Investment Company Act file number: 811-08747
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DISTRIBUTION POLICY | ||||
December 31, 2018
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 |
PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS | ||||
December 31, 2018
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TOP TEN |
December 31, 2018 |
TOP TEN |
December 31, 2018 |
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SECURITY HOLDINGS
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INDUSTRIES
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1 Credit Acceptance Corporation
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1 Transportation Equipment |
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2 Tractor Supply Company
3 AutoZone, Inc.
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2 Electronic and Other Electrical Equipment and Components, except Computer Equipment |
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4 PACCAR Inc. |
3 Chemical and Allied Products
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5 Hormel Foods Corporation
6 Apple Inc.
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4 Security and Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges and Services
5 Communications |
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7 Intel Corporation |
6 Food and Kindred Products
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8 Broadcom Inc. |
7 Business Services
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9 The Walt Disney Company |
8 Transportation by Air
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10 Discovery, Inc. |
9 Industrial and Commercial Machinery and Computer Equipment
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Top ten security holdings comprise approximately 18% of total assets. |
10 Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply, and Mobile Home Dealers |
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Top ten security holdings and industries are shown for informational purposes only and are subject to change. The above portfolio information should not be considered as a recommendation to purchase or sell a particular security and there is no assurance that any securities will remain in or out of the Fund.
Security Holdings by Sector on December 31, 2018*
* Based on approximate percentages of net assets and may not add up to 100% due to leverage, cash or other assets, rounding, and other factors. Allocations of less than 1% in the aggregate are not shown. Allocations are subject to change. |
1 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS | ||||
December 31, 2018
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 2 |
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS | ||||
December 31, 2018
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3 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS |
December 31, 2018
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Financial Statements
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Common Stocks (111.17%)
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Shares
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Value
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Shares
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Value
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See notes to financial statements.
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 4 |
SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS |
December 31, 2018
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Financial Statements
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Common Stocks (continued)
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Shares
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Value
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Shares
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Value
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See notes to financial statements.
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5 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS |
December 31, 2018
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Financial Statements
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Master Limited Partnership (1.64%)
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Units
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Value
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Shares
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Value
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(a) Non-income producing.
(b) Illiquid and/or restricted security that has been fair valued.
(c) The Fund’s total investment portfolio value of $185,219,133 has been pledged as collateral for borrowings under the Fund’s credit facility.
See notes to financial statements.
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 6 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||||
Financial Statements
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December 31, 2018
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Assets |
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Investments, at value (cost: $192,911,352) |
$ | 185,219,133 | ||||||
Cash |
3,595 | |||||||
Receivables: |
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Dividends |
381,118 | |||||||
Due from transfer agent |
283,387 | |||||||
Interest |
17,594 | |||||||
Foreign withholding tax reclaims |
5,766 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
66,317 | |||||||
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Total assets |
185,976,910 | |||||||
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Liabilities |
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Credit facility borrowing |
26,728,200 | |||||||
Payables: |
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Accrued expenses |
216,180 | |||||||
Investment management |
156,319 | |||||||
Administrative services |
20,254 | |||||||
Trustees |
3,713 | |||||||
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Total liabilities |
27,124,666 | |||||||
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Net Assets |
$ | 158,852,244 | ||||||
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Net Asset Value Per Share |
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(applicable to shares issued and outstanding: 12,387,123) |
$ | 12.82 | ||||||
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Net Assets Consist of |
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Paid in capital |
$ | 165,375,425 | ||||||
Distributable earnings |
(6,523,181 | ) | ||||||
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$ |
158,852,244 |
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See notes to financial statements.
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7 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | ||||
Financial Statements
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Year Ended December 31, 2018
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Investment Income |
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Dividends (net of $25,979 foreign tax withholding) |
$ | 5,485,081 | ||||||
Interest |
60,022 | |||||||
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Total investment income |
5,545,103 | |||||||
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Expenses |
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Investment management |
1,885,450 | |||||||
Interest and fees on credit facility |
557,347 | |||||||
Administrative services |
183,398 | |||||||
Bookkeeping and pricing |
105,350 | |||||||
Legal |
96,740 | |||||||
Trustees |
87,329 | |||||||
Insurance |
48,920 | |||||||
Auditing |
39,175 | |||||||
Exchange listing and registration |
37,135 | |||||||
Transfer agent |
23,809 | |||||||
Shareholder communications |
19,841 | |||||||
Custodian |
16,815 | |||||||
Other |
13,954 | |||||||
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Total expenses |
3,115,263 | |||||||
Expense reduction |
(6,456) | |||||||
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Net expenses |
3,108,807 | |||||||
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Net investment income |
2,436,296 | |||||||
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Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) |
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Net realized gain on |
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Investments |
5,042,614 | |||||||
Foreign currencies |
2,888 | |||||||
Unrealized depreciation on investments |
(43,151,928) | |||||||
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Net realized and unrealized loss |
(38,106,426) | |||||||
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Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations |
$(35,670,130) | |||||||
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See notes to financial statements.
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 8 |
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS | ||||
Financial Statements
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Year Ended
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Year Ended December 31, 2017
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Operations |
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Net investment income |
$ | 2,436,296 | $ | 1,680,452 | ||||||||||||
Net realized gain on investments |
5,045,502 | 5,222,643 | ||||||||||||||
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments |
(43,151,928) | 27,388,457 | ||||||||||||||
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Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations |
(35,670,130) | 34,291,552 | ||||||||||||||
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Distributions to Shareholders (1) |
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Distributable earnings |
(7,121,597) | (5,069,752) | ||||||||||||||
Return of capital |
(1,523,838) | (1,331,440) | ||||||||||||||
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Total distributions |
(8,645,435) | (6,401,192) | ||||||||||||||
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Capital Share Transactions |
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Proceeds from shares issued in rights offering |
23,497,606 | - | ||||||||||||||
Offering costs of share offering charged to paid in capital |
(159,595) | - | ||||||||||||||
Reinvestment of distributions to shareholders |
428,441 | 506,033 | ||||||||||||||
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Increase in net assets from capital share transactions |
23,766,452 | 506,033 | ||||||||||||||
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Total change in net assets |
(20,549,113) | 28,396,393 | ||||||||||||||
Net Assets |
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Beginning of period |
179,401,357 | 151,004,964 | ||||||||||||||
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End of period (2) |
$158,852,244 | $179,401,357 | ||||||||||||||
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(1) The SEC eliminated the requirements to disclose components of distributions paid to shareholders in September 2018. Included in distributions from distributable earnings for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $4,127,125 from investment income and $942,627 from capital gains. | ||||||||||||||||
(2) The SEC eliminated the requirement to disclose undistributed net investment income in September 2018. | ||||||||||||||||
See notes to financial statements.
