Notes to
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(continued)
The tax character of distributions paid during the Funds' last tax year ended December 31, 2012, was designated for purposes of the dividends paid deduction as follows:
|
|
|
Mortgage
Opportunity
Term
(JLS)
|
|
Mortgage
Opportunity
Term 2
(JMT)
|
|
|
Distributions from net ordinary income
1
|
|
$
|
24,064,994
|
|
|
$
|
8,325,574
|
|
|
|
Distributions from net long-term capital gains
|
|
|
8,764,370
|
|
|
|
1,670,303
|
|
|
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1
Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends and interest and net current year earnings and profits attributable to realized gains.
During the Funds' last tax year ended December 31, 2012, the following Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards as follows:
|
|
|
Mortgage
Opportunity
Term
(JLS)
|
|
|
Utilized capital loss carryforwards
|
|
$
|
1,332,665
|
|
|
Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, capital losses incurred by a Fund after December 31, 2010, will not be subject to expiration. During the Funds' last tax year ended December 31, 2012, there were no post-enactment capital losses generated.
7. Management Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Pursuant to an investment management agreement between each Fund and the Adviser, the Adviser receives 40% of each Fund's total annual management fee. The Adviser's portion of the management fee compensates the Adviser for overall investment advisory and administrative services provided to each Fund and general office facilities. Pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement between each Fund and Wellington Management, Wellington Management receives 60% of each Fund's total annual management fee. NAM is compensated for its services to the Funds from the management fees paid to the Adviser.
Each Fund's management fee consists of two components—a fund-level fee, based only on the amount of assets within the Fund, and a complex-level fee, based on the aggregate amount of all eligible fund assets managed by the Adviser. This pricing structure enables Fund shareholders to benefit from growth in the assets within their Fund as well as from growth in the amount of complex-wide assets managed by the Adviser.
The annual fund-level fee for each Fund, payable monthly, is calculated according to the following schedule:
|
Average Daily Managed Assets
(1)
|
|
Fund-Level Fee Rate
|
|
|
For the first $125 million
|
|
|
.9500
|
%
|
|
|
For the next $125 million
|
|
|
.9375
|
|
|
|
For the next $150 million
|
|
|
.9250
|
|
|
|
For managed assets over $400 million
|
|
|
.9125
|
|
|
Nuveen Investments
44
The annual complex-level fee for each Fund, payable monthly, is calculated according to the following schedule:
|
Complex-Level Managed Asset Breakpoint Level
(2)
|
|
Effective Rate at Breakpoint Level
|
|
|
$
55
billion
|
|
|
.2000
|
%
|
|
|
$
56
billion
|
|
|
.1996
|
|
|
|
$
57
billion
|
|
|
.1989
|
|
|
|
$
60
billion
|
|
|
.1961
|
|
|
|
$
63
billion
|
|
|
.1931
|
|
|
|
$
66
billion
|
|
|
.1900
|
|
|
|
$
71
billion
|
|
|
.1851
|
|
|
|
$
76
billion
|
|
|
.1806
|
|
|
|
$
80
billion
|
|
|
.1773
|
|
|
|
$
91
billion
|
|
|
.1691
|
|
|
|
$
125
billion
|
|
|
.1599
|
|
|
|
$
200
billion
|
|
|
.1505
|
|
|
|
$
250
billion
|
|
|
.1469
|
|
|
|
$
300
billion
|
|
|
.1445
|
|
|
(1) "Managed Assets" means the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than the Fund liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating effective leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to each Fund's use of effective leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the Fund's financial statements for the purposes of U.S. GAAP), such as, but not limited to, leverage at the Master PPIP Fund level attributable to each Fund's investment in its respective feeder Fund.
(2) The complex-level fee is based on the aggregate daily managed assets (as "managed assets" is defined in each Nuveen fund's investment management agreement with the Adviser, which generally includes assets attributable to any preferred shares that may be outstanding and any borrowings (including the issuance of commercial paper or notes)) of the Nuveen Funds that constitute "eligible assets." Eligible assets do not include assets attributable to investments in other Nuveen Funds and assets in excess of $2 billion added to the Nuveen Fund complex in connection with the Adviser's assumption of the management of the former First American Funds effective January 1, 2011. As of June 30, 2013, the complex-level fee rate for each of these Funds was .1679%.
Each Fund pays no compensation directly to those of its trustees who are affiliated with the Adviser or to its officers, all of whom receive remuneration for their services to each Fund from the Adviser or its affiliates. The Board of Trustees has adopted a deferred compensation plan for independent trustees that enable trustees to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the annual compensation they are entitled to receive from certain Nuveen-advised funds. Under the plan, deferred amounts are treated as though equal dollar amounts had been invested in shares of select Nuveen-advised funds.
As of June 30, 2013, Nuveen owned 4,200 shares of each Fund.
