<PAGE>
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS 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. +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 1, 1997
PROSPECTUS
$104,750,000
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND
AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED SHARES ["AMPS(R)"]
2,095 SHARES, SERIES A
2,095 SHARES, SERIES B
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE $25,000 PER SHARE
-----------
MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund (the "Fund") is a recently organized, non-
diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide
shareholders with current income exempt from Federal income tax. The Fund also
seeks to offer shareholders the opportunity to own shares the value of which is
exempt from Florida intangible personal property tax. The Fund seeks to achieve
its investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of long-term,
investment grade municipal obligations the interest on which, in the opinion of
bond counsel to the issuer, is exempt from Federal income tax and which enables
shares of the Fund to be exempt from Florida intangible personal property tax.
The Fund intends to invest in municipal obligations that are rated investment
grade, or if unrated, are considered by Fund Asset Management, L.P. (the
"Investment Adviser") to be of comparable quality. Under normal circumstances,
at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in municipal obligations
with remaining maturities of one year or more that are covered by insurance
guaranteeing the timely payment of principal at maturity and interest.
Investors are advised to read this Prospectus carefully and retain it for
future reference.
(Continued on next page)
-----------
The Broker-Dealers (as defined herein) intend to maintain a secondary trading
market in the AMPS outside of Auctions; however, they have no obligation to do
so, and there can be no assurance that a secondary market for the AMPS will
develop or, if it does develop, that it will provide holders with a liquid
trading market (i.e., trading will depend on the presence of willing buyers and
sellers and the trading price is subject to variables to be determined at the
time of the trade by the Broker-Dealers). The AMPS will not be registered on
any stock exchange or on any automated quotation system. An increase in the
level of interest rates, particularly during any Long Term Dividend Period,
likely will have an adverse effect on the secondary market price of the AMPS,
and a selling shareholder may sell AMPS between Auctions at a price per share
of less than $25,000.
-----------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRICE TO PROCEEDS TO
PUBLIC SALES LOAD(1)(2) FUND(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share............................ $25,000 $ $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ $104,750,000 $ $
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Plus accumulated dividends, if any, from the Date of Original Issue.
(2) The Fund and the Investment Adviser have agreed to indemnify the
Underwriter against certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended. See "Underwriting."
(3) Offering expenses payable by the Fund, estimated at $215,000, will be
reimbursed by the Underwriter. See "Underwriting."
-----------
The AMPS are offered by the Underwriter, subject to prior sale, when, as and
if issued by the Fund and accepted by the Underwriter, subject to approval of
certain legal matters by counsel for the Underwriter and certain other
conditions. The Underwriter reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify
such offer and to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that one
certificate for each series of the AMPS will be delivered to the nominee of The
Depository Trust Company on or about October , 1997.
- -----
(R)Registered trademark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
-----------
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
-----------
The date of this Prospectus is October , 1997.
<PAGE>
(Continued from previous page)
Dividends on the shares of Auction Market Preferred Shares(R) ("AMPS(R)"),
Series A ("Series A AMPS(R)") and Series B ("Series B AMPS(R)") of the Fund
offered hereby will be cumulative from the Date of Original Issue and payable
commencing on October , 1997 in the case of Series A AMPS and October ,
1997 in the case of Series B AMPS (each, as applicable, an "Initial Dividend
Payment Date") and, generally, on each succeeding Wednesday in the case of
Series A AMPS and each succeeding Monday in the case of Series B AMPS, subject
to certain exceptions.
The cash dividend rate (the "Applicable Rate") on the Series A AMPS for the
Initial Dividend Period ending October , 1997 will be % per annum and the
cash dividend rate on the Series B AMPS for the Initial Dividend Period ending
October , 1997 will be % per annum. The Applicable Rate on the AMPS of each
series for each Subsequent Dividend Period will be determined pursuant to
periodic auctions conducted in accordance with the procedures described in
Appendix D hereto (an "Auction"). Except as otherwise provided herein, each
Subsequent Dividend Period for each series of AMPS will be a 7-Day Dividend
Period; provided, however, that prior to any Auction, the Fund may elect,
subject to certain limitations described herein, with respect to each series
of AMPS, upon giving notice to holders thereof, a Special Dividend Period. See
"Description of AMPS--Dividends."
The Applicable Rate on the AMPS of each series for each Subsequent Dividend
Period will be reset on the basis of Bids, Hold Orders and Sell Orders placed
by Existing Holders and Potential Holders in the Auction conducted on the
Business Day next preceding the commencement of such Dividend Period. The
Applicable Rate that results from an Auction for any Dividend Period will not
be greater than the Maximum Applicable Rate (as defined herein). See
"Description of AMPS--The Auction--Orders by Beneficial Owners, Potential
Beneficial Owners, Existing Holders and Potential Holders."
The Fund currently is required to allocate net capital gains (including new
categories of capital gains, discussed under "Taxes") and other taxable
income, if any, proportionately between Common Shares and AMPS. The Fund will
give notice of the amount of any taxable income to be included in a dividend
on AMPS in the related Auction, as described herein, or, in limited
circumstances, include such income in a dividend on AMPS without giving
advance notice thereof if it increases the dividend by an additional amount to
offset substantially the tax effect thereof. The amount of taxable income
allocable to AMPS will depend upon the amount of such income realized by the
Fund and other factors but generally is not expected to be significant. See
"Taxes."
Each prospective purchaser should review carefully the detailed information
regarding the Auction Procedures which appears in this Prospectus, including
the Appendices, and should note that (i) an Order constitutes an irrevocable
commitment to hold, purchase or sell AMPS based upon the results of the
related Auction, (ii) the Auctions will be conducted through telephone
communications, (iii) settlement for purchases and sales will be on the
Business Day following the Auction and (iv) ownership of AMPS will be
maintained in book-entry form by or through the Securities Depository. Under
certain circumstances, holders of AMPS may be unable to sell their AMPS in an
Auction and thus may lack liquidity of investment. AMPS only may be
transferred pursuant to a Bid or a Sell Order placed in an Auction through a
Broker-Dealer to the Auction Agent or in the secondary market, if any.
The AMPS are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Fund, on
any Dividend Payment Date (except during the Initial Dividend Period or a Non-
Call Period) at the Optional Redemption Price per share and will be subject to
mandatory redemption on dates fixed by the Board of Trustees, under certain
circumstances, at the Mandatory Redemption Price per share.
If the Fund fails to pay on any Dividend Payment Date (or within the
applicable grace period) the full amount of any dividend or the redemption
price of AMPS called for redemption, the Applicable Rate will not be based on
the results of an Auction but instead will be equal to the Non-Payment Period
Rate until such failure to pay is cured. See "Description of AMPS--Dividends--
Non-Payment Period; Late Charge."
2
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more
detailed information included elsewhere in this Prospectus. Certain of the
capitalized terms used herein are defined in the Glossary that appears at the
end of this Prospectus.
THE FUND MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund (the "Fund") is a recently
organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company. See "The Fund."
INVESTMENT The investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders
OBJECTIVE with current income exempt from Federal income taxes. The Fund
AND also seeks to provide shareholders with the opportunity to own
POLICIES shares the value of which is exempt from Florida intangible
personal property tax. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment
objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of long-term,
investment grade municipal obligations the interest on which, in
the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is exempt from Federal
income tax and which enables shares of the Fund to be exempt from
Florida intangible personal property tax ("Florida Municipal
Bonds"). The Fund intends to invest in municipal obligations that
are rated investment grade or, if unrated, are considered by the
Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund will
seek to achieve its investment objective by seeking to invest
substantially all (a minimum of 80%) of its assets in Florida
Municipal Bonds, except at times when, in the judgment of the
Investment Adviser, Florida Municipal Bonds of sufficient quality
and quantity are unavailable for investment at suitable prices by
the Fund. At all times, except during interim periods pending
investment of the net proceeds of public offerings of the Fund's
securities and during temporary defensive periods, the Fund will
maintain at least 65% of its assets in Florida Municipal Bonds
and at least 80% of its assets in Florida Municipal Bonds and
other long-term municipal obligations paying interest exempt from
Federal income tax, but which are not exempt from Florida
intangible personal property tax ("Municipal Bonds"). Under
normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be
invested in municipal obligations with remaining maturities of
one year or more that are covered by insurance guaranteeing the
timely payment of principal at maturity and interest. The Fund
does not ordinarily intend to realize significant investment
income not exempt from Federal income tax or have significant
assets subject to Florida intangible personal property tax. See
"Investment Objective and Policies."
INVESTMENT Fund Asset Management, L.P. is the Fund's investment adviser (the
ADVISER "Investment Adviser") and is responsible for the management of
the Fund's investment portfolio and for providing administrative
services to the Fund. For its services, the Fund pays the
Investment Adviser a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.55 of 1%
of the Fund's average weekly net assets. The Investment Adviser
is an affiliate of Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. ("MLAM")
which is owned and controlled by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML &
Co."). The Investment Adviser or MLAM acts as the investment
adviser for over 140 other registered management investment
companies. The Investment Adviser also offers portfolio
management and portfolio analysis services to individuals and
institutions. As of August 31, 1997, the Investment Adviser and
MLAM had a total of approximately $267.7 billion in investment
company and other portfolio assets under management
(approximately $32.9 billion of which was invested in municipal
securities), including accounts of certain affiliates of the
Investment Adviser. See "Investment Advisory and Management
Arrangements."
THE The Fund is offering an aggregate of 2,095 Series A AMPS and
OFFERING 2,095 Series B AMPS, each at a purchase price of $25,000 per
share plus accumulated dividends, if any, from the Date of
Original Issue. The AMPS are being offered by Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch" or the
"Underwriter"). See "Underwriting."
3
<PAGE>
The AMPS of each series will be Preferred Shares of the Fund that
entitle their holders to receive cash dividends at a rate per
annum that may vary for the successive Dividend Periods for each
such series. In general, except as described below, each Dividend
Period for each series of AMPS subsequent to the Initial Dividend
Period will be seven days in length. The Applicable Rate for a
particular Dividend Period will be determined by an Auction
conducted on the Business Day next preceding the start of such
Dividend Period.
Through their Broker-Dealers, Beneficial Owners and Potential
Beneficial Owners of AMPS of each series may participate in
Auctions therefor, although, except in the case of a Special
Dividend Period, Beneficial Owners desiring to continue to hold
all of their AMPS regardless of the Applicable Rate resulting
from Auctions need not participate. For an explanation of
Auctions and the method of determining the Applicable Rate, see
"Description of AMPS--The Auction."
Except as described herein, investors in AMPS will not receive
certificates representing ownership of their shares. Ownership of
AMPS will be maintained in book-entry form by the Securities
Depository or its nominee for the account of the investor's Agent
Member. The investor's Agent Member, in turn, will maintain
records of such investor's beneficial ownership of AMPS.
Accordingly, references herein to an investor's investment in or
purchase, sale or ownership of AMPS are to purchases, sales or
ownership of those shares by Beneficial Owners.
DIVIDENDS After the Initial Dividend Period, each Subsequent Dividend
AND Period for each series of AMPS will generally consist of seven
DIVIDEND days (a "7-Day Dividend Period"); provided, however, that prior
PERIODS to any Auction, the Fund may elect, subject to certain
limitations described herein, with respect to each series of
AMPS, upon giving notice to holders thereof, a Special Dividend
Period. A Special Dividend Period is a Dividend Period consisting
of a specified number of days (other than seven), evenly
divisible by seven and not fewer than seven nor more than 364 (a
"Short Term Dividend Period") or a Dividend Period consisting of
a specified period of one whole year or more but not greater than
five years (a "Long Term Dividend Period"). Dividends on the AMPS
offered hereby are cumulative from the Date of Original Issue and
are payable when, as and if declared by the Board of Trustees of
the Fund, out of funds legally available therefor, commencing on
the Initial Dividend Payment Date and, in the case of Dividend
Periods that are not Special Dividend Periods, dividends will be
payable generally on each succeeding Wednesday in the case of
Series A AMPS and each succeeding Monday in the case of the
Series B AMPS, subject to certain exceptions.
Dividends for each series of AMPS will be paid through the
Securities Depository (The Depository Trust Company or a
successor securities depository) on each Dividend Payment Date
for such series. The Securities Depository's normal procedures
provide for it to distribute dividends in same-day funds to Agent
Members, who are in turn expected to distribute such dividends to
the person for whom they are acting as agent in accordance with
the instructions of such person. See "Description of AMPS--
Dividends."
For each Subsequent Dividend Period, the cash dividend rate on
each series of AMPS will be the Applicable Rate for such series
that the Auction Agent (IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company or any
successor) advises the Fund has resulted from an Auction relating
to such series. See "Description of AMPS--Dividends." The first
Auction for each series of AMPS is scheduled to be held on the
ending date for the Initial Dividend Period for such series of
AMPS as set forth above.
4
<PAGE>
The Certificate of Designation provides that until the Fund gives
a Request for Special Dividend Period and the related Notice of
Special Dividend Period with respect to a series of AMPS, only 7-
Day Dividend Periods will be applicable to each series of AMPS.
While the Fund does not currently intend to give a Request for
Special Dividend Period with respect to the AMPS, it may so elect
in the future subject to, and on, the conditions discussed under
"Description of the AMPS--Dividends--Notification of Dividend
Period."
A Special Dividend Period will not be effective for a series of
the AMPS unless Sufficient Clearing Bids exist at the Auction in
respect of such Special Dividend Period. If Sufficient Clearing
Bids do not exist at such Auction for a series of the AMPS, the
Dividend Period commencing on the Business Day succeeding such
Auction will be a 7-Day Dividend Period, and the holders of the
AMPS of such series outstanding prior to such Auction will be
required to continue to hold such shares for such Dividend
Period. In addition, the Fund may not give a Notice of Special
Dividend Period with respect to a series of AMPS, or if the Fund
has given a Notice of Special Dividend Period for a series of
AMPS, the Fund will be required to give a Notice of Revocation in
respect thereof if (i) either the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage is
not satisfied or the Fund fails to maintain S&P Eligible Assets
and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted
Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, in
each case on each of the two Valuation Dates immediately
preceding the Business Day prior to the related Auction Date for
the AMPS, (ii) sufficient funds for the payment of dividends
payable on the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date have
not been irrevocably deposited with the Auction Agent by the
close of business on the third Business Day preceding the related
Auction Date, or (iii) the Broker-Dealers have given the Fund
notice that it is not advisable to hold an Auction in respect of
a Special Dividend Period. In such event, the next succeeding
Dividend Period will be a 7-Day Dividend Period.
ADVANCE Dividends paid by the Fund, to the extent paid from tax-exempt
NOTICE OF income earned on municipal obligations, will be exempt from
ALLOCATION Federal income taxes, subject to the possible application of the
OF TAXABLE alternative minimum tax. However, the Fund is required to
INCOME; allocate net capital gains (including new categories of capital
INCLUSION gains, as discussed under "Taxes") and other income subject to
OF TAXABLE regular Federal income taxes, if any, proportionately between
INCOME IN Common Shares and AMPS in accordance with the current position of
DIVIDENDS the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") described herein. The
Fund will notify the Auction Agent of the amount of any net
capital gains (including new categories of capital gains, as
discussed under "Taxes") or other taxable income to be included
in any dividend on AMPS prior to the Auction establishing the
Applicable Rate for such dividend. The Auction Agent in turn will
notify each Broker-Dealer whenever it receives any such notice
from the Fund, and each Broker-Dealer will notify its Beneficial
Owners and Potential Beneficial Owners, as provided in its
Broker-Dealer Agreement. In limited circumstances, the Fund also
may include such income in a dividend on AMPS without giving
advance notice thereof if it increases the dividend by an
additional amount to offset the tax effect thereof. The amount of
taxable income allocable to AMPS will depend upon the amount of
such income realized by the Fund and other factors, but generally
is not expected to be significant. See "Taxes" and "Description
of AMPS--The Auction--Auction Date; Advance Notice of Allocation
of Taxable Income; Inclusion of Taxable Income in Dividends."
ADDITIONAL If the Fund retroactively allocates any net capital gains
DIVIDENDS (including new categories of capital gains, as discussed under
"Taxes") or other income subject to regular Federal income taxes
to AMPS without having given advance notice thereof as described
above, which
5
<PAGE>
may only happen when such allocation is made as a result of the
redemption of all or a portion of the outstanding AMPS or the
liquidation of the Fund, the Fund will make certain payments to
holders of AMPS to which such allocation was made to offset
substantially the tax effect thereof. In no other instances will
the Fund be required to make payments to holders of AMPS to
offset the tax effect of any reallocation of net capital gains or
other taxable income. See "Description of AMPS--Dividends--
Additional Dividends" and "Taxes."
DETERMINATION Except during a Non-Payment Period, the Applicable Rate for any
OF MAXIMUM Dividend Period for AMPS of each series will not be more than the
APPLICABLE Maximum Applicable Rate applicable to such shares. The Maximum
RATES Applicable Rate for AMPS will depend on the credit rating
assigned to such shares and on the duration of the Dividend
Period. The Maximum Applicable Rate will be the Applicable
Percentage of the Reference Rate. The Reference Rate is (i) with
respect to any Dividend Period or any Short Term Dividend Period
having 28 or fewer days, the higher of the applicable "AA"
Composite Commercial Paper Rate and the Taxable Equivalent of the
Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate, (ii) with respect to any Short
Term Dividend Period having more than 28 but fewer than 183 days,
the applicable "AA" Composite Commercial Paper Rate, (iii) with
respect to any Short Term Dividend Period having 183 or more but
fewer than 364 days, the applicable U.S. Treasury Bill Rate and
(iv) with respect to any Long Term Dividend Period, the
applicable U.S. Treasury Note Rate. The Applicable Percentage
will be determined based on (i) the lower of the credit rating or
ratings assigned on such date to the AMPS by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
("S&P") (or, if Moody's or S&P or both shall not make such rating
available, the equivalent of either or both of such ratings by a
Substitute Rating Agency or two Substitute Rating Agencies or, in
the event that only one such rating shall be available, such
rating) and (ii) whether the Fund has provided notification to
the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the
Applicable Rate for any dividend that net capital gains or other
taxable income will be included in such dividend on AMPS as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APPLICABLE APPLICABLE
CREDIT RATINGS PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE
------------------------------ OF REFERENCE RATE OF REFERENCE RATE
MOODY'S S&P --NO NOTIFICATION --NOTIFICATION
---------------- ------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
"aa3" or higher AA- or higher 110% 150%
"a3" to "a1" A- to A+ 125% 160%
"baa3" to "baa1" BBB- to BBB+ 150% 250%
Below "baa3" Below BBB- 200% 275%
</TABLE>
There is no minimum Applicable Rate in respect of any Dividend
Period.
The Applicable Rate for any Dividend Period commencing during any
Non-Payment Period, and the rate used to calculate the late
charge described under "Description of AMPS--Dividends--Non-
Payment Period; Late Charge," initially will be 200% of the
Reference Rate (or 275% of such rate if the Fund has provided
notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction
establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend that net
capital gains or other taxable income will be included in such
dividend on AMPS).
AUCTION Separate Auctions will be conducted for each series of AMPS. As
PROCEDURES used in the following description of the Auction Procedures,
unless the context otherwise requires, "AMPS" means the series of
AMPS subject to the related Auction, and "Beneficial Owners,"
6
<PAGE>
"Potential Beneficial Owners," "Existing Holders" and "Potential
Holders" means Beneficial Owners of such series, Potential
Beneficial Owners of such series, Existing Holders of such series
and Potential Holders of such series, respectively.
Unless otherwise permitted by the Fund, Beneficial Owners and
Potential Beneficial Owners of AMPS may only participate in
Auctions through their Broker-Dealers. Broker-Dealers will submit
the Orders of their respective customers who are Beneficial
Owners and Potential Beneficial Owners to the Auction Agent,
designating themselves as Existing Holders in respect of shares
subject to Orders submitted or deemed submitted to them by
Beneficial Owners and as Potential Holders in respect of shares
subject to Orders submitted to them by Potential Beneficial
Owners. On or prior to each Auction Date for each series of AMPS
(the Business Day next preceding the first day of each Dividend
Period), each Beneficial Owner may submit Orders to its Broker-
Dealer as follows:
-- Hold Order--indicating its desire to hold AMPS without regard
to the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for such
shares.
-- Bid--indicating its desire to hold AMPS, provided that the
Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for such shares
is not less than the rate per annum specified in such Bid.
-- Sell Order--indicating its desire to sell AMPS without regard
to the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for such
shares.
A Beneficial Owner may submit different types of Orders to its
Broker-Dealer with respect to AMPS then held by such Beneficial
Owner, provided that the total number of AMPS covered by such
Orders does not exceed the number of AMPS held by such Beneficial
Owner. If, however, a Beneficial Owner offers through its Broker-
Dealer to purchase additional AMPS in such Auction, such
Beneficial Owner, for purposes of such offer to purchase
additional shares, will be treated as a Potential Beneficial
Owner as described below. Bids by Beneficial Owners through their
Broker-Dealers with rates per annum higher than the Maximum
Applicable Rate will be treated as Sell Orders. A Hold Order (in
the case of an Auction relating to a Dividend Period which is not
a Special Dividend Period) and a Sell Order (in the case of an
Auction relating to a Special Dividend Period) shall be deemed to
have been submitted on behalf of a Beneficial Owner if an Order
with respect to AMPS then held by such Beneficial Owner is not
submitted on behalf of such Beneficial Owner for any reason,
including the failure of a Broker-Dealer to submit such
Beneficial Owner's Order to the Auction Agent.
Potential Beneficial Owners of AMPS may submit Bids through their
Broker-Dealers in which they offer to purchase AMPS, provided
that the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for such
shares is not less than the rate per annum specified in such Bid.
A Bid by a Potential Beneficial Owner with a rate per annum
higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate will not be considered.
Neither the Fund nor the Auction Agent will be responsible for a
Broker-Dealer's failure to comply with any of the foregoing.
A Broker-Dealer also may hold AMPS for its own account as a
Beneficial Owner. A Broker-Dealer thus may submit Orders to the
Auction Agent as a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial
Owner and therefore participate in an Auction as an Existing
Holder or Potential Holder on behalf of both itself and its
customers. An Order placed with the Auction Agent by a Broker-
Dealer as an Existing Holder or a Potential Holder as or on
behalf of a
7
<PAGE>
Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner, as the case may
be, will be treated in the same manner as an Order placed with a
Broker-Dealer by a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial
Owner. Similarly, any failure by a Broker-Dealer to submit to the
Auction Agent an Order in respect of any AMPS held by it or its
customers who are Beneficial Owners will be treated in the same
manner as a Beneficial Owner's failure to submit to its Broker-
Dealer an Order in respect of AMPS held by it, as described
above. Inasmuch as a Broker-Dealer participates in an Auction as
an Existing Holder or a Potential Holder only to represent the
interests of a Beneficial Owner or Potential Beneficial Owner,
whether it be a customer or itself, all discussion herein
relating to the consequences of an Auction for Existing Holders
and Potential Holders also applies to the underlying beneficial
ownership interests represented thereby.
If Sufficient Clearing Bids exist in an Auction (that is, in
general, the number of AMPS subject to Bids by Potential Holders
with rates equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate is
at least equal to the number of AMPS subject to Sell Orders by
Existing Holders), the Applicable Rate will be the lowest rate
per annum specified in the Submitted Bids which, taking into
account such rate per annum and all lower rates per annum bid by
Existing Holders and Potential Holders, would result in Existing
Holders and Potential Holders owning all of the AMPS available
for purchase in the Auction. If Sufficient Clearing Bids do not
exist, the Dividend Period next following the Auction
automatically will be a 7-Day Dividend Period and the Applicable
Rate will be the Maximum Applicable Rate, and in such event,
Existing Holders that have submitted Sell Orders will not be able
to sell in the Auction all, and may not be able to sell any, AMPS
subject to such Sell Orders. Thus, under certain circumstances,
Existing Holders and, thus, the Beneficial Owners they represent
may not have liquidity of investment. If all Existing Holders
submit (or are deemed to have submitted) Hold Orders in an
Auction, the Dividend Period next following the Auction
automatically shall be the same length as the immediately
preceding Dividend Period, and the Applicable Rate will be 40% of
the Reference Rate (as defined under "Determination of Maximum
Applicable Rates" above) in effect on the date of the Auction (or
60% of such rate if the Fund has provided notification to the
Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable
Rate for any dividend that net capital gains or other taxable
income will be included in such dividend on AMPS).
The Auction Procedures include a pro rata allocation of shares
for purchase and sale, which may result in an Existing Holder
selling or holding, or a Potential Holder purchasing, a number of
AMPS that is less than the number of AMPS specified in its Order.
To the extent the allocation has this result, a Broker-Dealer
will be required to make appropriate pro rata allocations among
its customers and itself.
A Sell Order by an Existing Holder will constitute an irrevocable
offer to sell the AMPS subject thereto, and a Bid placed by an
Existing Holder also will constitute an irrevocable offer to sell
the AMPS subject thereto if the rate per annum specified in the
Bid is higher than the Applicable Rate determined in the Auction,
in each case at a price per share equal to $25,000. A Bid placed
by a Potential Holder will constitute an irrevocable offer to
purchase the AMPS subject thereto if the rate per annum specified
in such Bid is less than or equal to the Applicable Rate
determined in the Auction. Settlement of purchases and sales will
be made on the next Business Day (also a Dividend Payment Date)
after the Auction Date through the Securities Depository.
Purchasers will make payment through their Agent Members in same-
day funds to the Securities Depository against delivery by book-
entry to their Agent Members. The Securities Depository will make
payment to the sellers' Agent
8
<PAGE>
Members in accordance with the Securities Depository's normal
procedures, which now provide for payment in same-day funds. See
"Description of AMPS--The Auction."
ASSET Under the Certificate of Designation, the Fund must maintain (i)
MAINTENANCE S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each having in
the aggregate a Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount and (ii) 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage of at
least 200%. See "Description of AMPS--Asset Maintenance."
The Fund estimates that, based on the composition of its
portfolio at September 26, 1997, 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage
with respect to the AMPS would be approximately 250% immediately
after the issuance of the AMPS offered hereby in an amount
representing approximately 40% of the Fund's capital.
The Discount Factors and guidelines for calculating the
Discounted Value of the Fund's portfolio for purposes of
determining whether the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount has been
satisfied have been established by Moody's and S&P in connection
with the Fund's receipt of ratings on the AMPS on their Date of
Original Issue of "aaa" from Moody's and AAA from S&P. See
"Investment Objective and Policies--Rating Agency Guidelines."
MANDATORY If the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount or the 1940 Act AMPS Asset
REDEMPTION Coverage is not maintained or restored as specified herein, the
AMPS will be subject to mandatory redemption, out of funds
legally available therefor, at the Mandatory Redemption Price of
$25,000 per share plus an amount equal to dividends thereon
(whether or not earned or declared) accumulated but unpaid to the
date fixed for redemption. In addition, holders of AMPS may be
entitled to receive Additional Dividends in the event of
redemption of such AMPS to the extent provided herein. See
"Description of AMPS--Dividends--Additional Dividends." Any such
redemption will be limited to the minimum number of AMPS
necessary to restore the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount or the
1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage, as the case may be. The Fund's
ability to make such a mandatory redemption may be restricted by
the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "1940 Act"). See "Description of AMPS--Redemption--Mandatory
Redemption."
OPTIONAL The AMPS of each series are redeemable at the option of the Fund,
REDEMPTION as a whole or in part, on any Dividend Payment Date (except
during the Initial Dividend Period or a Non-Call Period) at the
Optional Redemption Price of $25,000 per share, plus an amount
equal to dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared)
accumulated but unpaid to the date fixed for redemption plus the
premium, if any, resulting from the designation of a Premium Call
Period. See "Description of AMPS--Redemption--Optional
Redemption." In addition, holders of AMPS may be entitled to
receive Additional Dividends in the event of redemption of such
AMPS to the extent provided herein. See "Description of AMPS--
Dividends--Additional Dividends."
LIQUIDATION The liquidation preference of each share of AMPS will be $25,000,
PREFERENCE plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether
or not earned or declared). See "Description of AMPS--Liquidation
Rights." In addition, holders of AMPS may be entitled to receive
Additional Dividends in the event of the liquidation of the Fund
as provided herein. See "Description of AMPS--Dividends--
Additional Dividends."