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9 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS |
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Financial Statements
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Year Ended
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Cash Flows From Operating Activities |
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Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations |
$ (35,670,130) | |||||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
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Unrealized depreciation on investments |
43,151,928 | |||||||||||
Net realized gain on sales of investments |
(5,045,502) | |||||||||||
Purchase of long term investments |
(122,802,747) | |||||||||||
Proceeds from sales of long term investments |
113,559,037 | |||||||||||
Net sales of short term investments |
435,965 | |||||||||||
Amortization of premium on investments |
523 | |||||||||||
Increase in dividends receivable |
(155,844) | |||||||||||
Increase in due from transfer agent |
(258,209) | |||||||||||
Decrease in interest receivable |
1,198 | |||||||||||
Increase in foreign withholding tax reclaims |
(1,688) | |||||||||||
Decrease in deferred rights offering expenses |
42,489 | |||||||||||
Decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets |
(29,479) | |||||||||||
Decrease in accrued expenses |
(22,574) | |||||||||||
Decrease in investment management fee payable |
(15,913) | |||||||||||
Decrease in administrative services payable |
(33,616) | |||||||||||
Decrease in trustee expenses payable |
(1,060) | |||||||||||
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Net cash used in operating activities |
(6,845,622) | |||||||||||
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Cash Flows from Financing Activities |
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Proceeds from capital shares issued in share offering |
23,497,606 | |||||||||||
Offering costs of share offering |
(159,595) | |||||||||||
Credit facility repayment, net |
(8,271,800) | |||||||||||
Cash distributions paid |
(8,216,994) | |||||||||||
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Net cash provided by financing activities |
6,849,217 | |||||||||||
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Net change in cash |
3,595 | |||||||||||
Cash |
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Beginning of period |
- | |||||||||||
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End of period |
$ 3,595 | |||||||||||
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Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
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Cash paid for interest on credit facility |
$ 254,589 | |||||||||||
Non-cash financing activities not included herein consisted of: |
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Reinvestment of dividend distributions |
$ 428,441 | |||||||||||
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See notes to financial statements.
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 10 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
December 31, 2018
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Financial Statements
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11 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | ||||
Financial Statements
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 12 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | ||||
Financial Statements
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13 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
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Financial Statements
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 14 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | ||
Financial Statements
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The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2018 in valuing the Fund’s assets. Refer to the Schedule of Portfolio Investments for detailed information on specific investments.
ASSETS |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Investments, at value |
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Common stocks |
$ | 176,612,531 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 176,612,531 | ||||||||
Corporate bonds and notes |
- | 468,744 | - | 468,744 | ||||||||||||
Reorganization interests |
- | - | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Master limited partnerships |
2,598,099 | - | - | 2,598,099 | ||||||||||||
Preferred stocks |
5,539,759 | - | - | 5,539,759 | ||||||||||||
Total investments, at value |
$ | 184,750,389 | $ | 468,744 | $ | 0 | $ | 185,219,133 | ||||||||
There were no securities transferred from level 1 to level 2 between December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018.
The following is a reconciliation of level 3 assets including securities valued at zero:
Common Stocks |
Reorganization Interests |
Total | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2017 |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||
Liquidation proceeds |
6,388 | - | 6,388 | |||||||||
Realized loss |
(307,892 | ) | - | (307,892 | ) | |||||||
Transfers into (out of) level 3 |
- | - | - | |||||||||
Change in unrealized depreciation |
301,504 | - | 301,504 | |||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2018 |
$ | - | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation attributable to assets still held as level 3 at December 31, 2018
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$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
The following table presents additional information about valuation techniques and inputs used for assets that are measured at fair value and categorized as level 3 as of December 31, 2018:
Fair Value
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Valuation Technique
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Unobservable Input
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Range
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Reorganization Interests |
$ | 0 |
Cost; last known market value for predecessor securities estimated recovery on liquidation
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Discount rate for lack of marketability |
100% | |||||||
15 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
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Financial Statements
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8. SHARE TRANSACTIONS The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited amount of $0.01 par value shares of beneficial interest. As of December 31, 2018, there were 12,387,123 shares outstanding. Share transactions for the following periods were:
Year Ended December 31, 2018 |
Year Ended December 31, 2017 |
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Shares issued in: | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||
Rights offering |
1,654,761 | $ | 23,497,606 | - | $ | - | ||||||||||
Reinvestment of distributions |
42,240 | 428,441 | 40,951 | 506,033 | ||||||||||||
1,697,001 | $ | 22,926,047 | 40,951 | $ | 506,033 | |||||||||||
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 16 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
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Financial Statements
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17 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | ||||
Financial Statements
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 18 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | ||||
Financial Statements
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Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
Per Share Operating Performance | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$16.78 | $14.18 | $13.11 | $16.66 | $17.20 | |||||||||||||||
Income from investment operations: (1) |
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Net investment income |
0.20 | 0.16 | 0.25 | 0.31 | 0.34 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
(2.93) | 3.05 | 1.84 | (1.68) | 0.76 | |||||||||||||||
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Total income (loss) from investment operations |
(2.73) | 3.21 | 2.09 | (1.37) | 1.10 | |||||||||||||||
Less distributions: |
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Net investment income |
(0 .11) | (0.39) | (0.23) | (0.26) | (1.63) | |||||||||||||||
Capital gains |
(0.47) | (0.09) | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Return of capital |
(0.12) | (0.12) | (0.77) | (1.37) | - | |||||||||||||||
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Total distributions |
(0.70) | (0.60) | (1.00) | (1.63) | (1.63) | |||||||||||||||
Fund share transactions |
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Effect of reinvestment of distributions |
(0.01) | (0.01) | (0.02) | (0.02) | (0.01) | |||||||||||||||
Decrease in net asset value from rights offering |
(0.52) | - | - | (0.53) | - | |||||||||||||||
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Total Fund share transactions |
(0.53) | (0.01) | (0.02) | (0.55) | (0.01) | |||||||||||||||
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Net asset value, end of period |
$12.82 | $16.78 | $14.18 | $13.11 | $16.66 | |||||||||||||||
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Market value, end of period |
$9.53 | $13.43 | $11.85 | $11.01 | $15.12 | |||||||||||||||
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Total Return(2) |
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Based on net asset value |
(18.75) | % | 24.09 | % | 18.13 | % | (10.65) | % | 7.28 | % | ||||||||||
Based on market price |
(24.54) | % | 18.84 | % | 17.55 | % | (17.32) | % | 10.83 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data (3) |
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Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) |
$158,852 | $179,401 | $151,005 | $138,417 | $144,280 | |||||||||||||||
Ratios to average net assets of: |
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Total expenses (4) (5) |
1.63 | % | 1.77 | % | 1.62 | % | 1.65 | % | 1.55 | % | ||||||||||
Net expenses (6) |
1.63 | % | 1.77 | % | 1.62 | % | 1.65 | % | 1.55 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income |
1.28 | % | 1.04 | % | 1.85 | % | 2.02 | % | 1.94 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
59 | % | 40 | % | 69 | % | 35 | % | 52 | % | ||||||||||
Leverage analysis, end of period: |
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Outstanding loan balance (000s omitted) |
$ 26,728 | $ 35,000 | $27,780 | $ 8,066 | $ 17,284 | |||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per $1,000 (7) |
$ 6,943 | $ 6,126 | $ 6,436 | $18,161 | $ 9,347 | |||||||||||||||
Average commission rate paid |
$ 0.0215 | $ 0.0174 | $0.0143 | $0.0185 | $ 0.0131 | |||||||||||||||
(1) |
The per share amounts were calculated using the average number of shares outstanding during the period. |
(2) |
Total return on a market value basis is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the opening of the first day and a sale on the closing of the last day of each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of this calculation to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Generally, total return on a net asset value basis will be higher than total return on a market value basis in periods where there is an increase in the discount or a decrease in the premium of the market value to the net asset value from the beginning to the end of such periods. Conversely, total return on a net asset value basis will be lower than total return on a market value basis in periods where there is a decrease in the discount or an increase in the premium of the market value to the net asset value from the beginning to the end of such periods. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The calculation does not reflect brokerage commissions, if any. |
(3) |
Expenses and income ratios do not include expenses incurred by the Acquired Funds in which the Fund invests. |
(4) |
“Total expenses” are the expenses of the Fund as presented in the Statement of Operations before fee waivers and expense reductions. |
(5) |
The ratio of net expenses excluding interest expense and fees incurred from the use of leverage to average net assets was 1.34%, 1.44%, 1.46%, 1.51%, and 1.47% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. |
(6) |
“Net expenses” are the expenses of the Fund presented in the Statement of Operations after expense reductions. |
(7) |
Represents the value of total assets less liabilities not represented by senior securities representing indebtedness divided by the total number of senior indebtedness units, where one unit equals $1,000 of senior indebtedness. For purposes of this calculation, the credit facility is considered a senior security representing indebtedness. |
See notes to financial statements.
