies.

 

D.                                    Conflicts of Interest

 

The Adviser may occasionally be subject to conflicts of interest in the voting of proxies due to business or personal relationships it maintains with persons having an interest in the outcome of certain votes. The Adviser, its affiliates and/or its employees may also occasionally have business or personal relationships with the proponents of proxy proposals, participants in proxy contests, corporate directors and officers or candidates for directorships.

 

If at any time, the Adviser becomes aware of an actual conflict of interest relating to a particular proxy proposal, the Adviser will notify the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and will handle the proposal as follows:

 

·                                          If the proposal is designated in proxy voting policies above as “For” or “Against,” the proposal will be voted by the Adviser in accordance with the proxy voting policies; or

 

·                                          If the proposal is designated in the proxy voting policies above as “Case by Case” (or not addressed in the proxy voting policies), the Adviser will notify the Fund of such conflict and will

 

B-3


 

vote the Fund’s shares in accordance with the Fund’s instructions.  The Board may designate a committee of the Board to vote such proxy proposals.

 

E.                                      Proxy Voting Records

 

In accordance with Rule 204-2, the Adviser will maintain the following records in connection with the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures:

 

·                                          a copy of the proxy voting policies and procedures;

 

·                                          a copy of all proxy statements received regarding Fund’s securities;

 

·                                          a record of each vote the Adviser cast on behalf of the Fund;

 

·                                          records of Fund shareholder requests for proxy voting information, including a copy of each written request for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of the Fund, and a copy of any written response by the Adviser to any Fund shareholder request for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of the Fund; and

 

·                                          any documentation prepared by the Adviser that was material to making a decision on how to vote, or that memorialized the basis for the voting decision.

 

The foregoing records will be maintained and preserved in the office of the Adviser for a period of two years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record.  Thereafter, the records will be maintained and preserved, in an easily accessible place, for an additional three years.

 

F.                                      Changes to the Proxy Voting Rules

 

Changes may be made by the Adviser to the proxy rules as long as such changes are not expected to materially adversely affect the Fund.  Upon a material change, the Fund will be made aware of such material change to the proxy rules and the reasons for the change.

 

G.                                    Disclosure

 

The Adviser will provide all the information necessary for the Fund to make the required disclosures regarding proxy voting in its Statement of Additional Information, as well as on Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)’s Forms N-CSR and N-PX.  In addition, information regarding how the Fund’s proxies and corporate actions were voted by the Adviser will be provided to Fund shareholders upon their written request.

 

B-4

 


 

Part C
Other information

 

Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(1)                                  Financial Statements

Part A—None

Part B—Statement of Net Assets(1)

(2)                                  Exhibits

(a)(1)                   Agreement and Declaration of Trust(2)

(a)(2)                   Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust(1)

(b)                                By-Laws(1)

(c)                                 Inapplicable

(d)                                Articles 6, 7,8 and 9 of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Articles 1, 6, and 7 of the Registrant’s By-Laws are incorporated herein by reference

(e)                                 Terms and Conditions of Dividend Reinvestment Plan(1)

(f)                                   Inapplicable

(g)(1)                  Form of Advisory Agreement(1)

(g)(2)                  Form of Subadvisory Agreement(1)

(h)(1)                  Form of Underwriting Agreement(3)

(h)(2)                  Form of Marketing and Structuring Fee Agreement with [·] (3)

(h)(3)                  Form of Marketing and Structuring Fee Agreement with [·] (3)

(i)                                    Inapplicable

(j)                                    Master Custodian and Fund Accounting Services Agreement(1)

(k)(1)                   Transfer Agency and Service Agreement(1)

(k)(2)                   Administration Agreement (1)

(k)(3)                   Form of Distribution Agreement with TS Capital, LLC and ABAX Brokerage Services, Inc.(1)

(l)                                    Opinion and Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.(3)

(m)                              Inapplicable

(n)                                Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm(1)

(o)                                Inapplicable

(p)                                Subscription Agreement(1)

(q)                                Inapplicable

(r)                                   Code of Ethics of the Fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser(1)

(s)(1)                   Power of Attorney for Robert Ollwerther(1)

(s)(2)                   Power of Attorney for Joel Citron(1)

(s)(3)                   Power of Attorney for Julie Dien Ledoux(1)

(s)(4)                   Power of Attorney for Darren Thompson(1)

 


(1)          Filed herewith.

 

(2)          Filed on October 19, 2010 with Registrant’s Statement on Form N-2 (Files Nos. 333-170030 and 811-22485) and incorporated by reference herein.

 

(3) To be filed by amendment.

 

Item 26. Marketing Arrangements

 

Reference is made to the Form of Underwriting Agreement for the Registrant’s shares of beneficial interest and the Form of Market and Structuring Fee Agreement with [·] and [·] to be filed by amendment to this Registration Statement.

 

Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement:

 

C-1


 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

 

$

 

New York Stock Exchange listing fee

 

$

 

Printing and engraving

 

$

 

Accounting fees and expenses

 

$

 

Legal fees and expenses

 

$

 

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority fees

 

$

 

Transfer Agent fees

 

$

 

Trustee fees

 

$

 

Rating agency fees

 

$

 

Miscellaneous

 

$

 

Total

 

$

 

 

Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant

 

None.

