SEC Form N-2 filed by KKR Income Opportunities Fund

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. THE FUND 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.

 

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Prospectus dated January 19, 2024

PROSPECTUS

[●], 2024

$[●]

KKR Income Opportunities Fund

Common Shares

Subscription Rights to Purchase Common Shares

Preferred Shares

Investment Objectives. KKR Income Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is a 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. The Fund is not intended as, and you should not construe it to be, a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives or be able to structure its investment portfolio as anticipated.

Investment Strategies. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by employing a dynamic strategy of investing in a targeted portfolio of loans and fixed-income instruments of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers and implementing hedging strategies in order to seek to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its Managed Assets (as defined herein) in loans and fixed-income instruments or other instruments, including derivative instruments, with similar economic characteristics (the “80% Policy”). “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowings for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing borrowings for investment purposes). The Fund invests primarily in first- and second-lien secured loans, unsecured loans and high-yield corporate debt instruments of varying maturities. The instruments in which the Fund invests may be rated investment grade or below investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or unrated. The Fund’s investments in below investment grade loans, below investment grade fixed-income instruments and debt instruments of financially troubled companies are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These investments are commonly referred to as “high-yield” or “junk” instruments. The Fund seeks to tactically and dynamically allocate capital across companies’ capital structures where KKR Credit Advisors (US) LLC (the “Adviser”) believes its due diligence process has identified compelling investment opportunities, including where the Adviser has identified issuer distress, event-driven misvaluations of securities or capital market inefficiencies. See “Investment Objectives and Investment Strategies.”

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, the Fund’s common shares and/or preferred shares of beneficial interest, each with a par value of $0.001 per share, and/or subscription rights to purchase common shares, which we refer to collectively as the “securities.” Securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus (each a “prospectus supplement”). You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our securities.

Our securities may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, including existing shareholders in a rights offering, through agents designated from time to time by us, to or through underwriters or dealers, “at-the-market” to or through a market maker into an existing trading market, or through a combination of methods of sale. The prospectus supplement relating to any sale of preferred shares will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call period, and other matters. The prospectus supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our securities, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters, or among our underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subscription rights will set forth the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of each right (or number of rights) and the other terms of such rights offering. We may not sell any of our securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the particular offering.

The Fund’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the trading or “ticker” symbol “KIO.” On [    ], 2024 the last reported sale price of the Fund’s common shares was $[    ]. The net asset value of the Fund’s common shares at the close of business on [    ], 2024 was $[    ] per share. Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount from net asset value. This creates a risk of loss for an investor purchasing shares in a public offering.

Investing in the Fund’s shares involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” of this prospectus for factors that should be considered before investing in shares of the Fund.

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.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of shares by us through agents, underwriters or dealers unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement, 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 (the “SAI”) dated [ ], 2024, has been filed with the SEC. This prospectus incorporates by reference the entire SAI. The SAI is available along with other Fund-related materials are available on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov), and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at [email protected].

You may also request a free copy of the SAI, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, and additional information about the Fund, and may make other shareholder inquiries, by calling (855) 862-6092, by writing to the Fund or visiting the Fund’s website (https://www.kkrfunds.com/kio/). The information contained in, or accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of this prospectus.

The Fund’s 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.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			1
SUMMARY OF COMMON SHAREHOLDER FEES AND EXPENSES			6
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS			8
SENIOR SECURITIES			8
THE FUND			9
USE OF PROCEEDS			9
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES			9
LEVERAGE			29
RISK FACTORS			30
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST			30
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND			35
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE			38
DISTRIBUTIONS			39
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN			40
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES			40
TAX CONSIDERATIONS			50
CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE			54
RIGHTS OFFERINGS			55
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE			55
CUSTODIAN, DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR			58
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			58
LEGAL MATTERS			59
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			59
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			59
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE			60

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. Neither the Fund nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. The Fund’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking statements. These statements describe the Fund’s plans, strategies, and goals and our beliefs and assumptions concerning future economic and other conditions and the outlook for the Fund, based on currently available information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “may,” “will,” “intend,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “anticipate,” and similar terms and the negative of such terms are used in an effort to identify forward-looking statements, although some forward-looking statements may be expressed differently. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements.

Several factors that could materially affect our actual results are the performance of the portfolio of securities we hold, the price at which our shares will trade in the public markets and other factors discussed in our periodic filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this Prospectus are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act.

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

SUMMARY OF COMMON SHAREHOLDER FEES AND EXPENSES

The following tables are intended to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses directly or indirectly associated with investing in our common shares as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares. Amounts are for the current fiscal year.

Common Shareholder Transaction Expenses

 

Sales Load Paid By You (as a percentage of the offering price)			—%(1)
Offering Expenses borne by the Fund (as a percentage of the offering price)			—%(1)
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees (per open market purchase transaction fee)		$	[    ](2)
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees (per sale transaction fee)		$	[    ](2)

 

		Percentage of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares (Assumes Leverage is Used)(4)
Annual Expenses
Management Fee			[    ]%	(3)
Interest Expenses and Payments on Borrowing			[    ]%	(4)
Other Expenses			[    ]%	(5)
Total Annual Expenses			[    ]%

 

(1)

In the event that the securities to which this prospectus relates are sold to or through agents, underwriters or dealers, the related prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load, the estimated amount of total offering expenses (which may include offering expenses borne by third parties on behalf of the Fund), the offering price and the offering expenses borne by the Fund as a percentage of the offering price.

(2)

You will pay a fee of $[            ], which includes any applicable brokerage commissions, in connection with purchases by the DRIP Administrator of common shares on the open market. You will also pay a fee of $[            ] and any applicable brokerage commissions if you direct the DRIP Administrator to sell your common shares held in a dividend reinvestment account. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

(3)

The Adviser will receive a monthly Management Fee at an annual rate of 1.10% of the average daily value of the Fund’s Managed Assets. Consequently, since the Fund has borrowings outstanding, the Management Fee as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares is higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage.

(4)

Assumes the use of leverage through a credit facility and MRPS representing [    ]% of Managed Assets at an annual interest rate expense to the Fund of [    ]%, which is based on the interest rate currently applicable under the Fund’s existing credit facility and the dividends payable on the MRPS at an annual dividend rate equal to 3.81%. The Fund may use other forms of leverage, which may be subject to different interest expenses than those estimated above. The actual amount of interest expense borne by the Fund will vary over time in accordance with the level of the Fund’s use of leverage and variations in market interest rates.

(5)	The “Other Expenses” shown in the table above and related footnotes are based upon estimated expenses for the current fiscal year.

 

6

Example

The following example illustrates the expenses that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in common shares, assuming (1) total net annual expenses of [ ]% of net assets attributable to common shares and (2) a 5% annual return.* The actual amounts in connection with the offering will be set forth in the prospectus supplement, if applicable.

 

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

$

[

]

$

[

]

$

[

]

$

[

]

 

*

The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. The example assumes that the estimated “Other Expenses” set forth in the Total Annual Expenses table are accurate and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at NAV. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.

 

7

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The selected data below sets forth the per share operating performance and ratios for the periods presented. The financial information was derived from and should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements of the Fund and Notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the SAI. The financial information for the last five fiscal years ended October 31 has been audited by [    ], the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose unqualified report on such financial statements appears in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the year ended October 31, 2023, which is incorporated by reference into the SAI. You may also request a free copy of the report by calling (855) 862-6092, by writing to the Fund or visiting the Fund’s website (https://www.kkrfunds.com/kio/).

[To be included by amendment.]

SENIOR SECURITIES

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Fund’s senior securities as of the end of each of the Fund’s prior fiscal periods for the last ten fiscal years. The Fund’s senior securities during this time period are comprised of outstanding indebtedness and MRPS, which each constitute a “senior security” as defined in the 1940 Act. The information regarding the Fund’s senior securities for the last ten fiscal years has been audited by [    ], the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Fund’s audited financial statements, including the report of [    ] thereon and accompanying notes thereto, are included in the Fund’s most recent annual report to shareholders. You may also request a free copy of the report by calling (855) 862-6092, by writing to the Fund or visiting the Fund’s website (http://www.kkrfunds.com).

 

Fiscal Period Ended

Total Amount Outstanding

Asset Coverage Per $1,000(1)

Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Unit

Average Market Value Per Unit

Credit Facility

October 31, 2022

[

]

[

]

—

—

October 31, 2021

[

]

[

]

—

—

October 31, 2020

[

]

[

]

—

—

October 31, 2019

[

]

[

]

—

—

October 31, 2018

[

]

[

]

—

—

October 31, 2017

[

]

[

]

—

—

October 31, 2016

[

]

[

]

—

—

October 31, 2015

[

]

[

]

—

—

October 31, 2014

[

]

[

]

—

—

October 31, 2013

[

]

[

]

—

—

Fiscal Period Ended

Total Amount Outstanding

Asset Coverage Per Preferred Share(2)

Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Unit

Average Market Value Per Unit(3)

Series A Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares

October 31, 2022

[    ]

[    ]

[    ]

[    ]

October 31, 2021

[    ]

[    ]

[    ]

[    ]

October 31, 2020

[    ]

[    ]

[    ]

[    ]

October 31, 2019

[    ]

[    ]

[    ]

[    ]

 

(1)

The asset coverage per $1,000 of debt is calculated by subtracting the Fund’s liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities from the Fund’s total assets, dividing the result by the aggregate amount of the Fund’s senior securities representing indebtedness then outstanding, and multiplying the result by 1,000.

 

8

(2)

The asset coverage ratio for a class of senior securities representing stock is calculated by subtracting the Fund’s liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities from the Fund’s total assets, dividing the result by the aggregate amount of the Fund’s senior securities representing indebtedness then outstanding plus the aggregate of the involuntary liquidation preference of senior securities representing stock. With respect to the MRPS, the asset coverage per unit figure is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per share of outstanding MRPS (based on a per share liquidation preference of $25).

(3)	The liquidation value per unit approximates the market value of the MRPS.

THE FUND

KKR Income Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund was organized as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware on March 17, 2011. The Fund commenced operations on July 25, 2013. The Fund’s principal office is located at 555 California Street, 50th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104, and its telephone number is (415) 315-3620.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, KKR Credit Advisors (US) LLC (the “Adviser”) expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of an offering in temporary investments. The Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to substantially be completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as six months.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Investment Objectives

Please refer to the section of the Fund’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR entitled “Investment Objectives,” which is incorporated by reference herein, for a discussion of the Fund’s investment objectives.

Investment Strategies

Please refer to the section of the Fund’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR entitled “Investment Strategies,” which is incorporated by reference herein, for a discussion of the Fund’s investment strategies.

Investment Philosophy

With more than [    ] employees, including approximately [    ] dedicated investment professionals across [    ] cities, the Adviser has deep expertise in the global credit markets and in investing in corporate debt across a range of industries. The Adviser’s investment professionals manage and evaluate credit opportunities across capital structures in public and private credit and have access to an established platform for evaluating investments, managing risk and focusing on opportunities that seek to generate attractive returns with appropriate levels of risk. This platform allows for intensive due diligence to filter investment opportunities and help select investments that the Adviser believes offer the most favorable risk/reward characteristics.

The Adviser’s investment approach is to be flexible in how the Fund invests once the Adviser has identified macro catalysts (including macroeconomic events or trends that may create market inefficiencies, such as a lack

 

9

of financial market following of an industry or sector, a misunderstanding in the market of a particular issuer or an industry falling out of favor with the investor community) or idiosyncratic events (including unexpected developments that impact an issuer or its industry, such as changes in applicable regulatory regimes, litigation or management turmoil). The Adviser believes that this dynamic creates an opportunity for closed-end investment companies, like the Fund, to earn very attractive risk-adjusted returns by taking on incremental credit and liquidity risk. The Adviser generally focuses on corporate opportunities and invests in fixed-income and equity securities in order to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Adviser generally seeks to invest in companies where it has what it regards as a differentiated view through its proprietary research and due diligence capabilities, including, for example, where the Adviser has performed detailed due diligence on the relevant company or its competitors, service providers or industry by leveraging the full resources of KKR.

The Adviser is part of the broader KKR organization. KKR is a long-term fundamental investor focused on producing attractive risk-adjusted returns. Within the Fund’s investment strategies specifically, KKR seeks out complexity, dislocation and uncertainty, which it believes creates attractive risk/reward opportunities in the marketplace. KKR believes that its credit platform is differentiated by:

 

•

a “One-Firm” approach to investing, which integrates KKR’s resources across regions and asset classes and KKR’s history of investing across more than three decades of economic cycles and market fluctuations;

 

•

a global presence, where KKR is “local” in major markets in North America, Europe and Asia, enhancing the Adviser’s ability to identify market dislocations early, move capital to the most attractive regions and efficiently and effectively execute on corresponding investment opportunities;

 

•

Access to approximately [    ] non-credit investment professionals from across the broader KKR global platform responsible for private equity, infrastructure, and real estate investing, among others;

 

•

a stressed and distressed investments team housed within the Adviser, located in San Francisco, New York and London, that has extensive experience in identifying, evaluating and structuring investments up and down the capital structure from secured debt to equity and bespoke structured credits;

 

•

a global macro and asset allocation team, which provides the Adviser with research and outlooks on the changing dynamics in the global economy. This capability augments research conducted by its investment professionals and helps the Adviser to quickly develop formal macro views in its due diligence, whether around broad macro themes or specific regional, country or market opportunities;

 

•

dynamic trading ability, which allows the Adviser to move quickly into liquid credit and equity markets and take advantage of real-time market movements and dislocations with a view to creating incremental value for the Fund;

 

•

stakeholder management capabilities, including a dedicated Public Affairs team, which the Adviser believes provides it with an advantage in conducting due diligence, proactively managing its portfolio through governmental, regulatory, labor or environmental issues and sourcing new investments;

 

•

a network of Senior Advisors, who have held leading executive roles in major global corporations and provide KKR with operational and strategic insights and help it evaluate individual investment opportunities; and

 

•

a “One-Firm” compensation and incentive structure and approach to investing, which allows KKR to act as a single team focused on finding the best investments and creating the best returns for its investors.

The Investment Process

The Adviser uses a fundamentally-driven investment approach which is based on deep credit underwriting and rigorous financial analysis. Because KKR has deep experience in credit and private equity underwriting, the

 

10

Adviser’s investment approach is designed to incorporate valuable characteristics of both. Prior to making an investment, the Adviser conducts due diligence analysis and a comprehensive review and discussion with respect to the Adviser’s sourcing advantages, analysis and diligence findings.

Once an investment is made, the Adviser carefully monitors the position and formally re-underwrites its credit decision using a Portfolio Management Committee process approximately every three months. If the committee is not convinced that capital is still best invested in a position, a plan to intelligently exit is developed and implemented.

The central step in the Adviser’s investment process is the performance of company, industry, capital structure and legal analysis on each Fund investment. Key elements of this exercise include:

Corporate and Debt Structure

The Adviser generally reviews the corporate structure of a target company in an effort to understand which entities own what assets, which subsidiaries have the support of those assets and how outstanding guarantees, liens and pledges interrelate with the various claims on the company’s cash flows and to understand the covenants, terms and conditions of the company’s outstanding debt and equity securities.

Legal and Regulatory Environment

Defining and understanding the legal, regulatory and tax regimes in which a target company operates, including, in particular, having a deep understanding of the intricacies of the insolvency regimes applicable to the company, is a key focus of the due diligence process. Engaging in regulatory and corporate affairs analysis to ensure the Fund is properly positioned with respect to labor, political and other key constituencies applicable to its investments is also, where appropriate, an important part of the Adviser’s due diligence process.

Key Valuation Drivers

The Adviser generally seeks to analyze a target company’s historical performance and prospects with a view toward understanding the sustainable margins and strengths and weaknesses in a company’s cost structure and analyzing the quality of cash flows of the underlying investment, including capital intensity needed to sustain its asset base, requirements for growth, degrees of flexibility to reduce its cost base if volumes or prices decline, and requirements for debt amortization or other external payments. The Adviser also seeks to define the market in which a company competes and, in particular, to assess what the company does, including what products and services it provides and to whom; to understand threats it faces for pricing or cost structure; and to identify drivers of market growth or decline, including changes in industry structure, technology or demographics.

Macro Environment

The Adviser also generally examines the broader environment in order to understand and consider potential macroeconomic head or tailwinds relevant to a target company utilizing scenario-based analysis. In this effort, the Adviser generally works closely with the Adviser’s global macro and asset allocation team around views and data related to the macro environment, in addition to working with this team when conducting due diligence on specific opportunities, whether they be regional, country or market specific.

Tax Environment

Defining the tax regime in which a company operates is another key aspect of the due diligence process. The Adviser generally undertakes a tax analysis of Fund investments with a view to optimizing structure and returns. As appropriate, the team engages specialist third party advisors for this purpose. KKR has strong relationships with tax advisors around the world who advise it on current key issues regarding existing portfolio investments and on trends and evolving legislation and practices in their respective jurisdictions and areas of expertise.

 

11

Issuer Investment Profile

While the Adviser considers each investment opportunity in an issuer on its own merits, the Adviser generally focuses on companies that share the following characteristics:

 

•

Leading Market Positions. The Adviser seeks to invest in companies with more defensible market positions, stronger franchises and operations and better credit characteristics than their peers. The Adviser focuses on the quality of product, employees, managers, facilities, systems and processes.

 

•

Strong Cash Flow. The Adviser seeks to invest in companies that generate free cash flow, and that benefit from material investments from well-known equity investors. The ability of a company to meet interest obligations, repay debt and deleverage over time generally is a function of its ability to generate free cash flow. An ability to generate stable and predictable cash flows is an indicator of long-term financial health.

 

•

Experienced Management Teams. The Adviser intends to prioritize companies with strong, existing management teams that it believes have a clear strategic vision, long-standing experience in their industry and a successful operating track record. The Adviser expects to favor companies in which management’s incentives appear to be closely aligned with major capital providers.

 

•

Stage of Business Life Cycle. The Adviser intends to seek mature, public and privately owned businesses that have long track records of stable, positive cash flow. The Adviser does not intend to invest in start-up companies or companies with speculative business plans.

 

•

Attractive Industries. While the Adviser considers opportunities within all industries, it prioritizes industries having, in its view, favorable characteristics from a lending perspective. For example, the Adviser seeks companies in established industries with stable competitive and regulatory frameworks, where the main participants enjoy predictable, low volatility earnings. The Adviser gives less emphasis to industries that are frequently characterized by less predictable and more volatile earnings.

 

•

Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Considerations. The Adviser integrates ESG considerations alongside traditional factors in the investment decision-making process. The Adviser applies proprietary criteria to assess potential financial and reputational risks to issuers. Criteria the Adviser may consider in conducting this assessment include, without limitation, carbon score (e.g., whether an issuer operates in a carbon-intensive market or industry); environmental management (e.g., what, if anything, the issuer is doing to manage its environmental impact); social management (e.g., what, if anything, the issuer is doing to manage social impact, such as human rights violations and employee health and safety risks); diversity and inclusion (e.g., whether an issuer has a diverse board and executive team); reputation (e.g., whether an issuer or its sponsor has significant reputational concerns relating to ESG matters); financial controls (e.g., whether an issuer has appropriate financial controls and accounting practices in place); committed management (e.g., whether an issuer has a management team openly committed to improving its efforts in ESG); organizational structure; and litigation issues. The Adviser evaluates each potential credit investment by the Fund using a proprietary ESG scorecard to assess the proprietary criteria. The Adviser’s assessments are informed by, among other things, where available, responses provided by issuers to questionnaires prepared by the Adviser relating to ESG considerations, research conducted by the Adviser’s personnel, direct engagement with issuers and data sourced from third-party vendors. An investment’s ESG considerations are assessed and re-evaluated on an ongoing basis. The identification of a risk related to one or more ESG considerations will not necessarily exclude a particular investment that, in the Adviser’s view, is otherwise suitable and attractively priced for investment.

 

•

Distressed Investments and Stressed Investments. The Adviser, from time to time, also invests in companies that are under stress and do not meet the above criteria. In such circumstances, the Adviser invests based on the Adviser’s view of strong risk-adjusted return. These opportunities can present an attractive risk-reward profile for the Fund based on the Adviser’s due diligence process. The Adviser considers distressed investments in corporate debt or equity issued by companies that have defaulted on

 

12

their debt obligations, have filed for insolvency or are selling at sufficiently discounted prices where the Adviser believes that if the companies do not default, such investments will yield attractive risk-adjusted returns. From time to time, the Adviser will also acquire “dislocated” fixed-income instruments of companies that are rated below investment grade and selling at a discount to par or yield greater than what the Adviser believes is typical for companies in similar situations. Market inefficiencies in these circumstances could, for example, be due to a lack of financial market following, a misunderstanding in the market of particular industries or companies or industries that are out of favor with the investor community. In times of particular dislocation and irrational market behavior, the Adviser could attempt to trade around specific portfolio positions opportunistically to capture excess returns based on its fundamental research-driven process.

Although the Adviser believes that the criteria listed above are important in identifying and investing in portfolio companies, the Adviser considers each investment on a case-by-case basis. It is possible that not all of these criteria will be met by each company in which the Fund invests.

Portfolio Composition

The Fund’s portfolio is composed principally of the following investments. A more detailed description of the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions and more detailed information about the Fund’s portfolio investments are contained in the SAI.

Fixed-Income Instruments

The Fund invests in fixed-income instruments, such as high-yield corporate debt securities, or bonds, or U.S. government debt securities. The issuer of a fixed-income instrument pays the investor a fixed- or variable-rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity. Certain bonds are “perpetual” in that they have no maturity date. Holders of fixed-income bonds, as creditors, have a prior legal claim over common and preferred stockholders as to both income and assets of the issuer for the principal and interest due them and could have a prior claim over other creditors but would be subordinate to any existing secured lenders with higher priority in the issuer’s capital structure. Fixed-income instruments can be secured or unsecured. The investment return of corporate bonds reflects interest on the security and changes in the market value of the security. The market value of a corporate bond, especially a fixed-rate bond, will generally rise and fall inversely with interest rates. The value of intermediate- and longer-term corporate bonds normally fluctuates more in response to changes in interest rates than does the value of shorter-term corporate bonds. The market value of a corporate bond also can be affected by the credit rating of the corporation, the corporation’s performance and perceptions of the corporation in the market place. There is a risk that the issuers of the securities will not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument. Corporate fixed-income instruments usually yield more than government or agency bonds due to the presence of credit risk.

Senior Loans

Senior Loans hold the most senior position in the capital structure of a corporation, partnership or other business entity (a “Borrower”). Senior Loans are secured with specific collateral and have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the Borrower that is senior to that held by unsecured creditors, subordinated debt holders and stockholders of the Borrower. The proceeds of Senior Loans primarily are used to refinance existing debt and for acquisitions, dividends, leveraged buyouts, and general corporate purposes.

Interest rates on Senior Loans can be fixed or can 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 SOFR, 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 adjust over different time periods, including daily, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

 

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The Fund will, from time to time, 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-rate income instruments generally decline. When interest rates fall, the values of fixed-rate income instruments generally increase. The prices of floating rate Senior Loans 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. For floating rate Senior Loans, interest payable to the Fund from its investments in Senior Loans should increase as short-term interest rates increase, and as short-term interest rates decrease, interest payable to the Fund from its investments in Senior Loans should decrease. Longer interest rate reset periods generally increase fluctuations in the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) as a result of changes in market interest rates.

Senior Loans are subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. Such non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the investment and a potential decrease in the NAV of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the liquidation of any collateral securing a Senior Loan would satisfy the Borrower’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal payments, or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of a Borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of the collateral securing a Senior Loan. The collateral securing a Senior Loan could lose all or substantially all of its value in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of a Borrower.

Senior Loans might not be rated by a rating agency. The amount of public information available with respect to Senior Loans will generally be less extensive than that available for registered or exchange-listed securities. In evaluating the creditworthiness of Borrowers, the Adviser will consider, and could rely in part, on analyses performed by others. To the extent that they are rated by a rating agency, many of the Senior Loans in which the Fund invests will have been assigned below investment grade ratings by independent rating agencies. In the event Senior Loans are not rated, they are likely to be the equivalent of below investment grade quality. The Adviser does not view ratings as the determinative factor in their investment decisions and rely more upon their credit analysis abilities than upon ratings.

Senior Loans generally are not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), or any state securities commission, and are not listed on any national securities exchange. There is less readily available or reliable information about most Senior Loans than is the case for many other types of securities, including securities issued in transactions registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). No active trading market exists for some Senior Loans, and some Senior Loans will be subject to restrictions on resale. A secondary market could be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods, which could impair the Fund’s ability to realize full value and thus cause a material decline in the Fund’s NAV. In addition, at times, the Fund will not be able to readily dispose of its Senior Loans at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such loans if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund will, from time to time, have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. During periods of limited supply and liquidity of Senior Loans, the Fund’s yield could be lower.