9
<PAGE>
RATINGS It is a condition to their issuance that the AMPS be issued with
a rating of "aaa" from Moody's and AAA from S&P. See "Investment
Objective and Policies--Rating Agency Guidelines."
VOTING The 1940 Act requires that the holders of AMPS and any other
RIGHTS Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, have the right to
elect at least two trustees at all times and to elect a majority
of the trustees at any time when two years' dividends on the AMPS
or any other Preferred Shares are unpaid. The holders of AMPS and
any other Preferred Shares will vote as a separate class on
certain other matters as required under the Fund's Declaration of
Trust and the 1940 Act. See "Description of AMPS--Voting Rights"
and "Description of Capital Shares--Certain Provisions of the
Declaration of Trust."
10
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
The Fund intends to invest a substantial portion of its assets in Florida
Municipal Bonds and, therefore, it is more susceptible to factors adversely
affecting issuers of Florida Municipal Bonds than is a municipal bond fund that
is not concentrated in issuers of Florida Municipal Bonds to this degree. See
"Investment Objective and Policies--Special Considerations Relating to Florida
Municipal Bonds" and Appendix A, "Economic and Other Conditions in Florida."
The Fund has registered as a "non-diversified" investment company so that it
will be able to invest more than 5% of its total assets in the obligations of
any single issuer, subject to the diversification requirements of Subchapter M
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), applicable to
the Fund. Since the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets
in the obligations of a limited number of issuers, the Fund may be more
susceptible than a more widely diversified fund to any single economic,
political or regulatory occurrence.
The Fund intends to invest in municipal obligations that are rated in the
investment-grade rating categories by S&P, Moody's or Fitch Investors Service,
Inc. ("Fitch") or, if not rated, are considered to be of comparable quality by
the Investment Adviser. Obligations rated in the lowest investment-grade
category have certain speculative characteristics. See "Investment Objective
and Policies." The Fund may invest in certain tax-exempt securities classified
as "private activity bonds" that may subject certain investors in the Fund to
the alternative minimum tax. See "Taxes--General."
The Fund will be subject to certain restrictions on investments imposed by
guidelines of the insurance companies issuing the portfolio insurance. It is
not anticipated that these guidelines will impede the Investment Adviser from
managing the Fund's portfolio in accordance with the Fund's investment
objective and policies.
In order to seek to hedge various portfolio positions or to enhance its
return, the Fund may invest in certain instruments that may be characterized as
derivatives. These investments include various types of options transactions
and futures and options thereon. Such investments also may consist of non-
municipal tax-exempt securities and securities the potential investment return
on which is based on the change in particular measurements of value or interest
rates ("indexed securities"), including securities the potential investment
return on which is inversely related to a change in particular measurements of
value or interest rates ("inverse securities"). Certain of such investments may
be made solely for hedging purposes, not for speculation, and may in some cases
require limitations as to the type of permissible counterparty to the
transaction. Investments in indexed securities, including inverse securities,
subject the Fund to the risks associated with changes in the particular
indices, which may include reduced or eliminated interest payments and losses
of invested principal. Derivative instruments may have certain characteristics
that have a similar effect on the return to Common Shares investors as the
leveraging of the Fund's portfolio; however, certain derivative investments
will not be taken into account as senior securities (as defined in the 1940
Act) for purposes of calculating the percentage of leverage of the Fund's
portfolio. For a further discussion of the risks associated with derivative
investments, see "Investment Objective and Policies," "Investment Objective and
Policies--Other Investment Policies--Indexed and Inverse Floating Obligations,"
"--Call Rights" and "Investment Objective and Policies--Options and Futures
Transactions."
Subject to its investment restrictions, the Fund is authorized to engage in
options and futures transactions on exchanges and in the over-the-counter
markets ("OTC options") for hedging purposes with certain specified entities
meeting the criteria of the Fund. These transactions involve certain risk
considerations. These risks include the risk of imperfect correlation in
movements in the price of futures contracts and movements in the price of the
security that is the subject of the hedge and the inability to close futures
transactions under certain conditions. Because of the anticipated leveraged
nature of the Common Shares, hedging transactions will result
11
<PAGE>
in a larger impact on the net asset value of the Common Shares than would be
the case if the Common Shares were not leveraged. Certain OTC options and
assets used to cover OTC options written by the Fund may be considered to be
illiquid. The illiquidity of such options or assets may prevent a successful
sale of such options or assets, result in a delay of sale, or reduce the amount
of proceeds that might be otherwise realized. See "Investment Objective and
Policies--Options and Futures Transactions."
For so long as any AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Fund will not buy or sell
financial futures contracts, write, purchase or sell call options on financial
futures contracts or purchase put options on financial futures contracts or
write call options (except covered call options) on portfolio securities unless
it receives written confirmation from Moody's that engaging in such
transactions would not impair the ratings then assigned to the AMPS by Moody's,
except that the Fund may engage in Moody's Hedging Transactions subject to the
limitations described herein. For so long as any AMPS are rated by S&P, the
Fund will not purchase or sell financial futures contracts, write, purchase or
sell options on financial futures contracts or write put options (except
covered put options) or call options (except covered call options) on portfolio
securities unless it receives written confirmation from S&P that engaging in
such transactions will not impair the ratings then assigned to the AMPS by S&P,
except that the Fund may engage in S&P Hedging Transactions subject to the
limitations described herein. See "Investment Objective and Policies--Rating
Agency Guidelines" and "--Options and Futures Transactions."
There are a number of specific factors investors in AMPS should consider.
-- The credit ratings of the AMPS could be reduced while an investor holds
the AMPS.
-- Neither Broker-Dealers nor the Fund are obligated to purchase AMPS in an
Auction or otherwise nor is the Fund required to redeem AMPS in the
event of a failed Auction.
-- If in an Auction for the AMPS Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist, the
Applicable Rate will be the Maximum Applicable Rate, and in such event,
Beneficial Owners that have submitted Sell Orders will not be able to
sell in the Auction all, and may not be able to sell any, AMPS subject
to such Sell Orders. Thus, under certain circumstances, Beneficial
Owners may not have liquidity of investment.
The Broker-Dealers intend to maintain a secondary trading market in the AMPS
outside of Auctions; however, they have no obligation to do so and there can be
no assurance that a secondary market for the AMPS will develop or, if it does
develop, that it will provide holders with a liquid trading market (i.e.,
trading will depend on the presence of willing buyers and sellers and the
trading price is subject to variables to be determined at the time of the trade
by the Broker-Dealers). The AMPS will not be registered on any stock exchange
or on any automated quotation system. An increase in the level of interest
rates, particularly during any Long Term Dividend Period, likely will have an
adverse effect on the secondary market price of the AMPS, and a selling
shareholder may sell AMPS between Auctions at a price per share of less than
$25,000.
The Fund's Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could have the
effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control
of the Fund or to change the composition of its Board of Trustees and could
have the effect of depriving Common Shareholders of an opportunity to sell
their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third
party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund. See "Description of Capital
Shares--Certain Provisions of the Declaration of Trust."
It is possible that the Fund may not be able to fully dispose of all of its
assets subject to Florida intangible personal property tax by the last business
day of the calendar year. This would subject shares of the Fund to Florida
intangible personal property tax. See "Taxes."
12
<PAGE>
THE FUND
MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund (the "Fund") is a recently organized, non-
diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund was organized
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on September 8, 1997, and
has registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund's principal office is located at
800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536, and its telephone number
is (609) 282-2800.
The Fund commenced operations on September 26, 1997 upon the closing of an
initial public offering of 10,000,000 of its Common Shares. The proceeds of
such offering were approximately $149,645,000 after the payment of
organizational and offering expenses. On September 26, 1997, 500,000
additional Common Shares were issued and sold by the Fund pursuant to the
Underwriter's exercise of its over-allotment option. The proceeds of such sale
were $7,500,000.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The estimated net proceeds of this offering will be $103,749,375 after the
payment of offering expenses (estimated to be $215,000) and the sales load and
the payment to the Fund by the Underwriter to cover certain expenses. See
"Underwriting."
The net proceeds of the offering will be invested in accordance with the
Fund's investment objective and policies during a period estimated not to
exceed three months from the offer and sale of such AMPS depending on market
conditions and the availability of appropriate securities. Pending such
investment, it is anticipated that the proceeds will be invested in short-term
tax-exempt securities. See "Investment Objective and Policies."
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the unaudited capitalization of the Fund as
of September 26, 1997 and as adjusted to give effect to the issuance of the
AMPS offered hereby.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Shareholders' equity:
Shares of Beneficial Interest (unlimited shares au-
thorized)
Preferred Shares, par value $.10 per share (no
shares issued; 4,190 shares of AMPS issued and
outstanding, as adjusted, at $25,000 per share
liquidation preference)........................... -- $104,750,000
Common Shares, par value $.10 per share (10,506,667
shares issued and outstanding).................... $ 1,050,667 1,050,667
Capital in excess of par value attributable to Com-
mon Shares........................................ 156,188,811 155,188,186
Undistributed investment income--net............... 65,630 65,630
Unrealized appreciation on investments--net........ 631,839 631,839
------------ ------------
Net assets......................................... $157,936,947 $261,686,322
============ ============
</TABLE>
13
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
As of September 26, 1997, approximately 69.7% of the market value of the
Fund's portfolio was invested in long-term municipal obligations and
approximately 30.3% of the market value of the Fund's portfolio was invested
in short-term municipal obligations. The following table sets forth certain
information with respect to the composition of the Fund's investment portfolio
as of September 26, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF VALUE
S&P* MOODY'S* ISSUES (IN THOUSANDS) PERCENT
---- -------- --------- -------------- -------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
AAA AAA 27 $109,120.7 64.5%
VMIG-1 VMIG-1 5 42,805.0 25.0
A-1 -- 2 8,650.0 5.1
AA AA 1 2,006.5 1.2
NR+ NR+ 3 6,969.9 4.2
--- ---------- ----
Total.............................. 38 $169,552.1 100%
=== ========== ====
</TABLE>
- --------
* Ratings: Using the higher of S&P's or Moody's ratings on the Fund's
municipal obligations. See "Schedule of Investments." S&P rating categories
may be modified further by a plus (+) or minus (-) in AA, A, BBB, BB, B and
C ratings. Moody's rating categories may be modified further by a 1, 2 or 3
in Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B ratings.
+ Securities that are not rated by S&P or Moody's. Such bonds may be rated by
nationally recognized statistical rating organizations other than S&P or
Moody's, or may not be rated by any such organization. With respect to the
percentage of the Fund's assets invested in such securities, the Investment
Adviser believes that 1.4% are of comparable quality to obligations rated A
and 2.8% are of comparable quality to obligations rated BBB/Baa. This
determination is based on the Investment Adviser's own internal evaluation
and does not necessarily reflect how such securities would be rated by S&P
or Moody's if either were to rate the securities.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders with current
income exempt from Federal income tax. The Fund also seeks to provide
shareholders with the opportunity to own shares the value of which is exempt
from Florida intangible personal property tax. The Fund seeks to achieve its
investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of long-term,
investment grade municipal obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of
Florida, its political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities and by
other qualifying issuers that pay interest that, in the opinion of bond
counsel to the issuer, is exempt from Federal income tax and that enables the
shares of the Fund to be exempt from Florida intangible personal property tax
("Florida Municipal Bonds"). The Fund will seek to achieve its investment
objective by seeking to invest substantially all (a minimum of 80%) of its
assets in Florida Municipal Bonds, except at times when, in the judgment of
the Investment Adviser, Florida Municipal Bonds of sufficient quality and
quantity are unavailable for investment by the Fund. At all times, except
during temporary defensive periods, the Fund will maintain at least 65% of its
assets in Florida Municipal Bonds. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of
the Fund's assets will be invested in municipal obligations with remaining
maturities of one year or more that are covered by insurance guaranteeing the
timely payment of principal at maturity and interest. The investment objective
of the Fund is a fundamental policy that may not be changed without a vote of
a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities, as defined below under
"Investment Restrictions." There can be no assurance that the investment
objective of the Fund will be realized. At times the Fund may seek to hedge
its portfolio through the use of futures transactions and options to reduce
volatility in the net asset value of its Common Shares.
The Fund ordinarily does not intend to realize significant investment income
not exempt from Federal income tax or have significant assets subject to
Florida intangible personal property tax. To the extent that suitable Florida
Municipal Bonds are not available for investment by the Fund, as determined by
the Investment Adviser, the Fund may purchase long-term obligations issued by
or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and
their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities paying interest
that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is exempt from Federal
income tax but not Florida intangible personal property tax ("Municipal
Bonds"). At all times, except during interim periods pending investment of the
net
14
<PAGE>
proceeds of public offerings of the Fund's securities and during temporary
defensive periods, the Fund will have at least 80% of its assets invested in
Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds. The Fund may invest all or a
portion of its assets in certain tax-exempt securities classified as "private
activity bonds" (in general, bonds that benefit non-governmental entities)
that may subject certain investors in the Fund to an alternative minimum tax.
The Fund also may invest in securities not issued by or on behalf of a state
or territory or by an agency or instrumentality thereof, if the Fund
nevertheless believes such securities pay interest or distributions that are
exempt from Federal income taxation ("Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities").
Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities may include securities issued by other
investment companies that invest in Municipal Bonds, to the extent such
investments are permitted by the 1940 Act. Other Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt
Securities could include trust certificates or other instruments evidencing
interests in one or more long-term Municipal Bonds. Certain Non-Municipal Tax-
Exempt Securities may be characterized as derivative instruments. Non-
Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities will be considered "Florida Municipal Bonds"
or "Municipal Bonds" for purposes of the Fund's investment objective and
policies.
The investment grade Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in which
the Fund will invest are those Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds
that are rated at the date of purchase in the four highest rating categories
of S&P, Moody's or Fitch or, if unrated, are considered to be of comparable
quality by the Investment Adviser. In the case of long-term debt, the
investment grade rating categories are AAA through BBB for S&P, Aaa through
Baa for Moody's and AAA through BBB for Fitch. In the case of short-term
notes, the investment grade rating categories are SP-l+ through SP-3 for S&P,
MIG-1 through MIG-4 for Moody's and F-1+ through F-3 for Fitch. In the case of
tax-exempt commercial paper, the investment grade rating categories are A-1+
through A-3 for S&P, Prime-1 through Prime-3 for Moody's and F-l+ through F-3
for Fitch. Obligations ranked in the fourth highest rating category (BBB, SP-3
and A-3 for S&P; Baa, MIG-4 and Prime-3 for Moody's; and BBB and F-3 for
Fitch), while considered "investment grade," may have certain speculative
characteristics. There may be sub-categories or gradations indicating relative
standing within the rating categories set forth above. See Appendix B to this
Prospectus for a description of S&P's, Moody's and Fitch's ratings of Florida
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds. In assessing the quality of Florida
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds with respect to the foregoing
requirements, the Investment Adviser will take into account the portfolio
insurance as well as the nature of any letters of credit or similar credit
enhancement to which particular Municipal Bonds are entitled and the
creditworthiness of the insurance company or financial institution that
provided such insurance or credit enhancement. Consequently, if Florida
Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds are covered by insurance policies issued by
insurers whose claims-paying ability is rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody's,
the Investment Adviser may consider such municipal obligations to be
equivalent to AAA- or Aaa- rated securities, as the case may be, even though
such Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds would generally be assigned a
lower rating if the rating were based primarily upon the credit
characteristics of the issuers without regard to the insurance feature. The
insured Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds must also comply with the
standards applied by the insurance carriers in determining eligibility for
portfolio insurance.
The Fund's investments may also include variable rate demand obligations
("VRDOs") and VRDOs in the form of participation interests ("Participating
VRDOs") in variable rate tax-exempt obligations held by a financial
institution, typically a commercial bank. The VRDOs in which the Fund will
invest are tax-exempt obligations in the opinion of counsel to the issuer that
contain a floating or variable interest rate adjustment formula and an
unconditional right of demand on the part of the holder thereof to receive
payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest on a short
notice period not to exceed seven days. Participating VRDOs provide the Fund
with a specified undivided interest (up to 100%) in the underlying obligation
and the right to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued
interest on the Participating VRDOs from the financial institution on a
specified number of days' notice, not to exceed seven days. There is, however,
the possibility that because of default or insolvency, the demand feature of
VRDOs or Participating VRDOs may not be honored. The Fund has been advised by
its counsel that the Fund should be entitled to treat the income received on
Participating VRDOs as interest from tax-exempt obligations.
15
<PAGE>
The average maturity of the Fund's portfolio securities will vary based upon
the Investment Adviser's assessment of economic and market conditions. The net
asset value of the shares of common stock of a closed-end investment company,
such as the Fund, which invests primarily in fixed-income securities, changes
as the general levels of interest rates fluctuate. When interest rates
decline, the value of a fixed-income portfolio can be expected to rise.
Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a fixed-income portfolio
can be expected to decline. Prices of longer-term securities generally
fluctuate more in response to interest rate changes than do short-term or
medium-term securities. These changes in net asset value are likely to be
greater in the case of a fund having a leveraged capital structure, as
proposed for the Fund. See "Risks and Special Considerations of Leverage."
The Fund intends to invest primarily in long-term Florida Municipal Bonds
and Municipal Bonds with a maturity of more than ten years. Also, the Fund may
invest in intermediate-term Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds with a
maturity of between three years and ten years. The Fund may invest in short-
term, tax-exempt securities, short-term U.S. Government securities, repurchase
agreements or cash. Such short-term securities or cash will not exceed 20% of
its total assets except during interim periods pending investment of the net
proceeds of public offerings of the Fund's securities or in anticipation of
the repurchase or redemption of the Fund's securities and temporary periods
when, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, prevailing market or economic
conditions warrant. The Fund does not ordinarily intend to realize significant
interest income not exempt from Federal income tax or have significant assets
subject to Florida intangible personal property tax.
The Fund is classified as non-diversified within the meaning of the 1940
Act, which means that the Fund is not limited by such Act in the proportion of
its assets that it may invest in securities of a single issuer. However, the
Fund's investments will be limited so as to qualify the Fund for special tax
treatment afforded regulated investment companies under the Code. See "Taxes."
To qualify, among other requirements, the Fund will limit its investments so
that, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) not more than 25%
of the market value of the Fund's total assets will be invested in the
securities (other than U.S. Government securities) of a single issuer, and
(ii) with respect to 50% of the market value of its total assets, not more
than 5% of the market value of its total assets will be invested in the
securities (other than U.S. Government securities) of a single issuer. A fund
that elects to be classified as "diversified" under the 1940 Act must satisfy
the foregoing 5% requirement with respect to 75% of its total assets. To the
extent that the Fund assumes large positions in the securities of a small
number of issuers, the Fund's yield may fluctuate to a greater extent than
that of a diversified company as a result of changes in the financial
condition or in the market's assessment of the issuers.
PORTFOLIO INSURANCE
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be
invested in Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds either (i) insured
under an insurance policy purchased by the Fund or (ii) insured under an
insurance policy obtained by the issuer thereof or any other party. The
insurance policies in either instance will be issued by insurance carriers
that have total admitted assets (unaudited) of at least $75,000,000 and
capital and surplus (unaudited) of at least $50,000,000 and insurance claims-
paying ability ratings of AAA from S&P and Aaa from Moody's. See Appendix B to
this Prospectus for a brief description of S&P's and Moody's insurance claims-
paying ability ratings. Currently, it is anticipated that a majority of the
insured Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in the Fund's portfolio
will be insured by the following insurance companies that satisfy the
foregoing requirement: AMBAC Indemnity Corporation, Financial Guaranty
Insurance Company, Financial Security Assurance and Municipal Bond Investors
Assurance Corporation. The Fund also may purchase Florida Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds covered by insurance issued by any other insurance company
that satisfies the foregoing requirements. It is anticipated that initially a
majority of insured Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds held by the
Fund will be insured under policies obtained by parties other than the Fund.
The Fund may purchase, but has no obligations to purchase, separate
insurance policies (the "Policies") from insurance companies meeting the
requirements set forth above that guarantee the payment of principal and
interest on specified eligible Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds
purchased by the Fund. A Florida Municipal Bond or a Municipal Bond will be
eligible for coverage if it meets certain requirements of the
16
<PAGE>
insurance company set forth in a Policy. In the event interest or principal on
an insured Florida Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond is not paid when due, the
insurer will be obligated under its Policy to make such payment not later than
30 days after it has been notified by, and provided with documentation from,
the Fund that such nonpayment has occurred.
The Policies will be effective only as to insured Florida Municipal Bonds
and Municipal Bonds beneficially owned by the Fund. In the event of a sale of
any Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds held by the Fund, the issuer
of the relevant Policy will be liable only for those payments of interest and
principal that are then due and owing. The Policies will not guarantee the
market value of the insured Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds or the
value of the shares of the Fund.
The insurer will not have the right to withdraw coverage on securities
insured by their Policies and held by the Fund so long as such securities
remain in the Fund's portfolio. In addition, the insurer may not cancel its
Policies for any reason except failure to pay premiums when due. The Board of
Trustees of the Fund will reserve the right to terminate any of the Policies
if it determines that the benefits to the Fund of having its portfolio insured
under such policy are not justified by the expense involved.
The premiums for the Policies are paid by the Fund and the yield on the
Fund's portfolio is reduced thereby. The Investment Adviser estimates that the
cost of the annual premiums for the Policies currently ranges from
approximately .02 of 1% to .25 of 1% of the principal amount of the Florida
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds covered by such Policies. The estimate is
based on the expected composition of the Fund's portfolio of Florida Municipal
Bonds and Municipal Bonds. Additional information regarding the Policies is
set forth in Appendix C to this Prospectus. In instances in which the Fund
purchases Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds insured under policies
obtained by parties other than the Fund, the Fund does not pay the premiums
for such policies; rather, the cost of such policies may be reflected in the
purchase price of the Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds.
It is the intention of the Investment Adviser to retain any insured
securities that are in default or in significant risk of default and to place
a value on the insurance, which ordinarily will be the difference between the
market value of the defaulted security and the market value of similar
securities which are not in default. In certain circumstances, however, the
Investment Adviser may determine that an alternative value for the insurance,
such as the difference between the market value of the defaulted security and
its par value, is more appropriate. The Investment Adviser will be unable to
manage the portfolio to the extent it holds defaulted securities, which may
limit its ability in certain circumstances to purchase other Florida Municipal
Bonds and Municipal Bonds. See "Net Asset Value" below for a more complete
description of the Fund's method of valuing defaulted securities and
securities that have a significant risk of default.
There can be no assurance that insurance of the kind described above will
continue to be available to the Fund. In the event the Board of Trustees
determines that such insurance is unavailable or that the cost of such
insurance outweighs the benefits to the Fund, the Fund may discontinue its
policy of maintaining insurance for all or any of the Florida Municipal Bonds
and Municipal Bonds held in the Fund's portfolio. Although the Investment
Adviser periodically reviews the financial condition of each insurer, there
can be no assurance that the insurers will be able to honor their obligations
under the circumstances.
The portfolio insurance reduces financial or credit risk (i.e., the
possibility that the owners of the insured Florida Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds will not receive timely scheduled payments of principal or
interest). However, the insured Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds
are subject to market risk (i.e., fluctuations in market value as a result of
changes in prevailing interest rates).
DESCRIPTION OF FLORIDA MUNICIPAL BONDS AND MUNICIPAL BONDS
Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds include debt obligations issued
to obtain funds for various public purposes, including construction of a wide
range of public facilities, refunding of outstanding obligations
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and obtaining funds for general operating expenses and loans to other public
institutions and facilities. In addition, certain types of industrial
development bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to finance
various privately operated facilities, including certain local facilities for
water supply, gas, electricity, sewage or solid waste disposal. For purposes
of this Prospectus, such obligations are Municipal Bonds if the interest paid
thereon is exempt from Federal income tax and are Florida Municipal Bonds if
the interest thereon is exempt from Federal income tax and the obligation is
exempt from Florida intangible personal property tax, even though such bonds
may be industrial development bonds ("IDBs") or "private activity bonds" as
discussed below. Also, for purposes of this Prospectus, Non-Municipal Tax-
Exempt securities as discussed above will be considered Florida Municipal
Bonds or Municipal Bonds.
The two principal classifications of Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds are "general obligation" bonds and "revenue" bonds, which latter
category includes IDBs and, for bonds issued after August 15, 1986, private
activity bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of
faith, credit and taxing power for the repayment of principal and the payment
of interest. Revenue or special obligation bonds are payable only from the
revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some
cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue
source such as from the user of the facility being financed. IDBs are in most
cases revenue bonds and do not generally constitute the pledge of the credit
or taxing power of the issuer of such bonds. The repayment of principal and
the payment of interest on such industrial development bonds depends solely on
the ability of the user of the facility financed by the bonds to meet its
financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property so
financed as security for such payment. Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds may also include "moral obligation" bonds, which are normally issued by
special purpose public authorities. If an issuer of moral obligation bonds is
unable to meet its obligations, the repayment of such bonds becomes a moral
commitment but not a legal obligation of the state or municipality in
question.
The Fund may purchase Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds classified
as "private activity bonds" (in general, bonds that benefit non-governmental
entities). Interest received on certain tax-exempt securities that are
classified as "private activity bonds" may subject certain investors in the
Fund to an alternative minimum tax. There is no limitation on the percentage
of the Fund's assets that may be invested in Florida Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds that may subject certain investors to an alternative minimum
tax. See "Taxes--General." Also included within the general category of
Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds are participation certificates
issued by government authorities or entities to finance the acquisition or
construction of equipment, land and/or facilities. The certificates represent
participations in a lease, an installment purchase contract or a conditional
sales contract (hereinafter collectively referred to as "lease obligations")
relating to such equipment, land or facilities. Although lease obligations do
not constitute general obligations of the issuer for which the issuer's
unlimited taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation frequently is backed by
the issuer's covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due
under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations contain "non-
appropriation" clauses which provide that the issuer has no obligation to make
lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is
appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. Although "non-appropriation"
lease obligations are secured by the lease property, disposition of the
property in the event of foreclosure might prove difficult. These securities
represent a relatively new type of financing that has not yet developed the
depth of marketability associated with more conventional securities.
Federal tax legislation has limited the types and volume of bonds the
interest on which qualifies for a Federal income tax exemption. As a result,
this legislation and legislation that may be enacted in the future may affect
the availability of Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds for investment
by the Fund.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO FLORIDA MUNICIPAL BONDS
The Fund ordinarily will invest at least 80% of its total assets in Florida
Municipal Bonds, and therefore it is more susceptible to factors adversely
affecting issuers of Florida Municipal Bonds than is a municipal bond fund
that is not concentrated in issuers of Florida Municipal Bonds to this degree.
Many different social,
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environmental and economic factors may affect the financial condition of
Florida and its political subdivisions. From time to time Florida and its
political subdivisions have encountered financial difficulties. Florida is
highly dependent upon sales and uses taxes, which account for the majority of
its General Fund revenues. The Florida Constitution does not permit a state or
local personal income tax. The structure of personal income in Florida is also
different from the rest of the nation in that the State has a proportionally
greater retirement age population that is dependent upon transfer payments
(social security, pension benefits, etc.). Such transfer payments can be
affected by Federal legislation. Florida's economic growth is also highly
dependent upon other factors such as changes in population growth, tourism,
interest rates and hurricane revenues. Restrictions in the Florida
Constitution may limit the State's ability to raise revenues and may have an
adverse effect on the finances of Florida and its political subdivisions. The
Investment Adviser does not believe that the current economic conditions in
Florida will have a significant adverse effect on the Fund's ability to invest
in investment grade Florida Municipal Bonds. For a discussion of economic and
other conditions in the State of Florida, see Appendix A, "Economic and Other
Conditions in Florida."
OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund has adopted certain other policies as set forth below:
Borrowings. The Fund is authorized to borrow money in amounts of up to 5% of
the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowings; provided,
however, that the Fund is authorized to borrow moneys in amounts of up to 33
1/3% of the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowings to
finance the repurchase of its own Common Shares pursuant to tender offers or
otherwise to redeem or repurchase preferred shares or for temporary,
extraordinary or emergency purposes. Borrowings by the Fund (commonly known as
"leveraging") create an opportunity for greater total return since the Fund
will not be required to sell portfolio securities to repurchase or redeem
shares but, at the same time, increase exposure to capital risk. In addition,
borrowed funds are subject to interest costs that may offset or exceed the
return earned on the borrowed funds.