Nuveen Investments
45
Annual Investment Management
Agreement Approval Process
(Unaudited)
The Board of Trustees (each, a
"Board"
and each Trustee, a
"Board Member"
) of the Funds, including the Board Members who are not parties to the Funds' advisory or sub-advisory agreement or "interested persons" of any such parties (the
"Independent Board Members"
), is responsible for approving the advisory agreements (each, an
"Investment Management Agreement"
) between each Fund and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the
"Advisor"
) and the sub-advisory agreements (each, a
"Sub-Advisory Agreement"
) between (a) the Advisor and Wellington Management Company, LLP (
"Wellington"
), and (b) the Advisor and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (
"Nuveen Asset Management"
and, together with Wellington, the
"Sub-Advisors"
) (the Investment Management Agreements and the Sub-Advisory Agreements are referred to collectively as the
"Advisory Agreements"
) and their periodic continuation. Pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"
), the Board is required to consider the continuation of the Advisory Agreements on an annual basis. Accordingly, at an in-person meeting held on May 20-22, 2013 (the
"May Meeting"
), the Board, including a majority of the Independent Board Members, considered and approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for the Funds for an additional one-year period.
In preparation for its considerations at the May Meeting, the Board requested and received extensive materials prepared in connection with the review of the Advisory Agreements. The materials provided a broad range of information regarding the Funds, the Advisor and the Sub-Advisors (the Advisor and the Sub-Advisors are collectively, the
"Fund Advisers"
and each, a
"Fund Adviser"
). As described in more detail below, the information provided included, among other things, a review of Fund performance, including Fund investment performance assessments against peer groups and appropriate benchmarks; a comparison of Fund fees and expenses relative to peers; a description and assessment of shareholder service levels for the Funds; a summary of the performance of certain service providers; a review of product initiatives and shareholder communications; and an analysis of the Advisor's profitability with comparisons to comparable peers in the managed fund business. As part of its annual review, the Board also held a separate meeting on April 17-18, 2013, to review the Funds' investment performance and consider an analysis provided by the Advisor of the Sub-Advisors which generally evaluated the Sub-Advisors' investment teams, investment mandate, organizational structure and history, investment philosophy and process, performance of the applicable Fund, and significant changes to the foregoing. As a result of its review of the materials and discussions, the Board presented the Advisor with questions and the Advisor responded.
The materials and information prepared in connection with the annual review of the Advisory Agreements supplement the information and analysis provided to the Board during the year. In this regard, throughout the year, the Board, acting directly or through its committees, regularly reviews the performance and various services provided by the Advisor and the Sub-Advisors. The Board meets at least quarterly as well as at other times as the need arises. At its quarterly meetings, the Board reviews reports by the Advisor regarding, among other things, fund performance, fund expenses, premium and discount levels of closed-end funds, the performance of the investment teams, and compliance, regulatory and risk management matters. In addition to regular reports, the Advisor provides special reports to the Board or a committee thereof from time to time to enhance the Board's understanding of various topics that impact some or all the Nuveen funds (such as accounting and financial statement presentations of the various forms of leverage that may be used by a closed-end fund or an update on the valuation policies and procedures), to update the Board on regulatory developments impacting the investment company industry or to update the Board on the business plans or other matters impacting the Advisor. The Board also meets with key investment personnel managing the fund portfolios during the year. In October 2011, the Board also created two standing committees (the Open-End Fund Committee and the Closed-End Fund Committee) to assist the full Board in monitoring and gaining a deeper insight into the distinctive business practices of open-end and closed-end funds. These Committees meet prior to each quarterly Board meeting, and the Advisor provides presentations to these Committees permitting them to delve further into specific matters or initiatives impacting the respective product line.
Nuveen Investments
46
In addition, the Board continues its program of seeking to have the Board Members or a subset thereof visit each sub-advisor to the Nuveen funds at least once over a multiple year rotation, meeting with key investment and business personnel. In this regard, the Independent Board Members visited certain investment teams of Nuveen Asset Management in Minneapolis in September 2012, and its municipal team in November 2012. In addition, the ad hoc Securities Lending Committee of the Board met with certain service providers and the Audit Committee of the Board made a site visit to three pricing service providers.
The Board considers the information provided and knowledge gained at these meetings and visits during the year when performing its annual review of the Advisory Agreements. The Independent Board Members also are assisted throughout the process by independent legal counsel. Counsel provided materials describing applicable law and the duties of directors or trustees in reviewing advisory contracts. During the course of the year and during their deliberations regarding the review of advisory contracts, the Independent Board Members met with independent legal counsel in executive sessions without management present. In addition, it is important to recognize that the management arrangements for the Nuveen funds are the result of many years of review and discussion between the Independent Board Members and fund management and that the Board Members' conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of fee arrangements and other factors developed in previous years.
The Board considered all factors it believed relevant with respect to each Fund, including among other factors: (a) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Fund Advisers, (b) the investment performance of the Fund and Fund Advisers, (c) the advisory fees and costs of the services to be provided to the Fund and the profitability of the Fund Advisers, (d) the extent of any economies of scale, (e) any benefits derived by the Fund Advisers from the relationship with the Fund and (f) other factors. Each Board Member may have accorded different weight to the various factors in reaching his or her conclusions with respect to a Fund's Advisory Agreements. The Independent Board Members did not identify any single factor as all important or controlling. The Independent Board Members' considerations were instead based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information presented. The principal factors considered by the Board and its conclusions are described below.
A. Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
In considering renewal of the Advisory Agreements, the Independent Board Members considered the nature, extent and quality of the Fund Adviser's services, including advisory services and the resulting Fund performance and administrative services. The Independent Board Members further considered the overall reputation and capabilities of the Advisor and its affiliates, the commitment of the Advisor to provide high quality service to the Funds, their overall confidence in the capability and integrity of the Advisor and its staff and the Advisor's responsiveness to questions and concerns raised by them. The Independent Board Members reviewed materials outlining, among other things, the Fund Adviser's organization and business; the types of services that the Fund Adviser or its affiliates provide to the Funds; the performance record of the applicable Fund (as described in further detail below); and any applicable initiatives Nuveen had taken for the closed-end fund product line.
In considering advisory services, the Board recognized that the Advisor provides various oversight, administrative, compliance and other services for the Funds and the Sub-Advisors generally provide the portfolio investment management services to the Funds. In reviewing the portfolio management services provided to each Fund, the Board reviewed the materials provided by the Nuveen Investment Services Oversight Team analyzing, among other things, the Sub-Advisors' investment teams and changes thereto, organization and history, assets under management, the investment teams' philosophies and strategies in managing the Fund, developments affecting the Sub-Advisors or Fund and Fund performance. The Independent Board Members also reviewed portfolio manager compensation arrangements to evaluate each Fund Adviser's ability to attract and retain high quality investment personnel, preserve stability, and reward performance
Nuveen Investments
47
Annual Investment Management Agreement
Approval Process (Unaudited) (continued)
but not provide an inappropriate incentive to take undue risks. In addition, the Board considered the Advisor's execution of its oversight responsibilities over the Sub-Advisors. Given the importance of compliance, the Independent Board Members also considered Nuveen's compliance program, including the report of the chief compliance officer regarding the Funds' compliance policies and procedures; the resources dedicated to compliance; and the record of compliance with the policies and procedures. Given the Advisor's emphasis on business risk, the Board also appointed an Independent Board Member as a point person to review and keep the Board apprised of developments in this area during the year.
In addition to advisory services, the Board considered the quality and extent of administrative and other non-investment advisory services the Advisor and its affiliates provide to the Funds, including product management, investment services (such as oversight of investment policies and procedures, risk management, and pricing), fund administration, oversight of service providers, shareholder services and communications, administration of Board relations, regulatory and portfolio compliance, legal support, managing leverage and promoting an orderly secondary market for common shares. The Board further recognized Nuveen's additional investments in personnel, including in compliance and risk management.
In reviewing the services provided, the Board considered the new services and service enhancements that the Advisor has implemented since the various advisory agreements were last reviewed. In reviewing the activities of 2012, the Board recognized the Advisor's focus on product rationalization for both closed-end and open-end funds during the year, consolidating certain Nuveen funds through mergers that were designed to improve efficiencies and economies of scale for shareholders, repositioning various Nuveen funds through updates in their investment policies and guidelines with the expectation of bringing greater value to shareholders, and liquidating certain Nuveen funds. The Board recognized the Advisor's significant investment in technology initiatives to, among other things, create a central repository for fund and other Nuveen product data, develop a group within the Advisor designed to handle and analyze fund performance data, and implement a data system to support the risk oversight group. The Board also recognized the enhancements in the valuation group within the Advisor, including upgrading the team and process and automating certain basic systems, and in the compliance group with the addition of personnel, particularly within the testing group. With the advent of the Open-End Fund Committee and Closed-End Fund Committee, the Board also noted the enhanced support and comprehensive in-depth presentations provided by the Advisor to these committees.
In addition to the foregoing actions, the Board also considered other initiatives related to the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the significant level of oversight and administration necessary to manage leverage that has become increasingly varied and complex and the ongoing redesign of technology systems to manage and track the various forms of leverage; continued capital management services, including developing shelf offering programs for various funds; the implementation of projects designed to enhance data integrity for information published on the web and to increase the use of data received from third parties to gain market intelligence; and the continued communication efforts with shareholders, fund analysts and financial advisers. With respect to the latter, the Independent Board Members noted Nuveen's continued commitment to supporting the secondary market for the common shares of its closed-end funds through a comprehensive secondary market communication program and campaigns designed to raise investor and analyst awareness and understanding of closed-end funds. Nuveen's support services included, among other things: developing materials covering the Nuveen closed-end fund product line and educational materials regarding closed-end funds; designing and executing various marketing campaigns; supporting and promoting the alternative minimum tax (AMT)-free funds; sponsoring and participating in conferences; communicating with closed-end fund analysts and financial advisors throughout the year; providing marketing and product updates for the closed-end funds; and maintaining and enhancing a closed-end fund website.
Based on their review, the Independent Board Members found that, overall, the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the respective Fund under each applicable Advisory Agreement were satisfactory.
