UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
§ 240.13d-2(a)
(Amendment No. 4)
Madison Covered Call & Equity Strategy Fund
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
557437100
(CUSIP Number)
Daniel Lippincott, Senior Tax-Sensitive Manager
Karpus Management, Inc.
d/b/a Karpus Investment Management
183 Sully’s Trail
Pittsford, New York 14534
(585) 586-4680
Adam W. Finerman, Esq.
Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP
1325 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
(212) 451-2300
(Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
(Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
February 15, 2018
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box: [ ]
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
_______________
1 The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
CUSIP NO. 557437100
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Karpus Investment Management | ||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) x (b) o | |
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS AF | ||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ¨ | |
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION NEW YORK | ||
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER 2,028,763 | |
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER - | ||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,028,763 | ||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER - | ||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,028,763 | ||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | o | |
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 10.5% | ||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IA |
CUSIP NO. 557437100
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON George W. Karpus | ||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) x (b) o | |
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS AF | ||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ¨ | |
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION NEW YORK | ||
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER 76,950 | |
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER 42,685 | ||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 76,950 | ||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 42,685 | ||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 119,635 | ||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | o | |
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Less than 1% | ||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN |
CUSIP NO. 557437100
Item 3. | Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.. |
Item 3 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:
Karpus, an independent registered investment advisor, has accumulated 2,028,763 Shares on behalf of accounts that are managed by Karpus (the “Accounts”) under limited powers of attorney, which represents approximately 10.5% of the outstanding Shares. All funds that have been utilized in making such purchases are from such Accounts.
The aggregate purchase price of the 2,028,763 Shares beneficially owned by Karpus Investment Management is approximately $15,399,743, excluding brokerage commissions.
The aggregate purchase price of the 119,635 Shares held by Mr. Karpus and the Karpus Entities is approximately $865,661, excluding brokerage commissions.
CUSIP NO. 557437100
Item 4. | Purpose of Transaction.. |
Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following:
Karpus, an indepependent registered investment advisor, with a specialty focus in closed-end funds, believes that the profile of the Issuer fits the investment guidelines for various Accounts. Shares have been acquired since July 10, 2015.
On February 15, 2018, Karpus sent a letter containing a stockholder proposal for the Fund's 2018 Annual Meeting. A copy of the letter is attached as Exhibit 99.1.
CUSIP NO. 557437100
Item 5. | Interest in Securities of the Issuer. |
Item 5(a)-(c) is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:
The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each Reporting Person is based upon 19,268,423 Shares outstanding, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as of June 30, 2017 as reported in the Issuer’s Certified Shareholder Report, Semi-Annual, of Registered Management Investment Companies on Form N-CSRS, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2017.
A .. | Karpus Investment Management |
(a) | As of the close of business on February 15, 2018, Karpus Investment Management beneficially owned 2,028,763 Shares held in the Accounts. |
Percentage: 10.5%
(b) | 1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 2,028,763 |
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: - |
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 2,028,763 |
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: - |
(c) | The transactions in the Shares by Karpus over the last 60 days are set forth in Schedule B and are incorporated herein by reference. |
B .. | George W. Karpus |
(a) | As of the close of business on February 15, 2018, George W. Karpus beneficially owned 76,950 Shares. In addition, George W. Karpus may be deemed to beneficially own the 42,685 Shares held in the Karpus Entities. |
Percentage: Less than 1%
(b) | 1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 76,950 |
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 42,685 |
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 76,950 |
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 42,685 |
(c) | Mr. Karpus nor the Karpus Entities had any transactions in the Shares during the past 60 days. |
The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be construed as an admission that the Reporting Persons are, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the beneficial owners of any of the Shares reported herein. Each Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of such Shares except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein.