When-Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery Transactions. The Fund may
purchase or sell Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds on a delayed
delivery basis or on a when-issued basis at fixed purchase or sale terms.
These transactions arise when securities are purchased or sold by the Fund
with payment and delivery taking place in the future. The purchase will be
recorded on the date the Fund enters into the commitment, and the value of the
obligation will thereafter be reflected in the calculation of the Fund's net
asset value. The value of the obligation on the delivery day may be more or
less than its purchase price. A separate account of the Fund will be
established with its custodian consisting of cash, cash equivalents or liquid
securities having a market value at all times at least equal to the amount of
the commitment.
Indexed and Inverse Floating Obligations. The Fund may invest in Florida
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds the return on which is based on a
particular index of value or interest rates. For example, the Fund may invest
in Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds that pay interest based on an
index of Municipal Bond interest rates. The principal amount payable upon
maturity of certain Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds also may be
based on the value of an index. To the extent the Fund invests in these types
of Municipal Bonds, the Fund's return on such Florida Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds will be subject to risk with respect to the value of the
particular index. Also, the Fund may invest in so-called "inverse floating
obligations" or "residual interest bonds" on which the interest rates
typically vary inversely with a short-term floating rate (which may be reset
periodically by a dutch auction, a remarketing agent, or by reference to a
short-term tax-exempt interest rate index). The Fund may purchase in the
secondary market synthetically-created inverse floating rate bonds evidenced
by custodial or trust receipts. Generally, interest rates on inverse floating
rate bonds will decrease when short-term rates increase, and will increase
when short-term rates decrease. Such securities have the effect of providing a
degree of investment leverage, since they may increase or decrease in value in
response to changes, as an illustration, in market interest rates at a rate
that is a multiple (typically two) of the rate at which fixed-rate, long-term,
tax-exempt securities increase or decrease in response to such changes. As a
result, the market values of such securities generally will be more volatile
than the market values of fixed-rate tax-exempt securities. To seek to limit
the volatility of these securities, the Fund may purchase inverse
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<PAGE>
floating obligations with shorter-term maturities or which contain limitations
on the extent to which the interest rate may vary. The Investment Adviser
believes that indexed and inverse floating obligations represent a flexible
portfolio management instrument for the Fund that allows the Investment
Adviser to vary the degree of investment leverage relatively efficiently under
different market conditions.
Call Rights. The Fund may purchase a Florida Municipal Bond or Municipal
Bond issuer's right to call all or a portion of such Florida Municipal Bond or
Municipal Bond for mandatory tender for purchase (a "Call Right"). A holder of
a Call Right may exercise such right to require a mandatory tender for the
purchase of related Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds, subject to
certain conditions. A Call Right that is not exercised prior to the maturity
of the related Florida Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond will expire without
value. The economic effect of holding both the Call Right and the related
Florida Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond is identical to holding a Florida
Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond as a non-callable security.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest in securities pursuant to
repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements may be entered into only with a
member bank of the Federal Reserve System or a primary dealer in U.S.
Government securities or an affiliate thereof. Under such agreements, the
seller agrees, upon entering into the contract, to repurchase the security at
a mutually agreed-upon time and price, thereby determining the yield during
the term of the agreement. The Fund may not invest in repurchase agreements
maturing in more than seven days if such investments, together with all other
illiquid investments, would exceed 15% of the Fund's net assets. In the event
of default by the seller under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may suffer
time delays and incur costs or possible losses in connection with the
disposition of the underlying securities.
In general, for Federal income tax purposes, repurchase agreements are
treated as collateralized loans secured by the securities "sold." Therefore,
amounts earned under such agreements will not be considered tax-exempt
interest.
RATING AGENCY GUIDELINES
Certain of the capitalized terms used herein are defined in the Glossary
that appears at the end of this Prospectus.
The Fund intends that, so long as AMPS are outstanding, the composition of
its portfolio will reflect guidelines established by Moody's and S&P in
connection with the Fund's receipt of a rating for such shares on or prior to
their Date of Original Issue of at least "aaa" from Moody's and AAA from S&P.
Moody's and S&P, which are nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations, issue ratings for various securities reflecting the perceived
creditworthiness of such securities. The guidelines described below have been
developed by Moody's and S&P in connection with issuances of asset-backed and
similar securities, including debt obligations and variable rate preferred
stock, generally on a case-by-case basis through discussions with the issuers
of these securities. The guidelines are designed to ensure that assets
underlying outstanding debt or preferred shares will be varied sufficiently
and will be of sufficient quality and amount to justify investment-grade
ratings. The guidelines do not have the force of law but have been adopted by
the Fund in order to satisfy current requirements necessary for Moody's and
S&P to issue the above-described ratings for shares of AMPS, which ratings
generally are relied upon by institutional investors in purchasing such
securities. The guidelines provide a set of tests for portfolio composition
and asset coverage that supplement (and in some cases are more restrictive
than) the applicable requirements under the 1940 Act. See "Description of
AMPS--Asset Maintenance."
The Fund intends to maintain a Discounted Value for its portfolio at least
equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. Moody's and S&P each has
established separate guidelines for determining Discounted Value. To the
extent any particular portfolio holding does not satisfy the applicable rating
agency's guidelines, all or a portion of such holding's value will not be
included in the calculation of Discounted Value (as defined by such rating
agency). The Moody's and S&P guidelines do not impose any limitations on the
percentage of Fund assets that may be invested in holdings not eligible for
inclusion in the calculation of the Discounted Value of the Fund's portfolio.
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Upon any failure to maintain the required Discounted Value, the Fund will
seek to alter the composition of its portfolio to reattain a Discounted Value
at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount on or prior to the AMPS
Basic Maintenance Cure Date, thereby incurring additional transaction costs
and possible losses and/or gains on dispositions of portfolio securities. To
the extent any such failure is not cured in a timely manner, AMPS will be
subject to redemption. See "Description of AMPS--Asset Maintenance" and
"Description of AMPS--Redemption." The AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount includes
the sum of (i) the aggregate liquidation value of AMPS then outstanding and
(ii) certain accrued and projected payment obligations of the Fund. See
"Description of AMPS--Asset Maintenance."
The Fund may, but is not required to, adopt any modifications to these
guidelines that hereafter may be established by Moody's or S&P. Failure to
adopt any such modifications, however, may result in a change in the ratings
described above or a withdrawal of ratings altogether. In addition, any rating
agency providing a rating for the AMPS, at any time, may change or withdraw
any such rating. As set forth in the Certificate of Designation, the Board of
Trustees, without shareholder approval, may modify certain definitions or
restrictions that have been adopted by the Fund pursuant to the rating agency
guidelines, provided the Board of Trustees has obtained written confirmation
from Moody's and S&P that any such change would not impair the ratings then
assigned by Moody's and S&P to the AMPS.
As described by Moody's and S&P, a preferred stock rating is an assessment
of the capacity and willingness of an issuer to pay preferred stock
obligations. The ratings on the AMPS are not recommendations to purchase, hold
or sell AMPS, inasmuch as the ratings do not comment as to market price or
suitability for a particular investor, nor do the rating agency guidelines
described above address the likelihood that a holder of AMPS will be able to
sell such shares in an Auction. The ratings are based on current information
furnished to Moody's and S&P by the Fund and the Investment Adviser and
information obtained from other sources. The ratings may be changed, suspended
or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, such
information. The Common Shares have not been rated by a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization.
S&P AAA Rating Guidelines. The Discounted Value of the Fund's S&P Eligible
Assets is calculated on each Valuation Date. See "Description of AMPS--Asset
Maintenance--AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount." S&P Eligible Assets include cash,
Receivables for Florida Municipal Bonds Sold (as defined below) and Florida
Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds eligible for consideration under S&P's
current guidelines. For purposes of calculating the Discounted Value of the
Fund's portfolio under current S&P guidelines, the fair market value of
Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds eligible for consideration under
such guidelines must be discounted by the applicable S&P Discount Factor set
forth in the table below. The Discounted Value of a Florida Municipal Bond or
Municipal Bond eligible for consideration under S&P guidelines is the fair
market value thereof divided by the S&P Discount Factor. The S&P Discount
Factor used to discount a particular Florida Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond
will be determined by reference to (a) (i) the rating by S&P or Moody's on
such Bond or (ii) in the event the Florida Municipal Bond is insured under a
Policy and the terms of the Policy permit the Fund, at its option, to obtain
other permanent insurance guaranteeing the timely payment of interest on such
Florida Municipal Bond and principal thereof to maturity, the S&P insurance
claims-paying ability rating of the issuer of the Policy or (iii) in the event
the Florida Municipal Bond is insured under an insurance policy which
guarantees the timely payment of interest on such Florida Municipal Bond and
principal thereof to maturity, the S&P insurance claims-paying ability rating
of the issuer of the insurance policy and (b) the S&P Exposure Period. The S&P
Exposure Period is the maximum period of time following a Valuation Date,
including the Valuation Date and the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date, that
the Fund has to cure any failure to maintain, as of such Valuation Date, a
Discounted Value for its portfolio at least equal to the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount.
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S&P Discount Factors applicable to Florida Municipal Bonds for a range of
S&P Exposure Periods are set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P DISCOUNT FACTORS RATING CATEGORY
------------------------------------------
EXPOSURE PERIOD AAA AA A BBB
--------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
40 Business Days................. 205% 210% 225% 265%
22 Business Days................. 185 190 205 245
10 Business Days................. 170 175 190 230
7 Business Days................. 165 170 185 225
3 Business Days................. 145 150 165 205
</TABLE>
Since the S&P Exposure Period currently applicable to the Fund is seven
Business Days, the S&P Discount Factors currently applicable to Municipal
Bonds eligible for consideration under S&P guidelines will be determined by
reference to the factors set forth opposite the exposure period line entitled
"7 Business Days." Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the S&P Discount Factor
for short-term Florida Municipal Bonds will be 115%, so long as such Florida
Municipal Bonds are rated A-1+ or SP-1+ by S&P and mature or have a demand
feature exercisable in 30 days or less, or 125% if such Florida Municipal
Bonds are not rated by S&P but are rated VMIG-1, P-1 or MIG-1 by Moody's;
provided, however, such short-term Florida Municipal Bonds rated by Moody's
but not rated by S&P having a demand feature exercisable in 30 days or less
must be backed by a letter of credit, liquidity facility or guarantee from a
bank or other financial institution having a short-term rating of at least A-
1+ from S&P; and further provided that such short-term Florida Municipal Bonds
rated by Moody's but not rated by S&P may comprise no more than 50% of short-
term Florida Municipal Bonds that qualify as S&P Eligible Assets and (ii) no
S&P Discount Factor will be applied to cash or to Receivables for Florida
Municipal Bonds Sold. "Receivables for Florida Municipal Bonds Sold," for
purposes of calculating S&P Eligible Assets as of any Valuation Date, means
the book value of receivables for Florida Municipal Bonds sold as of or prior
to such Valuation Date if such receivables are due within five Business Days
of such Valuation Date. The Fund may adopt S&P Discount Factors for Municipal
Bonds other than Florida Municipal Bonds provided that S&P advises the Fund in
writing that such action will not adversely affect its then current rating on
the AMPS. For purposes of the foregoing, Anticipation Notes rated SP-1+ or, if
not rated by S&P, rated VMIG-1 by Moody's, which do not mature or have a
demand feature exercisable in 30 days and which do not have a long-term
rating, shall be considered to be short-term Florida Municipal Bonds.
The S&P guidelines require certain minimum issue size and geographical
diversification and impose other requirements for purposes of determining S&P
Eligible Assets. In order to be considered S&P Eligible Assets, Municipal
Bonds must:
(i) be interest bearing and pay interest at least semi-annually;
(ii) be payable with respect to principal and interest in U.S. dollars;
(iii) be publicly rated BBB or higher by S&P or, except in the case of
Anticipation Notes that are grant anticipation notes or bond anticipation
notes, which must be rated by S&P to be included in S&P Eligible Assets, if
not rated by S&P but rated by Moody's, be rated at least A by Moody's
(provided that such Moody's-rated Florida Municipal Bonds will be included
in S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the fair market value of such
Florida Municipal Bonds does not exceed 50% of the aggregate fair market
value of the S&P Eligible Assets. For purposes of determining the S&P
Discount Factors applicable to any such Moody's-rated Municipal Bonds, such
Florida Municipal Bonds will be deemed to have an S&P rating that is one
full rating category lower than its Moody's rating);
(iv) not be subject to a covered call or covered put option written by
the Fund;
(v) not be part of a private placement of Municipal Bonds; and
(vi) be part of an issue with an original issue size of at least $20
million or, if of an issue with an original issue size below $20 million
(but in no event below $10 million), be issued by an issuer with a total of
at least $50 million of securities outstanding.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(i) Florida Municipal Bonds of any one issuer or guarantor (excluding
bond insurers) will be considered S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent
the fair market value of such Bonds does not exceed 10% of the aggregate
fair market value of the S&P Eligible Assets, provided that 2% is added to
the applicable S&P Discount Factor for every 1% by which the fair market
value of such Florida Municipal Bonds exceeds 5% of the aggregate fair
market value of the S&P Eligible Assets;
(ii) Florida Municipal Bonds of any one issue type category (as described
below) will be considered S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the market
value of such Florida Municipal Bonds does not exceed 20% of the aggregate
market value of S&P Eligible Assets, except that Florida Municipal Bonds
falling within the utility issue type category will be broken down into
three sub-categories (as described below) and such Florida Municipal Bonds
will be considered S&P Eligible Assets to the extent the market value of
such Florida Municipal Bonds in each such sub-category does not exceed 20%
of the aggregate market value of S&P Eligible Assets and except that
Florida Municipal Bonds falling within the general obligation issue type
category will be considered S&P Eligible Assets to the extent the market
value of such Florida Municipal Bonds does not exceed 30% of the aggregate
market value of S&P Eligible Assets. For purposes of the issue type
category requirement described above, Florida Municipal Bonds will be
classified within one of the following categories: health care issues,
housing issues, educational facilities issues, student loan issues,
transportation issues, industrial development bond issues, utility issues,
general obligation issues, lease obligations, escrowed bonds and other
issues not falling within one of the aforementioned categories. The general
obligation issue type category includes any issuer that is directly or
indirectly guaranteed by the State of Florida or its political
subdivisions. Utility issuers are included in the general obligation issue
type category if the issuer is directly or indirectly guaranteed by the
State of Florida or its political subdivisions. For purposes of the issue
type category requirement described above, Florida Municipal Bonds in the
utility issue type category will be classified within one of the three
following sub-categories: (i) electric, gas and combination issues (if the
combination issue includes an electric issue), (ii) water and sewer
utilities and combination issues (if the combination issue does not include
an electric issue), and (iii) irrigation, resource recovery, solid waste
and other utilities, provided that Florida Municipal Bonds included in this
sub-category (iii) must be rated by S&P in order to be included in S&P
Eligible Assets; and
(iii) Florida Municipal Bonds which are escrow bonds or defeased bonds
may compose up to 100% of the aggregate market value of S&P Eligible Assets
if such Florida Municipal Bonds initially are assigned a rating by S&P in
accordance with S&P's legal defeasance criteria or rerated by S&P as
economic defeased escrow bonds and assigned an AAA rating. Florida
Municipal Bonds may be rated as escrow bonds by another nationally
recognized rating agency or rerated as an escrow bond and assigned the
equivalent of an S&P AAA rating, provided that such equivalent rated
Florida Municipal Bonds are limited to 50% of the aggregate market value of
S&P Eligible Assets and are deemed to have an AA S&P rating for purposes of
determining the S&P Discount Factor applicable to such Florida Municipal
Bonds. The limitations on Florida Municipal Bonds of any one issuer in
clause (1) above is not applicable to escrow bonds, however, economically
defeased bonds that are either initially rated or rerated by S&P or another
nationally recognized rating agency and assigned the same rating level as
the issuer of the Florida Municipal Bonds will remain in its original issue
type cateogry set forth in clause (2) above. Florida Municipal Bonds that
are legally defeased and secured by securities issued or guaranteed by the
United States Government are not required to meet the minimum issuance size
requirement set forth above.
The Fund may include Municipal Bonds other than Florida Municipal Bonds as
S&P Eligible Assets pursuant to guidelines and restrictions to be established
by S&P, provided that S&P advises the Fund in writing that such action will
not adversely affect its then-current rating on the AMPS.
As discussed herein, the Fund may engage in options or futures transactions.
For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by S&P, the Fund will not purchase
or sell financial futures contracts, write, purchase or sell
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<PAGE>
options on financial futures contracts or write put options (except covered
put options) or call options (except covered call options) on portfolio
securities unless it receives written confirmation from S&P that engaging in
such transactions will not impair the ratings then assigned to the AMPS by
S&P, except that the Fund may purchase or sell financial futures contracts
based on the Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index (the "Municipal Index") or United
States Treasury Bonds or Notes ("Treasury Bonds") and write, purchase or sell
put and call options on such contracts (collectively "S&P Hedging
Transactions"), subject to the following limitations:
(i) the Fund will not engage in any S&P Hedging Transaction based on the
Municipal Index (other than transactions that terminate a financial futures
contract or option held by the Fund by the Fund's taking an opposite
position thereto ("Closing Transactions")), that would cause the Fund at
the time of such transaction to own or have sold the least of (A) more than
1,000 outstanding financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index,
(B) outstanding financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index
exceeding in number 25% of the quotient of the fair market value of the
Fund's total assets divided by $1,000 or (C) outstanding financial futures
contracts based on the Municipal Index exceeding in number 10% of the
average number of daily traded financial futures contracts based on the
Municipal Index in the 30 days preceding the time of effecting such
transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal;
(ii) the Fund will not engage in any S&P Hedging Transaction based on
Treasury Bonds (other than Closing Transactions) that would cause the Fund
at the time of such transaction to own or have sold the lesser of (A)
outstanding financial futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds and on the
Municipal Index exceeding in number 25% of the quotient of the fair market
value of the Fund's total assets divided by $100,000 ($200,000 in the case
of the two-year United States Treasury Note) or (B) outstanding financial
futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds exceeding in number 10% of the
average number of daily traded financial futures contracts based on
Treasury Bonds in the 30 days preceding the time of effecting such
transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal;
(iii) the Fund will engage in Closing Transactions to close out any
outstanding financial futures contract that the Fund owns or has sold or
any outstanding option thereon owned by the Fund in the event (A) the Fund
does not have S&P Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal
to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount on two consecutive
Valuation Dates and (B) the Fund is required to pay Variation Margin on the
second such Valuation Date;
(iv) the Fund will engage in a Closing Transaction to close out any
outstanding financial futures contract or option thereon in the month prior
to the delivery month under the terms of such financial futures contract or
option thereon unless the Fund holds the securities deliverable under such
terms; and
(v) when the Fund writes a financial futures contract or an option
thereon, it will either maintain an amount of cash, cash equivalents or
high grade (rated A or better by S&P) fixed-income securities in a
segregated account with the Fund's custodian, so that the amount so
segregated plus the amount of Initial Margin and Variation Margin held in
the account of or on behalf of the Fund's broker with respect to such
financial futures contract or option equals the fair market value of the
financial futures contract or option, or, in the event the Fund writes a
financial futures contract or option thereon that requires delivery of an
underlying security, it shall hold such underlying security in its
portfolio.
For purposes of determining whether the Fund has S&P Eligible Assets with a
Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the
Discounted Value of cash or securities held for the payment of Initial Margin
or Variation Margin shall be zero and the aggregate Discounted Value of S&P
Eligible Assets shall be reduced by an amount equal to (i) 30% of the
aggregate settlement value, as marked to market, of any outstanding financial
futures contracts based on the Municipal Index that are owned by the Fund plus
(ii) 25% of the aggregate settlement value, as marked to market, of any
outstanding financial futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds which
contracts are owned by the Fund.
Moody's "aaa" Rating Guidelines. The Discounted Value of the Fund's Moody's
Eligible Assets is calculated on each Valuation Date. See "Description of
AMPS--Asset Maintenance--AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount." Moody's Eligible
Assets include cash, Receivables for Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal
24
<PAGE>
Bonds (as defined below), and Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds
eligible for consideration under Moody's guidelines. For purposes of
calculating the Discounted Value of the Fund's portfolio under current Moody's
guidelines, the fair market value of Municipal Bonds eligible for
consideration under such guidelines must be discounted by the applicable
Moody's Discount Factor set forth in the table below. The Discounted Value of
a Municipal Bond eligible for consideration under Moody's guidelines is the
lower of par and the quotient of the fair market value thereof divided by the
Moody's Discount Factor. The Moody's Discount Factor used to discount a
particular Florida Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond will be determined by
reference to (a) (i) the rating by Moody's or S&P on such Bond or (ii) in the
event the Moody's Eligible Asset is insured under a Policy and the terms of
the Policy permit the Fund, at its option, to obtain other insurance
guaranteeing the timely payment of interest on such Moody's Eligible Asset and
principal thereof to maturity, the Moody's insurance claims-paying ability
rating of the issuer of the Policy or (iii) in the event the Moody's Eligible
Asset is insured under an insurance policy which guarantees the timely payment
of interest on such Moody's Eligible Asset and principal thereof to maturity,
the Moody's insurance claims-paying ability rating of the issuer of the
insurance policy (provided that for purposes of clauses (ii) and (iii) if the
insurance claims-paying ability of an issuer of a Policy or insurance policy
is not rated by Moody's but is rated by S&P, such issuer shall be deemed to
have a Moody's insurance claims-paying ability rating which is two full
categories lower than the S&P insurance claims-paying ability rating) and (b)
the Moody's Exposure Period. Moody's Discount Factors for a range of Moody's
Exposure Periods are set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MOODY'S DISCOUNT FACTORS RATING CATEGORY
-----------------------------------------------------
MOODY'S EXPOSURE PERIOD AAA(1) AA(1) A(1) BAA(1) OTHER(2) VMIG-1(3) SP-1+(3)
----------------------- ------ ----- ---- ------ -------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
7 weeks or less......... 151% 159% 168% 202% 229% 136% 148%
8 weeks or less but
greater than seven
weeks.................. 154 164 173 205 235 137 149
9 weeks or less but
greater than eight
weeks.................. 158 169 179 209 242 138 150
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Moody's rating.
(2) Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds not rated by Moody's but rated
BBB or BBB+ by S&P.
(3) Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds rated MIG-1, VMIG-1 or P-1 or,
if not rated by Moody's, rated SP-1+ or A-1+ by S&P which do not mature or
have a demand feature at par exercisable within the Moody's Exposure
Period and which do not have a long-term rating. For the purposes of the
definition of Moody's Eligible Assets, these securities will have an
assumed rating of A by Moody's.
provided, however, in the event a Moody's Discount Factor applicable to a
Moody's Eligible Asset is determined by reference to an insurance claims-
paying ability rating in accordance with clause (a)(ii) or (a)(iii), such
Moody's Discount Factor shall be increased by an amount equal to 50% of the
difference between (a) the percentage set forth in the foregoing table under
the applicable rating category and (b) the percentage set forth in the
foregoing table under the rating category which is one category lower than the
applicable rating category.
Since the Moody's Exposure Period currently is 49 days, the Moody's Discount
Factors currently applicable to Municipal Bonds eligible for consideration
under Moody's guidelines will be determined by reference to the factors set
forth opposite the exposure period line entitled "7 weeks or less."
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Moody's Discount Factor will be applied
to short-term Florida Municipal Bonds and short-term Municipal Bonds, so long
as such Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds are rated at least MIG-1,
VMIG-1 or P-1 by Moody's and mature or have a demand feature at par
exercisable within the Moody's Exposure Period, and the Moody's Discount
Factor for such Bonds will be 125% if such Bonds are not rated by Moody's but
are rated A-1+, SP-1+ or AA by S&P and mature or have a demand feature at par
exercisable within the Moody's Exposure Period, and (ii) no Moody's Discount
Factor will be applied to cash or to Receivables for Florida Municipal Bonds
or Municipal Bonds Sold. "Receivables for Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal
Bonds Sold," for purposes of calculating Moody's Eligible Assets as of any
Valuation Date, means no more than the aggregate of the following: (i) the
book value of receivables for Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds sold
as of or prior to such Valuation Date if such receivables are due within five
Business Days of such Valuation Date, and if the trades which generated such
receivables are (A) settled through clearing house firms with respect
25
<PAGE>
to which the Fund has received prior written authorization from Moody's or (B)
with counterparties having a Moody's long-term debt rating of at least Baa3;
and (ii) the Moody's Discounted Value of Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal
Bonds sold as of or prior to such Valuation Date that generated receivables,
if such receivables are due within five Business Days of such Valuation Date
but do not comply with either of conditions (A) or (B) of the preceding clause
(i).
The Moody's guidelines impose certain requirements as to minimum issue size,
issuer diversification and geographical concentration, as well as other
requirements for purposes of determining whether Florida Municipal Bonds or
Municipal Bonds constitute Moody's Eligible Assets, as set forth in the table
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MAXIMUM MAXIMUM STATE
MINIMUM MAXIMUM ISSUE TYPE MAXIMUM COUNTY OR TERRITORY
ISSUE SIZE UNDERLYING CONCENTRATION CONCENTRATION CONCENTRATION
RATING ($ MILLIONS) OBLIGOR (%)(1) (%)(1)(3) (%)(1)(4) (%)(1)(5)
------ ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aaa..................... 10 100 100 100 100
Aa...................... 10 20 60 60 60
A....................... 10 10 40 40 40
Baa..................... 10 6 20 20 20
Other (2)............... 10 4 12 12 12
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The referenced percentages represent maximum cumulative totals for the
related rating category and each lower rating category.
(2) Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds not rated by Moody's but rated
BBB or BBB+ by S&P.
(3) Does not apply to general obligation bonds.
(4) Applicable to general obligation bonds only.
(5) Does not apply to Florida Municipal Bonds. Territorial bonds (other than
those issued by Puerto Rico and counted collectively) are each limited to
10% of Moody's Eligible Assets. For diversification purposes, Puerto Rico
will be treated as a state.
For purposes of the maximum underlying obligor requirement described above,
any Florida Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond backed by the guaranty, letter of
credit or insurance issued by a third party will be deemed to be issued by
such third party if the issuance of such third party credit is the sole
determinant of the rating on such Bond. For purposes of the issue type
concentration requirement described above, Florida Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds will be classified within one of the following categories:
health care issues (teaching and non-teaching hospitals, public and private),
housing issues (single- and multi-family), educational facilities issues
(public and private schools), student loan issues, resource recovery issues,
transportation issues (mass transit, airport and highway bonds), industrial
revenue/pollution control bond issues, utility issues (including water, sewer
and electricity), general obligation issues, lease obligations/certificates of
participation, escrowed bonds and other issues ("Other Issues") not falling
within one of the aforementioned categories (includes special obligations to
crossover, excise and sales tax revenue, recreation revenue, special
assessment and telephone revenue bonds). In no event shall (a) more than 10%
of Moody's Eligible Assets consist of student loan issues, (b) more than 10%
of Moody's Eligible Assets consist of recovery issues or (c) more than 10% of
Moody's Eligible Assets consist of Other Issues.
Current Moody's guidelines also require that Florida Municipal Bonds or
Municipal Bonds constituting Moody's Eligible Assets pay interest in cash, be
publicly rated Baa or higher by Moody's or, if not rated by Moody's but rated
by S&P, that they be rated at least BBB by S&P, not have suspended ratings by
Moody's and be part of an issue of Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds
of at least $10,000,000. For purposes of determining the Moody's Discount
Factors applicable to any such S&P-rated Florida Municipal Bonds or S&P-rated
Municipal Bonds, such Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds (excluding
any short-term Municipal Bonds) will be deemed to have a Moody's rating that
is one full rating category lower than its S&P rating. When the Fund sells a
Florida Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond and agrees to repurchase it at a
future date, the Discounted Value of such Municipal Bond will constitute a
Moody's Eligible Asset and the amount the Fund is required to pay upon
repurchase of such bond will count as a liability for purposes of calculating
the AMPS
26
<PAGE>
Basic Maintenance Amount. When the Fund purchases a Florida Municipal Bond or
Municipal Bond and agrees to sell it at a future date to another party, cash
receivable by the Fund thereby will constitute a Moody's Eligible Asset if the
long-term debt of such other party is rated at least A2 by Moody's and such
agreement has a term of 30 days or less; otherwise the Discounted Value of
such Bond will constitute a Moody's Eligible Asset.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an asset will not be considered a Moody's
Eligible Asset if it is (i) held in a margin account, (ii) subject to any
material lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest or security agreement of
any kind, (iii) held for the purchase of a security pursuant to a Forward
Commitment or (iv) irrevocably deposited by the Fund for the payment of
dividends or redemption.