The floating or variable rate feature of most Senior Loans is a significant difference from typical fixed-income investments that carry significant interest rate risk. To the extent the Fund invests in variable rate Senior Loans, the Fund can normally be expected to have less significant interest rate-related fluctuations in its NAV per share than investment companies investing primarily in fixed-income instruments (other than money market funds and some short-term bond funds). When interest rates decline, the value of a fixed-income portfolio can normally be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a fixed-income portfolio can normally be expected to decline.

 

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Although the income available to the Fund will vary, the Adviser expects the Fund’s policy of acquiring interests in floating rate Senior Loans to reduce fluctuations in the NAV of the Fund resulting from changes in market interest rates. However, because floating or variable rates on Senior Loans only reset periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Similarly, a sudden and significant increase in market interest rates would likely cause a decline in the Fund’s NAV. A material decline in the Fund’s NAV could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain required levels of asset coverage. Other factors (including, but not limited to, rating downgrades, credit deterioration, a large downward movement in stock prices, a disparity in supply and demand of certain securities or market conditions that reduce liquidity) can reduce the value of Senior Loans and other debt obligations and reduce the Fund’s NAV.

The Fund will, from time to time, purchase and retain in its portfolio Senior Loans where the Borrower has experienced, or is perceived to be likely to experience, credit problems, including involvement in or recent emergence from bankruptcy court proceedings or other forms of debt restructuring. Such investments can provide opportunities for enhanced income as well as capital appreciation, although they also will be subject to greater risk of loss. At times, in connection with the restructuring of a Senior Loan either outside of bankruptcy court or in the context of bankruptcy court proceedings, the Fund will determine or be required to accept equity securities or junior credit securities in exchange for all or a portion of a Senior Loan.

At times, the Adviser will use an independent pricing service or prices provided by dealers to value loans and other credit securities at their market value. The Adviser will use the fair value method to value Senior Loans or other securities if market quotations for them are not readily available or are deemed unreliable. A security that is fair valued could be valued at a price higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures.

Direct Assignments. The Fund will, from time to time, purchase Senior Loans on a direct assignment basis. If the Fund purchases a Senior Loan on direct assignment, it typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning lender and becomes a lender under the loan agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning lender. Investments in Senior Loans on a direct assignment basis may involve additional risks to the Fund. For example, if such loan is foreclosed, the Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral.

Loan Participations. The Fund will, from time to time, also purchase, without limitation, participations in Senior Loans, but does not plan to do so extensively. The participation by the Fund in a lender’s portion of a Senior Loan typically will result in the Fund having a contractual relationship only with such lender, not with the Borrower. As a result, the Fund will, from time to time, 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 such lender of payments from the Borrower. Such indebtedness can be secured or unsecured. Loan participations typically represent direct participations in a loan to a Borrower, and generally are offered by banks, other financial institutions or lending syndicates. The Fund will, from time to time, participate in such syndications, or can buy part of a loan, becoming a part lender. When purchasing loan participations, the Fund assumes the credit risk of both the Borrower and the institution that sells the participation. The participation interests in which the Fund intends to invest might not be rated by any rating agency.

Pre-Funded Letter of Credit Loans. The Fund will, from time to time, purchase participations in prefunded letter of credit loans (a “prefunded L/C loan”) but does not plan to do so extensively. A prefunded L/C loan is a facility created by the Borrower in conjunction with the agent bank as issuer of a loan, and the prefunded L/C loan is backed by letters of credit (each letter, an “L/C”). Each participant in a prefunded L/C loan (sometimes referred to as a funded letter of credit facility) fully funds its commitment amount to the agent bank for the facility. The funds are invested by the agent bank and held solely to satisfy a prefunded L/C loan lender’s obligation to the agent bank under the facility. The funds paid by the lenders are invested by the agent bank in deposits that pay interest, usually approximating a benchmark rate, such as SOFR, which goes to the Borrower. Generally, the Borrower, via the agent bank, pays the lenders an interest rate, equivalent to the fully drawn spread plus the

 

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benchmark rate. The funds are returned to the lender upon termination of the prefunded L/C loan (and upon satisfaction of all obligations). Under the terms of the prefunded L/C loan agreement, a lender could sell and assign all or a portion of its interest in the loan to another lender so long as the other lender is eligible and agrees to the terms and conditions of the prefunded L/C loan agreement. When the Borrower needs funds, it can draw against the prefunded L/C loan and the agent bank makes payment to the Borrower by withdrawing some of the amount invested as deposits. Consequently, the lenders do not have to advance any additional funds at the time the Borrower draws against the prefunded L/C loan facility. The prefunded L/C loan can be structured from the standpoint of the Borrower as either (i) a revolving credit facility, where the Borrower can reborrow, during the term of the loan, moneys it has paid back to the facility during the term of the loan, or (ii) a delayed draw term loan where the Borrower may not reborrow moneys it has repaid to the facility during the term of the loan.

When the Borrower needs funds, it can draw against the prefunded L/C loan and the agent bank makes payment to the Borrower by withdrawing some of the amount invested as deposits. Consequently, the lenders do not have to advance any additional funds at the time the Borrower draws against the prefunded L/C loan facility. The prefunded L/C loan can be structured from the standpoint of the Borrower as either (i) a revolving credit facility, where the Borrower can reborrow, during the term of the loan, moneys it has paid back to the facility during the term of the loan, or (ii) a delayed draw term loan where the Borrower may not reborrow moneys it has repaid to the facility during the term of the loan.

When the Fund purchases a participation in a prefunded L/C loan, the proceeds of the purchase are deposited in a collateral account, which backs an L/C loan by the agent bank to the Borrower to support trade or other financing. The Fund typically receives interest on the cash collateral account equal to the benchmark rate. In addition, the Fund will, from time to time, also receive a fee, typically similar to the spread paid on the Borrower’s institutional loan. Participations by the Fund in a prefunded L/C loan typically will result in the Fund having a contractual relationship only with the agent bank, not with the Borrower. As a result, the Fund will, from time to time, have the right to receive interest, fees and any repayments, if any, to which it is entitled only from the agent bank selling the participation and only upon receipt by the agent bank of such payments from the Borrower. In connection with purchasing the participation in a prefunded L/C loan, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the Borrower with the terms of the prefunded L/C loan. As a result, the Fund will, from time to time, assume the credit risk of both the Borrower and the agent bank selling the participation in a prefunded L/C loan. In the event of the insolvency of the agent bank selling a participation in a prefunded L/C loan, the Fund will, from time to time, be treated as a general creditor of such agent bank. The agent bank will likely conduct its principal business activities in the banking, finance and financial services industries. Persons engaged in such industries could be more susceptible to, among other things, fluctuations in interest rates, changes in the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee’s monetary policy, governmental regulations concerning such industries and concerning capital raising activities generally and fluctuations in the financial markets generally.

Subordinated and Unsecured or Partially Secured Loans

Unsecured loans or subordinated are loans made by public and private corporations and other non-governmental entities and issuers for a variety of purposes. Unsecured loans generally have lower priority in right of payment compared to holders of secured debt of the borrower. Unsecured loans are not secured by a security interest or lien to or on specified collateral securing the borrower’s obligation under the loan. Unsecured loans by their terms are or may become subordinate in right of payment to other obligations of the borrower, including Senior Loans and other secured loans. Unsecured loans can have fixed or adjustable floating rate interest payments.

Because unsecured loans are subordinate to the secured debt of the borrower, they present a greater degree of investment risk but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this additional risk. Such investments generally are of below investment grade quality. Other than their subordinated and unsecured status, such investments have many characteristics and risks similar to Senior Loans and other secured loans discussed above. In addition, unsecured loans of below investment grade quality share many of the risk characteristics of non-investment grade

 

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bonds. As in the case of secured loans, the Fund will, from time to time, purchase interests in unsecured loans through assignments or participations. Unsecured loans are subject to the same risks associated with investment in Senior Loans and other secured loans and non-investment grade bonds. However, because unsecured loans rank lower in right of payment to any secured obligations of the borrower, they therefore are subject to additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and available assets will be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the secured obligations of the borrower. Unsecured loans are also expected to have greater price volatility than secured loans and can be less liquid.

Second lien loans are generally second in line in terms of repayment priority. A second lien loan could have a claim on the same collateral pool as the first lien or it could be secured by a separate set of assets. Second lien loans generally give investors priority over general unsecured creditors in the event of an asset sale. The priority of the collateral claims of third or lower lien loans ranks below holders of second lien loans and so on. Such junior loans are subject to the same general risks inherent to any loan investment, including credit risk, market and liquidity risk, and interest rate risk. Due to their lower place in the borrower’s capital structure and possible unsecured or partially secured status, such loans involve a higher degree of overall risk than Senior Loans of the same borrower.

Mezzanine Securities

The Fund will, from time to time, invest in certain lower grade securities known as “mezzanine securities,” which are subordinated debt securities that are generally issued in private placements in connection with an equity security (e.g., with attached warrants) or may be convertible into equity securities. Mezzanine securities may be issued with or without registration rights. Similar to other lower grade securities, maturities of mezzanine securities are typically seven to ten years, but the expected average life is significantly shorter at three to five years. Mezzanine securities are usually unsecured and subordinated to other obligations of the issuer.

Below Investment Grade Instruments

The Fund anticipates that a majority of the Fund’s assets, including its investments in secured loans and other debt securities, will be invested in instruments that are classified as “higher-yielding” (and, therefore, higher-risk) investments. In most cases, such investments will be rated below investment grade by recognized rating agencies or will be unrated instruments determined by the Adviser to be appropriate investments for the Fund. While generally providing greater income and opportunity for gain, non-investment grade debt securities and similar debt instruments generally are subject to greater risks than securities or instruments that have higher credit ratings, including a high risk of default. The credit rating of a high yield security does not necessarily address its market value risk, and ratings could from time to time change, positively or negatively, to reflect developments regarding the issuer’s financial condition. High yield securities and similar instruments often are considered to be speculative with respect to the capacity of the issuer to timely repay principal and pay interest or dividends in accordance with the terms of the obligation and could have more credit risk than higher rated securities. Lower grade securities and similar debt instruments could be particularly susceptible to economic downturns. It is likely that a prolonged or deepening economic recession could adversely affect the ability of Borrowers issuing such securities and similar debt instruments to repay principal and pay interest on the instrument, increase the incidence of default and severely disrupt the market value of the securities and similar debt instruments.

The prices of credit instruments generally are inversely related to interest rate changes; however, the price volatility caused by fluctuating interest rates of instruments also is inversely related to the interest rate of such instruments. Accordingly, lower grade instruments can be relatively less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher quality instruments of comparable maturity, because of their higher interest rate. This higher interest rate is what the investor receives in return for bearing greater credit risk. The higher credit risk associated with lower grade instruments potentially can have a greater effect on the value of such instruments than may be the case with higher quality issues of comparable maturity, and can be a substantial factor in the Fund’s relative share price volatility.

 

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Distressed and Defaulted Instruments

The repayment of defaulted obligations is subject to significant uncertainties. Defaulted obligations might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments.

Distressed and defaulted instruments generally present the same risks as investment in below investment grade instruments. However, in most cases, these risks are of a greater magnitude because of the uncertainties of investing in an issuer undergoing financial distress. As discussed above, an issuer of distressed instruments could be in bankruptcy or undergoing some other form of financial restructuring. Interest and/or principal payments on distressed instruments could be in default. Distressed instruments present a risk of loss of principal value, including potentially a total loss of value. Distressed instruments generally are highly illiquid and the prices at which distressed instruments may be sold typically represent a substantial discount to what the Adviser believes to be the ultimate value of such obligations.

Convertible Securities

Convertible securities include bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks and other securities that entitle the holder to acquire common stock or other equity securities of the same or a different issuer. Convertible securities are a form of hybrid securities because they have general characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive interest or preferred dividends paid or accrued until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to non-convertible debt obligations. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure and, therefore, generally entail less risk than the corporation’s common stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a debt obligation. A convertible security could be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a predetermined price. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund would be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security and convert it to underlying common stock, or would sell the convertible security to a third party, which could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. The price of a convertible security often reflects variations in the price of the underlying common stock in a way that non-convertible debt would not. The value of a convertible security is a function of (i) its yield in comparison to the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege and (ii) its worth if converted into the underlying common stock.

Non-U.S. Securities

The Fund invests in securities or other instruments, including secured loans and unsecured loans, of non-U.S. issuers or Borrowers. Some non-U.S. securities are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. Similarly, there is less volume and liquidity in most foreign securities markets than in the United States and, at times, greater price volatility than in the United States.

Because evidences of ownership of such securities usually are held outside the United States, the Fund will be subject to additional risks if it invests in non-U.S. securities, which include possible adverse political and economic developments, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits and adoption of governmental restrictions which might adversely affect or restrict the payment of principal and interest on the foreign securities to investors located outside the country of the issuer, whether from currency blockage or otherwise. Because non-U.S. securities may trade on days when the Fund’s common shares are not priced, the Fund’s NAV can change at times when common shares cannot be sold.

Certain of the Fund’s investments in foreign fixed-income instruments could be denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. To the extent the Fund invests in such instruments, the value of the assets of the Fund as

 

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measured in U.S. dollars will be affected by changes in exchange rates. Generally, the Fund’s currency exchange transactions will be conducted on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market. The cost of the Fund’s currency exchange transactions will generally be the difference between the bid and offer spot rate of the currency being purchased or sold. In order to protect against uncertainty in the level of future currency exchange rates, the Fund is authorized to enter into various currency exchange transactions. See “Risk Factors.”

Illiquid and Restricted Securities

The Fund will, from time to time, invest in securities that, at the time of investment, are illiquid. Investments currently considered to be illiquid include, among others, repurchase agreements not entitling the holder to repayment of principal and payment of interest within seven days, non-government stripped fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities, and over-the-counter (“OTC”) options and other derivatives. Valuing illiquid securities typically requires greater judgment than valuing securities for which there is an active trading market. The market price of illiquid securities generally is more volatile than that of more liquid securities, which could adversely affect the price that the Fund pays for or recovers upon the sale of illiquid securities. Investment of the Fund’s assets in illiquid securities could restrict the Fund’s ability to take advantage of market opportunities.

The Fund will, from time to time, invest in restricted securities, which are securities that may not be sold to the public without an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. The restriction on public sale could make it more difficult to value such securities, limit the Fund’s ability to dispose of them and lower the amount the Fund could realize upon their sale. Because they are not registered, restricted securities may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. In recognition of the increased size and liquidity of the institutional market for unregistered securities and the importance of institutional investors in the formation of capital, the SEC adopted Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Rule 144A is designed to facilitate efficient trading among institutional investors by permitting the sale of certain unregistered securities to qualified institutional buyers. To the extent privately placed securities held by the Fund qualify under Rule 144A and an institutional market develops for those securities, the Fund likely will be able to dispose of the securities without registering them under the Securities Act. To the extent that institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities, investing in Rule 144A securities could increase the level of the Fund’s illiquidity.

When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments

From time to time, the Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued basis or will purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis beyond the customary settlement time. These transactions involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase or sell securities at a future date. The price of the underlying securities (usually expressed in terms of yield) and the date when the securities will be delivered and paid for (the settlement date) are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. When-issued purchases and forward commitment transactions are negotiated directly with the other party, and such commitments are not traded on exchanges. The Fund generally purchases securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis only with the intention of completing the transaction and actually purchasing or selling the securities. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Fund will, from time to time, dispose of or negotiate a commitment after entering into it. From time to time, the Fund also sells securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. The Fund will, from time to time, realize capital gains or losses in connection with these transactions. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date.

Equity Securities

From time to time, the Fund also invests in or hold common stock and other equity securities. Common stock represents an equity ownership interest in a company. Historical trends would indicate that common stock is

 

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subject to higher levels of volatility and market and issuer-specific risk than debt securities. The value of the equity securities generally will be affected more rapidly, and to a greater extent, by company-specific developments and general market conditions. These risks could increase fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. In addition, if the Fund’s investments in equity securities are incidental to the Fund’s investments in loans or fixed-income instruments, the Fund frequently will possess material non-public information about a Borrower or issuer as a result of its ownership of a loan or fixed-income instrument of a Borrower or issuer. Because of prohibitions on trading in instruments while in possession of material non-public information, the Fund might be unable to enter into a transaction in a security of the Borrower or issuer when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so.

Preferred Stocks

The Fund, from time to time, also invests in preferred stocks. Preferred stocks represent the senior residual interest in the assets of an issuer after meeting all claims, with priority to corporate income and liquidation payments over the issuer’s common stock. As such, preferred stock is inherently riskier than the bonds and loans of the issuer, but less risky than its common stock. Preferred stocks often contain provisions that allow for redemption in the event of certain tax or legal changes or at the issuers’ call. Preferred stocks typically do not provide any voting rights, except in cases when dividends are in arrears beyond a certain time period. Preferred stock in some instances is convertible into common stock.

Although they are equity securities, preferred stocks have certain characteristics of both debt and common stock. They are debt-like in that their promised income is contractually fixed. They are common stock-like in that they do not have rights to precipitate bankruptcy proceedings or collection activities in the event of missed payments. Furthermore, they have many of the key characteristics of equity due to their subordinated position in an issuer’s capital structure and because their quality and value are heavily dependent on the profitability of the issuer rather than on any legal claims to specific assets or cash flows. In order to be payable, dividends on preferred stock must be declared by the issuer’s board of directors or trustees. In addition, distributions on preferred stock could be subject to deferral and thus might not be automatically payable. Income payments on some preferred stocks are cumulative, causing dividends and distributions to accrue even if not declared by the board or otherwise made payable. Other preferred stocks are non-cumulative, meaning that skipped dividends and distributions do not continue to accrue. There is no assurance that dividends on preferred stocks in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable. If the Fund owns preferred stock that is deferring its distributions, the Fund will be required to report income for U.S. federal income tax purposes while it is not receiving cash payments corresponding to such income. When interest rates fall below the rate payable on an issue of preferred stock or for other reasons, the issuer could redeem the preferred stock, generally after an initial period of call protection in which the stock is not redeemable. Preferred stocks can be significantly less liquid than many other securities, such as U.S. government securities, corporate bonds and common stock.

Collateralized Debt Obligations

Cash flows in a CDO are split into two or more tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche, which bears the first loss from defaults from the underlying pool of bonds and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default (though such protection is not complete). Since it is partially protected from defaults, a senior tranche from a CDO typically has higher ratings and lower yields than its underlying securities, and may be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CDO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, downgrades of the underlying collateral by rating agencies, forced liquidation of the collateral pool due to a failure of coverage tests, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults as well as investor aversion to CDO securities as a class. Normally, CDOs are privately offered and sold, and thus are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CDOs may be characterized as illiquid securities. 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 risk that the collateral may default or decline in value or be downgraded, if rated by a NRSRO; (iii) the Fund is likely to invest in tranches of

 

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CDOs that are subordinate to other tranches; (iv) the structure and complexity of the transaction and the legal documents could lead to disputes among investors regarding the characterization of proceeds; (v) the investment return achieved by the Fund could be significantly different than those predicted by financial models; (vi) the lack of a readily available secondary market for CDOs; (vii) risk of forced “fire sale” liquidation due to technical defaults such as coverage test failures; and (viii) the CDO’s manager may perform poorly.

Asset-Backed Securities

The value of asset-backed securities (“ABSs”) like that of traditional fixed-income instruments, typically increases when interest rates fall and decreases when interest rates rise. However, ABSs differ from traditional fixed-income instruments because of their potential for prepayment. The price paid by the Fund for such securities, the yield the Fund expects to receive from such securities and the average life of such securities are based on a number of factors, including the anticipated rate of prepayment of the underlying assets.

Mortgage-Backed Securities

In addition to the risks associated with other ABSs as described above, mortgage-backed securities are subject to the general risks associated with investing in real estate securities; that is, they could lose value if the value of the underlying real estate to which a pool of mortgages relates declines. Mortgage-backed securities can be issued by governments or their agencies and instrumentalities, such as, in the United States, the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”). They can also be issued by private issuers but represent an interest in or are collateralized by pass-through securities issued or guaranteed by a government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. In addition, mortgage-backed securities can be issued by private issuers and be collateralized by securities without a government guarantee. Such securities usually have some form of private credit enhancement.

Pools created by private issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments. Notwithstanding that such pools could be supported by various forms of private insurance or guarantees, there can be no assurance that the private insurers or guarantors will be able to meet their obligations under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements. The Fund will, from time to time, invest in private mortgage pass-through securities without such insurance or guarantees. Any mortgage-backed securities that are issued by private issuers are likely to have some exposure to subprime loans as well as to the mortgage and credit markets generally. In addition, such securities are not subject to the underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that would generally apply to securities that have a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee, thereby increasing their credit risk. The risk of non-payment is greater for mortgage-related securities that are backed by mortgage pools that contain subprime loans, but a level of risk exists for all loans. Market factors adversely affecting mortgage loan repayments include a general economic downturn, high unemployment, a general slowdown in the real estate market, a drop in the market prices of real estate, or an increase in interest rates resulting in higher mortgage payments by holders of adjustable rate mortgages.

Zero Coupon and PIK Bonds

Because investors in zero coupon or PIK bonds receive no cash prior to the maturity or cash payment date applicable thereto, an investment in such securities generally has a greater potential for complete loss of principal and/or return than an investment in debt securities that make periodic interest payments. Such investments are more vulnerable to the creditworthiness of the issuer and any other parties upon which performance relies.

Temporary Investments

During the period in which the net proceeds of an offering of common shares are being invested or during periods in which the Adviser determines that economic, market or political conditions are unfavorable to

 

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investors and a defensive strategy would benefit the Fund, the Fund could deviate from its investment objectives and strategies. During such periods, the Fund invests all or a portion of its 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 and cash equivalents. The short-and medium-term debt securities in which the Fund invests in such circumstances include: (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 and money market instruments. It is likely that the Fund would not achieve its investment objectives when it does so. 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.

Commercial Paper. Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by corporations such as banks or bank holding companies and finance companies. The rate of return on commercial paper can be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies.

Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are certificates that are issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and that earn a specified return and are normally negotiable. The issuer of a certificate of deposit agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund might not be fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Fixed Time Deposits. Fixed time deposits are bank obligations payable at a stated maturity date and bearing interest at a fixed-rate. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but can be subject to early withdrawal penalties which vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity of the obligation. There are generally no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial interest in a fixed time deposit to a third party, although there is no market for such deposits. The Fund will, from time to time, also hold funds on deposit with its custodian bank in an interest-bearing account for temporary purposes.

Bankers’ Acceptances. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity.

Other Investment Techniques

Short Sales

The Fund reserves the right to engage in short sales for investment and risk management purposes, including when the Adviser believes an investment will underperform due to a greater sensitivity to earnings growth of the issuer, default risk or interest rates.

Short sales are transactions in which the Fund sells a security or other instrument (such as an option, forward or futures contract) that it does not own but can borrow in the market. Short selling allows the Fund to profit from a decline in market price to the extent such decline exceeds the transaction costs and the costs of borrowing the securities and to obtain a low cost means of financing long investments that the Adviser believes are attractive. When the Fund engages in a short sale of a security, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the counterparty. The Fund will ordinarily have to pay a fee or premium to borrow particular securities and be obligated to repay the lender of the security any coupon or interest that accrued on the securities during the period of the loan. The amount of any gain from a short sale will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of the premium, dividends, interest or expenses the Fund pays in connection with the short sale.

 

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During the period of the short sale, the Fund will, from time to time, be required to maintain the short sale proceeds that the broker holds and any additional assets the lending broker requires as collateral. Depending on the arrangements made with the broker or Custodian, the Fund might or might not receive any payments (including interest) on collateral it has deposited with the broker.

Dollar Rolls

The Fund reserves the right to enter into “dollar rolls” in which the Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar, but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, the Fund would benefit to the extent of any difference between the price received for the securities sold and the lower forward price for the future purchase or fee income plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold until the settlement date of the forward purchase. All cash proceeds will be invested in instruments that are permissible investments for the Fund.

For financial reporting and tax purposes, the Fund treats dollar rolls as two separate transactions; one involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving a sale. The Fund does not currently intend to enter into dollar rolls for financing and does not treat them as borrowings.

Dollar rolls involve certain risks including the following: if the broker-dealer to whom the Fund sells the security becomes insolvent, the Fund’s right to purchase or repurchase the securities subject to the dollar roll could be restricted. Also, the instrument which the Fund is required to repurchase could be worth less than an instrument which the Fund originally held. Successful use of dollar rolls will depend upon the Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund’s interest rate and prepayments exposure. For these reasons, there is no assurance that dollar rolls can be successfully employed. The use of this technique could diminish the investment performance of the Fund compared with what such performance would have been without the use of dollar rolls.

