Diversification | The Target Fund is classified as diversified. | The Acquiring Fund is classified as diversified. | Same. |
Investment Adviser | Alpine | Alpine | Same. |
Portfolio Manager(s) | Samuel Lieber | Josh Duitz Samuel Lieber | Samuel Lieber is a portfolio manager of both Funds. |
Dividends and Other Distributions | Policy is to distribute to shareholders its investment company taxable income, if any, annually and any net realized capital gains annually or more frequently as required for qualification as a regulated investment company by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. | Policy is to distribute to shareholders its investment company taxable income, if any, annually and any net realized capital gains annually or more frequently as required for qualification as a regulated investment company by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. | Same. |
PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES OF FUND SHARES; OTHER SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
This section describes the Institutional Class shares that the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund currently make available and that the Acquiring Fund will make available after the Reorganization and how shareholders may buy and sell those Fund shares. It also describes how the Funds value their securities and the Funds’ policies on frequent trading of Fund shares. Unless otherwise indicated, the term “Fund” as used in this section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus refers to both the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund.
Class A shares of the Acquiring Fund are not offered by this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
How to Buy Shares – Institutional Class
You may purchase shares of the Funds on any day the NYSE is open. The minimum initial investment for the Institutional Class in each Fund is $1,000,000. The minimum may be waived in certain situations as described below. There is no minimum investment requirement for subsequent investments if mailed by check. Telephone and Internet subsequent purchases are subject to a minimum of $100. Shares will be issued at the net asset value per share next computed after the receipt of your purchase request in good order by the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary, together with payment in the amount of the purchase. No sales charge is imposed on purchases or on the reinvestment of dividends. Stock certificates will not be issued. Instead, your ownership of shares will be reflected in your account records with the Funds. All requests received in good order before 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or the closing of the NYSE, whichever is earlier, will be processed on that same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. will receive the next business day’s NAV.
Minimum initial purchase amounts for the Institutional Class are waived for the following:
| · | Any shareholder as of the close of business January 3, 2012 |
| · | Employees of Alpine or its affiliates and their immediate family |
| · | Current and former Trustees of funds advised by Alpine |
| · | Alpine or its affiliates |
| · | Investors in employee retirement, stock, bonus, pension or profit sharing plans |
| · | Investment advisory clients of Alpine or its affiliates |
| · | Registered Investment Advisers |
| · | Broker/Dealers and Registered Investment Advisers with clients participating in comprehensive fee programs |
| · | Any corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, fund or any organized group of persons whether incorporated or not that has a formal or informal consulting or advisory relationship with Alpine or a third party through which the investment is made |
These waivers may be discontinued at any time without notice.
Purchases by Mail – Institutional Class Only
To make an initial purchase by mail:
· | Complete the application. |
· | Mail the application, together with a check made payable to the Alpine Funds to: |
By Mail: | | By Overnight Delivery or Express Mail: |
| | |
Alpine Funds | | Alpine Funds |
c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. | | c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. |
PO Box 8061 | | 30 Dan Road |
Boston, MA 02266-8061 | | Canton, MA 02021-2089 |
· | Payment should be made by check in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank, savings and loan association, or credit union. The Funds do not accept payment in cash or money orders. The Funds also do not accept cashier’s checks in amounts of less than $10,000. To prevent check fraud, the Funds will not accept third party checks, Treasury checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares. The Funds are unable to accept post dated checks, post dated on-line bill pay checks, or any conditional order or payment. |
· | Subsequent investments may be made in the same manner, but you need not include an application. When making a subsequent investment, use the return remittance portion of your statement, or indicate on the face of your check, the name of the Fund in which the investment is to be made, the exact title of the account, your address, and your Fund account number. |
Purchases by Internet – Institutional Class Only
To open an account via the Internet with no forms to print or mail, go to www.alpinefunds.com.
Payment for shares purchased through the Funds’ website may be made only through an Automatic Clearing House (“ACH”) debit of your bank account of record. Redemptions will be paid by check, wire or ACH transfer only to the address or bank account of record. Only bank accounts held at U.S. financial institutions that are ACH members can be used for transactions through the Funds’ website. Transactions initiated through the website are subject to the same purchase and redemption minimums and maximums as other transaction methods. Minimum subsequent purchases through the website must be in amounts of $100 or more.
You should be aware that there may be delays, malfunctions or other inconveniences associated with the Internet. There also may be times when the website is unavailable for Fund transactions or other purposes. Should this happen, you should consider performing transactions by another method.
The Funds employ procedures to confirm that transactions entered through the Internet are genuine. These procedures include passwords, encryption and other precautions reasonably designed to protect the integrity, confidentiality and security of shareholder information. In order to conduct transactions on the website, you will need your account number, Social Security number, username and password. The Funds and their service providers will not be liable for any loss, liability, cost or expense for following instructions communicated through the Funds’ website, including fraudulent or unauthorized instructions.
Purchases by Wire – Institutional Class Only
If you are making your first investment in the Funds, before you wire funds:
· | The Transfer Agent must have a completed application. You can mail or overnight deliver your application to the Transfer Agent at the address above. |
· | Upon receipt of your completed application, the Transfer Agent will establish an account for you. |
· | The account number assigned will be required as part of the instruction that should be given to your bank to send the wire. Your bank must include the name of the Fund you are purchasing, your name and account number so that monies can be correctly applied. Your bank should transmit funds by wire to: |
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
ABA No. 011000028
Credit:
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
Account No. 9905-837-2
Further Credit:
(name of Alpine Fund to be purchased)
(shareholder registration)
(shareholder account number)
Wired funds must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or the closing of the NYSE, whichever is earlier, to be eligible for same day pricing. The Fund and State Street Bank and Trust Company are not responsible for the consequences of delays resulting from the banking or Federal Reserve wire system, or from incomplete wiring instructions.
For Subsequent Investments – By Wire – Institutional Class Only
· | Before sending your wire, please contact the Transfer Agent to advise them of your intent to wire funds. This will ensure prompt and accurate credit upon receipt of your wire. |
Purchases by Telephone – Institutional Class
To make additional investments by telephone, you must check the appropriate box on your application authorizing telephone purchases. If elected on your account application and your account has been open for at least 15 days, you may purchase shares in amounts of $100 or more by calling 1-888-785-5578. Only bank accounts held at U.S. institutions that are ACH members may be used for telephone transactions. Your shares will be purchased at the net asset value calculated on the day of your purchase order. For security reasons, requests by telephone will be recorded.
Additional Information
If your purchase transaction is canceled due to nonpayment or because your check does not clear, you will be responsible for any loss a Fund or Alpine incurs and you will be subject to a returned check fee of $25. If you are an existing shareholder of any of the Alpine Funds, a Fund may redeem shares from your account in any of the Alpine Funds to reimburse the Fund or Alpine for the loss. In addition, you may be prohibited or restricted from making further purchases of shares.
Shares may also be purchased through certain brokers or other financial intermediaries, which may impose transaction fees and other charges. These fees and charges are not imposed by the Funds.
Telephone trades must be received by or prior to market close. During periods of high market activity, shareholders may encounter higher than usual call waiting times. Please allow sufficient time to ensure that you will be able to complete your telephone transaction prior to market close.
Shares of the Funds have not been registered for sale outside of the United States. The Alpine Funds generally do not sell shares to investors residing outside the United States, even if they are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, except to investors with U.S. military APO or FPO addresses.
Under certain circumstances, if no activity occurs within a time period specified by state law, your shares in a Fund may be transferred to that state.
Exchange Privilege
You may exchange some or all of your shares of a Fund for shares of the same class of one of the other Alpine Funds. You may do this through your financial intermediary, or by telephone, mail or via the Internet as described below. An exchange involves the redemption of shares of one Fund and the purchase of shares of another Alpine Fund. Once an exchange request has been placed by telephone, mail, or Internet, it is irrevocable and may not be modified or canceled. Exchanges are made on the basis of the relative net asset values of the shares being exchanged next determined after an exchange request is received. An exchange which represents an initial investment in a fund is subject to the minimum investment requirements of that fund. In addition, brokers and other financial intermediaries may charge a fee for processing exchange requests. Exchanges are not subject to redemption fees, except in the case when you are exchanging from a fund with a redemption fee to a fund that does not currently charge a redemption fee. If you exchange from a fund without a redemption fee into a fund with a redemption fee, the fee liability begins on the trade date of the exchange and not the original share purchase date.
The Alpine Funds each have different investment objectives and policies. You should review the objective and policies of the fund whose shares will be acquired in an exchange before placing an exchange request. An exchange is a taxable transaction for Federal income tax purposes. The exchange privilege may be modified or discontinued at any time by the Alpine Funds upon sixty days’ notice.
Voluntary Conversion. Shareholders may be able to convert Class A shares to Institutional Class shares of a Fund, which have a lower expense ratio, provided certain conditions are met. This conversion feature is intended for shares held through a financial intermediary offering a fee-based or wrap fee program that has an agreement with Alpine or the Distributor specific for this purpose. Such a conversion in these particular circumstances does not cause the shareholder to realize taxable gain or loss. Please contact your tax adviser for additional information. Not all share classes are available through all financial intermediaries.
Exchanges by Telephone – Institutional Class
To exchange shares by telephone:
· | Call 1-888-785-5578 or your broker or financial intermediary. |
· | Shares exchanged by telephone must have a value of $1,000 or more. |
· | Exchange requests received after market close (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) will be processed using the net asset value determined on the next business day. |
· | During periods of unusual economic or market conditions, you may experience difficulty in effecting a telephone exchange. You should follow the procedures for exchanges by mail if you are unable to reach the Funds by telephone, but send your request by overnight courier to: Alpine Funds, c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., 30 Dan Road, Canton, MA 02021. |
To exchange shares by telephone, you must indicate this on your application. To authorize telephone exchanges after establishing your Fund account, send a signed written request to the Alpine Funds, c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., PO Box 8061, Boston, MA 02266.
Reasonable procedures are used to verify that telephone exchange instructions are genuine. If these procedures are followed, the Funds and their agents will not be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. A telephone exchange may be refused by a Fund if it is believed advisable to do so. Procedures for exchanging shares by telephone may be modified or terminated at any time.
Exchanges by Mail – Institutional Class
To exchange shares by mail:
· | Send a written request using the procedures for written redemption requests (however, no signature guarantee is required). |
· | For further information, call 1-888-785-5578 or your broker or financial intermediary. |
Exchanges by Internet – Institutional Class
To exchange shares via the Internet:
· | During periods of unusual economic or market conditions, you may experience difficulty in effecting an internet exchange. |
· | Exchange requests received after market close (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) will be processed using the net asset value determined on the next business day. |
· | For further information, call 1-888-785-5578 or visit the Funds’ website at www.alpinefunds.com. |
How to Redeem Shares
Institutional Class
You may redeem shares of each Fund on any day the NYSE is open, either directly or through your financial intermediary. The price you will receive is the net asset value per share next computed after your redemption request is received in proper form. Redemption proceeds generally will be sent to you within seven days. However, if shares have recently been purchased by check, redemption proceeds will not be sent until your check has been collected (which may take up to twelve business days). Once a redemption request has been placed, it is irrevocable and may not be modified or canceled. Redemption requests received after market close (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) will be processed using the net asset value per share determined on the next business day. Brokers and other financial intermediaries may charge a fee for handling redemption requests.
Redeeming Shares by Mail – Institutional Class
To redeem shares by mail:
| · | Send a letter of instruction signed by all registered owners of the account to: Alpine Funds, c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., PO Box 8061, Boston, MA 02266. |
| · | Additional documentation is required for the redemption of shares by corporations, financial intermediaries, fiduciaries and surviving joint owners. |
| · | Payment for the redeemed shares will be mailed to you by check at the address indicated in your account registration. |
For further information, call 1-888-785-5578 or your broker or financial intermediary.
Redeeming Shares by Telephone – Institutional Class
To redeem shares by telephone:
· | Call 1-888-785-5578 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on any business day (i.e., any weekday exclusive of days on which the NYSE is closed). The NYSE is closed on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. |
· | Specify the amount of shares you want to redeem (minimum $1,000). |
· | Provide the account name, as registered with the Fund, and the account number. |
· | Redemption proceeds will be mailed to you by check at the address indicated in your account registration, or wired to an account at a commercial bank that you have previously designated. Once a telephone transaction has been placed, it cannot be cancelled or modified. A $15.00 charge is deducted from redemption proceeds if the proceeds are wired. This charge is subject to change without notice. Redemption proceeds may also be sent via electronic funds transfer through the ACH network, to your predetermined bank account. There is no charge for the electronic funds transfer however credit may not be available for two to three days. |
· | During periods of unusual economic or market conditions, you may experience difficulty effecting a telephone redemption. In that event, you should follow the procedures for redemption by mail and send your written request by overnight courier to: Alpine Funds, c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., 30 Dan Road, Canton, MA 02021. |
To redeem shares by telephone, you must indicate this on your application and choose how the redemption proceeds are to be paid. To authorize telephone redemption after establishing your account, or to change instructions already given, send a signed written request to the Alpine Funds c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., PO Box 8061, Boston, MA 02266. Signatures may require a guarantee or verification by a bank or trust company (not a notary public), a member firm of a domestic stock exchange or by another financial institution whose guarantees or authentication are acceptable to the Transfer Agent. You should allow approximately ten business days for the form to be processed.