For so long as AMPS are rated by Moody's, in managing the Fund's portfolio,
the Investment Adviser will not alter the composition of the Fund's portfolio
if, in the reasonable belief of the Investment Adviser, the effect of any such
alteration would be to cause the Fund to have Moody's Eligible Assets with an
aggregate Discounted Value, as of the immediately preceding Valuation Date,
less than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount as of such Valuation Date;
provided, however, that in the event that, as of the immediately preceding
Valuation Date, the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets
exceeded the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount by five percent or less, the
Investment Adviser will not alter the composition of the Fund's portfolio in a
manner reasonably expected to reduce the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's
Eligible Assets unless the Fund shall have confirmed that, after giving effect
to such alteration, the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets
would exceed the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.
For so long as any AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Fund will not buy or sell
financial futures contracts, write, purchase or sell call options on financial
futures contracts or purchase put options on financial futures contracts or
write call options (except covered call options) on portfolio securities
unless it receives written confirmation from Moody's that engaging in such
transactions would not impair the ratings then assigned to the AMPS by
Moody's, except that the Fund may purchase or sell exchange-traded financial
futures contracts based on the Municipal Index or Treasury Bonds, and
purchase, write or sell exchange-traded put options on such financial futures
contracts, and purchase, write or sell exchange-traded call options on such
financial futures contracts (collectively "Moody's Hedging Transactions"),
subject to the following limitations:
(i) the Fund will not engage in any Moody's Hedging Transaction based on
the Municipal Index (other than Closing Transactions) that would cause the
Fund at the time of such transaction to own or have sold (A) outstanding
financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index exceeding in
number 10% of the average number of daily traded financial futures
contracts based on the Municipal Index in the 30 days preceding the time of
effecting such transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal or (B)
outstanding financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index having
a Market Value exceeding 50% of the Market Value of all Municipal Bonds
constituting Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Fund (other than Moody's
Eligible Assets already subject to a Moody's Hedging Transaction);
(ii) the Fund will not engage in any Moody's Hedging Transaction based on
Treasury Bonds (other than Closing Transactions) that would cause the Fund
at the time of such transaction to own or have sold (A) outstanding
financial futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds having an aggregate
Market Value exceeding 20% of the aggregate Market Value of Moody's
Eligible Assets owned by the Fund and rated Aa by Moody's (or, if not rated
by Moody's but rated by S&P, rated AAA by S&P) or (B) outstanding financial
futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds having an aggregate fair market
value exceeding 80% of the aggregate fair market value of all Municipal
Bonds constituting Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Fund (other than
Moody's Eligible Assets already subject to a Moody's Hedging Transaction)
and rated Baa or A by Moody's (or, if not rated by Moody's but rated by
S&P, rated A or AA by S&P) (for purposes of the foregoing clauses (i) and
(ii), the Fund shall be deemed to own the number of financial futures
contracts that underlie any outstanding options written by the Fund);
(iii) the Fund will engage in Closing Transactions to close out any
outstanding financial futures contract based on the Municipal Index if the
amount of open interest in the Municipal Index as reported by The Wall
Street Journal is less than 5,000;
27
<PAGE>
(iv) the Fund will engage in a Closing Transaction to close out any
outstanding financial futures contract by no later than the fifth Business
Day of the month in which such contract expires and will engage in a
Closing Transaction to close out any outstanding option on a financial
futures contract by no later than the first Business Day of the month in
which such option expires;
(v) the Fund will engage in Moody's Hedging Transactions only with
respect to financial futures contracts or options thereon having the next
settlement date or the settlement date immediately thereafter;
(vi) the Fund will not engage in options and futures transactions for
leveraging or speculative purposes and will not write any call options or
sell any financial futures contracts for the purpose of hedging the
anticipated purchase of an asset prior to completion of such purchase; and
(vii) the Fund will not enter into an option or futures transaction
unless, after giving effect thereto, the Fund would continue to have
Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or
greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.
For purposes of determining whether the Fund has Moody's Eligible Assets
with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets that the
Fund is obligated to deliver or receive pursuant to an outstanding futures
contract or option shall be as follows: (i) assets subject to call options
written by the Fund that are either exchange-traded and "readily reversible"
or that expire within 49 days after the date as of which such valuation is
made shall be valued at the lesser of (A) Discounted Value and (B) the
exercise price of the call option written by the Fund; (ii) assets subject to
call options written by the Fund not meeting the requirements of clause (i) of
this sentence shall have no value; (iii) assets subject to put options written
by the Fund shall be valued at the lesser of (A) the exercise price and (B)
the Discounted Value of the subject security; (iv) futures contracts shall be
valued at the lesser of (A) settlement price and (B) the Discounted Value of
the subject security, provided that, if a contract matures within 49 days
after the date as of which such valuation is made, where the Fund is the
seller the contract may be valued at the settlement price and where the Fund
is the buyer the contract may be valued at the Discounted Value of the subject
securities; and (v) where delivery may be made to the Fund with any security
of a class of securities, the Fund shall assume that it will take delivery of
the security with the lowest Discounted Value.
For purposes of determining whether the Fund has Moody's Eligible Assets
with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount, the following amounts shall be subtracted from the
aggregate Discounted Value of the Moody's Eligible Assets held by the Fund:
(i) 10% of the exercise price of a written call option; (ii) the exercise
price of any written put option; (iii) where the Fund is the seller under a
financial futures contract, 10% of the settlement price of the financial
futures contract; (iv) where the Fund is the purchaser under a financial
futures contract, the settlement price of assets purchased under such
financial futures contract; (v) the settlement price of the underlying
financial futures contract if the Fund writes put options on a financial
futures contract; and (vi) 105% of the fair market value of the underlying
financial futures contracts if the Fund writes call options on a financial
futures contract and does not own the underlying contract.
For so long as any AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Fund will not enter into
any contract to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond
customary settlement time (other than such contracts that constitute Moody's
Hedging Transactions), except that the Fund may enter into such contracts to
purchase newly-issued securities on the date such securities are issued
("Forward Commitments"), subject to the following limitations:
(i) the Fund will maintain in a segregated account with its custodian
cash, cash equivalents or short term, fixed-income securities rated P-1,
MIG-1 or VMIG-1 by Moody's and maturing prior to the date of the Forward
Commitment with a fair market value that equals or exceeds the amount of
the Fund's obligations under any Forward Commitments to which it is from
time to time a party or long-term, fixed
28
<PAGE>
income securities with a Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the amount
of the Fund's obligations under any Forward Commitment to which it is from
time to time a party, and
(ii) the Fund will not enter into a Forward Commitment unless, after
giving effect thereto, the Fund would continue to have Moody's Eligible
Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS
Basic Maintenance Amount.
For purposes of determining whether the Fund has Moody's Eligible Assets
with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of all Forward Commitments to which
the Fund is a party and of all securities deliverable to the Fund pursuant to
such Forward Commitments shall be zero.
For so long as AMPS are rated by S&P or Moody's, the Fund, unless it has
received written confirmation from S&P and/or Moody's, as the case may be,
that such action would not impair the ratings then assigned to the AMPS by S&P
and/or Moody's, as the case may be, will not (i) borrow money except for the
purpose of clearing transactions in portfolio securities (which borrowings
under any circumstances shall be limited to the lesser of $10 million and an
amount equal to 5% of the fair market value of the Fund's assets at the time
of such borrowings and which borrowings shall be repaid within 60 days and not
be extended or renewed and shall not cause the aggregate Discounted Value of
Moody's Eligible Assets and S&P Eligible Assets to be less than the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount), (ii) engage in short sales of securities, (iii) lend any
securities, (iv) issue any class or series of stock ranking prior to or on a
parity with the AMPS with respect to the payment of dividends or the
distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
Fund, (v) reissue any AMPS previously purchased or redeemed by the Fund, (vi)
merge or consolidate into or with any other corporation or entity, (vii)
change the Fund's pricing service or (viii) engage in reverse repurchase
agreements.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may hedge all or a portion of its portfolio investments against
fluctuations in interest rates through the use of options and certain
financial futures contracts and options thereon. While the Fund's use of
hedging strategies is intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value
of Common Shares, the net asset value of the Common Shares will fluctuate.
There can be no assurance that the Fund's hedging transactions will be
effective. For so long as the AMPS are rated by Moody's and S&P, the Fund's
use of options and financial futures contracts will be subject to the
limitations described under "Investment Objective and Policies--Rating Agency
Guidelines." Furthermore, the Fund will only engage in hedging activities from
time to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging activities when
movements in interest rates occur.
Certain Federal income tax requirements may limit the Fund's ability to
engage in hedging transactions. Gains derived from transactions in options and
futures contracts and distributed to shareholders will be taxable as ordinary
income or, in certain circumstances, as long-term capital gains to
shareholders. See "Taxes--Tax Treatment of Options and Futures Transactions."
In addition, in order to obtain ratings of the Preferred Shares from one or
more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, the Fund may be
required to limit its use of hedging techniques in accordance with the
specified guidelines of such rating organizations.
The following is a description of the options and futures transactions in
which the Fund may engage, limitations on the use of such transactions and
risks associated therewith. The investment policies with respect to the
hedging transactions of the Fund are not fundamental policies and may be
modified by the Board of Trustees of the Fund without the approval of the
Fund's shareholders.
Writing Covered Call Options. The Fund may write (i.e., sell) covered call
options with respect to Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds it owns,
thereby giving the holder of the option the right to buy the underlying
security covered by the option from the Fund at the stated exercise price
until the option expires. The Fund writes only covered call options, which
means that so long as the Fund is obligated as the writer of a call option, it
will own the underlying securities subject to the option. The Fund may not
write covered call options on underlying securities in an amount exceeding 15%
of the market value of its total assets.
29
<PAGE>
The Fund will receive a premium from writing a call option, which increases
the Fund's return on the underlying security in the event the option expires
unexercised or is closed out at a profit. By writing a call, the Fund limits
its opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of the
underlying security above the exercise price of the option for as long as the
Fund's obligation as a writer continues. Covered call options serve as a
partial hedge against a decline in the price of the underlying security. The
Fund may engage in closing transactions in order to terminate outstanding
options that it has written.
Purchase of Options. The Fund may purchase put options in connection with
its hedging activities. By buying a put the Fund has a right to sell the
underlying security at the exercise price, thus limiting the Fund's risk of
loss through a decline in the market value of the security until the put
expires. The amount of any appreciation in the value of the underlying
security will be partially offset by the amount of the premium paid for the
put option and any related transaction costs. Prior to its expiration, a put
option may be sold in a closing sale transaction; profit or loss from the sale
will depend on whether the amount received is more or less than the premium
paid for the put option plus the related transaction costs. A closing sale
transaction cancels out the Fund's position as the purchaser of an option by
means of an offsetting sale of an identical option prior to the expiration of
the option it has purchased. In certain circumstances, the Fund may purchase
call options on securities held in its portfolio on which it has written call
options or on securities that it intends to purchase. The Fund will not
purchase options on securities if, as a result of such purchase, the aggregate
cost of all outstanding options on securities held by the Fund would exceed 5%
of the market value of the Fund's total assets.
Financial Futures Contracts and Options. The Fund is authorized to purchase
and sell certain financial futures contracts and options thereon solely for
the purpose of hedging its investments in Florida Municipal Bonds and
Municipal Bonds against declines in value and hedging against increases in the
cost of securities it intends to purchase. A financial futures contract
obligates the seller of a contract to deliver and the purchaser of a contract
to take delivery of the type of financial instrument covered by the contract
or, in the case of index-based financial futures contracts, to make and accept
a cash settlement, at a specific future time for a specified price. A sale of
financial futures contracts may provide a hedge against a decline in the value
of portfolio securities because such depreciation may be offset, in whole or
in part, by an increase in the value of the position in the financial futures
contracts. A purchase of financial futures contracts may provide a hedge
against an increase in the cost of securities intended to be purchased because
such appreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the
value of the position in the financial futures contracts.
The purchase or sale of a financial futures contract differs from the
purchase or sale of a security in that no price or premium is paid or
received. Instead, an amount of cash or securities acceptable to the broker
equal to approximately 5% of the contract amount must be deposited with the
broker. This amount is known as initial margin. Subsequent payments to and
from the broker, called variation margin, are made on a daily basis as the
price of the financial futures contract fluctuates making the long and short
positions in the financial futures contract more or less valuable.
The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts based on The Bond
Buyer Municipal Bond Index, a price-weighted measure of the market value of 40
large tax-exempt issues, and purchase and sell put and call options on such
financial futures contracts for the purpose of hedging Florida Municipal Bonds
and Municipal Bonds which the Fund holds or anticipates purchasing against
adverse changes in interest rates. The Fund also may purchase and sell
financial futures contracts on U.S. Government securities and purchase and
sell put and call options on such financial futures contracts for such hedging
purposes. With respect to U.S. Government securities, currently there are
financial futures contracts based on long-term U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S.
Treasury notes, GNMA Certificates and three-month U.S. Treasury bills.
Subject to policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Fund also may
engage in transactions in other financial futures contracts, such as financial
futures contracts on other municipal bond indices that may become
30
<PAGE>
available, if the Investment Adviser should determine that there is normally
sufficient correlation between the prices of such financial futures contracts
and the Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in which the Fund invests
to make such hedging appropriate.
Over-The-Counter Options. The Fund may engage in options and futures
transactions on exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets ("OTC options").
In general, exchange-traded contracts are third-party contracts (i.e.,
performance of the parties' obligations is guaranteed by an exchange or
clearing corporation) with standardized strike prices and expiration dates.
OTC option transactions are two-party contracts with prices and terms
negotiated by the buyer and seller. See "Restrictions on OTC Options" below
for information as to restrictions on the use of OTC options.
Restrictions on OTC Options. The Fund will engage in transactions in OTC
options only with banks or dealers that have capital of at least $50 million
or whose obligations are guaranteed by an entity having capital of at least
$50 million. Certain OTC options and assets used to cover OTC options written
by the Fund may be considered to be illiquid. The illiquidity of such options
or assets may prevent a successful sale of such options or assets, result in a
delay of sale, or reduce the amount of proceeds that might otherwise be
realized.
Risk Factors in Options and Futures Transactions. Utilization of futures
transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the
price of financial futures contracts and movements in the price of the
security which is the subject of the hedge. If the price of the financial
futures contract moves more or less than the price of the security that is the
subject of the hedge, the Fund will experience a gain or loss which will not
be completely offset by movements in the price of such security. There is a
risk of imperfect correlation where the securities underlying financial
futures contracts have different maturities, ratings, geographic compositions
or other characteristics than the security being hedged. In addition, the
correlation may be affected by additions to or deletions from the index that
serves as a basis for a financial futures contract. Finally, in the case of
financial futures contracts on U.S. Government securities and options on such
financial futures contracts, the anticipated correlation of price movements
between the U.S. Government securities underlying the futures or options and
Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds may be adversely affected by
economic, political, legislative or other developments which have a disparate
impact on the respective markets for such securities.
Under regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC"),
the futures trading activities described herein will not result in the Fund
being deemed a "commodity pool," as defined under such regulations, provided
that the Fund adheres to certain restrictions. In particular, the Fund may
purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon (i) for bona
fide hedging purposes, without regard to the percentage of the Fund's assets
committed to margin and option premiums, and (ii) for non-hedging purposes if,
immediately thereafter, the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on
the Fund's existing futures positions and option premiums entered into for
non-hedging purposes do not exceed 5% of the market value of the liquidation
value of the Fund's portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits
and unrealized losses on any such transactions. Margin deposits may consist of
cash or securities acceptable to the broker and the relevant contract market.
When the Fund purchases a financial futures contract, or writes a put option
or purchases a call option thereon, it will maintain an amount of cash, cash
equivalents (e.g., commercial paper and daily tender adjustable notes) or
liquid securities in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian so that
the amount so segregated plus the amount of initial and variation margin held
in the account of its broker equals the market value of the financial futures
contract, thereby ensuring that the use of such financial futures contract is
unleveraged.
Although certain risks are involved in options and futures transactions, the
Investment Adviser believes that, because the Fund will engage in options and
futures transactions only for hedging purposes, the options and futures
portfolio strategies of the Fund will not subject the Fund to certain risks
frequently associated with speculation in options and futures transactions.
See "Taxes--Tax Treatment of Options and Futures Transactions."
31
<PAGE>
The volume of trading in the exchange markets with respect to Florida
Municipal Bond or Municipal Bond options may be limited, and it is impossible
to predict the amount of trading interest that may exist in such options. In
addition, there can be no assurance that viable exchange markets will continue
to be available.
The Fund intends to enter into options and futures transactions, on an
exchange or in the over-the-counter market, only if there appears to be a
liquid secondary market for such options or futures. There can be no
assurance, however, that a liquid secondary market will exist at any specific
time. Thus, it may not be possible to close an options or futures transaction.
The inability to close options and futures positions also could have an
adverse impact on the Fund's ability to effectively hedge its portfolio. There
is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits or collateral in the
event of bankruptcy of a broker with which the Fund has an open position in an
option or financial futures contract.
The liquidity of a secondary market in a financial futures contract may be
adversely affected by "daily price fluctuation limits" established by
commodity exchanges that limit the amount of fluctuation in a financial
futures contract price during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has
been reached in the contract, no trades may be entered into at a price beyond
the limit, thus preventing the liquidation of open futures positions. Prices
have in the past reached or exceeded the daily limit on a number of
consecutive trading days.
If it is not possible to close a financial futures position entered into by
the Fund, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments
of variation margin in the event of adverse price movements. In such a
situation, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio
securities to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it may
be disadvantageous to do so.
The successful use of these transactions also depends on the ability of the
Investment Adviser to forecast correctly the direction and extent of interest
rate movements within a given time frame. To the extent these rates remain
stable during the period in which a financial futures contract is held by the
Fund or move in a direction opposite to that anticipated, the Fund may realize
a loss on the hedging transaction that is not fully or partially offset by an
increase in the value of portfolio securities. As a result, the Fund's total
return for such period may be less than if it had not engaged in the hedging
transaction. Furthermore, the Fund will only engage in hedging transactions
from time to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging transactions
when movements in interest rates occur.
DESCRIPTION OF AMPS
Certain of the capitalized terms used herein are defined in the Glossary
that appears at the back of this Prospectus.
The AMPS of each series will be Preferred Shares that entitle their holders
to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Board of Trustees, out of
funds legally available therefor, at a rate per annum that may vary for the
successive Dividend Periods for each such series. After the Initial Dividend
Period, each Subsequent Dividend Period for each series of AMPS generally will
be a 7-Day Dividend Period; provided, however, that prior to any Auction, the
Fund may elect, subject to certain limitations described herein, upon giving
notice to holders thereof, a Special Dividend Period. The Applicable Rate for
a particular Dividend Period will be determined by an Auction conducted on the
Business Day before the start of such Dividend Period. Beneficial Owners and
Potential Beneficial Owners of shares of AMPS may participate in Auctions
therefor, although, except in the case of a Special Dividend Period,
Beneficial Owners desiring to continue to hold all of their AMPS regardless of
the Applicable Rate resulting from Auctions need not participate. For an
explanation of Auctions and the method of determining the Applicable Rate, see
"Description of AMPS--The Auction."
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<PAGE>
Except as otherwise required by law or unless there is no Securities
Depository, all outstanding AMPS of each series will be represented by one or
more certificates registered in the name of the nominee of the Securities
Depository (initially expected to be Cede), and no person acquiring AMPS will
be entitled to receive a certificate representing such shares. See Appendix D
(Auction Procedures). As a result, the nominee of the Securities Depository is
expected to be the sole holder of record of the AMPS. Accordingly, each
purchaser of AMPS must rely on (i) the procedures of the Securities Depository
and, if such purchaser is not a member of the Securities Depository, such
purchaser's Agent Member, to receive dividends, distributions and notices and
to exercise voting rights (if and when applicable) and (ii) the records of the
Securities Depository and, if such purchaser is not a member of the Securities
Depository, such purchaser's Agent Member, to evidence its beneficial
ownership of AMPS.
When issued and sold, the AMPS will have a liquidation preference of $25,000
per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or
not earned or declared) and will be fully paid and non-assessable. See
"Description of AMPS--Liquidation Rights." The AMPS will not be convertible
into shares of beneficial interest or other capital shares of the Fund, and
the holders thereof will have no preemptive rights. The AMPS of each series
will not be subject to any sinking fund but will be subject to redemption at
the option of the Fund at the Optional Redemption Price on any Dividend
Payment Date for such series (except during the Initial Dividend Period and
during a Non-Call Period) and, under certain circumstances, will be subject to
mandatory redemption by the Fund at the Mandatory Redemption Price stated
herein. See "Description of AMPS--Redemption."
In addition to serving as the Auction Agent in connection with the Auction
Procedures described below, IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company will be the
transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for
the AMPS. The Auction Agent, however, will serve merely as the agent of the
Fund, acting in accordance with the Fund's instructions, and will not be
responsible for any evaluation or verification of any matters certified to it.
Except in an Auction, the Fund will have the right (to the extent permitted
by applicable law) to purchase or otherwise acquire any AMPS so long as the
Fund is current in the payment of dividends on AMPS and on any other capital
shares of the Fund ranking on a parity with the AMPS with respect to the
payment of dividends or upon liquidation.
The following is a brief description of the terms of the AMPS. This
description does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in
its entirety by reference to the Fund's Declaration of Trust and Certificate
of Designation, including the provisions thereof establishing the AMPS. The
Fund's Declaration of Trust and the form of Certificate of Designation
establishing the terms of the AMPS have been filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
THE AUCTION
General. Holders of the AMPS of each series will be entitled to receive
cumulative cash dividends on their shares when, as and if declared by the
Board of Trustees of the Fund, out of funds legally available therefor, on the
Initial Dividend Payment Date with respect to the Initial Dividend Period and,
thereafter, on each Dividend Payment Date with respect to a Subsequent
Dividend Period (generally a period of seven days subject to certain
exceptions set forth under "Description of AMPS--Dividends--General") at the
rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate for each such Dividend Period.
The provisions of the Certificate of Designation establishing the terms of
the AMPS offered hereby will provide that the Applicable Rate for each series
of AMPS for each Dividend Period after the Initial Dividend Period therefor
will be equal to the rate per annum that the Auction Agent advises has
resulted on the Business Day preceding the first day of such Dividend Period
due to implementation of the auction procedures set forth in the Certificate
of Designation (the "Auction Procedures") in which persons determine to hold
or offer to purchase or sell shares of AMPS of such series. The Auction
Procedures are attached as Appendix D to this
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<PAGE>
Prospectus. Each periodic operation of such procedures with respect to the
AMPS is referred to hereinafter as an "Auction." If, however, the Fund should
fail to pay or duly provide for the full amount of any dividend on AMPS of any
series or the redemption price of AMPS of such series called for redemption,
the Applicable Rate for AMPS will be determined as set forth under
"Description of AMPS--Dividends--Determination of Dividend Rate."
Auction Agent Agreement. The Fund will enter into an agreement (the "Auction
Agent Agreement") with IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company (together with any
successor bank or trust company or other entity entering into a similar
agreement with this Fund, the "Auction Agent"), which provides, among other
things, that the Auction Agent will follow the Auction Procedures for the
purpose of determining the Applicable Rate for the AMPS. The Fund will pay the
Auction Agent compensation for its services under the Auction Agent Agreement.
The Auction Agent will act as agent for the Fund in connection with
Auctions. In the absence of bad faith or negligence on its part, the Auction
Agent will not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted, or for any
error of judgment made, by it in the performance of its duties under the
Auction Agent Agreement, and will not be liable for any error of judgment made
in good faith unless the Auction Agent shall have been negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts. Pursuant to the Auction Agent Agreement, the
Fund is required to indemnify the Auction Agent for certain losses and
liabilities incurred by the Auction Agent without negligence or bad faith on
its part in connection with the performance of its duties under such
agreement.
The Auction Agent may terminate the Auction Agent Agreement upon notice to
the Fund, which termination may be no earlier than 60 days following delivery
of such notice. If the Auction Agent resigns, the Fund will use its best
efforts to enter into an agreement with a successor Auction Agent containing
substantially the same terms and conditions as the Auction Agent Agreement.
The Fund may terminate the Auction Agent Agreement, provided that prior to
such termination the Fund shall have entered into such an agreement with
respect thereto with a successor Auction Agent.
Broker-Dealer Agreements. The Auctions require the participation of one or
more broker-dealers. The Auction Agent will enter into agreements with Merrill
Lynch, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Lehman Special Securities Incorporated and Smith
Barney Inc. and may enter into similar agreements (collectively, the "Broker-
Dealer Agreements") with one or more other broker-dealers (collectively, the
"Broker-Dealers") selected by the Fund, which provide for the participation of
such Broker-Dealers in Auctions. Merrill Lynch is an affiliate of the
Investment Adviser in that they share a common parent, ML & Co. A Broker-
Dealer Agreement may be terminated by the Auction Agent or a Broker-Dealer on
five days' notice to the other party, provided that the Broker-Dealer
Agreement with Merrill Lynch may not be terminated without the prior written
consent of the Fund, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld.
Securities Depository. The Depository Trust Company initially will act as
the Securities Depository for the Agent Members with respect to the AMPS of
each series. One or more registered certificates for all of each series of
AMPS initially will be registered in the name of Cede, as nominee of the
Securities Depository. The certificate will bear a legend to the effect that
such certificate is issued subject to the provisions restricting transfers of
AMPS of the series to which it relates contained in the Certificate of
Designation. Cede initially will be the holder of record of all AMPS, and
Beneficial Owners will not be entitled to receive certificates representing
their ownership interest in such shares. See Appendix D (Auction Procedures).
The Securities Depository will maintain lists of its participants and will
maintain the positions (ownership interests) of AMPS held by each Agent
Member, whether as the Beneficial Owner thereof for its own account or as
nominee for the Beneficial Owner thereof. Payments made by the Fund to holders
of AMPS will be duly made by making payments to the nominee of the Securities
Depository.
Auction Procedures. The following is a brief summary of the procedures to be
used in conducting Auctions. Separate auctions will be conducted for each
series of AMPS. Accordingly, as used in the following brief summary, unless
the context otherwise requires, "AMPS" means the series of AMPS subject to the
related Auction and "Beneficial Owners," "Potential Beneficial Owners,"
"Existing Holders" and "Potential
34
<PAGE>
Holders" mean Beneficial Owners, Potential Beneficial Owners, Existing Holders
and Potential Holders of such series, respectively. This summary is qualified
by reference to the Auction procedures set forth in Appendix D hereto. The
Settlement Procedures to be used with respect to Auctions are set forth in
Appendix C hereto.
Auction Date; Advance Notice of Allocation of Taxable Income; Inclusion of
Taxable Income in Dividends. An Auction to determine the Applicable Rate for
each series of AMPS offered hereby for each Dividend Period for such series
(other than the Initial Dividend Period therefor) will be held on the first
Business Day (as hereinafter defined) preceding the first day of such Dividend
Period, which first day is also the Dividend Payment Date for the preceding
Dividend Period (the date of each Auction being referred to herein as an
"Auction Date"). "Business Day" means a day on which the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading and which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day
on which banks in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law to
close. Auctions for shares of Series A AMPS for Dividend Periods after the
Initial Dividend Period normally will be held every Tuesday after the
preceding Dividend Payment Date, and each subsequent Dividend Period normally
will begin on the following Wednesday (also a Dividend Payment Date). Auctions
for shares of Series B AMPS for Dividend Periods after the Initial Dividend
Period normally will be held every Friday after the preceding Dividend Payment
Date, and each subsequent Dividend Period normally will begin on the following
Monday (also a Dividend Payment Date). The Auction Date and the first day of
the related Dividend Period (both of which must be Business Days) need not be
consecutive calendar days. For example, in most cases, if the Tuesday that
normally would be an Auction Date for Series A AMPS is not a Business Day,
then such Auction Date will be the preceding Monday and the first day of the
related Dividend Period will continue to be the following Wednesday. See
"Description of AMPS--Dividends" for information concerning the circumstances
under which a Dividend Payment Date may fall on a date other than the days
specified above, which may affect the Auction Date.