Derivatives

Derivatives or other similar instruments (referred to collectively as “derivatives”) are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. Derivatives may involve costs and risks that are different from, or possibly greater than, the costs and risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives prices can be volatile, may correlate imperfectly with price of the applicable underlying asset, reference rate or index and may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions, such as markets with high volatility or large market declines. Some derivatives are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. Other risks include liquidity risk which refers to the potential inability to terminate or sell derivative positions and for derivatives to create margin delivery or settlement payment obligations for the Fund. Further, losses could result if the counterparty to a transaction does not perform as promised and can be complex to value. Derivatives instruments that involve a small initial investment relative to the risk assumed may be considered to be “leveraged,” which can magnify or otherwise increase investment losses. Derivatives are also subject to operational and legal risks.

The Fund currently anticipates investing in (or considering for investment) the following types of derivatives:

Swap Agreements. The Fund reserves the right to enter into swap agreements. A swap is a financial instrument that typically involves the exchange of cash flows between two parties on specified dates (settlement dates), where the cash flows are based on agreed-upon prices, rates, indices, etc. The nominal amount on which the cash flows are calculated is called the notional amount. Swaps are often individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors, such as interest rates, commodity prices, non-U.S. currency rates, mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, security prices, indexes or inflation rates.

 

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Swap agreements can increase or decrease the overall volatility of the investments of the Fund and its share price. The performance of swap agreements could be affected by a change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and from the Fund. If a swap agreement calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of a swap agreement would likely decline, potentially resulting in losses.

Generally, swap agreements have fixed maturity dates that are agreed upon by the parties to the swap. An agreement can be terminated before the maturity date only under limited circumstances, such as default by or insolvency of one of the parties and can be transferred by a party only with the prior written consent of the other party. The Fund will, from time to time, be able to eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly creditworthy party. If the counterparty is unable to meet its obligations under the contract, declares bankruptcy, defaults or becomes insolvent, it is possible that the Fund will not be able to recover the money it expected to receive under the contract.

A swap agreement can be a form of leverage, which can magnify the Fund’s gains or losses.

The Fund will monitor any swaps with a view towards ensuring that the Fund remains in compliance with all applicable regulatory investment and tax requirements.

Credit Derivatives. The Fund reserves the right to engage in credit derivative transactions. There are two broad categories of credit derivatives: default price risk derivatives and market spread derivatives. Default price risk derivatives are linked to the price of reference securities or loans after a default by the issuer or Borrower, respectively. Market spread derivatives are based on the risk that changes in market factors, such as credit spreads, can cause a decline in the value of a security, loan or index. There are three basic transactional forms for credit derivatives: swaps, options and structured instruments. A credit default swap is an agreement between two counterparties that allows one counterparty (the “seller”) to sell protection under the swap and or be “long” on a third party’s credit risk and the other party (the “buyer”) to purchase protection under the swap and be “short” on the credit risk. In essence, an institution which owns corporate fixed-income instruments can purchase a limited form of default protection by entering into a credit default swap with another bank, broker-dealer or financial intermediary. Typically, the buyer agrees to make regular fixed payments to the seller with the same frequency as the underlying reference instrument. In exchange, the buyer typically has the right upon a credit event on the underlying instrument to deliver the instrument to the seller in exchange for the instrument’s par value plus interest. Credit default swaps can be used as a substitute for purchasing or selling a credit security and sometimes are preferable to purchasing the security. The Fund currently intends to invest primarily in credit default swaps as a buyer but could also act as a seller. As a buyer of credit default swaps, the Fund is able to express a negative credit view on a particular instrument; as a seller, the Fund can express a positive view on the credit quality of a company. The Fund does not intend to leverage its investments through the use of credit default swaps, but it could incur effective leverage to the extent it acts as a seller of a credit default swap. Among other risks, a party to a credit default swap is subject to counterparty risk. The Fund will monitor any such swaps or derivatives with a view towards ensuring that the Fund remains in compliance with all applicable regulatory investment policy and tax requirements.

Options. The Fund reserves the right to purchase put and call options on currencies or securities. A put option embodies the right of its purchaser to compel the writer of the option to purchase from the option holder an underlying currency or security or its equivalent at a specified price at any time during the option period. In contrast, a call option gives the purchaser the right to buy the underlying currency or security covered by the option or its equivalent from the writer of the option at the stated exercise price.

As a holder of a put option, the Fund will have the right to sell the securities underlying the option and as the holder of a call option, the Fund will have the right to purchase the currencies or securities underlying the option,

 

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in each case at their exercise price at any time prior to the option’s expiration date for American options or only at expiration for European options. The Fund could seek to terminate its option positions prior to their expiration by entering into closing transactions. The ability of the Fund to enter into a closing sale transaction depends on the existence of a liquid secondary market. There can be no assurance that a closing purchase or sale transaction can be effected when the Fund so desires. A successful use of equity options and options on stock indices will be subject to the Adviser’s ability to predict correctly movements in volatility and the direction of the stock market generally or of a particular industry or market segment. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the price of individual stocks.

Futures Contracts. The Fund reserves the right to enter into securities-related futures contracts, including security futures contracts as an anticipatory hedge. The Fund’s derivative investments could include sales of futures as an offset against the effect of expected declines in securities prices and purchases of futures as an offset against the effect of expected increases in securities prices. A security futures contract is a legally binding agreement between two parties to purchase or sell in the future a specific quantity of a security or of the component securities of a narrow-based security index, at a certain price. A person who buys a security futures contract enters into a contract to purchase an underlying security and is said to be “long” the contract. A person who sells a security futures contact enters into a contract to sell the underlying security and is said to be “short” the contract. The price at which the contract trades (the “contract price”) is determined by relative buying and selling interest on a regulated exchange.

Interest Rate Transactions. The Fund can normally be expected to have less significant interest rate-related fluctuations in its NAV per share than investment companies investing primarily in fixed-income instruments (other than money market funds and some short-term bond funds). However, because floating or variable rates on secured loans only reset periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Similarly, a sudden and significant increase in market interest rates would likely cause a decline in the Fund’s NAV. In addition, secured loans could allow a borrower to opt between SOFR-based (or LIBOR alternative-based) interest rates and interest rates based on bank prime rates, which could have an impact the Fund’s NAV.

The Fund reserves the right to use interest rate swaps for risk management purposes only and not as a speculative investment and would typically use interest rate swaps to shorten the average interest rate reset time of the Fund’s holdings. 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 fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments). The Fund will only enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis. If the other party to an interest rate swap defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. The counterparty risk for cleared interest rate swap transactions is generally lower than for uncleared over-the-counter interest rate swaps since generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty to a cleared swap contract and, in effect, guarantees the parties’ performance under the contract as each party to a trade looks only to the clearing house for performance of financial obligations. However, there can be no assurance that the clearing house, or its members, will satisfy its obligations to the Fund. The Fund will not enter into an interest rate swap unless the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by the Adviser. 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. These instruments are typically traded in the OTC market.

The use of interest rate swaps is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If the Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, interest rates and other applicable factors, the investment performance of the Fund would be unfavorably affected.

Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund reserves the right to engage in foreign currency transactions in connection with its investments in foreign securities. The Fund will conduct its foreign currency transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the rate then-prevailing in the foreign currency markets or through forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies.

 

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Foreign Currency Forward Contracts. The Fund reserves the right to enter into foreign currency forward contracts in order to protect against possible losses on non-U.S. dollar denominated investments resulting from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. A foreign currency forward exchange contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which can be any fixed number of days (usually less than one year) from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price and for an amount set at the time of the contract. These contracts are often traded in the interbank market directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has a margin requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the spread) between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies. However, foreign currency forward contracts could limit potential gains which could result from a positive change in such currency relationships. The Fund does not speculate in foreign currency.

Except for cross-hedges, the Fund will not enter into foreign currency forward contracts or maintain a net exposure in such contracts when it would be obligated to deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of the value of its portfolio securities or other assets denominated in that currency or, in the case of a “cross-hedge,” denominated in a currency or currencies that the Adviser believes will tend to be closely correlated with that currency with regard to price movements. At the consummation of a forward contract, the Fund could either make delivery of the foreign currency or terminate its contractual obligation to deliver the foreign currency by purchasing an offsetting contract obligating it to purchase, at the same maturity date, the same amount of such foreign currency. If the Fund chooses to make delivery of the foreign currency, it could be required to obtain such currency through the sale of portfolio securities denominated in such currency or through conversion of other assets of the Fund into such currency. If the Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, the Fund will incur a gain or loss to the extent that there is a difference between the forward contract price and the offsetting forward contract price.

It should be realized that this method of protecting the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange which can be achieved at some future point in time. Additionally, although such contracts tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, at the same time they tend to limit any potential gain should the value of such currency increase. Generally, the Fund will not enter into a foreign currency forward contract with a term longer than one year.

Commodities-Related Derivatives. The Fund reserves the right to use commodities-related derivatives to hedge a position in a commodity-related issuer or industry. Commodities-related derivatives include, but are not limited to, commodities contracts, commodity futures or options thereon (investments in contracts for the future purchase or sale of commodities); total return swaps based on a commodity index (permitting one party to receive/pay the total return on a commodity index against payment/receipt of an agreed upon spread/interest rate); commodity-linked notes (providing a return based on a formula referenced to a commodity index); commodity exchange traded notes (non-interest paying debt instruments whose price fluctuates (by contractual commitment) with an underlying commodities index); sovereign issued oil warrants (a sovereign obligation the coupon on which is contingent on the price of oil); and any other commodities-related derivative permitted by law.

Equity Swaps. In a typical equity swap, one party agrees to pay another party the return on a security, security index or basket of securities in return for a specified interest rate. By entering into an equity index swap, the index receiver can gain exposure to securities making up the index of securities without actually purchasing those securities. Equity index swaps involve not only the risk associated with investment in the securities represented in the index, but also the risk that the performance of such securities, including dividends, will not exceed the interest that the Fund will be committed to pay under the swap.

Derivatives that provide exposure to senior and subordinated corporate debt and debt related instruments will be counted towards the Fund’s 80% policy, and such derivatives will be valued based on market value for purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy.

 

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Structured Products

The Fund may invest in structured products, including the following:

Collateralized Loan Obligations. A collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) is a financing company (generally called a Special Purpose Vehicle or “SPV”), created to reapportion the risk and return characteristics of a pool of assets. While the assets underlying CLOs are typically secured loans, the assets may also include (i) unsecured loans, (ii) debt securities that are rated below investment grade, (iii) debt tranches of other CLOs and (iv) equity securities incidental to investments in secured loans. When investing in CLOs, the Fund will not invest in equity tranches, which are the lowest tranche. However, the Fund may invest in lower tranches of CLOs, which typically experience a lower recovery, greater risk of loss or deferral or non-payment of interest than more senior tranches of the CLO. In addition, the Fund intends to invest in CLOs consisting primarily of individual secured loans of Borrowers and not repackaged CLO obligations from other high risk pools. The underlying secured loans purchased by CLOs are generally performing at the time of purchase but may become non-performing, distressed or defaulted. CLOs with underlying assets of non-performing, distressed or defaulted loans are not contemplated to comprise a significant portion of the Fund’s investments in CLOs. The key feature of the CLO structure is the prioritization of the cash flows from a pool of debt securities among the several classes of the CLO. The SPV is a company founded solely for the purpose of securitizing payment claims arising out of this diversified asset pool. On this basis, marketable securities are issued by the SPV which, due to the diversification of the underlying risk, generally represent a lower level of risk than the original assets. The redemption of the securities issued by the SPV typically takes place at maturity out of the cash flow generated by the collected claims.

Credit-Linked Notes. The Fund may purchase credit-linked notes for risk management purposes. A credit-linked note is a form of funded credit derivative instrument. It is a synthetic 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). Credit-linked notes are created by embedding a credit default swap in a funded asset to form an investment whose credit risk and cash flow characteristics resemble those of a bond or loan. These credit-linked notes pay an enhanced coupon to the investor for taking on the added credit risk of the reference issuer. In addition to the credit risk of the reference obligations and interest rate risk, the buyer/seller of credit-linked notes is subject to counterparty risk.

Securities Lending

The Fund reserves the right to make secured loans of its marginable securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit, consist of possible delay in recovery of the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. However, such loans will be made only to broker-dealers and other financial institutions that are believed by the Adviser to be of relatively high credit standing. Securities loans are made to broker-dealers pursuant to agreements requiring that loans be continuously secured by collateral consisting of U.S. government securities, cash or cash equivalents (negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal at all times to the market value of the securities lent. The borrower pays to the Fund, as the lender, an amount equal to any dividends or interest received on the securities lent.

The Fund reserves the right to invest the cash collateral received in accordance with its investment objectives, subject to the Fund’s agreement with the borrower of the securities. In the case of cash collateral, the Fund reserves the right to pay a rebate to the borrower. The reinvestment of cash collateral will result in a form of effective leverage for the Fund.

Although voting rights or rights to consent with respect to the loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund, as the lender, retains the right to call the loans and obtain the return of the securities loaned at any time on

 

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reasonable notice, and it will do so in order that the securities may be voted by the Fund if the holders of such securities are asked to vote upon or consent to matters materially affecting the investment. The Fund may also call such loans in order to sell the securities involved. When engaged in securities lending, the Fund’s performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned and will also reflect the receipt of interest through investment of cash collateral by the Fund in permissible investments.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls

The Fund reserves the right to enter into reverse repurchase agreements, under which the Fund will effectively pledge its assets as collateral to secure a short-term loan. Generally, the other party to the agreement makes the loan in an amount equal to a percentage of the market value of the pledge collateral. At the maturity of the reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund will be required to repay the loan and correspondingly receive back its collateral. While used as collateral, the assets continue to pay principal and interest, which are for the benefit of the Fund.

A dollar roll transaction involves a sale by the Fund of a security concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase a similar security at a later date at an agreed-upon price. The securities that are repurchased will bear the same interest rate and a similar maturity as those sold, but the assets collateralizing those securities could have different prepayment histories than those sold. During the period between the sale and repurchase, the Fund will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold. Proceeds of the sale will be invested in additional investments, and the income from these investments will generate income for the Fund. If such income does not exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the dollar roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance of the Fund compared with what the performance would have been without the use of dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities subject to the Fund’s forward purchase commitment could decline below, or the market value of the securities subject to the Fund’s forward sale commitment could increase above, the exercise price of the forward commitment. In the event the buyer of the securities files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the current sale portion of the transaction could be restricted.

Repurchase Agreements

The Fund reserves the right to enter into repurchase agreements, in which the Fund purchases a security from a bank or broker-dealer and the bank or broker-dealer agrees to repurchase the security at the Fund’s cost plus interest within a specified time. If the party agreeing to repurchase should default, the Fund seeks to sell the securities which it holds. This could involve transaction costs or delays in addition to a loss on the securities if their value should fall below their repurchase price. Repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid securities.

Other Investment Companies

The Fund reserves the right to invest in securities issued by other investment companies within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and any exemptive orders currently or in the future obtained by the Fund from the SEC. These securities include shares of other closed-end funds, open-end investment companies (i.e., mutual funds) and ETFs. As a stockholder in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s management fees with respect to assets so invested. Common Shareholders would therefore be subject to two layers of expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. In addition, the securities of other investment companies could also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the same leverage risks described herein. See “Risk Factors.”

 

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Investment Policies

Credit Ratings and Unrated Securities

Rating agencies are private services that provide ratings of the credit quality of debt obligations, including convertible securities, based upon their assessment of the likelihood of the receipt of principal and interest payments. Appendix A to the SAI describes the various ratings assigned to debt obligations by Standard & Poor’s Corporation Rating Group (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”). Ratings assigned by a rating agency are not absolute standards of credit quality and do not consider the risks of fluctuations in market value or other factors that influence the value of debt securities. Rating agencies could fail to make timely changes in credit ratings and an issuer’s current financial condition could be better or worse than a rating indicates. Therefore, the credit rating assigned to a particular instrument might not fully reflect the true risks of an investment in such instrument. Credit rating agencies can change their methods of evaluating credit risk and determining ratings. These changes can occur quickly and often. Credit rating agencies can be paid by the companies whose debt they analyze and grade. To the extent that the issuer of a security pays a rating agency for the analysis of its security, an inherent conflict of interest exists that could affect the reliability of the rating. The Adviser does not rely solely on credit ratings; rather, it develops its own analysis of issuer credit quality. The ratings of a debt security can change over time. S&P, Moody’s and Fitch monitor and evaluate the ratings assigned to securities on an ongoing basis. As a result, securities held by the Fund could receive a higher rating (which would tend to increase their value) or a lower rating (which would tend to decrease their value) during the period in which they are held.

The Fund, from time to time, purchases unrated securities (securities which are not rated by a rating agency) if the Adviser determines that the securities are an appropriate investment for the Fund. Unrated securities generally are less liquid than comparable rated securities and involve the risk that the Adviser might not accurately evaluate the security’s comparative credit rating. To the extent that the Fund invests in high yield and/or unrated securities, the Fund’s success in achieving its investment objectives could depend more heavily on the Adviser’s analysis than if the Fund invested exclusively in higher-quality and rated securities. The Adviser will attempt to reduce the risks of investing in lower rated or unrated debt instruments through active portfolio management, credit analysis and attention to current developments and trends in the economy and the financial markets.

The Fund is not required to dispose of a security in the event that a rating agency downgrades its assessment of the credit characteristics of a particular issue or withdraws its assessment, including in the event of a default. In determining whether to retain or sell such a security, the Adviser considers such factors as Adviser’s assessment of the credit quality of the issuers of such security, the price at which such security could be sold and the rating, if any, assigned to such security by other rating agencies.

Percentage Limitations

Compliance with any policy or limitation of the Fund that is expressed as a percentage of assets is determined at the time of purchase of portfolio securities. The policy will not be violated if these limitations are exceeded because of changes in the market value or investment rating of the Fund’s assets or if a Borrower or issuer distributes equity securities incident to the purchase or ownership of a loan or fixed-income instrument or in connection with a reorganization of a Borrower or issuer.

LEVERAGE

Please refer to the section of the Fund’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR entitled “Leverage,” which is incorporated by reference herein, for a discussion of the Fund’s use of leverage and the effects of leverage.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Please refer to the section of the Fund’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR entitled “Risk Factors,” which is incorporated by reference herein, for a discussion of the risks of investing in the Fund.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The Adviser will experience conflicts of interest in connection with the management of the Fund, including, but not limited to, those discussed below. Dealing with conflicts of interest is complex and difficult, and new and different types of conflicts may subsequently arise.

 

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The members, officers and other personnel of the Adviser allocate their time, resources and other services between the Fund and other investment and business activities in which they are involved, including other funds, investment vehicles and accounts managed by KKR. The Adviser intends to devote such time as shall be necessary to conduct the Fund’s business affairs in an appropriate manner. However, the Adviser will continue to devote the time, resources and other services necessary to managing its other investment and business activities, and the Adviser is not precluded from conducting activities unrelated to the Fund. Substantial time will be spent by such members, officers and personnel monitoring the investments of other funds, investment vehicles and accounts managed by KKR.

 

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The Adviser will, at times, compete with certain of its affiliates, including other entities it manages, for investments for the Fund, subjecting the Adviser to certain conflicts of interest in evaluating the suitability of investment opportunities and making or recommending acquisitions on the Fund’s behalf. The Adviser will receive advisory and other fees from the other entities it manages, and due to fee-offset provisions contained in the management agreements for such entities, the fees, at times, will not be proportionate to such entities’ investment accounts for any given transaction and the Adviser may have an incentive to favor entities from which it receives higher fees.

 

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The Fund has adopted the Adviser’s allocation policy, which is designed to fairly and equitably distribute investment opportunities over time among funds or pools of capital managed by the Adviser, which may include proprietary accounts, including investment or co-investment vehicles established for personnel of KKR or its affiliates. The Adviser’s allocation policy provides that once an investment has been approved and is deemed to be in the Fund’s best interest, the Fund will receive a pro rata share of the investment based on capital available for investment in the asset class being allocated. Determinations as to the amount of capital available for investment are based on such factors as: the amount of cash on-hand, existing commitments and reserves, the targeted leverage level, the targeted asset mix and diversification requirements, other investment policies and restrictions, and limitations imposed by applicable laws, rules, regulations or interpretations. The outcome of this determination will result in the allocation of all, some or none of an investment opportunity to the Fund. In addition, subject to applicable law, affiliates of the Adviser will, from time to time, invest in one of the Fund’s portfolio companies and hold a different class of securities than the Fund. To the extent that an affiliate of the Adviser holds a different class of securities than the Fund, its interests might not be aligned with the Fund’s. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adviser will act in the best interest of the Fund in accordance with its fiduciary duty to the Fund.

 

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The appropriate allocation among the Fund and other KKR funds and accounts of expenses and fees generated in the course of evaluating and making investments often will not be clear, especially where more than one KKR fund or account participates. The Adviser will determine, in its sole discretion, the appropriate allocation of investment-related expenses, including broken deal expenses incurred in respect of unconsummated investments and expenses more generally relating to a particular investment strategy, among the funds and accounts participating or that would have participated in such investments or that otherwise participate in the relevant investment strategy, as applicable, which could

 

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result in the Fund bearing more or less of these expenses than other participants or potential participants in the relevant investments.

 

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The compensation payable by the Fund to the Adviser will be approved by the Board consistent with the exercise of the requisite standard of care applicable to trustees under state law. Such compensation is payable, in most cases, regardless of the quality of the assets acquired, the services provided to the Fund or whether the Fund makes distributions to Shareholders.

 

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The Adviser and its affiliates will, at times, provide a broad range of financial services to companies in which the Fund invests, in compliance with applicable law, and will generally be paid fees for such services. In addition, affiliates of the Adviser could act as an underwriter or placement agent in connection with an offering of securities by one of the companies in the Fund’s portfolio. Any compensation received by the Adviser and its affiliates for providing these services will not be shared with the Fund and could be received before the Fund realizes a return on its investment. The Adviser will face conflicts of interest with respect to services performed for these companies, on the one hand, and investments recommended to the Fund, on the other hand.

 

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KKR engages in a broad range of business activities and invests in portfolio companies and other issuers whose operations could be substantially similar to the issuers of the Fund’s portfolio investments. The performance and operation of such competing businesses could conflict with and adversely affect the performance and operation of the issuers of the Fund’s portfolio investments and could adversely affect the prices and availability of business opportunities or transactions available to these issuers.

 

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From time to time, to the extent consistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or with exemptive relief the Fund receives from the SEC, if any, the Fund and other clients for which the Adviser provides investment management services or carries on investment activities (including, among others, clients that are employee benefit plans subject to ERISA and related regulations) will make investments at different levels of an investment entity’s capital structure or otherwise in different classes of an issuer’s securities. These investments inherently give rise to conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest between or among the various classes of securities held by the Fund and such other clients, including in the case of financial distress of the investment entity.

 

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KKR and the Adviser sponsor and advise, and expect in the future to sponsor and advise, a broad range of investment funds, vehicles, and other accounts, including proprietary vehicles, that make investments worldwide. KKR will, from time to time, also make investments for its own account, including, for example, through investment and co-investment vehicles established for KKR personnel and associates. The Adviser and its affiliates are not restricted from forming additional investment funds, from entering into other investment advisory relationships (including, among others, relationships with clients that are employee benefit plans subject to ERISA and related regulations) or from engaging in other business activities, even to the extent such activities are in competition with the Fund and/or involve substantial time and resources of the Adviser. For example, the Adviser could invest, on behalf of an affiliated fund, in a company that is a competitor of one of the Fund’s portfolio companies or that is a service provider, supplier, customer or other counterparty with respect to one of the Fund’s portfolio companies or the Adviser could, on behalf of other entities it manages, acquire assets originated by, or provide financing to, portfolio companies and other issuers in which the Fund invests. In providing advice and recommendations to, or with respect to, such investments and in dealing in such investments on behalf of such other affiliated fund, to the extent permitted by law, the Adviser or its affiliates will not take into consideration the interests of the Fund and its portfolio investments and issuers thereof. Accordingly, such advice, recommendations and dealings will result in conflicts of interest for the Adviser. In addition, the Adviser’s ability to effectively implement the Fund’s investment strategies will be limited to the extent that contractual obligations relating to these permitted activities restrict the Adviser’s ability to engage in transactions that it would otherwise be

 

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interested in pursuing. Affiliates of the Adviser, whose primary business includes the origination of investments, engage in investment advisory business with accounts that compete with the Fund.

 

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The Adviser and its affiliates will, from time to time, give advice and recommend securities to other clients that differs from, or is contrary to, advice given to or securities recommended or bought for the Fund even though their investment objectives are similar to the Fund’s.

 

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To the extent not restricted by confidentiality requirements or applicable law, the Adviser will, from time to time, apply experience and information gained in providing services to the Fund’s portfolio companies in providing services to competing companies invested in by affiliates’ other clients, which could have adverse consequences for the Fund or its portfolio investments. In addition, in providing services in respect of such portfolio companies and other issuers of portfolio investments, the Adviser or its affiliates will, from time to time, come into possession of information that it is prohibited from acting on (including on behalf of the Fund) or disclosing as a result of applicable confidentiality requirements or applicable law, even though such action or disclosure would be in the interests of the Fund.