Reasonable procedures are used to verify that telephone redemption requests are genuine. These procedures include requiring some form of personal identification and tape recording of conversations. If these procedures are followed, the Funds and their agents will not be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Each Fund reserves the right to refuse a telephone redemption request, if it is believed advisable to do so. The telephone redemption option may be suspended or terminated at any time without advance notice.
Redemption Fee
The Funds are designed for long-term investors willing to accept the risks associated with a long-term investment. The Funds are not designed for short-term traders whose frequent purchases and redemptions can generate substantial cash flow. These cash flows can unnecessarily disrupt the Funds’ investment programs. Short-term traders often redeem when the market is most turbulent, thereby forcing the sale of underlying securities held by the Funds at the worst possible time as far as long-term investors are concerned. Short-term trading drives up the Funds’ transaction costs, measured by both commissions and bid/ask spreads, which are borne by the remaining long-term investors. Additionally, redemption of short-term holdings may create missed opportunity costs for the Funds, as Alpine is unable to take or maintain positions with certain securities employing certain strategies that require a longer period of time to achieve anticipated results.
For these reasons, the Funds assess a 1.00% fee on the redemption of each Fund’s shares held for less than 60 days. For example, a purchase with a trade date of January 2, 2015 will not be assessed a redemption fee if redeemed on or after March 3, 2015 or the following business day if this date were to fall on a weekend or holiday. Redemption fees will be paid to the Funds to help offset transaction costs. The Funds reserve the right to waive the redemption fee, subject to their sole discretion in instances they deem not to be disadvantageous to the Funds.
The Funds will use the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method to determine the 60 day holding period. Under this method, the date of the redemption will be compared to the earliest purchase date of shares held in the account. If this holding period is less than 60 days, the redemption fee will be assessed. The redemption fee will be applied on redemptions of each investment made by a shareholder that does not remain in the Funds for 60 days, not including, the date of purchase.
The redemption fee will not apply to any shares purchased through reinvested distributions (dividends and capital gains), or to redemptions made under the Funds’ Systematic Withdrawal Plan, as these transactions are typically de minimis. This fee will also not be assessed on certain exchanges or to the participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans that are held at the Funds in an omnibus account (such as 401(k), 403(b), 457, Keogh, Profit Sharing Plans, and Money Purchase Pension Plans) or to accounts held under trust agreements at a trust institution held at the Funds in an omnibus account. The redemption fee will also not be assessed on exchanges except in instances where you are exchanging shares of a Fund with a redemption fee into a Fund which does not currently have a redemption fee. If you exchange from a Fund without a redemption fee into a Fund with a redemption fee, the fee liability begins on the trade date of the exchange not the original share purchase date. The redemption fee will also not be assessed to accounts of Alpine or its affiliates used to capitalize the Fund as such accounts will be used specifically to control the volatility of shareholder subscriptions and redemption to avoid adverse effects to the Fund.
The Funds may also waive the redemption fee on redemptions or exchanges by shareholders investing through the fee-based platforms of certain financial intermediaries (where the financial intermediary charges an asset-based or comprehensive “wrap” fee for its services) in instances where a Fund reasonably believes either that the financial intermediary has internal policies and procedures in place to effectively discourage inappropriate trading activity or that the redemptions were effected for reasons other than the desire to profit from short-term trading in Fund shares.
Additional Redemption Information
A redemption of shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes. The Funds may pay redemption proceeds by distributing securities held by the Fund, but only in the unlikely event that the Board of Trustees of the Funds determines that payment of the proceeds in cash would adversely affect other shareholders of the Funds. Although the Funds reserve the right to pay the redemption amount in-kind through the distribution of portfolio securities, the Funds are obligated to redeem shares solely in cash, up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of a Fund’s total net assets during any ninety-day period for any one shareholder.
The Funds reserve the right to:
· | suspend redemptions or postpone payment for up to seven days or longer, as permitted by applicable law, under extraordinary circumstances, or as permitted by the SEC in order to protect remaining shareholders; |
· | close your account in Fund if as a result of one or more redemptions the account value has remained below $1,000 for thirty days or more. You will receive sixty days’ written notice to increase the account value before the account is closed. |
Signature Guarantees are required:
· | If ownership is changed on your account; |
· | When redemption proceeds are payable or sent to any person, address or bank account not on record; |
· | When establishing or modifying certain services on an account; |
· | If a change of address request was received by the Transfer Agent within the last 15 days; |
· | The Funds and/or the Transfer Agent may require a signature guarantee in other cases based on the facts and circumstances relative to the particular situation. A signature guarantee must be provided by a bank or trust company (not a notary public), a member firm of a domestic stock exchange or by another financial institution whose guarantees are acceptable to the Transfer Agent; and |
· | For all redemptions in excess of $50,000 from any shareholder account |
In addition to the situations described above, the Funds and /or the Transfer Agent reserve the right to require a signature guarantee in other instances based on the circumstances relative to the particular situation.
How the Funds Value Their Shares
The price of each Fund’s shares is based on the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”). You may buy, exchange or redeem shares at their net asset value next determined after receipt of your request in good order, adjusted for any applicable sales charge. Because of the differences in distribution fees and class-specific expenses, the per share NAV of each class will differ. The net asset value of shares of each Fund is calculated by dividing the value of the Fund’s net assets by the number of the Fund’s outstanding shares. The net asset value takes into account the fees and expenses of the Fund, including management, administration and other fees, which are accrued daily. The price at which a purchase or redemption is effected is based on the net asset value next computed after a Fund or its agents receive your request in good order. All requests received in good order before 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time or the closing of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), whichever occurs earlier (the “cut off time”), will be executed at the net asset value computed on that same day. Requests received after the cut off time (except for requests made on behalf of certain eligible retirement accounts and other omnibus accounts (such as 401(k), 403(b), 457, Keogh, Profit Sharing Plans, Money Purchase Pensions Plans, accounts held under trust agreements at a trust institution, accounts held at a brokerage, or “Fund Supermarkets”)) will receive the next business day’s net asset value.
In computing net asset value, portfolio securities held by the Funds are valued at their current market values determined on the basis of market quotations. If market quotations are not readily available or securities are not valued by third party pricing services, securities are valued at fair value in accordance with fair value procedure adopted by the Board. A Fund will use an independent party pricing service or, if unavailable, fair value pricing where: (i) a security is illiquid (restricted securities and repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days); (ii) the market or exchange for a security is closed on an ordinary trading day and no other market prices are available; (iii) the security is so thinly traded that there have been no transactions in the security over an extended period; or (iv) the validity of a market quotation received is questionable. In addition, fair value pricing will be used if emergency or unusual situations have occurred, such as when trading of a security on an exchange is suspended; or when an event occurs after the close of the exchange on which the security is principally traded that is likely to have changed the value of the security before the NAV is calculated (applicable to foreign securities).
Fair Value Pricing
The trading hours for most foreign securities end prior to the close of the NYSE, the time each Fund’s net asset value is calculated. The occurrence of certain events after the close of foreign markets, but prior to the close of the U.S. market (such as a significant surge or decline in the U.S. market) often will result in an adjustment to the trading prices of foreign securities when foreign markets open on the following business day. If such events occur, the Funds may value foreign securities at fair value, taking into account such events, when they calculate their net asset values. Fair value determinations are made in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees.
Short-Term Trading Practices
The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has determined that the interests of long-term shareholders and a Fund’s ability to manage its investments may be adversely affected when shares are repeatedly bought, sold or exchanged in response to short-term market fluctuations — also known as “market timing.” A Fund is not designed for market timing organizations or other entities using programmed or frequent purchases and sales or exchanges. Excessive purchase and sale or exchange activity may interfere with portfolio management, increase expenses and taxes and may have an adverse effect on the performance of the Fund and its shareholders. For example, large flows of cash into and out of a Fund may require Alpine to allocate a significant amount of assets to cash or other short-term investments or sell securities, rather than maintaining such assets in securities selected to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Frequent trading may cause a Fund to sell securities at less favorable prices, and transaction costs can reduce the Fund’s performance.
A Fund that invests in non-U.S. securities is subject to the risk that an investor may seek to take advantage of a delay between the change in value of the Fund’s portfolio securities and the determination of the Fund’s net asset value as a result of different closing times of U.S. and non-U.S. markets by buying or selling Fund shares at a price that does not reflect their true value. A similar risk exists for funds that invest in securities of small capitalization companies, securities of issuers located in emerging markets or high yield securities (junk bonds) that are thinly traded and therefore may have actual values that differ from their market prices. This short-term arbitrage activity can reduce the return received by long-term shareholders.
The Funds discourage market timing and seek to prevent frequent purchases and sales or exchanges of Fund shares that it determines may be detrimental to the Fund or long-term shareholders. The Board of Trustees has developed and adopted a market timing policy which takes steps to reduce the frequency and effect of these activities in each Fund. These steps include, monitoring trading activity and using fair value pricing, as determined by the Board of Trustees, when Alpine determines current market prices are not readily available. These techniques may change from time to time as determined by the Funds in their sole discretion.
The Funds reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to identify trading practices as abusive. If as a result of its own investigation, information provided by a financial intermediary or other third party, or otherwise, a Fund believes, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading is excessive or that you are engaging in market timing activity, it reserves the right to reject any specific purchase or exchange order. If a Fund rejects your purchase or exchange order, you will not be able to execute that transaction, and the Fund will not be responsible for any losses you therefore may suffer. In addition, any redemptions or exchanges that you make (as a result of the activity described above or otherwise) will be subject to any and all redemption fees.
For transactions placed directly with the Fund, the Fund may consider the trading history of accounts under common ownership or control for the purpose of enforcing these policies. Transactions placed through the same financial intermediary on an omnibus basis may be deemed part of a group for the purpose of this policy and may be rejected in whole or in part by the Fund. Certain accounts, such as omnibus accounts and accounts at financial intermediaries, however, include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Fund with net purchase or redemption and exchange requests on any given day where purchases, redemptions and exchanges of shares are netted against one another and the identity of individual purchasers, redeemers and exchangers whose orders are aggregated may not be known by the Fund. While the Fund monitors for market timing activity, the Fund may be unable to identify such activities because the netting effect in omnibus accounts often makes it more difficult to locate and eliminate market timers from the Fund.
In addition, the Funds’ ability to monitor trades that are placed by individual shareholders within group, or omnibus, accounts maintained by financial intermediaries is severely limited because the Funds do not have access to the underlying shareholder account information. In this regard, in compliance with Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Funds have entered into Information Sharing Agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which these financial intermediaries are required to provide to the Funds, at each Fund’s request, certain customer and identity trading information relating to its customers investing in a Fund through non-disclosed or omnibus accounts. The Funds will use this information to attempt to identify abusive trading practices. Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow any instructions from the Funds to restrict or prohibit future purchases from customers that are found to have engaged in abusive trading in violation of a Fund’s policies. However, the Funds cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to them from financial intermediaries and cannot ensure that they will always be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur through non-disclosed and omnibus accounts. As a consequence, a Fund’s ability to monitor and discourage abusive trading practices in omnibus accounts may be limited.
Due to the complexity and subjectivity involved in identifying abusive trading activity and the volume of shareholder transactions the Funds handle, there can be no assurance that the Funds’ efforts will identify all trades or trading practices that may be considered abusive.
Anti-Money Laundering
In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, please note that the Funds’ transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) will verify certain information on your application as part of the Funds’ Anti-Money Laundering Program. As requested on the application, you should supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. Mailing addresses containing only a P.O. Box will not be accepted. Please contact the Transfer Agent at 1-888-785-5578 if you need additional assistance when completing your application.
If the Transfer Agent does not have a reasonable belief of the identity of an investor, the account will be rejected or the investor will not be allowed to perform a transaction on the account until clarifying information/documentation is received. The Funds also reserve the right to close the account within five business days if clarifying information/documentation is not received. Accounts may be restricted and/or closed, and the monies withheld, pending verification of this information or as otherwise required under these and other federal regulations.
Right of Accumulation
The right of accumulation allows you to combine the current value of your holdings in Class A or Institutional Class shares of the Fund, based on the current offer price, with other qualifying shares that are owned by you, your spouse, your children under the age of 21, or a trustee or fiduciary of a single trust estate or single fiduciary account and with the dollar amount of your next purchase of Class A shares or Institutional Class shares, including any applicable sales charge, for purposes of determining whether or which level of sales charge applies. Qualifying shares may include shares held in accounts held at a financial intermediary. Class A shares or Institutional Class shares of the Fund in accounts held through 401(k) plans and similar multi-participant retirement plans, or those accounts which cannot be linked using tax identification numbers, social security numbers or broker identification numbers are not qualifying shares. The right of accumulation may be amended or terminated at any time.
Payments to Broker/Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Revenue Sharing, Networking and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees
Alpine may at its own expense make payments to some, but not all brokers, dealers or financial intermediaries for shareholder services, as an incentive to sell shares of a Fund and/or to promote retention of their customers’ assets in a Fund. These payments sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing,” do not change the price paid by investors to purchase the Funds’ shares or the amount the Funds receive as proceeds from such sales. Revenue sharing arrangements are separately negotiated.
The payments are made by Alpine out of its profits and other available sources, including profits from their relationships with the Funds. These payments are not reflected as additional expenses in the fee table contained in this Prospectus. The total amount of these payments is substantial, may be substantial to any given recipient and may exceed the costs and expenses incurred by the recipient for any fund-related marketing or shareholder servicing activities.
