| N-2 - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 6 Months Ended | ||||||
| Jun. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2023 | |
| Cover [Abstract] | |||||||
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000897802 | ||||||
| Amendment Flag | false | ||||||
| Document Type | N-CSRS | ||||||
| Entity Registrant Name | Special Opportunities Fund, Inc. | ||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Investment Objectives and Practices [Text Block] | Fund Investment Objective and Policies The Fund investment objective is total return. The investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed by the Board with 60 days’ notice to stockholders. To achieve the objective, the Fund invests primarily in securities the Adviser believes have opportunities for appreciation. The Fund may employ strategies designed to capture price movements generated by anticipated corporate events such as investing in companies involved in special situations, including, but not limited to, mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, spin-offs, balance sheet restructuring, bankruptcy, liquidations and tender offers. In addition, the Fund may employ strategies designed to invest in the debt, equity, or trade claims of companies in financial distress when the Advisor perceives a mispricing. Furthermore, the Fund may invest both long and short in related securities or other instruments in an effort to take advantage of perceived discrepancies in the market prices for such securities, including long and short positions in securities involved in an announced merger or acquisition. Securities which the Adviser identifies include closed-end investment companies with opportunities for appreciation, including funds that trade at a market price discount from their NAV. In addition to the foregoing, the Adviser seeks out other opportunities in the market that have attractive risk reward characteristics for the Fund. The Fund intends its investment portfolio, under normal market conditions, to consist principally of investments in other closed-end investment companies and the securities of large, mid and small-capitalization companies, including potentially direct and indirect investments in the securities of foreign companies. Equity securities in which the Fund may invest include common and preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants and other securities having the characteristics of common stocks, such as ADRs and IDRs, other closed-end investment companies and exchange-traded funds. The Fund may, however, invest a portion of its assets in debt securities or other investment opportunities when the Adviser believes that it is appropriate to do so to earn current income. For example, when interest rates are high in comparison to anticipated returns on equity investments, the Fund’s investment adviser may determine to invest in debt or preferred securities including bank, corporate or government bonds, notes, and debentures that the Adviser determines are suitable investments for the Fund. Such determination may be made regardless of the maturity, duration or rating of any such debt security. The Fund may, from time to time, engage in short sales of securities for investment or for hedging purposes. Short sales are transactions in which the Fund sells a security it does not own. To complete the transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of replacement. The Fund may sell short individual stocks, baskets of individual stocks and ETFs that the Fund expects to underperform other stocks which the Fund holds. For hedging purposes, the Fund may purchase or sell short future contracts on global equity indexes. The Fund may invest, without limitation, in the securities of closed-end funds, provided that, in accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, the Fund will limit any such investment to no more than 3% of the voting stock of such fund and will vote such shares as provided in such Section as set forth below. To comply with provisions of the 1940 Act, on any matter upon which stockholders of a closed-end investment company in which the Fund has invested may vote, the Adviser will direct such shares to be voted in the same proportion as shares held by all other stockholders of such closed-end investment company (i.e., “mirror vote”) or seek instructions from the Fund’s stockholders with regard to the voting on such matter. If the Adviser deems it appropriate to seek instructions from Fund stockholders, the Adviser will vote such proxies proportionally based upon the total number of shares owned by those shareholders that provide instructions. Fund stockholders are informed of such proxy votes on the Fund’s website and by email, if so requested, and they may provide proxy voting instructions by email. In a letter dated August 11, 2020 discussing the results of its 2018 compliance examination, the staff of the New York regional office of the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations opined that, in connection with its prior proxy voting policy, pursuant to which the Fund voted its shares of closed-end funds as determined by a majority of proxy voting instructions received, the Fund “does not in certain cases meet the requirements of the exception set forth in Section 12(d)(1)(E)(iii) of the 1940 Act because in connection with seeking instructions from Fund shareholders with regard to voting certain proxies on behalf of the Fund, the Fund votes such proxies as determined by a majority of the shares owned by those Fund shareholders who provide proxy voting instructions.” In response thereto, the Fund has amended its proxy voting policy to provide that the Fund will vote such proxies proportionally based upon the total number of shares owned by those shareholders that provide instructions. The ETFs and other closed-end investment companies in which the Fund invests may invest in common stocks and may invest in fixed income securities. As a stockholder in any investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of the investment company’s expenses and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s advisory and administrative fees with respect to the assets so invested. The Fund’s management utilizes a balanced approach, including “value” and “growth” investing by seeking out companies at reasonable prices, without regard to sector or industry, which demonstrate favorable long-term growth characteristics. Valuation and growth characteristics may be considered for purposes of selecting potential investment securities. In general, valuation analysis is used to determine the inherent value of the company by analyzing financial information such as a company’s price to book, price to sales, return on equity, and return on assets ratios; and growth analysis is used to determine a company’s potential for long-term dividends and earnings growth