 

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As a registered investment company, the Fund is limited in its ability to make investments in issuers in which the Adviser or its affiliates’ other clients have an investment. The Fund is limited in its ability to co-invest with the Adviser or one or more of its affiliates without an exemptive order from the SEC. On January 5, 2022, the SEC issued an exemptive order granting exemptive relief that expanded the Fund’s ability to co-invest with certain of its affiliates in privately negotiated transactions subject to restrictive conditions specified in the exemptive order intended to mitigate certain conflicts of interest.

 

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On February 1, 2021, KKR acquired control of Global Atlantic Financial Group Limited (“Global Atlantic”), a retirement and life insurance company. KKR, including the Adviser, will serve as Global Atlantic’s investment manager. KKR, including the Adviser, generally expects to treat any Global Atlantic account as a client account for the purposes of allocating investment opportunities and related fees and expenses. Certain Global Atlantic accounts may co-invest alongside the Fund in some or all investments in the Fund’s Private Credit Strategy. Due to the limited nature of many Private Credit investment opportunities, the Adviser expects that participation by Global Atlantic accounts in co-investment transactions will generally reduce the allocations otherwise available to other co-investing accounts, including the Fund. The establishment of Global Atlantic accounts investing directly in the Private Credit Strategy investments will create a conflict of interest in that KKR will be incentivized to allocate more attractive investments and scarce investment opportunities to these proprietary entities and accounts rather than to the Fund. To mitigate this conflict, KKR will allocate investment opportunities in a manner that is consistent with an allocation methodology established by KKR and its affiliates (including the Adviser), as described above, in a manner designed to ensure allocations of such opportunities are made on a fair and equitable basis over time.

 

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The Fund depends to a significant extent on the Adviser’s access to the investment professionals and senior management of KKR and the information and deal flow generated by the KKR investment professionals and senior management during the normal course of their investment and portfolio management activities. The senior management and the investment professionals of the Adviser source, evaluate, analyze and monitor the Fund’s investments. The Fund’s future success will depend on the continued service of the senior management team and investment professionals of the Adviser.

 

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The Adviser’s relationship with other advisory clients and with KKR could create a conflict of interest to the extent the Adviser becomes aware of inside information concerning investments or potential investment targets. KKR has adopted information-sharing policies and procedures which address both (i) the handling of confidential information and (ii) the information barrier that exists between the public and private sides of KKR. KKR has compliance functions to administer KKR’s information-sharing policies and procedures and monitor potential conflicts of interest. The Fund cannot assure its investors, however, that these procedures and practices will be effective. Although the Fund plans to leverage KKR’s firm-wide resources to help source, conduct due diligence on, structure, syndicate and

 

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create value for the Fund’s investments (to the extent permitted by applicable law), KKR’s information-sharing policies and procedures referenced above, as well as certain legal, contractual and tax constraints, could significantly limit the KKR’s ability to do so. For example, from time to time KKR’s personnel will be in possession of material non-public information with respect to the Fund’s investments or potential investments, and as a result, such professionals will be restricted by KKR’s information-sharing policies or by law or contract, from sharing such information with the KKR professionals responsible for making the Fund’s investment decisions, even where the disclosure of such information would be in the best interest of the Fund or would otherwise influence the decisions taken by such investment professionals with respect to such investment or potential investment. In addition, this conflict and these procedures and practices could limit the freedom of the Adviser to enter into or exit from potentially profitable investments for the Fund which could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s results of operations. Conversely, the Adviser could pursue investments for the Fund without obtaining access to confidential information otherwise in its or KKR’s possession, which information, if reviewed, might otherwise impact the Adviser’s judgment with respect to such investments. Accordingly, as a result of such restrictions, the investment activities of KKR’s other businesses will differ from, or be inconsistent with, the interests of and activities that are undertaken for the Fund and there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to fully leverage all of the available resources and industry expertise of KKR’s other businesses. Additionally, there will be circumstances in which one or more individuals associated with the Adviser will be precluded from providing services to the Fund because of certain confidential information available to those individuals or to other parts of KKR.

 

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The nature of the Adviser’s businesses and the participation by its employees in creditors’ committees steering committees, or boards of directors of portfolio companies will, from time to time, result in the Adviser receiving material non-public information from time to time with respect to publicly held companies or otherwise becoming an “insider” with respect to such companies. With limited exceptions, KKR does not establish information barriers between its internal investment teams. Trading by KKR on the basis of such information, or improperly disclosing such information, could be restricted pursuant to applicable law and/or internal policies and procedures adopted by KKR to promote compliance with applicable law. Accordingly, the possession of “inside information” or “insider” status with respect to such an issuer by KKR or KKR personnel could, including where an appropriate information barrier does not exist between the relevant investment professionals or has been “crossed” by such professionals, significantly restrict the ability of the Adviser to deal in the securities of that issuer on behalf of the Fund, which could adversely impact the Fund, including by preventing the execution of an otherwise advisable purchase or sale transaction in a particular security until such information ceases to be regarded as material non-public information, which could have an adverse effect on the overall performance of such investment. In addition, affiliates of KKR in possession of such information could be prevented from disclosing such information to the Adviser, even where the disclosure of such information would be in the interests of the Fund. From time to time, the Adviser will also be subject to contractual “stand-still” obligations and/or confidentiality obligations that restrict its ability to trade in certain securities on behalf of the Fund. In certain circumstances, the Fund or the Adviser will engage an independent agent to dispose of securities of issuers in which KKR could be deemed to have material non-public information on behalf of the Fund. Such independent agent could dispose of the relevant securities for a price that is lower than the Adviser’s valuation of such securities which could take into account the material non-public information known to KKR in respect of the relevant issuer.

 

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The Adviser could develop new businesses such as providing investment banking, advisory and other services to corporations, financial sponsors, management or other persons. Such services could relate to transactions that could give rise to investment opportunities that are suitable for the Fund. In such case, the Adviser’s client would typically require the Adviser to act exclusively on its behalf, thereby precluding the Fund from participating in such investment opportunities. The Adviser would not be obligated to decline any such engagements in order to make an investment opportunity available to the

 

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Fund. In addition, the Adviser could come into the possession of information through these new businesses that limits the Fund’s ability to engage in potential transactions.

 

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The 1940 Act limits the Fund’s ability to invest in, or hold securities of, companies that are controlled by funds managed by KKR. Any such investments could create conflicts of interest between the Fund, the Adviser and KKR. The Adviser will also have, or enter into, advisory relationships with other advisory clients (including, among others, employee benefit plans subject to ERISA and related regulations) that could lead to circumstances in which a conflict of interest between the Adviser’s advisory clients could exist or develop. In addition, to the extent that another client of the Adviser or KKR holds a different class of securities than the Fund, the interest of such client and the Fund might not be aligned. As a result of these conflicts and restrictions, the Adviser could be unable to implement the Fund’s investment strategies as effectively as it could have in the absence of such conflicts or restrictions. In order to avoid these conflicts and restrictions, the Adviser could choose to exit these investments prematurely and, as a result, the Fund would forgo any future positive returns associated with such investments.

 

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Certain other KKR client accounts or proprietary accounts have investment objectives, programs, strategies and positions that are similar to, or conflict with, those of the Fund, or compete with, or have interests adverse to, the Fund. This type of conflict could affect the prices and availability of the securities or interests in which the Fund invests. KKR will, from time to time, give advice or take action with respect to the investments held by, and transactions of, other KKR client accounts or proprietary accounts that could be different from or otherwise inconsistent with the advice given or timing or nature of any action taken with respect to the investments held by, and timing or nature of any action taken with respect to the investments held by, and transactions of, the Fund. Such different advice and/or inconsistent actions could be due to a variety of reasons, including, without limitation, the differences between the investment objective, program, strategy and tax treatment of the other KKR client accounts or proprietary accounts and the Fund or the regulatory status of other KKR client accounts and any related restrictions or obligations imposed on KKR as a fiduciary thereof. Such advice and actions could adversely impact the Fund.

 

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KKR, for its own account or for the account of other KKR clients, could enter into real estate-related transactions with Fund portfolio companies. Such transactions could include, for example, buying or selling real estate assets, acquiring or entering into leasing arrangements or amending such arrangements or transferring options or rights of first refusal to acquire real estate assets. Such transactions, which do not involve securities, are not governed by restrictions on principal transactions and cross transactions but are subject to specific policies and procedures established by KKR to manage related conflicts.

 

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The 1940 Act prohibits the Fund from participating in certain transactions with certain of its affiliates including an Adviser-affiliated broker-dealer. The Fund generally is prohibited, for example, from buying or selling any securities from or to another client of the Adviser or of KKR. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of the Fund’s affiliates, which in certain circumstances could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times to the extent the transaction involves jointness) or transactions in which a broker-dealer affiliated with the Adviser participates as principal with the Fund. If a person acquires more than 25% of the Fund’s voting securities, the Fund will generally be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such person or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons. Similar restrictions limit the Fund’s ability to transact business with its officers or trustees or their affiliates. The SEC has interpreted the 1940 Act rules governing transactions with affiliates to prohibit certain “joint transactions” involving entities that share a common investment adviser. As a result of these restrictions, the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to the Fund will be limited. These investment opportunities will generally be made available to other funds, vehicles and accounts advised by the Adviser that are not subject to similar restrictions under the 1940 Act.

 

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•

The Fund’s shareholders are based in a wide variety of jurisdictions and take a wide variety of forms. Accordingly, they could have conflicting regulatory, legal, investment, tax, and other interests with respect to their investments in the Fund. The conflicting interests of individual shareholders relate to or arise from, among other things, the nature of investments made by the Fund, the selection, structuring, acquisition and management of investments, the timing of disposition of investments, internal investment policies of the shareholders and their target risk/return profiles. As a consequence, conflicts of interest could arise in connection with decisions made by the Adviser, including with respect to the nature or structuring of investments, which could be more beneficial for one shareholder than for another shareholder, especially with respect to shareholders’ individual tax situations. In addition, the Fund could make investments that have a negative impact on related investments made by the Fund in separate transactions. In selecting and structuring investments appropriate for the Fund, the Adviser will consider the investment and tax objectives of the Fund and its shareholders as a whole, not the investment, tax or other objectives of any shareholder individually.

Each of the Adviser and the other investment advisers and/or investment managers affiliated with KKR will deal with conflicts of interest using its best judgment, but in its sole discretion. When conflicts arise between the Fund and another affiliated fund, the Adviser will represent the interests of the Fund and the other participating affiliated adviser will represent the interests of the affiliated fund it sponsors, manages or advises. In resolving conflicts, the Adviser and the other affiliated advisers will consider various factors, including applicable restrictions under the 1940 Act, the interests of the funds and accounts they advise in the context of both the immediate issue at hand and the longer term course of dealing among the Fund and the other affiliated fund. As with all conflicts involving the Fund, the Adviser’s determination as to which factors are relevant, and the resolution of such conflicts will be made in the Adviser’s sole discretion except as required by the 1940 Act or by the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws of the Fund (together, “Governing Documents”). Although the Adviser has established procedures and policies addressing conflicts of interest, there can be no assurance that the Adviser will be able to resolve all conflicts in a manner that is favorable to the Fund.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Trustees

The overall management of the business and affairs of the Fund is vested in the Board. The responsibilities of the Board include, among other things, the oversight of our investment activities, oversight of our financing arrangements and corporate governance activities. The Board currently has an audit committee and a nominating committee and may establish additional committees from time to time as necessary. As is the case with virtually all registered investment companies, the Fund’s service providers, primarily the Adviser and its affiliates, have responsibility for the Fund’s day-to-day management, subject to the investment objectives, restrictions and policies of the Fund and to the general oversight of the Board.

There currently are five trustees of the Fund. A majority of the trustees are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. The name and business address of the trustees and officers of the Fund and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years are set forth under “Management of the Fund” in the SAI.

Adviser

KKR Credit Advisors (US) LLC serves as the Fund’s Adviser, subject to the ultimate supervision of, and any policies established by, the Board, pursuant to the terms of an investment advisory agreement with the Fund (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”). Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser allocates the Fund’s assets in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective. The Adviser may reallocate the Fund’s assets subject to the ultimate supervision of, and any policies established by, the Board.

 

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Launched in 2004, the Adviser is a subsidiary of KKR & Co. Inc., a leading global investment firm with a [44]-year history of leadership, innovation and investment excellence. The Adviser is a leading manager of non-investment grade debt and public equities. The Adviser was formed as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware on June 24, 2004 and is a registered investment adviser with the SEC. The Adviser currently serves as an investment adviser of certain unregistered private investment companies and registered investment companies and may in the future serve as an investment adviser of other registered and unregistered investment companies. The Adviser is located at 555 California Street, 50th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104, and its telephone number is (415) 315-3620.

About KKR

KKR operates with a single culture that rewards investment discipline, creativity, determination and patience and the sharing of information, resources, expertise and best practices across offices and asset classes, subject to well-defined information sharing policies and compliance procedures. Its investment professionals provide access to an established platform for evaluating investments, managing risk and focusing on opportunities that seek to generate attractive returns with appropriate levels of risk. This platform allows for intensive due diligence to filter investment opportunities and help select investments that offer the most favorable risk/reward characteristics. Because KKR believes that deep industry knowledge is integral to sourcing deals and creating value for investors, KKR’s investment professionals are organized in industry-specific teams. These teams conduct their own primary research, develop views on industry themes and trends and proactively work to identify companies in which to invest, often on an exclusive basis. KKR believes the industry-specific team approach allows investment teams to become experts within their sectors and build strong relationships with companies needing capital, while covering the full corporate credit space.

Founded in 1976, KKR is a leading global investment firm with [25] offices and over [2,400] people, including over [740] investment professionals. It operates an integrated global platform for sourcing and executing investments across multiple industries, asset classes and geographies. KKR is a long-term fundamental investor focused on producing attractive risk-adjusted returns for its clients. As of [    ], 2024, KKR had over $[    ] billion in assets under management.

Investment Management Team

The Fund is positioned, under the management of the Adviser, to take advantage of the full resources of KKR’s global network. With more than [    ] employees in its business, including over [    ] dedicated investment professionals across nine cities, the Adviser’s investment teams seek to leverage KKR’s private equity experience and extensive industry relationships in making strong investment choices on behalf of its clients. The investment professionals of the Adviser who have primary responsibility for day-to-day management and oversight of the Fund are Christopher A. Sheldon and Jeremiah S. Lane. Additionally, the U.S. Leveraged Credit Investment Committee that exercises oversight over, and provides insight to, the investment activities of the Fund is comprised of:

Christopher A. Sheldon, joined KKR in 2004 and is a Member of KKR. Mr. Sheldon serves as the Head of Leveraged Credit. Mr. Sheldon is a Portfolio Manager for the Adviser’s Leveraged Credit and Private Credit funds and portfolios. Mr. Sheldon is a member of the Adviser’s U.S. Leveraged Credit Investment Committee, Global Private Credit Investment Committee and the Adviser’s Portfolio Management Committee. Prior to joining KKR, Mr. Sheldon was a vice president and senior investment analyst with Wells Fargo’s high yield securities group. Previously, Mr. Sheldon worked at Young & Rubicam Advertising and SFM Media Corporation in their media-planning departments. Mr. Sheldon holds a B.A. from Denison University.

Jeremiah S. Lane, joined KKR in 2005 and is a Member of KKR. Mr. Lane is a Portfolio Manager for the Adviser’s Leveraged Credit funds and portfolios. Mr. Lane is a member of the Adviser’s U.S. Leveraged Investment Committee, as well as a member of the Adviser’s Portfolio Management Committee. Prior to joining

 

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KKR, Mr. Lane worked as an associate in the investment banking/technology, media and telecom group at J.P. Morgan Chase. Mr. Lane holds an A.B. with honors in History from Harvard University.

John M. Reed, joined KKR in 2008 and is a Member of KKR. Mr. Reed serves as the Head of Credit Trading and is a member of the Adviser’s U.S. Leveraged Credit Investment Committee, Special Situations Investment Committee for Public Markets and the Adviser’s Portfolio Management Committee. Mr. Reed is also a member of the Adviser’s Trade Review Committee and Valuation Committee. Prior to joining KKR, Mr. Reed was a Director at Bear Stearns & Co. in its institutional fixed income department. Previously, he was an analyst at BNY Capital Markets in the syndicated loan, private placement and high yield groups, and also worked in the Asset Strategies Group and The Office of Management & Budget of New York City. Mr. Reed received a B.A. in Business Administration and Psychology from the University of South Carolina and a Global Professional M.B.A. from the Fordham University School of Business Administration.

The 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 investment professionals who have day-to-day responsibility for the Fund are supported not only by personnel of the Adviser, but also by having access to the global platform of KKR, which has approximately [    ] investment professionals across public and private markets. KKR’s investment professionals provide access to an established platform for evaluating investments, managing risk and focusing on opportunities and are organized in industry-specific teams that conduct their own primary research and develop views on industry themes and trends. These investment professionals are also supported by an Investment Committee comprised of senior personnel that exercises oversight over, and provides insight to, the investment activities of the Fund.

Investment Advisory Agreement

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement, the Adviser receives an annual fee, payable monthly by the Fund, in an amount equal to 1.10% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets (the “Management Fee”).

A discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement by the Board is available in the Fund’s annual report to Common Shareholders for the period ending October 31, 2023.

In addition to the fees paid to the Adviser, the Fund pays all other costs and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its trustees (other than those affiliated with the Adviser), custodial expenses, leveraging expenses, transfer and dividend disbursing agent expenses, legal fees, rating agency fees, listing fees and expenses, expenses of independent auditors, expenses of repurchasing shares, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses, shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental agencies and taxes, if any.

During periods when the Fund is using leverage, the Management Fee paid to the Adviser will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the Management Fee paid is calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, which includes the assets purchased through leverage.

The Administrator

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (the “Administrator”), located at 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, serves as administrator to the Fund. Under the administration agreement, the Administrator is responsible for calculating the NAV of the common shares and generally managing the administrative affairs of the Fund.

The Administrator is entitled to receive a monthly fee based on the average daily value of the Fund’s net assets, subject to a minimum annual fee, plus out-of-pocket expenses.

 

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The Custodian

U.S. Bank, N.A., whose principal offices are located at 1555 N. Rivercenter Dr., Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, serves as the Fund’s custodian.

Affiliated Broker-Dealers

The Adviser may also place portfolio transactions, to the extent permitted by law, with brokerage firms affiliated with the Fund or the Adviser 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 Adviser 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.

CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The NAV of the common shares of the Fund is computed based upon the value of the Fund’s Managed Assets. NAV per common share is determined daily on each day that the NYSE is open for business as of the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE. The Fund calculates NAV per common share by subtracting liabilities from the total assets of the Fund and dividing the result by the total number of outstanding common shares of the Fund. The Fund’s assets and liabilities are valued in accordance with the principles set forth herein.

For purposes of calculating NAV, portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are readily available are valued at market value. Market value is generally determined on the basis of last reported sales prices, or if no sales are reported, based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers, or pricing services. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost. Securities and other assets for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value using good faith methods. The Board has designated the Adviser as the Fund’s valuation designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act to perform fair valuation determinations for the Fund with respect to all Fund investments and/or and other assets. In circumstances where market quotes are not readily available, securities may not be priced on the basis of quotes from the primary market in which they are traded, but rather may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith, pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. Fair value pricing may require subjective determinations about the value of a security.

Domestic and foreign fixed-income instruments and non-exchange traded derivatives are normally valued on the basis of quotes obtained from brokers and dealers or pricing services using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Bank loans, including Senior Loans, are valued by using readily available market quotations or another commercially reasonable method selected by an independent, third-party pricing service, or, if such independent, third-party valuations are not available, by using broker quotations. Senior secured adjustable, variable or floating rate loans for which an active secondary market exists to a reliable degree will be valued at the mid price in the market for such loans, as provided by a loan pricing service. Prices obtained from independent pricing services use information provided by market makers or estimates of market values obtained from yield data relating to investments or securities with similar characteristics. Exchange traded options, futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the relevant exchange. The value of swaps, including credit default swaps, total return swaps and interest rate swaps will be determined by obtaining at least one dealer quotation (including information from counterparties) or valuations from third-party pricing services. If no quotations or valuations are available, or if such quotations or valuations are believed to be unreliable, swaps will be fair valued pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board.

The Fund will normally use pricing data for domestic or foreign equity securities received shortly after the close of the primary securities exchange on which such securities trade and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the close of the exchange.

 

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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 NAV 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 adopted by the Board. For purposes of calculating NAV, all assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates as may be determined in good faith pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. Although the Fund’s policy is intended to result in a calculation of the Fund’s NAV that fairly reflects security values as of the time of pricing, the Fund cannot ensure that fair values would accurately reflect the price that the Fund could obtain for a security if it were to dispose of that security as of the time of pricing (for instances, in a forced or distressed sale). The prices used by the Fund may differ from the value that would be realized if the securities were sold.

DISTRIBUTIONS

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 RICs. The Fund is also required to distribute annually substantially all of its income and capital gain, if any, to avoid imposition of a 4% nondeductible 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 RIC 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 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 for U.S. federal income tax purposes, 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 RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes 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 RIC could subject the Fund to significant tax costs. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company” in the SAI.

The Fund currently intends to make regular monthly cash distributions of all or a portion of its net investment income to Common Shareholders. The Fund will pay Common Shareholders at least annually all or substantially all of its net investment income after the payment of interest, fees or dividends, if any, owed with respect to any forms of leverage utilized by the Fund. The Fund intends to pay any capital gains distributions at least annually.

The U.S. federal income tax treatment and characterization of the Fund’s distributions may vary significantly from time to time because of the varied nature of the Fund’s investments. In light of the Fund’s investment policies, the Fund anticipates that the 1940 Act will require it to accompany each monthly distribution with a statement setting forth the estimated source (as between net income, capital gains and return of capital) of the distribution made. The Fund will indicate the proportion of its capital gains distributions that constitute long-term and short-term gains annually. The ultimate U.S. federal income tax characterization of the Fund’s distributions made in a calendar or fiscal year cannot finally be determined until after the end of that taxable year. As a result, there is a possibility that the Fund may make total distributions during a calendar or taxable year in an amount that exceeds the Fund’s net investment company taxable income and net capital gains for the relevant taxable year. In such situations, if a distribution exceeds the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), such distribution would generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital reducing the amount of a shareholder’s tax basis in such shareholder’s shares. When you sell

 

39

your shares in the Fund, the amount, if any, by which your sales price exceeds your basis in the Fund’s shares is gain subject to tax. Because a return of capital reduces your basis in the shares, it will increase the amount of your gain or decrease the amount of your loss when you sell the shares, all other things being equal. To the extent that the amount of any return of capital distribution exceeds the shareholder’s basis in such shareholder’s shares, the excess will be treated as gain from a sale or exchange of the shares. See “Tax Considerations.”

Various factors affect the level of the Fund’s income, including the asset mix, the average maturity of the Fund’s portfolio, the amount of leverage utilized by the Fund and the Fund’s use of hedging. To permit the Fund to maintain a more stable monthly distribution, the Fund may from time to time distribute less than the entire amount of income earned in a particular period. The undistributed income would be available to supplement future distributions. As a result, the distributions paid by the Fund for any particular monthly period 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 NAV (and indirectly benefit the Adviser by increasing its fees) and, correspondingly, distributions from undistributed income will reduce the Fund’s NAV.

Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder generally limit the Fund to one long-term capital gain distribution per year, subject to certain exceptions.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

Please refer to the section of the Fund’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR entitled “Dividend Reinvestment Plan,” which is incorporated by reference herein, for a discussion of the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES

The following is a brief description of the terms of the Fund’s common shares, preferred shares and subscription rights. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the Fund’s Governing Documents. For complete terms of the shares, please refer to the actual terms of the Trust, which are set forth in the Governing Documents. For complete terms of the subscription rights, please refer to the actual terms of such subscription rights which will be set forth in the subscription rights agreement relating to such subscription rights.

Common Shares

The Fund is a diversified closed-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on March 17, 2011. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share, in multiple classes and series thereof as determined from time to time by the Board, which also has the authority without shareholder approval to establish the designations, powers, preferences, voting, conversion and other rights, limitations, qualifications and terms and conditions of each such class and series. Each share within a particular class or series thereof has equal voting, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. The Board has authorized issuance of an unlimited number of common shares. When issued, in accordance with the terms thereof, the common shares will be fully paid and non-assessable. All common shares are equal as to distributions, assets and voting privileges. Common shares are not redeemable and have no preemptive, conversion or cumulative voting rights.