Revenue sharing payments may be made to brokers, dealers and other financial intermediaries that provide services to the Funds or their shareholders including shareholder servicing, transaction processing, sub-accounting services, marketing support and/or access to representatives of the broker, dealer or other financial intermediaries. Revenue sharing payments also may be made to brokers, dealers and other financial intermediaries for inclusion of the Funds on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list. To the extent that financial intermediaries receiving revenue sharing payments sell more shares of a Fund, Alpine benefits from the increase in fund assets as a result of the fees Alpine receives from the Fund.
Revenue sharing payments create an incentive for an intermediary or its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell shares of the fund to you. Contact your financial intermediary for details about revenue sharing payments it receives or may receive. Revenue sharing payments, as well as payments under the distribution and shareholder servicing plan (where applicable), also benefit Alpine and other service providers to the extent the payments result in more assets being invested in a Fund on which fees are being charged.
The Funds may also enter into agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which the Funds will pay financial intermediaries for services such as networking, sub-transfer agency, administrative, recordkeeping and shareholder services. Administrative fees may be paid to a financial intermediary that undertakes, for example, shareholder communications on behalf of a Fund. Recordkeeping services may include maintenance of shareholder accounts by a financial intermediary. Networking services are services undertaken to support the electronic transmission of shareholder purchase and redemption orders through the National Securities Clearing Corporation. Payments made pursuant to such agreements are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of a Fund’s shareholders serviced by such financial intermediaries, or (2) the number of a Fund’s shareholders serviced by such financial intermediaries. Any payments made pursuant to such an agreement are in addition to, rather than in lieu of, distribution or shareholder services fees the financial intermediary may also be receiving pursuant to agreements with the Distributor. From time to time, Alpine may pay a portion of the fees for these services at its own expense and out of its own profits.
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
The following is a summary discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a shareholder of a Fund who acquires, holds and/or disposes of shares of the Fund, and reflects provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), existing Treasury Regulations, rulings published by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), and other applicable authority, as of the date of this prospectus. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important tax considerations generally applicable to investments in a Fund and the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. For more detailed information regarding tax considerations, see the Funds’ SAI. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular investors. In addition, income earned through an investment in a Fund may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes.
Your distribution will be reinvested automatically in additional shares of the Fund in which you have invested, unless you have elected on your original application, or by written instructions filed with the Fund, to have them paid in cash. If you elect to receive dividends in cash and the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver your checks or if your checks remain uncashed for six months, your dividends may be reinvested in your account at the then-current net asset value. All future distributions will be automatically reinvested in the shares of the Fund. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution checks.
Dividend Policy. It is the policy of each Fund to distribute to shareholders its investment company taxable income, if any, annually and any net realized capital gains annually or more frequently as required for qualification as a regulated investment company by the Code. Dividends and distributions generally are taxable in the year paid, except any dividends paid in January that were declared in the previous calendar quarter, with a record date in such quarter, will be treated as paid in December of the previous year. You may elect to have dividends and/or capital gains paid in cash.
Taxation of the Funds. Each Fund intends to qualify to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Code. While so qualified, a Fund will not be required to pay any federal income tax on that portion of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains it distributes to shareholders. The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on regulated investment companies, such as the Funds, to the extent they do not meet certain distribution requirements by the end of each calendar year. Each Fund anticipates meeting these distribution requirements.
Taxation of Shareholders. The following information is meant as a general summary for U.S. citizens and residents. Most shareholders normally will have to pay federal income tax and any state or local taxes on the dividends and distributions they receive from the Fund whether dividends and distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares.
The Funds’ net investment income and short-term capital gains are distributed as dividends and will be taxable as ordinary income. Qualified dividend income and other capital gain distributions are taxable at long-term capital gain rates (15% for individuals with income below approximately $400,000 ($450,000 if married filing jointly), 20% for individuals with income at one of those amounts that is long-term capital gain, and 0% at certain income levels; the above income thresholds are adjusted annually for inflation), regardless of how long you have held your shares in the Funds. Distributions generally are taxable in the tax year in which they are declared, whether you reinvest them or take them in cash.
Your redemptions, including exchanges, may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment is the difference between your tax basis in your shares, including any sales charges, and the amount you receive when you sell your shares.
Following the end of each calendar year, every shareholder will be sent applicable tax information and information regarding the dividends paid and capital gain distributions made during the calendar year. A Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, which would reduce its investment return. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate these taxes. Shareholders who are subject to United States federal income tax may be entitled, subject to certain rules and limitations, to claim a federal income tax credit or deduction for foreign income taxes paid by a Fund. A Fund’s transactions in options, futures and forward contracts are subject to special tax rules. These rules can affect the amount, timing and characteristics of distributions to shareholders.
Taxable distributions and redemptions are subject to a 3.8% federal Medicare contribution tax on “net investment income” for individuals with income exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filing jointly). “Net investment income” includes, among other things, interest, dividends and gross income and net gains derived from passive activities and trading securities.
Further, a 30% withholding tax is currently imposed on dividends and, beginning in 2017, will be imposed on redemption proceeds paid, to (i) certain foreign financial institutions and investment funds unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders and (ii) certain other foreign entities unless they certify certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners. To avoid withholding, foreign financial institutions will need to (i) enter into agreements with the IRS that state that they will provide the IRS information, including the names, addresses and taxpayer identification numbers of direct and indirect U.S. account holders, comply with due diligence procedures with respect to the identification of U.S. accounts, report to the IRS certain information with respect to U.S. accounts maintained, agree to withhold tax on certain payments made to non-compliant foreign financial institutions or to account holders who fail to provide the required information, and determine certain other information as to their account holders, or (ii) in the event that an applicable intergovernmental agreement and implementing legislation are adopted, provide local revenue authorities with similar account holder information. Other foreign entities will need to either provide the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner or certifications of no substantial U.S. ownership unless certain exceptions apply. Under some circumstances, a foreign shareholder may be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.
A Fund will report to the Internal Revenue Service the amount of sale proceeds that a shareholder receives from selling Fund shares. If a shareholder acquires shares on or after January 1, 2012 (or in some cases on or after January 1, 2011) and subsequently sells them, a Fund must also report the shareholder’s basis in those shares and the character of any gain or loss that the shareholder realizes on the sale (i.e., short-term or long-term). Generally speaking, a shareholder’s basis is the purchase price of the shares, adjusted by certain fees, distributions and other transactions. If a shareholder has a different basis for different shares of a Fund in the same account (e.g., if a shareholder purchased Fund shares in the same account when the shares were at different prices), that Fund will generally report the basis of the shares held the longest by the shareholder in that account unless the shareholder specifically identifies which shares were sold. A Fund may also use the “average basis” method, in which it reports the basis as an average of the shareholder’s total basis of Fund shares in any given account. A shareholder may elect to use this method as well, even if a Fund chooses a different default method. A shareholder who wishes to make such an election or who wishes to specifically identify shares that will be sold must do so in writing.
The foregoing briefly summarizes some of the important federal income tax consequences to shareholders of investing in a Fund’s shares, reflects the federal tax law as of the date of this prospectus, and does not address special tax rules applicable to certain types of investors, such as corporate, tax-exempt and foreign investors. Investors should consult their tax advisers regarding other federal, state or local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances, as well as any proposed tax law changes.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION
The Reorganization Agreement
The following summary of the Reorganization Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Reorganization Agreement attached as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The Reorganization Agreement provides for (1) the transfer of all of the assets of the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund, in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Target Fund and for shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of the Target Fund, (2) the distribution of Institutional Class shares of the Acquiring Fund to the shareholders of the Target Fund in redemption and cancellation of the Target Fund shares and (3) the termination of the Target Fund as a series of the Trust. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions described below, the Reorganization is scheduled to occur as of the close of business on October 23, 2015, or on such later date as the parties may agree (“Closing Date”).
The number of full and fractional shares of the Acquiring Fund to be received by a Target Fund shareholder in the Reorganization will be equal in aggregate net asset value to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of the Target Fund held by that shareholder as of the close of regularly scheduled trading on the NYSE on the Closing Date or such later time as the Target Fund’s net asset value is calculated. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date, the Target Fund will distribute pro rata to its shareholders of record within each share class, as of the close of regularly scheduled trading on the NYSE on the Closing Date, the shares of the corresponding class of the Acquiring Fund received by the Target Fund in the Reorganization, and will terminate as a series of the Trust. The distribution of the Acquiring Fund’s shares will be accomplished by the transfer of the Acquiring Fund shares then credited to the account of the Target Fund on the books of the Acquiring Fund to open accounts on the share records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of the Target Fund’s shareholders.
All issued and outstanding shares of the Target Fund will thereafter be redeemed.
After such distribution, the Target Fund will take all necessary steps under Massachusetts law, its declaration of trust and any other applicable law to effect its termination as a series of the Trust.
The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated and the Reorganization abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Date without penalty to either Fund if circumstances develop that, in the opinion of the Board, make proceeding with the Reorganization inadvisable. The Reorganization Agreement provides that the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund may waive compliance with any of the covenants or conditions made therein for the benefit of either Fund, other than the requirements that: (a) the Reorganization Agreement be approved by shareholders of the Target Fund, and (b) the Funds receive the opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP that the transaction contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement will constitute a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. The Reorganization Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in such manner as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the authorized officers of the Trust, provided, however, that following the Meeting, no such amendment shall have the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of Acquiring Fund shares to be issued to Target Fund shareholders to the detriment of such shareholders without their further approval.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Target Fund is required to approve the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, which under applicable law means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting power of the voting securities present at the meeting of shareholders, if the holders of more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Target Fund are present at the meeting or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Target Fund. See “Additional Information about the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund—Voting Information” below.
Description of the Acquiring Fund’s Shares
Institutional Class shareholders of the Target Fund of record as of the Closing Date will receive Institutional Class shares of the Acquiring Fund. Each such share will be duly authorized, fully paid and non-assessable when issued and will have no preemptive or conversion rights. The Acquiring Fund will not issue share certificates.
Reasons for the Reorganization and Board Considerations
The proposed Reorganization was presented to the Board for consideration at a Board meeting held on July 31, 2015, and was unanimously approved at that meeting. Following extensive discussions of the expected advantages and disadvantages to the Target Fund, based on its evaluation of all material factors, including those described below, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that: (1) participation in the proposed Reorganization is in the best interests of the Target Fund; and (2) the Reorganization would not result in the dilution of the interests of the Target Fund’s shareholders. In considering the proposal, the Board did not identify any single factor or piece of information as all-important or controlling.
The Target Fund’s Board considered a number of factors in recommending the Reorganization, including the following:
| • | | the recommendations of Alpine with respect to the Reorganization; |
| • | | the potential efficiencies and economies of scale that are expected to result from the Reorganization; |
| • | | the advantages and disadvantages to shareholders of the Target Fund expected to result from the Reorganization; |
| • | | the benefits to Alpine expected to result from the Reorganization; |
| • | | the fact that Alpine will pay for all of the costs and expenses on behalf of the Target Fund solely and directly in connection with the Reorganization; |
| • | | the annual fund operating expenses and fees that Target Fund shareholders are expected to pay as shareholders of the Acquiring Fund after the Reorganization; |
| • | | the fact that the Reorganization would constitute a tax-free reorganization; and |
| • | | the similarities and differences in the investment objectives and principal investment strategies, policies and risks of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund. |
The Board considered the expected benefits to Alpine. If the Reorganization of the Target Fund is approved by its shareholders and is consummated, Alpine is expected to achieve higher profitability due to decreased costs. Alpine is expected to reduce the level of its operational expenses for administrative, compliance and portfolio management services as the number of separate funds declines and will reduce its waivers of fees and reimbursements of expenses. To the extent that the Reorganization helps to streamline the fund family, encourage a more focused marketing and distribution effort, produce better performance and make the Funds more attractive investment vehicles to the investing public, Alpine will benefit from the increased revenues of rising asset levels.
The Board considered that, based on recent asset levels, the Target Fund pays an effective investment advisory fee at the rate of 1.00% of average daily net assets, which is the same as the Acquiring Fund’s effective investment advisory fee. The Board also considered that, effective as of the Closing Date of the Reorganization, the Acquiring Fund will pay a monthly advisory fee computed at the annual rates of 1.00% of the average daily net assets of a Fund on the first $750 million of assets, 0.90% of the average daily net assets of a Fund on the next $250 million in assets, and 0.80% of the average daily net assets of a Fund in excess of $1 billion. This is the same advisory fee structure that the Target Fund has. In addition, the Board considered that, following the Reorganization, Target Fund shareholders would be shareholders in the Combined Fund that is expected to have higher net assets and lower gross and net total operating expense ratios for Institutional Class shares. The Board also considered that the Target Fund currently does not have contractual expense limitations in place, but that Alpine has agreed to cap, effective from the Closing Date of the Reorganization through March 1, 2017, the net total operating expenses (including 12b-1 fees, but excluding brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses) of the Combined Fund to 1.45% of the average net assets of Class A shares and 1.20% of the average net assets of the Institutional Class shares. Please see “Summary—Comparison of Fees and Expenses” in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus for more information on contractual fee waiver and/or expense reimbursements.
The Acquiring Fund outperformed the Target Fund for the one-, three-, and five-year and since inception periods ended June 30, 2015. The Acquiring Fund had $224.82 million in assets, whereas the Target Fund had $55.73 million in assets as of June 30, 2015. The Board considered the Target Fund’s growth prospects, and determined that it did not expect the Target Fund to experience significant growth in the foreseeable future. The Board also considered alternatives to the Reorganization, such as maintenance of the status quo and a liquidation of the Target Fund. The Board determined that a liquidation was not in the best interests of shareholders because a liquidation would result in a taxable event for those shareholders who do not hold Target Fund shares in tax-advantaged accounts, while the Reorganization is expected to be tax-free and would allow shareholders of the Target Fund the opportunity to continue to participate in investing in the Alpine fund family.