due to market-oriented factors such as growing market share, the launch of new products or services, the strength of its management and market demand. Fluctuations in these characteristics may trigger trading decisions to be made by the Fund’s investment adviser with respect to the Fund’s portfolio. Generally, securities will be purchased or sold by the Fund on national securities exchanges and in the over-the-counter market. From time to time, securities may be purchased or sold in private transactions, including securities that are not publicly traded or that are otherwise illiquid. The Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. During such times, the Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including money market instruments, prime commercial paper, repurchase agreements, Treasury bills and other short-term obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. In these and in other cases, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s investment adviser may invest the Fund’s cash balances in any investments it deems appropriate, subject to the restrictions set forth in below under “Fundamental Investment Restrictions” and as permitted under the 1940 Act, including investments in repurchase agreements, money market funds, additional repurchase agreements, U.S. Treasury and U.S. agency securities, municipal bonds and bank accounts. Any income earned from such investments will ordinarily be reinvested by the Fund in accordance with its investment program. Many of the considerations entering into the Fund’s investment adviser’s recommendations and the portfolio manager’s decisions are subjective. Fundamental Investment Restrictions The following fundamental investment limitations cannot be changed without the affirmative vote of the lesser of (a) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or (b) 67% or more of such shares present at a stockholders’ meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy. If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of an investment or transaction, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of portfolio securities or the amount of total assets will not be considered a violation of any of the following limitations or of any of the Fund’s investment policies. The Fund may not: (1) issue senior securities (including borrowing money from banks and other entities and thorough reverse repurchase agreements), except (a) the Fund may borrow in an amount not in excess of 33 1/3% of total assets (including the amount of senior securities issued, but reduced by any liabilities and indebtedness not constituting senior securities), (b) the Fund may issue preferred stock having a liquidation preference in an amount which, combined with the amount of any liabilities or indebtedness constituting senior securities, is not in excess of 50% of its total assets (computed as provided in clause (a) above) and (c) the Fund may borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets (not including the amount borrowed) for temporary or emergency purposes; The following interpretation applies to, but is not a part of, fundamental limitation: (1) each state (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico), territory and possession of the United States, each political subdivision, agency, instrumentality and authority thereof, and each multi-state agency of which a state is a member is a separate “issuer.” When the assets and revenues of an agency authority, instrumentality or other political subdivision are separate from the government creating the subdivision and the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of the subdivision, such subdivision would be deemed to be the sole issuer. Similarly, in the case of an Industrial Development Bond or Private Activity Bond, if that bond is backed only by the assets and revenues of the non-governmental user, then that non-governmental user would be deemed to be the sole issuer. However, if the creating government or another entity guarantees a security, then to the extent that the value of all securities issued or guaranteed by that government or entity and owned by the Fund exceeds 10% of the Fund’s total assets, the guarantee would be considered a separate security and would be treated as issued by that government or entity. This restriction does not limit the percentage of the Fund’s assets that may be invested in Municipal Obligations insured by any given insurer. (2) purchase any security if, as a result of that purchase, 25% or more of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry, except that this limitation does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities or to municipal securities. (3) make loans, except through loans of portfolio securities or through repurchase agreements, provided that for purposes of this restriction, the acquisition of bonds, debentures, other debt securities or instruments, or participations or other interests therein and investment in government obligations, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or similar instruments will not be considered the making of a loan. (4) engage in the business of underwriting securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the Fund might be considered an underwriter under the federal securities laws in connection with its disposition of portfolio securities. (5) purchase or sell real estate, except that investments in securities of issuers that invest in real estate and investments in mortgage-backed securities, mortgage participations or other instruments supported by interests in real estate are not subject to this limitation, and except that the Fund may exercise rights under agreements relating to such securities, including the right to enforce security interests and to hold real estate acquired by reason of such enforcement until that real estate can be liquidated in an orderly manner. (6) purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of owning securities or other instruments, but the Fund may purchase, sell or enter into financial options and futures, forward and spot currency contracts, swap transactions and other financial contracts or derivative instruments. The Fund has no intention to file a voluntary application for relief under federal bankruptcy law or any similar application under state law for so long as the Fund is solvent and does not foresee becoming insolvent. | ||||||