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19 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
|
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | ||||
Financial Statements
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
|
Annual Report 2018 20 |
TRUSTEES |
(Unaudited) |
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Additional Information
|
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the trustees currently serving on the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The trustees of each class shall serve for terms of three years, or thereafter when their successors are elected and qualify.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES (1)
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Name, Address (2), and Date of Birth
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Position(s) with the Fund
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Trustee Since
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Principal Occupation(s) For the Past Five Years
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Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee (3)
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Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five Years (4)
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ROGER ATKINSON January 25, 1961 |
Class I Trustee | 2018 |
Since 2007, Mr. Atkinson has served as a manager with Cell-Mark Inc., a pulp and paper trading company. His responsibilities include directing trading activity, acquisitions, and risk management.
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1 | None | |||||||
PETER K. WERNER August 16, 1959 |
Class II Trustee | 2011 |
Since 1996, Mr. Werner has taught, directed, and coached many programs at The Governor’s Academy of Byfield, MA. Currently, he teaches economics and history at the Governor’s Academy. Previously, he held the position of Vice President in the Fixed Income Departments of Lehman Brothers and First Boston. His responsibilities included trading sovereign debt instruments, currency arbitrage, syndication, medium term note trading, and money market trading.
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4 | None | |||||||
JON TOMASSON September 20, 1958 |
Class Ill Trustee | 2017 |
Since 2002, Mr. Tomasson has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Vinland Capital Investments, LLC, a real estate investment company that he founded. Prior to starting Vinland, Mr. Tomasson was a principal with Cardinal Capital Partners, a leading investor in single-tenant net-leased property, and served as a Vice President at Citigroup in the Global Real Estate Equity and Structured Finance group, part of the Real Estate Investment Bank, with both transactional and various management responsibilities.
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4 | Eagle Bulk Shipping lnc.(7) | |||||||
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
|
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THOMAS B. WINMILL(5)(6) PO Box 4, Walpole, NH 03608 June 25, 1959 |
Class II Trustee; Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Legal Officer | 2011 |
Mr. Winmill is President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, Chief Legal Officer, and a Trustee or Director of the Fund, Foxby Corp., and Midas Series Trust. He is a Director or Manager, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Legal Officer of the Investment Manager and Midas Management Corporation, registered investment advisers (collectively, the “Advisers”), Bexil Securities LLC and Midas Securities Group, Inc., registered broker-dealers (collectively, the “Broker-Dealers”), Bexil Corporation, a holding company (“Bexil”), and Winmill & Co. Incorporated, a holding company (“Winco”). He is a Director of Global Self Storage, Inc., a self storage REIT (“SELF”), and Bexil American Mortgage Inc. He is Chairman of the Investment Policy Committee of each of the Advisers (the “IPCs’’), and he is a portfolio manager of the Fund, Foxby Corp., Midas Fund, and Midas Magic. He is a member of the New York State Bar and the SEC Rules Committee of the Investment Company Institute.
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4 |
Global Self Storage, Inc.
Eagle Bulk Shipping lnc.(7) |
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(1) Refers to trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined under the Act. (2) Unless otherwise noted, the address of record of the trustees is 11 Hanover Square, New York, New York, 10005. (3) The “Fund Complex” is comprised of the Fund, Foxby Corp., and Midas Series Trust (with two series) which are managed by the Investment Manager or its affiliates. (4) Refers to directorships and trusteeships held by a trustee during the past five years in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any company registered as an investment company under the Act, excluding those within the Fund Complex. (5) Thomas B. Winmill is an “interested person” (as defined in the Act) of the Fund due to his affiliation with the Investment Manager. (6) Thomas B. Winmill and Mark C. Winmill are brothers; Thomas B. Winmill and William M. Winmill are father and son, respectively; William M. Winmill is the nephew of Mark C. Winmill. (7) Thomas B. Winmill and Jon Tomasson ceased serving as directors of Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. in 2014. |
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Messrs. Tomasson, Atkinson, and Werner also serve on the Audit and Nominating Committees of the Board. Mr. Winmill also serves on the Executive Committee of the Board. Each of the trustees serves on the Continuing Trustees Committee of the Board.
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21 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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OFFICERS |
(Unaudited) |
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Additional Information
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The executive officers, other than those who serve as trustees, and their relevant biographical information are set forth below.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
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Name, Address (1), and Date of Birth
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Position(s) Held with the Fund
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Officer Since (2)
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Principal Occupation(s) for the Past Five Years
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Russell Kamerman, Esq. July 8, 1982 |
Chief Compliance Officer, Secretary, and General Counsel | 2014 |
Chief Compliance Officer (since 2014), Secretary (since 2017), and General Counsel (since 2017) of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex, the Advisers, the Broker-Dealers, and Bexil. He is Assistant Chief Compliance Officer, Assistant Secretary, and Assistant General Counsel of SELF, Winco, and Tuxis Corporation, a real estate company (“Tuxis”). From December 2014 to June 2017, Mr. Kamerman served as Anti-Money Laundering Officer of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex, the Advisers, Bexil, SELF, Winco and Tuxis. He is a member of the New York State Bar and the Chief Compliance Officer Committee and the Advertising Compliance Advisory Committee of the Investment Company Institute. Previously, he was an attorney in private practice focusing on regulatory, compliance, and other general corporate matters relating to the structure, formation, and operation of investment funds and investment advisers.
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Heidi Keating March 28, 1959 |
Vice President | Fund: 2012 Predecessor Fund: 2011
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Vice President of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex, the Advisers, the Broker-Dealers, Bexil, SELF, Tuxis, and Winco. She is a member of the IPCs. |
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Donald Klimoski II, Esq. September 24, 1980 |
Assistant Secretary, Assistant General Counsel, and Assistant Chief Compliance Officer | 2017 |
Assistant Secretary, Assistant General Counsel, and Assistant Chief Compliance Officer of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex, the Advisers, the Broker-Dealers, and Bexil. He is Chief Compliance Officer, Secretary, and General Counsel of SELF, Winco, and Tuxis. He is a member of the New York, New Jersey and Patent Bars and the Compliance Advisory Committee of the Investment Company Institute. Previously, he served as Associate General Counsel of Commvault Systems, Inc. Prior to that, he was an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where his practice focused on mergers and acquisitions, securities law, corporate governance, intellectual property and related matters.
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Thomas O’Malley July 22, 1958 |
Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Vice President
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Fund: 2012 Predecessor Fund: 2011 |
Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, and Treasurer of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex, the Advisers, the Broker-Dealers, Bexil, SELF, Tuxis, and Winco. He is a certified public accountant. |
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Mark C. Winmill(3) November 26, 1957 |
Vice President | 2012 |
Vice President of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex and Midas Management Corporation. He is a member of the IPCs. He is President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of SELF and Tuxis. He is Executive Vice President and a Director of Winco, and a principal of the Broker-Dealers.
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William M. Winmill(3) December 29, 1991 |
Vice President | 2017 |
Vice President of the other investment companies in the Fund Complex, the Advisers, the Broker-Dealers, Bexil, SELF, Tuxis, and Winco. From 2014 to 2016, he served these companies as Compliance Assistant and Accounting Assistant, after graduating from Bowdoin College in 2014. He is a member of the IPCs, and he is a portfolio manager of Dividend and Income Fund, Foxby Corp., and Midas Magic.