The proposed Reorganization was presented to the Board, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, for consideration at a Board meeting held on July 31, 2015. The Board, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that: (1) participation in the Reorganization is in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund; and (2) the Reorganization would not result in the dilution of the interests of the Acquiring Fund’s shareholders.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The Reorganization is conditioned upon the receipt by the parties to the Reorganization Agreement (other than Alpine) of an opinion from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, substantially to the effect that, based upon certain facts, assumptions and representations of the parties, for federal income tax purposes:
(i) The acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of all of the assets of the Target Fund solely in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the liabilities of the Target Fund, followed by the distribution by the Target Fund to its shareholders of Acquiring Fund shares in complete liquidation of the Target Fund, all pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement, will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund will each be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;
(ii) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer of the assets of the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for the Acquiring Fund shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the liabilities of the Target Fund, or upon the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares by the Target Fund to its shareholders in liquidation except for (A) any gain or loss that may be recognized with respect to contracts subject to Section 1256 of the Code, (B) any gain that may be recognized on the transfer of stock in a “passive foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code and (C) any other gain or loss that may be required to be recognized as a result of the closing of the Target Fund’s taxable year or upon the transfer of a Target Fund asset regardless of whether such transfer would otherwise be a nonrecognition transaction under the Code;
(iii) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund shareholders upon the exchange of their shares of the Target Fund solely for shares of the Acquiring Fund as part of the Reorganization;
(iv) The aggregate basis of the shares of the Acquiring Fund that each Target Fund shareholder receives in the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate basis of his or her Target Fund shares exchanged therefor;
(v) The holding period of the shares of the Acquiring Fund received by each Target Fund shareholder pursuant to the Reorganization will include the holding period of the shares of the Target Fund exchanged therefor, provided that the Target Fund shareholder held the shares of the Target Fund as capital assets on the date of the exchange;
(vi) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon receipt of the assets of the Target Fund solely in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the liabilities of the Target Fund;
(vii) The basis in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of the assets of the Target Fund transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will be the same as the basis of such assets in the hands of the Target Fund immediately prior to the Closing increased by the amount of gain (or decreased by the amount of loss), if any, recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer; and
(vii) The holding period of each asset of the Target Fund transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization in the hands of the Acquiring Fund, other than any asset with respect to which gain or loss is required to be recognized in the Reorganization, will include the period during which such asset was held by the Target Fund (except where investment activities of the Acquiring Fund have the effect of reducing or eliminating the holding period with respect to an asset).
The opinion will not express an opinion as to the tax effects to the Target Fund, the Acquiring Fund or the respective shareholders of each from the marking to market of certain categories of assets or from any other gain required to be recognized due to the closing of the taxable year of the Target Fund at the time of the Reorganization.
While neither of the Funds is aware of any adverse state, local or foreign tax consequences of the proposed Reorganization, they have not requested any ruling or opinion with respect to such consequences, and shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to such matters.
Immediately prior to the Reorganization, the Target Fund will pay a dividend or dividends, which, together with all previous dividends, are intended to have the effect of distributing to its shareholders all of its investment company taxable income for taxable years ending on or prior to the Closing Date (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and all of its net capital gain, if any, realized in taxable years ending on or prior to the Closing Date. Such dividends will be included in the taxable income of each of the Target Fund’s shareholders.
TERMINATION OF THE TARGET FUND
If the Reorganization of the Target Fund is effected, the Target Fund will be terminated as a series of the Trust. If the Reorganization is not approved by shareholders, the Target Fund will remain a series of the Trust and the Board may consider other alternatives.
PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
As of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, it is anticipated that in connection with the repositioning of the Target Fund’s portfolio prior to the Reorganization, the Target Fund will realize approximately $[●] per share in capital gains as a result of these sales, of which $[●] per share is expected to be short-term capital gain and $[●] is expected to be long-term capital gain. The portion of the portfolio securities to be sold and the tax consequences related to those sales are estimates based on, among other things, historical data and current market conditions, and are subject to change.
It is currently anticipated that after shareholder approval of the Reorganization, but before the Closing Date of the Reorganization, the Target Fund intends to sell a very substantial portion of its assets solely and directly related to the Reorganization in order to better align with the Acquiring Fund’s investment strategies. During this period, the Target Fund will not seek to comply with its stated investment policies or limitations. The tax impact of such sales will depend on the difference between the price at which such portfolio securities are sold and the Target Fund’s tax basis in such securities. Any net capital gains recognized on these sales are not expected to be distributed to Target Fund shareholders due to substantial capital loss carryforwards. The Target Fund will distribute to its shareholders, in one or more taxable distributions, all of the net investment income not previously distributed for taxable years ending on or prior to the Closing Date. The transaction costs associated with repositioning the Target Fund’s portfolio related to the Reorganization will be borne by Alpine before the Reorganization. It is currently anticipated that transaction costs of approximately $[●] or $[●] per share (based on the outstanding shares of the Target Fund as of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus) will be incurred as a result of the repositioning of its portfolio securities in connection with the Reorganization; however, these estimates are subject to change.
INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE TARGET FUND AND THE ACQUIRING FUND
Alpine, with offices at 2500 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, New York 10577, is each Fund’s investment adviser. Under the general supervision of the Board, Alpine carries out the investment and reinvestment of the managed assets of the Funds, furnishes continuously an investment program with respect to the Funds, determines which securities should be purchased, sold or exchanged, and implements such determinations. Alpine provides investment advice to the Funds and furnishes office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the investments of the Funds.
Alpine is a privately owned investment management firm that manages a family of open-end mutual funds, closed-end funds, unregistered funds and offers individualized services for institutional clients. Alpine began conducting business in March 1998 and together with its affiliated entities, had approximately $4 billion in assets under management as of July 31, 2015. Alpine is a Delaware limited liability company organized and all membership interests in Alpine are owned by Alpine Woods, L.P. Mr. Samuel A. Lieber has a majority interest in this partnership and is the controlling person of its general partner.
Legal Proceedings
On February 7, 2011, Alpine and its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Samuel A. Lieber, settled administrative proceedings brought by the SEC. The settlement relates to Alpine’s record-keeping, compliance policies and procedures and disclosures—particularly, in relation to initial public offering investment activities—during the period February 1, 2006 through January 31, 2008, and the violations alleged in the order pertain to statutory provisions and SEC rules that are non-fraud based. In the settlement, Alpine and Mr. Lieber agreed, without admitting or denying the findings in the administrative order, to the entry of an order requiring it to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of certain statutory provisions and SEC rules that relate to fund disclosures, books and records and compliance policies and procedures. Alpine consented to a censure and to pay the SEC a civil monetary penalty of $650,000. Mr. Lieber consented to pay the SEC a civil monetary penalty of $65,000. The settlement does not impose any restriction on Alpine’s business or on Mr. Lieber’s continued ability to serve as the CEO of Alpine or as manager of any fund portfolios. In the order, the SEC acknowledged that, both before and during the SEC staff’s investigation, and before the settlement, Alpine already had made a number of significant changes to, and enhancements of, its personnel, policies, and procedures concerning the matters involved in the proceedings. No other current or former Alpine-related entities or employees are subject to the SEC order.
Management of the Target Fund
The Target Fund pays a monthly advisory fee computed at the annual rates of 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Target Fund on the first $750 million of assets, 0.90% of the average daily net assets of the Target Fund on the next $250 million in assets, and 0.80% of the average daily net assets of the Target Fund in excess of $1 billion.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014, the Target Fund paid an aggregate investment advisory fee, net of any applicable waivers, to Alpine of 1.00% of its average daily net assets.
Information about the factors considered by the Board in approving the investment advisory agreement with Alpine is contained in the semiannual report for the Target Fund for the period ended April 30, 2015.
Mr. Samuel Lieber, Chief Executive Officer of Alpine, is the portfolio manager primarily responsible for the investment decisions of the Target Fund and has managed the Target Fund since its inception. Mr. Lieber founded Alpine with his father, Stephen A. Lieber. Prior to forming Alpine, Mr. Lieber spent thirteen years at Evergreen Asset Management Corp., first as an analyst, later as a portfolio manager. He has over 29 years of investment industry experience.
The Target Fund SAI provides information about the compensation of the portfolio manager, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager and any Fund shares held by the portfolio manager.
Management of the Acquiring Fund
The Acquiring Fund currently pays a monthly advisory fee computed at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Board has approved Alpine’s proposal for the Acquiring Fund’s advisory fee to include breakpoint based on assets under management to match that of the Target Fund. Effective as of the Closing Date of the Reorganization, the Acquiring Fund will pay a monthly advisory fee computed at the annual rates of 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Acquiring Fund on the first $750 million of assets, 0.90% of the average daily net assets of the Acquiring Fund on the next $250 million in assets, and 0.80% of the average daily net assets of the Acquiring Fund in excess of $1 billion.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014, the Acquiring Fund paid an aggregate investment advisory fee, net of any applicable waivers, to Alpine of 1.00% of its average daily net assets.
Information about the factors considered by the Board in approving the investment advisory agreement with Alpine is contained in the semiannual report for the Acquiring Fund for the period ended April 30, 2015.
Mr. Joshua Duitz, Portfolio Manager of Alpine, and Mr. Samuel Lieber, Chief Executive Officer of Alpine, are the co-portfolio managers primarily responsible for the investment decisions of the Acquiring Fund and have both managed the Acquiring Fund since its inception. Mr. Duitz joined Alpine in February 2007, after eight years at Bear Stearns, where Mr. Duitz was a Managing Director Principal who specialized in trading international equities. Mr. Duitz is a Certified Public Accountant, who spent four years with Arthur Andersen, LLP in the Financial Markets Audit Division. Mr. Lieber founded Alpine with his father, Stephen A. Lieber. Prior to forming Alpine, Mr. Lieber spent thirteen years at Evergreen Asset Management Corp., first as an analyst, later as a portfolio manager. He has over 29 years of investment industry experience.
The Acquiring Fund’s portfolio managers will manage the assets of the Combined Fund if the Reorganization is approved and consummated. The Acquiring Fund’s SAI provides information about the compensation of the portfolio managers, other accounts they manage and any Fund shares held by the portfolio managers.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TARGET FUND AND THE ACQUIRING FUND
Information about the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund is included in the Funds’ Prospectuses, Fund SAIs, annual reports and semiannual reports filed with the SEC and dated as listed in Appendix A. Copies of all these documents, the Reorganization SAI and any subsequently released shareholder reports are available upon request and without charge by writing the Funds at Alpine Funds c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., PO Box 8061, Boston, MA 02266, by accessing the Fund’s website at www.alpinefunds.com or by calling 1-888-785-5578.
Both Funds are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in accordance therewith file reports and other information including proxy materials, reports and charter documents with the SEC. These reports and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Reports and other information about each Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Branch, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services, SEC, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 at prescribed rates.
Financial Highlights
The most recent fiscal year end of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund is October 31, 2014.
The financial highlights of the Acquiring Fund contained in Appendix C, except for the financial highlights for the semiannual period ended April 30, 2015, which are unaudited, have been derived from financial statements audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm.
Historical performance of each Fund is detailed in Appendix D of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
Distribution Arrangements
Quasar Distributors, LLC, located at 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202, serves as the Target Fund’s and the Acquiring Fund’s distributor.
The Trust has adopted a shareholder services and distribution plan applicable to the Acquiring Fund. Under the plan, the Acquiring Fund pays distribution and/or service fees based on annualized percentages of average daily net assets, of up to 0.25% for Class A shares. These fees are an ongoing expense and, over time, will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than other types of sales charges. Institutional Class shares are not subject to distribution and/or service fees under the plan.
Capitalization
The following table sets forth the unaudited capitalization of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund as of April 30, 2015, and on a pro forma basis as of that date, giving effect to the proposed acquisition of assets at net asset value. The pro forma capitalization information is for informational purposes only. No assurance can be given as to how many shares of the Acquiring Fund shareholders of the Target Fund will receive on the Closing Date, and the information below should not be relied upon to reflect the number of shares of the Acquiring Fund that actually will be received.
Pro Forma Combined Capitalization Table
Alpine Cyclical Advantage Property Fund and Alpine Global Infrastructure Fund
(Unaudited)
| | Alpine Global Infrastructure Fund | | | Alpine Cyclical Advantage Property Fund | | | Pro Forma Adjustments | | | Pro Forma Combined Fund | |
Institutional Class: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 203,992,445 | | | $ | 58,888,861 | | | | | | $ | 262,881,306 | |
Shares Outstanding | | | 9,939,042 | | | | 2,230,013 | | | | 639,815 | (a) | | $ | 12,808,870 | |
Net Asset Value Per Share | | $ | 20.52 | | | $ | 26.41 | | | | | | | $ | 20.52 | |
| (a) | Adjustment to reflect increase of shares based on Acquiring Fund’s NAV. |
Shareholder Rights and Obligations
Each Fund is a series of the Trust, a Massachusetts business trust. Each Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares for such consideration and on such terms as the Board may determine.
Shareholders are not entitled to any appraisal, preemptive, conversion, exchange or similar rights, except as the Board may determine. Each Fund may involuntarily redeem a shareholder’s shares for tax purposes, to close small accounts, or to reimburse the Trust for failure to pay for shares or other charges. Each Fund may also involuntarily redeem a shareholder’s shares upon certain conditions as may be determined by the Trustees, including, for example, if the shareholder fails to provide the Fund with identification required by law, or if the Fund is unable to verify the information received from the shareholder.