CUSIP NO. 557437100
Item 6. | Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer. |
Item 6 is hereby amended to add the following:
On February 15, 2018, Karpus sent a 14a-8 shareholder proposal to the Fund, referenced in Item 4, above, and attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
CUSIP NO. 557437100
Item 7. | Material to be Filed as Exhibits.. |
Item 7 is hereby amended to add the following exhibit:
99.1 | 14a-8 Shareholder Proposal sent to the Fund on February 15, 2018 |
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: February 16, 2018
KARPUS MANAGEMENT, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Daniel Lippincott | ||
Name: | Daniel Lippincott | ||
Title: | Director of Investment Personnel and Sr. Tax-Sensitive Portfolio Manager |
/s/ George W. Karpus | |
GEORGE W. KARPUS |
CUSIP NO. 557437100
SCHEDULE A
Executive Officers & Directors of Karpus Management, Inc., d/b/a Karpus Investment Management
Name | Position & Present Principal Occupation | Business Address | Shares Owned |
George W. Karpus | President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board | 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 | See Above |
Kathleen Finnerty Crane | Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer | 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 | 0 Shares |
Dana R. Consler | Executive Vice President | 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 | 400 Shares |
Thomas M. Duffy | Vice President | 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 | 0 Shares |
Sharon L. Thornton | Senior Director of Investments | 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 | 0 Shares |
Daniel L. Lippincott | Sr. Tax-Sensitive Manager and Director of Investment Personnel | 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 | 0 Shares |
CUSIP NO. 26146L103
SCHEDULE B
Transactions in the Shares over the last 60 days.
Nature of the Transaction | Securities Purchased/(Sold) | Price Per Share($) | Date of Purchase / Sale |
KARPUS MANAGEMENT, INC., D/B/A/ KARPUS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
(THROUGH THE ACCOUNTS)
(THROUGH THE ACCOUNTS)
Sale of Common Stock | (1,929) | $7.58 | 12/19/2017 |
Sale of Common Stock | (3,516) | $7.57 | 12/20/2017 |
Sale of Common Stock | (3,175) | $7.58 | 12/21/2017 |
Sale of Common Stock | (1,215) | $7.64 | 12/27/2017 |
Sale of Common Stock | (150) | $7.68 | 12/29/2017 |
Sale of Common Stock | (1,345) | $7.73 | 1/2/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (380) | $7.81 | 1/11/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (380) | $7.85 | 1/16/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (1,545) | $7.83 | 1/17/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (240) | $7.80 | 1/18/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (840) | $7.84 | 1/22/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (1,600) | $7.85 | 1/23/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (2,030) | $7.85 | 1/24/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (1,290) | $7.81 | 1/26/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (396) | $7.80 | 1/29/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (1,684) | $7.73 | 1/30/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (3,070) | $7.70 | 1/31/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (500) | $7.67 | 2/2/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (2,915) | $7.37 | 2/5/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (9,875) | $7.31 | 2/6/2018 |
Sale of Common Stock | (700) | $7.38 | 2/8/2018 |
EXHIBIT 99.1
14a-8 Shareholder Proposal Sent to the Fund on February 15, 2018
VIA FEDERAL EXPRESS & ELECTRONIC MAIL February 15, 2018 Madison Covered Call & Equity Strategy Fund Attn: Holly S. Baggot, Secretary 550 Science Drive Madison, Wisconsin 53711 Re: 14a-8 Shareholder Proposal for the Madison Covered Call & Equity Strategy Fund ("MCN" or the "Fund") Ms. Baggot:This letter shall serve as notice to the Madison Covered Call & Equity Strategy Fund ("MCN" or the "Fund"), as to Karpus Management, Inc.'s ("Karpus") timely submittal of a shareholder proposal pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for presentation to MCN shareholders at the Fund's next annual shareholders' meeting anticipated to be held in August 2018, or any postponement or adjournment thereof (the "Meeting").Karpus' non-binding 14a-8 shareholder proposal (the "Proposal") is as follows:
- BE IT RESOLVED, the shareholders of the Madison Covered Call & Equity Strategy Fund ("MCN" or the "Fund") request that the Trustees promptly consider authorizing a self-tender offer for all outstanding common shares of the Fund at or close to net asset value ("NAV"). If more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding common shares are tendered, the tender offer should be cancelled and the Board should take the steps necessary to liquidate, merge, or convert the Fund to an open-end mutual fund or exchange traded fund.
Sincerely, /s/ Brett D. Gardner Senior Corporate Governance Analystcc: Kevin Thompson, Chief Legal Officer and Assistant Secretary
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