Except as noted below, whenever the Fund intends to include any net capital
gains or other income subject to regular Federal income taxes in any dividend
on AMPS, the Fund will notify the Auction Agent of the amount to be so
included at least five Business Days prior to the Auction Date on which the
Applicable Rate for such dividend is to be established. Whenever the Auction
Agent receives such notice from the Fund, in turn it will notify each Broker-
Dealer, who, on or prior to such Auction Date, in accordance with its Broker-
Dealer Agreement, will notify its customers who are Beneficial Owners and
Potential Beneficial Owners believed to be interested in submitting an Order
in the Auction to be held on such Auction Date. The Fund also may include such
income in a dividend on AMPS without giving advance notice thereof if it
increases the dividend by an additional amount calculated as if such income
were a Retroactive Taxable Allocation and the additional amount were an
Additional Dividend; provided that the Fund will notify the Auction Agent of
the additional amounts to be included in such dividend at least five Business
Days prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date. See "Description of AMPS--
Dividends--Additional Dividends."
Orders by Beneficial Owners, Potential Beneficial Owners, Existing Holders
and Potential Holders. On or prior to each Auction Date:
(a) each Beneficial Owner may submit to its Broker-Dealer by telephone a:
(i) Hold Order--indicating the number of outstanding AMPS, if any,
that such Beneficial Owner desires to continue to hold without regard
to the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for such shares;
(ii) Bid--indicating the number of outstanding AMPS, if any, that
such Beneficial Owner desires to continue to hold, provided that the
Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for such shares is not
less than the rate per annum then specified by such Beneficial Owner;
and/or
(iii) Sell Order--indicating the number of outstanding AMPS, if any,
that such Beneficial Owner offers to sell without regard to the
Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for such shares; and
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<PAGE>
(b) Broker-Dealers will contact customers who are Potential Beneficial
Owners of AMPS to determine whether such Potential Beneficial Owners desire
to submit Bids indicating the number of AMPS which they offer to purchase
provided that the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for such
shares is not less than the rates per annum specified in such Bids.
The communication by a Beneficial Owner or Potential Beneficial Owner to a
Broker-Dealer and the communication by a Broker-Dealer, whether or not acting
for its own account, to the Auction Agent of the foregoing information is
hereinafter referred to as an "Order" and collectively as "Orders." A
Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner placing an Order, including a
Broker-Dealer acting in such capacity for its own account, is hereinafter
referred to as a "Bidder" and collectively as "Bidders." Any Order submitted
by a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner to its Broker-Dealer, or
by a Broker-Dealer to the Auction Agent, prior to the Submission Deadline on
any Auction Date shall be irrevocable.
In an Auction, a Beneficial Owner may submit different types of Orders with
respect to AMPS then held by such Beneficial Owner, as well as Bids for
additional AMPS. For information concerning the priority given to different
types of Orders placed by Beneficial Owners, see "Submission of Orders by
Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent" below.
The Maximum Applicable Rate for AMPS will be the Applicable Percentage of
the Reference Rate. The Auction Agent will round each applicable Maximum
Applicable Rate to the nearest one-thousandth (0.001) of one percent per
annum, with any such number ending in five ten-thousandths of one percent
being rounded upwards to the nearest one-thousandth (0.001) of one percent.
The Auction Agent will not round the applicable Reference Rate as part of its
calculation of the Maximum Applicable Rate.
The Maximum Applicable Rate for AMPS will depend on the credit rating or
ratings assigned to such shares. The Applicable Percentage will be determined
based on (i) the lower of the credit rating or ratings assigned on such date
to such shares by Moody's and S&P (or if Moody's or S&P or both shall not make
such rating available, the equivalent of either or both of such ratings by a
Substitute Rating Agency or two Substitute Rating Agencies or, in the event
that only one such rating shall be available, such rating) and (ii) whether
the Fund has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction
establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend that net capital gains or
other taxable income will be included in such dividend on AMPS as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APPLICABLE APPLICABLE
CREDIT RATINGS PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF
----------------------------------- REFERENCE RATE-- REFERENCE RATE--
MOODY'S S&P NO NOTIFICATION NOTIFICATION
---------------- ------------- ---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
"aa3" or higher AA- or higher 110% 150%
"a3" to "a1" A- to A+ 125% 160%
"baa3" to "baa1" BBB- to BBB+ 150% 250%
Below "baa3" Below BBB- 200% 275%
</TABLE>
There is no minimum Applicable Rate in respect of any Dividend Period.
The Fund will take all reasonable action necessary to enable S&P and Moody's
to provide a rating for the AMPS. If either S&P or Moody's shall not make such
a rating available, or neither S&P nor Moody's shall make such a rating
available, the Underwriter or its affiliates and successors, after
consultation with the Fund, will select another nationally recognized
statistical rating organization (a "Substitute Rating Agency") or two other
nationally recognized statistical rating organizations ("Substitute Rating
Agencies") to act as a Substitute Rating Agency or Substitute Rating Agencies,
as the case may be.
Any Bid by a Beneficial Owner specifying a rate per annum higher than the
Maximum Applicable Rate will be treated as a Sell Order, and any Bid by a
Potential Beneficial Owner specifying a rate per annum higher than the Maximum
Applicable Rate will not be considered. See "Determination of Sufficient
Clearing Bids, Winning Bid Rate and Applicable Rate" and "Acceptance and
Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders and Allocation of
Shares."
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<PAGE>
Neither the Fund nor the Auction Agent will be responsible for a Broker-
Dealer's failure to comply with the foregoing.
A Broker-Dealer also may hold AMPS in its own account as a Beneficial Owner.
A Broker-Dealer thus may submit Orders to the Auction Agent as a Beneficial
Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner and therefore participate in an Auction
as an Existing Holder or Potential Holder on behalf of both itself and its
customers. Any Order placed with the Auction Agent by a Broker-Dealer as or on
behalf of a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner will be treated
in the same manner as an Order placed with a Broker-Dealer by a Beneficial
Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner. Similarly, any failure by a Broker-
Dealer to submit to the Auction Agent an Order in respect of any AMPS held by
it or its customers who are Beneficial Owners will be treated in the same
manner as a Beneficial Owner's failure to submit to its Broker-Dealer an Order
in respect of AMPS held by it, as described in the next paragraph. Inasmuch as
a Broker-Dealer participates in an Auction as an Existing Holder or a
Potential Holder only to represent the interests of a Beneficial Owner or
Potential Beneficial Owner, whether it be its customers or itself, all
discussion herein relating to the consequences of an Auction for Existing
Holders and Potential Holders also applies to the underlying beneficial
ownership interests represented thereby. For information concerning the
priority given to different types of Orders placed by Existing Holders, see
"Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent." Each purchase or
sale in an Auction will be settled on the Business Day next succeeding the
Auction Date at a price per share equal to $25,000. See "Notification of
Results; Settlement."
If one or more Orders covering in the aggregate all of the outstanding AMPS
held by a Beneficial Owner are not submitted to the Auction Agent prior to the
Submission Deadline, either because a Broker-Dealer failed to contact such
Beneficial Owner or otherwise, the Auction Agent shall deem a Hold Order (in
the case of an Auction relating to a Dividend Period which is not Special
Dividend Period) and a Sell Order (in the case of an Auction relating to a
Special Dividend Period) to have been submitted on behalf of such Beneficial
Owner covering the number of outstanding AMPS held by such Beneficial Owner
and not subject to Orders submitted to the Auction Agent.
If all of the outstanding AMPS are subject to Submitted Hold Orders, the
Dividend Period next succeeding the Auction automatically shall be the same
length as the immediately preceding Dividend Period, and the Applicable Rate
for the next Dividend Period for all AMPS will be 40% of the Reference Rate on
the date of the applicable Auction (or 60% of such rate if the Fund has
provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing
the Applicable Rate for any dividend that net capital gains or other taxable
income will be included in such dividend on AMPS).
For the purposes of an Auction, AMPS for which the Fund shall have given
notice of redemption and deposited moneys therefor with the Auction Agent in
trust or segregated in an account at the Fund's custodian bank for the benefit
of the Auction Agent, as set forth under "Description of AMPS--Redemption,"
will not be considered as outstanding and will not be included in such
Auction. Pursuant to the Certificate of Designation of the Fund, the Fund will
be prohibited from reissuing and its affiliates (other than the Underwriter)
will be prohibited from transferring (other than to the Fund) any AMPS they
may acquire. Neither the Fund nor any affiliate of the Fund (other than the
Underwriter) may submit an Order in any Auction, except that an affiliate of
the Fund that is a Broker-Dealer may submit an Order.
Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent. Prior to 1:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on each Auction Date, or such other time on the Auction
Date as may be specified by the Auction Agent (the "Submission Deadline"),
each Broker-Dealer will submit to the Auction Agent in writing all Orders
obtained by it for the Auction to be conducted on such Auction Date,
designating itself (unless otherwise permitted by the Fund) as the Existing
Holder or Potential Holder in respect of the AMPS subject to such Orders. Any
Order submitted by a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner to its
Broker-Dealer, or by a Broker-Dealer to the Auction Agent, prior to the
Submission Deadline on any Auction Date, shall be irrevocable.
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<PAGE>
If the rate per annum specified in any Bid contains more than three figures
to the right of the decimal point, the Auction Agent will round such rate per
annum up to the next highest one-thousandth (.001) of 1%.
If one or more Orders of an Existing Holder are submitted to the Auction
Agent and such Orders cover in the aggregate more than the number of
outstanding AMPS held by such Existing Holder, such Orders will be considered
valid in the following order of priority:
(i) any Hold Order will be considered valid up to and including the
number of outstanding AMPS held by such Existing Holder, provided that if
more than one Hold Order is submitted by such Existing Holder and the
number of AMPS subject to such Hold Orders exceeds the number of
outstanding AMPS held by such Existing Holder, the number of AMPS subject
to each of such Hold Orders will be reduced pro rata so that such Hold
Orders, in the aggregate, will cover exactly the number of outstanding AMPS
held by such Existing Holder;
(ii) any Bids will be considered valid, in the ascending order of their
respective rates per annum if more than one Bid is submitted by such
Existing Holder, up to and including the excess of the number of
outstanding AMPS held by such Existing Holder over the number of
outstanding AMPS subject to any Hold Order referred to in clause (i) above
(and if more than one Bid submitted by such Existing Holder specifies the
same rate per annum and together they cover more than the remaining number
of shares that can be the subject of valid Bids after application of clause
(i) above and of the foregoing portion of this clause (ii) to any Bid or
Bids specifying a lower rate or rates per annum, the number of shares
subject to each of such Bids will be reduced pro rata so that such Bids, in
the aggregate, cover exactly such remaining number of outstanding shares);
and the number of outstanding shares, if any, subject to Bids not valid
under this clause (ii) shall be treated as the subject of a Bid by a
Potential Holder; and
(iii) any Sell Order will be considered valid up to and including the
excess of the number of outstanding AMPS held by such Existing Holder over
the sum of the number of AMPS subject to Hold Orders referred to in clause
(i) above and the number of AMPS subject to valid Bids by such Existing
Holder referred to in clause (ii) above; provided that, if more than one
Sell Order is submitted by any Existing Holder and the number of AMPS
subject to such Sell Orders is greater than such excess, the number of AMPS
subject to each of such Sell Orders will be reduced pro rata so that such
Sell Orders, in the aggregate, will cover exactly the number of AMPS equal
to such excess.
If more than one Bid of any Potential Holder is submitted in any Auction,
each Bid submitted in such Auction will be considered a separate Bid with the
rate per annum and number of shares of AMPS therein specified.
Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bid Rate and Applicable
Rate. Not earlier than the Submission Deadline for each Auction, the Auction
Agent will assemble all Orders submitted or deemed submitted to it by the
Broker-Dealers (each such "Hold Order," "Bid" or "Sell Order" as submitted or
deemed submitted by a Broker-Dealer hereinafter being referred to as a
"Submitted Hold Order," a "Submitted Bid" or a "Submitted Sell Order," as the
case may be, or as a "Submitted Order") and will determine the excess of the
number of outstanding AMPS over the number of outstanding AMPS subject to
Submitted Hold Orders (such excess being referred to as the "Available AMPS")
and whether Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made in such Auction.
Sufficient Clearing Bids will have been made if the number of outstanding AMPS
that are the subject of Submitted Bids of Potential Holders with rates per
annum not higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate equals or exceeds the number
of outstanding shares that are the subject of Submitted Sell Orders (including
the number of shares subject to Bids of Existing Holders specifying rates per
annum higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate).
If Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made, the Auction Agent will determine
the lowest rate per annum specified in the Submitted Bids (the "Winning Bid
Rate") which would result in the number of shares subject to Submitted Bids
specifying such rate per annum or a lower rate per annum being at least equal
to the Available
38
<PAGE>
AMPS. If Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made, the Winning Bid Rate will be
the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for all AMPS then
outstanding.
If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made (other than because all
outstanding AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders), the Dividend
Period next following the Auction automatically will be a 7-Day Dividend
Period, and the Applicable Rate for such Dividend Period will be equal to the
Maximum Applicable Rate. If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made,
Beneficial Owners that have Submitted Sell Orders will not be able to sell in
the Auction all, and may not be able to sell any, AMPS subject to such
Submitted Sell Orders. See "Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and
Submitted Sell Orders and Allocation of Shares." Thus, under some
circumstances, Beneficial Owners may not have liquidity of investment.
Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders and
Allocation of Shares. Based on the determinations described under
"Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bid Rate and Applicable
Rate" and subject to the discretion of the Auction Agent to round as described
below, Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders will be accepted or rejected
in the order of priority set forth in the Auction Procedures with the result
that Existing Holders and Potential Holders of AMPS will sell, continue to
hold and/or purchase AMPS as set forth below. Existing Holders that submit or
are deemed to have submitted Hold Orders will continue to hold the AMPS
subject to such Hold Orders.
If Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made:
(a) each Existing Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate
per annum higher than the Winning Bid Rate or a Submitted Sell Order will
sell the outstanding AMPS subject to such Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell
Order;
(b) each Existing Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate
per annum lower than the Winning Bid Rate will continue to hold the
outstanding AMPS subject to such Submitted Bid;
(c) each Potential Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate
per annum lower than the Winning Bid Rate will purchase the number of
shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bid;
(d) each Existing Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate
per annum equal to the Winning Bid Rate will continue to hold the
outstanding AMPS subject to such Submitted Bids, unless the number of
outstanding AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids of Existing Holders is
greater than the excess of the Available AMPS over the number of AMPS
accounted for in clauses (b) and (c) above, in which event each Existing
Holder with such a Submitted Bid will sell a number of outstanding AMPS
determined on a pro rata basis based on the number of outstanding AMPS
subject to all such Submitted Bids of such Existing Holders; and
(e) each Potential Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate
per annum equal to the Winning Bid Rate will purchase any Available AMPS
not accounted for in clause (b), (c) or (d) above on a pro rata basis based
on the AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids of Potential Holders.
If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made (other than because all
outstanding AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders):
(a) each Existing Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate
per annum equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate will continue
to hold the outstanding AMPS subject to such Submitted Bid;
(b) each Potential Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate
per annum equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate will purchase
the number of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bid; and
(c) each Existing Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate
per annum higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate or a Submitted Sell Order
will sell a number of outstanding AMPS determined on a pro rata basis based
on the outstanding AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids and Submitted
Sell Orders.
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If as a result of the Auction Procedures described above any Existing Holder
would be entitled or required to sell, or any Potential Holder would be
entitled or required to purchase, a fraction of a share of AMPS, the Auction
Agent, in such manner as, in its sole discretion, it shall determine, will
round up or down the number of AMPS being sold or purchased on such Auction
Date so that each share sold or purchased by each Existing Holder or Potential
Holder will be a whole share of AMPS. If any Potential Holder would be
entitled or required to purchase less than a whole share of AMPS, the Auction
Agent, in such manner as, in its sole discretion, it shall determine, will
allocate AMPS for purchase among Potential Holders so that only whole AMPS are
purchased by any such Potential Holder, even if such allocation results in one
or more of such Potential Holders not purchasing any AMPS.
Notification of Results; Settlement. The Auction Agent will advise each
Broker-Dealer who submitted a Bid or Sell Order in an Auction whether such Bid
or Sell Order was accepted or rejected in whole or in part and of the
Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for the related AMPS by telephone
at approximately 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Auction Date for such
Auction. Each such Broker-Dealer that submitted an Order for the account of a
customer then will advise such customer whether such Bid or Sell Order was
accepted or rejected, will confirm purchases and sales with each customer
purchasing or selling AMPS as a result of the Auction and will advise each
customer purchasing or selling AMPS to give instructions to its Agent Member
of the Securities Depository to pay the purchase price against delivery of
such shares or to deliver such shares against payment therefor as appropriate.
If a customer selling AMPS as a result of an Auction shall fail to instruct
its Agent Member to deliver such shares, the Broker-Dealer that submitted such
customer's Bid or Sell Order will instruct such Agent Member to deliver such
shares against payment therefor. Each Broker-Dealer that submitted a Hold
Order in an Auction on behalf of a customer also will advise such customer of
the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for the AMPS. The Auction
Agent will record each transfer of AMPS on the record book of Existing Holders
to be maintained by the Auction Agent.
In accordance with the Securities Depository's normal procedures, on the day
after each Auction Date, the transactions described above will be executed
through the Securities Depository, and the accounts of the respective Agent
Members at the Securities Depository will be debited and credited as necessary
to effect the purchases and sales of AMPS as determined in such Auction.
Purchasers will make payment through their Agent Members in same-day funds to
the Securities Depository against delivery through their Agent Members; the
Securities Depository will make payment in accordance with its normal
procedures, which now provide for payment in same-day funds. If the procedures
of the Securities Depository applicable to AMPS shall be changed to provide
for payment in next-day funds, then purchasers may be required to make payment
in next-day funds. If the certificates for AMPS are not held by the Securities
Depository or its nominee, payment will be made in same-day funds to the
Auction Agent against delivery of such certificates.
If any Existing Holder selling AMPS in an Auction fails to deliver such
shares, the Broker-Dealer of any person that was to have purchased AMPS in
such Auction may deliver to such person a number of whole AMPS that is less
than the number of shares that otherwise was to be purchased by such person.
In such event, the number of AMPS to be so delivered will be determined by
such Broker-Dealer. Delivery of such lesser number of shares will constitute
good delivery. Each Broker-Dealer Agreement also will provide that neither the
Fund nor the Auction Agent will have responsibility or liability with respect
to the failure of a Potential Beneficial Owner, Beneficial Owner or their
respective Agent Members to deliver AMPS or to pay for AMPS purchased or sold
pursuant to an Auction or otherwise.
BROKER-DEALERS
The Auction Agent after each Auction will pay a service charge from funds
provided by the Fund to each Broker-Dealer on the basis of the purchase price
of AMPS placed by such Broker-Dealer at such Auction. The service charge (i)
for any 7-Day Dividend Period shall be payable at the annual rate of 0.25% of
the purchase price of the AMPS placed by such Broker-Dealer in any such
Auction and (ii) for any Special Dividend Period shall be determined by mutual
consent of the Fund and any such Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers and shall be
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based upon a selling concession that would be applicable to an underwriting of
fixed or variable rate preferred shares with a similar final maturity or
variable rate dividend period, respectively, at the commencement of the
Dividend Period with respect to such Auction. For the purposes of the
preceding sentence, AMPS will be placed by a Broker-Dealer if such shares were
(i) the subject of Hold Orders deemed to have been made by Beneficial Owners
that were acquired by such Beneficial Owners through such Broker-Dealer or
(ii) the subject of the following Orders submitted by such Broker-Dealer: (A)
a Submitted Bid of a Beneficial Owner that resulted in such Beneficial Owner
continuing to hold such shares as a result of the Auction, (B) a Submitted Bid
of a Potential Beneficial Owner that resulted in such Potential Beneficial
Owner purchasing such shares as a result of the Auction or (C) a Submitted
Hold Order.
The Broker-Dealer Agreements provide that a Broker-Dealer may submit Orders
in Auctions for its own account, unless the Fund notifies all Broker-Dealers
that they no longer may do so; provided that Broker-Dealers may continue to
submit Hold Orders and Sell Orders. If a Broker-Dealer submits an Order for
its own account in any Auction of any series of AMPS, it may have knowledge of
Orders placed through it in that Auction and therefore have an advantage over
other Bidders, but such Broker-Dealer would not have knowledge of Orders
submitted by other Broker-Dealers in that Auction.
The Broker-Dealers intend to maintain a secondary trading market in the AMPS
outside of Auctions; however, they have no obligation to do so and there can
be no assurance that a secondary market for the AMPS will develop or, if it
does develop, that it will provide holders with a liquid trading market (i.e.,
trading will depend on the presence of willing buyers and sellers and the
trading price is subject to variables to be determined at the time of the
trade by the Broker-Dealers). The AMPS will not be registered on any stock
exchange or on any automated quotation system. An increase in the level of
interest rates, particularly during any Long-Term Dividend Period, likely will
have an adverse effect on the secondary market price of the AMPS, and a
selling shareholder may sell AMPS between Auctions at a price per share of
less than $25,000.
DIVIDENDS
General. The holders of each series of AMPS will be entitled to receive,
when, as and if declared by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, out of funds
legally available therefor, cumulative cash dividends on their shares, at the
Applicable Rate determined as set forth below under "Determination of Dividend
Rate," payable on the respective dates set forth below. Dividends on the AMPS
so declared and payable shall be paid (i) in preference to and in priority
over any dividends so declared and payable on the Common Shares, and (ii) to
the extent permitted under the Code and to the extent available, out of net
tax-exempt income earned on the Fund's investments. Generally, dividends on
AMPS, to the extent that they are derived from interest paid on Municipal
Bonds, will be exempt from Federal income taxes, subject to possible
application of the alternative minimum tax. See "Taxes."
Dividends on the AMPS will accumulate from the date on which the Fund
originally issues the AMPS (the "Date of Original Issue") and will be payable
on each series of AMPS on the dates described below. Dividends on shares of
each series of AMPS with respect to the Initial Dividend Period shall be
payable on the Initial Dividend Payment Date with respect to each series of
AMPS. Following the Initial Dividend Payment Date for each series of AMPS,
dividends on each series of AMPS will be payable, at the option of the Fund,
either (i) with respect to any 7-Day Dividend Period and any Short Term
Dividend Period of 35 or fewer days, on the day next succeeding the last day
thereof or (ii) with respect to any Short Term Dividend Period of more than 35
days and with respect to any Long Term Dividend Period, monthly on the first
Business Day of each calendar month during such Short Term Dividend Period or
Long Term Dividend Period and on the day next succeeding the last day thereof
(each such date referred to in clause (i) or (ii) being referred to herein as
a "Normal Dividend Payment Date"), except that if such Normal Dividend Payment
Date is not a Business Day, (i) the Dividend Payment Date shall be the first
Business Day next succeeding such Normal Dividend Payment Date if such Normal
Dividend Payment Date is a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, or (ii) the
Dividend Payment Date shall be the first Business Day next preceding such
Normal Dividend Payment Date if such Normal Dividend Payment Date is a Friday.
Thus, following the Initial Dividend Payment Date for each series of AMPS,
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dividends generally will be payable (in the case of Dividend Periods which are
not Special Dividend Periods) on each succeeding Wednesday in the case of
Series A AMPS and on each succeeding Monday in the case of Series B AMPS.
Although any particular Dividend Payment Date may not occur on the originally
scheduled date because of the exceptions discussed above, the next succeeding
Dividend Payment Date, subject to such exceptions, will occur on the next
following originally scheduled date. If for any reason a Dividend Payment Date
cannot be fixed as described above, then the Board of Trustees shall fix the
Dividend Payment Date. The Board of Trustees by resolution may change a
Dividend Payment Date if such change does not adversely affect the contract
rights of the holders of AMPS set forth in the Declaration of Trust. The
Initial Dividend Period, 7-Day Dividend Periods and Special Dividend Periods
are hereinafter sometimes referred to as "Dividend Periods." Each dividend
payment date determined as provided above is hereinafter referred to as a
"Dividend Payment Date."
Prior to each Dividend Payment Date, the Fund is required to deposit with
the Auction Agent sufficient funds for the payment of declared dividends. The
Fund does not intend to establish any reserves for the payment of dividends.
Each dividend will be paid to the record holder of the AMPS, which holder is
expected to be the nominee of the Securities Depository. See "Description of
AMPS--The Auction--Securities Depository." The Securities Depository will
credit the accounts of the Agent Members of the Existing Holders in accordance
with the Securities Depository's normal procedures which provide for payment
in same-day funds. The Agent Member of an Existing Holder will be responsible
for holding or disbursing such payments on the applicable Dividend Payment
Date to such Existing Holder in accordance with the instructions of such
Existing Holder. Dividends in arrears for any past Dividend Period may be
declared and paid at any time, without reference to any regular Dividend
Payment Date, to the nominee of the Securities Depository. Any dividend
payment made on AMPS first shall be credited against the earliest declared but
unpaid dividends accumulated with respect to such series.
Holders of AMPS will not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in
cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends except as
described under "Additional Dividends" and "Non-Payment Period; Late Charge"
below. No interest will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or
payments on the AMPS which may be in arrears.
The amount of cash dividends per share of any series of AMPS payable (if
declared) on the Initial Dividend Payment Date, each 7-Day Dividend Period and
each Dividend Payment Date of each Short Term Dividend Period shall be
computed by multiplying the Applicable Rate for such Dividend Period by a
fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of days in such Dividend
Period or part thereof that such share was outstanding and for which dividends
are payable on such Dividend Payment Date and the denominator of which will be
365, multiplying the amount so obtained by $25,000, and rounding the amount so
obtained to the nearest cent. During any Long Term Dividend Period, the amount
of cash dividends per share of AMPS payable (if declared) on any Dividend
Payment Date shall be computed by multiplying the Applicable Rate for such
Dividend Period by a fraction, the numerator of which will be such number of
days in such part of such Dividend Period that such share was outstanding and
for which dividends are payable on such Dividend Payment Date and the
denominator of which will be 360, multiplying the amount so obtained by
$25,000, and rounding the amount so obtained to the nearest cent.
Notification of Dividend Period. With respect to each Dividend Period that
is a Special Dividend Period, the Fund, at its sole option and to the extent
permitted by law, by telephonic and written notice (a "Request for Special
Dividend Period") to the Auction Agent and to each Broker-Dealer, may request
that the next succeeding Dividend Period for a series of AMPS will be a number
of days (other than seven), evenly divisible by seven, and not fewer than
seven nor more than 364 in the case of a Short Term Dividend Period or one
whole year or more but not greater than five years in the case of a Long Term
Dividend Period, specified in such notice, provided that the Fund may not give
a Request for Special Dividend Period (and any such request shall be null and
void) unless, for any Auction occurring after the initial Auction, Sufficient
Clearing Bids were made in the
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last occurring Auction and unless full cumulative dividends, any amounts due
with respect to redemptions, and any Additional Dividends payable prior to
such date have been paid in full. Such Request for Special Dividend Period, in
the case of a Short Term Dividend Period, shall be given on or prior to the
second Business Day but not more than seven Business Days prior to an Auction
Date for the AMPS and, in the case of a Long Term Dividend Period, shall be
given on or prior to the second Business Day but not more than 28 days prior
to an Auction Date for the AMPS. Upon receiving such Request for Special
Dividend Period, the Broker-Dealers jointly shall determine whether, given the
factors set forth below, it is advisable that the Fund issue a Notice of
Special Dividend Period for a series of AMPS as contemplated by such Request
for Special Dividend Period and the Optional Redemption Price of the AMPS
during such Special Dividend Period and the Specific Redemption Provisions and
shall give the Fund and the Auction Agent written notice (a "Response") of
such determination by no later than the second Business Day prior to such
Auction Date. In making such determination, the Broker-Dealers will consider
(i) existing short-term and long-term market rates and indices of such short-
term and long-term rates, (ii) existing market supply and demand for short-
term and long-term securities, (iii) existing yield curves for short-term and
long-term securities comparable to the AMPS, (iv) industry and financial
conditions which may affect the AMPS, (v) the investment objective of the Fund
and (vi) the Dividend Periods and dividend rates at which current and
potential beneficial holders of the AMPS would remain or become beneficial
holders. If the Broker-Dealers shall not give the Fund and the Auction Agent a
Response by such second Business Day or if the Response states that given the
factors set forth above it is not advisable that the Fund give a Notice of
Special Dividend Period for the AMPS, the Fund may not give a Notice of
Special Dividend Period in respect of such Request for Special Dividend
Period. In the event the Response indicates that it is advisable that the Fund
give a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the AMPS, the Fund, by no later
than the second Business Day prior to such Auction Date, may give a notice (a
"Notice of Special Dividend Period") to the Auction Agent, the Securities
Depository and each Broker-Dealer, which notice will specify (i) the duration
of the Special Dividend Period, (ii) the Optional Redemption Price as
specified in the related Response and (iii) the Specific Redemption
Provisions, if any, as specified in the related Response. The Fund also shall
provide a copy of such Notice of Special Dividend Period to Moody's and S&P.