Offerings of shares require approval by the Fund’s Board. Any additional offering of common shares will be subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, which provides that common shares may not be issued at a price below the then current NAV, exclusive of sales load, except in connection with an offering to existing holders of common shares or with the consent of a majority of the Fund’s Common Shareholders. In the event of liquidation, each common share is entitled to its proportion of the Fund’s assets after payment of debts and expenses.

 

40

The Fund’s common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “KIO.”

The Fund’s NAV per share will be reduced immediately following the offering of common shares by the amount of the offering expenses paid by the Fund. Unlike open-end funds, closed-end funds like the Fund do not continuously offer shares and do not provide daily redemptions. Rather, if a shareholder determines to buy additional common shares or sell shares already held, the shareholder may do so by trading through a broker on the NYSE or otherwise.

Shares of closed-end investment companies often trade on an exchange at prices lower than NAV. As of [            ], 2024, the Fund trades at an approximate [    ]% [discount] to its NAV. Because the market value of the common shares may be influenced by such factors as dividend and distribution levels, dividend and distribution stability, NAV, market liquidity, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, unrealized gains, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot assure you that common shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than NAV in the future. The common shares are designed primarily for long term investors and you should not purchase the common shares if you intend to sell them soon after purchase.

The Fund is a closed-end, management investment company and, as such, its shareholders do not, and will not, have the right to redeem their shares. The Fund, however, may repurchase its common shares from time to time as and when it deems such a repurchase advisable. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund may repurchase its shares on a securities exchange (provided that the Fund has informed its shareholders within the preceding six months of its intention to repurchase such shares) or as otherwise permitted in accordance with Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act. Under Rule 23c-1, certain conditions must be met for such alternative purchases regarding, among other things, distribution of net income for the preceding fiscal year, asset coverage with respect to the Fund’s senior debt and equity securities, identity of the sellers, price paid, brokerage commissions, prior notice to shareholders of an intention to purchase shares and purchasing in a manner and on a basis which does not discriminate unfairly against the other shareholders through their interest in the Fund. In addition, Rule 23c-1 requires the Fund to file notices of such purchase with the SEC.

When the Fund repurchases its common shares for a price below its NAV, the NAV of the common shares that remains outstanding will be enhanced. This does not, however, necessarily mean that the market price of the Fund’s remaining outstanding common shares will be affected, either positively or negatively. Further, interest on any borrowings made to finance the repurchase of common shares will reduce the net income of the Fund.

Subject to the rights of any preferred shareholders, including the MRPS, the Fund’s Common Shareholders vote as a single class to elect the Fund’s Board and on additional matters with respect to which the 1940 Act, the Fund’s Governing Documents or resolutions adopted by the Trustees provide for a vote of the Fund’s common shares. See “Description of Capital Structure—Anti-Takeover and Certain Other Provisions in the Declaration of Trust.”

Shareholders whose common shares are registered in their own name will have all distributions reinvested pursuant to the DRIP. For a more detailed discussion of the DRIP, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

Common Share Price Data

Common shares of closed-end investment companies often trade at prices lower than their NAV. The Fund’s common shares have historically traded at a discount to the Fund’s NAV. Common shares of closed-end investment companies may trade during some periods at prices higher than their NAV and during other periods at prices lower than their NAV. The Fund cannot assure you that its common shares will trade at a price higher than or equal to NAV. The Fund’s NAV will be reduced immediately following an offering by the sales load and the amount of the offering expenses paid by the Fund.

 

41

The following table sets forth for the fiscal quarters indicated the highest and lowest daily prices during the applicable quarter at the close of market on the NYSE per common share along with (i) the highest and lowest closing NAV and (ii) the highest and lowest premium or discount from NAV represented by such prices at the close of the market on the NYSE.

 

Market Price ($)

NAV ($)

Premium/discount to NAV (%)

Quarter Ended

High

Low

High

Low

High

Low

October 31, 2022

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

July 31, 2022

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

April 30, 2022

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

January 31, 2022

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

October 31, 2021

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

July 31, 2021

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

April 30, 2021

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

January 31, 2021

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

[

]

Book Entry

The common shares sold through this offering will initially be held in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). The Fund will treat Cede & Co. as the holder of record of the common shares for all purposes. In accordance with the procedures of DTC, however, purchasers of common shares will be deemed the beneficial owners of shares purchased for purposes of distributions, voting and liquidation rights. Purchasers of common shares may obtain registered certificates by contacting the transfer agent.

Preferred Shares

The Board may classify an unlimited amount of the Fund’s shares as preferred shares, par value $0.001 per share. The terms of the preferred shares may be fixed by the Board and may materially limit and/or qualify the rights of the holders of the Fund’s common shares.

On October 15, 2019, the Fund issued 2,000,000 Series A MRPS with a total liquidation value of $50,000,000. The final redemption date of the MRPS is October 31, 2029. The Fund makes quarterly dividend payments on the MRPS at an annual dividend rate of 3.81%.

Each holder of MRPS is entitled to a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared but without interest). With respect to distributions, including the payment of dividends and distribution of the Fund’s assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up, the MRPS are senior to all other classes and series of common shares of beneficial interest and rank on parity with any other preferred shares. Holders of the MRPS will not, however, participate in any appreciation in the value of the Fund. The consent of the holders of the MRPS is not required to authorize or issue any class or series of preferred shares ranking on parity with the MRPS.

If the Fund issues additional series of preferred shares, the Fund may pay dividends to the holders of the preferred shares at a fixed rate, which may be reset after an initial period, as described in the prospectus supplement accompanying the preferred shares offering.

 

42

Upon a liquidation, holders of preferred shares, including MRPS, will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders (after payment of claims of the Fund’s creditors but before any distributions with respect to the Fund’s common shares or any other class of shares of the Fund ranking junior to the preferred shares as to liquidation payments) an amount per share equal to such share’s liquidation preference plus any accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared, excluding interest thereon) to the date of distribution, and such shareholders shall be entitled to no further participation in any distribution or payment in connection with such liquidation. The preferred shares carry one vote per share on all matters on which such shares are entitled to vote. The preferred shares will, upon issuance, be fully paid and non-assessable and will have no preemptive, exchange or conversion rights. The Board may by resolution classify or reclassify any authorized but unissued capital shares of the Fund from time to time by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions or terms or conditions of redemption. The Fund will not issue any class of shares senior to the preferred shares.

Rating Agency Guidelines. To the extent the Fund seeks a rating agency for its preferred shares, the Fund expects that it will be required under Moody’s (or other rating agency) guidelines to maintain assets having in the aggregate a discounted value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount (as defined below) for its outstanding preferred shares, with respect to the separate guidelines Moody’s has established for determining discounted value. To the extent any particular portfolio holding does not satisfy the rating agency’s guidelines, all or a portion of such holding’s value will not be included in the calculation of discounted value (as defined by such rating agency). The Moody’s guidelines also impose certain diversification requirements and industry concentration limitations on the Fund’s overall portfolio, and apply specified discounts to securities held by the Fund (except certain money market securities). The “Basic Maintenance Amount” is equal to (i) the sum of (a) the aggregate liquidation preference of any preferred shares then outstanding plus (to the extent not included in the liquidation preference of such preferred shares) an amount equal to the aggregate accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) in respect of such preferred shares, (b) the total principal of any debt (plus accrued and projected interest), (c) certain Fund expenses and (d) certain other current liabilities (excluding any unmade distributions on the Fund’s common shares) less (ii) the Fund’s (a) cash and (b) assets consisting of indebtedness which (y) mature prior to or on the date of redemption or repurchase of the preferred shares and are U.S. government securities or evidences of indebtedness rated at least “Aaa,” ”P-1,” ”VMIG-1” or ”MIG-1” by Moody’s, and (z) is held by the Fund for distributions, the redemption or repurchase of preferred shares or the Fund’s liabilities.

If the Fund does not cure in a timely manner a failure to maintain a discounted value of its portfolio equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount in accordance with the requirements of the applicable rating agency or agencies then rating the preferred shares at the request of the Fund, the Fund may, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem preferred shares, as described below under “Redemption.”

The Fund may, but is not required to, adopt any modifications to the rating agency guidelines that may hereafter be established by Moody’s. Failure to adopt any such modifications, however, may result in a change in the relevant rating agency’s ratings or a withdrawal of such ratings altogether. In addition, any rating agency providing a rating for the preferred shares at the request of the Fund may, at any time, change or withdraw any such rating. The Board, without further action by the shareholders, may amend, alter, add to or repeal certain of the definitions and related provisions that have been adopted by the Fund pursuant to the rating agency guidelines if the Board determines that such modification is necessary to prevent a reduction in rating of the preferred shares by Moody’s is in the best interests of the holders of common shares and is not adverse to the holders of preferred shares in view of advice to the Fund by Moody’s (or such other rating agency then rating the preferred shares at the request of the Fund) that such modification would not adversely affect, as the case may be, its then current rating of the preferred shares.

 

43

Among the modifications or amendments of the statements of preferences that would not be held to adversely affect the rights and preferences of the preferred shares would be the following:

 

•

a modification of the definition of the maximum rate to increase the percentage amount by which the applicable SOFR rate or treasury index rate is multiplied to determine the maximum rate or increase the spread added to the applicable SOFR rate or treasury index rate; or

 

•

a modification of the calculation of the adjusted value of the Fund’s eligible assets or the basic maintenance amount (or of the elements and terms of each of them or the definitions of such elements or terms).

As described by Moody’s, the ratings (if any) assigned to the preferred shares are assessments of the capacity and willingness of the Fund to pay the obligations of the preferred shares. The ratings on the preferred shares are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell shares of any series, inasmuch as the ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The rating agency guidelines also do not address the likelihood that an owner of preferred shares will be able to sell such shares on an exchange, in an auction or otherwise. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Moody’s by the Fund and the Investment Adviser and information obtained from other sources. The ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, such information.

The rating agency guidelines apply to the preferred shares, only so long as such rating agency is rating such preferred shares at the request of the Fund. The Fund may pay fees to Moody’s, and will pay fees to any other rating agency, for rating the preferred shares.

Asset Maintenance Requirements. In addition to the requirements summarized under “Rating Agency Guidelines” above, the Fund must also satisfy asset maintenance requirements under the 1940 Act with respect to its preferred shares. Under the 1940 Act, such debt or preferred shares may be issued only if immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund’s total assets (less ordinary course liabilities) is at least 300% of the amount of any debt outstanding and at least 200% of the amount of any preferred shares and debt outstanding.

The Fund will be required under the statement of preferences of the preferred shares to determine whether it has, as of the last business day of each March, June, September and December of each year, an “asset coverage” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of at least 200% (or such higher or lower percentage as may be required at the time under the 1940 Act) with respect to all outstanding senior securities of the Fund that are debt or shares, including any outstanding preferred shares. If the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage required under the 1940 Act on such dates and such failure is not cured within 60 calendar days, the Fund may, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem the number of preferred shares sufficient to satisfy such asset coverage.

Distributions. In connection with the offering additional preferred shares, an accompanying prospectus supplement will specify whether dividends on such preferred shares will be based on a constant fixed rate or a fixed rate that changes after an initial period (e.g., one year). Holders of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, out of funds legally available therefor, cumulative cash distributions, at an annual rate set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, payable with such frequency as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such distributions will accumulate from the date on which such shares are issued.

Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions for the Preferred Shares

So long as any preferred shares are outstanding, the Fund may not pay any dividend or distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in common shares or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase common shares) in respect of the common shares or call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any common shares (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of the Fund ranking

 

44

junior to the preferred shares as to the payment of dividends or distributions and the distribution of assets upon liquidation), unless:

 

•

the Fund has declared and paid (or provided to the relevant dividend paying agent) all cumulative distributions on the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares due on or prior to the date of such common shares dividend or distribution;

 

•

the Fund has redeemed the full number of preferred shares to be redeemed pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision in the Fund’s Governing Documents; and

 

•

after making the distribution, the Fund meets applicable asset coverage requirements described under “Rating Agency Guidelines” and “Asset Maintenance Requirements.”

No full distribution will be declared or made on any series of preferred shares for any dividend period, or part thereof, unless full cumulative distributions due through the most recent dividend payment dates therefor for all outstanding series of preferred shares of the Fund ranking on a parity with such series as to distributions have been or contemporaneously are declared and made. If full cumulative distributions due have not been made on all outstanding preferred shares of the Fund ranking on a parity with such series of preferred shares as to the payment of distributions, any distributions being paid on the preferred shares will be paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of distributions accumulated but unmade on each such series of preferred shares on the relevant dividend payment date. The Fund’s obligation to make distributions on the preferred shares will be subordinate to its obligations to pay interest and principal, when due, on any senior securities representing debt.

Redemption

Mandatory Redemption Relating to Asset Coverage Requirements. The Fund may, at its option, consistent with its Governing Documents and the 1940 Act, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem preferred shares in the event that:

 

•

the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements specified under the 1940 Act on a quarterly valuation date and such failure is not cured within a specified amount of time, following such failure; or

 

•

the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements as calculated in accordance with the applicable rating agency guidelines as of any monthly valuation date, and such failure is not cured on or before 10 business days after such valuation date.

The redemption price for preferred shares subject to mandatory redemption will be the liquidation preference, as stated in the statement of preferences of the preferred shares or the prospectus supplement accompanying the issuance of any additional offerings of preferred shares, plus an amount equal to any accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption.

The number of preferred shares that will be redeemed in the case of a mandatory redemption will equal the minimum number of outstanding preferred shares, the redemption of which, if such redemption had occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the applicable cure date, would have resulted in the relevant asset coverage requirement having been met or, if the required asset coverage cannot be so restored, all of the preferred shares. In the event that preferred shares are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy the 1940 Act asset coverage requirements, the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of preferred shares so that the Fund’s assets exceed the asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act after the redemption by 10% (that is, 220% asset coverage). In the event that preferred shares are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy applicable rating agency guidelines, the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of preferred shares so that the Fund’s discounted portfolio value (as determined in accordance with the applicable rating agency guidelines) after redemption exceeds the asset coverage requirements of each applicable rating agency by as great as 105% of the rating agency asset coverage.

 

45

If the Fund does not have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is otherwise unable to redeem, all the preferred shares to be redeemed on any redemption date, the Fund will redeem on such redemption date that number of shares for which it has legally available funds, or is otherwise able to redeem, from the holders whose shares are to be redeemed ratably on the basis of the redemption price of such shares, and the remainder of those shares to be redeemed will be redeemed on the earliest practicable date on which the Fund will have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is otherwise able to redeem, such shares upon written notice of redemption.

If fewer than all of the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares were to be redeemed, the Fund, at its discretion and subject to the limitations of its Governing Documents, the 1940 Act and Delaware law, will select the one or more series of preferred shares from which shares will be redeemed and the amount of preferred shares to be redeemed from each such series. If fewer than all shares of a series of preferred shares are to be redeemed, such redemption will be made as among the holders of that series pro rata in accordance with the respective number of shares of such series held by each such holder on the record date for such redemption (or by such other equitable method as the Fund may determine). If fewer than all preferred shares held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption mailed to such holder will specify the number of shares to be redeemed from such holder, which may be expressed as a percentage of shares held on the applicable record date.

Optional Redemption of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares. Fixed Rate Preferred Shares are not subject to optional redemption by the Fund until the date, if any, specified in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement, unless such redemption is necessary, in the judgment of the Fund, to maintain the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under the Code. Commencing on such date and thereafter, the Fund may at any time redeem such Fixed Rate Preferred Shares in whole or in part for cash at a redemption price per share equal to the liquidation preference per share plus accumulated and unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) to the redemption date. Such redemptions are subject to the notice requirements set forth under “Redemption Procedures” and the limitations of its Governing Documents, the 1940 Act and Delaware law.

Redemption Procedures. A notice of redemption with respect to an optional redemption will be given to the holders of record of preferred shares selected for redemption not less than 15 days (subject to NYSE requirements), nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Preferred shareholders may receive shorter notice in the event of a mandatory redemption. Each notice of redemption will state (i) the redemption date, (ii) the number or percentage of preferred shares to be redeemed (which may be expressed as a percentage of such shares outstanding), (iii) the CUSIP number(s) of such shares, (iv) the redemption price (specifying the amount of accumulated distributions to be included therein), (v) the place or places where such shares are to be redeemed, (vi) that distributions on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on such redemption date, (vii) the provision of the statement of preferences, under which the redemption is being made and (viii) any conditions precedent to such redemption. No defect in the notice of redemption or in the mailing thereof will affect the validity of the redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.

The holders of preferred shares will not have the right to redeem any of their shares at their option, unless specifically provided in the Governing Documents.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the holders of preferred shares then outstanding will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution, which is expected to equal the original purchase price per preferred share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common shares. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.

Voting Rights

Except as otherwise stated in this prospectus, specified in the Fund’s Governing Documents or resolved by the Board or as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of preferred shares shall be entitled to one vote per

 

46

share held on each matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and will vote together with holders of common shares and of any other preferred shares then outstanding as a single class. In connection with the election of the Fund’s Trustees, holders of the outstanding preferred shares, voting together as a single class, will be entitled at all times to elect two of the Fund’s Trustees, and the remaining Trustees will be elected by holders of common shares and holders of preferred shares, voting together as a single class. In addition, if (i) at any time dividends and distributions on outstanding preferred shares are unpaid in an amount equal to at least two full years’ dividends and distributions thereon and sufficient cash or specified securities have not been deposited with the applicable paying agent for the payment of such accumulated dividends and distributions or (ii) at any time holders of any other series of preferred shares are entitled to elect a majority of the Trustees of the Fund under the 1940 Act or the applicable statement of preferences creating such shares, then the number of Trustees constituting the Board will be adjusted such that, when added to the two Trustees elected exclusively by the holders of preferred shares as described above, would then constitute a simple majority of the Board as so adjusted. Such additional Trustees will be elected by the holders of the outstanding preferred shares, voting together as a single class, at a special meeting of shareholders which will be called as soon as practicable and will be held not less than ten nor more than thirty days after the mailing date of the meeting notice. If the Fund fails to send such meeting notice or to call such a special meeting, the meeting may be called by any preferred shareholder on like notice. The terms of office of the persons who are Trustees at the time of that election will continue. If the Fund thereafter pays, or declares and sets apart for payment in full, all dividends and distributions payable on all outstanding preferred shares for all past dividend periods or the holders of other series of preferred shares are no longer entitled to elect such additional Trustees, the additional voting rights of the holders of the preferred shares as described above will cease, and the terms of office of all of the additional Trustees elected by the holders of the preferred shares (but not of the Trustees with respect to whose election the holders of common shares were entitled to vote or the two Trustees the holders of preferred shares have the right to elect as a separate class in any event) will terminate at the earliest time permitted by law.

So long as any preferred shares are outstanding, the Fund will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the preferred shares outstanding at the time, and present and voting on such matter, voting separately as one class, amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the applicable statement of preferences, so as to in the aggregate adversely affect any of the rights and preferences set forth in any statement of preferences with respect to such preferred shares. Also, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, in the event shares of more than one series of preferred shares are outstanding, the Fund will not approve any of the actions set forth in the preceding sentence which in the aggregate adversely affect the rights and preferences expressly set forth in the applicable statement of preferences with respect to such shares of a series of preferred shares differently than those of a holder of shares of any other series of preferred shares without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the preferred shares of each series adversely affected and outstanding at such time (each such adversely affected series voting separately as a class to the extent its rights are affected differently). Unless a higher percentage is required under the Governing Documents or applicable provisions of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act or the 1940 Act, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding preferred shares, voting together as a single class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization adversely affecting the preferred shares or 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 to an open-end company or changes in its fundamental investment restrictions. As a result of these voting rights, the Fund’s ability to take any such actions may be impeded to the extent that there are any preferred shares outstanding. The Board presently intends that, except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus and except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of preferred shares will have equal voting rights with holders of common shares (one vote per share, unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act) and will vote together with holders of common shares as a single class. The phrase “vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares” (or any like phrase) means, in accordance with Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act, the vote, at the annual or a special meeting of the shareholders of the Fund duly called (i) of 67% or more of the preferred shares present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding preferred shares are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding preferred shares, whichever is less. The class vote of holders of preferred shares described above in each case will be in addition to a separate vote of

 

47

the requisite percentage of common shares, and any other preferred shares, voting together as a single class, that may be necessary to authorize the action in question. An increase in the number of authorized preferred shares pursuant to the Governing Documents or the issuance of additional shares of any series of preferred shares pursuant to the Governing Documents shall not in and of itself be considered to adversely affect the rights and preferences of the preferred shares.

The applicable statement of preferences, including the calculation of the elements and definitions of certain terms of the rating agency guidelines, may be modified by action of the Board without further action by the shareholders if the Board determines that such modification is necessary to prevent a reduction in, or the withdrawal of, a rating of the preferred shares by any rating agency then rating the preferred shares at the request of the Fund, as the case may be, and are in the aggregate in the best interests of the holders of preferred shares.

The foregoing voting provisions will not apply to any preferred shares if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote otherwise would be required will be effected, such shares will have been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient cash or cash equivalents provided to the applicable paying agent to effect such redemption. The holders of preferred shares will have no preemptive rights or rights to cumulative voting.

Limitation on Issuance of Preferred Shares

So long as the Fund has preferred shares outstanding, subject to receipt of approval from the rating agencies of such preferred shares outstanding, and subject to compliance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, the Fund may issue and sell shares of additional preferred shares provided that the Fund will, immediately after giving effect to the issuance of such additional preferred shares and to its receipt and application of the proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, to the redemption of preferred shares to be redeemed out of such proceeds), have an “asset coverage” for all senior securities of the Fund which are shares, as defined in the 1940 Act, of at least 200% of the sum of the liquidation preference of the preferred shares of the Fund then outstanding and all indebtedness of the Fund constituting senior securities and no such additional preferred shares will have any preference or priority over any other preferred shares of the Fund upon the distribution of the assets of the Fund or in respect of the payment of dividends or distributions.

The Fund will consider from time to time whether to offer additional preferred shares or securities representing indebtedness and may issue such additional securities if the Board concludes that such an offering would be consistent with the Fund’s Governing Documents and applicable law, and in the best interest of existing common shareholders.

Book Entry

Fixed Rate Preferred Shares sold through this offering will initially be held in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for DTC. The Fund will treat Cede & Co as the holder of record of such shares for all purposes. In accordance with the procedures of DTC, however, purchasers of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares will be deemed the beneficial owners of shares purchased for purposes of dividends, voting and liquidation rights.

Subscription Rights

General. We may issue subscription rights to holders of the Fund’s (i) common shares to purchase common shares (subject to applicable law). Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with a subscription rights offering to holders of the Fund’s common shares, we would distribute certificates or other documentation evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to Common Shareholders as of the record date that we set for determining the shareholders eligible to receive subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.

 

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The applicable prospectus supplement is expected to describe the following terms of the subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

•

the period of time the offering would remain open (which will be open a minimum number of days such that all record holders would be eligible to participate in the offering and will not be open longer than 120 days);

 

•

the underwriter or distributor, if any, of the subscription rights and any associated underwriting fees or discounts applicable to the purchases of the rights;

 

•

the title of such subscription rights;

 

•

the exercise price for such subscription rights (or method of calculation thereof);

 

•

the number of such subscription rights issued in respect of each common share;

 

•

the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable and the market on which they may be traded if they are transferable;

 

•

if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;

 

•

the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights will commence, and the date on which such right will expire (subject to any extension);

 

•

the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities and the terms of such over-subscription privilege;

 

•

any termination we may have in connection with such subscription rights offering; and

 

•

any other terms of such subscription rights, including exercise, settlement and other procedures and limitations relating to the transfer and exercise of such subscription rights.

Exercise of Subscription Rights. A certain number of subscription rights would entitle the holder of the subscription right(s) to purchase for cash such number of common shares at such exercise price as in each case is set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights would be exercisable at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement, subject to any extension. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights would become void. Upon expiration of the rights offering and the receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate or other appropriate documentation properly executed and completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent, or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, the common shares purchased as a result of such exercise will be issued as soon as practicable. To the extent permissible under applicable law, we may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Outstanding Securities

As of [    ], 2024, the Fund had the following outstanding securities.

 

Class

Amount Authorized

Amount held by the Fund for its account

Amount outstanding

Common Shares

Unlimited

0

[

]

Series A Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares

2,000,000

0

2,000,000

 

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TAX CONSIDERATIONS

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. shareholders (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 (generally, for investment) and is a U.S. shareholder. A “U.S. shareholder” 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 U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. A “non-U.S. shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of common shares who is not a U.S. shareholder. Tax laws are complex and often change, and Common Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. For more information, please see the section of the SAI entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

The Fund has elected to be treated, and intends to qualify in each taxable year, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. Assuming the Fund so qualifies by satisfying certain source-of-income, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gain distributions (including amounts that are reinvested pursuant to the DRIP). 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 deduction or 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.

Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax at the Fund level. To avoid the tax, the Fund must timely distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to use the Fund’s taxable year) and (iii) any income recognized, but not distributed in, preceding years. For these purposes, the Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on

 

50

which it has been subject to corporate income tax in the taxable year ending with the calendar year. The Fund generally will endeavor in each taxable year to make sufficient distributions to its shareholders to avoid any U.S. federal excise tax on its earnings, but the Fund reserves the right to pay the excise tax when circumstances warrant.

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. Under the income test, 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”). Under the asset test, the Fund’s holdings must be diversified so that, at the end of each quarter of such taxable year, (i) 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 (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested (a) 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 (b) 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.

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 Fund may invest a portion of its net assets in below investment grade instruments. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for the Fund. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund, to the extent necessary, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to ensure that it does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Distributions of the Fund’s ordinary income and net short-term capital gains will generally be taxable to 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. Distributions of the Fund’s income and capital gains may also be subject to state and local taxes, except when the investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-exempt or tax-deferred account. 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 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

 

51

the common shares. Distributions will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional common shares pursuant to the DRIP.

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 shares. Given the Fund’s investment strategy, it is not expected that a significant portion of the distributions made by the Fund will qualify for this favorable treatment or be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.

It is expected that a very substantial portion of the Fund’s income will consist of ordinary income. For example, interest and OID 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 and other distributions paid by the Fund are generally treated as received by a Common Shareholder at the time the dividend or distribution is made. However, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If the Fund makes such an election, a Common Shareholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to Common Shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by the Fund’s Common Shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

If an investor purchases common shares shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the common shares will include the value of the distribution and the investor will be subject to tax on the distribution even though economically it may represent a return of his, her or its investment.

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, long-term 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 DRIP) 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.

The repurchase or transfer of the Fund’s common shares may result in a taxable gain or loss to the tendering Common Shareholder. Different tax consequences may apply for tendering and non-tendering Common Shareholders in connection with a repurchase offer. For example, if a Common Shareholder does not tender all of his or her common shares, such repurchase may not be treated as an exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes and may result in deemed distributions to non-tendering Common Shareholders. On the other hand, Common Shareholders who tender all of their common shares (including common shares deemed owned by Common Shareholders under constructive ownership rules) will be treated as having sold their common shares and generally will realize a capital gain or loss.

 

52

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.

Legislation requires reporting of adjusted cost basis information for covered securities, which generally include shares of a RIC acquired after January 1, 2012, to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and to taxpayers. Common Shareholders should contact their financial intermediaries with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.

Backup Withholding

The Fund may be required to backup withhold on taxable dividend and certain other payments to shareholders who do not furnish to the Fund their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, their social security number), and make certain certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding. Common Shareholders should be sure to provide this information when they complete the new account application. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld from payments made to a shareholder may be refunded or credited against such Common Shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. 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.

Non-U.S. Shareholders

If a Common Shareholder is a non-U.S. shareholder whose ownership of common shares is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business, dividends of investment company taxable income distributed to such non-U.S. shareholder by the Fund will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower rate under an applicable treaty). Net capital gain dividends distributed by the Fund to a non-U.S. shareholder will generally not be subject to U.S. withholding tax. For a discussion of the tax consequences of the ownership of Shares by a non-U.S. shareholder whose ownership of Shares is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business, please see the discussion in the SAI under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Non-U.S. Shareholders.”

Certain properly reported dividends are generally exempt from withholding of U.S. federal income tax where they are paid in respect of the RIC’s (i) “qualified net interest income” (generally, U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the RIC or the non-U.S. Common Shareholder are at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of net short-term capital gain over long-term capital loss for such taxable year), and certain other requirements are satisfied. No assurance can be given as to whether any of the Fund’s distributions will be eligible for this exemption from withholding of U.S. federal income tax or, if eligible, will be reported as such by the Fund. In particular, the exemption does not apply to distributions paid in respect of a RIC’s non-U.S. source interest income or dividend income. In the case of common stock held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold U.S. federal income tax even if the RIC reports the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Thus, an investment in the shares of the Fund by a non-U.S. Common Shareholder may have adverse tax consequences as compared to a direct investment in the assets in which the Fund invests.

The Fund (or an applicable intermediary) is required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Common Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.

 

53

An investment in the shares of the Fund by an individual non-U.S. Common Shareholder may also be subject to U.S. federal estate tax. 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.

Alternative Minimum Tax

As with any taxable investment, investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax on their income (including taxable income from the Fund), depending on their individual circumstances.

The discussions set forth herein and in the SAI do not constitute tax advice, and shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisor to determine the specific U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in the Fund.

CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE

The Fund is a closed-end management investment company and, as a result, its Common Shareholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their common 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 distribution levels and stability (which are in turn affected by expenses, regulation affecting the timing and character of Fund distributions and other factors), NAV, portfolio credit quality, liquidity, market supply and demand, general market and economic conditions and other factors. Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the 1940 Act that the Fund may purchase at market prices from time to time its common shares in the open market but is under no obligation to do so. Because common shares of a closed-end investment company may frequently trade at prices lower than NAV, the Board may consider action that might be taken to reduce or eliminate any material discount from NAV 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 common share repurchases or tender offers, if undertaken, will reduce market discount.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time the Fund has preferred shares outstanding, such as the MRPS, the Fund may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its common shares unless (1) all accrued preferred shares dividends have been paid and (2) at the time of such purchase, redemption or acquisition, the NAV 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 Common Shareholders.

Subject to its investment restrictions, the Fund may borrow to finance the repurchase of common 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 under the NYSE.

There is no assurance that, if action is undertaken to repurchase or tender for common shares, such action will result in the common shares trading at a price which approximates their NAV. Although share repurchases and tenders could have a favorable effect on the market price of the Fund’s common shares, Common Shareholders should be aware that the acquisition of common shares by the Fund will decrease the total net assets of the Fund and, therefore, may have the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio and decreasing the asset coverage with respect to any preferred shares if any outstanding and to any amounts borrowed. See “Description of Capital Structure.”

 

54

RIGHTS OFFERINGS

The Fund may in the future, and at its discretion, choose to make offerings of subscription rights to purchase its common shares to its Common Shareholders. A future rights offering may be transferable or non-transferable. Any such future rights offering will be made in accordance with the 1940 Act. Under the laws of Delaware, the Board is authorized to approve rights offerings without obtaining shareholder approval. The staff of the SEC has interpreted the 1940 Act as not requiring shareholder approval of a transferable rights offering to purchase common shares at a price below the then current NAV so long as certain conditions are met, including: (i) a good faith determination by a fund’s Board that such offering would result in a net benefit to existing shareholders; (ii) the offering fully protects shareholders’ preemptive rights and does not discriminate among shareholders (except for the possible effect of not offering fractional rights); (iii) management uses its best efforts to ensure an adequate trading market in the rights for use by shareholders who do not exercise such rights; and (iv) the ratio of a transferable rights offering does not exceed one new share for each three rights held.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE

The Fund is a statutory trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on March 17, 2011. 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 Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares. Each common share has one vote and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of this offering, will be fully paid and non-assessable. The holders of common shares will not be entitled to receive any distributions from the Fund unless all accrued interest, fees and dividends, if any, with respect to the Fund’s leverage have been paid, unless certain asset coverage tests with respect to the leverage employed by the Fund are satisfied after giving effect to the distributions and unless certain other requirements imposed by any rating agencies rating any preferred shares issued by the Fund have been met. All common shares are equal as to dividends, assets and voting privileges and have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. The Fund will send annual and semi-annual reports, including financial statements, to all holders of its common shares.

Any additional offerings of shares will require approval by the Board. Any additional offering of common shares will be subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, which provides that shares may not be issued at a price below the then current NAV, exclusive of the sales load, except in connection with an offering to existing holders of common shares or with the consent of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities.

The Fund’s common shares are listed on the NYSE under the trading or “ticker” symbol “KIO.”

The Fund’s NAV per share generally increases when interest rates decline, and decreases when interest rates rise. However, because the secured loans that the Fund invests in may be floating rate in nature, the Fund’s NAV per share may be less affected by interest rate fluctuations than if it were investing in other forms of securities. The Fund’s NAV will be reduced immediately following the offering of common shares by the amount of the sales load and the amount of the organizational costs and offering expenses paid by the Fund. See “Summary of Common Shareholder Fees and Expenses.”

Unlike open-end funds, closed-end funds like the Fund do not continuously offer shares and do not provide daily redemptions. Rather, if a Common Shareholder decides to buy additional common shares or sell shares already held, the Common Shareholder may do so by trading through a broker on the NYSE or otherwise. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade on an exchange at prices lower than NAV. Shares of

 

55

closed-end investment companies like the Fund that invest predominantly in secured loans and fixed-income instruments have traded during some periods at prices higher than NAV and have traded during other periods at prices lower than NAV. Because the market price of the Fund’s common shares may be affected by such factors as distribution levels and stability (which are in turn affected by expenses, regulation affecting the timing and character of Fund distributions and other factors), NAV, portfolio credit quality, liquidity, market supply and demand, general market conditions and other factors, the Fund cannot assure you that its common shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than NAV in the future. The Fund’s market price may also be affected by general market, economic or political conditions. The common shares are designed primarily for long-term investors and should not be viewed as a vehicle for trading purposes. You should not purchase common shares of the Fund if you intend to sell them shortly after purchase.

Preferred Shares

The Fund’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust provides that the Board of the Fund may authorize and issue preferred shares, with rights as determined by the Board, without the approval of the holders of the common shares. Holders of common shares have no preemptive right to purchase any preferred shares that might be issued. The Fund may elect to issue preferred shares as part of a leveraging strategy. The terms of any preferred shares, including dividend rate, liquidation preference and redemption provisions restrictions on the declaration of dividends, maintenance of asset ratios and restrictions while dividends are in arrears will be determined by the Board, subject to applicable law and the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust.

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the holders of any preferred shares, including the MRPS, will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.

The 1940 Act, among other things, requires that the holders of outstanding preferred shares, voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect at least two trustees at all times. The remaining trustees will be elected by holders of common shares and preferred shares, voting together as a single class. In addition, subject to the prior rights, if any, of the holders of any other class of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any preferred shares have the right to elect a majority of the trustees of the Fund at any time two years’ dividends on any preferred shares are unpaid.

The discussion above describes the possible offering of additional preferred shares by the Fund. If the Board determines to proceed with such an offering, the terms of the preferred shares may be the same as, or different from, the terms described above, subject to applicable law and the terms of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust. The Board, without the approval of the holders of common shares, may authorize an offering of additional preferred shares or may determine not to authorize such an offering, and may fix the terms of the preferred shares to be offered.

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

The Fund’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to change the composition of its Board. This could have the effect of depriving Common Shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control over the Fund. Such attempts could have the effect of increasing the expenses of the Fund and disrupting the normal operation of the Fund. The Fund’s trustees have been elected and 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.

The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, subject to certain exceptions, provides that the Trust may merge or consolidate with any other corporation, association, trust or other organization or may sell, lease or

 

56

exchange all or substantially all of the its property, including its goodwill, upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration when and as authorized by two-thirds of the Trustees and approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities and any such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or exchange shall be determined for all purposes to have been accomplished under and pursuant to the statutes of the State of Delaware. The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust also requires the affirmative vote or consent of two-thirds of the Trustees and of holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) to authorize a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. Also, the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund may dissolve upon the approval of not less than a majority of Trustees. See “Risk Factors.”

The trustees may from time to time grant other voting rights to shareholders with respect to these and other matters, certain of which are required by the 1940 Act.

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 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust 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 considered the foregoing anti-takeover provisions and concluded that they are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

The foregoing is intended only as a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Governing Documents, both of which are on file with the SEC.

The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder personal liability for debts or obligations or any other form of personal liability in connection with the property or actions of the Fund.

For the purposes of calculating “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, each class and series of the Fund will vote together as a single class, except to the extent required by the 1940 Act or the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, with respect to any class or series of shares. If a separate class vote is required, the applicable proportion of shares of the class or series, voting as a separate class or series, also will be required.

The Board has determined that provisions with respect to the Board and the shareholder voting requirements described above, which voting requirements are greater than the minimum requirements under Delaware law or the 1940 Act, are in the best interest of shareholders generally. For a more complete explanation, see the full text of these provisions in the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, which is on file with the SEC.

Delaware Statutory Trust Act – Control Share Acquisitions

On August 1, 2022, certain new provisions of Delaware law, applicable to the Fund as a Delaware statutory trust, went into effect. Pursuant to these new provisions, shareholders of the Fund that acquire ownership of shares equal to or greater than certain thresholds tied to the overall voting interests of the Fund or the voting interests of a class of shares of the Fund may, with respect to certain shares, have limited ability to vote with respect to certain proposals. The first threshold which could trigger these new provisions is ownership of 10% or more of the overall voting interests of the Fund or of a class of shares of the Fund.

Conversion to Open-End Fund

The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust requires the affirmative vote or consent of two-thirds of the Trustees and a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) to authorize

 

57

a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. 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 NYSE 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 as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their NAV, 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 NAV plus a sales load.

CUSTODIAN, DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

U.S. Bank, N.A. serves as Custodian for the Fund. The Custodian holds cash, securities, and other assets of the Fund as required by the 1940 Act. U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC provides certain Fund accounting services. Custody fees 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 1555 N. Rivercenter Dr., Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212. U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC also acts 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 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the shares, being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

•

to underwriters or dealers for resale to the public or to institutional investors;

 

•

directly to institutional investors;

 

•

directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser;

 

•

through agents to the public or to institutional investors; or

 

•

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

The prospectus supplement with respect to each series of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

•

the offering terms, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

•

the purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds to be received by us from the sale;

 

•

any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation, which compensation for any sale will in no event exceed 8% of the sales price;

 

•

any initial public offering price;

 

58

•

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

•

any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed.

If we use underwriters or dealers in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including;

 

•

negotiated transactions;

 

•

at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed;

 

•

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

•

at prices related to prevailing market prices; or

 

•

at negotiated prices.

Sales of our common or preferred shares may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” as defined under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the NYSE or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.

Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Commissions for any sale will in no event exceed 8% of the sales price. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these delayed delivery contracts.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with an offering of the Fund’s securities will be passed on for the Fund by Dechert LLP.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

[    ] serves as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund and audits the financial statements of the Fund. [    ] is located at [    ].

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. 333-268584). 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 (855) 862-6092.

 

59

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.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

As noted above, this prospectus is part of a registration statement that has been filed with the SEC. The Fund is permitted to “incorporate by reference” the information that it files with the SEC, which means that the Fund can disclose important information by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that the Fund files with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.

The Fund incorporates by reference any future filings it will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or pursuant to Rule 30b2-1 under the 1940 Act, including those made after the date of this filing (excluding any information furnished, rather than filed), until the Fund has sold all of the offered securities to which this prospectus, the SAI and any accompanying prospectus supplement relates, or the offering is otherwise terminated. The documents incorporated by reference herein include:

 

•

The Fund’s SAI, dated [    ], 2024, filed with this prospectus;

 

•

The Fund’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on December 22, 2023;

 

•

The  Fund’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on February 8, 2023; and

 

•

The  description of the Fund’s common shares contained in its Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-36016), filed with the SEC on July 22, 2013, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description prior to the termination of the offering registered hereby.

To obtain copies of these filings, see “Additional Information.”

 

60

 

 

$[●]

KKR Income Opportunities Fund

Common Shares

Subscription Rights to Purchase Common Shares

Preferred Shares

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

[●], 2024

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. The Fund may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus supplement 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.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 19, 2024

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To prospectus dated [●], 2024)

[●] Shares

KKR Income Opportunities Fund

Common Shares

 

 

We are offering for sale [●] of our common shares. Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KIO.” On [●], the last reported net asset value per share of our common shares was $[●] and the last reported sales price per share of our common shares on the NYSE was $[●].

The Fund is a 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. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by employing a dynamic strategy of investing in a targeted portfolio of loans and fixed-income instruments of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers and implementing hedging strategies in order to seek to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its Managed Assets (as defined herein) in loans and fixed-income instruments or other instruments, including derivative instruments, with similar economic characteristics (the “80% Policy”). “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowings for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing borrowings for investment purposes). The Fund invests primarily in first- and second-lien secured loans, unsecured loans and high-yield corporate debt instruments of varying maturities. The instruments in which the Fund invests may be rated investment grade or below investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or unrated. The Fund’s investments in below investment grade loans, below investment grade fixed-income instruments and debt instruments of financially troubled companies are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These investments are commonly referred to as “high-yield” or “junk” instruments. The Fund seeks to tactically and dynamically allocate capital across companies’ capital structures where KKR Credit Advisors (US) LLC (the “Adviser”) believes its due diligence process has identified compelling investment opportunities, including where the Adviser has identified issuer distress, event-driven misvaluations of securities or capital market inefficiencies.

Sales of our common shares, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.

An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors. We cannot assure you that the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before deciding whether to invest in our common shares and retain it for future reference. The prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information about us. Material that has been incorporated by reference, including the Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”), and other information about us can be obtained from us without charge by calling (855) 862-6092 or from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website (http://www.sec.gov).

Investing in common shares involves certain risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 30 of the accompanying prospectus.

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.

 

		Per Share				Total(1)
Public offering price		$	[	●]		$	[	●]
Underwriting discounts and commissions		$	[	●]		$	[	●]
Proceeds, before expenses, to us		$	[	●]		$	[	●]

 

(1)	The aggregate expenses of the offering (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) are estimated to be $[●], which represents approximately $[●] per share.

The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional [●] common shares from us at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover over-allotments, if any, within [●] days after the date of this prospectus supplement. If the over-allotment option is exercised in full, the total proceeds, before expenses, to the Fund would be $[●] and the total underwriting discounts and commissions would be $[●]. The underwriters are expected to deliver the common shares in book-entry form with The Depository Trust Company on or about [●],[●].

 

 

[●], 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			S-1
TABLE OF COMMON SHAREHOLDER FEES AND EXPENSES			S-2
USE OF PROCEEDS			S-3
CAPITALIZATION			S-3
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS			S-3
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES			S-3
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			S-3
LEGAL MATTERS			S-3

Prospectus

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			1
SUMMARY OF COMMON SHAREHOLDER FEES AND EXPENSES			6
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS			8
SENIOR SECURITIES			8
THE FUND			9
USE OF PROCEEDS			9
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES			9
LEVERAGE			29
RISK FACTORS			30
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST			30
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND			35
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE			38
DISTRIBUTIONS			39
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN			40
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES			40
TAX CONSIDERATIONS			50
CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE			54
RIGHTS OFFERINGS			55
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE			55
CUSTODIAN, DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR			58
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			58
LEGAL MATTERS			59
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			59
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			59
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE			60

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Neither the Fund nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, respectively. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the SAI contain or incorporate by reference forward-looking statements. These statements describe the Fund’s plans, strategies, and goals and our beliefs and assumptions concerning future economic and other conditions and the outlook for the Fund, based on currently available information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “may,” “will,” “intend,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “anticipate,” and similar terms and the negative of such terms are used in an effort to identify such forward-looking statements, although some forward-looking statements may be expressed differently. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Several factors that could materially affect our actual results are the performance of the portfolio of securities we hold, the price at which our shares will trade in the public markets and other factors discussed in our periodic filings with the SEC.

Although we believe that the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying prospectus. All forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are made as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, as the case may be. Except for our ongoing obligations under the federal securities laws, we do not intend, and we undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the SAI are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

Currently known risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying prospectus. We urge you to review carefully those sections for a more detailed discussion of the risks of an investment in our common shares.

 

S-1

TABLE OF COMMON SHAREHOLDER FEES AND EXPENSES

Common Shareholder Transaction Expenses

The following tables are intended to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses directly or indirectly associated with investing in our common shares as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares. Amounts are for the current fiscal year after giving effect to anticipated net proceeds of the offering, assuming that we incur the estimated offering expenses.

 

Sales Load Paid By You (as a percentage of the offering price)			[●]%
Offering Expenses borne by the Fund (as a percentage of the offering price)			[●]%
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees (per open market purchase transaction fee)		$	[●](1)
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees (per sale transaction fee)		$	[●](1)

 

		Percentage of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares (Assumes Leverage is Used)(3)
Annual Expenses
Management Fee			[●]%(2)
Interest Expenses and Payments on Borrowing			[●]%(3)
Other Expenses			[●]%(4)
Total Annual Expenses			[●]%

 

(1)

You will pay a fee of $[●], which includes any applicable brokerage commissions, in connection with purchases by the DRIP Administrator of common shares on the open market. You will also pay a fee of $[●] and any applicable brokerage commissions if you direct the DRIP Administrator to sell your common shares held in a dividend reinvestment account. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

(2)

The Adviser will receive a monthly Management Fee at an annual rate of 1.10% of the average daily value of the Fund’s Managed Assets. Consequently, since the Fund has borrowings outstanding, the Management Fee as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares is higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage.

(3)

Assumes the use of leverage through a credit facility and MRPS representing [    ]% of Managed Assets at an annual interest rate expense to the Fund of [●]%, which is based on the interest rate currently applicable under the Fund’s existing credit facility, the dividends payable on the MRPS at an annual dividend rate equal to 3.81% and an assumption that if the Fund issues an additional $[●] in common shares it will increase the amount of its credit facility from $[●] to $[●]. The Fund may use other forms of leverage, which may be subject to different interest expenses than those estimated above. The actual amount of interest expense borne by the Fund will vary over time in accordance with the level of the Fund’s use of leverage and variations in market interest rates.

(4)	The “Other Expenses” shown in the table above and related footnotes are based upon estimated expenses for the current fiscal year assuming completion of the proposed issuances.

Example

The following example illustrates the expenses (including the sales load of $[●] and estimated offering expenses of this offering of $[●]), that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in common shares, assuming (1) total net annual expenses of [●]% of net assets attributable to common shares and (2) a 5% annual return.* The actual amounts in connection with the offering will be set forth in the prospectus supplement, if applicable.

 

S-2

1 Year		3 Years		5 Years		10 Years
$[●]		$[●]		$[●]		$[●]

* The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. The example assumes that the estimated “Other Expenses” set forth in the Total Annual Expenses table are accurate and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at NAV. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate the total net proceeds of the offering to be $[●] based on the public offering price of $[●] per share and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

The Fund will invest the net proceeds of any offering in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies, and may use a portion of such proceeds, depending on market conditions, for other general corporate purposes. The Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to substantially be completed within [three] months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as [six] months. Pending such investment, the proceeds of the offering will be held in temporary investments.

CAPITALIZATION

[To be provided.]

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

[To be provided.]

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES

The following table sets forth for the quarters indicated, the high and low sale prices on the New York Stock Exchange per common share and the net asset value and the premium or discount from net asset value per share at which the common shares were trading, expressed as a percentage of net asset value, at each of the high and low sale prices provided.

[To be provided.]

The last reported price for our common shares on [●],[●] was $[●] per share.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

[To be provided.]

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters will be passed on by Dechert LLP, counsel to the Fund in connection with the offering of the common shares. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by [●].

 

S-3

The information in this prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. The Fund may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus supplement 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.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 19, 2024

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To prospectus dated [●], 2024)

[●] Rights

KKR Income Opportunities Fund

Subscription Rights to Acquire Common Shares

 

 

KKR Income Opportunities Fund (the “Fund,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is issuing [transferable] subscription rights (the “Rights”) to our common shareholders to purchase additional common shares.

The Fund is a 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. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by employing a dynamic strategy of investing in a targeted portfolio of loans and fixed-income instruments of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers and implementing hedging strategies in order to seek to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its Managed Assets (as defined herein) in loans and fixed-income instruments or other instruments, including derivative instruments, with similar economic characteristics (the “80% Policy”). “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowings for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing borrowings for investment purposes). The Fund invests primarily in first- and second-lien secured loans, unsecured loans and high-yield corporate debt instruments of varying maturities. The instruments in which the Fund invests may be rated investment grade or below investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or unrated. The Fund’s investments in below investment grade loans, below investment grade fixed-income instruments and debt instruments of financially troubled companies are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These investments are commonly referred to as “high-yield” or “junk” instruments. The Fund seeks to tactically and dynamically allocate capital across companies’ capital structures where KKR Credit Advisors (US) LLC (the “Adviser”) believes its due diligence process has identified compelling investment opportunities, including where the Adviser has identified issuer distress, event-driven misvaluations of securities or capital market inefficiencies.

The common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “KIO.” On [●], 2024 (the last trading date prior to the common shares trading ex-Rights), the last reported net asset value per share of the common shares was $[●] and the last reported sales price per Common Share on the NYSE was $[●].

An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors. We cannot assure you that the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before deciding whether to invest in the common shares and retain it for future reference. The prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information about us. Material that has been incorporated by reference, including the Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”), and other information about us can be obtained from us by calling (855) 862-6092 or from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website (http://www.sec.gov). For additional information all holders of Rights should contact the Information Agent, [●].