Nuveen Investments
48
B. The Investment Performance of the Funds and Fund Advisers
The Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered the performance history of each Fund over various time periods. The Board reviewed reports, including an analysis of the Fund's performance and the applicable investment team. In general, in considering a fund's performance, the Board recognized that a fund's performance can be reviewed through various measures including the fund's absolute return, the fund's return compared to the performance of other peer funds, and the fund's performance compared to its respective benchmark. Accordingly, the Board reviewed, among other things, each Fund's historic investment performance as well as information comparing the Fund's performance information with that of other funds (the
"Performance Peer Group"
) and with recognized and/or customized benchmarks for the quarter, one-, and three-year periods ending December 31, 2012 as well as performance information reflecting the first quarter of 2013 (or for such shorter periods available for the Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund 2 (the
"Mortgage Opportunity Fund 2"
), which did not exist for part of the foregoing time frame). In addition, with respect to closed-end funds (such as the Funds), the Independent Board Members also reviewed historic premium and discount levels, including a summary of actions taken to address or discuss other developments affecting the secondary market discounts of various funds. This information supplemented the fund performance information provided to the Board at each of its quarterly meetings.
In evaluating performance, the Board recognized several factors that may impact the performance data as well as the consideration given to particular performance data. The Board recognized that the performance data reflects a snapshot of time, in this case as of the end of the most recent calendar year or quarter. The Board noted that selecting a different performance period could derive significantly different results. Further, the Board recognized that it is possible that long-term performance can be adversely affected by even one period of significant underperformance so that a single investment decision or theme has the ability to disproportionately affect long-term performance. The Independent Board Members also noted that the investment experience of a particular shareholder in the Nuveen funds will vary depending on when such shareholder invests in the applicable fund, the class held (if multiple classes are offered in a fund) and the performance of the fund (or respective class) during that shareholder's investment period.
With respect to the comparative performance information, the Board recognized that the usefulness of comparative performance data as a frame of reference to measure a fund's performance may be limited because the Performance Peer Group, among other things, does not adequately reflect the objectives and strategies of the fund, has a different investable universe, or the composition of the peer set may be limited in size or number as well as other factors. In this regard, the Board noted that the Advisor classified, in relevant part, the Performance Peer Groups of certain funds as having significant differences from the funds but to still be somewhat relevant while the Performance Peer Groups of other funds (including the Funds) were classified as having such significant differences as to be irrelevant. Accordingly, while the Board is cognizant of the relative performance of a fund's peer set and/or benchmark(s), the Board evaluated fund performance in light of the respective fund's investment objectives, investment parameters and guidelines and considered that the variations between the objectives and investment parameters or guidelines of the funds with their peers and/or benchmarks result in differences in performance results. In addition, with respect to any Nuveen funds for which the Board has identified performance concerns, the Board monitors such funds closely until performance improves, discusses with the Advisor the reasons for such results, considers those steps necessary or appropriate to address such issues, and reviews the results of any efforts undertaken.
In considering the performance data for the Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund (the
"Mortgage Opportunity Fund"
), given that, as noted above, the Performance Peer Group for such Fund was classified as irrelevant, limiting the usefulness of the peer comparison data, the Board also considered the Fund's performance compared to its benchmark. In this regard, the Board noted that although the Fund underperformed its benchmark for the three-year period, it outperformed its benchmark for the one-year period ending December 31, 2012 and quarter ending March 31, 2013. With respect to the Mortgage Opportunity Fund 2, the Independent Board Members noted that such Fund was relatively new
Nuveen Investments
49
Annual Investment Management Agreement
Approval Process (Unaudited) (continued)
with a shorter performance history available, thereby limiting the ability to make a meaningful assessment of performance. In addition, as noted above, such Fund had significant differences from its Performance Peer Group limiting the usefulness of the comparative data; however, the Fund outperformed its benchmark for the one-year period.
Based on their review, the Independent Board Members determined that each Fund's investment performance had been satisfactory.
C. Fees, Expenses and Profitability
1. Fees and Expenses
The Board evaluated the management fees and expenses of each Fund reviewing, among other things, the Fund's gross management fee, net management fee and net expense ratio in absolute terms as well as compared to the fees and expenses of a comparable universe of funds provided by an independent fund data provider (the
"Peer Universe"
) and any expense limitations.
The Independent Board Members further reviewed the methodology regarding the construction of the applicable Peer Universe. In reviewing the comparisons of fee and expense information, the Independent Board Members took into account that in certain instances various factors such as: the limited size and particular composition of the Peer Universe (including the inclusion of other Nuveen funds in the peer set); expense anomalies; changes in the funds comprising the Peer Universe from year to year; levels of reimbursement or fee waivers; the timing of information used; and the differences in the type and use of leverage may impact the comparative data, thereby limiting somewhat the ability to make a meaningful comparison with peers.
In reviewing the fee schedule for a Fund, the Independent Board Members also considered the fund-level and complex-wide breakpoint schedules (described in further detail below) and any fee waivers and reimbursements provided by Nuveen. In reviewing fees and expenses (excluding leverage costs and leveraged assets, as applicable), the Board considered the expenses and fees to be higher if they were over 10 basis points higher, slightly higher if they were approximately 6 to 10 basis points higher, in line if they were within approximately 5 basis points higher than the peer average and below if they were below the peer average of the Peer Universe. In reviewing the reports, the Board noted that the majority of the Nuveen funds were at, close to or below their peer set average based on the net total expense ratio.