 

Item 29. Number of Holders of Shares

 

The following table shows the number of holders of securities of the Registrant as of December 27, 2010

 

Title of Class

 

Number of
Record Holders

 

Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.001 per share

 

1

 

 

Item 30. Indemnification

 

Article VIII of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust to be filed as amendment to this Registration Statement provides as follows:

 

SECTION 8.03               Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, etc.  Subject to the limitations, if applicable, hereinafter set forth in this Section 8.03, the Trust shall, upon the determination described in the immediately following sentence, indemnify each of its Trustees, officers, and employees, and any Investment Adviser and any investment subadviser (hereinafter, together with such Person’s heirs, executors, administrators or personal representative, referred to as a “Covered Person”) against all liabilities, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and expenses, including reasonable accountants’ and counsel fees, incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such Covered Person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been a Trustee, officer, director, employee or agent, except with respect to any matter as to which it has been determined that such Covered Person (i) did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person’s action was in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust; (ii) had acted with willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office; or (iii) for a criminal proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such Covered Person’s conduct was unlawful (the conduct described in (i), (ii) and (iii) being referred to hereafter as “Disabling Conduct”).  A determination that the Covered Person is entitled to indemnification may be made by (i) a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought that the Covered Person to be indemnified had not engaged in Disabling Conduct, (ii) dismissal of a court action or an administrative proceeding against a Covered Person for insufficiency of evidence of Disabling Conduct, or (iii) a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that the indemnitee had not engaged in Disabling Conduct by (a) a vote of a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act nor parties to the proceeding (the “Disinterested Trustees”), or (b) an independent legal counsel in writing.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, expenses, including reasonable fees of counsel and accountants incurred by any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), may be paid from time to time by the Trust in advance of the final disposition of any action, suit or proceeding; provided that the Covered Person shall have undertaken to repay to the Trust the amounts so paid if it is ultimately determined that indemnification is not

 

C-2


 

authorized under this Article 8 and either (i) the Covered Person shall have provided security for such undertaking, (ii) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (iii) a majority of a quorum of the Disinterested Trustees, or an independent legal counsel in writing, shall have determined, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

 

[Section [·] of the Form of Underwriting Agreement to be filed as an amendment to this Registration Statement provides for each of the parties thereto, including the Registrant and its underwriters, to indemnify the others, their directors, officers, agents, affiliates and persons who control them against certain liabilities in connection with the offering described herein, including liabilities under the federal securities laws.]

 

The Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement to be filed by amendment to this Registration Statement provide that the Adviser and Subadviser will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law, or for any act or omission or any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with matters to which the Advisory Agreement or Subadvisory Agreement relates, except for a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser or Subadviser in the performance of its duties and provides for indemnification by the Fund of the Adviser and the Subadviser for any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) not resulting from disabling conduct by the Adviser or the Subadviser, subject to certain limitations and conditions.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Adviser and the Subadviser

 

The descriptions of the Adviser and the Subadviser under the caption “Management of the Fund” in the prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of this registration statement are incorporated by reference herein. For information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each of the officers and directors of the Adviser and the Subadviser in the last two years, reference is made to the Adviser’s current Form ADV (File No. 801-57734) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, incorporated herein by reference and the Subadviser’s current Form ADV (File 801-63319) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records

 

All accounts, books and other documents required by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder to be maintained (i) by the Registrant, will be maintained at its offices located at 399 Park Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022, or at State Street Bank and Trust Company at State Street Financial Center, 1 Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, (ii) by the Adviser, will be maintained at its offices located at 399 Park Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022 and (iii) by the Subadviser at its offices located at 399 Park Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

 

Item 33. Management Services

 

Not Applicable.

 

C-3


 

Item 34. Undertakings

 

(1)           The Registrant hereby undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the Prospectus is amended, if (a) subsequent to the effective date of its Registration Statement, the net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the Registration Statement or (b) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the Prospectus.

 

(2)           Not applicable.

 

(3)           Not applicable.

 

(4)           Not applicable.

 

(5)(a)       For the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of Prospectus filed as part of a Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of Prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of the Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(b)           For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(6)           The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information.

 

C-4

 


 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, and State of New York, on the 27th day of December 2010.

 

 

AVENUE INCOME CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Randolph Takian

 

 

Randolph Takian

 

 

Trustee, Chief Executive Officer & President

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Name

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Randolph Takian

 

 

 

December 27, 2010

Randolph Takian

 

Trustee, Chief Executive Officer & President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Robert Ollwerther*

 

 

 

December 27, 2010

Robert Ollwerther

 

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Joel Citron*

 

 

 

 

Joel Citron

 

Trustee

 

December 27, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Julie Dien Ledoux*

 

 

 

 

Julie Dien Ledoux

 

Trustee

 

December 27, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Darren Thompson*

 

 

 

 

Darren Thompson

 

Trustee

 

December 27, 2010

 

*      This filing has been signed by each of the persons so indicated by the undersigned Attorney-in-Fact pursuant to powers of attorney filed herewith or heretofore.

 

/s/ Randolph Takian

 

 

 

 

Randolph Takian

 

 

 

December 27, 2010

Attorney-in-Fact