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(1) Unless otherwise noted, the address of record of the officers is 11 Hanover Square, New York, New York, 10005. (2) Officers hold their positions with the Fund until a successor has been duly elected and qualifies. Officers are generally elected annually. The officers were last elected on December 13, 2018. (3) Thomas B. Winmill and Mark C. Winmill are brothers; Thomas B. Winmill and William M. Winmill are father and son, respectively; William M. Winmill is the nephew of Mark C. Winmill.
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 22 |
The additional information below and on the following pages is supplemental and not part of the financial statements of the Fund.
POLICIES AND UPDATES | (Unaudited) | |||
Additional Information
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23 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
|
POLICIES AND UPDATES |
(Unaudited) |
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Additional Information
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 24 |
DISTRIBUTIONS |
(Unaudited) |
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Additional Information
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2019 Quarterly Distribution Dates | ||||
Declaration | Record | Payment | ||
March 1 |
March 15 | March 29 | ||
June 3 |
June 17 | June 28 | ||
September 3 |
September 17 | September 30 | ||
December 2 |
December 16 | December 30 |
HISTORICAL DISTRIBUTION SUMMARY* |
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PERIOD |
Investment Income | Return of Capital | Capital Gains | Total | ||||
2018 |
$ 0.11 | $ 0.12 | $ 0.47 | $ 0.70 | ||||
2017 |
$ 0.39 | $ 0.12 | $ 0.09 | $ 0.60 | ||||
2016 |
$ 0.23 | $ 0.77 | $ - | $ 1.00 | ||||
2015 |
$ 0.26 | $ 1.37 | $ - | $ 1.63 | ||||
2014** |
$ 1.63 | $ - | $ - | $ 1.63 | ||||
2013** |
$ 1.16 | $ 0.47 | $ - | $ 1.63 | ||||
2012 |
$ 0.56 | $ 1.07 | $ - | $ 1.63 | ||||
2011 |
$ 1.00 | $ 0.76 | $ - | $ 1.76 | ||||
2010 |
$ 1.40 | $ 0.24 | $ - | $ 1.64 | ||||
2009 |
$ 1.56 | $ 0.08 | $ - | $ 1.64 | ||||
2008 |
$ 2.36 | $ 1.08 | $ - | $ 3.44 | ||||
2007 |
$ 3.36 | $ 0.20 | $ - | $ 3.56 | ||||
2006 |
$ 3.72 | $ - | $ - | $ 3.72 | ||||
2005 |
$ 2.12 | $ 1.88 | $ - | $ 4.00 | ||||
2004 |
$ 2.16 | $ 1.84 | $ - | $ 4.00 | ||||
2003 |
$ 2.44 | $ 1.56 | $ - | $ 4.00 | ||||
2002 |
$ 2.64 | $ 1.84 | $ - | $ 4.48 | ||||
2001 |
$ 2.60 | $ 2.36 | $ - | $ 4.96 | ||||
2000 |
$ 3.20 | $ 1.76 | $ - | $ 4.96 | ||||
1999 |
$ 3.44 | $ 1.40 | $ 0.12 | $ 4.96 | ||||
From June 29, 1998 to November 30, 1998
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$ 1.64 | $ - | $ - | $ 1.64 | ||||
* The Fund implemented a 1-for-4 reverse stock split with an ex-date of December 10, 2012. Prior period distribution amounts have been restated to reflect the impact of the reverse stock split. |
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** Includes net capital gains recognized in the year and distributable as ordinary income in accordance with tax regulations.
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25 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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DISTRIBUTIONS |
(Unaudited) |
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Additional Information
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 26 |
DISTRIBUTIONS |
(Unaudited) |
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Additional Information
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27 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Rev. 7/2017 | ||||
PRIVACY POLICY |
FACTS
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WHAT DOES DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
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Why? | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. | |||
What? | The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include: | |||
◾ Social Security number |
◾ Transaction or loss history |
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◾ Account balances |
◾ Account transactions |
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◾ Transaction history |
◾ Retirement assets |
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When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. | ||||
How? | All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Dividend and Income Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. |
Reasons we can share your personal information |
Does Dividend and Income Fund share?
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Can you limit this sharing? |
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For our everyday business purposes – |
Yes | No | ||
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
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For our marketing purposes – |
Yes | No | ||
to offer our products and services to you
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For joint marketing with other nonaffiliated financial companies
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No | We don’t share | ||
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes |
No | We don’t share | ||
Information about your transactions and experiences
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For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes |
No | We don’t share | ||
Information about your creditworthiness
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For our affiliates to market to you
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Yes | Yes | ||
For nonaffiliates to market to you
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No | We don’t share |
To Limit Sharing |
◾ Call Dividend and Income Fund at 212-785-0900 – our menu will prompt you through your choices; or ◾ Mail the form below
Please note:
If you are a new customer, we can begin sharing your information 30 days from the date we sent this notice. When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.
However, you can contact us at any time to limit our sharing. |
Questions? |
Call Dividend and Income Fund at 1-212-785-0900 or go to www.dividendandincomefund.com
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".............................................................................................................................................................
Mail-in Form
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Leave Blank or [If you have a joint account, your choice will apply to everyone on your account unless you mark below. ☐ Apply my choice only to me] |
Mark if you want to limit: | |||||||
☐ Do not allow your affiliates to use my personal information to market to me. | ||||||||
Name |
Mail to: Dividend and Income Fund 11 Hanover Square 12th Floor New York, NY 10005 |
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Address | ||||||||
City, State, Zip | ||||||||
Account #
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DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 28 |
Page 2
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Who we are
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Who is providing this notice?
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Dividend and Income Fund
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What we do
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How does Dividend and Income Fund protect my personal information? |
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
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How does Dividend and Income Fund collect my personal information? | We collect your personal information, for example, when you | |
◾ Open an account |
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◾ Buy securities from us |
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◾ Provide account information |
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◾ Give us your contact information |
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◾ Tell us where to send the money
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Why can’t I limit all sharing? | Federal law gives you the right to limit only | |
◾ Sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness |
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◾ Affiliates from using your information to market to you |
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◾ Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you |
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State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. |
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What happens when I limit sharing for an account I hold jointly with someone else?
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Your choices will apply to everyone on your account – unless you tell us otherwise. |
Definitions
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Affiliates |
Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
◾ Dividend and Income Fund shares with our affiliates.
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Nonaffiliates |
Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
◾ Dividend and Income Fund does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market their financial products or services to you.
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Joint marketing |
A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
◾ Dividend and Income Fund does not jointly market.
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29 Annual Report 2018 |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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GENERAL INFORMATION |
(Unaudited) |
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Additional Information
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Dividend and Income Fund is part of a fund complex which includes Midas Fund, Midas Magic, and Foxby Corp.
Please note - There is no assurance that the Fund’s investment objectives will be attained. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The Fund’s investment policies, management fees, and other matters of interest to prospective investors may be found in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) including its annual and semi-annual reports. To obtain a copy of the reports, please call us toll-free at 855-411-6432 or download them at http://dividendandincomefund.com/literature/. Please read the reports carefully before investing.