Other Business
The Board of the Target Fund does not intend to present any other business at the Meeting. If, however, any other matters are properly brought before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the persons named as proxies will vote thereon in accordance with their discretion.
Shareholder Communications with the Board
Shareholders may contact the Trustees directly by contacting the Secretary of the Trust at the principal executive offices of the Trust with such request. Such correspondence should be sent to Andrew Pappert, Secretary, c/o Alpine Woods Capital Investors, LLC, 2500 Westchester Avenue, Suite 215, Purchase, New York 10577.
Voting Information
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is furnished in connection with a solicitation of proxies by the Target Fund’s Board to be exercised at the Meeting. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus, along with the Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and a proxy card, are first being mailed to shareholders of the Target Fund on or about September 14, 2015 or as soon as practicable thereafter. Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. If the enclosed proxy card is properly completed, signed and dated and returned in time to be voted at the Meeting, the proxies named thereon will vote the shares represented by the proxy card in accordance with the instructions marked thereon. Unmarked but properly signed and dated proxy cards will be voted “FOR” approval of the Reorganization Agreement and in the discretion of the designated proxy holders on any other matter that properly comes before the Meeting. Please see Appendix E to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus for instructions on how to sign your proxy card.
A shareholder may revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise at the Meeting by (1) submitting to the Target Fund a subsequently executed proxy or by attending the Meeting and voting in person.. Unless revoked, all valid and executed proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications thereon or, in the absence of such specifications, for approval of the Reorganization Agreement and the Reorganization contemplated thereby. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Meeting will be tabulated by the inspectors of election appointed for the Meeting. The inspectors of election will determine whether or not a quorum is present at the Meeting. The inspectors of election will treat abstentions and “broker non-votes” as present for purposes of determining a quorum.
Broker/dealer firms holding shares of the Target Fund in “street name” for the benefit of their customers and clients will request the instructions of such customers and clients on how to vote their shares with respect to approval of the Reorganization Agreement before the Meeting. The NYSE takes the position that a broker/dealer that is a member of the NYSE and that has not received instructions from a customer or client prior to the date specified in the broker/dealer firm’s request for voting instructions may not vote such customer’s or client’s shares with respect to approval of the Reorganization Agreement. A signed proxy card or other authorization by a beneficial owner of Target Fund shares that does not specify how the beneficial owner’s shares should be voted on the proposal will be deemed an instruction to vote such shares in favor of the proposal.
If you hold shares of the Target Fund through a bank or other financial institution or intermediary (called a service agent) that has entered into a service agreement with the Target Fund or the distributor of the Target Fund, the service agent may be the record holder of your shares. At the Meeting, a service agent will vote shares for which it receives instructions from its customers in accordance with those instructions. A signed proxy card or other authorization by a shareholder that does not specify how the shareholder’s shares should be voted on the proposal will be deemed an instruction to vote such shares in favor of the proposal. Depending on its policies, applicable law or contractual or other restrictions, a service agent may be permitted to vote shares with respect to which it has not received specific voting instructions from its customers. In those cases, the service agent may, but may not be required to, vote such shares in the same proportion as those shares for which the service agent has received voting instructions.
If you beneficially own shares that are held in “street name” through a broker/dealer or that are held of record by a service agent, and if you do not give specific voting instructions for your shares, they may not be voted at all or, as described above, they may be voted in a manner that you may not intend. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to give your broker/dealer or service agent specific instructions as to how you want your shares to be voted.
Photographic identification will be required for admission to the Meeting.
Proxy Solicitation
Alpine will pay for all of the costs solely and directly related to the Reorganization, including any proxy solicitation costs (“Reorganization Costs”), on behalf of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund.
Estimated Reorganization Costs are as follows: Legal—$150,000, Audit—$10,000; and Printing, postage, proxy out-of-pocket costs and proxy solicitation, mailing, reporting and tabulation costs — $7,500.
Solicitation may be made by letter or telephone by officers or employees of Alpine, or by dealers and their representatives. Brokerage houses, banks and other fiduciaries may be requested to forward proxy solicitation material to the beneficial owner of shares of the Target Fund to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies. The Target Fund will reimburse brokerage firms, custodians, banks and fiduciaries for their expenses in forwarding the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the Target Fund’s shares. Alpine, on behalf of the Target Fund, has retained AST Fund Solutions, LLC, a proxy solicitation firm, to assist in the solicitation of proxies. It is anticipated that AST Fund Solutions, LLC will be paid approximately $600, which is included in the amount above, for such solicitation services, to be borne by Alpine as described above. AST Fund Solutions, LLC may solicit proxies personally and by telephone.
Quorum
In order to transact business at the Meeting, a “quorum” must be present. Under the Trust’s By-Laws, a quorum is constituted by the presence in person or by proxy of shareholders representing a majority of the outstanding shares of the Trust on the record date entitled to vote on a matter.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Target Fund is required to approve the Reorganization Agreement, which under applicable law means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting power of the voting securities present at the Meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Target Fund are present at the Meeting or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Target Fund. Each whole share (or fractional share) outstanding on the Record Date shall entitle the holder thereof of one vote for each whole share (or fractional share). You should be aware that the principals of Alpine and their family members and Alpine’s affiliates beneficially own and have voting authority of over 25% of the Target Fund’s outstanding voting securities (as of June 30, 2015), and such shares are expected to be voted in favor of the Reorganization, which may determine the outcome of the vote. Shares of the Target Fund held by institutes and charitable trusts overseen by the principals of Alpine, but for which they do not maintain a beneficial ownership interest, will be voted in proportion to the total votes received from shareholders who are not principals of Alpine, their family members or affiliates of Alpine. Proxies relating to shares of the Target Fund held by clients of Alpine’s affiliates will be passed through to those clients so that those clients will vote with respect to the Reorganization.
Effect of Abstentions and Broker “Non-Votes”
For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for transacting business at the Meeting, executed proxies marked as abstentions and “broker non-votes” (i.e., proxies from brokers or nominees indicating that such persons have not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other persons entitled to vote shares on a particular matter with respect to which the brokers or nominees do not have discretionary power) will be treated as shares that are present for quorum purposes but which have not been voted. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against approval of the Reorganization. As a result, shareholders are urged to sign and date their proxy card and forward their voting instructions promptly.
Adjournments
In the event that a quorum shall not be present at the Meeting or in the event that a quorum is present but sufficient votes to approve the Reorganization Agreement are not received, the Meeting may be adjourned from time to time by the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in person or by proxy at the Meeting to a date not more than 120 days after the originally scheduled meeting, without notice other than announcement at the Meeting. Unless a proxy provides otherwise, the persons named as proxies will vote upon such adjournment in their discretion. If the Meeting is adjourned, the Closing Date of the Reorganization is subject to change to a later date.
Future Shareholder Proposals
The Target Fund does not hold annual meetings of shareholders. A shareholder proposal intended to be presented at a future special meeting of shareholders of the Target Fund must be received at the offices of the Trust, c/o Andrew Pappert, Secretary of the Trust, Alpine Woods Capital Investors, LLC, 2500 Westchester Avenue, Suite 215, Purchase, New York 10577 at a reasonable time before the Target Fund begins to print and mail its proxy materials. Timely submission of a proposal does not guarantee that such proposal will be included in a proxy statement.
Record Date and Outstanding Shares
Only shareholders of record of the Target Fund at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and at any postponements or adjournments thereof. The chart below lists the number of Institutional Class shares of the Target Fund that were outstanding and entitled to vote as of the close of business on the Record Date.
Class | | Total Shares Outstanding |
Institutional Class | | | [ ] |
To the knowledge of the Funds, as of the Record Date, except as set forth on Appendix F, no person owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of any class of the Target Fund’s or the Acquiring Fund’s outstanding shares.
To the knowledge of the Funds, as of the Record Date, less than [1]% of the outstanding shares of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund were owned directly or beneficially in the aggregate by the Board members and officers of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund (not including Mr. Samuel Lieber). You should be aware that the principals of Alpine and their family members and Alpine’s affiliates beneficially own and have voting authority of over 25% of the Target Fund’s outstanding voting securities (as of June 30, 2015), and such shares are expected to be voted in favor of the Reorganization, which may determine the outcome of the vote. Shares of the Target Fund held by institutes and charitable trusts overseen by the principals of Alpine, but for which they do not maintain a beneficial ownership interest, will be voted in proportion to the total votes received from shareholders who are not principals of Alpine, their family members or affiliates of Alpine. Proxies relating to shares of the Target Fund held by clients of Alpine’s affiliates will be passed through to those clients so that those clients will vote with respect to the Reorganization.
THE BOARD OF THE TARGET FUND, INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT. ANY SIGNED AND DATED, BUT UNMARKED, PROXIES WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF APPROVAL OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT.
By order of the Board of Trustees,
Andrew Pappert Secretary Alpine Equity Trust | |
INDEX OF APPENDICES
Appendix A: | Dates of Prospectuses, Funds Statement of Additional Information and Shareholder Reports | A-1 |
Appendix B: | Agreement and Plan of Reorganization | B-1 |
Appendix C: | Financial Highlights of Alpine Global Infrastructure Fund | C-1 |
Appendix D: | Historical Performance for Each Fund | D-1 |
Appendix E: | Instructions for Signing Proxy Cards | E-1 |
Appendix F: | 5% Shareholders of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund | F-1 |
Appendix G: | Fundamental Investment Policies | G-1 |
APPENDIX A
Dates of Prospectuses, Funds Statement of
Additional Information and Shareholder Reports
| Summary Prospectus Dated | Prospectus and Fund SAI Dated | Shareholder Report Dated |
Alpine Cyclical Advantage Property Fund | February 27, 2015 (filed on March 4, 2015) Accession No. 0001398344-15-001458 | February 27, 2015 (filed on February 27, 2015) Accession No. 0001398344-15-001275 | October 31, 2014 (filed on January 8, 2015) Accession No. 0000930413-15-000098 (Annual Report) April 30, 2015 (filed on July 2, 2015)
Accession No. 0000930413-15-002983 (Semiannual Report) |
Alpine Global Infrastructure Fund | February 27, 2015 (filed on March 4, 2015) Accession No. 0001398344-15-001467 | February 27, 2015 (filed on February 27, 2015) Accession No. 0001398344-15-001275 | October 31, 2014 (filed on January 8, 2015) Accession No. 0000930413-15-000098 (Annual Report) April 30, 2015 (filed on July 2, 2015)
Accession No. 0000930413-15-002983 (Semiannual Report) |
APPENDIX B
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
ALPINE GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND AND
ALPINE CYCLICAL ADVANTAGE PROPERTY FUND
This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (“Agreement”) is made as of this [ ] day of [ ], 2015, by and between Alpine Equity Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Trust”), with its principal place of business at 2500 Westchester Avenue, Suite 215, Purchase, New York 10577, on behalf of its series Alpine Global Infrastructure Fund (the “Acquiring Fund” or a “Fund”), and on behalf of its series Alpine Cyclical Advantage Property Fund (the “Target Fund” or a “Fund”), and, solely for purposes of paragraph 9.2 hereof, Alpine Woods Capital Investors, LLC (“Alpine”).
WHEREAS, each of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund is a series of the Trust, an open-end management investment company registered pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);
WHEREAS, it is intended that, for United States federal income tax purposes (i) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and (ii) this Agreement constitutes a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g);
WHEREAS, the reorganization will consist of (1) the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of all of the property and assets of the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for Institutional shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund (the “Acquiring Fund Shares”), as described herein, and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all liabilities of the Target Fund, and (2) the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares to the shareholders of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest in the Target Fund (the “Target Fund Shares”) and the subsequent redemption of the Target Fund Shares and dissolution and termination of the Target Fund as a series of the Trust, as provided herein (the “Reorganization”), all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth in this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Target Fund currently owns securities that are generally assets of the character in which the Acquiring Fund is permitted to invest;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”), including a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”), has determined, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, that the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of all of the property and assets of the Target Fund for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of all liabilities of the Target Fund by the Acquiring Fund is in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Acquiring Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization;
WHEREAS, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, has determined, with respect to the Target Fund, that the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of all of the property and assets of the Target Fund for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of all liabilities of the Target Fund by the Acquiring Fund is in the best interests of the Target Fund and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Target Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization; and
WHEREAS, in this Agreement, any references to a Fund taking action shall mean and include all necessary actions of the Trust, as applicable, on behalf of a Fund, unless the context of this Agreement or the 1940 Act requires otherwise;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
1. TRANSFER OF ASSETS OF THE TARGET FUND TO THE ACQUIRING FUND IN EXCHANGE FOR ACQUIRING FUND SHARES, ASSUMPTION OF ALL TARGET FUND LIABILITIES AND TERMINATION OF THE TARGET FUND
1.1 Subject to requisite approvals and the other terms and conditions herein set forth and on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, agrees to sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver all of its Assets, as defined and set forth in paragraph 1.2, to the Acquiring Fund, and the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, agrees in exchange therefor: (a) to deliver to the Target Fund the number, determined in accordance with paragraph 2.3, of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares corresponding to the Target Fund Shares as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 3.1, determined by dividing the value of the Target Fund’s net assets (computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 2.1) by the net asset value of one share of the corresponding class of Acquiring Fund Shares (computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 2.2); and (b) to assume all liabilities of the Target Fund. Such transactions shall take place on a closing date as provided for in paragraph 3.1 (the “Closing Date”).