The Fund shall not give a Notice of Special Dividend Period, and, if such
Notice of Special Dividend Period shall have been given already, shall give
telephonic and written notice of its revocation (a "Notice of Revocation") to
the Auction Agent, each Broker-Dealer, and the Securities Depository on or
prior to the Business Day prior to the relevant Auction Date if (x) either the
1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage is not satisfied or the Fund shall fail to
maintain S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an
aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance
Amount, in each case on each of the two Valuation Dates immediately preceding
the Business Day prior to the relevant Auction Date on an actual basis and on
a pro forma basis giving effect to the proposed Special Dividend Period (using
as a pro forma dividend rate with respect to such Special Dividend Period the
dividend rate which the Broker-Dealers shall advise the Fund is an
approximately equal rate for securities similar to the AMPS with an equal
dividend period), provided that, in calculating the aggregate Discounted Value
of Moody's Eligible Assets for this purpose, the Moody's Exposure Period shall
be deemed to be one week longer, (y) sufficient funds for the payment of
dividends payable on the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date have not
been irrevocably deposited with the Auction Agent by the close of business on
the third Business Day preceding the related Auction Date or (z) the Broker-
Dealers jointly advise the Fund that, after consideration of the factors
listed above, they have concluded that it is advisable to give a Notice of
Revocation. The Fund also shall provide a copy of such Notice of Revocation to
Moody's and S&P. If the Fund is prohibited from giving a Notice of Special
Dividend Period as a result of the factors enumerated in clause (x), (y) or
(z) above or if the Fund gives a Notice of Revocation with respect to a Notice
of Special Dividend Period, the next succeeding Dividend Period for that
series will be a 7-Day Dividend Period. In addition, in the event Sufficient
Clearing Bids are not made in any Auction or an Auction is not held for any
reason, the next succeeding Dividend Period will be a 7-Day Dividend Period,
and the Fund may not again give a Notice of Special Dividend Period (and any
such attempted notice shall be null and void) until Sufficient Clearing Bids
have been made in an Auction with respect to a 7-Day Dividend Period.
Determination of Dividend Rate. The dividend rate on each series of AMPS
during the period from and including the Date of Original Issue for each
series of AMPS to but excluding the Initial Dividend Payment Date
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for each series of AMPS (the "Initial Dividend Period") will be the rate per
annum set forth on the inside cover page hereof. Commencing on the Initial
Dividend Payment Date for each series of AMPS, the Applicable Rate on such
series of AMPS for each Subsequent Dividend Period, which Subsequent Dividend
Period shall be a period commencing on and including a Dividend Payment Date
and ending on and including the calendar day prior to the next Dividend
Payment Date (or last Dividend Payment Date in a Dividend Period if there is
more than one Dividend Payment Date), shall be equal to the rate per annum
that results from the Auction with respect to such Subsequent Dividend Period.
The Initial Dividend Period and Subsequent Dividend Period for each series of
AMPS is referred to herein as a "Dividend Period." Cash dividends shall be
calculated as set forth above under "Dividends--General."
Non-Payment Period; Late Charge. A Non-Payment Period will commence if the
Fund fails to (i) declare, prior to the close of business on the second
Business Day preceding any Dividend Payment Date, for payment on or (to the
extent permitted as described below) within three Business Days after such
Dividend Payment Date to the persons who held such shares as of 12:00 noon,
New York City time, on the Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date,
the full amount of any dividend on AMPS payable on such Dividend Payment Date
or (ii) deposit, irrevocably in trust, in same-day funds, with the Auction
Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, (A) on such Dividend Payment Date the
full amount of any cash dividend on such shares (if declared) payable on such
Dividend Payment Date or (B) on any redemption date for AMPS called for
redemption, the Mandatory Redemption Price per share of such AMPS or, in the
case of an optional redemption, the Optional Redemption Price per share. Such
Non-Payment Period will consist of the period commencing on and including the
aforementioned Dividend Payment Date or redemption date, as the case may be,
and ending on and including the Business Day on which, by 12:00 noon, New York
City time, all unpaid cash dividends and unpaid redemption prices shall have
been so deposited or otherwise shall have been made available to the
applicable holders in same-day funds, provided that a Non-Payment Period for
any series of AMPS will not end unless the Fund shall have given at least five
days' but no more than 30 days' written notice of such deposit or availability
to the Auction Agent, the Securities Depository and all holders of AMPS of
such series. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure by the Fund to deposit
funds as provided for by clauses (ii) (A) or (ii) (B) above within three
Business Days after any Dividend Payment Date or redemption date, as the case
may be, in each case to the extent contemplated below, shall not constitute a
"Non-Payment Period." The Applicable Rate for each Dividend Period for AMPS of
any series, commencing during a Non-Payment Period, will be equal to the Non-
Payment Period Rate; and each Dividend Period commencing after the first day
of, and during, a Non-Payment Period shall be a 7-Day Dividend Period. Any
dividend on AMPS due on any Dividend Payment Date for such shares (if, prior
to the close of business on the second Business Day preceding such Dividend
Payment Date, the Fund has declared such dividend payable on such Dividend
Payment Date to the persons who held such shares as of 12:00 noon, New York
City time, on the Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date) or
redemption price with respect to such shares not paid to such persons when due
may be paid to such persons in the same form of funds by 12:00 noon, New York
City time, on any of the first three Business Days after such Dividend Payment
Date or due date, as the case may be, provided that such amount is accompanied
by a late charge calculated for such period of non-payment at the Non-Payment
Period Rate applied to the amount of such non-payment based on the actual
number of days comprising such period divided by 365. In the case of a willful
failure of the Fund to pay a dividend on a Dividend Payment Date or to redeem
any AMPS on the date set for such redemption, the preceding sentence shall not
apply and the Applicable Rate for the Dividend Period commencing during the
Non-Payment Period resulting from such failure shall be the Non-Payment Period
Rate. For the purposes of the foregoing, payment to a person in same-day funds
on any Business Day at any time will be considered equivalent to payment to
that person in New York Clearing House (next-day) funds at the same time on
the preceding Business Day, and any payment made after 12:00 noon, New York
City time, on any Business Day shall be considered to have been made instead
in the same form of funds and to the same person before 12:00 noon, New York
City time, on the next Business Day. The Non-Payment Period Rate initially
will be 200% of the applicable Reference Rate (or 275% of such rate if the
Fund has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction
establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend that net capital gains or
other taxable income will be included in such dividend on AMPS), provided that
the Board of Trustees of the Fund shall have the authority to adjust, modify,
alter or change from time to time the initial Non-Payment Period
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Rate if the Board of Trustees of the Fund determines and Moody's and S&P (and
any Substitute Rating Agency in lieu of Moody's or S&P in the event either of
such parties shall not rate the AMPS) advise the Fund in writing that such
adjustment, modification, alteration or change will not adversely affect their
then-current ratings on the AMPS.
Restrictions on Dividends and Other Payments. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund
may not declare dividends or make other distributions on Common Shares or
purchase any such shares if, at the time of the declaration, distribution or
purchase, as applicable (and after giving effect thereto), asset coverage (as
defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to the outstanding AMPS would be less
than 200% (or such other percentage as in the future may be required by law).
The Fund estimates that, based on the composition of its portfolio at
September 26, 1997, asset coverage with respect to AMPS would be approximately
250% immediately after the issuance of the AMPS offered hereby. Under the
Code, the Fund, among other things, must distribute at least 90% of its
investment company taxable income and its tax-exempt interest income each year
in order to maintain its qualification for tax treatment as a regulated
investment company. The foregoing limitations on dividends, distributions and
share purchases under certain circumstances may impair the Fund's ability to
maintain such qualification. See "Taxes."
Upon any failure to pay dividends on AMPS for two years or more, the holders
of the AMPS will acquire certain additional voting rights. See "Voting Rights"
below. Such rights shall be the exclusive remedy of the holders of AMPS upon
any failure to pay dividends on the Fund.
For so long as any AMPS are outstanding, the Fund will not declare, pay or
set apart for payment any dividend or other distribution (other than a
dividend or distribution paid in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to
subscribe for or purchase, Common Shares or other shares of beneficial
interest, if any, ranking junior to AMPS as to dividends or upon liquidation)
in respect of Common Shares or any other shares of beneficial interest of the
Fund ranking junior to or on a parity with AMPS as to dividends or upon
liquidation, or call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration any Common Shares or any other such junior shares (except by
conversion into or exchange for shares of beneficial interest of the Fund
ranking junior to AMPS as to dividends and upon liquidation) or any such
parity shares (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of beneficial
interest of the Fund ranking junior to or on a parity with AMPS as to
dividends and upon liquidation), unless (A) immediately after such
transaction, the Fund would have S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible
Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the
AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, and the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage (see
"Asset Maintenance" and "Redemption" below) would be satisfied, (B) full
cumulative dividends on AMPS due on or prior to the date of the transaction
have been declared and paid or shall have been declared and sufficient funds
for the payment thereof deposited with the Auction Agent, (C) any Additional
Dividend required to be paid on or before the date of such declaration or
payment has been paid and (D) the Fund has redeemed the full number of AMPS
required to be redeemed by any provision for mandatory redemption contained in
the Certificate of Designation.
Additional Dividends. If the Fund retroactively allocates any capital gains,
including new categories of capital gains discussed under "Taxes," or other
income subject to regular Federal income taxes to AMPS without having given
advance notice thereof to the Auction Agent as described above under "The
Auction--Auction Date; Advance Notice of Allocation of Taxable Income;
Inclusion of Taxable Income in Dividends," which may only happen when such
allocation is made as a result of the redemption of all or a portion of the
outstanding AMPS or the liquidation of the Fund (the amount of such allocation
referred to herein as a "Retroactive Taxable Allocation"), the Fund, within 90
days (and generally within 60 days) after the end of the Fund's fiscal year
for which a Retroactive Taxable Allocation is made, will provide notice
thereof to the Auction Agent and to each holder of shares (initially Cede as
nominee of the Securities Depository) during such fiscal year at such holder's
address as the same appears or last appeared on the stock books of the Fund.
The Fund, within 30 days after such notice is given to the Auction Agent, will
pay to the Auction Agent (who then will distribute to such holders of AMPS),
out of funds legally available therefor, an amount equal to the aggregate
Additional Dividend (as defined below) with respect to all Retroactive Taxable
Allocations made to such holders during the fiscal year in question. See
"Taxes."
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<PAGE>
An "Additional Dividend" means payment to a present or former holder of AMPS
of an amount which, when taken together with the aggregate amount of
Retroactive Taxable Allocations made to such holder with respect to the fiscal
year in question, would cause such holder's dividends in dollars (after
Federal income tax consequences) from the aggregate of both the Retroactive
Taxable Allocations and the Additional Dividend to be equal to the dollar
amount of the dividends which would have been received by such holder if the
amount of the aggregate Retroactive Taxable Allocations had been excludable
from the gross income of such holder. Such Additional Dividend shall be
calculated (i) without consideration being given to the time value of money;
(ii) assuming that no holder of AMPS is subject to the Federal alternative
minimum tax with respect to dividends received from the Fund; and (iii)
assuming that each Retroactive Taxable Allocation would be taxable in the
hands of each holder of AMPS at the greater of: (a) the maximum combined
marginal regular Federal individual income tax rate applicable to ordinary
income or capital gains depending on the taxable character of the distribution
(including any surtax); or (b) the maximum marginal regular Federal and
Florida corporate income tax rate applicable to ordinary income or capital
gains depending on the taxable character of the distribution (taking into
account in both (a) and (b) the Federal income tax deductibility of state
taxes paid or incurred but not any phase out of, or provision limiting,
personal exemptions, itemized deductions, or the benefit of lower tax brackets
and assuming the taxability of Federally tax-exempt dividends for corporations
for Florida state income tax purposes). Although the Fund generally intends to
designate any Additional Dividend as an exempt-interest dividend to the extent
permitted by applicable law, it is possible that all or a portion of any
Additional Dividend will be taxable to the recipient thereof. See "Taxes--Tax
Treatment of Additional Dividends." The Fund will not pay a further Additional
Dividend with respect to any taxable portion of an Additional Dividend.
If the Fund does not give advance notice of the amount of taxable income to
be included in a dividend on AMPS in the related Auction, as described above
under "The Auction--Auction Date; Advance Notice of Allocation of Taxable
Income; Inclusion of Taxable Income in Dividends," the Fund may include such
taxable income in a dividend on AMPS if it increases the dividend by an
additional amount calculated as if such income were a Retroactive Taxable
Allocation and the additional amount were an Additional Dividend and notifies
the Auction Agent of such inclusion at least five days prior to the applicable
Dividend Payment Date.
ASSET MAINTENANCE
The Fund will be required to satisfy two separate asset maintenance
requirements under the terms of the Certificate of Designation. These
requirements are summarized below.
1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage. The Fund will be required under the
Certificate of Designation to maintain, with respect to AMPS, as of the last
Business Day of each month in which any AMPS are outstanding, asset coverage
of at least 200% with respect to senior securities which are stock, including
the AMPS (or such other asset coverage as in the future may be specified in or
under the 1940 Act as the minimum asset coverage for senior securities which
are stock of a closed-end investment company as a condition of paying
dividends on its common stock) ("1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage"). If the Fund
fails to maintain 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage and such failure is not cured
as of the last Business Day of the following month (the "1940 Act Cure Date"),
the Fund will be required under certain circumstances to redeem certain of the
AMPS. See "Redemption" below.
The 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage immediately following the issuance of AMPS
offered hereby (after giving effect to the deduction of the sales load and
offering expenses for the AMPS) will be computed as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Value of Fund assets less
liabilities not constituting
senior securities $261,686,322
= = 250%
---------------------------- ------------
Senior securities $104,750,000
representing indebtedness
plus liquidation value
of the AMPS
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. So long as AMPS are outstanding, the Fund
will be required under the Certificate of Designation to maintain as of each
Business Day (a "Valuation Date") S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible
Assets each having in the aggregate a Discounted Value at least equal to the
AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. If the Fund fails to meet such requirement as
of any Valuation Date and such failure is not cured on or before the sixth
Business Day after such Valuation Date (the "AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure
Date"), the Fund will be required under certain circumstances to redeem
certain of the AMPS. Upon any failure to maintain the required Discounted
Value, the Fund will use its best efforts to alter the composition of its
portfolio to reattain a Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount on or prior to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date. See
"Redemption."
The AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount as of any Valuation Date is defined as the
dollar amount equal to (i) the sum of (A) the product of the number of AMPS
outstanding on such Valuation Date multiplied by the sum of $25,000 and any
applicable redemption premium attributable to the designation of a Premium
Call Period; (B) the aggregate amount of cash dividends (whether or not earned
or declared) that will have accumulated for each share of AMPS outstanding to
(but not including) the end of the current Dividend Period that follows such
Valuation Date in the event the then-current Dividend Period will end within
49 calendar days of such Valuation Date or through the 49th day after such
Valuation Date in the event the then-current Dividend Period for each series
of AMPS will not end within 49 calendar days of such Valuation Date; (C) in
the event the then-current Dividend Period will end within 49 calendar days of
such Valuation Date, the aggregate amount of cash dividends that would
accumulate at the Maximum Applicable Rate applicable to a Dividend Period of
28 or fewer days on any AMPS outstanding from the end of such Dividend Period
through the 49th day after such Valuation Date, multiplied by the larger of
the Moody's Volatility Factor and the S&P Volatility Factor determined from
time to time by Moody's and S&P, respectively (except that if such Valuation
Date occurs during a Non-Payment Period, the cash dividend for purposes of
calculation would accumulate at the then-current Non-Payment Period Rate); (D)
the amount of anticipated Fund expenses for the 90 days subsequent to such
Valuation Date (including any premiums payable with respect to a Policy); (E)
the amount of the Fund's Maximum Potential Additional Dividend Liability as of
such Valuation Date; and (F) any current liabilities as of such Valuation Date
to the extent not reflected in any of (i) (A) through (i) (E) (including,
without limitation, and immediately upon determination, any amounts due and
payable by the Fund pursuant to repurchase agreements, any amounts payable for
Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds purchased as of such Valuation
Date) less (ii) either (A) the Discounted Value of any Fund assets, or (B) the
face value of any of the Fund's assets if such assets mature prior to or on
the date of redemption of AMPS or payment of a liability and are either
securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or Deposit
Securities, in both cases irrevocably deposited by the Fund for the payment of
the amount needed to redeem AMPS subject to redemption or to satisfy any of
(i) (B) through (i) (F). The Fund shall include as a liability an amount
calculated semi-annually equal to 150% of the estimated cost of obtaining
other insurance guaranteeing the timely payment of interest on a Moody's
Eligible Asset or S&P Eligible Asset and principal thereof to maturity with
respect to Moody's Eligible Assets and S&P Eligible Assets that (i) are
covered by a Policy which provides the Fund with the option to obtain such
other insurance and (ii) are discounted by a Moody's Discount Factor or a S&P
Discount Factor, as the case may be, determined by reference to the insurance
claims-paying ability rating of the issuer of such Policy. For purposes of the
foregoing, "Maximum Potential Additional Dividend Liability," as of any
Valuation Date, means the aggregate amount of Additional Dividends that would
be due if the Fund were to make Retroactive Taxable Allocations, with respect
to any fiscal year, estimated based upon dividends paid and the amount of
undistributed realized net capital gains and other taxable income earned by
the Fund, as of the end of the calendar month immediately preceding such
Valuation Date and assuming such Additional Dividends are fully taxable.
The Discount Factors and guidelines for determining the market value of the
Fund's portfolio holdings have been based on criteria established in
connection with rating the AMPS. These factors include, but are not limited
to, the sensitivity of the market value of the relevant asset to changes in
interest rates, the liquidity and depth of the market for the relevant asset,
the credit quality of the relevant asset (for example, the lower the rating of
a debt obligation, the higher the related discount factor) and the frequency
with which the relevant asset is marked to market. In no event shall the
Discounted Value of any asset of the Fund exceed its unpaid principal balance
or
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<PAGE>
face amount as of the date of calculation. The Discount Factor relating to any
asset of the Fund and the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the assets eligible
for inclusion in the calculation of the Discounted Value of the Fund's
portfolio and certain definitions and methods of calculation relating thereto
may be changed from time to time by the Fund, without shareholder approval,
but only in the event the Fund receives written confirmation from S&P, Moody's
and any Substitute Rating Agency that any such changes would not impair the
ratings then assigned to the AMPS by S&P or Moody's or any Substitute Rating
Agency.
On or before the third Business Day after a Valuation Date on which the Fund
fails to maintain S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an
aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance
Amount, the Fund is required to deliver to the Auction Agent, Moody's and S&P
a report with respect to the calculation of the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount
and the value of its portfolio holdings as of the date of such failure (an
"AMPS Basic Maintenance Report"). Additionally, on or before the third
Business Day after the first day of a Special Dividend Period, the Fund will
deliver an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report to S&P and the Auction Agent. The
Fund also will deliver an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report as of the twenty-fifth
day of the last month of each fiscal quarter of the Fund (or, if such day is
not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) on or before the third
Business Day after such day. Within ten Business Days after delivery of such
report relating to the twenty-fifth day of the last month of each fiscal
quarter of the Fund, the Fund will deliver a letter prepared by the Fund's
independent accountants regarding the accuracy of the calculations made by the
Fund in its most recent AMPS Basic Maintenance Report. Also, on or before 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the first Business Day after Common Shares are
repurchased by the Fund, the Fund will complete and deliver to S&P and Moody's
an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report as of the close of business on such date that
Common Shares are repurchased. If any such letter prepared by the Fund's
independent accountants shows that an error was made in the most recent AMPS
Basic Maintenance Report, the calculation or determination made by the Fund's
independent accountants will be conclusive and binding on the Fund.
REDEMPTION
Optional Redemption. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and under
the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, upon giving a Notice of
Redemption, as provided below, the Fund, at its option, may redeem AMPS of any
series, in whole or in part, out of funds legally available therefor, at the
Optional Redemption Price per share on any Dividend Payment Date; provided
that no share of AMPS may be redeemed at the option of the Fund during (a) the
Initial Dividend Period with respect to a series of shares or (b) a Non-Call
Period to which such share is subject. "Optional Redemption Price" means
$25,000 per share of AMPS plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid
dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption
plus any applicable redemption premium, if any, attributable to the
designation of a Premium Call Period. In addition, holders of AMPS may be
entitled to receive Additional Dividends in the event of redemption of such
AMPS to the extent provided herein. See "Description of AMPS--Dividends--
Additional Dividends." The Fund has the authority to redeem the AMPS for any
reason and may redeem all or part of the outstanding shares of AMPS if it
anticipates that the Fund's leveraged capital structure will result in a lower
rate of return to holders of Common Shares for any significant period of time
than that obtainable if the Common Shares were unleveraged.
Mandatory Redemption. The Fund will be required to redeem, out of funds
legally available therefor, at the Mandatory Redemption Price per share,
shares of AMPS to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on a date fixed by the Board of Trustees, if
the Fund fails to maintain S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets
each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS
Basic Maintenance Amount or to satisfy the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage and
such failure is not cured on or before the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date or
the 1940 Act Cure Date (herein collectively referred to as a "Cure Date"), as
the case may be. "Mandatory Redemption Price" means $25,000 per share of AMPS
plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not
earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption. In addition, holders of
AMPS may be entitled to receive Additional Dividends in the event of
redemption of such AMPS to the extent provided herein. See "Description of
AMPS--Dividends--Additional Dividends." The number of AMPS to be redeemed will
be equal to the lesser of (a) the
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<PAGE>
minimum number of AMPS the redemption of which, if deemed to have occurred
immediately prior to the opening of business on the Cure Date, together with
all other Preferred Shares subject to redemption or retirement, would result
in the Fund having S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with
an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount or satisfaction of the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage, as the
case may be, on such Cure Date (provided that, if there is no such minimum
number of shares the redemption of which would have such result, all AMPS then
outstanding will be redeemed), and (b) the maximum number of AMPS, together
with all other Preferred Shares subject to redemption or retirement, that can
be redeemed out of funds expected to be legally available therefor on such
redemption date. In determining the number of AMPS required to be redeemed in
accordance with the foregoing, the Fund shall allocate the number required to
be redeemed which would result in the Fund having S&P Eligible Assets and
Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or
greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount or satisfaction of the 1940 Act
AMPS Asset Coverage, as the case may be, pro rata among AMPS and other
Preferred Shares subject to redemption pursuant to provisions similar to those
set forth below; provided that, AMPS which may not be redeemed at the option
of the Fund due to the designation of a Non-Call Period applicable to such
shares (A) will be subject to mandatory redemption only to the extent that
other shares are not available to satisfy the number of shares required to be
redeemed and (B) will be selected for redemption in an ascending order of
outstanding number of days in the Non-Call Period (with shares with the lowest
number of days to be redeemed first) and by lot in the event of shares having
an equal number of days in such Non-Call Period. The Fund is required to
effect such a mandatory redemption not later than 35 days after such Cure
Date, except that if the Fund does not have funds legally available for the
redemption of all of the required number of AMPS which are subject to
mandatory redemption or the Fund otherwise is unable to effect such redemption
on or prior to 35 days after such Cure Date, the Fund will redeem those AMPS
which it was unable to redeem on the earliest practicable date on which it is
able to effect such redemption.
General. If AMPS of any series are to be redeemed, a notice of redemption
will be mailed to each record holder of such AMPS (initially Cede as nominee
of the Securities Depository) and to the Auction Agent not less than 17 nor
more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for the redemption thereof. Each
notice of redemption will include a statement setting forth: (i) the
redemption date, (ii) the aggregate number of AMPS of such series to be
redeemed, (iii) the redemption price, (iv) the place or places where AMPS of
such series are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price, (v) a
statement that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate
on such redemption date (except that holders may be entitled to Additional
Dividends) and (vi) the provision of the Certificate of Designation pursuant
to which such shares are being redeemed. The notice also will be published in
The Wall Street Journal. No defect in the notice of redemption or in the
mailing or publication thereof will affect the validity of the redemption
proceedings, except as required by applicable law.
In the event that less than all of the outstanding AMPS of any series are to
be redeemed, the shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or such other
method as the Fund shall deem fair and equitable, and the results thereof will
be communicated to the Auction Agent. The Auction Agent will give notice to
the Securities Depository, whose nominee will be the record holder of all
AMPS, and the Securities Depository will determine the number of shares to be
redeemed from the account of the Agent Member of each Existing Holder. Each
Agent Member will determine the number of shares to be redeemed from the
account of each Existing Holder for which it acts as agent. An Agent Member
may select for redemption shares from the accounts of some Existing Holders
without selecting for redemption any shares from the accounts of other
Existing Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if neither the Securities
Depository nor its nominee is the record holder of all of the shares of such
series, the particular shares to be redeemed shall be selected by the Fund by
lot or by such other method as the Fund shall deem fair and equitable.
If the Fund gives notice of redemption, and concurrently or thereafter
deposits in trust with the Auction Agent, or segregates in an account at the
Fund's custodian bank for the benefit of the Auction Agent, Deposit Securities
(with a right of substitution) having an aggregate Discounted Value (utilizing
in the case of S&P and S&P Exposure Period of 22 Business Days) equal to the
redemption payment for the AMPS as to which notice of redemption has been
given, with irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price
to the
49
<PAGE>
record holders thereof, then upon the date of such deposit or, if no such
deposit is made, upon such date fixed for redemption (unless the Fund shall
default in making payment of the redemption price), all rights of the holders
of such shares called for redemption will cease and terminate, except the
right of such holders to receive the redemption price thereof and any
Additional Dividends, but without interest, and such shares no longer will be
deemed to be outstanding. The Fund will be entitled to receive, from time to
time, the interest, if any, earned on such Deposit Securities deposited with
the Auction Agent, and the holders of any shares so redeemed will have no
claim to any such interest. Any funds so deposited which are unclaimed at the
end of one year from such redemption date will be repaid, upon demand, to the
Fund, after which the holders of the AMPS of such series so called for
redemption may look only to the Fund for payment thereof.
So long as any AMPS are held of record by the nominee of the Securities
Depository (initially Cede), the redemption price for such shares will be paid
on the redemption date to the nominee of the Securities Depository. The
Securities Depository's normal procedures now provide for it to distribute the
amount of the redemption price to Agent Members who, in turn, are expected to
distribute such funds to the persons for whom they are acting as agent.
Notwithstanding the provisions for redemption described above, no AMPS shall
be subject to optional redemption (i) unless all dividends in arrears on the
outstanding AMPS, and all shares of beneficial interest of the Fund ranking on
a parity with the AMPS with respect to the payment of dividends or upon
liquidation, have been or are being contemporaneously paid or declared and set
aside for payment and (ii) if redemption thereof would result in the Fund's
failure to maintain Moody's Eligible Assets or S&P Eligible Assets with an
aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance
Amount.
LIQUIDATION RIGHTS
Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, whether
voluntary or involuntary, the holders of shares of beneficial interest of all
series of AMPS will be entitled to receive, out of the assets of the Fund
available for distribution to shareholders, before any distribution or payment
is made upon any shares of Common Shares or any other shares of beneficial
interest of the Fund ranking junior in right of payment upon liquidation of
AMPS, $25,000 per share together with the amount of any dividends accumulated
but unpaid (whether or not earned or declared) thereon to the date of
distribution, and after such payment the holders of AMPS will be entitled to
no other payments except for any Additional Dividends. If such assets of the
Fund shall be insufficient to make the full liquidation payment on each
outstanding series of AMPS and liquidation payments on any other outstanding
class or series of Preferred Shares of the Fund ranking on a parity with the
AMPS as to payment upon liquidation, then such assets will be distributed
among the holders of each such series of AMPS and the holders of shares of
such other class or series ratably in proportion to the respective
preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment of the full
amount of liquidation distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of
AMPS will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of
assets by the Fund except for any Additional Dividends. A consolidation,
merger or share exchange of the Fund with or into any other entity or entities
or a sale, whether for cash, shares of stock, securities or properties, of all
or substantially all or any part of the assets of the Fund shall not be deemed
or construed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund.