The Independent Board Members noted that each Fund had a net management fee and a net expense ratio slightly higher or higher than its peer averages. In this regard, they recognized that each Fund's higher relative expense ratio was generally due, in each case, to certain peers in the peer group that did not assess management fees on the leveraged portion of their portfolios; this anomaly reduced the peer group average.
Based on their review of the fee and expense information provided, the Independent Board Members determined that each Fund's management fees were reasonable in light of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund.
2. Comparisons with the Fees of Other Clients
The Board recognized that all Nuveen funds have at least one sub-advisor (including the Funds, which have one affiliated sub-advisor (Nuveen Asset Management) and one non-affiliated sub-advisor (Wellington)), and therefore, the overall fund management fee can be divided into two components, the fee retained by the Advisor and the fee paid to the sub-advisor(s). In general terms, the fee to the Advisor reflects the administrative services it provides to support the funds, and while some administrative services may occur at the sub-advisor level, the fee generally reflects the portfolio management services provided by the sub-advisor(s). The Independent Board Members reviewed information regarding the nature of services provided by the Advisor, including through Nuveen Asset Management, and the
Nuveen Investments
50
range of fees and average fee such affiliated Sub-Advisor assessed for such services to other clients. Such other clients include separately managed accounts (both retail and institutional accounts), foreign investment funds offered by Nuveen and funds that are not offered by Nuveen but are sub-advised by one of Nuveen's investment management teams. In evaluating the comparisons of fees, the Independent Board Members noted that the fee rates charged to the Funds and other clients vary, among other things, because of the different services involved and the additional regulatory and compliance requirements associated with registered investment companies, such as the Funds. Accordingly, the Independent Board Members considered the differences in the product types, including, but not limited to, the services provided, the structure and operations, product distribution and costs thereof, portfolio investment policies, investor profiles, account sizes and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members noted, in particular, that the range of services provided to the Funds (as discussed above) is much more extensive than that provided to separately managed accounts. Many of the additional administrative services provided by the Advisor are not required for institutional clients. The Independent Board Members further noted that the management fee rates of the foreign funds advised by the Advisor may vary due to, among other things, differences in the client base, governing bodies, operational complexities and services covered by the management fee. Given the inherent differences in the various products, particularly the extensive services provided to the Funds, the Independent Board Members believe such facts justify the different levels of fees.
In considering the fees of Wellington, the Independent Board Members also noted that the Funds' sub-advisory fees to this Sub-Advisor were the result of arm's-length negotiations.
3. Profitability of Fund Advisers
In conjunction with their review of fees, the Independent Board Members also considered the profitability of Nuveen for its advisory activities and its financial condition. The Independent Board Members reviewed the revenues and expenses of Nuveen's advisory activities for the last two calendar years, the allocation methodology used in preparing the profitability data and an analysis of the key drivers behind the changes in revenues and expenses that impacted profitability in 2012. The Independent Board Members noted this information supplemented the profitability information requested and received during the year to help keep them apprised of developments affecting profitability (such as changes in fee waivers and expense reimbursement commitments). In this regard, the Independent Board Members noted that they have an Independent Board Member serve as a point person to review and keep them apprised of changes to the profitability analysis and/or methodologies during the year. The Independent Board Members also considered Nuveen's revenues for advisory activities, expenses, and profit margin compared to that of various unaffiliated management firms with comparable assets under management (based on asset size and asset composition).
In reviewing profitability, the Independent Board Members recognized the Advisor's continued investment in its business to enhance its services, including capital improvements to investment technology, updated compliance systems, and additional personnel. In addition, in evaluating profitability, the Independent Board Members also recognized the subjective nature of determining profitability which may be affected by numerous factors including the allocation of expenses and that various allocation methodologies may each be reasonable but yield different results. Further, the Independent Board Members recognized the difficulties in making comparisons as the profitability of other advisers generally is not publicly available and the profitability information that is available for certain advisers or management firms may not be representative of the industry and may be affected by, among other things, the adviser's particular business mix, capital costs, types of funds managed and expense allocations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Independent Board Members reviewed Nuveen's methodology and assumptions for allocating expenses across product lines to determine profitability. Based on their review, the Independent Board Members concluded that the Advisor's level of profitability for its advisory activities was reasonable in light of the services provided.
Nuveen Investments
51
Annual Investment Management Agreement
Approval Process (Unaudited) (continued)
With respect to Nuveen Asset Management, the affiliated Sub-Advisor, the Independent Board Members reviewed such Sub-Advisor's revenues, expenses and profitability margins (pre- and post-tax) for its advisory activities and the methodology used for allocating expenses among the internal sub-advisors. Similarly, with respect to Wellington, the Independent Board Members also considered such Sub-Advisor's profitability margins for its advisory activities with the Funds. Based on their review, the Independent Board Members were satisfied that each Sub-Advisor's level of profitability was reasonable in light of the services provided.
In evaluating the reasonableness of the compensation, the Independent Board Members also considered other amounts paid to a Fund Adviser by the Funds as well as indirect benefits (such as soft dollar arrangements), if any, the Fund Adviser and its affiliates receive, or are expected to receive, that are directly attributable to the management of the Funds. See Section E below for additional information on indirect benefits a Fund Adviser may receive as a result of its relationship with the Funds. Based on their review of the overall fee arrangements of each Fund, the Independent Board Members determined that the advisory fees and expenses of the Funds were reasonable.