1.2 The property and assets of the Trust attributable to the Target Fund to be sold, assigned, conveyed, transferred and delivered to and acquired by the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall consist of all assets and property of every kind and nature of the Target Fund, including, without limitation, all rights, receivables (including dividend, interest and other receivables), cash, cash equivalents, claims (whether absolute or contingent, known or unknown), securities, commodities and futures interests, good will and other intangible property, any deferred or prepaid expenses and all interests, rights, privileges and powers, the Target Fund owns at the Valuation Date (as defined in paragraph 2.1) (collectively, “Assets”). The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall assume all of the liabilities and obligations of the Target Fund, including, without limitation, all indemnification obligations of the Target Fund with respect to the current and former members of the Board and officers of the Trust, whether accrued or contingent, known or unknown, existing at the Valuation Date except for (a) obligations of the Target Fund arising under this Agreement and (b) all expenses that are solely and directly related to the Reorganization (determined in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Rev. Rul. 73-54, 1973-1 C.B. 187) borne by Alpine pursuant to paragraph 9.2 (collectively, “Liabilities”). The Target Fund will sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver to the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, any rights, payments, stock dividends, or other securities received by the Target Fund after the Closing Date as payments, stock dividends or other distributions on or with respect to the Assets transferred, which rights, payments, stock dividends, and other securities shall be deemed included in the property and assets transferred to the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, at the Closing Date and shall not be separately valued, in which case any such distribution that remains unpaid as of the Closing Date shall be included in the determination of the value of the Assets of the Target Fund acquired by the Trust on behalf of the Acquiring Fund.
1.3 The Target Fund will make reasonable efforts to discharge all of its known Liabilities prior to the Valuation Date.
1.4 On or as soon as practicable prior to the Closing Date, the Target Fund will declare and pay to its shareholders of record one or more dividends and/or other distributions so that it will have distributed substantially all of (a) the sum of (i) its investment company taxable income as defined in the Code (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid), (ii) the excess of its investment income excludible from gross income under Section 103 of the Code, if any, over its deductions disallowed under Sections 265 and 171 of the Code (“net tax-exempt income”), and (iii) its net capital gain as defined in the Code, if any, and (b) any other amounts as necessary, in each case for all tax periods ending on or before the Closing Date (and treating the current taxable year as ending on the Closing Date), such that the Target Fund will have no tax liability under Section 852 or Section 4982 of the Code for the current and any prior tax periods.
1.5 Immediately following the actions contemplated by paragraph 1.1, the Trust shall take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to complete the liquidation of the Target Fund. To complete the liquidation, the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall (a) on the Closing Date, distribute to the shareholders of record of the Target Fund Shares as of the Closing Date (“Target Fund Shareholders”), on a pro rata basis within each share class, the corresponding class of Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, pursuant to paragraph 1.1, (b) on the Closing Date, redeem shares of the Target Fund and (c) dissolve and terminate the Target Fund as a series of the Trust in accordance with Massachusetts law. Such distribution and redemption shall be accomplished, with respect to the Target Fund Shares, by the transfer on the Closing Date of the corresponding classes of Acquiring Fund Shares then credited to the account of the Target Fund on the books of the Acquiring Fund to open accounts on the share records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of the Target Fund Shareholders. The aggregate net asset value of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be so credited to the Target Fund Shareholders shall be equal to the aggregate net asset value of the Target Fund Shares owned by Target Fund Shareholders on the Closing Date. All issued and outstanding Target Fund Shares will be cancelled on the books of the Target Fund. The Acquiring Fund shall not issue certificates representing any class of Acquiring Fund Shares in connection with such exchange.
1.6 Ownership of Acquiring Fund Shares will be shown on the books of the transfer agent of the Acquiring Fund for the credit of the respective accounts of the Target Fund Shareholders.
1.7 Any reporting responsibility of the Target Fund, including, but not limited to, the responsibility for filing regulatory reports, tax returns, or other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”), any state securities commission, and any federal, state or local tax authorities or any other relevant regulatory authority, is and shall remain the responsibility of the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund. The Trust shall fully cooperate to the extent necessary or desirable for these responsibilities to be discharged.
2. VALUATION
2.1 The value of the Assets and the amount of the Liabilities shall be determined as of the time for calculation of net asset value as set forth in the then-current prospectus for the Target Fund, and after the declaration and payment of any dividends and/or other distributions by the Target Fund, on the Closing Date (such time and date being hereinafter called the “Valuation Date”), computed using the valuation procedures established by the Board. All computations of value and amounts shall be made by (a) State Street Bank and Trust Company, in its capacity as accounting agent for the Target Fund, or (b) in the case of securities subject to fair valuation, in accordance with the valuation procedures of the Trust adopted in good faith by the Board.
2.2. The net asset value per share of each class of Acquiring Fund Shares shall be determined to the nearest full cent on the Valuation Date, using the valuation procedures established by the Board. All computations of value shall be made by (a) State Street Bank and Trust Company, in its capacity as accounting agent for the Acquiring Fund, or (b) in the case of securities subject to fair valuation, in accordance with the valuation procedures of the Trust adopted in good faith by the Board.
2.3. The number of each class of Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued in exchange for the Assets shall be determined by dividing the value of the net assets with respect to each corresponding class of Target Fund Shares, determined using the same valuation procedures referred to in paragraph 2.1, by the net asset value of the corresponding class of an Acquiring Fund Share, determined using the same valuation procedures referred to in paragraph 2.2.
3. CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE
3.1 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Closing Date shall be [October 23, 2015], or such other date as the parties may agree. All acts taking place at the closing of the transactions provided for in this Agreement (“Closing”) shall be deemed to take place simultaneously as of the “close of business” on the Closing Date unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. The close of business on the Closing Date shall be as of 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time or such later time on that date as the Target Fund’s net asset value is calculated in accordance with paragraph 2.1 and after the declaration and payment of any dividends. The Closing shall be held at the offices of Alpine or at such other time and/or place as the parties may agree.
3.2 The Trust shall direct State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Custodian”) to transfer ownership of the Assets, at the time of the Closing, from the accounts of the Target Fund that the Custodian maintains as custodian for the Target Fund to the accounts of the Acquiring Fund that the Custodian maintains as custodian for the Acquiring Fund and to deliver to the Acquiring Fund, at the Closing, a certificate of an authorized officer stating that the Assets of the Target Fund have been so transferred as of the Closing Date. The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall deliver to the Acquiring Fund, at the Closing, a certificate of an authorized officer stating that all necessary taxes in connection with the delivery of the Assets of the Target Fund, including all applicable federal and state stock transfer stamps, if any, have been paid or provision for payment has been made.
3.3 The Trust shall direct Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., in its capacity as the transfer agent for the Target Fund (the “Transfer Agent”), to deliver to the Trust at the Closing a certificate of an authorized officer stating that its records contain the name and address of each Target Fund Shareholder and the number and percentage ownership of the outstanding class of Target Fund Shares owned by each such shareholder immediately prior to the Closing. The Acquiring Fund shall deliver to the Secretary of the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, a confirmation evidencing that (a) the appropriate number of Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to the Target Fund’s account on the books of the Acquiring Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.1 prior to the actions contemplated by paragraph 1.5 and (b) the appropriate number of Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to the accounts of the Target Fund Shareholders on the books of the Acquiring Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.5. At the Closing, each Fund shall deliver to the other Fund such bills of sale, checks, assignments, share certificates, if any, receipts or other documents as the other Fund or its counsel may reasonably request.
3.4 In the event that on the Valuation Date (a) the New York Stock Exchange or another primary trading market for portfolio securities of the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund (each, an “Exchange”) shall be closed to trading or trading thereupon shall be restricted, or (b) trading or the reporting of trading on such Exchange or elsewhere shall be disrupted so that accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund is impracticable (in the judgment of the Board), the Closing Date shall be postponed until the first Friday (that is also a business day) after the day when trading shall have been fully resumed and reporting shall have been restored, or such other date as the parties may agree.
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
4.1 Except as has been previously communicated, the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, represents and warrants to the Acquiring Fund as follows:
(a) The Target Fund is duly established as a series of the Trust, which is a business trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with power under its Declaration of Trust, as amended or supplemented (the “Declaration”), to own all of its assets and to carry on its business as it is being conducted as of the date hereof. The Trust is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation (or other entity, as prescribed by applicable law) in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business makes such qualification necessary except where the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, net assets or results of operations of the Trust. The Trust has all necessary federal, state and local authorizations to carry on its business as now being conducted and to fulfill the terms of this Agreement, except as described in paragraph 4.1(c).
(b) The Trust is a registered open-end management investment company, and its registration with the Commission as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and the registration of each class of Target Fund Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), is in full force and effect and the Target Fund is in compliance in all material respects with the 1940 Act and 1933 Act and rules and regulations under each.
(c) No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Target Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), the 1940 Act, state securities laws and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.
(d) The current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Target Fund (true and correct copies of which have been delivered to the Acquiring Fund) and each prospectus and statement of additional information of the Target Fund used during the three (3) years prior to the date of this Agreement conforms or conformed at the time of its use in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and does not or did not at the time of its use include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.
(e) On the Closing Date, the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will have good title to the Assets and full right, power and authority to sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver such Assets hereunder free of any liens or other encumbrances, and upon delivery and payment for the Assets, the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, will acquire good title thereto, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer thereof, excluding such restrictions as might arise under the 1933 Act.
(f) The Target Fund is not engaged currently, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will not result, in a material violation of Massachusetts law or of the Declaration or the bylaws, as amended, of the Trust (the “Bylaws”), or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, is a party or by which it is bound, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will not result in the acceleration of any material obligation, or the imposition of any material penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, other undertaking, judgment or decree to which the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, is a party or by which it is bound.
(g) All material contracts or other commitments of the Target Fund (other than this Agreement and contracts or other commitments entered into in order to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, certain investment contracts, including options, futures, swaps and forward contracts, the indemnification agreements of the current and former members of the Board, and those contracts listed in Schedule 4.1) will terminate without liability to the Target Fund on or prior to the Closing Date. Each contract listed in Schedule 4.1 is a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Target Fund and, to the Target Fund’s knowledge, the other parties thereto (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto) and the assignment by the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund of each such contract will not result in the termination of such contract, any breach or default thereunder by the Target Fund or the imposition of any penalty thereunder.
(h) No litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is pending or, to the Trust’s knowledge, threatened against the Trust, with respect to the Target Fund or any of its properties or assets, that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the conduct of the Target Fund’s business. The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects the Target Fund’s business or the Trust’s ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated on behalf of the Target Fund.
(i) The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets and Schedule of Investments of the Target Fund as of the last day of and for the most recently completed fiscal year of the Target Fund prior to the date of this Agreement have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been furnished to the Trust) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Target Fund as of such date and for such period in accordance with GAAP, and there are no known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of the Target Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date that are not disclosed therein. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets and Schedule of Investments (unaudited) of the Target Fund as at the last day of and for the most recently completed fiscal half year of the Target Fund following the date of the audited annual statements referenced above are in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Target Fund, and all known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of the Target Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date are disclosed therein.
(j) Since the last day of the most recently completed fiscal year of the Target Fund prior to the date of this Agreement, there has not been any material adverse change in the Target Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by the Target Fund of indebtedness for money borrowed maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred. For the purposes of this subparagraph (j), a decline in net asset value per share of Target Fund Shares due to declines in market values of securities held by the Target Fund, the discharge of Target Fund liabilities, or the redemption of Target Fund Shares by Target Fund Shareholders shall not constitute a material adverse change.
(k) On the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns, dividend reporting forms and other tax-related reports of the Target Fund required by law to have been filed by such date (taking into account any extensions) shall have been filed and shall be correct in all material respects, and all federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof and, to the best of the Trust’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns.
(l) The Target Fund is a separate series of the Trust and is treated as a corporation separate from any and all other series of the Trust under Section 851(g) of the Code. For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable year ending on the Closing Date), the Target Fund has met (or for that year will meet) the requirements of Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code for qualification and treatment as a “regulated investment company,” has had in effect an election to be treated as such, has been (or for that year will be) eligible to compute and has computed (or for that year will compute) its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code, and on or before the Closing Date, will have declared and paid dividends sufficient to distribute substantially all of (a) the sum of (i) its net tax-exempt income, (ii) its investment company taxable income (as defined in the Code) (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid), and (iii) any net capital gain (as defined in the Code), and (b) any other amounts as necessary, in each case for all tax periods ending on or before the Closing Date (including the taxable year ending on the Closing Date), such that the Target Fund will have no tax liability under Section 852 or Section 4982 of the Code for the current and any prior tax periods.
(m) All issued and outstanding Target Fund Shares are, and on the Closing Date will be, duly authorized and validly and legally issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust, have been offered and sold in any state or territory (including, without limitation, the District of Columbia) in which they have been offered or sold, in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements of all applicable federal and state securities laws and are not subject to preemptive or dissenter’s rights. All of the issued and outstanding Target Fund Shares will, at the time of Closing, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of each Transfer Agent, on behalf of the Target Fund, as provided in paragraph 3.3. The Target Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any of the Target Fund Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any of the Target Fund Shares.
(n) The Target Fund will review its assets to ensure that prior to the Closing Date its assets do not include any assets that the Acquiring Fund is not permitted, or reasonably believes to be unsuitable for it, to acquire, including without limitation any security that, prior to its acquisition by the Target Fund, is unsuitable for the Acquiring Fund to acquire.