| Risk Factors [Table Text Block] | Principal Risks Factors Related to The Fund’s Investments Other Closed-End Investment Company Securities: In accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, the Fund will be limited by provisions of the 1940 Act that limit the amount the Fund, together with its affiliated persons, can invest in other investment companies to 3% of any other investment company’s total outstanding stock. As a result, the Fund may hold a smaller position in a closed-end investment company than if it were not subject to this restriction. Special Purpose Acquisition Companies. Short sales. Common Stocks. converted into equity securities, their values will normally increase or decrease as the values of the underlying equity securities increase or decrease. The common stocks in which the Fund invests are structurally subordinated to preferred securities, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and assets and, therefore, will be subject to greater risk than the preferred securities or debt instruments of such issuers. Exchange Traded Funds. Fixed Income Securities, including Non-Investment Grade Securities. Corporate Bonds, Government Debt Securities and Other Debt Securities: The Fund may invest in government debt securities, including those of emerging market issuers or of other non-U.S. issuers. These securities may be U.S. dollar-denominated or non-U.S. dollar-denominated and include: (a) debt obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign national, provincial, state, municipal or other governments with taxing authority or by their agencies or instrumentalities; and (b) debt obligations of supranational entities. Government debt securities include: debt securities issued or guaranteed by governments, government agencies or instrumentalities and political subdivisions; debt securities issued by government owned, controlled or sponsored entities; interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics issued by the above noted issuers; or debt securities issued by supranational entities such as the World Bank or the European Union. The Fund may also invest in securities denominated in currencies of emerging market countries. Emerging market debt securities generally are rated in the lower rating categories of recognized credit rating agencies or are unrated and considered to be of comparable quality to lower rated debt securities. A non-U.S. issuer of debt or the non-U.S. governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and the Fund may have limited resources in the event of a default. Some of these risks do not apply to issuers in large, more developed countries. These risks are more pronounced in investments in issuers in emerging markets or if the Fund invests significantly in one country. Short Sale Risk: Depending on arrangements made with the broker-dealer from which it borrowed the security regarding payment over of any payments received by the Fund on such security, the Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on its collateral deposited with such broker-dealer. Although the Fund’s gain is limited to the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is unlimited. Purchasing securities to close out the short position can itself cause the price of the securities to rise further, thereby exacerbating a possible loss. Short selling exposes the Fund to unlimited risk with respect to that security due to the lack of an upper limit on the price to which an instrument can rise. The requirements of the 1940 Act and Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) provide that the Fund not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short by the Fund exceeds 30% of the value of its managed assets. Small and Medium Cap Company Risk: Foreign Securities: The value of foreign securities is affected by changes in currency rates, foreign tax laws (including withholding and confiscatory taxes), government policies (in this country or abroad), relations between nations and trading, settlement, custodial and other operational risks. In addition, the costs of investing abroad are generally higher than in the United States, and foreign securities markets may be less liquid, more volatile and less subject to governmental supervision than markets in the U.S. As an alternative to holding foreign traded securities, the Fund may invest in dollar-denominated securities of foreign companies that trade on U.S. exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market (including depositary receipts as described below, which evidence ownership in underlying foreign securities, and ETFs as described above). Because foreign companies are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. Volume and liquidity in most foreign debt markets is less than in the United States and securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, broker dealers and listed companies than in the United States. Mail service between the United States and foreign countries may be slower or less reliable than within the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. Payment for securities before delivery may be required. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, including those with emerging markets, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect investments in those countries. For example, prior governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in some emerging market countries, and the extent of foreign investment may be subject to limitation in other emerging countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Foreign securities markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the United States, and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. The Fund may purchase ADRs, international depositary receipts (“IDRs”) and global depository receipts (“GDRs”) which are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of foreign issuers and are alternatives to purchasing directly the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, such depository receipts continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include foreign exchange risk as well as the political and economic risks associated with the underlying issuer’s country. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be sponsored or unsponsored. Unsponsored receipts are established without the participation of the issuer. Unsponsored receipts may involve higher expenses, they may not pass-through voting or other stockholder rights, and they may be less liquid. Less information is normally available on unsponsored receipts. Dividends paid on foreign securities may not qualify for the reduced federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Code. As a result, there can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s distributions attributable to foreign securities will be designated as qualified dividend income. Emerging Market Securities: Preferred Stocks: Investment in preferred stocks carries risks, including credit risk, deferral risk, redemption risk, limited voting rights, risk of subordination and lack of liquidity. Fully taxable or hybrid preferred securities typically contain provisions that allow an issuer, at its discretion, to defer distributions for up to 20 consecutive quarters. Distributions on preferred stock must be declared by the board of directors and may be subject to deferral, and