Shares of closed end funds frequently trade at a discount from their Net Asset Value (“NAV”). This characteristic is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that the Fund’s NAV has decreased in the past, and therefore could decrease in the future, as a result of its investment activities. Neither the Investment Manager nor the Fund can predict whether shares of the Fund will trade at, below, or above NAV. The risk of holding shares of the Fund that might trade at a discount is more pronounced for investors expecting to sell their shares in a relatively short period of time after acquiring them because, for those investors, realization of a gain or loss on their investments is likely to be more dependent upon the existence of a premium or discount than upon portfolio performance. The shares of the Fund are designed primarily for long term investors and should not be considered a vehicle for trading purposes. The NAV of the Fund shares typically will fluctuate with price changes of the Fund’s portfolio securities, and these fluctuations are likely to be greater in the case of a fund which uses leverage, as the Fund may from time to time. In the event that shares of the Fund trade at a premium to NAV, there is no assurance that any such premium will be sustained for any period of time and will not decrease, or that the shares of the Fund will not trade at a discount to NAV thereafter. The market price for the Fund is based on supply and demand which fluctuates daily based on many factors, such as economic conditions and global events, investor sentiment, and security-specific factors.
This report, including the financial statements herein, is provided for informational purposes only. This is not a prospectus, circular, or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report. This report shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, or an exemption therefrom.
The Fund does not make available copies of its Statement of Additional Information because the Fund’s shares are not continuously offered, which means that the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information has not been updated since completion of the Fund’s most recent offering and the information contained in the Fund’s Statement of Additional may have become outdated.
Investment products, including shares of the Fund, are not insured federally or by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by, any financial institution and involve investment risk, including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value. Consult with your tax advisor or attorney regarding specific tax issues.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements - Our views and opinions regarding the prospects of our portfolio holdings, the Fund, and the economy are “forward looking statements” as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws which may or may not be accurate and may be materially different over future periods. Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will,” and similar expressions identify forward looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to materially differ from the Fund’s historical experience and its current expectations or projections indicated in any forward looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, equity securities risk, corporate bonds risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, leverage and borrowing risk, additional risks of certain securities in which the Fund invests, market discount from net asset value, distribution policy risk, management risk, and other risks discussed in the Fund’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation to update or alter any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Thus you should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made.
Section 23 Notice - Pursuant to Section 23 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, notice is hereby given that the Fund may in the future purchase its own shares in the open market. These purchases may be made from time to time, at such times, and in such amounts, as may be deemed advantageous to the Fund, although nothing herein shall be considered a commitment to purchase such shares.
This report is for shareholder information. This is not a prospectus intended for use in the purchase or sale of Fund shares. |
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NOT FDIC INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NOT BANK GUARANTEED |
DIVIDEND AND INCOME FUND
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Annual Report 2018 30 |
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(a)
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The registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the "Code") that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer,
principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.
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(b)
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No information need be disclosed pursuant to this paragraph.
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(c)
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Not applicable.
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(d)
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Not applicable.
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(e)
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Not applicable.
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(f)
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The text of the Code can be viewed on the registrant's website, www.dividendandincomefund.com, or a copy of the Code may be obtained
free of charge by calling the registrant collect at 1-212-785-0900.
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(a)
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The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the
audit of the registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years are as follows:
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AUDIT FEES
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2018 - $33,000
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2017 - $32,000
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(b)
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The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item are as follows:
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AUDIT-RELATED FEES
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2018 - $2,000
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2017 - $2,000
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Audit-related fees include amounts reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant's financial statements,
including the issuance of a report on internal controls and review of periodic reporting.
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(c)
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The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax
compliance, tax advice, and tax planning are as follows:
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TAX FEES
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2018 - $5,250
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2017 - $5,250
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Tax fees include amounts related to tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice.
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(d)
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The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other
than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item are as follows:
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ALL OTHER FEES
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2018 - $4,000
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2017 - $0
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All other fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant other than audit,
audit-related, and tax services.
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(e)
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(1) Pursuant to the registrant's Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee shall consider for pre-approval any non-audit services
proposed to be provided by the auditors to the registrant, and any non-audit services proposed to be provided by such auditors to the registrant’s investment manager and any service providers controlling, controlled by, or under common
control with the registrant’s investment manager, if any, which have a direct impact on registrant operations or financial reporting. In those situations when it is not convenient to obtain full Audit Committee approval, the Chairman
of the Audit Committee is delegated the authority to grant pre-approvals of auditing, audit-related, non-audit related, tax, and all other services so long as all such pre-approved decisions are reviewed with the full Audit Committee at
its next scheduled meeting. Such pre-approval of non-audit services proposed to be provided by the auditors to the registrant is not necessary, however, if such services fall within the de minimis exception under Section 10A of the
Exchange Act of 1934.
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(2) No services included in (b) - (d) above were approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
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(f)
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Not applicable.
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(g)
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The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio
management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last
two fiscal years of the registrant were $60,750 in 2018 and $54,250 in 2017.
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(h)
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The registrant's audit committee has determined that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered by accountant to the
registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common
control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's
independence.
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1.
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Delegation to Proxy Service Provider
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2.
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Conflicts of Interest
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3.
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Review of and Response to Errors
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4.
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Ongoing Due Diligence
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i.
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Review the adequacy of these proxy voting policies and procedures;
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ii.
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Assess whether the Proxy Firm has properly submitted the voting instructions on behalf of the Funds;
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iii.
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Review the proxy voting guidelines of the Proxy Firm; and
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iv.
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Request the Proxy Firm to provide information about, among other things, changes to its policies and procedures.
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United States
Proxy Voting Guidelines
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Benchmark Policy Recommendations
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Effective for Meetings on or after February 1, 2019
Published December 18, 2018
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General Recommendation: Generally vote for director nominees, except under
the following circumstances:
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Independent directors comprise 50 percent or less of the board;
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The non-independent director serves on the audit, compensation, or nominating committee;
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The company lacks an audit, compensation, or nominating committee so that the full board functions as
that committee; or
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The company lacks a formal nominating committee, even if the board attests that the independent
directors fulfill the functions of such a committee.
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Medical issues/illness;
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Family emergencies; and
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Missing only one meeting (when the total of all meetings is three or fewer).
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Sit on more than five public company boards; or
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Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies besides their
own—withhold only at their outside boards3.
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A firm commitment, as stated in the proxy statement, to appoint at least one female to the board in the
near term;
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The presence of a female on the board at the preceding annual meeting; or
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Other relevant factors as applicable.
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The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received the support of a
majority of the shares cast in the previous year or failed to act on a management proposal seeking to ratify an existing charter/bylaw provision that received opposition of a majority of the shares cast in the previous year.
Factors that will be considered are:
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Disclosed outreach efforts by the board to shareholders in the wake of the vote;
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Rationale provided in the proxy statement for the level of implementation;
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The subject matter of the proposal;
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The level of support for and opposition to the resolution in past meetings;
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Actions taken by the board in response to the majority vote and its engagement with
shareholders;
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The continuation of the underlying issue as a voting item on the ballot (as either
shareholder or management proposals); and
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Other factors as appropriate.
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The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of shares are tendered;
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At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent
withhold/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote.