(o) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated herein, have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Board (including the determinations required by Rule 17a-8(a) under the 1940 Act), on behalf of the Target Fund, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
(p) The combined proxy statement and prospectus (“Proxy Statement”) to be included in the Registration Statement (as defined in paragraph 5.6), insofar as it relates to the Target Fund and its shares, from the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date of the meeting of Target Fund Shareholders contemplated therein and on the Closing Date, will (i) not contain any statement which, at the time and in light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or which omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not false or misleading (provided that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Proxy Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information that was furnished by the Trust for use therein) and (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The information to be furnished by the Target Fund for use in registration statements and other documents filed or to be filed with any federal, state or local regulatory authority (including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”)), as may be prepared in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with federal securities and other laws and regulations thereunder applicable thereto.
4.2 Except as has been previously communicated, the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, represents and warrants to the Target Fund as follows:
(a) The Acquiring Fund is duly established as a series of the Trust, which is a business trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with the power under its Declaration, to own all of its assets and to carry on its business as it is being conducted as of the date hereof. The Trust is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation (or other entity, as prescribed by applicable law) in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business makes such qualification necessary except where the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, net assets or results of operations of the Trust. The Trust has all necessary federal, state and local authorizations to carry on its business as now being conducted and to fulfill the terms of this Agreement, except as described in paragraph 4.2(c).
(b) The Trust is a registered open-end management investment company, and its registration with the Commission as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and the registration of each class of Acquiring Fund Shares under the 1933 Act, is in full force and effect or will be in full force and effect as of the Closing Date.
(c) No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, state securities laws and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.
(d) The current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Acquiring Fund (true and correct copies of which have been delivered to the Target Fund) and each prospectus and statement of additional information of the Acquiring Fund used during the three (3) years prior to the date of this Agreement conforms or conformed at the time of its use in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and does not or did not at the time of its use include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.
(e) The Acquiring Fund is not engaged currently, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, will not result, in a material violation of Massachusetts law or the Declaration or Bylaws, or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, is a party or by which it is bound, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, will not result in the acceleration of any material obligation, or the imposition of any material penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, other undertaking, judgment or decree to which the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, is a party or by which it is bound.
(f) No litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is pending or, to the Trust’s knowledge, threatened against the Trust, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, or any of its properties or assets, that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the conduct of the Acquiring Fund’s business. The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects the Acquiring Fund’s business or the Trust’s ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated on behalf of the Acquiring Fund.
(g) The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets and Schedule of Investments of the Acquiring Fund as of the last day of and for the most recently completed fiscal year of the Acquiring Fund prior to the date of this Agreement have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and are in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been furnished to the Target Fund) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Acquiring Fund as of such date and for such period in accordance with GAAP, and there are no known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of the Acquiring Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date that are not disclosed therein. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets and Schedule of Investments (unaudited) of the Acquiring Fund as at the last day of and for the most recently completed fiscal half year of the Acquiring Fund following the date of the audited annual statements referenced above are in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Acquiring Fund, and all known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of the Acquiring Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date are disclosed therein.
(h) Since the last day of the most recently completed fiscal year of the Acquiring Fund prior to the date of this Agreement, there has not been any material adverse change in the Acquiring Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by the Acquiring Fund of indebtedness for money borrowed maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred. For the purposes of this subparagraph (h), a decline in net asset value per share of Acquiring Fund Shares due to declines in market values of securities held by the Acquiring Fund, the discharge of Acquiring Fund liabilities, or the redemption of Acquiring Fund Shares by shareholders of the Acquiring Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.
(i) On the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns, dividend reporting forms and other tax-related reports of the Acquiring Fund required by law to have been filed by such date (taking into account any extensions) shall have been filed and shall be correct in all material respects, and all federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof and, to the best of the Trust’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns.
(j) The Acquiring Fund is a separate series of the Trust and is treated as a corporation separate from any and all other series of the Trust under Section 851(g) of the Code. For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable year that includes the Closing Date), the Acquiring Fund has met (and for the latter year expects to meet) the requirements of Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code for qualification and treatment as a “regulated investment company,” has had in effect an election to be treated as such, and has been (and for the latter year expects to be) eligible to compute and has computed (and for the latter year expects to compute) its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code.
(k) All issued and outstanding Acquiring Fund Shares are, and on the Closing Date will be, duly authorized and validly and legally issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust and will have been offered and sold in any state or territory (including, without limitation, the District of Columbia) in which they have been offered or sold, in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements of all applicable federal and state securities laws. The Acquiring Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any Acquiring Fund Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any Acquiring Fund Shares. All of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and delivered to the Trust, for the account of the Target Fund Shareholders, pursuant to this Agreement, will on the Closing Date have been duly authorized and, when so issued and delivered, will be duly and validly and legally issued Acquiring Fund Shares and be fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust.
(l) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated herein, have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Board, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
(m) The Proxy Statement to be included in the Registration Statement (as defined in paragraph 5.6), insofar as it relates to the Acquiring Fund and the Acquiring Fund Shares, from the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date of the meeting of Target Fund Shareholders and on the Closing Date, will (i) not contain any statement which, at the time and in the light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or which omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not false or misleading (provided that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Proxy Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information that was furnished by the Trust for use therein) and (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The information to be furnished by the Acquiring Fund for use in registration statements and other documents filed or to be filed with any federal, state or local regulatory authority (including FINRA), as may be prepared in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with federal securities and other laws and regulations applicable thereto.
5. COVENANTS
The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, hereby further covenants as follows:
5.1 The Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund each will operate its business in the ordinary course and shall comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules and regulations between the date hereof and the Closing Date, it being understood that such ordinary course of business will include the declaration and payment of customary dividends and other distributions, and any other distribution that may be advisable.
5.2 The Trust will call and hold a meeting of the Target Fund Shareholders to consider and act upon this Agreement and to take all other action necessary to obtain approval of the transactions contemplated herein. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing, the Trust shall (a) distribute to the Target Fund Shareholders, on a pro rata basis within each share class, the corresponding class of Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, pursuant to paragraph 1.1 in cancellation of Target Fund Shares in accordance with Massachusetts law and (b) terminate the Target Fund as a series of the Trust as described in paragraph 1.5.
5.3 The Acquiring Fund Shares to be acquired by the Target Fund hereunder are not being acquired for the purpose of making any distribution thereof, other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.4 The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will assist in obtaining such information as the Acquiring Fund reasonably requests concerning the beneficial ownership of the Target Fund Shares.
5.5 Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, will take, or cause to be taken, all action, and do or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.6 The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall prepare and file a Registration Statement on Form N-14 in compliance with the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the Reorganization (the “Registration Statement”). The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will provide to the Acquiring Fund such information regarding the Target Fund as may be reasonably necessary for the preparation of the Registration Statement.
5.7 The Trust, on behalf of each of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, will use all reasonable efforts to fulfill or obtain the fulfillment of the conditions precedent to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable.
5.8 The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will, from time to time, as and when reasonably requested by the Acquiring Fund, execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered all such assignments and other instruments and will take or cause to be taken such further action as the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm (a) the Trust’s title to and possession of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be delivered hereunder and (b) the Trust’s title to and possession of all the Assets, and to otherwise carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.
5.9 The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, will use all reasonable efforts to obtain such approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and such of the state blue sky or securities laws as may be necessary in order to continue its operations after the Closing Date.
5.10 The Trust shall not change the Declaration or the Acquiring Fund’s prospectus or statement of additional information so as to restrict permitted investments for the Acquiring Fund, except as required by the Commission prior to the Closing.
5.11 The Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund will each report the Reorganization as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code on its federal income tax return for its respective taxable year in which the Reorganization occurs, including filing any and all statements required by Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-3.
6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE TRUST, ON BEHALF OF THE TARGET FUND
The obligations of the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at the Trust’s election, to the following conditions:
6.1 All representations and warranties of the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as of the Closing Date, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date.
6.2 The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall have performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, on or before the Closing Date.
6.3 The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall have executed and delivered an assumption of the Liabilities and all such other agreements and instruments as the Trust may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm (a) the Target Fund’s title to and possession of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be delivered hereunder and (b) the Trust’s assumption of all of the Liabilities, and to otherwise carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.
6.4 The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall have delivered to the Target Fund a certificate executed in the name of the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, by the Trust’s President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Target Fund and dated as of the Closing Date, as to the matters set forth in paragraphs 6.1 and 6.2 and as to such other matters as the Target Fund shall reasonably request.
6.5 The Trust, on behalf of each of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, shall have agreed on the number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued in connection with the Reorganization after such number has been calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.1.
7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE TRUST, ON BEHALF OF THE ACQUIRING FUND
The obligations of the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at the Trust’s election, to the following conditions:
7.1 All representations and warranties of the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as of the Closing Date, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date.
7.2 The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall have performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, on or before the Closing Date.
7.3 The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Target Fund as of the Closing Date, including a schedule of investments, certified by the Treasurer of the Trust on behalf of the Target Fund. The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall have executed and delivered all such assignments and other instruments of transfer as the Acquiring Fund may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm (a) the Target Fund’s title to and possession of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be delivered hereunder and (b) the Acquiring Fund’s title to and possession of all the Assets and to otherwise carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.
7.4 The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a certificate executed in the name of the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, by the Trust’s President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund and dated as of the Closing Date, as to the matters set forth in paragraphs 7.1 and 7.2 and as to such other matters as the Acquiring Fund shall reasonably request.
7.5 The Trust, on behalf of each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, shall have agreed on the number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued in connection with the Reorganization after such number has been calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.1.
8. FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE TRUST
If any of the conditions set forth in paragraph 8.1 or paragraph 8.5 have not been satisfied on or before the Closing Date, the Transaction contemplated by this Agreement shall not be consummated. If any of the other conditions set forth below have not been satisfied on or before the Closing Date with respect to each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, the Trust shall be entitled, at its option, to refuse to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement:
8.1 This Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of the Target Fund, in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Declaration, the Bylaws, and Massachusetts law, as applicable, and certified copies of the report of the inspector of elections evidencing such approval, if any such approval is required, shall have been delivered to the Acquiring Fund. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trust may not waive the condition set forth in this paragraph 8.1.
8.2 On the Closing Date, no court or governmental agency of competent jurisdiction shall have issued any order that remains in effect and that restrains or enjoins the Trust, with respect to the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund, from completing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
8.3 All consents of other parties and all other consents, orders and permits of federal, state and local regulatory authorities deemed necessary by the Trust to permit consummation, in all material respects, of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such consent, order or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect on the assets or properties of the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund.
8.4 The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been issued and, to the best knowledge of the parties hereto, no investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending.
8.5 The parties (other than Alpine) shall have received the opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, dated the Closing Date, substantially to the effect that, based upon certain facts, assumptions and representations and upon certifications made by the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, and their respective authorized officers, for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (i) the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of the Assets solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities of the Target Fund, followed by the distribution by the Target Fund to its shareholders of Acquiring Fund Shares in complete liquidation of the Target Fund, all pursuant to the Agreement, will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund will each be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code; (ii) no gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer of the Assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities, or upon the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares by the Target Fund to its shareholders in liquidation except for (A) any gain or loss that may be recognized with respect to contracts subject to Section 1256 of the Code, (B) any gain that may be recognized on the transfer of stock in a “passive foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code and (C) any other gain or loss that may be required to be recognized as a result of the closing of the Target Fund’s taxable year or upon the transfer of an asset regardless of whether such transfer would otherwise be a nonrecognition transaction under the Code; (iii) the basis in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of the Assets transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will be the same as the basis of such Assets in the hands of the Target Fund immediately prior to the Closing increased by the amount of gain (or decreased by the amount of loss), if any, recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer; (iv) the holding periods in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of the Assets transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization, other than any Asset with respect to which gain or loss is required to be recognized in the Reorganization, will include the periods during which the respective Assets were held by the Target Fund (except where investment activities of the Acquiring Fund have the effect of reducing or eliminating the holding period with respect to an Asset); (v) no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon receipt of the Assets solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities; (vi) no gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund Shareholders upon the exchange of their Target Fund Shares solely for the Acquiring Fund Shares as part of the Reorganization; (vii) the aggregate basis of the Acquiring Fund Shares that each Target Fund Shareholder receives in the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate basis of his or her Target Fund Shares exchanged therefor; and (viii) a Target Fund Shareholder’s holding period for his or her Acquiring Fund Shares received in the Reorganization will include the period for which he or she held the Target Fund Shares exchanged therefor, provided that he or she held the Target Fund Shares as capital assets on the date of the exchange. The delivery of such opinion is conditioned upon the receipt by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP of representations it shall request of the Trust, on behalf of each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no party hereto may waive the condition set forth in this paragraph 8.5.
8.6 The Assets will include no assets which the Acquiring Fund, by reason of limitations contained in the Declaration or in the Acquiring Fund’s investment restrictions in effect on the Closing Date, may not properly acquire.
9. BROKER FEES AND EXPENSES
9.1 The Trust, on behalf of each of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, represents and warrants that there are no brokers or finders entitled to receive any payments in connection with the transactions provided for herein.
9.2 Alpine will pay for all of the expenses and the out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund solely and directly in connection with the Reorganization. Such costs and expenses include the cost of printing and mailing the Proxy Statement, accompanying notice of special meeting and proxy card, along with postage and proxy solicitation costs, the transaction costs associated with repositioning the Target Fund’s portfolio, if any, in connection with the Reorganization, the costs of related prospectus disclosure changes and the costs of printing and mailing a supplement to the prospectus of the Target Fund to shareholders of the Target Fund, along with postage costs. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, expenses will in any event be paid by the party directly incurring such expenses if and to the extent that the payment by another person of such expenses would result in a Fund’s failure to qualify for treatment as a “regulated investment company” within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code or would prevent the Reorganization from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES
10.1 The Trust agrees that it has not, on behalf of either the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund, made any representation, warranty or covenant not set forth herein and that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.