thus they may not be automatically payable. Income payments on preferred stocks may be cumulative, causing dividends and distributions to accrue even if not declared by the company’s board or otherwise made payable, or they may be non-cumulative, so that skipped dividends and distributions do not continue to accrue. There is no assurance that dividends on preferred stocks in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable. The Fund may invest in non-cumulative preferred stock, although the Fund’s investment adviser would consider, among other factors, their non-cumulative nature in making any decision to purchase or sell such securities. Shares of preferred stock have a liquidation value that generally equals the original purchase price at the date of issuance. The market values of preferred stock may be affected by favorable and unfavorable changes impacting the issuers’ industries or sectors, including companies in the utilities and financial services sectors, which are prominent issuers of preferred stock. They may also be affected by actual and anticipated changes or ambiguities in the tax status of the security and by actual and anticipated changes or ambiguities in tax laws, such as changes in corporate and individual income tax rates, and in the dividends received deduction for corporate taxpayers or the lower rates applicable to certain dividends. Because the claim on an issuer’s earnings represented by preferred stock may become onerous when interest rates fall below the rate payable on the stock or for other reasons, the issuer may redeem preferred stock, generally after an initial period of call protection in which the stock is not redeemable. Thus, in declining interest rate environments in particular, the Fund’s holdings of higher dividend paying preferred stocks may be reduced and the Fund may be unable to acquire securities paying comparable rates with the redemption proceeds. In the event of a redemption, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds at comparable rates of return. Convertible Securities. The value of a convertible security, including, for example, a warrant, is a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its “conversion value” (the security’s worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. The conversion value of a convertible security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. Generally, the conversion value decreases as the convertible security approaches maturity. To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value by the extent to which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed income security. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Real Estate Investment Trusts. Qualification as a REIT under the Code in any particular year is a complex analysis that depends on a number of factors. There can be no assurance that the entities in which the Fund invests with the expectation that they will be taxed as a REIT will qualify as a REIT. An entity that fails to qualify as a REIT would be subject to a corporate level tax, would not be entitled to a deduction for dividends paid to its stockholders and would not pass through to its stockholders the character of income earned by the entity. If the Fund were to invest in an entity that failed to qualify as a REIT, such failure could significantly reduce the Fund’s yield on that investment. REITs can be classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest primarily in real property and earn rental income from leasing those properties. They may also realize gains or losses from the sale of properties. Equity REITs will be affected by conditions in the real estate rental market and by changes in the value of the properties they own. Mortgage REITs invest primarily in mortgages and similar real estate interests and receive interest payments from the owners of the mortgaged properties. Mortgage REITs will be affected by changes in creditworthiness of borrowers and changes in interest rates. Hybrid REITs invest both in real property and in mortgages. Equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills, may not be diversified and are subject to the risks of financing projects. Dividends paid by REITs will not generally qualify for the reduced U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Code. The Fund’s investments in REITs may include an additional risk to stockholders. Some or all of a REIT’s annual distributions to its investors may constitute a non-taxable return of capital. Any such return of capital will generally reduce the Fund’s basis in the REIT investment, but not below zero. To the extent the distributions from a particular REIT exceed the Fund’s basis in such REIT, the Fund will generally recognize gain. In part because REIT distributions often include a nontaxable return of capital, trust distributions to stockholders may also include a nontaxable return of capital. Stockholders that receive such a distribution will also reduce their tax basis in their common shares of the Fund, but not below zero. To the extent the distribution exceeds a stockholder’s basis in the Fund’s common shares such stockholder will generally recognize a capital gain. The Fund does not have any investment restrictions with respect to investments in REITs other than its concentration policy which limits its investments in REITs to no more than 25% of its assets. Issuer Risk: Foreign Currency Risk: Defensive Positions: Risk Characteristics of Options and Futures: Securities Lending Risk: Discount Risk: Other Risks: Investment transactions and investment income Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized using the effective yield method as adjustments to interest income and the identified cost of investments. Dividends and distributions The Fund has made certain investments in Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) which pay distributions to their shareholders based upon available funds from operations. Each REIT reports annually the tax character of its distributions. It is quite common for these distributions to exceed the REIT’s taxable earnings and profits resulting in the excess portion of such distributions being designated as a return of capital or long-term capital gain. The Fund intends to include the gross distributions from such REITs in its distributions to its shareholders; accordingly, a portion of the distributions paid to the Fund and subsequently distributed to shareholders may be re-characterized. The final determination of the amount of the Fund’s return of capital distribution for the period will be made after the end of each calendar year. Holders of Convertible Preferred Stock receive calendar quarterly dividends at the rate of 2.75% of the Subscription Price per year. Dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock are fully cumulative, and accumulate without interest from the date of original issuance of the Convertible Preferred Stock. | ||||||
| Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] | |||||||
| Capital Stock [Table Text Block] | Convertible Preferred Stock During the year ended December 31, 2021 the Fund converted 2,163,053 shares or $54,076,325 of the Fund’s Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B into 4,211,996 shares of the Fund’s common stock. The remaining 60,923 of Convertible Preferred Shares were redeemed at $25 per share for a total of $1,523,075. On January 21, 2022 the Fund completed its Convertible Preferred Rights offering at $25 per share. As a result of this offering the Fund raised $58,373,850 and issued 2,334,954 shares of 2.75% Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C. The holders of Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C may convert their shares to common stock on a quarterly basis at a conversion rate equivalent to the current conversion price of $18.770 per share of common stock (which is a current ratio of 1.3319 shares of common stock for each share of Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C held). The conversion price (and resulting conversion ratio) will be adjusted for any distributions made to or on behalf of common stockholders. Following any such conversion, shares of common stock shall be issued as soon as reasonably practicable following the next quarterly dividend payment date. Until the mandatory redemption date of the Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C, January 21, 2027, at any time following the second anniversary of the expiration date of the Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C rights offering, the Board may, in its sole discretion, redeem all or any part of the then outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C at $25.00 per share. Under such circumstances, the Fund shall provide no less than 30 days’ notice to the holders of Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C that, unless such shares have been converted by a certain date, the shares will be redeemed. If, at any time from and after the date of issuance of the Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C, the market price of the common stock is equal to or greater than $22.02 per share (as adjusted for dividends or other distributions made to or on behalf of holders of the common stock), the Board may, in its sole discretion, require the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C to convert all or any part of their shares into shares of common stock at a conversion rate equivalent to the current conversion price of $18.770 per share of common stock (which is a current ratio of 1.3319 shares of common stock for each share of Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C held), subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Fund purchased 13,060 shares of preferred stock in the open market at a cost of $296,320. The weighted average discount of these purchases comparing the average purchase price to net asset value at the close of the New York Stock Exchange was 9.30%. The conversion price (and resulting conversion ratio) will be adjusted for any dividends or other distributions made to or on behalf of common stockholders. Notice of such mandatory conversion shall be provided by the Fund in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation. In connection with all conversions shareholders of Convertible Preferred Stock would receive payment for all declared and unpaid dividends on the shares of Convertible Preferred Stock held to the date of conversion, but after conversion would no longer be entitled to the dividends, liquidation preference or other rights attributable to holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock. The Convertible Preferred Stock is classified outside of the permanent equity (net assets applicable to Common Stockholders) in the accompanying financial statements in accordance with accounting for redeemable equity instruments, which requires preferred securities that are redeemable for cash or other assets to be classified outside of permanent equity to the extent that the redemption is at a fixed or determinable price and at the option of the holder or upon occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer. The Fund is required to meet certain asset coverage tests with respect to the Convertible Preferred Stock as required by the 1940 Act. In addition, pursuant to the Rating Agency Guidelines established by Moody’s, the Fund is required to maintain a certain discounted asset coverage. If the Fund fails to meet these requirements and does not correct such failure, the Fund may be required to redeem, in part or in full, the Convertible Preferred Stock at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid dividends, whether or not declared on such shares, in order to meet these requirements. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing asset coverage requirements could restrict the Fund’s ability to pay dividends to Common Stockholders and could lead to sales of portfolio securities at inopportune times. The Fund has met these requirements since issuing the Convertible Preferred Stock. | ||||||
| Preferred Stock Restrictions, Other [Text Block] | On January 21, 2022 the Fund completed its Convertible Preferred Rights offering at $25 per share. As a result of this offering the Fund raised $58,373,850 and issued 2,334,954 shares of 2.75% Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C. The holders of Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C may convert their shares to common stock on a quarterly basis at a conversion rate equivalent to the current conversion price of $18.770 per share of common stock (which is a current ratio of 1.3319 shares of common stock for each share of Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C held). The conversion price (and resulting conversion ratio) will be adjusted for any distributions made to or on behalf of common stockholders. Following any such conversion, shares of common stock shall be issued as soon as reasonably practicable following the next quarterly dividend payment date. Until the mandatory redemption date of the Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C, January 21, 2027, at any time following the second anniversary of the expiration date of the Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C rights offering, the Board may, in its sole discretion, redeem all or any part of the then outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C at $25.00 per share. Under such circumstances, the Fund shall provide no less than 30 days’ notice to the holders of Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C that, unless such shares have been converted by a certain date, the shares will be redeemed. If, at any time from and after the date of issuance of the Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C, the