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The company’s previous say-on-pay received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast. Factors
that will be considered are:
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The company's response, including:
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Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors, including the
frequency and timing of engagements and the company participants (including whether independent directors participated);
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Disclosure of the specific concerns voiced by dissenting shareholders that led to the
say-on-pay opposition;
|
›
|
Disclosure of specific and meaningful actions taken to address shareholders'
concerns;
|
›
|
Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;
|
›
|
Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;
|
›
|
The company's ownership structure; and
|
›
|
Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest
degree of responsiveness.
|
›
|
The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent
basis than the frequency that received the plurality of votes cast.
|
›
|
The company has a poison
pill that was not approved by shareholders5. However, vote case-by-case on nominees if the
board adopts an initial pill with a term of one year or less, depending on the disclosed rationale for the adoption, and other factors as relevant (such as a commitment to put any renewal to a shareholder vote).
|
›
|
The board makes a material adverse modification to an existing pill, including, but not limited to,
extension, renewal, or lowering the trigger, without shareholder approval.
|
›
|
A classified board structure;
|
›
|
A supermajority vote requirement;
|
›
|
Either a plurality vote standard in uncontested director elections, or a majority vote standard in
contested elections;
|
›
|
The inability of shareholders to call special meetings;
|
›
|
The inability of shareholders to act by written consent;
|
›
|
A multi-class capital structure; and/or
|
›
|
A non-shareholder-approved poison pill.
|
›
|
The board's rationale for adopting the bylaw/charter amendment without shareholder ratification;
|
›
|
Disclosure by the company of any significant engagement with shareholders regarding the amendment;
|
›
|
The level of impairment of shareholders' rights caused by the board's unilateral amendment to the
bylaws/charter;
|
›
|
The board's track record with regard to unilateral board action on bylaw/charter amendments or other
entrenchment provisions;
|
›
|
The company's ownership structure;
|
›
|
The company's existing governance provisions;
|
›
|
The timing of the board's amendment to the bylaws/charter in connection with a significant business
development; and
|
›
|
Other factors, as deemed appropriate, that may be relevant to determine the impact of the amendment on
shareholders.
|
›
|
Classified the board;
|
›
|
Adopted supermajority vote requirements to amend the bylaws or charter; or
|
›
|
Eliminated shareholders' ability to amend bylaws.
|
›
|
The level of impairment of shareholders' rights;
|
›
|
The disclosed rationale;
|
›
|
The ability to change the governance structure (e.g., limitations on shareholders’ right to amend the
bylaws or charter, or supermajority vote requirements to amend the bylaws or charter);
|
›
|
The ability of shareholders to hold directors accountable through annual director elections, or whether
the company has a classified board structure;
|
›
|
Any reasonable sunset provision; and
|
›
|
Other relevant factors.
|
›
|
The presence of a shareholder proposal addressing the same issue on the same ballot;
|
›
|
The board's rationale for seeking ratification;
|
›
|
Disclosure of actions to be taken by the board should the ratification proposal fail;
|
›
|
Disclosure of shareholder engagement regarding the board’s ratification request;
|
›
|
The level of impairment to shareholders' rights caused by the existing provision;
|
›
|
The history of management and shareholder proposals on the provision at the company’s past meetings;
|
›
|
Whether the current provision was adopted in response to the shareholder proposal;
|
›
|
The company's ownership structure; and
|
›
|
Previous use of ratification proposals to exclude shareholder proposals.
|
›
|
The company’s governing documents impose undue restrictions on shareholders’ ability to amend the
bylaws. Such restrictions include but are not limited to: outright prohibition on the submission of binding shareholder proposals or share ownership requirements or time holding requirements in excess of SEC Rule 14a-8. Vote
against on an ongoing basis.
|
›
|
The non-audit fees paid to
the auditor are excessive;
|
›
|
The company receives an adverse opinion on the company’s financial statements from its auditor; or
|
›
|
There is persuasive evidence that the Audit Committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification
agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.
|
›
|
Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a level of serious concern, such as: fraud;
misapplication of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures. Examine the severity, breadth, chronological sequence, and duration, as well as the company’s efforts at remediation or corrective actions,
in determining whether withhold/against votes are warranted.
|
›
|
There is an unmitigated
misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);
|
›
|
The company maintains
significant problematic pay practices; or
|
›
|
The board exhibits a
significant level of poor communication and responsiveness
to shareholders.
|
›
|
The company fails to include a Say on Pay ballot item when required under SEC
provisions, or under the company’s declared frequency of say on pay; or
|
›
|
The company fails to include a Frequency of Say on Pay ballot item when required under
SEC provisions.
|
›
|
The presence of an anti-pledging policy, disclosed in the proxy statement, that prohibits future
pledging activity;
|
›
|
The magnitude of aggregate pledged shares in terms of total common shares outstanding, market value, and
trading volume;
|
›
|
Disclosure of progress or lack thereof in reducing the magnitude of aggregate pledged shares over time;
|
›
|
Disclosure in the proxy statement that shares subject to stock ownership and holding requirements do not
include pledged company stock; and
|
›
|
Any other relevant factors.
|
›
|
Material failures of
governance, stewardship, risk oversight6, or fiduciary responsibilities at the company;
|
›
|
Failure to replace management as appropriate; or
|
›
|
Egregious actions related to a director’s service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his
or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company.
|
General Recommendation: In cases where companies are targeted in connection
with public “vote-no” campaigns, evaluate director nominees under the existing governance policies for voting on director nominees in uncontested elections. Take into consideration the arguments submitted by shareholders and
other publicly available information.
|
General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on the election of directors in
contested elections, considering the following factors:
|
›
|
Long-term financial performance of the company relative to its industry;
|
›
|
Management’s track record;
|
›
|
Background to the contested election;
|
›
|
Nominee qualifications and any compensatory arrangements;
|
›
|
Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of the critique against management;
|
›
|
Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates); and
|
›
|
Stock ownership positions.
|
General Recommendation: Generally vote for shareholder proposals requiring
that the chairman’s position be filled by an independent director, taking into consideration the following:
|
›
|
The scope of the proposal;
|
›
|
The company's current board leadership structure;
|
›
|
The company's governance structure and practices;
|
›
|
Company performance; and
|
›
|
Any other relevant factors that may be applicable.
|
General Recommendation: Generally vote for management and shareholder
proposals for proxy access with the following provisions:
|
›
|
Ownership
threshold: maximum requirement not more than three percent (3%) of the voting power;
|
›
|
Ownership
duration: maximum requirement not longer than three (3) years of continuous ownership for each member of the nominating group;
|
›
|
Aggregation:
minimal or no limits on the number of shareholders permitted to form a nominating group;
|
›
|
Cap:
cap on nominees of generally twenty-five percent (25%) of the board.
|
General Recommendation: Generally vote against management proposals to ratify provisions of the company’s existing charter or bylaws, unless these
governance provisions align with best practice.
|
›
|
The presence of a shareholder proposal addressing the same issue on the same ballot;
|
›
|
The board's rationale for seeking ratification;
|
›
|
Disclosure of actions to be taken by the board should the ratification proposal fail;
|
›
|
Disclosure of shareholder engagement regarding the board’s ratification request;
|
›
|
The level of impairment to shareholders' rights caused by the existing provision;
|
›
|
The history of management and shareholder proposals on the provision at the company’s past meetings;
|
›
|
Whether the current provision was adopted in response to the shareholder proposal;
|
›
|
The company's ownership structure; and
|
›
|
Previous use of ratification proposals to exclude shareholder proposals.
|
General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to increase the number of
authorized common shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with a transaction on the same ballot that warrants support.
|
›
|
Past Board Performance:
|
›
|
The company's use of authorized shares during the last three years;
|
›
|
The Current Request:
|
›
|
Disclosure in the proxy statement of the specific purposes of the proposed increase;
|
›
|
Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific and severe risks to shareholders of not approving the
request; and
|
›
|
The dilutive impact of the request as determined relative to an allowable increase calculated by ISS
(typically 100 percent of existing authorized shares) that reflects the company's need for shares and total shareholder returns.
|
A.
|
Most companies: 100 percent of existing authorized shares.
|
B.
|
Companies with less than 50 percent of existing authorized shares either outstanding or reserved for
issuance: 50 percent of existing authorized shares.
|
C.
|
Companies with one- and three-year total shareholder returns (TSRs) in the bottom 10 percent of the U.S.
market as of the end of the calendar quarter that is closest to their most recent fiscal year end: 50 percent of existing
authorized shares.
|
D.
|
Companies at which both conditions (B and C) above are both present: 25 percent of existing authorized shares.
|
General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on mergers and acquisitions.