VOTING RIGHTS
Except as otherwise indicated in this Prospectus and except as otherwise
required by applicable law, holders of shares of AMPS will be entitled to one
vote per share on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders and will
vote together with holders of Common Shares as a single class.
In connection with the election of the Fund's trustees, holders of AMPS and
any other Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, shall be entitled at
all times to elect two of the Fund's trustees, and the remaining trustees will
be elected by holders of Common Shares and AMPS and any other Preferred
Shares, voting together as a single class. In addition, if at any time
dividends on outstanding AMPS shall be unpaid in an amount equal
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<PAGE>
to at least two full years' dividends thereon or if at any time holders of any
shares of Preferred Shares are entitled, together with the holders of AMPS, to
elect a majority of the trustees of the Fund under the 1940 Act, then the
number of trustees constituting the Board of Trustees automatically shall be
increased by the smallest number that, when added to the two trustees elected
exclusively by the holders of AMPS and any other Preferred Shares as described
above, would constitute a majority of the Board of Trustees as so increased by
such smallest number, and at a special meeting of shareholders which will be
called and held as soon as practicable, and at all subsequent meetings at
which trustees are to be elected, the holders of AMPS and any other Preferred
Shares, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect the smallest
number of additional trustees that, together with the two trustees which such
holders in any event will be entitled to elect, constitutes a majority of the
total number of trustees of the Fund as so increased. The terms of office of
the persons who are trustees at the time of that election will continue. If
the Fund thereafter shall pay, or declare and set apart for payment in full,
all dividends payable on all outstanding AMPS and any other Preferred Shares
for all past Dividend Periods, the additional voting rights of the holders of
AMPS and any other Preferred Shares as described above shall cease, and the
terms of office of all of the additional trustees elected by the holders of
AMPS and any other Preferred Shares (but not of the trustees with respect to
whose election the holders of Common Shares were entitled to vote or the two
trustees the holders of AMPS and any other Preferred Shares have the right to
elect in any event) will terminate automatically.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by
holders of outstanding AMPS and any other Preferred Shares, voting as a
separate class, will be required to (i) authorize, create or issue any class
or series of shares ranking prior to the AMPS or any other series of Preferred
Shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets
on liquidation, or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to
adversely affect any of the contract rights expressly set forth in the
Declaration of Trust of holders of AMPS or any other Preferred Shares. To the
extent permitted under the 1940 Act, in the event more than one series of AMPS
is outstanding, the Fund shall not approve any of the actions set forth in
clause (i) or (ii) which adversely affects the contract rights expressly set
forth in the Declaration of Trust of a holder of a series of AMPS differently
than those of a holder of any other series of AMPS without the affirmative
vote of at least a majority of votes entitled to be cast by holders of the
AMPS of each series adversely affected and outstanding at such time (each such
adversely affected series voting separately as a class). The Board of
Trustees, however, without shareholder approval, may amend, alter or repeal
any or all of the various rating agency guidelines described herein in the
event the Fund receives confirmation from the rating agencies that any such
amendment, alteration or repeal would not impair the ratings then assigned to
AMPS. Unless a higher percentage is provided for under "Description of Capital
Shares--Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust," the affirmative vote
of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding AMPS
and any other Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, will be required
to approve any plan of reorganization (including bankruptcy proceedings)
adversely affecting such shares or any action requiring a vote of security
holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act including, among other things,
changes in the Fund's investment objective or changes in the investment
restrictions described as fundamental policies under "Investment Objective and
Policies." The class vote of holders of AMPS and any other Preferred Shares
described above in each case will be in addition to a separate vote of the
requisite percentage of shares of Common Shares and AMPS and any other
Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, necessary to authorize
the action in question.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply to any series of AMPS if, at
or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote otherwise
would be required shall be effected, such shares shall have been (i) redeemed
or (ii) called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited
in trust to effect such redemption.
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<PAGE>
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following are fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund and may
not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding Common Shares and outstanding AMPS and any other Preferred Shares,
voting as a single class, and the majority of the outstanding AMPS and any
other Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class (which for this purpose and
under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of each class of
capital shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of each class of capital shares are represented or (ii)
more than 50% of the outstanding shares of each class of capital shares). The
Fund may not:
1. Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.
2. Purchase or sell real estate, real estate limited partnerships,
commodities or commodity contracts; provided that the Fund may invest in
securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by
companies that invest in real estate or interests therein, and the Fund may
purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon.
3. Issue senior securities or borrow money except as permitted by Section
18 of the 1940 Act.
4. Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as the Fund may
be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in
selling portfolio securities.
5. Make loans to other persons, except that the Fund may purchase Florida
Municipal Bonds, Municipal Bonds and other debt securities in accordance
with its investment objective, policies and limitations.
6. Invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at the
time of each investment) in securities of issuers in a single industry;
provided that, for purposes of this restriction, states, municipalities and
their political subdivisions are not considered to be part of any industry.
Additional investment restrictions adopted by the Fund, which may be changed
by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, provide that the Fund
may not:
a. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the
extent that such purchases are permitted by applicable law. Applicable law
currently prohibits the Fund from purchasing the securities of other
investment companies except if immediately thereafter not more than (i) 3%
of the total outstanding voting shares of such company is owned by the
Fund, (ii) 5% of the Fund's total assets, taken at market value, would be
invested in any one such company, (iii) 10% of the Fund's total assets,
taken at market value, would be invested in such securities, and (iv) the
Fund, together with other investment companies having the same investment
adviser and companies controlled by such companies, owns not more than 10%
of the total outstanding shares of any one closed-end investment company.
b. Mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security
for indebtedness, any securities owned or held by the Fund except as may be
necessary in connection with borrowings mentioned in investment restriction
(3) above or except as may be necessary in connection with transactions in
financial futures contracts and options thereon.
c. Purchase any securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain
such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of portfolio securities (the deposit or payment by the Fund of
initial or variation margin in connection with financial futures contracts
and options thereon is not considered the purchase of a security on
margin).
d. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position or invest
in put, call, straddle or spread options, except that the Fund may write,
purchase and sell options and futures on Florida Municipal Bonds, Municipal
Bonds, U.S. Government obligations and related indices or otherwise in
connection with bona fide hedging activities and may purchase and sell Call
Rights to require mandatory tender for the purchase of related Florida
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds.
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<PAGE>
If a percentage restriction on investment policies or the investment or use
of assets set forth above is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected,
later changes in percentages resulting from changing values will not be
considered a violation.
For so long as AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Fund will not change these
additional investment restrictions unless it receives written confirmation
from Moody's that engaging in such transactions would not impair the rating
then assigned to the AMPS by Moody's.
The Fund has no intention to file a voluntary application for relief under
Federal bankruptcy law or any similar application under state law for so long
as the Fund is solvent and does not foresee becoming insolvent.
The Investment Adviser of the Fund and Merrill Lynch are owned and
controlled by ML & Co. Because of the affiliation of the Underwriter with the
Investment Adviser, the Fund is prohibited from engaging in certain
transactions involving the Underwriter except pursuant to an exemptive order
or otherwise in compliance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder. Included among such restricted transactions will
be purchases from or sales to the Underwriter of securities in transactions in
which it acts as principal. An exemptive order has been obtained that permits
the Fund to effect principal transactions with the Underwriter in high
quality, short-term, tax-exempt securities subject to conditions set forth in
such order. The Fund may consider in the future requesting an order permitting
other principal transactions with the Underwriter, but there can be no
assurance that such application will be made and, if made, that such order
would be granted.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Information about the Trustees, executive officers and the portfolio manager
of the Fund, including their ages and their principal occupations during the
last five years is set forth below. Unless otherwise noted, the address of
each Trustee, executive officer and the portfolio manager is 800 Scudders Mill
Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536.
Arthur Zeikel (65)--President and Trustee (1)(2)--President of the
Investment Adviser (which term, as used herein, includes its corporate
predecessors) since 1977; President of MLAM (which term, as used herein,
includes its corporate predecessors) since 1977; President and Director of
Princeton Services, Inc. ("Princeton Services") since 1993; Executive Vice
President of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co.") since 1990; Director of
Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. ("MLFD") since 1977.
Ronald W. Forbes (57)--Trustee(2)--1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York
12222. Professor of Finance, School of Business, State University of New York
at Albany, since 1989.
Cynthia A. Montgomery (45)--Trustee(2)--Harvard Business School, Soldiers
Field Road, Boston, Massachusetts 02163. Professor, Harvard Business School
since 1989; Associate Professor, J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management,
Northwestern University from 1985 to 1989; Assistant Professor, Graduate
School of Business Administration, The University of Michigan from 1979 to
1985; Director, UNUM Corporation since 1990 and Director of Newell Co. since
1995.
Charles C. Reilly (66)--Trustee(2)--9 Hampton Harbor Road, Hampton Bays, New
York 11946. Self-employed financial consultant since 1990; President and Chief
Investment Officer of Verus Capital, Inc. from 1979 to 1990; Senior Vice
President of Arnold and S. Bleichroeder, Inc. from 1973 to 1990; Adjunct
Professor, Columbia University Graduate School of Business from 1990 to 1991;
Adjunct Professor, Wharton School, The University of Pennsylvania from 1989 to
1990; Partner, Small Cities Cable Television since 1986.
Kevin A. Ryan (64)--Trustee(2)--127 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill,
Massachusetts 02167. Founder and current Director of The Boston University
Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character; Professor of Education at
Boston University since 1982; formerly taught on the faculties of The
University of Chicago, Stanford University and Ohio State University.
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<PAGE>
Richard R. West (59)--Trustee(2)--Box 604, Genoa, Nevada 89411. Professor of
Finance since 1984, and Dean from 1984 to 1993, and currently Dean Emeritus of
New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business Administration;
Director of Bowne & Co., Inc. (financial printers), Vornado, Inc. (real estate
holding company) and Alexander's Inc. (real estate company).
Terry K. Glenn (57)--Executive Vice President(1)(2)--Executive Vice
President of the Investment Adviser and MLAM since 1983; Executive Vice
President and Director of Princeton Services since 1993; President of MLFD
since 1986 and Director thereof since 1991; President of Princeton
Administrators, L.P. since 1988.
Vincent R. Giordano (53)--Senior Vice President(1)(2)--Senior Vice President
of the Investment Adviser and MLAM since 1984; Senior Vice President of
Princeton Services since 1993.
Donald C. Burke (37)--Vice President(1)(2)--First Vice President of MLAM
since 1997 and Vice President and Director of Taxation of MLAM since 1990.
Kenneth A. Jacob (46)--Vice President(1)(2)--First Vice President of MLAM
since 1997 and Vice President of MLAM since 1984.
Robert A. DiMella, CFA (31)--Vice President and Portfolio Manager (1)(2)--
Assistant Vice President of MLAM since 1995; Assistant Portfolio Manager of
MLAM from 1993 to 1995; Assistant Portfolio Manager with Prudential Investment
Advisors from 1992 to 1993.
Gerald M. Richard (48)--Treasurer(1)(2)--Senior Vice President and Treasurer
of the Investment Adviser and MLAM since 1984; Senior Vice President and
Treasurer of Princeton Services since 1993; Vice President of MLFD since 1981
and Treasurer since 1984.
Patrick D. Sweeney (43)--Secretary(1)(2)--First Vice President of MLAM since
1997 and Vice President of MLAM since 1990.
- --------
(1) Interested person, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund.
(2) Such Trustee or officer is a director, trustee, officer of one or more
additional investment companies for which the Investment Adviser or its
affiliate, MLAM, acts as investment adviser or manager.
In connection with the election of the Fund's Trustees, holders of AMPS and
other Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect two
of the Fund's Trustees, and the remaining Trustees will be elected by holders
of Common Shares and Preferred Shares voting together as a single class.
Messrs. Reilly and West have been designated as the Trustees to be elected by
holders of the Preferred Shares. See "Description of Capital Shares."
COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES
The Fund pays each Trustee not affiliated with the Investment Adviser an
annual fee of $2,000 per year plus $400 per meeting attended, together with
such Trustee's actual out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at
meetings. The Fund also pays members of its Audit Committee, which consists of
all of the Trustees not affiliated with the Investment Adviser, an annual fee
of $900. The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional fee of
$1,000 per year.
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<PAGE>
The following table sets forth compensation to be paid by the Fund to the
non-interested Trustees projected through the end of the Fund's first full
fiscal year and for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996 the aggregate
compensation paid by all investment companies advised by the Investment
Adviser and its affiliate, MLAM ("FAM/MLAM Advised Funds"), to the non-
interested Trustees.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL COMPENSATION
PENSION OR FROM FUND AND
AGGREGATE RETIREMENT BENEFITS FAM/MLAM ADVISED
COMPENSATION ACCRUED AS PART OF FUNDS PAID TO
NAME OF TRUSTEE FROM FUND FUND EXPENSE TRUSTEES
--------------- ------------ ------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald W. Forbes(1)..... $4,900 None $142,500
Cynthia A.
Montgomery(1).......... $4,900 None $142,500
Charles C. Reilly(1).... $5,900 None $293,833
Kevin A. Ryan(1)........ $4,900 None $142,500
Richard R. West(1)...... $4,900 None $272,833
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) In addition to the Fund, the Trustees serve on the boards of other
FAM/MLAM Advised Funds as follows: Mr. Forbes (25 registered investment
companies consisting of 38 portfolios); Ms. Montgomery (25 registered
investment companies consisting of 38 portfolios); Mr. Reilly (43
registered investment companies consisting of 56 portfolios); Mr. Ryan (25
registered investment companies consisting of 38 portfolios); and Mr. West
(44 registered investment companies consisting of 66 portfolios).
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The Investment Adviser is an affiliate of MLAM and is owned and controlled
by ML & Co., a financial services holding company. The Investment Adviser will
provide the Fund with investment advisory and management services. The
Investment Adviser or MLAM acts as the investment adviser for over 140 other
registered investment companies. The Investment Adviser also offers portfolio
management and portfolio analysis services to individuals and institutions. As
of August 31, 1997, the Investment Adviser and MLAM had a total of
approximately $267.7 billion in investment company and other portfolio assets
under management (approximately $32.9 billion of which were invested in
municipal securities), including accounts of certain affiliates of the
Investment Adviser. The principal business address of the Investment Adviser
is 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536.
The Investment Advisory Agreement with the Investment Adviser (the
"Investment Advisory Agreement") provides that, subject to the direction of
the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the Investment Adviser is responsible for
the actual management of the Fund's portfolio. The responsibility for making
decisions to buy, sell or hold a particular security rests with the Investment
Adviser, subject to review by the Board of Trustees.
The Investment Adviser provides the portfolio management for the Fund. Such
portfolio management will consider analyses from various sources (including
brokerage firms with which the Fund does business), make the necessary
investment decisions, and place orders for transactions accordingly. The
Investment Adviser will also be responsible for the performance of certain
administrative and management services for the Fund. Robert A. DiMella is the
portfolio manager for the Fund and is primarily responsible for the Fund's
day-to-day management.
For the services provided by the Investment Adviser under the Investment
Advisory Agreement, the Fund will pay a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.55
of 1% of the Fund's average weekly net assets (i.e., the average weekly value
of the total assets of the Fund, including proceeds from the issuance of
Preferred Shares, minus the sum of accrued liabilities of the Fund and
accumulated dividends on the Preferred Shares). For purposes of this
calculation, average weekly net assets are determined at the end of each month
on the basis of the average net assets of the Fund for each week during the
month. The assets for each weekly period are determined by averaging the net
assets at the last business day of a week with the net assets at the last
business day of the prior week.
55
<PAGE>
The Investment Advisory Agreement obligates the Investment Adviser to
provide investment advisory services and to pay all compensation of and
furnish office space for officers and employees of the Fund connected with
investment and economic research, trading and investment management of the
Fund, as well as the compensation of all Trustees of the Fund who are
affiliated persons of the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates. The
Fund pays all other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, including,
among other things, expenses for legal and auditing services, taxes, costs of
printing proxies, listing fees, share certificates and shareholder reports,
charges of the custodian and the transfer and dividend disbursing agent and
registrar, fees and expenses with respect to the issuance of Preferred Shares,
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") fees, fees and expenses
of unaffiliated Trustees, accounting and pricing costs, insurance, interest,
brokerage costs, litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses,
mailing and other expenses properly payable by the Fund. Accounting services
are provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser, and the Fund reimburses
the Investment Adviser for its costs in connection with such services.
Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory
Agreement will remain in effect for a period of two years from the date of
execution and will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved
annually (a) by the Board of Trustees of the Fund or by a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Fund and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who are
not parties to such contract or interested persons (as defined in the 1940
Act) of any such party. Such contract is not assignable and may be terminated
without penalty on 60 days' written notice at the option of either party
thereto or by the vote of the shareholders of the Fund.
Securities held by the Fund may also be held by, or be appropriate
investments for, other funds or investment advisory clients for which the
Investment Adviser or its affiliates act as an adviser. Because of different
objectives or other factors, a particular security may be bought for one or
more clients when one or more clients are selling the same security. If
purchases or sales of securities by the Investment Adviser for the Fund or
other funds for which it acts as investment adviser or for other advisory
clients arise for consideration at or about the same time, transactions in
such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the respective funds
and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all. To the extent that
transactions on behalf of more than one client of the Investment Adviser or
its affiliate during the same period may increase the demand for securities
being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an
adverse effect on price.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Board of Trustees of the Fund has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to
Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that incorporates the Code of Ethics of the
Investment Adviser (together, the "Codes"). The Codes significantly restrict
the personal investing activities of all employees of the Investment Adviser
and, as described below, impose additional, more onerous, restrictions on Fund
investment personnel.
The Codes require that all employees of the Investment Adviser preclear any
personal securities investment (with limited exceptions, such as U.S.
Government securities). The preclearance requirement and associated procedures
are designed to identify any substantive prohibition or limitation applicable
to the proposed investment. The substantive restrictions applicable to all
employees of the Investment Adviser include a ban on acquiring any securities
in a "hot" initial public offering and a prohibition from profiting on short-
term trading of securities. In addition, no employee may purchase or sell any
security that at the time is being purchased or sold (as the case may be), or
to the knowledge of the employee is being considered for purchase or sale, by
any fund advised by the Investment Adviser. Furthermore, the Codes provide for
trading "blackout periods" that prohibit trading by investment personnel of
the Fund within periods of trading by the Fund in the same (or equivalent)
security (15 or 30 days depending upon the transaction).
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Subject to policies established by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the
Investment Adviser is primarily responsible for the execution of the Fund's
portfolio transactions. In executing such transactions, the Investment Adviser
seeks to obtain the best results for the Fund, taking into account such
factors as price (including the
56
<PAGE>
applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty
of execution and operational facilities of the firm involved and the firm's
risk in positioning a block of securities. While the Investment Adviser
generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, the Fund does not
necessarily pay the lowest commission or spread available.
The Fund has no obligation to deal with any broker or dealer in the
execution of transactions in portfolio securities. Subject to obtaining the
best price and execution, securities firms which provide supplemental
investment research to the Investment Adviser, including the Underwriter, may
receive orders for transactions by the Fund. Information so received will be
in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the
Investment Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and the expenses
of the Investment Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the
receipt of such supplemental information.
The securities in which the Fund primarily will invest are traded in the
over-the-counter markets, and the Fund intends to deal directly with the
dealers who make markets in the securities involved, except in those
circumstances where better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Under
the 1940 Act, except as permitted by exemptive order, persons affiliated with
the Fund are prohibited from dealing with the Fund as principal in the
purchase and sale of securities. Since transactions in the over-the-counter
market usually involve transactions with dealers acting as principal for their
own account, the Fund will not deal with affiliated persons, including the
Underwriter and its affiliates, in connection with such transactions except
that, pursuant to an exemptive order obtained by the Investment Adviser, the
Fund may engage in principal transactions with the Underwriter in high
quality, short-term, tax-exempt securities. See "Investment Restrictions." An
affiliated person of the Fund may serve as its broker in over-the-counter
transactions conducted on an agency basis.
The Fund may also purchase tax-exempt instruments in individually negotiated
transactions with the issuer. Because an active trading market may not exist
for such securities, the prices that the Fund may pay for these securities or
receive on their resale may be lower than that for similar securities with a
more liquid market.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Generally, the Fund does not purchase securities for short-term trading
profits. However, the Fund may dispose of securities without regard to the
time they have been held when such action, for defensive or other reasons,
appears advisable to the Investment Adviser. While it is not possible to
predict turnover rates with any certainty, at present it is anticipated that
the Fund's annual portfolio turnover rate, under normal circumstances after
the Fund's portfolio is invested in accordance with its investment objective,
will be less than 100%. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing
the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the particular
fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities
owned by the Fund during the particular fiscal year. For purposes of
determining this rate, all securities whose maturities at the time of
acquisition are one year or less are excluded.
TAXES
GENERAL
The Fund intends to elect and to qualify for the special tax treatment
afforded regulated investment companies ("RICs") under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As long as it so qualifies, in any
taxable year in which it distributes at least 90% of its taxable net income
and 90% of its tax-exempt net income (see below), the Fund (but not its
shareholders) will not be subject to Federal income tax to the extent that it
distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains. The Fund
intends to distribute substantially all of such income.
The Code requires a RIC to pay a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent
the RIC does not distribute, during each calendar year, 98% of its ordinary
income, determined on a calendar year basis, and 98% of its capital gains,
determined, in general, on an October 31 year-end, plus certain undistributed
amounts from
57
<PAGE>
previous years. The required distributions, however, are based only on the
taxable income of a RIC. The excise tax, therefore, generally will not apply
to the tax-exempt income of a RIC, such as the Fund, that pays exempt-interest
dividends.
The IRS, in a revenue ruling, held that certain auction rate preferred stock
would be treated as stock for Federal income tax purposes. The terms of the
AMPS are substantially similar, but not identical, to the auction rate
preferred stock discussed in the revenue ruling, and in the opinion of Brown &
Wood LLP, counsel to the Fund, the AMPS will constitute stock of the Fund and
distributions with respect to AMPS (other than distributions in redemption of
AMPS subject to Section 302(b) of the Code) will constitute dividends to the
extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits as
calculated for Federal income tax purposes. Nevertheless, it is possible that
the IRS might take a contrary position, asserting, for example, that the AMPS
constitute debt of the Fund. If this position were upheld, the discussion of
the treatment of distributions below would not apply. Instead, distributions
by the Fund to holders of AMPS would constitute interest, whether or not they
exceeded the earnings and profits of the Fund, would be included in full in
the income of the recipient and would be taxed as ordinary income. Counsel
believes that such a position, if asserted by the IRS, would be unlikely to
prevail.
The Fund intends to qualify to pay "exempt-interest dividends" as defined in
Section 852(b)(5) of the Code. Under such section if, at the close of each
quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets
consists of obligations exempt from Federal income tax ("tax-exempt
obligations") under Section 103(a) of the Code (relating generally to
obligations of a state or local governmental unit), the Fund shall be
qualified to pay exempt-interest dividends to its shareholders. Exempt-
interest dividends are dividends or any part thereof paid by the Fund which
are attributable to interest on tax-exempt obligations and designated by the
Fund as exempt-interest dividends in a written notice mailed to the Fund's
shareholders within 60 days after the close of its taxable year. To the extent
that the dividends distributed to the Fund's shareholders are derived from
interest income exempt from tax under Code Section 103(a) and are properly
designated as exempt-interest dividends, they will be excludable from a
shareholder's gross income for Federal tax purposes. Exempt-interest dividends
are included, however, in determining the portion, if any, of a person's
Social Security and railroad retirement benefits subject to Federal income
taxes. Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry
shares of a RIC paying exempt-interest dividends, such as the Fund, is not
deductible for Federal income tax purposes to the extent attributable to
exempt-interest dividends. Each shareholder is advised to consult a tax
adviser with respect to whether exempt-interest dividends retain the exclusion
under Code Section 103(a) if such shareholder would be treated as a
"substantial user" or "related person" under Code Section 147(a) with respect
to property financed with the proceeds of an issue of "industrial development
bonds" or "private activity bonds," if any, held by the Fund.
The Fund has applied for a ruling from the Florida Department of Revenue
that shares of the Fund will be exempt from Florida intangible personal
property tax in the following year, if, on the last business day of any
calendar year, the Fund's assets consist solely of assets exempt from Florida
intangible personal property tax ("asset requirement"). Although there is no
assurance that the Florida Department of Revenue will issue a favorable ruling
on this issue, the Florida Department of Revenue has previously issued similar
rulings. The Florida Department of Revenue has the authority to revoke or
modify a previously issued ruling; however, if a ruling is revoked or
modified, the revocation or modification is prospective only. Prior to receipt
of the ruling from the Florida Department of Revenue, the Fund will rely on an
opinion of Florida counsel for the Fund, Holland & Knight LLP, stating that
Fund shares will be exempt from Florida intangible personal property tax if
the asset requirement is met. This opinion is based on existing Florida law
and interpretive authority which could be changed at any time retroactively.
While the opinion represents the best judgment of Holland & Knight LLP, the
legal conclusions reached therein are not binding on the Florida Department of
Revenue, and there is no assurance that the legal conclusions will not be
challenged by the Department of Revenue or in judicial or administrative
proceedings. Thus, under Florida counsel's opinion or if a favorable ruling is
issued, and if the asset requirement is met, shares of the Fund owned by
Florida residents will be exempt from Florida intangible personal property
tax. Assets exempt from Florida intangible personal property tax include
Florida Municipal Bonds, obligations of the United States Government or its
agencies, and cash.
58
<PAGE>
The Fund may from time to time hold assets that are not exempt from Florida
intangible personal property tax. The Fund may not be able to fully dispose of
all of its assets subject to Florida intangible personal property tax by the
last business day of the calendar year, thus subjecting shares of the Fund to
Florida intangible personal property tax. If shares of the Fund are subject to
Florida intangible personal property tax because the asset requirement is not
met, only that portion of the value of Fund shares equal to the portion of the
net asset value of the Fund that is attributable to obligations of the United
States Government will be exempt from taxation. The Fund will attempt to
monitor its portfolio so that on the last business day of each calendar year
the Fund's assets consist solely of assets exempt from Florida intangible
personal property tax.
Dividends paid by the Fund to individuals who are Florida residents are not
subject to personal income taxation by Florida, because Florida does not
impose a personal income tax. Distributions of investment income and capital
gains by the Fund will be subject to Florida corporate income taxes, state
taxes in states other than Florida and local taxes in cities other than those
in Florida. Shareholders not subject to taxation by Florida do not benefit
from the fact that shares of the Fund will be exempt from the Florida
intangible personal property tax. Interest on indebtedness incurred or
continued to purchase or carry Fund shares is not deductible for Federal
income tax purposes to the extent attributable to exempt-interest dividends.
To the extent that the Fund's distributions are derived from interest on its
taxable investments or from an excess of net short-term capital gains over net
long-term capital losses ("ordinary income dividends"), such distributions are
considered ordinary income for Federal income tax purposes. Distributions, if
any, from an excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital
losses derived from the sale of securities or from certain transactions in
futures or options ("capital gain dividends") are taxable as long-term capital
gains for Federal income tax purposes, regardless of the length of time the
shareholder has owned Fund shares. Recent legislation creates additional
categories of capital gains taxable at different rates. Although the
legislation does not explain how gain in these categories will be taxed to
shareholders of RICs, it authorizes the issuance of regulations applying the
new categories of gain and the new rates to sales of securities by RICs. In
the absence of guidance, there is some uncertainty as to the manner in which
the categories of gain and related rates will be passed through to
shareholders in capital gain dividends. It is also anticipated that IRS
guidance permitting categories of gain and related rates to be passed through
to shareholders would require the Fund to designate the amounts of various
categories of capital gain income included in capital gain dividends in a
written notice sent to shareholders. Distributions by the Fund, whether from
exempt-interest income, ordinary income or capital gains, will not be eligible
for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code.