market price of the common stock is equal to or greater than $22.02 per share (as adjusted for dividends or other distributions made to or on behalf of holders of the common stock), the Board may, in its sole discretion, require the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C to convert all or any part of their shares into shares of common stock at a conversion rate equivalent to the current conversion price of $18.770 per share of common stock (which is a current ratio of 1.3319 shares of common stock for each share of Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C held), subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Fund purchased 13,060 shares of preferred stock in the open market at a cost of $296,320. The weighted average discount of these purchases comparing the average purchase price to net asset value at the close of the New York Stock Exchange was 9.30%. The conversion price (and resulting conversion ratio) will be adjusted for any dividends or other distributions made to or on behalf of common stockholders. Notice of such mandatory conversion shall be provided by the Fund in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation. In connection with all conversions shareholders of Convertible Preferred Stock would receive payment for all declared and unpaid dividends on the shares of Convertible Preferred Stock held to the date of conversion, but after conversion would no longer be entitled to the dividends, liquidation preference or other rights attributable to holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock. The Convertible Preferred Stock is classified outside of the permanent equity (net assets applicable to Common Stockholders) in the accompanying financial statements in accordance with accounting for redeemable equity instruments, which requires preferred securities that are redeemable for cash or other assets to be classified outside of permanent equity to the extent that the redemption is at a fixed or determinable price and at the option of the holder or upon occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer. The Fund is required to meet certain asset coverage tests with respect to the Convertible Preferred Stock as required by the 1940 Act. In addition, pursuant to the Rating Agency Guidelines established by Moody’s, the Fund is required to maintain a certain discounted asset coverage. If the Fund fails to meet these requirements and does not correct such failure, the Fund may be required to redeem, in part or in full, the Convertible Preferred Stock at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid dividends, whether or not declared on such shares, in order to meet these requirements. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing asset coverage requirements could restrict the Fund’s ability to pay dividends to Common Stockholders and could lead to sales of portfolio securities at inopportune times. The Fund has met these requirements since issuing the Convertible Preferred Stock. | ||||||
| Document Period End Date | Jun. 30, 2023 | ||||||
| Special Purpose Acquisition Companies [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Special Purpose Acquisition Companies. | ||||||
| Short sales [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Short sales. | ||||||
| Common Stocks [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Common Stocks. converted into equity securities, their values will normally increase or decrease as the values of the underlying equity securities increase or decrease. The common stocks in which the Fund invests are structurally subordinated to preferred securities, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and assets and, therefore, will be subject to greater risk than the preferred securities or debt instruments of such issuers. | ||||||
| Other Closed-End Investment Company Securities [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Other Closed-End Investment Company Securities: In accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, the Fund will be limited by provisions of the 1940 Act that limit the amount the Fund, together with its affiliated persons, can invest in other investment companies to 3% of any other investment company’s total outstanding stock. As a result, the Fund may hold a smaller position in a closed-end investment company than if it were not subject to this restriction. | ||||||
| Exchange Traded Funds [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Exchange Traded Funds. | ||||||
| Fixed Income Securities, including Non-Investment Grade Securities [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Fixed Income Securities, including Non-Investment Grade Securities. | ||||||
| Corporate Bonds, Government Debt Securities and Other Debt Securities [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Corporate Bonds, Government Debt Securities and Other Debt Securities: The Fund may invest in government debt securities, including those of emerging market issuers or of other non-U.S. issuers. These securities may be U.S. dollar-denominated or non-U.S. dollar-denominated and include: (a) debt obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign national, provincial, state, municipal or other governments with taxing authority or by their agencies or instrumentalities; and (b) debt obligations of supranational entities. Government debt securities include: debt securities issued or guaranteed by governments, government agencies or instrumentalities and political subdivisions; debt securities issued by government owned, controlled or sponsored entities; interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics issued by the above noted issuers; or debt securities issued by supranational entities such as the World Bank or the European Union. The Fund may also invest in securities denominated in currencies of emerging market countries. Emerging market debt securities generally are rated in the lower rating categories of recognized credit rating agencies or are unrated and considered to be of comparable quality to lower rated debt securities. A non-U.S. issuer of debt or the non-U.S. governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and the Fund may have limited resources in the event of a default. Some of these risks do not apply to issuers in large, more developed countries. These risks are more pronounced in investments in issuers in emerging markets or if the Fund invests significantly in one country. | ||||||