Review and evaluate the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:
|
›
|
Valuation
- Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, emphasis is placed on the
offer premium, market reaction, and strategic rationale.
|
›
|
Market
reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction should cause closer scrutiny of a deal.
|
›
|
Strategic
rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a
favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions.
|
›
|
Negotiations
and process - Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at arm's-length? Was the process fair and equitable? A fair process helps to ensure the best price for shareholders. Significant negotiation "wins" can also
signify the deal makers' competency. The comprehensiveness of the sales process (e.g., full auction, partial auction, no auction) can also affect shareholder value.
|
›
|
Conflicts
of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? As the result of potential conflicts, the directors and officers of the company
may be more likely to vote to approve a merger than if they did not hold these interests. Consider whether these interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend the merger. The CIC figure
presented in the "ISS Transaction Summary" section of this report is an aggregate figure that can in certain cases be a misleading indicator of the true value transfer from shareholders to insiders. Where such figure appears to
be excessive, analyze the underlying assumptions to determine whether a potential conflict exists.
|
›
|
Governance
- Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the
company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.
|
1.
|
Maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment, with emphasis on long-term shareholder value: This principle encompasses
overall executive pay practices, which must be designed to attract, retain, and appropriately motivate the key employees who drive shareholder value creation over the long term. It will take into consideration, among other
factors, the link between pay and performance; the mix between fixed and variable pay; performance goals; and equity-based plan costs;
|
2.
|
Avoid arrangements that risk “pay for failure”: This principle addresses the appropriateness of long or indefinite
contracts, excessive severance packages, and guaranteed compensation;
|
3.
|
Maintain an independent and effective compensation committee: This principle promotes oversight of executive pay programs by
directors with appropriate skills, knowledge, experience, and a sound process for compensation decision-making (e.g.,
including access to independent expertise and advice when needed);
|
4.
|
Provide shareholders with clear, comprehensive compensation disclosures: This principle underscores the importance of
informative and timely disclosures that enable shareholders to evaluate executive pay practices fully and fairly;
|
5.
|
Avoid inappropriate pay to non-executive directors: This principle recognizes the interests of shareholders in ensuring that
compensation to outside directors is reasonable and does not compromise their independence and ability to make appropriate judgments in overseeing managers’ pay and performance. At the market level, it may incorporate a variety
of generally accepted best practices.
|
General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on ballot items related to
executive pay and practices, as well as certain aspects of outside director compensation.
|
›
|
There is an unmitigated
misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);
|
›
|
The company maintains
significant problematic pay practices;
|
›
|
The board exhibits a
significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders.
|
›
|
There is no SOP on the ballot, and an against vote on an SOP would otherwise be warranted due to
pay-for-performance misalignment, problematic pay practices, or the lack of adequate responsiveness on compensation issues raised previously, or a combination thereof;
|
›
|
The board fails to respond adequately to a previous SOP proposal that received less than 70 percent
support of votes cast;
|
›
|
The company has recently practiced or approved problematic pay practices, such as option repricing or
option backdating; or
|
›
|
The situation is egregious.
|
1.
|
Peer Group8 Alignment:
|
›
|
The degree of alignment between the company's annualized TSR rank and the CEO's annualized total pay
rank within a peer group, each measured over a three-year period.
|
›
|
The rankings of CEO total pay and company financial performance within a peer group, each measured over
a three-year period.
|
›
|
The multiple of the CEO's total pay relative to the peer group median in the most recent fiscal year.
|
2.
|
Absolute Alignment9 – the absolute alignment between the trend in CEO pay and company TSR over the prior five fiscal years –
i.e., the difference between the trend in annual pay changes and the trend in annualized TSR during the period.
|
›
|
The ratio of performance- to time-based incentive awards;
|
›
|
The overall ratio of performance-based compensation;
|
›
|
The completeness of disclosure and rigor of performance goals;
|
›
|
The company's peer group benchmarking practices;
|
›
|
Actual results of financial/operational metrics, both absolute and relative to peers;
|
›
|
Special circumstances related to, for example, a new CEO in the prior FY or anomalous equity grant
practices (e.g., bi-annual awards);
|
›
|
Realizable pay10 compared to grant pay; and
|
›
|
Any other factors deemed relevant.
|
›
|
Problematic practices related to non-performance-based compensation elements;
|
›
|
Incentives that may motivate excessive risk-taking or present a windfall risk; and
|
›
|
Pay decisions that circumvent pay-for-performance, such as options backdating or waiving performance
requirements.
|
›
|
Repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/SARS without prior shareholder approval (including
cash buyouts and voluntary surrender of underwater options);
|
›
|
Extraordinary perquisites or tax gross-ups;
|
›
|
New or materially amended agreements that provide for:
|
›
|
Excessive termination or CIC severance payments (generally exceeding 3 times base salary and
average/target/most recent bonus);
|
›
|
CIC severance payments without involuntary job loss or substantial diminution of duties ("single" or
"modified single" triggers) or in connection with a problematic Good Reason definition;
|
›
|
CIC excise tax gross-up entitlements (including "modified" gross-ups);
|
›
|
Multi-year guaranteed awards that are not at risk due to rigorous performance conditions;
|
›
|
Liberal CIC definition combined with any single-trigger CIC benefits;
|
›
|
Insufficient executive compensation disclosure by externally-managed issuers (EMIs) such that a
reasonable assessment of pay programs and practices applicable to the EMI's executives is not possible;
|
›
|
Any other provision or practice deemed to be egregious and present a significant risk to investors.
|
›
|
Failure to respond to majority-supported shareholder proposals on executive pay topics; or
|
›
|
Failure to adequately respond to the company's previous say-on-pay proposal that received the support of
less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:
|
›
|
The company's response, including:
|
›
|
Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors, including the
frequency and timing of engagements and the company participants (including whether independent directors participated);
|
›
|
Disclosure of the specific concerns voiced by dissenting shareholders that led to the
say-on-pay opposition;
|
›
|
Disclosure of specific and meaningful actions taken to address shareholders'
concerns;
|
›
|
Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;
|
›
|
Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;
|
›
|
The company's ownership structure; and
|
›
|
Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest
degree of responsiveness.
|
General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on certain equity-based
compensation plans11 depending on a combination of certain plan features and equity grant
practices, where positive factors may counterbalance negative factors, and vice versa, as evaluated using an "Equity Plan Scorecard" (EPSC) approach with three pillars:
|
›
|
Plan
Cost: The total estimated cost of the company’s equity plans relative to industry/market cap peers, measured by the company's estimated Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT) in relation to peers and considering both:
|
›
|
SVT based on new shares requested plus shares remaining for future grants, plus outstanding
unvested/unexercised grants; and
|
›
|
SVT based only on new shares requested plus shares remaining for future grants.
|
›
|
Plan Features:
|
›
|
Quality of disclosure around vesting upon a change in control (CIC);
|
›
|
Discretionary vesting authority;
|
›
|
Liberal share recycling on various award types;
|
›
|
Lack of minimum vesting period for grants made under the plan;
|
›
|
Dividends payable prior to award vesting.