10.2 The covenants to be performed after the Closing by the Trust shall survive the Closing. All other representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall not survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder and shall terminate on the Closing.
11. TERMINATION
This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Date without penalty to either Fund by resolution of the Board, if circumstances should develop that, in the opinion of the Board, make proceeding with the Agreement inadvisable with respect to the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund. Any such termination resolution will be effective when communicated to the other party. The obligations of Alpine set forth in paragraph 9.2 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
12. AMENDMENTS
This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in such manner as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the authorized officers of the Trust; provided, however, that following the meeting of the Target Fund Shareholders called by the Target Fund pursuant to paragraph 5.2 of this Agreement, no such amendment may have the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued to Target Fund Shareholders under this Agreement to the detriment of such shareholders without their further approval.
13. NOTICES
Any notice, report, statement or demand required or permitted by any provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by facsimile, electronic delivery (i.e., e-mail), personal service or prepaid or certified mail addressed to the Trust at its address set forth in the preamble to this Agreement, to the attention of its President.
14. HEADINGS; COUNTERPARTS; GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY; ASSIGNMENT; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
14.1 The Article headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
14.2 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
14.3 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
14.4 This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment or transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any party without the written consent of the other parties. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
14.5 Consistent with the Declaration, the obligations of the Trust with respect to each of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, entered into in the name or on behalf of the Trust by any of its Trustees, officers, employees or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers, employees, agents or shareholders of the Trust, personally, but bind only the assets of the Trust belonging to the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, and all persons dealing with any series or funds of the Trust must look solely to the assets of the Trust belonging to such series or fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer.
ALPINE EQUITY TRUST,
on behalf of its series ALPINE GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
By: _________________________ |
Name: |
Title: |
ALPINE EQUITY TRUST,
on behalf of its series ALPINE CYCLICAL ADVANTAGE PROPERTY FUND
By: _________________________ |
Name: |
Title: |
Solely for purposes of paragraph 9.2 of the Agreement:
ALPINE WOODS CAPITAL INVESTORS, LLC
By: _________________________ |
Name: |
Title: |
SCHEDULE 4.1
[None.]
APPENDIX C
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF ALPINE GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the Acquiring Fund’s financial performance for Institutional Class shares for the periods shown. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Total return represents the rate that a shareholder would have earned (or lost) on a fund share assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The information in the following table has been derived from the Acquiring Fund’s financial statements, which, except for the financial highlights for the semiannual period ended April 30, 2015, which are unaudited, have been audited by the Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Acquiring Fund’s financial statements, are included in the Acquiring Fund’s Annual Report, which are available free of charge, on the Acquiring Fund’s website.
| Six Months Ended April 30, 2015 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended |
| October 31, |
| 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
| (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Class: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per share, beginning of period | | $ | 20.14 | | | $ | 19.24 | | | $ | 15.93 | | | $ | 14.32 | | | $ | 15.98 | | | $ | 13.38 | |
Income from investment operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 0.60 | | | | 0.60 | | | | 0.71 | | | | 0.65 | | | | 0.61 | | | | 0.43 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | 0.33 | | | | 1.36 | | | | 3.25 | | | | 1.60 | | | | (0.72 | ) | | | 3.40 | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.93 | | | | 1.96 | | | | 3.96 | | | | 2.25 | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | 3.83 | |
Redemption fees | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.01 | | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) |
Less distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (0.36 | ) | | | (0.71 | ) | | | (0.66 | ) | | | (0.64 | ) | | | (0.99 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) |
From net realized gains | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.35 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.55 | ) | | | (1.03 | ) |
Tax return of capital | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | |
Total distributions | | | (0.55 | ) | | | (1.06 | ) | | | (0.66 | ) | | | (0.64 | ) | | | (1.55 | ) | | | (1.23 | ) |
Net asset value per share, end of period | | $ | 20.52 | | | $ | 20.14 | | | $ | 19.24 | | | $ | 15.93 | | | $ | 14.32 | | | $ | 15.98 | |
Total return | | | 4.79 | %(b) | | | 10.52 | % | | | 25.35 | % | | | 16.09 | % | | | (1.03 | )% | | | 30.23 | % |
Ratios/Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets at end of period (000) | $203,992 | | $185,904 | | $125,277 | | $46,998 | | $29,028 | | $2,245 | |
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Before waivers and/or expense reimbursements (c) | | | 1.17 | %(d) | | | 1.21 | % | | | 1.24 | % | | | 1.33 | % | | | 1.59 | % | | | 3.03 | % |
After waivers and/or expense reimbursements (e) | | | 1.17 | %(d) | | | 1.21 | % | | | 1.24 | % | | | 1.33 | % | | | 1.35 | % | | | 1.35 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 4.24 | %(d) | | | 3.14 | % | | | 4.18 | % | | | 4.30 | % | | | 4.17 | % | | | 3.40 | % |
Portfolio turnover (f) | | | 53 | %(b) | | | 109 | % | | | 147 | % | | | 148 | % | | | 189 | % | | | 402 | % |
(a) | The amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(b) | Not annualized. |
(c) | Ratio of total expenses to average net assets excluding interest expense before waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 1.17% for the six months ended April 30, 2015, and 1.21%, 1.24%, 1.33%, 1.59% and 3.03% for the years ended October 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Ratio of total expenses to average net assets excluding interest expense after waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 1.17% for the six months ended April 30, 2015, and 1.21%, 1.24%, 1.33%, 1.35%, and 1.35% for the years ended October 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. |
(f) | Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole, without distinguishing between classes of shares issued. |
APPENDIX D
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE FOR EACH FUND
ALPINE CYCLICAL ADVANTAGE PROPERTY FUND
The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year for Institutional Class shares (formerly known as Investor Class). The table following the bar chart compares the Fund’s performance over time with those of a broad measure of market performance, as well as indices that reflect the market sectors in which the Fund invests. To the extent the Fund engaged in leverage, this may have affected performance. To the extent that the Fund’s historical performance resulted from gains derived from participation in IPOs and/or secondary offerings, there is no guarantee that these results can be replicated in future periods or that the Fund will be able to participate to the same degree in IPOs and secondary offerings in the future. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not a prediction of future results. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.alpinefunds.com or by calling 1-888-785-5578.
Alpine Cyclical Advantage Property Fund
Total Returns as of 12/31 Each Year
Institutional Class
Best and Worst Quarter Results
During the periods shown in the Chart for the Fund
Best Quarter | Worst Quarter |
43.14% | | 06/30/09 | (37.55)% | | 12/31/08 |
Average Annual Total Returns
(For the periods ending December 31, 2014)
Alpine Cyclical Advantage Property Fund – Institutional Class | 1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years | Since Inception (9/1/1993) |
Return Before Taxes | (1.32)% | 7.54% | (2.34)% | 7.88% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | (2.45)% | 7.04% | (2.84)% | 6.76% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (0.59)% | 5.76% | (1.64)% | 6.32% |
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT® Global Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 14.73% | 10.92% | N/A | N/A |
S&P Developed Property Net TR IndexTM (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 14.25% | 11.60% | 6.01% | N/A |
Lipper Global Real Estate Funds Average | 14.63% | 10.75% | 5.11% | 8.98%(1) |
(1) | The Lipper Global Real Estate Funds Average reflects the annualized return from September 2, 1993 through December 31, 2014. |
The after-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
ALPINE GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year for Institutional Class shares (formerly known as the Investor Class). The Class A shares of the Fund were not issued prior to December 30, 2011. Both Institutional Class and Class A shares would have substantially similar annual returns because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities and the annual returns would differ only to the extent that the Classes do not have the same expenses. The Fund’s sales load is not reflected in the bar chart, if it were, returns would be less than those shown. The table following the bar chart compares the Fund’s performance over time with those of a broad measure of market performance, as well as indices that reflect the market sectors in which the Fund invests. Unless otherwise stated, all index since inception returns reflect the inception date of the Institutional Class. To the extent the Fund engaged in leverage, this may have affected performance. The Fund’s past performance benefitted significantly from IPOs and secondary offerings of certain issuers and there is no guarantee that these results can be replicated in future periods or that the Fund will be able to participate to the same degree in IPOs and secondary offerings in the future. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not a prediction of future results. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.alpinefunds.com or by calling 1-888-785-5578.
Alpine Global Infrastructure Fund
Total Returns as of 12/31 Each Year
Institutional Class
Best and Worst Quarter Results
During the periods shown in the Chart for the Fund
Best Quarter | Worst Quarter |
20.62% | 6/30/09 | (18.62)% | 9/30/11 |
Average Annual Total Returns
(For the periods ending December 31, 2014)
Alpine Global Infrastructure Fund – Institutional Class | 1 Year | 5 Years | Since Inception | Inception Date |
Return Before Taxes | 6.90% | 12.53% | 17.57% | 11/3/2008 |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 5.23% | 11.02% | 15.81% | |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 4.32% | 9.60% | 13.87% | |
Alpine Global Infrastructure Fund – Class A | 0.83% | N/A | 14.48% | 12/30/2011 |
S&P Global Infrastructure IndexTM (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 12.98% | 8.90% | 11.36% | |
MSCI All Country World Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 4.16% | 9.17% | 12.10% | |
Lipper Global Infrastructure Funds Average | 9.73% | 11.14% | 13.83%(1) | |
(1) | The Lipper Global Infrastructure Funds Average reflects a return from November 6, 2008 to December 31, 2014. |
The after-tax returns are shown only for Institutional Class shares, are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns for Class A shares will vary from returns shown for Institutional Class shares.
APPENDIX E
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING PROXY CARDS
The following general rules for signing proxy cards may be of assistance to you and avoid the time and expense to the Fund involved in validating your vote if you fail to sign your proxy card properly.
1. | Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the proxy card. |
2. | Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to a name shown in the registration. |
3. | Other Accounts: The capacity of the individual signing the proxy card should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example: |
REGISTRATION | VALID SIGNATURES |
| |
Corporate Accounts | |
| | |
(1) | ABC Corp. | ABC Corp. (by John Doe, Treasurer) |
(2) | ABC Corp. | John Doe, Treasurer |
(3) | ABC Corp. | |
| c/o John Doe, Treasurer | John Doe |
(4) | ABC Corp. Profit Sharing Plan | John Doe, Trustee |
| | |
Trust Accounts | |
| | |
(1) | ABC Trust | Jane B. Doe, Trustee |
(2) | Jane B. Doe, Trustee | |
| u/t/d/ 12/28/78 | Jane B. Doe |
| | |
Custodian or Estate Accounts | |
| | |
(1) | John B. Smith, Cust. | |
| f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr. UGMA | John B. Smith |
(2) | John B. Smith Estate of Jane Smith | John B. Smith, Executor |
APPENDIX F
5% SHAREHOLDERS OF THE TARGET FUND AND THE ACQUIRING FUND
To the knowledge of the Funds, as of August 25, 2015, the following persons owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of such Fund’s outstanding shares:
Alpine Cyclical Advantage Fund
| | Name and Address of Shareholder | | Percent Ownership |
| | | | |
Alpine Global Infrastructure Fund
| | Name and Address of Shareholder | | Percent Ownership |
| | | | |
APPENDIX G
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
Alpine Cyclical Advantage Property Fund (Target Fund) | Alpine Global Infrastructure Fund (Acquiring Fund) | Differences between the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund |
Diversification. With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund may not purchase a security, other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, if as a result of such purchase, more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of any one issuer, or the Fund would own more than 10% of the voting securities of any one issuer. | Diversification. With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund may not purchase a security, other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, if as a result of such purchase, more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of any one issuer, or the Fund would own more than 10% of the voting securities of any one issuer. | Same |
Underwriting. The Fund may not engage in the business of underwriting securities of other issuers. | Underwriting. The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities except as it may be deemed an underwriter under the 1933 Act in connection with the sale of securities in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and limitations. | The policies are essentially the same reflecting the fact that the Funds may not engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by other persons. |
Interests in Oil, Gas or Other Mineral Exploration or Development Programs. The Fund may not purchase, sell or invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs. | Interests in Oil, Gas or Other Mineral Exploration or Development Programs. The Fund may not purchase, sell or invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs. | Same |
Concentration in Any One Industry. The Fund will concentrate its investments in the securities of companies engaged principally in the real estate industry and may invest all of its assets in such securities; however, the Fund may temporarily invest less than 25% of its assets in such securities during periods of adverse economic conditions in the real estate industry. | Concentration in Any One Industry. The Fund will concentrate its investments in infrastructure-related issuers | The Target Fund concentrates its investments in the real estate industry. The Acquiring Fund concentrates its investments in the infrastructure industry. |
Short Sales. The Fund may effect short sales of securities subject to the limitation that the Fund may not sell a security short if, as a result of such sale, the current value of securities sold short by the Fund would exceed 10% of the Fund’s net assets; provided, however, if the Fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (i.e., short sales “against the box”), this limitation is not applicable. | Short Sales. The Fund may effect short sales of securities subject to the limitation that the Fund may not sell a security short if, as a result of such sale, the current value of securities sold short by the Fund would exceed 10% of the Fund’s net assets; provided, however, if the Fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (i.e., short sales “against the box”), this limitation is not applicable. | Same |