| Short Sale Risk [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Short Sale Risk: Depending on arrangements made with the broker-dealer from which it borrowed the security regarding payment over of any payments received by the Fund on such security, the Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on its collateral deposited with such broker-dealer. Although the Fund’s gain is limited to the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is unlimited. Purchasing securities to close out the short position can itself cause the price of the securities to rise further, thereby exacerbating a possible loss. Short selling exposes the Fund to unlimited risk with respect to that security due to the lack of an upper limit on the price to which an instrument can rise. The requirements of the 1940 Act and Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) provide that the Fund not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short by the Fund exceeds 30% of the value of its managed assets. | ||||||
| Small and Medium Cap Company Risk [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Small and Medium Cap Company Risk: | ||||||
| Foreign Securities [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Foreign Securities: The value of foreign securities is affected by changes in currency rates, foreign tax laws (including withholding and confiscatory taxes), government policies (in this country or abroad), relations between nations and trading, settlement, custodial and other operational risks. In addition, the costs of investing abroad are generally higher than in the United States, and foreign securities markets may be less liquid, more volatile and less subject to governmental supervision than markets in the U.S. As an alternative to holding foreign traded securities, the Fund may invest in dollar-denominated securities of foreign companies that trade on U.S. exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market (including depositary receipts as described below, which evidence ownership in underlying foreign securities, and ETFs as described above). Because foreign companies are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. Volume and liquidity in most foreign debt markets is less than in the United States and securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, broker dealers and listed companies than in the United States. Mail service between the United States and foreign countries may be slower or less reliable than within the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. Payment for securities before delivery may be required. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, including those with emerging markets, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect investments in those countries. For example, prior governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in some emerging market countries, and the extent of foreign investment may be subject to limitation in other emerging countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Foreign securities markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the United States, and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. The Fund may purchase ADRs, international depositary receipts (“IDRs”) and global depository receipts (“GDRs”) which are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of foreign issuers and are alternatives to purchasing directly the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, such depository receipts continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include foreign exchange risk as well as the political and economic risks associated with the underlying issuer’s country. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be sponsored or unsponsored. Unsponsored receipts are established without the participation of the issuer. Unsponsored receipts may involve higher expenses, they may not pass-through voting or other stockholder rights, and they may be less liquid. Less information is normally available on unsponsored receipts. Dividends paid on foreign securities may not qualify for the reduced federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Code. As a result, there can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s distributions attributable to foreign securities will be designated as qualified dividend income. | ||||||
| Emerging Market Securities [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Emerging Market Securities: | ||||||
| Preferred Stocks [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Preferred Stocks: Investment in preferred stocks carries risks, including credit risk, deferral risk, redemption risk, limited voting rights, risk of subordination and lack of liquidity. Fully taxable or hybrid preferred securities typically contain provisions that allow an issuer, at its discretion, to defer distributions for up to 20 consecutive quarters. Distributions on preferred stock must be declared by the board of directors and may be subject to deferral, and thus they may not be automatically payable. Income payments on preferred stocks may be cumulative, causing dividends and distributions to accrue even if not declared by the company’s board or otherwise made payable, or they may be non-cumulative, so that skipped dividends and distributions do not continue to accrue. There is no assurance that dividends on preferred stocks in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable. The Fund may invest in non-cumulative preferred stock, although the Fund’s investment adviser would consider, among other factors, their non-cumulative nature in making any decision to purchase or sell such securities. Shares of preferred stock have a liquidation value that generally equals the original purchase price at the date of issuance. The market values of preferred stock may be affected by favorable and unfavorable changes impacting the issuers’ industries or sectors, including companies in the utilities and financial services sectors, which are prominent issuers of preferred stock. They may also be affected by actual and anticipated changes or ambiguities in the tax status of the security and by actual and anticipated changes or ambiguities in tax laws, such as changes in corporate and individual income tax rates, and in the dividends received deduction for corporate taxpayers or the lower rates applicable to certain dividends. Because the claim on an issuer’s earnings represented by preferred stock may become onerous when interest rates fall below the rate payable on the stock or for other reasons, the issuer may redeem preferred stock, generally after an initial period of call protection in which the stock is not redeemable. Thus, in declining interest rate environments in particular, the Fund’s holdings of higher dividend paying preferred stocks may be reduced and the Fund may be unable to acquire securities paying comparable rates with the redemption proceeds. In the event of a redemption, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds at comparable rates of return. | ||||||