D. Economies of Scale and Whether Fee Levels Reflect These Economies of Scale
With respect to economies of scale, the Independent Board Members have recognized the potential benefits resulting from the costs of a fund being spread over a larger asset base, although economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, particularly on a fund-by-fund basis. One method to help ensure the shareholders share in these benefits is to include breakpoints in the advisory fee schedule. Generally, management fees for funds in the Nuveen complex are comprised of a fund-level component and a complex-level component, subject to certain exceptions. Accordingly, the Independent Board Members reviewed and considered the applicable fund-level breakpoints in the advisory fee schedules that reduce advisory fees as asset levels increase. Further, the Independent Board Members noted that although closed-end funds may from time-to-time make additional share offerings, the growth of their assets will occur primarily through the appreciation of such funds' investment portfolio.
In addition to fund-level advisory fee breakpoints, the Board also considered the Funds' complex-wide fee arrangement. Pursuant to the complex-wide fee arrangement, the fees of the funds in the Nuveen complex are generally reduced as the assets in the fund complex reach certain levels. The complex-wide fee arrangement seeks to provide the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund complex assets increase, even if assets of a particular fund are unchanged or have decreased. The approach reflects the notion that some of Nuveen's costs are attributable to services provided to all its funds in the complex and therefore all funds benefit if these costs are spread over a larger asset base. In addition, with the acquisition of the funds previously advised by FAF Advisors, Inc. at the end of 2010, the Board noted that a portion of such funds' assets at the time of acquisition were deemed eligible to be included in the complex-wide fee calculation in order to deliver fee savings to shareholders in the combined complex and such funds were subject to differing complex-level fee rates.
Based on their review, the Independent Board Members concluded that the breakpoint schedules and complex-wide fee arrangement were acceptable and reflect economies of scale to be shared with shareholders when assets under management increase.
E. Indirect Benefits
In evaluating fees, the Independent Board Members received and considered information regarding potential "fall out" or ancillary benefits the respective Fund Adviser or its affiliates may receive as a result of its relationship with each Fund. In this regard, the Independent Board Members considered any revenues received by affiliates of the Advisor for serving as co-manager in initial public offerings of new closed-end funds as well as revenues received in connection with secondary offerings.
Nuveen Investments
52
In addition to the above, the Independent Board Members considered whether the Fund Advisers received any benefits from soft dollar arrangements whereby a portion of the commissions paid by a Fund for brokerage may be used to acquire research that may be useful to the Fund Adviser in managing the assets of the Funds and other clients. The Funds' portfolio transactions are determined by the Sub-Advisors. Accordingly, the Independent Board Members considered that Nuveen Asset Management may benefit from its soft dollar arrangements pursuant to which it receives research from brokers that execute the Funds' portfolio transactions. With respect to fixed income securities, however, the Board recognized that such securities generally trade on a principal basis that does not generate soft dollar credits. Nevertheless, Nuveen Asset Management may also engage in soft dollar arrangements on behalf of other clients, and the Funds as well as such Sub-Advisor may benefit from the research or other services received. Similarly, the Board recognized that the research received pursuant to soft dollar arrangements by this Sub-Advisor may also benefit a Fund and shareholders to the extent the research enhances the ability of such Sub-Advisor to manage the Funds. The Independent Board Members noted that such Sub-Advisor's profitability may be somewhat lower if it did not receive the research services pursuant to the soft dollar arrangements and had to acquire such services directly. With respect to Wellington, the Independent Board Members noted that such Sub-Advisor only executes principal trades on behalf of the Nuveen funds and therefore has not engaged in soft dollar transactions on behalf of the Funds.
Based on their review, the Independent Board Members concluded that any indirect benefits received by a Fund Adviser as a result of its relationship with the Funds were reasonable and within acceptable parameters.
F. Other Considerations
The Independent Board Members did not identify any single factor discussed previously as all-important or controlling. The Board Members, including the Independent Board Members, unanimously concluded that the terms of each Advisory Agreement are fair and reasonable, that the respective Fund Adviser's fees are reasonable in light of the services provided to each Fund and that the Advisory Agreements be renewed.
Nuveen Investments
53
Reinvest Automatically,
Easily and Conveniently
Nuveen makes reinvesting easy. A phone call is all it takes to set up your reinvestment account.
Nuveen Closed-End Funds Automatic Reinvestment Plan
Your Nuveen Closed-End Fund allows you to conveniently reinvest distributions in additional Fund shares.
By choosing to reinvest, you'll be able to invest money regularly and automatically, and watch your investment grow through the power of compounding. Just like distributions in cash, there may be times when income or capital gains taxes may be payable on distributions that are reinvested.
It is important to note that an automatic reinvestment plan does not ensure a profit, nor does it protect you against loss in a declining market.
Easy and convenient
To make recordkeeping easy and convenient, each quarter you'll receive a statement showing your total distributions, the date of investment, the shares acquired and the price per share, and the total number of shares you own.