Investing in common shares through Rights involves certain risks that are described in the “Special Characteristics and Risks of the Rights Offering” section beginning on page [ ] of this prospectus supplement.

SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT FULLY EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS MAY, AT THE COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, OWN A SMALLER PROPORTIONAL INTEREST IN THE FUND THAN IF THEY EXERCISED THEIR RIGHTS. AS A RESULT OF THE OFFERING YOU MAY EXPERIENCE SUBSTANTIAL DILUTION [OR ACCRETION] OF THE AGGREGATE NET ASSET VALUE OF YOUR COMMON SHARES DEPENDING UPON WHETHER THE FUND’S NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE IS ABOVE [OR BELOW] THE SUBSCRIPTION PRICE ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.

ANY COMMON SHARES ISSUED AS A RESULT OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING WILL NOT BE RECORD DATE SHARES FOR THE FUND’S QUARTERLY DIVIDEND TO BE PAID ON [●], 2024 AND WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDEND.

NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

		Per Share				Total(1)
Subscription price of common shares to shareholders exercising Rights		$	[	●]		$	[	●]
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)		$	[	●]		$	[	●]
Proceeds, before expenses, to the Fund(2)		$	[	●]		$	[	●]

 

(1)	Based on a Dealer Manager solicitation fee of $[●] per Common Share.

(2)	The aggregate expenses of the offering (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) are estimated to be $[●].

The common shares are expected to be ready for delivery in book-entry form through the Depository Trust Company on or about [●], 2024. If the offer is extended, the common shares are expected to be ready for delivery in book-entry form through the Depository Trust Company on or about [●], 2024.

 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is [●], 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			R-1
SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING			R-2
DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING			R-5
TABLE OF COMMON SHAREHOLDER FEES AND EXPENSES			R-12
USE OF PROCEEDS			R-14
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS			R-14
CAPITALIZATION			R-14
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES			R-14
SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING			R-15
TAXATION			R-17
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			R-17
LEGAL MATTERS			R-17

Prospectus

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			1
SUMMARY OF COMMON SHAREHOLDER FEES AND EXPENSES			6
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS			8
SENIOR SECURITIES			8
THE FUND			9
USE OF PROCEEDS			9
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES			9
LEVERAGE			29
RISK FACTORS			30
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST			30
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND			35
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE			38
DISTRIBUTIONS			39
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN			40
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES			40
TAX CONSIDERATIONS			50
CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE			54
RIGHTS OFFERINGS			55
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE			55
CUSTODIAN, DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR			58
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			58
LEGAL MATTERS			59
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			59
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			59
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE			60

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Neither the Fund nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, respectively. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the SAI contain or incorporate by reference forward-looking statements. These statements describe the Fund’s plans, strategies, and goals and our beliefs and assumptions concerning future economic and other conditions and the outlook for the Fund, based on currently available information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “may,” “will,” “intend,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “anticipate,” and similar terms and the negative of such terms are used in an effort to identify such forward-looking statements, although some forward-looking statements may be expressed differently. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Several factors that could materially affect our actual results are the performance of the portfolio of securities we hold, the price at which our shares will trade in the public markets and other factors discussed in our periodic filings with the SEC.

Although we believe that the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying prospectus. All forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are made as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, as the case may be. Except for our ongoing obligations under the federal securities laws, we do not intend, and we undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the SAI are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

Currently known risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying prospectus as well as in the “Special Characteristics and Risks of the Rights Offering” section of this prospectus supplement.

 

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SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING

 

Terms of the Offering		One transferable subscription right (a “Right”) will be issued for each common share of the Fund held on the record date. Rights are expected to trade on the [●]. The Rights will allow common shareholders to subscribe for new common shares of the Fund. [●] common shares of the Fund are outstanding as of [●], 2024. [●] Rights will be required to purchase one common share. [An over-subscription privilege will be offered[, subject to the right of the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”) to eliminate the over-subscription privilege.]] [●] common shares of the Fund will be issued if all Rights are exercised. [Additional common shares will be issued if the over-subscription privilege is exercised.] See “Terms of the Rights Offering.” Any common shares issued as a result of the Rights offering will not be record date shares for the Fund’s quarterly distribution to be paid on [●], 2024 and will not be entitled to receive such dividend.
Amount Available for Primary Subscription		Approximately $[●], before expenses.
Title		Subscription Rights to Acquire Common Shares.
Subscription Price		Rights may be exercised at a price of $[●] per common share (the “Subscription Price”). See “Terms of the Rights Offering.”
Record Date		Rights will be issued to holders of record of the Fund’s common shares on [●], 2024 (the “Record Date”). See “Terms of the Rights Offering.”
Number of Rights Issued		One Right will be issued in respect of each common share of the Fund outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date. See “Terms of the Rights Offering.”
Number of Rights Issued Required to Purchase One Common Share		A holder of Rights may purchase one common share of the Fund for every [●] Rights exercised. The number of Rights to be issued to a shareholder as of the close of business on the Record Date will be rounded up to the nearest number of Rights evenly divisible by [●]. See “Terms of the Rights Offering.”
[Over-Subscription Privilege]		[Holders of common shares on the Record Date (“Record Date Shareholders”) who fully exercise all Rights initially issued to them are entitled to buy those common shares, referred to as “primary over-subscription shares,” that were not purchased by other Rights holders at the same Subscription Price. If enough primary over-subscription shares are available, all such requests will be honored in full. If the requests for primary over-subscription shares exceed the primary over-subscription shares available, the available primary over-subscription shares will be allocated pro rata among those fully exercising Record Date Shareholders who over-subscribe based on the number of Rights originally issued to them by the Fund. Common shares acquired pursuant to the over-subscription privilege are subject to allotment. Rights acquired in the secondary market may not participate in the over-subscription privilege.   [In addition, in the event that the Fund’s per share net asset value at the end of the Subscription Period (described below) is equal to or less than the Subscription Price, the Fund, in its sole discretion, may determine to issue additional common shares in an amount of up to [●]% of the shares issued pursuant to the primary subscription, referred to as “secondary over-subscription shares.” Should the Fund determine to issue some or all of the secondary over-subscription shares, they will be allocated only among Record

 

R-2

		Date Shareholders who submitted over-subscription requests. Secondary over-subscription shares will be allocated pro rata among those fully exercising Record Date Shareholders who over-subscribe based on the number of Rights originally issued to them by the Fund. Rights acquired in the secondary market may not participate in the over-subscription privilege.]   [Notwithstanding the above, the Board has the right in its absolute discretion to eliminate the over-subscription privilege with respect to either or both primary over-subscription shares and secondary over-subscription shares if it considers it to be in the best interest of the Fund to do so. The Board may make that determination at any time, without prior notice to Rights holders or others, up to and including the fifth day following the Expiration Date (as defined below).] See “Over-Subscription Privilege.”]
Transfer of Rights		The Rights will be transferable. See “Terms of the Rights Offering,” “Sales by Rights Agent” and “Method of Transferring Rights.”
Subscription Period		The Rights may be exercised at any time after issuance and prior to expiration of the Rights, which will be [5:00] PM Eastern Time on [●], 2024[, unless extended] (the “Expiration Date”) (the “Subscription Period”). See “Terms of the Rights Offering” and “Method of Exercise of Rights.”
Offering Expenses		The expenses of the offering are expected to be approximately $[●] and will be borne by holders of the Fund’s common shares. See “Use of Proceeds.”
[Solicitation Fee		$[●] per common share to broker-dealers that have executed and delivered a soliciting dealer agreement and have solicited the exercise of Rights. See “Underwriting.”]
Sale of Rights		The Rights are transferable until the completion of the Subscription Period and will be admitted for trading on the [●]. Although no assurance can be given that a market for the Rights will develop, trading in the Rights on the [●] is expected to begin three Business Days prior to the Record Date and may be conducted until the close of trading on the last [●] trading day prior to the completion of the Subscription Period. For purposes of this prospectus, a “Business Day” shall mean any day on which trading is conducted on the [●].   The value of the Rights, if any, will be reflected by their market price on the [●]. Rights may be sold by individual holders or may be submitted to the Rights Agent (defined below) for sale. Any Rights submitted to the Rights Agent for sale must be received by the Rights Agent on or before [●], 2024, three Business Days prior to the completion of the Subscription Period, due to normal settlement procedures.   Rights that are sold will not confer any right to acquire any common shares in any [primary or secondary] over-subscription, and any Record Date shareholder who sells any Rights will not be eligible to participate in the [primary or secondary] over-subscription privilege, if any.   Trading of the Rights on the [●] will be conducted on a when-issued basis until and including the date on which the Subscription Certificates (as defined below) are mailed to Record Date Shareholders and thereafter will be conducted on a regular-way basis until and including the last [●] trading day prior to the completion of the Subscription Period. The shares are expected to begin trading ex-Rights [●] Business Days prior to the Record Date.

 

R-3

		If the Rights Agent receives Rights for sale in a timely manner, it will use its best efforts to sell the Rights on the [●]. The Rights Agent will also attempt to sell any Rights (i) a Rights holder is unable to exercise because the Rights represent the right to subscribe for less than one new Common Share or (ii) attributable to shareholders whose record addresses are outside the United States, or who have an APO or FPO address. See “Foreign Restrictions.”   Any commissions will be paid by the selling Rights holders. Neither the Fund nor the Rights Agent will be responsible if Rights cannot be sold and neither has guaranteed any minimum sales price for the Rights. If the Rights can be sold, sales of these Rights will be deemed to have been effected at the weighted average price received by the Rights Agent on the day such Rights are sold, less any applicable brokerage commissions, taxes and other expenses.   Shareholders are urged to obtain a recent trading price for the Rights on the [●] from their broker, bank, financial advisor or the financial press.   Banks, broker-dealers and trust companies that hold shares for the accounts of others are advised to notify those persons that purchase Rights in the secondary market that such Rights will not participate in any over-subscription privilege. See “Terms of the Rights Offering” and “Sales by Rights Agent.”
Use of Proceeds		The Fund estimates the net proceeds of the offering to be approximately $[●]. This figure is based on the Subscription Price per share of $[●] and assumes all new common shares offered are sold and that the expenses related to the offering estimated at approximately $[●] are paid.   The Adviser anticipates that investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to be substantially completed in approximately [three] months; however, the identification of appropriate investment opportunities pursuant to the Fund’s investment style or changes in market conditions may cause the investment period to extend as long as [●] months. Pending such investment, the proceeds will be held in temporary investments. See “Use of Proceeds.”
Taxation/ERISA		See “Taxation” and “Employee Benefit Plan and IRA Considerations.”
Rights Agent		[●]. See “Rights Agent.”

 

R-4

DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING

Terms of the Rights Offering

The Fund is issuing to shareholders of record as of [●], 2024 (“the Record Date”, and such shareholders, the “Record Date Shareholders”) Rights to subscribe for common shares of the Fund. Each Record Date Shareholder is being issued [●] transferable Right for each Common Share owned on the Record Date. The Rights entitle the holder to acquire for $[●] (the “Subscription Price”) one new Common Share for each [●] Rights held rounded up to the nearest number of Rights evenly divisible by [●]. Fractional shares will not be issued upon the exercise of the Rights. Accordingly, common shares may be purchased only pursuant to the exercise of Rights in integral multiples of [●]. In the case of common shares held of record by Cede & Co. (“Cede”), as nominee for the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), or any other depository or nominee, the number of Rights issued to Cede or such other depository or nominee will be adjusted to permit rounding up (to the nearest number of Rights evenly divisible by [●] of the Rights to be received by beneficial owners for whom it is the holder of record only if Cede or such other depository or nominee provides to the Fund on or before the close of business on [●], 2024 written representation of the number of Rights required for such rounding. Rights may be exercised at any time during the period (the “Subscription Period”) which commences on [●], 2024, and ends at [5:00] PM Eastern Time on [●], 2024 (the “Expiration Date”). The right to acquire one Common Share for each [●] Rights held during the Subscription Period (or any extension thereof) at the Subscription Price will be referred to in the remainder of this prospectus supplement as the “Subscription.” Rights will expire on the Expiration Date and thereafter may not be exercised. Any common shares issued as a result of the rights offering will not be record date shares for the Fund’s quarterly dividend to be paid on [●], 2024 and will not be entitled to receive such dividend.

Rights may be evidenced by subscription certificates or may be uncertificated and evidenced by other appropriate documentation (“Subscription Certificates”). The number of Rights issued to each holder will be stated on the Subscription Certificate delivered to the holder. The method by which Rights may be exercised and shares paid for is set forth below in “Method of Exercise of Rights” and “Payment for Shares.” A Holder of Rights will have no right to rescind a purchase after [●] (the “Rights Agent”) has received payment. See “Payment for Shares” below. It is anticipated that the common shares issued pursuant to an exercise of Rights will be listed on the [●].

[Holders of Rights who are Record Date Shareholders are entitled to subscribe for additional common shares at the same Subscription Price pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, subject to certain limitations, to allotment and to the right of the Board to eliminate the over-subscription privilege. See “Over-Subscription Privilege” below.]

For purposes of determining the maximum number of common shares that may be acquired pursuant to the offer, broker-dealers, trust companies, banks or others whose shares are held of record by Cede or by any other depository or nominee will be deemed to be the holders of the Rights that are held by Cede or such other depository or nominee on their behalf.

The Rights are transferable until the completion of the Subscription Period and will be admitted for trading on the [●]. Assuming a market exists for the Rights, the Rights may be purchased and sold through usual brokerage channels and also sold through the Rights Agent. Although no assurance can be given that a market for the Rights will develop, trading in the Rights on the [●] is expected to begin three Business Days prior to the Record Date and may be conducted until the close of trading on the last [●] trading day prior to the completion of the Subscription Period. For purposes of this prospectus supplement, a “Business Day” means any day on which trading is conducted on the [●]. Trading of the Rights on the [●] is expected to be conducted on a when-issued basis until and including the date on which the Subscription Certificates are mailed to Record Date Shareholders and thereafter is expected to be conducted on a regular way basis until and including the last [●] trading day prior to the completion of the Subscription Period. The method by which Rights may be transferred is set forth below under “Method of Transferring Rights.” The common shares are expected to begin trading ex-Rights [●] Business Days prior to the Record Date as determined and announced by the [●].

 

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Nominees who hold the Fund’s common shares for the account of others, such as banks, broker-dealers, trustees or depositories for securities, should notify the respective beneficial owners of such shares as soon as possible to ascertain such beneficial owners’ intentions and to obtain instructions with respect to the Rights. If the beneficial owner so instructs, the nominee should complete the Subscription Certificate and submit it to the Rights Agent with proper payment. In addition, beneficial owners of the common shares or Rights held through such a nominee should contact the nominee and request the nominee to effect transactions in accordance with such beneficial owner’s instructions.

[Participants in the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “DRIP”) will be issued Rights in respect of the common shares held in their accounts in the DRIP. Participants wishing to exercise these Rights must exercise the Rights in accordance with the procedures set forth in “Method of Exercise of Rights” and “Payment for Shares.”]

Important Dates to Remember

[Please note that the dates in the table below may change if the rights offering is extended.]

 

EVENT		DATE
Record Date		[●], 2024
Subscription Period		[●], 2024 through [●], 2024
Expiration Date*		[●], 2024
Payment for Guarantees of Delivery Due*		[●], 2024
Issuance Date		[●], 2024**
Confirmation Date		[●], 2024

 

*	A shareholder exercising Rights must deliver by [5:00 PM] Eastern Time on [●], 2024 either (a) a Subscription Certificate and payment for shares or (b) a notice of guaranteed delivery and payment for shares.

**	[Unless the offer is extended to a date no later than [●], 2024.]

[Over-Subscription Privilege

The Board has the right in its absolute discretion to eliminate the over-subscription privilege with respect to either or both primary over-subscription shares and secondary over-subscription shares if it considers it to be in the best interest of the Fund to do so. The Board may make that determination at any time, without prior notice to Rights holders or others, up to and including the tenth day following the Expiration Date. If the primary or secondary over-subscription privilege is not eliminated, it will operate as set forth below.

Rights holders who are Record Date Shareholders and who fully exercise their Rights are entitled to subscribe for additional common shares at the same Subscription Price pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, subject to certain limitations and subject to allotment.

Record Date Shareholders who fully exercise all Rights initially issued to them are entitled to buy those common shares, referred to as “primary over-subscription shares,” that were not purchased by other Holders of Rights at the same Subscription Price. If enough primary over-subscription shares are available, all such requests will be honored in full. If the requests for primary over-subscription shares exceed the primary over-subscription shares available, the available primary over-subscription shares will be allocated pro rata among those fully exercising Record Date Shareholders who over-subscribe based on the number of Rights originally issued to them by the Fund. Common shares acquired pursuant to the over-subscription privilege are subject to allotment.

[In addition, in the event that the Fund’s per share net asset value at the end of the Subscription Period is equal to or less than the Subscription Price, the Fund, in its sole discretion, may determine to issue additional common

 

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shares in an amount of up to [●]% of the shares issued pursuant to the primary subscription, referred to as “secondary over-subscription shares.” Should the Fund determine to issue some or all of the secondary over-subscription shares, they will be allocated only among Record Date Shareholders who submitted over-subscription requests. Secondary over-subscription shares will be allocated pro rata among those fully exercising Record Date Shareholders who over-subscribe based on the number of Rights originally issued to them by the Fund. Rights acquired in the secondary market may not participate in the over-subscription privilege.]

Record Date Shareholders who are fully exercising their Rights during the Subscription Period should indicate, on the Subscription Certificate that they submit with respect to the exercise of the Rights issued to them, how many common shares they are willing to acquire pursuant to the over-subscription privilege. Rights acquired in the secondary market may not participate in the over subscription privilege.

To the extent sufficient common shares are not available to fulfill all over-subscription requests, unsubscribed common shares (the “Excess Shares”) will be allocated pro-rata among those Record Date Shareholders who over-subscribe based on the number of Rights issued to them by the Fund. The allocation process may involve a series of allocations in order to assure that the total number of common shares available for over-subscriptions is distributed on a pro rata basis.

The formula to be used in allocating the Excess Shares is as follows:

 

Shareholder’s Record Date Position		x    Excess Shares Remaining
Total Record Date Position of All Over-Subscribers

Banks, broker-dealers, trustees and other nominee holders of Rights will be required to certify to the Rights Agent, before any over-subscription privilege may be exercised with respect to any particular beneficial owner, as to the aggregate number of Rights exercised during the Subscription Period and the number of common shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege by such beneficial owner and that such beneficial owner’s subscription was exercised in full. Nominee holder over-subscription forms and beneficial owner certification forms will be distributed to banks, broker-dealers, trustees and other nominee holders of Rights with the Subscription Certificates. Nominees should also notify holders purchasing Rights in the secondary market that such Rights may not participate in the over-subscription privilege.

The Fund will not offer or sell any common shares that are not subscribed for during the Subscription Period or pursuant to the over-subscription privilege.

The Fund has been advised that the Adviser and each of the Fund’s Trustees may exercise some or all of the Rights initially issued to them, and may request additional common shares pursuant to the over-subscription privilege. In addition, [●] or his affiliated entities may also purchase common shares during the Subscription Period and pursuant to the over-subscription privilege.]

Sales by Rights Agent

Holders of Rights who are unable or do not wish to exercise any or all of their Rights may instruct the Rights Agent to sell any unexercised Rights. The Subscription Certificates representing the Rights to be sold by the Rights Agent must be received on or before [●], 2024. Upon the timely receipt of the appropriate instructions to sell Rights, the Rights Agent will use its best efforts to complete the sale and will remit the proceeds of sale, net of any commissions, to the holders. The Rights Agent will also attempt to sell any Rights attributable to shareholders whose record addresses are outside the United States, or who have an APO or FPO address. The selling Rights holder will pay all brokerage commissions incurred by the Rights Agent. These sales may be effected by the Rights Agent, [●] (the “Dealer Manager”), a registered broker-dealer, may also act on behalf of its clients to purchase or sell Rights in the open market and be compensated for its services at a commission of up to $[●] per Right, provided that, if the Rights trade at a value of $0.01 or less at the time of such sale, then no

 

R-7

commission will be charged. The Rights Agent will automatically attempt to sell any unexercised Rights that remain unclaimed as a result of Subscription Certificates being returned by the postal authorities as undeliverable as of the fourth Business Day prior to the Expiration Date. These sales will be made net of commissions, taxes and any other expenses paid on behalf of the nonclaiming holders of Rights. Proceeds from those sales will be held by [Computershare Trust Company, N.A.,] in its capacity as the Fund’s transfer agent, for the account of the nonclaiming holder of Rights until the proceeds are either claimed or escheated. There can be no assurance that the Rights Agent will be able to complete the sale of any of these Rights and neither the Fund nor the Rights Agent has guaranteed any minimum sales price for the Rights. All of these Rights will be sold at the market price, if any, through an exchange or market trading the Rights. If the Rights can be sold, sales of the Rights will be deemed to have been effected at the weighted average price received by the Rights Agent on the day such Rights are sold, less any applicable brokerage commissions, taxes and other expenses.

Holders of Rights attempting to sell any unexercised Rights in the open market through a broker-dealer other than the Dealer Manager should consider the commissions and fees charged by the broker-dealer prior to selling their rights on the open market.

Shareholders are urged to obtain a recent trading price for the Rights on the [●] from their broker, bank, financial advisor or the financial press.

Method of Selling or Transferring Rights

The value of the Rights, if any, will be reflected by the market price. Rights may be sold by individual holders or may be submitted to the Rights Agent for sale. Any Rights submitted to the Rights Agent for sale must be received by the Rights Agent on or before [●], 2024, three Business Days prior to the completion of the Subscription Period, due to normal settlement procedures.

Rights that are sold will not confer any right to acquire any common shares in any primary over-subscription, and any Record Date Shareholder who sells any Rights will not be eligible to participate in the primary over-subscription, if any.

The Rights evidenced by a single Subscription Certificate may be transferred in whole by endorsing the Subscription Certificate for transfer in accordance with the accompanying instructions. A portion of the Rights evidenced by a single Subscription Certificate (but not fractional Rights) may be transferred by delivering to the Rights Agent a Subscription Certificate properly endorsed for transfer, with instructions to register the portion of the Rights evidenced thereby in the name of the transferee (and to issue a new Subscription Certificate to the transferee evidencing the transferred Rights). In this event, a new Subscription Certificate evidencing the balance of the Rights will be issued to the Rights holder or, if the Rights holder so instructs, to an additional transferee.

Holders wishing to transfer all or a portion of their Rights (but not fractional Rights) should promptly transfer such Rights to ensure that: (i) the transfer instructions will be received and processed by the Rights Agent, (ii) a new Subscription Certificate will be issued and transmitted to the transferee or transferees with respect to transferred Rights, and to the transferor with respect to retained Rights, if any, and (iii) the Rights evidenced by the new Subscription Certificates may be exercised or sold by the recipients thereof prior to the Expiration Date. Neither the Fund nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to a transferee or transferor of Rights if Subscription Certificates are not received in time for exercise or sale prior to the Expiration Date.

Except for the fees charged by the Rights Agent (which will be paid by the Fund as described below), all commissions, fees and other expenses (including brokerage commissions and transfer taxes) incurred in connection with the purchase, sale, transfer or exercise of Rights will be for the account of the transferor of the Rights, and none of these commissions, fees or expenses will be borne by the Fund or the Rights Agent.

The Fund anticipates that the Rights will be eligible for transfer through, and that the exercise of the Rights may be effected through, the facilities of DTC (Rights exercised through DTC are referred to as “DTC Exercised Rights”).

 

R-8

Rights Agent

The Rights Agent is [●]. The Rights Agent will receive from the Fund an amount estimated to be $[●], comprised of the fee for its services and the reimbursement for certain expenses related to the Rights offering.

Information Agent

INQUIRIES BY ALL HOLDERS OF RIGHTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: THE INFORMATION AGENT, [[●]]; HOLDERS MAY ALSO CONSULT THEIR BROKERS OR NOMINEES.

Method of Exercise of Rights

Rights may be exercised by completing and signing the reverse side of the Subscription Certificate and mailing it in the envelope provided, or otherwise delivering the completed and signed Subscription Certificate to the Rights Agent, together with payment for the common shares as described below under “Payment for Shares.” Rights may also be exercised through the broker of a holder of Rights, who may charge the holder of Rights a servicing fee in connection with such exercise.