| Convertible Securities [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Convertible Securities. The value of a convertible security, including, for example, a warrant, is a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its “conversion value” (the security’s worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. The conversion value of a convertible security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. Generally, the conversion value decreases as the convertible security approaches maturity. To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value by the extent to which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed income security. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. | ||||||
| Real Estate Investment Trusts [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Real Estate Investment Trusts. Qualification as a REIT under the Code in any particular year is a complex analysis that depends on a number of factors. There can be no assurance that the entities in which the Fund invests with the expectation that they will be taxed as a REIT will qualify as a REIT. An entity that fails to qualify as a REIT would be subject to a corporate level tax, would not be entitled to a deduction for dividends paid to its stockholders and would not pass through to its stockholders the character of income earned by the entity. If the Fund were to invest in an entity that failed to qualify as a REIT, such failure could significantly reduce the Fund’s yield on that investment. REITs can be classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest primarily in real property and earn rental income from leasing those properties. They may also realize gains or losses from the sale of properties. Equity REITs will be affected by conditions in the real estate rental market and by changes in the value of the properties they own. Mortgage REITs invest primarily in mortgages and similar real estate interests and receive interest payments from the owners of the mortgaged properties. Mortgage REITs will be affected by changes in creditworthiness of borrowers and changes in interest rates. Hybrid REITs invest both in real property and in mortgages. Equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills, may not be diversified and are subject to the risks of financing projects. Dividends paid by REITs will not generally qualify for the reduced U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Code. The Fund’s investments in REITs may include an additional risk to stockholders. Some or all of a REIT’s annual distributions to its investors may constitute a non-taxable return of capital. Any such return of capital will generally reduce the Fund’s basis in the REIT investment, but not below zero. To the extent the distributions from a particular REIT exceed the Fund’s basis in such REIT, the Fund will generally recognize gain. In part because REIT distributions often include a nontaxable return of capital, trust distributions to stockholders may also include a nontaxable return of capital. Stockholders that receive such a distribution will also reduce their tax basis in their common shares of the Fund, but not below zero. To the extent the distribution exceeds a stockholder’s basis in the Fund’s common shares such stockholder will generally recognize a capital gain. The Fund does not have any investment restrictions with respect to investments in REITs other than its concentration policy which limits its investments in REITs to no more than 25% of its assets. | ||||||
| Issuer Risk [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Issuer Risk: | ||||||
| Foreign Currency Risk [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Foreign Currency Risk: | ||||||
| Defensive Positions [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Defensive Positions: | ||||||
| Risk Characteristics of Options and Futures [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Risk Characteristics of Options and Futures: | ||||||
| Securities Lending Risk [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Securities Lending Risk: | ||||||
| Discount Risk [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Discount Risk: | ||||||
| Other Risks [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Other Risks: | ||||||
| Investment transactions and investment income [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Investment transactions and investment income Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized using the effective yield method as adjustments to interest income and the identified cost of investments. | ||||||
| Dividends and distributions [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Risk [Text Block] | Dividends and distributions The Fund has made certain investments in Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) which pay distributions to their shareholders based upon available funds from operations. Each REIT reports annually the tax character of its distributions. It is quite common for these distributions to exceed the REIT’s taxable earnings and profits resulting in the excess portion of such distributions being designated as a return of capital or long-term capital gain. The Fund intends to include the gross distributions from such REITs in its distributions to its shareholders; accordingly, a portion of the distributions paid to the Fund and subsequently distributed to shareholders may be re-characterized. The final determination of the amount of the Fund’s return of capital distribution for the period will be made after the end of each calendar year. Holders of Convertible Preferred Stock receive calendar quarterly dividends at the rate of 2.75% of the Subscription Price per year. Dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock are fully cumulative, and accumulate without interest from the date of original issuance of the Convertible Preferred Stock. | ||||||
| Common Shares [Member] | |||||||
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | |||||||
| Share Price | $ 11.22 | $ 11.40 | $ 15.45 | $ 14.08 | $ 14.73 | $ 11.84 | $ 11.22 |
| NAV Per Share | $ 13.52 | $ 13.01 | $ 16.55 | $ 16.13 | $ 16.06 | $ 13.78 | $ 13.52 |
| Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] | |||||||
| Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block] | Common stock | ||||||
| Outstanding Security, Authorized [Shares] | 199,995,800 | ||||||
| Outstanding Security, Held [Shares] | 14,416,415 | ||||||
| Outstanding Security, Not Held [Shares] | 11,385,412 | ||||||
| Preferred Shares [Member] | |||||||
| Financial Highlights [Abstract] | |||||||
| Senior Securities Amount | $ 58,078 | $ 58,374 | $ 55,599 | $ 55,599 | $ 55,599 | $ 58,078 | |
| Senior Securities Coverage per Unit | $ 91 | $ 89 | $ 87 | $ 86 | $ 78 | $ 91 | |
| Preferred Stock Liquidating Preference | $ 25 | $ 25 | |||||
| Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] | |||||||
| Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block] | 2.75% Convertible Preferred Stock | ||||||
| Outstanding Security, Not Held [Shares] | 2,321,894 | 2,334,954 | 2,223,976 | 2,223,976 | 2,223,976 |