How shares are purchased
The shares you acquire by reinvesting will either be purchased on the open market or newly issued by the Fund. If the shares are trading at or above net asset value at the time of valuation, the Fund will issue new shares at the greater of the net asset value or 95% of the then-current market price. If the shares are trading at less than net asset value, shares for your account will be purchased on the open market. If the Plan Agent begins purchasing Fund shares on the open market while shares are trading below net asset value, but the Fund's shares subsequently trade at or above their net asset value before the Plan Agent is able to complete its purchases, the Plan Agent may cease open-market purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the distribution in newly-issued Fund shares at a price equal to the greater of the shares' net asset value or 95% of the shares' market value on the last business day immediately prior to the purchase date. Distributions received to purchase shares in the open market will normally be invested shortly after the distribution payment date. No interest will be paid on distributions awaiting reinvestment. Because the market price of the shares may increase before purchases are completed, the average purchase price per share may exceed the market price at the time of valuation, resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the distribution had been paid in shares issued by the Fund. A pro rata portion of any applicable brokerage commissions on open market purchases will be paid by Plan participants. These commissions usually will be lower than those charged on individual transactions.
Flexible
You may change your distribution option or withdraw from the Plan at any time, should your needs or situation change.
You can reinvest whether your shares are registered in your name, or in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee. Ask your investment advisor if his or her firm will participate on your behalf. Participants whose shares are registered in the name of one firm may not be able to transfer the shares to another firm and continue to participate in the Plan.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan at any time. Although the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants, there is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan at this time.
Call today to start reinvesting distributions
For more information on the Nuveen Automatic Reinvestment Plan or to enroll in or withdraw from the Plan, speak with your financial advisor or call us at (800) 257-8787.
Nuveen Investments
54
Glossary of Terms
Used in this Report
•
Average Annual Total Return:
This is a commonly used method to express an investment's performance over a particular, usually multi-year time period. It expresses the return that would have been necessary each year to equal the investment's actual cumulative performance (including change in NAV or market price and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, if any) over the time period being considered.
•
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index:
An unmanaged index that includes all investment-grade, publicly issued, fixed-rate, dollar denominated, non-convertible debt issues and commercial mortgage backed securities with maturities of at least one year and outstanding par values of $150 million or more. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not include the effects of any applicable sales charges or management fees.
•
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS):
Commercial mortgage-backed securities are backed by cash flows of a mortgage or pool of mortgages on commercial real estate. CMBS generally are structured to provide protection to the senior class investors against potential losses on the underlying mortgage loans. CMBS are typically characterized by the following: i) loans on multi-family housing, non-residential property, ii) payments based on the amortization schedule of 25–30 years with a balloon payment due usually after 10 years, and iii) restrictions on prepayments.
•
Current Distribution Rate:
An investment's current annualized distribution divided by its current market price.
•
Duration:
Duration is a measure of the expected period over which a bond's principal and interest will be paid, and consequently is a measure of the sensitivity of a bond's or bond Fund's value to changes when market interest rates change. Generally, the longer a bond's or Fund's duration, the more the price of the bond or Fund will change as interest rates change.
•
Effective Leverage:
Effective leverage is a Fund's effective economic leverage, and includes both Regulatory Leverage (see below) and the leverage effects of certain derivative investments in the Fund's portfolio that increase the Fund's investment exposure.
•
Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
The total market value of all final goods and services produced in a country/region in a given year, equal to total consumer, investment and government spending, plus the value of exports, minus the value of imports.
•
Leverage:
Using borrowed money to invest in securities or other assets, seeking to increase the return of an investment or portfolio.
•
Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS):
Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are bonds backed by pools of mortgages, usually with similar characteristics, and which return principal and interest in each payment. MBS are composed of residential mortgages (RMBS) or commercial mortgages (CMBS). RMBS are further divided into agency RMBS and non-agency RMBS, depending on the issuer.
•
Net Asset Value (NAV):
The net market value of all securities held in a portfolio.
•
Net Asset Value (NAV) Per Share:
The market value of one share of a mutual fund or closed-end fund. For a Fund, the NAV is calculated daily by taking the Fund's total assets (securities, cash, and accrued earnings), subtracting the Fund's liabilities, and dividing by the number of shares outstanding.
Nuveen Investments
55
Glossary of Terms
Used in this Report (continued)
•
Regulatory Leverage:
Regulatory leverage consists of preferred shares issued by or borrowings of a Fund. Both of these are part of a Fund's capital structure. Regulatory leverage is sometimes referred to as "'40 Act Leverage" and is subject to asset coverage limits set in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
•
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS):
Residential mortgage-backed securities are securities the payments on which depend primarily on the cash flow from residential mortgage loans made to borrowers that are secured by residential real estate. RMBS consist of agency and non-agency RMBS. Agency RMBS have agency guarantees that assure investors that they will receive timely payment of interest and principal, regardless of delinquency or default rates on the underlying loans. Agency RMBS include securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and other federal agencies, or issues guaranteed by them. Non-agency RMBS do not have agency guarantees. Non-agency RMBS have credit enhancement built into the structure to shield investors from borrower delinquencies. The spectrum of non-agency residential mortgage loans includes traditional jumbo loans (prime), alternative-A loans (Alt-A), and home equity loans (subprime).