Completed Subscription Certificates and payment must be received by the Rights Agent prior to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, on the Expiration Date (unless payment is effected by means of a notice of guaranteed delivery as described below under “Payment for Shares”). The Subscription Certificate and payment should be delivered to the Rights Agent at the following address:

If By Mail:

KKR Income Opportunities Fund

[●]

If By Overnight Courier:

KKR Income Opportunities Fund

[●]

Payment for Shares

Holders of Rights who acquire common shares in the Subscription may choose between the following methods of payment:

 

(1)

A holder of Rights can send the Subscription Certificate, together with payment in the form of a check for the common shares subscribed for in the Rights offering and, if eligible, for any additional common shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, to the Rights Agent based on the Subscription Price of $[●] per Common Share. To be accepted, the payment, together with the executed Subscription Certificate, must be received by the Rights Agent at the address noted above prior to 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the Expiration Date. The Rights Agent will deposit all share purchase checks received by it prior to the final due date into a segregated account pending proration and distribution of common shares. The Rights Agent will not accept cash as a means of payment for common shares.

 

(2)

Alternatively, a subscription will be accepted by the Rights Agent if, prior to 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the Expiration Date, the Rights Agent has received a written notice of guaranteed delivery from a bank, trust company, or a NYSE member, guaranteeing delivery of (i) payment of the full Subscription Price for the common shares subscribed for in the Rights offering and, if eligible, for any additional common shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, and (ii) a properly completed and executed

 

R-9

Subscription Certificate. The Rights Agent will not honor a notice of guaranteed delivery if a properly completed and executed Subscription Certificate is not received by the Rights Agent by the close of business on the third Business Day after the Expiration Date and the full payment is not received by the Expiration Date. The notice of guaranteed delivery may be delivered to the Rights Agent in the same manner as Subscription Certificates at the addresses set forth above, or may be transmitted to the Rights Agent by facsimile transmission (fax number [●]; telephone number to confirm receipt [●]).

EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH BELOW, A PAYMENT PURSUANT TO THIS METHOD MUST BE IN UNITED STATES DOLLARS BY MONEY ORDER OR CHECK DRAWN ON A BANK LOCATED IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, MUST BE PAYABLE TO KKR INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND AND MUST ACCOMPANY AN EXECUTED SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATE TO BE ACCEPTED.

If a holder of Rights who acquires common shares pursuant to the Rights offering does not make payment of all amounts due, the Fund reserves the right to take any or all of the following actions: (i) find other purchasers for such subscribed-for and unpaid-for common shares; (ii) apply any payment actually received by it toward the purchase of the greatest whole number of common shares which could be acquired by such holder upon exercise of the Rights or any over-subscription privilege; (iii) sell all or a portion of the common shares purchased by the holder, in the open market, and apply the proceeds to the amounts owed; and (iv) exercise any and all other rights or remedies to which it may be entitled, including, without limitation, the right to set off against payments actually received by it with respect to such subscribed common shares and to enforce the relevant guarantee of payment.

Issuance and delivery of certificates from the common shares purchased are subject to collection of checks. Any payment required from a holder of Rights must be received by the Rights Agent prior to 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the Expiration Date.

Within ten Business Days following the Expiration Date (the “Confirmation Date”), a confirmation will be sent by the Rights Agent to each holder of Rights (or, if the common shares are held by Cede or any other depository or nominee, to Cede or such other depository or nominee), showing (i) the number of common shares acquired pursuant to the Subscription, (ii) the number of common shares, if any, acquired pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, and (iii) the per share and total purchase price for the common shares. Any payment required from a holder of Rights must be received by the Rights Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date. Any excess payment to be refunded by the Fund to a holder of Rights, or to be paid to a holder of Rights as a result of sales of Rights on its behalf by the Rights Agent, will be mailed by the Rights Agent to the holder within fifteen Business Days after the Expiration Date.

A holder of Rights will have no right to rescind a purchase after the Rights Agent has received payment either by means of a notice of guaranteed delivery or a check.

Holders, such as broker-dealers, trustees or depositories for securities, who hold common shares for the account of others, should notify the respective beneficial owners of the common shares as soon as possible to ascertain such beneficial owners’ intentions and to obtain instructions with respect to the Rights. If the beneficial owner so instructs, the record holder of the Rights should complete Subscription Certificates and submit them to the Rights Agent with the proper payment. In addition, beneficial owners of common shares or Rights held through such a holder should contact the holder and request that the holder effect transactions in accordance with the beneficial owner’s instructions. Banks, broker-dealers, trustees and other nominee holders that hold common shares of the Fund for the accounts of others are advised to notify those persons that purchase Rights in the secondary market that such Rights may not participate in any over-subscription privilege offered.

THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THE SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATES SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY AND FOLLOWED IN DETAIL. DO NOT SEND SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATES TO THE FUND.

 

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THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATES AND PAYMENT OF THE SUBSCRIPTION PRICE TO THE RIGHTS AGENT WILL BE AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE RIGHTS HOLDERS, BUT IF SENT BY MAIL IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE CERTIFICATES AND PAYMENTS BE SENT BY REGISTERED MAIL, PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, AND THAT A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF DAYS BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE DELIVERY TO

THE RIGHTS AGENT AND CLEARANCE OF PAYMENT PRIOR TO [5:00 PM] EASTERN TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE. BECAUSE UNCERTIFIED PERSONAL CHECKS MAY TAKE AT LEAST FIVE BUSINESS DAYS TO CLEAR, YOU ARE STRONGLY URGED TO PAY, OR ARRANGE FOR PAYMENT, BY MEANS OF A CERTIFIED OR CASHIER’S CHECK OR MONEY ORDER.

All questions concerning the timeliness, validity, form and eligibility of any exercise of Rights will be determined by the Fund, whose determinations will be final and binding. The Fund in its sole discretion may waive any defect or irregularity, or permit a defect or irregularity to be corrected within such time as it may determine, or reject the purported exercise of any Right. Subscriptions will not be deemed to have been received or accepted until all irregularities have been waived or cured within such time as the Fund determines in its sole discretion. Neither the Fund nor the Rights Agent will be under any duty to give notification of any defect or irregularity in connection with the submission of Subscription Certificates or incur any liability for failure to give such notification.

Foreign Restrictions

Subscription Certificates will only be mailed to Record Date Shareholders whose addresses are within the United States (other than an APO or FPO address). Because the offering of the Rights will not be registered in any jurisdiction other than the United States, the Rights Agent will attempt to sell all of the Rights issued to shareholders outside of these jurisdictions and remit the net proceeds, if any, to such shareholders. If the Rights can be sold, sales of these Rights will be deemed to have been effected at the weighted average price received by the Rights Agent on the day the Rights are sold, less any applicable brokerage commissions, taxes and other expenses.

Employee Benefit Plan and IRA Considerations

Holders of Rights that are employee benefit plans subject to limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), such as employee plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), Keogh Plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRA”) (each a “Benefit Plan” and collectively, “Benefit Plans”), should be aware that the use of additional contributions of cash outside of the Benefit Plan to exercise Rights may be treated as additional contributions to the Benefit Plan. When taken together with contributions previously made, such deemed additional contributions may be in excess of tax limitations and subject the Rights holder to excise taxes for excess or nondeductible contributions. In the case of Benefit Plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, additional contributions could cause the maximum contribution limitations of Section 415 of the Code or other qualification rules to be violated. Benefit Plans contemplating making additional contributions to exercise Rights should consult with their legal and tax counsel prior to making such contributions.

Benefit Plans and other tax-exempt entities, including governmental plans, should also be aware that if they borrow to finance their exercise of Rights, they may become subject to the tax on unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) under Section 511 of the Code. If any portion of an IRA is used as security for a loan, the portion so used may also be treated as distributed to the IRA depositor.

A Benefit Plan may also be subject to laws, such as ERISA, that impose certain requirements on the Benefit Plan and on those persons who are fiduciaries with respect to the Benefit Plans. Such requirements may include

 

R-11

prudence and diversification requirements and require that investments be made in accordance with the documents governing the Benefit Plan. The exercise of Rights by a fiduciary for a Benefit Plan should be considered in light of such fiduciary requirements.

In addition, ERISA and the Code prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of a Benefit Plan and certain persons (referred to as “parties in interest” for purposes of ERISA and “disqualified persons” for purposes of the Code) having certain relationships to such Benefit Plans, unless a statutory or administrative exemption is applicable to the transaction. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a nonexempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code (or with respect to certain Benefit Plans, such as IRAs, a prohibited transaction may cause the Benefit Plan to lose its tax-exempt status). In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions (“PTCEs”) that may apply to the exercise of the Rights and holding of the common shares. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE 84-14 respecting transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers, PTCE 90-1 respecting insurance company pooled separate accounts, PTCE 91-38 respecting bank collective investment funds, PTCE 95-60 respecting insurance company general accounts and PTCE 96-23 respecting transactions determined by in-house asset managers, PTCE 84-24 governing purchases of shares in investment companies, and PTCE 75-1 respecting sales of securities. In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code each provides a limited exemption, commonly referred to as the “service provider exemption,” from the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code for certain transactions between a Benefit Plan and a person that is a party in interest or a disqualified person (other than a fiduciary or an affiliate that, directly or indirectly, has or exercises any discretionary authority or control or renders any investment advice with respect to the assets of any Benefit Plan involved in the transaction) solely by reason of providing services to the Benefit Plan or by relationship to a service provider, provided that the Benefit Plan receives no less, nor pays no more, than adequate consideration. There can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions or any other exemption will be satisfied at the time that the Rights are exercised, or thereafter while the common shares are held, if the facts relied upon for utilizing a prohibited transaction exemption change.

Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties for noncompliance, fiduciaries of Benefit Plans should consult with their legal and tax counsel regarding the consequences of their exercise of Rights under ERISA, the Code and other similar laws.

TABLE OF COMMON SHAREHOLDER FEES AND EXPENSES

The following tables are intended to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses directly or indirectly associated with investing in our common shares as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares. Amounts are for the current fiscal year after giving effect to anticipated net proceeds of the offering, assuming that we incur the estimated offering expenses.

 

R-12

Common Shareholder Transaction Expenses

 

Record Date Sales Load Paid By You (as a percentage of the offering price)		[●]%
Offering Expenses borne by the Fund (as a percentage of the offering price)		[●]%
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees (per open market purchase transaction fee)		$[●](1)
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees (per sale transaction fee)		$[●](1)

 

		Percentage of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares (Assumes Leverage is Used)(3)
Annual Expenses
Management Fee			[●]%(2)
Interest Expenses and Payments on Borrowing			[●]%(3)
Other Expenses			[●]%(4)
Total Annual Expenses			[●]%

 

(1)

You will pay a fee of $[●], which includes any applicable brokerage commissions, in connection with purchases by the DRIP Administrator of common shares on the open market. You will also pay a fee of $[●] and any applicable brokerage commissions if you direct the DRIP Administrator to sell your common shares held in a dividend reinvestment account. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

(2)

The Adviser will receive a monthly Management Fee at an annual rate of 1.10% of the average daily value of the Fund’s Managed Assets. Consequently, since the Fund has borrowings outstanding, the Management Fee as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares is higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage.

(3)

Assumes the use of leverage through a credit facility and MRPS representing [        ]% of Managed Assets at an annual interest rate expense to the Fund of [●]%, which is based on the interest rate currently applicable under the Fund’s existing credit facility, the dividends payable on the MRPS at an annual dividend rate equal to 3.81% and an assumption that if the Fund issues an additional $[●] in common shares it will increase the amount of its credit facility from $[●] to $[●]. The Fund may use other forms of leverage, which may be subject to different interest expenses than those estimated above. The actual amount of interest expense borne by the Fund will vary over time in accordance with the level of the Fund’s use of leverage and variations in market interest rates.

(4)	The “Other Expenses” shown in the table above and related footnotes are based upon estimated expenses for the current fiscal year assuming completion of the proposed issuances.

Example

The following example illustrates the expenses (including the sales load of $[●] and estimated offering expenses of this offering of $[●]), that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in common shares, assuming (1) total net annual expenses of [●]% of net assets attributable to common shares and (2) a 5% annual return.* The actual amounts in connection with the offering will be set forth in the prospectus supplement, if applicable.

 

1 Year		3 Years		5 Years		10 Years
$[●]		$[●]		$[●]		$[●]

* The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. The example assumes that the estimated “Other expenses” set forth in the Total Annual

 

R-13

Expenses table are accurate and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at NAV. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate the net proceeds of the Rights offering to be $[●], based on the Subscription Price per share of $[●], assuming all new common shares offered are sold and that the expenses related to the Rights offering estimated at approximately $[●] are paid and after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions. The Fund will invest the net proceeds of any offering in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies, and may use a portion of such proceeds, depending on market conditions, for other general corporate purposes. The Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to substantially be completed within [three] months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as [six] months. Pending such investment, the proceeds of the offering will be held in temporary investments.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

[To be provided.]

CAPITALIZATION

[To be provided.]

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES

The following table sets forth for the quarters indicated, the high and low sale prices on the New York Stock Exchange per common share and the net asset value and the premium or discount from net asset value per share at which the common shares were trading, expressed as a percentage of net asset value, at each of the high and low sale prices provided.

[To be provided.]

The last reported price for our common shares on [●],[●] was $[●] per share.

 

R-14

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING

Risk is inherent in all investing. Therefore, before investing in the common shares you should consider the risks associated with such an investment carefully. See “Risk Factors” in the prospectus. The following summarizes some of the matters that you should consider before investing in the Fund through the Rights offering:

Dilution. As with any security, the price of the Fund’s common shares fluctuates with market conditions and other factors. [The common shares are currently trading at a [premium]/[discount] to their net asset value.] However, shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset values. This characteristic is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that the Fund’s net asset value could decrease as a result of its investment activities and may be greater for shareholders expecting to sell their common shares in a relatively short period of time following completion of this Rights offering. The net asset value of the common shares will be reduced immediately following this Rights offering as a result of the accrual of certain offering costs.

If you do not exercise all of your Rights, you may own a smaller proportional interest in the Fund when the Rights offering is over. In addition, you will experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value per share of your common shares if you do not participate in the Rights offering and will experience a reduction in the net asset value per share whether or not you exercise your Rights, if the Subscription Price is below the Fund’s net asset value per Common Share on the Expiration Date, because:

 

•

the offered common shares are being sold at less than their current net asset value;

 

•

you will indirectly bear the expenses of the Rights offering; and

 

•

the number of common shares outstanding after the Rights offering will have increased proportionately more than the increase in the amount of the Fund’s net assets.

[On the other hand, if the Subscription Price is above the Fund’s net asset value per share on the Expiration Date, you may experience an immediate accretion of the aggregate net asset value per share of your common shares even if you do not exercise your Rights and an immediate increase in the net asset value per share of your common shares whether or not you participate in the offering, because:

 

•

the offered common shares are being sold at more than their current net asset value after deducting the expenses of the Rights offering; and

 

•

the number of common shares outstanding after the Rights offering will have increased proportionately less than the increase in the amount of the Fund’s net assets.]

[Furthermore, if you do not participate in the Over-Subscription Privilege, if it is available, your percentage ownership may also be diluted.] The Fund cannot state precisely the amount of any dilution because it is not known at this time what the net asset value per share will be on the Expiration Date or what proportion of the Rights will be exercised. The impact of the Rights offering on net asset value per share is shown by the following examples, assuming a $[●] Subscription Price:

 

Scenario 1: (assumes net asset value per share is above subscription price)(1)
NAV		$	[	●]
Subscription Price		$	[	●]
Reduction in NAV($)(2)		$	[	●]
Reduction in NAV(%)			[	●]%
Scenario 2: (assumes net asset value per share is below subscription price)(1)
NAV		$	[	●]
Subscription Price		$	[	●]
Increase in NAV($)(2)		$	[	●]
Increase in NAV(%)			[	●]%

 

R-15

(1)	[Both examples assume the full Primary Subscription and Secondary Over-Subscription Privilege are exercised.] Actual amounts may vary due to rounding.

(2)	Assumes $[●] in estimated offering expenses.

If you do not wish to exercise your Rights, you should consider selling them as set forth in this prospectus supplement. Any cash you receive from selling your Rights may serve as partial compensation for any possible dilution of your interest in the Fund. The Fund cannot give assurance, however, that a market for the Rights will develop or that the Rights will have any marketable value.

The Fund’s largest shareholders could increase their percentage ownership in and control of the Fund through the exercise of the Primary Subscription and Over-Subscription Privilege.

Leverage. Leverage creates a greater risk of loss, as well as a potential for more gain, for the common shares than if leverage were not used. Following the completion of the Rights offering, the Fund’s amount of leverage outstanding will decrease. The leverage of the Fund as of [●], 2024 was [●]%. After the completion of the Rights offering, the amount of leverage outstanding is expected to decrease to [●]%. The use of leverage for investment purposes creates opportunities for greater total returns but at the same time increases risk. When leverage is employed, the net asset value and market price of the common shares and the yield to holders of common shares may be more volatile. Any investment income or gains earned with respect to the amounts borrowed in excess of the interest due on the borrowing will augment the Fund’s income. Conversely, if the investment performance with respect to the amounts borrowed fails to cover the interest on such borrowings, the value of the Fund’s common shares may decrease more quickly than would otherwise be the case, and distributions on the common shares could be reduced or eliminated. Interest payments and fees incurred in connection with such borrowings will reduce the amount of net income available for distribution to holders of the common shares.

Because the fee paid to the Adviser is calculated on the basis of the Fund’s average weekly net assets, which include the proceeds of leverage, the dollar amount of the management fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser will be higher (and the Adviser will be benefited to that extent) when leverage is utilized. The Adviser will utilize leverage only if it believes such action would result in a net benefit to the Fund’s shareholders after taking into account the higher fees and expenses associated with leverage (including higher management fees).

The Fund’s leveraging strategy may not be successful.

Increase in Share Price Volatility; Decrease in Share Price. The Rights offering may result in an increase in trading of the common shares, which may increase volatility in the market price of the common shares. The Rights offering may result in an increase in the number of shareholders wishing to sell their common shares, which would exert downward price pressure on the price of common shares.

Under-Subscription. It is possible that the Rights offering will not be fully subscribed. Under-subscription of the Rights offering could have an impact on the net proceeds of the Rights offering and whether the Fund achieves any benefits.

 

R-16

TAXATION

The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice and potential investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences of investing in the Fund.

Please refer to the “Taxation” sections in the Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for a description of the consequences of investing in the common shares of the Fund. Special tax considerations relating to this Rights offering are summarized below:

 

•

The value of a Right will not be includible in the income of a shareholder at the time the subscription right is issued.

 

•

The basis of a Right issued to a shareholder will be zero, and the basis of the share with respect to which the Right was issued (the old share) will remain unchanged, unless either (a) the fair market value of the Right on the date of distribution is at least 15% of the fair market value of the old share, or (b) such shareholder affirmatively elects (in the manner set out in Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code) to allocate to the Right a portion of the basis of the old share. If either (a) or (b) applies, such shareholder must allocate basis between the old share and the Right in proportion to their fair market values on the date of distribution.

 

•

The basis of a Right purchased in the market will generally be its purchase price.

 

•

The holding period of a Right issued to a shareholder will include the holding period of the old share.

 

•

No loss will be recognized by a shareholder if a Right distributed to such shareholder expires unexercised because the basis of the old share may be allocated to a Right only if the Right is exercised. If a Right that has been purchased in the market expires unexercised, there will be a recognized loss equal to the basis of the Right.

 

•

Any gain or loss on the sale of a Right will be a capital gain or loss if the Right is held as a capital asset (which in the case of a Right issued to Record Date Shareholders will depend on whether the old share is held as a capital asset), and will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the holding period is deemed to exceed one year.

 

•

No gain or loss will be recognized by a shareholder upon the exercise of a Right, and the basis of any Common Share acquired upon exercise (the new Common Share) will equal the sum of the basis, if any, of the Right and the subscription price of the Right for the new Common Share. The holding period for the new Common Share does not include the time during which the Right holder held the unexercised Right and will begin no later than the date following the date when the Right is exercised.

The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its Common Shareholders, with respect to U.S. federal income taxation only. Other tax issues such as state and local taxation may apply. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences of investing in the Fund. These provisions are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

[To be provided.]

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters will be passed on by Dechert LLP, counsel to the Fund, in connection with this Rights offering and the offering of the common shares.

 

R-17

The information in this prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. The Fund may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus supplement 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.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 19, 2024

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To prospectus dated [●], 2024)

[●] Shares

KKR Income Opportunities Fund

Preferred Shares

 

 

We are offering for sale [●] of our preferred shares. Preferred shares, par value $0.001 per share. Our common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KIO.” On [●], the last reported share price of our common shares was $[●].

You should review the information set forth under “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus before investing in our preferred shares.

 

		Per Share				Total(1)
Public offering price		$				$
Underwriting discounts and commissions		$				$
Proceeds, before expenses, to us		$				$

 

(1)	The aggregate expenses of the offering are estimated to be $[•], which represents approximately $[●] per share.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			P-1
TERMS OF THE PREFERRED SHARES			P-2
USE OF PROCEEDS			P-2
CAPITALIZATION			P-2
ASSET COVERAGE RATIO			P-2
SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS			P-2
TAXATION			P-3
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			P-3
LEGAL MATTERS			P-3

Prospectus

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			1
SUMMARY OF COMMON SHAREHOLDER FEES AND EXPENSES			6
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS			8
SENIOR SECURITIES			8
THE FUND			9
USE OF PROCEEDS			9
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES			9
LEVERAGE			29
RISK FACTORS			30
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST			30
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND			35
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE			38
DISTRIBUTIONS			39
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN			40
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES			40
TAX CONSIDERATIONS			50
CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE			54
RIGHTS OFFERINGS			55
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE			55
CUSTODIAN, DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR			58
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			58
LEGAL MATTERS			59
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			59
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			59
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE			60

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Neither the Fund nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, respectively. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the SAI contain or incorporate by reference forward-looking statements. These statements describe the Fund’s plans, strategies, and goals and our beliefs and assumptions concerning future economic and other conditions and the outlook for the Fund, based on currently available information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “may,” “will,” “intend,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “anticipate,” and similar terms and the negative of such terms are used in an effort to identify such forward-looking statements, although some forward-looking statements may be expressed differently. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Several factors that could materially affect our actual results are the performance of the portfolio of securities we hold, the price at which our shares will trade in the public markets and other factors discussed in our periodic filings with the SEC.

Although we believe that the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying prospectus. All forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are made as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, as the case may be. Except for our ongoing obligations under the federal securities laws, we do not intend, and we undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the SAI are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

Currently known risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying prospectus. We urge you to review carefully those sections for a more detailed discussion of the risks of an investment in our preferred shares.

 

P-1

TERMS OF THE PREFERRED SHARES

 

Dividend Rate

The dividend rate for the initial dividend period will be [●]%.

 

Dividend Payment Rate

Dividends will be paid when, as and if declared on [●], [●], and [●], commencing [●]. The payment date for the initial dividend period will be [●].

 

Liquidation Preference

$[●] per share

 

[Non-Call Period

The shares may not be called for redemption at the option of the Fund prior to [●].]

 

[Stock Exchange Listing]

[●]

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate the total net proceeds of the offering to be $[●], based on the public offering price of $[●] per share and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The Fund will invest the net proceeds of any offering in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies, and may use a portion of such proceeds, depending on market conditions, for other general corporate purposes. The Advisor anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to substantially be completed within [three] months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as [six] months. Pending such investment, the proceeds of the offering will be held in high quality short term debt securities and instruments.

CAPITALIZATION

[To be provided.]

ASSET COVERAGE RATIO

As provided in the 1940 Act and subject to certain exceptions, the Fund may issue debt and/or preferred shares with the condition that immediately after issuance the value of its total assets, less certain ordinary course liabilities, exceed 300% of the amount of the debt outstanding and exceed 200% of the sum of the amount of debt and preferred shares outstanding. The Fund’s preferred shares, in aggregate, are expected to have an initial asset coverage on the date of issuance of approximately [●]%. Asset coverage means the ratio by which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities 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.

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS

Reinvestment Risk. The Fund may at any time redeem shares of [●] Preferred Shares to the extent necessary to meet regulatory asset coverage requirements. For example, if the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio declines, thereby reducing the asset coverage for the [●] Preferred Shares, the Fund may be obligated under the terms of the [●] Preferred Shares to redeem shares of the [●] Preferred Shares. Investors may not be able to reinvest the proceeds of any redemption in an investment providing the same or a better rate than that of the [●] Preferred Shares.

 

P-2

Distribution Risk. The Fund may not meet the asset coverage requirements or earn sufficient income from its investments to make distributions on the [●] Preferred Shares.

Redemption Risk. The [●] Preferred Shares is not an obligation of the Fund. The [●] Preferred Shares is junior in respect of distributions and liquidation preference to any indebtedness incurred by the Fund. Although unlikely, precipitous declines in the value of the Fund’s assets could result in the Fund having insufficient assets to redeem all of the [●] Preferred Shares for the full redemption price.

TAXATION

[To be provided.]

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

[To be provided.]

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters will be passed on by Dechert LLP, New York, New York, counsel to the Fund in connection with the offering of the common shares. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by [●].

 

P-3