|
›
|
Grant Practices:
|
›
|
The company’s three-year burn rate relative to its industry/market cap peers;
|
›
|
Vesting requirements in CEO's recent equity grants (3-year look-back);
|
›
|
The estimated duration of the plan (based on the sum of shares remaining available and the new shares
requested, divided by the average annual shares granted in the prior three years);
|
›
|
The proportion of the CEO's most recent equity grants/awards subject to performance conditions;
|
›
|
Whether the company maintains a sufficient claw-back policy;
|
›
|
Whether the company maintains sufficient post-exercise/vesting share-holding requirements.
|
›
|
Awards may vest in connection with a liberal change-of-control definition;
|
›
|
The plan would permit repricing or cash buyout of underwater options without shareholder approval
(either by expressly permitting it – for NYSE and Nasdaq listed companies – or by not prohibiting it when the company has a history of repricing – for non-listed companies);
|
›
|
The plan is a vehicle for problematic pay practices or a significant pay-for-performance disconnect
under certain circumstances;
|
›
|
The plan is excessively dilutive to shareholders' holdings; or
|
›
|
Any other plan features are determined to have a significant negative impact on shareholder interests.
|
General Recommendation: Generally vote case-by-case, examining primarily
whether implementation of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value. The following factors will be considered:
|
›
|
If the issues presented in the proposal are more appropriately or effectively dealt with through
legislation or government regulation;
|
›
|
If the company has already responded in an appropriate and sufficient manner to the issue(s) raised in
the proposal;
|
›
|
Whether the proposal's request is unduly burdensome (scope or timeframe) or overly prescriptive;
|
›
|
The company's approach compared with any industry standard practices for addressing the issue(s) raised
by the proposal;
|
›
|
Whether there are significant controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the
company's environmental or social practices;
|
›
|
If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether reasonable and sufficient
information is currently available to shareholders from the company or from other publicly available sources; and
|
›
|
If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether implementation would
reveal proprietary or confidential information that could place the company at a competitive disadvantage.
|
General Recommendation: Generally vote for resolutions requesting that a
company disclose information on the financial, physical, or regulatory risks it faces related to climate change on its operations and investments or on how the company identifies, measures, and manages such risks, considering:
|
›
|
Whether the company already provides current, publicly-available information on the impact that climate
change may have on the company as well as associated company policies and procedures to address related risks and/or opportunities;
|
›
|
The company's level of disclosure compared to industry peers; and
|
›
|
Whether there are significant controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the
company's climate change-related performance.
|
›
|
The company already
discloses current, publicly-available information on the impacts that GHG emissions may have on the company as well as associated company policies
and procedures to address related risks and/or opportunities;
|
›
|
The company's level of disclosure is comparable to that of industry peers; and
|
›
|
There are no significant,
controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the company's GHG emissions.
|
›
|
Whether the company provides disclosure of year-over-year GHG emissions performance data;
|
›
|
Whether company disclosure lags behind industry peers;
|
›
|
The company's actual GHG emissions performance;
|
›
|
The company's current GHG emission policies, oversight mechanisms, and related initiatives; and
|
›
|
Whether the company has been the subject of recent, significant violations, fines, litigation, or
controversy related to GHG emissions.
|
General Recommendation: Generally vote for requests for reports on a
company's efforts to diversify the board, unless:
|
›
|
The gender and racial minority representation of the company’s board is reasonably inclusive in relation
to companies of similar size and business; and
|
›
|
The board already reports on its nominating procedures and gender and racial minority initiatives on the
board and within the company.
|
›
|
The degree of existing gender and racial minority diversity on the company’s board and among its
executive officers;
|
›
|
The level of gender and racial minority representation that exists at the company’s industry peers;
|
›
|
The company’s established process for addressing gender and racial minority board representation;
|
›
|
Whether the proposal includes an overly prescriptive request to amend nominating committee charter
language;
|
›
|
The independence of the company’s nominating committee;
|
›
|
Whether the company uses an outside search firm to identify potential director nominees; and
|
›
|
Whether the company has had recent controversies, fines, or litigation regarding equal employment
practices.
|
General Recommendation: Generally vote case-by-case on requests for reports
on a company's pay data by gender, or a report on a company’s policies and goals to reduce any gender pay gap, taking into account:
|
›
|
The company's current policies and disclosure related to both its diversity and inclusion policies and
practices and its compensation philosophy and fair and equitable compensation practices;
|
›
|
Whether the company has been the subject of recent controversy, litigation, or regulatory actions
related to gender pay gap issues; and
|
›
|
Whether the company's reporting regarding gender pay gap policies or initiatives is lagging its peers.
|
›
|
How the company's recycling programs compare to similar programs of its industry peers.
|
General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals requesting that a
company report on its policies, initiatives, and oversight mechanisms related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability, unless:
|
›
|
The company already discloses similar information through existing reports or policies such as an
environment, health, and safety (EHS) report; a comprehensive code of corporate conduct; and/or a diversity report; or
|
›
|
The company has formally committed to the implementation of a reporting program based on Global
Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines or a similar standard within a specified time frame.
|
General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting
information on a company’s lobbying (including direct, indirect, and grassroots lobbying) activities, policies, or procedures, considering:
|
›
|
The company’s current disclosure of relevant lobbying policies, and management and board oversight;
|
›
|
The company’s disclosure regarding trade associations or other groups that it supports, or is a member
of, that engage in lobbying activities; and
|
›
|
Recent significant controversies, fines, or litigation regarding the company’s lobbying-related
activities.
|
General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals requesting greater
disclosure of a company's political contributions and trade association spending policies and activities, considering:
|
›
|
The company's policies, and management and board oversight related to its direct political contributions
and payments to trade associations or other groups that may be used for political purposes;
|
›
|
The company's disclosure regarding its support of, and participation in, trade associations or other
groups that may make political contributions; and
|
›
|
Recent significant controversies, fines, or litigation related to the company's political contributions
or political activities.
|
Portfolio Managers
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
|
Other Accounts
|
|
Thomas B. Winmill
|
Number:
|
3
|
N/A
|
7
|
Total Assets (millions):
|
$40
|
N/A
|
$21
|
|
William M. Winmill
|
Number: | 2 | N/A | 7 |
Total Assets (millions): | $22 | N/A | $21 |
(a)
|
The registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act")), are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and
procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
|
|
|
(b)
|
There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over
financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the registrant's second fiscal quarter of the period covered by the report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to
materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
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(a)
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No income was received by the registrant from
securities lending activities in the period covered by this report. Previously, State Street Bank and Trust Company ("SSB") had served as the registrant's securities lending agent until June 2018. Amounts paid by
securities lending counterparties for loaned securities were retained by SSB. Currently, the registrant does not have a securities lending agent.
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(b)
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Previously, the registrant entered into a Liquidity Agreement with SSB that allowed the registrant to draw up to the maximum liquidity commitment as specified therein. The
Liquidity Agreement was terminated in June 2018. The Liquidity Agreement included a securities lending authorization by the registrant to SSB to engage in agency securities lending and reverse repurchase activity.
Previously, SSB had also served as the registrant's custodian. Currently, the registrant does not have a securities lending agent.
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(a)(1)
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Not applicable.
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(a)(2)
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Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2) attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.
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(b) | Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906 CERT. |
Dividend and Income Fund
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March 4, 2019
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By: /s/ Thomas B. Winmill
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Thomas B. Winmill, President
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Dividend and Income Fund
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March 4, 2019
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By: /s/ Thomas O’Malley
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Thomas O’Malley, Chief Financial Officer
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Dividend and Income Fund
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March 4, 2019
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By: /s/ Thomas B. Winmill
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Thomas B. Winmill, President
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Dividend and Income Fund
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March 4, 2019
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By: /s/ Thomas O’Malley
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Thomas O’Malley, Chief Financial Officer
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