Nuveen Investments
56
Nuveen Investments
57
Nuveen Investments
58
Additional Fund Information
Board of Trustees
John P. Amboian
Robert P. Bremner
Jack B. Evans
William C. Hunter
David J. Kundert
William J. Schneider
Judith M. Stockdale
Carole E. Stone
Virginia L. Stringer
Terence J. Toth
Fund Manager
Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Custodian
State Street Bank & Trust Company
Boston, MA
Transfer Agent and
Shareholder Services
State Street Bank & Trust Company
Nuveen Funds
P.O. Box 43071
Providence, RI 02940-3071
(800) 257-8787
Legal Counsel
Chapman and Cutler LLP
Chicago, IL
Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, IL
Quarterly Form N-Q Portfolio of Investments Information
Each Fund is required to file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. You may obtain this information directly from the SEC. Visit the SEC on-line at http://www.sec.gov or in person at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call the SEC toll-free at (800) SEC -0330 for room hours and operation.
Nuveen Funds' Proxy Voting Information
You may obtain (i) information regarding how each fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen Investments toll-free at (800) 257-8787 or on Nuveen's website at www.nuveen.com and (ii) a description of the policies and procedures that each fund used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen Investments toll free at (800) 257-8787. You may also obtain this information directly from the SEC. Visit the SEC on-line at http://www.sec.gov.
CEO Certification Disclosure
Each Fund's Chief Executive Officer has submitted to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) the annual CEO certification as required by Section 303A.12(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.
Each Fund has filed with the SEC the certification of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Share Information
Each Fund intends to repurchase shares of its own common stock in the future at such times and in such amounts as is deemed advisable. During the period covered by this report, the Funds repurchased shares of their common stock as shown in the accompanying table.
|
Fund
|
|
Common Shares
Repurchased
|
|
|
JLS
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
JMT
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Any future repurchases will be reported to shareholders in the next annual or semi-annual report.
Nuveen Investments
59
Nuveen Investments:
Serving Investors for Generations
Since 1898, financial advisors and their clients have relied on Nuveen Investments to provide dependable investment solutions through continued adherence to proven, long-term investing principles. Today, we offer a range of high quality equity and fixed-income solutions designed to be integral components of a well-diversified core portfolio.
Focused on meeting investor needs.
Nuveen Investments provides high-quality investment services designed to help secure the long-term goals of institutional and individual investors as well as the consultants and financial advisors who serve them. Nuveen Investments markets a wide range of specialized investment solutions which provide investors access to capabilities of its high-quality boutique investment affiliates—Nuveen Asset Management, Symphony Asset Management, NWQ Investment Management Company, Santa Barbara Asset Management, Tradewinds Global Investors, Winslow Capital Management and Gresham Investment Management. In total, Nuveen Investments managed approximately $216 billion as of June 30, 2013.
Find out how we can help you.
To learn more about how the products and services of Nuveen Investments may be able to help you meet your financial goals, talk to your financial advisor, or call us at
(800) 257-8787
. Please read the information provided carefully before you invest. Investors should consider the investment objective and policies, risk considerations, charges and expenses of any investment carefully. Where applicable, be sure to obtain a prospectus, which contains this and other relevant information. To obtain a prospectus, please contact your securities representative or
Nuveen Investments, 333 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606
. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.
Learn more about Nuveen Funds at:
www.nuveen.com/cef
Distributed by
Nuveen Securities, LLC
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
www.nuveen.com/cef
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
Not applicable to this filing.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
Not applicable to this filing.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Not applicable to this filing.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
Not applicable to this filing.
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
a) See Portfolio of Investments in Item 1.
b) Not applicable.
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable to this filing.
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable to this filing.
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT
COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to this Item.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
|
(a)
|
The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, 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”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) 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 controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)(17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).
|
|
|
|
|
(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 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
|
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.
File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form.
(a)(1) Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit: Not applicable to this filing.
(a)(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) in the exact form set forth below: Ex-99.CERT attached hereto.
(a)(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons: Not applicable.
(b) If the report is filed under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provide the certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)); Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b) or 240.15d-14(b)), and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) as an exhibit. A certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference. Ex-99.906 CERT attached hereto.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund 2
|
By (Signature and Title)
|
/s/ Kevin J. McCarthy
|
|
|
|
Kevin J. McCarthy
|
|
|
Vice President and Secretary
|
Date: September 5, 2013
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
|
By (Signature and Title)
|
/s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman
|
|
|
|
Gifford R. Zimmerman
|
|
|
Chief Administrative Officer
|
|
|
(principal executive officer)
|
Date: September 5, 2013
|
By (Signature and Title)
|
/s/ Stephen D. Foy
|
|
|
|
Stephen D. Foy
|
|
|
Vice President and Controller
|
|
|
(principal financial officer)
|
Date: September 5, 2013
Nuveen Mortgage Opportun... (NYSE:JMT)
Graphique Historique de l'Action
De Mai 2024 à Juin 2024
Nuveen Mortgage Opportun... (NYSE:JMT)
Graphique Historique de l'Action
De Juin 2023 à Juin 2024