All or a portion of the Fund's gain from the sale or redemption of tax-
exempt obligations purchased at a market discount will be treated as ordinary
income rather than capital gain. This rule may increase the amount of ordinary
income dividends received by shareholders. Distributions in excess of the
Fund's earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a
holder's shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will
constitute capital gains to such holder (assuming the shares are held as a
capital asset). Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares held for six
months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest
dividends received by the shareholder. In addition, any such loss that is not
disallowed under the rule stated above will be treated as long-term capital
loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the shareholder.
If the Fund pays a dividend in January which was declared in the previous
October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in
one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for tax purposes as
being paid by the Fund and received by its shareholders on December 31 of the
year in which such dividend was declared.
The IRS has taken the position in a revenue ruling that if a RIC has two
classes of shares, it may designate distributions made to each class in any
year as consisting of no more than such class's proportionate share of
particular types of income, including exempt interest and net long-term
capital gains (including the additional categories of capital gains discussed
above). A class's proportionate share of a particular type of income is
determined according to the percentage of total dividends paid by the RIC
during such year that was paid to such class. Thus, the Fund is required to
allocate a portion of its net capital gains (including the additional
categories of capital gains) and other taxable income to the AMPS of each
series. The Fund generally will notify
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<PAGE>
the Auction Agent of the amount of any net capital gains and other taxable
income to be included in any dividend on AMPS prior to the Auction
establishing the Applicable Rate for such dividend. Except for the portion of
any dividend that it informs the Auction Agent will be treated as capital
gains or other taxable income, the Fund anticipates that the dividends paid on
the AMPS will constitute exempt-interest dividends. The amount of net capital
gains and ordinary income allocable to AMPS (the "taxable distribution") will
depend upon the amount of such gains and income realized by the Fund and the
total dividends paid by the Fund on Common Shares and AMPS during a taxable
year, but the taxable distribution generally is not expected to be
significant.
In the opinion of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel to the Fund, under current law
the manner in which the Fund intends to allocate items of tax-exempt income,
net capital gains (including additional categories of capital gains), and
other taxable income, if any, between Common Shares and AMPS will be respected
for Federal income tax purposes. However, the tax treatment of Additional
Dividends may affect the Fund's calculation of each class' allocable share of
capital gains and other taxable income. See "Tax Treatment of Additional
Dividends." In addition, there is currently no direct guidance from the IRS or
other sources specifically addressing whether the Fund's method for allocating
tax-exempt income, net capital gains (including additional categories of
capital gain), and other taxable income between Common Shares and AMPS will be
respected for Federal income tax purposes, and it is possible that the IRS
could disagree with counsel's opinion and attempt to reallocate the Fund's net
capital gains or other taxable income. In the event of a reallocation, some of
the dividends identified by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends to holders
of AMPS may be recharacterized as additional capital gains or other taxable
income. In the event of such recharacterization, the Fund would not be
required to make payments to such shareholders to offset the tax effect of
such reallocation. In addition, a reallocation may cause the Fund to be liable
for income tax and excise tax on any reallocated taxable income. Brown & Wood
LLP has advised the Fund that, in its opinion, if the IRS were to challenge in
court the Fund's allocations of income and gain, the IRS would be unlikely to
prevail. A holder should be aware, however, that the opinion of Brown & Wood
LLP represents only its best legal judgment and is not binding on the IRS or
the courts.
The Code subjects interest received on certain otherwise tax-exempt
securities to an alternative minimum tax. The alternative minimum tax will
apply to interest received on "private activity bonds" issued after August 7,
1986. Private activity bonds are bonds which, although tax-exempt, are used
for purposes other than those generally performed by governmental units and
which benefit non-governmental entities (e.g., bonds used for industrial
development or housing purposes). Income received on such bonds is classified
as an item of "tax preference" which could subject certain investors in such
bonds, including shareholders of the Fund, to an alternative minimum tax. The
Fund intends to purchase such "private activity bonds" and will report to
shareholders within 60 days after its taxable year-end the portion of its
dividends declared during the year which constitutes an item of tax preference
for alternative minimum tax purposes. The Code further provides that
corporations are subject to an alternative minimum tax based, in part, on
certain differences between taxable income as adjusted for other tax
preferences and the corporation's "adjusted current earnings", which more
closely reflect a corporation's economic income. Because an exempt-interest
dividend paid by the Fund will be included in adjusted current earnings, a
corporate shareholder may be required to pay an alternative minimum tax on
exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund.
The Fund may invest in instruments the return on which includes
nontraditional features such as indexed principal or interest payments
("nontraditional instruments"). These instruments may be subject to special
tax rules under which the Fund may be required to accrue and distribute income
before amounts due under the obligations are paid. In addition, it is possible
that all or a portion of the interest payments on such nontraditional
instruments could be recharacterized as taxable ordinary income.
If at any time when AMPS are outstanding the Fund does not meet the asset
coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund will be required to suspend
distributions to holders of Common Shares until the asset coverage is
restored. See "Description of AMPS--Restrictions on Dividends and Other
Payments." This may prevent the Fund from distributing at least 90% of its net
income, and may, therefore, jeopardize the Fund's qualification for taxation
as a RIC. Upon any failure to meet the asset coverage requirements of the 1940
Act,
60
<PAGE>
the Fund, in its sole discretion, may redeem AMPS in order to maintain or
restore the requisite asset coverage and avoid the adverse consequences to the
Fund and its shareholders of failing to qualify as a RIC. See "Description of
AMPS--Redemption." There can be no assurance, however, that any such action
would achieve such objectives.
As noted above, the Fund must distribute annually at least 90% of its net
taxable and tax-exempt interest income. A distribution will only be counted
for this purpose if it qualifies for the dividends paid deduction under the
Code. Some types of Preferred Shares that the Fund currently contemplates
issuing may raise an issue as to whether distributions on such Preferred
Shares are "preferential" under the Code and therefore not eligible for the
dividends paid deduction. The Fund intends to issue Preferred Shares that
counsel advises will not result in the payment of a preferential dividend and
may seek a private letter ruling from the IRS to that effect. If the Fund
ultimately relies solely on a legal opinion when it issues such Preferred
Shares, there is no assurance that the IRS would agree that dividends on the
Preferred Shares are not preferential. If the IRS successfully disallowed the
dividends paid deduction for dividends on the Preferred Shares, the Fund could
lose the benefit of the special treatment afforded RICs under the Code. In
this case, dividends on the Common Shares would not be exempt from Federal
income taxes. Additionally, the Fund would be subject to the alternative
minimum tax.
Under certain Code provisions, some taxpayers may be subject to a 31%
withholding tax on certain ordinary income dividends and on capital gain
dividends and redemption payments ("backup withholding"). Generally,
shareholders subject to backup withholding will be those for whom no certified
taxpayer identification number is on file with the Fund or who, to the Fund's
knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account,
an investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct
and that such investor is not otherwise subject to backup withholding.
Ordinary income dividends paid to shareholders who are nonresident aliens or
foreign entities will be subject to a 30% United States withholding tax under
existing provisions of the Code applicable to foreign individuals and entities
unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided
under applicable treaty law. Nonresident shareholders are urged to consult
their own tax advisers concerning the applicability of the United States
withholding tax.
The Code provides that every shareholder required to file a tax return must
include for information purposes on such return the amount of exempt-interest
dividends received from all sources (including the Fund) during the taxable
year.
TAX TREATMENT OF ADDITIONAL DIVIDENDS
If the Fund makes a Retroactive Taxable Allocation, it will pay Additional
Dividends to holders of AMPS who are subject to the Retroactive Taxable
Allocation. See "Description of AMPS--Dividends--Additional Dividends." The
Federal income tax consequences of Additional Dividends under existing law are
uncertain. The Fund intends to treat a holder as receiving a dividend
distribution in the amount of any Additional Dividend only as and when such
Additional Dividend is paid. An Additional Dividend generally will be
designated by the Fund as an exempt-interest dividend except as otherwise
required by applicable law. However, the IRS may assert that all or part of an
Additional Dividend is a taxable dividend either in the taxable year for which
the Retroactive Taxable Allocation is made or in the taxable year in which the
Additional Dividend is paid.
TAX TREATMENT OF OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may purchase or sell municipal bond index financial futures
contracts and interest rate financial futures contracts on U.S. Government
securities. The Fund may also purchase and write call and put options on such
financial futures contracts. In general, unless an election is available to
the Fund or an exception applies, such options and financial futures contracts
that are "Section 1256 contracts" will be "marked to market" for Federal
income tax purposes at the end of each taxable year, i.e., each such option or
financial futures contract
61
<PAGE>
will be treated as sold for its fair market value on the last day of the
taxable year and any gain or loss attributable to Section 1256 contracts will
be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Application of these
rules to Section 1256 contracts held by the Fund may alter the timing and
character of distributions to shareholders. The mark-to-market rules outlined
above, however, will not apply to certain transactions entered into by the
Fund solely to reduce the risk of changes in price or interest rates with
respect to its investments.
Code Section 1092, which applies to certain "straddles," may affect the
taxation of the Fund's sales of securities and transactions in financial
futures contracts and related options. Under Section 1092, the Fund may be
required to postpone recognition for tax purposes of losses incurred in
certain sales of securities and certain closing transactions in financial
futures contracts or the related options.
FLORIDA TAXATION OF THE FUND
If the Fund does not have a taxable nexus to Florida, such as through the
location within the state of the Fund's activities or those of the Investment
Adviser, under present Florida law, the Fund is not subject to Florida
corporate income taxation. Additionally, if the Fund's assets do not have a
taxable situs in Florida on January 1 of each calendar year, the Fund will not
be subject to Florida intangible personal property tax. If the Fund has a
taxable nexus to Florida or the Fund's assets have a taxable situs in Florida,
the Fund will be subject to Florida taxation.
----------------
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable
provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations and Florida tax laws presently
in effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the
pertinent Code sections, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and
Florida tax laws. The Code and the Treasury Regulations, as well as the
Florida tax laws, are subject to change by legislative, judicial or
administrative action either prospectively or retroactively.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific
questions as to Federal, state, local or foreign taxes.
NET ASSET VALUE
Net asset value per Common Share is determined as of 15 minutes after the
close of business on the NYSE (generally, 4:00 p.m. New York time) on each day
during which the NYSE is open for trading. For purposes of determining the net
asset value of a Common Share, the value of the securities held by the Fund
plus any cash or other assets (including interest accrued but not yet
received) minus all liabilities (including accrued expenses) and the aggregate
liquidation value of the outstanding AMPS is divided by the total number of
Common Shares outstanding at such time. Expenses, including the fees payable
to the Investment Adviser, are accrued daily.
The Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in which the Fund invests
are traded primarily in the over-the-counter markets. In determining net asset
value, the Fund utilizes the valuations of portfolio securities furnished by a
pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees. The pricing service
typically values portfolio securities at the bid price or the yield equivalent
when quotations are readily available. Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds for which quotations are not readily available are valued at fair market
value on a consistent basis as determined by the pricing service using a
matrix system to determine valuations. The procedures of the pricing service
and its valuations are reviewed by the officers of the Fund under the general
supervision of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has determined in
good faith that the use of a pricing service is a fair method of determining
the valuation of portfolio securities. Obligations with remaining maturities
of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless this method no longer
produces fair valuations. Positions in futures contracts are valued at closing
prices for such contracts established by the exchange on which they are
traded, or if market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair
value on a consistent basis using methods determined in good faith by the
Board of Trustees.
62
<PAGE>
It is the intention of the Investment Adviser, subject to guidelines
established by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, to hold insured Florida
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in the Fund's portfolio that are in
default, or in significant risk of default, in the payment of principal or
interest until the default has been cured or the principal and interest are
paid by the issuer or the insurer. In accordance with such guidelines, the
Investment Adviser will consider the following factors in determining the
effective value of insured Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bonds in the
Fund's portfolio that are in default, or in significant risk of default, in
the payment of principal or interest; (i) the market value of the bonds; (ii)
the market value of securities of similar issuers whose securities carry
similar interest rates; and (iii) the value of insurance guaranteeing interest
and principal payments. Absent unusual or unforeseen circumstances, the value
ascribed to the insurance feature of the bonds would be the difference between
the market value of the bonds and the market value of securities of a similar
nature that are not in default or significant risk of default.
The Fund determines and makes available for publication the net asset value
of its Common Shares weekly. Currently, the net asset values of shares of
publicly traded closed-end investment companies investing in debt securities
are published in Barron's, the Monday edition of The Wall Street Journal, and
the Monday and Saturday editions of The New York Times.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SHARES
The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial
interest, par value $.10 per share, all of which shares were initially
classified as Common Shares. The Board of Trustees is authorized, however, to
classify or reclassify any unissued shares of beneficial interest by setting
or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or
conditions of redemption. In this regard, the Board of Trustees has
reclassified 4,190 unissued Common Shares as AMPS. For a description of the
AMPS, see "Description of AMPS."
The Fund is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts
business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may,
under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its
obligations. However, the Declaration of Trust of the Fund contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund and
provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's
property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the
Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself
would be unable to meet its obligations. Given the nature of the Fund's assets
and operations, the possibility of the Fund being unable to meet its
obligations is remote and, in the opinion of Massachusetts counsel to the
Fund, the risk to Fund shareholders is remote.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that no Trustee, officer, employee
or agent of the Fund is liable to the Fund or to any shareholder, nor is any
Trustee, officer, employee or agent liable to any third persons in connection
with the affairs of the Fund, except as such liability may arise from his or
her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of their duties. It also provides that all third persons shall look
solely to the Fund property for satisfaction of claims arising in connection
with the affairs of the Fund. With the exceptions stated, the Declaration of
Trust provides that a Trustee, officer, employee or agent is entitled to be
indemnified against all liability in connection with the affairs of the Fund.
The following table shows the amount of (i) capital stock authorized, (ii)
capital stock held by the Fund for its own account and (iii) capital stock
outstanding for each class of authorized securities of the Fund as of
September 26, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT
OUTSTANDING
AMOUNT HELD (EXCLUSIVE OF
BY FUND AMOUNT HELD
AMOUNT FOR ITS OWN BY FUND FOR ITS
TITLE OF CLASS AUTHORIZED ACCOUNT OWN ACCOUNT)
- -------------- ---------- ----------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Common Shares............................ Unlimited -0- 10,506,667
Auction Market Preferred Shares.......... 4,190 -0- -0-
</TABLE>
63
<PAGE>
COMMON SHARES
Holders of Common Shares are entitled to share equally in dividends declared
by the Board of Trustees payable to holders of Common Shares and in the net
assets of the Fund available for distribution to holders of Common Shares
after payment of the preferential amounts payable to holders of any
outstanding Preferred Shares. Neither holders of Common Shares nor holders of
Preferred Shares have pre-emptive or conversion rights and Common Shares are
not redeemable. The outstanding Common Shares are fully paid and non-
assessable.
Holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote for each share held and
will vote with the holders of any outstanding shares of AMPS or other
Preferred Shares on each matter submitted to a vote of holders of Common
Shares, except as described under "Description of AMPS--Voting Rights."
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held. The Common
Shares, AMPS and any other Preferred Shares do not have cumulative voting
rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the Common Shares,
AMPS and any other Preferred Shares voting for the election of Trustees can
elect all of the Trustees standing for election by such holders, and, in such
event, the holders of the remaining shares of Common Shares, AMPS and any
other Preferred Shares will not be able to elect any of such Trustees.
So long as any shares of AMPS or any other Preferred Shares are outstanding,
holders of Common Shares will not be entitled to receive any dividends of or
other distributions from the Fund unless all accumulated dividends on
outstanding AMPS and any other Preferred Shares have been paid, and unless
asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to such AMPS and any
other Preferred Shares would be at least 200% after giving effect to such
distributions. See "Description of AMPS--Restrictions on Dividends and Other
Payments."
The Fund will send unaudited reports at least semi-annually and audited
financial statements annually to all of its shareholders.
The Common Shares commenced trading on the NYSE on September 29, 1997. At
September 29, 1997, the net asset value per Common Share was $15.03, and the
closing price per Common Share on the NYSE was $15.06.
PREFERRED SHARES
Under the Certificate of Designation, the Fund is authorized to issue an
aggregate of 4,190 AMPS. See "Description of AMPS." Under the 1940 Act, the
Fund is permitted to have outstanding more than one series of Preferred Shares
as long as no single series has priority over another series as to the
distribution of assets of the Fund or the payment of dividends. Neither
holders of Common Shares nor holders of Preferred Shares have pre-emptive
rights to purchase any AMPS or any other Preferred Shares that might be
issued. It is anticipated that the net asset value per share of the AMPS will
equal its original purchase price per share plus accumulated dividends per
share.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
The Fund's Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could have the
effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control
of the Fund or to change the composition of its Board of Trustees and could
have the effect of depriving shareholders of an opportunity to sell their
shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third
party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund. A trustee may be removed
from office with or without cause but only by vote of the holders of at least
66 2/3% of the votes entitled to be voted on the matter. A trustee elected by
all of the holders of shares of beneficial interest may be removed only by
action of such holders, and a trustee elected by the holders of AMPS and any
other Preferred Shares may be removed only by action of holders of AMPS and
any other Preferred Shares.
64
<PAGE>
In addition, the Declaration of Trust requires the favorable vote of the
holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Fund's outstanding shares, then entitled to
be voted, voting as a single class, to approve, adopt or authorize the
following:
(i) a merger or consolidation or statutory share exchange of the Fund
with other entities,
(ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the Fund's assets (other than
in the regular course of the Fund's investment activities), or
(iii) a liquidation or dissolution of the Fund,
unless such action has been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative
vote of at least two-thirds of the entire Board of Trustees, in which case the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding shares
entitled to be voted on the matter, voting as a single class, is required.
Such approval, adoption or authorization of the foregoing would also require
the favorable vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Preferred
Shares then entitled to be voted, including the AMPS, voting as a separate
class where such action would adversely affect the rights of the holders of
Preferred Shares.
In addition, conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company would
require an amendment to the Fund's Declaration of Trust. The amendment would
have to be declared advisable by the Board of Trustees prior to its submission
to shareholders. Such an amendment would require the favorable vote of the
holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Fund's outstanding shares of capital shares
(including the AMPS and any other Preferred Shares) entitled to be voted on
the matter, voting as a single class (or a majority of such shares if the
amendment was previously approved, adopted or authorized by at least two-
thirds of the total number of Trustees fixed in accordance with the by-laws),
and, the affirmative vote of at least a majority of outstanding shares of
Preferred Shares of the Fund (including the AMPS), voting as a separate class.
Such a vote also would satisfy a separate requirement in the 1940 Act that the
change be approved by the shareholders. Shareholders of an open-end investment
company may require the company to redeem their common shares at any time
(except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at
their net asset value, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in
effect at the time of a redemption. All redemptions will be made in cash. If
the Fund is converted to an open-end investment company, it could be required
to liquidate portfolio securities to meet requests for redemption. Conversion
to an open-end investment company would also require redemption of all
outstanding shares of Preferred Shares (including the AMPS) and would require
changes in certain of the Fund's investment policies and restrictions, such as
those relating to the issuance of senior securities, the borrowing of money
and the purchase of illiquid securities.
The Board of Trustees has determined that the 66 2/3% voting requirements
described above, which are greater than the minimum requirements under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the 1940 Act, are in the best
interests of shareholders generally. Reference should be made to the
Declaration of Trust on file with the Commission for the full text of these
provisions.
CUSTODIAN
The Fund's securities and cash are held under a custody agreement with The
Bank of New York, 90 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286.
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<PAGE>
UNDERWRITING
The Underwriter has agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of a
Purchase Agreement with the Fund and the Investment Adviser, to purchase from
the Fund all of the shares of AMPS of each series offered hereby. The
Underwriter is committed to purchase all of such shares if any are purchased.
The Underwriter has advised the Fund that it proposes initially to offer the
shares of AMPS to the public at the public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus, and to certain dealers at such price less a
concession not in excess of $ per share. The Underwriter may allow, and
such dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $ per share to other
dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price,
concession and discount may be changed. The sales load of $ per share is
equal to % of the initial public offering price. Investors must pay for any
AMPS purchased in the initial public offering on or before October , 1997.
The Underwriter has agreed to pay the Fund an amount to cover expenses
incurred in connection with the issuance and sale of the AMPS offered hereby
(estimated to be $215,000) and other expenses.
The Underwriter will act in Auctions as a Broker-Dealer as set forth under
"Description of AMPS--The Auction--General--Broker-Dealer Agreements" and will
be entitled to fees for services as a Broker-Dealer as set forth under
"Description of AMPS--Broker-Dealers." The Underwriter also may provide
information to be used in ascertaining the Reference Rate.
The Fund anticipates that the Underwriter from time to time may act as a
broker in connection with the execution of the Fund's portfolio transactions.
The Fund has obtained an exemptive order permitting it to engage in certain
principal transactions with the Underwriter involving high quality, short-
term, tax-exempt securities, subject to certain conditions. See "Investment
Restrictions" and "Portfolio Transactions."
The Underwriter is an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.
The Fund and the Investment Adviser have agreed to indemnify the Underwriter
against certain liabilities including liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.
TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar for the shares
of AMPS will be IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, One State Street, New York,
New York 10004. The transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder
servicing agent for the shares of Common Shares is The Bank of New York, 101
Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.
LEGAL OPINIONS
Certain legal matters in connection with the AMPS offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Fund and the Underwriter by Brown & Wood LLP, One World
Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0557.
EXPERTS
The statement of assets, liabilities and capital of the Fund as of September
18, 1997 included in this Prospectus and the Registration Statement has been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their
report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and is included in reliance upon
such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing. The selection of independent auditors is subject to ratification by
shareholders of the Fund.
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<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith is required
to file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission.
Any such reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities of the Commission at Room 1024,
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the
following regional offices of the Commission: Regional Office, at Seven World
Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048; Pacific Regional Office,
at 5670 Wilshire Boulevard, 11th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90036; and
Midwest Regional Office, at Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such materials can
be obtained from the public reference section of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission
maintains a Web site at http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and
information statements and other information regarding registrants, including
the Fund, that file electronically with the Commission. Reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning the Fund can also be inspected at
the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10005.
Additional information regarding the Fund and the AMPS is contained in the
Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments, exhibits and
schedules thereto, relating to such shares filed by the Fund with the
Commission in Washington, D.C. This Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any amendments,
exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the
Fund and the shares offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration
Statement. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any
contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in
each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being
qualified in all respects by such reference. A copy of the Registration
Statement may be inspected without charge at the Commission's principal office
in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained
from the Commission upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the
Commission.
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<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Trustees and Shareholder of
MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and capital
of MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund as of September 18, 1997. This financial
statement is the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, such statement of assets, liabilities and capital presents
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MuniHoldings
Florida Insured Fund as of September 18, 1997 in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Princeton, New Jersey
September 23, 1997
68
<PAGE>
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
SEPTEMBER 18, 1997
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS
Cash............................................................. $100,005
Deferred organization expenses (Note 1).......................... 355,000
--------
Total assets................................................... 455,005
--------
LIABILITIES
Accrued expenses (Note 1)........................................ 355,000
--------
NET ASSETS......................................................... $100,005
========
CAPITAL
Common Shares, par value $.10 per share; 200,000,000 shares
authorized; 6,667 shares issued and outstanding (Note 1)........ $ 667
Paid-in Capital in excess of par................................. 99,338
--------
Total Capital--Equivalent to $15.00 net asset value
per common share (Note 1)..................................... $100,005
========
</TABLE>
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION
The Fund was organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
on September 8, 1997 as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment
company and has had no operations other than the sale to Fund Asset
Management, L.P. (the "Investment Adviser") of an aggregate of 6,667 Common
Shares for $100,005 on September 18, 1997. The general partner of the
Investment Adviser is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch &
Co., Inc.
Deferred organization costs will be amortized on a straight-line basis over
a five-year period beginning with the commencement of operations of the Fund.
NOTE 2. MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The Fund has engaged the Investment Adviser to provide investment advisory
and management services to the Fund. The Investment Adviser will receive a
monthly fee for advisory services, at an annual rate equal to 0.55 of 1% of
the average daily net assets of the Fund.
NOTE 3. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" and as such
(and by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended) will not be subject to Federal income tax on taxable
income (including realized capital gains) that is distributed to shareholders.
69
<PAGE>
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SEPTEMBER 26, 1997
(IN THOUSANDS)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P MOODY'S FACE VALUE
RATINGS RATINGS AMOUNT ISSUE (NOTE 1A)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida--107.4%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <S> <C>
AAA Aaa $ 4,000 Bay County, Florida, Water System Revenue
Bonds, 5.125% due 9/01/2022 $ 3,861
AAA Aaa 1,650 Broward County, Florida, Professional
Sports Facilities Tax Revenue Bonds (Civic
Arena Project), Series A, 5.625% due
9/01/2028 1,679
AAA Aaa 2,000 Charlotte County, Florida, Health Care
Facilities Revenue Bonds (Bon Secours
Health System), RIB, 7.843% due 8/26/2027
(d) 2,195
AAA Aaa 2,500 Cocoa, Florida, Water and Sewer Revenue
Improvement Bonds, 5.75% due 10/01/2017 2,616
NR* NR* 4,440 Collier County, Florida, IDR, Refunding
(Southern States Utilities), AMT, 6.50%
due 10/01/2025 4,628
AAA Aaa 6,500 Dade County, Florida, Aviation Revenue
Bonds, AMT, Series B, 5.60% due 10/01/2026 6,601
Dade County, Florida, HFA, M/F Mortgage
Revenue Bonds (Golden Lakes Apartments
Project), AMT, Series A:
AAA Aaa 1,225 5.65% due 9/01/2017 1,225
AAA Aaa 1,700 5.70% due 9/01/2022 1,700
NR* NR* 900 5.95% due 11/01/2027 899
AAA Aaa 1,890 5.75% due 9/01/2029 1,890
NR* NR* 1,445 6.05% due 11/01/2039 1,443
AA- VMIG1+ 9,100 Dade County, Florida, IDA, Exempt
Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds
(Florida Power and Light Co.), VRDN, 4.05%
due 6/01/2021 (a) 9,100
AAA Aaa 10,000 Dade County, Florida, School Board, COP,
5.60% due 8/01/2026 10,128
Dade County, Florida, Water and Sewer
System Revenue Bonds:
AAA Aaa 5,000 5.50% due 10/01/2025 5,019
A1+ VMIG1+ 22,105 VRDN, 4.10% due 10/05/2022 (a) 22,105
A1 VMIG1+ 4,500 Escambia County, Florida, PCR, (Gulf Power
Co., Project), VRDN, 4.10% due 7/01/2022
(a) 4,500
Florida HFA:
AAA Aaa 1,675 5.90% due 12/01/2027 1,711
AAA Aaa 10,000 5.90% due 7/01/2029 10,134
AAA Aaa 6,245 Fort Myers, Florida, Improvement Revenue
Bonds, 5% due 12/01/2022 5,952
AAA Aaa 1,000 Hillsborough County, Port District Special
Revenue Refunding Bonds (Tampa Port
Authority), AMT, 6% due 6/01/2020 1,036
AAA Aaa 2,415 Homestead, Florida, Water and Sewer System
Revenue Bonds, 5.25% due 10/01/2027 2,361
</TABLE>
70
<PAGE>
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
SEPTEMBER 26, 1997
(IN THOUSANDS)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P MOODY'S FACE VALUE
RATINGS RATINGS AMOUNT ISSUE (NOTE 1A)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida--concluded
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <S> <C>
Jacksonville, Florida, Health Facilities
Authority, Hospital Revenue Bonds, VRDN
(a):
AAA Aaa $2,000 (Baptist Medical Center Project), 4.10%
due 6/01/2008 (c) $ 2,000
AAA Aaa 7,225 Refunding, 5.125% due 8/15/2027 6,901
NR* A1 6,400 Refunding (Genesis Rehabilitation
Hospital), 4.10% due 5/01/2021 6,400
AA- Aa 2,000 Lakeland, Florida, Electric and Water
Revenue Bonds, 5.50% due 10/01/2026 2,007
AAA Aaa 1,000 Manatee County, Florida, School Board, COP,
6.125% due 7/01/2021 1,072
AAA Aaa 3,665 Martin County, Florida, Health Facilities
Authority Hospital Revenue Bonds, 5.375%
due 11/15/2024 3,601
AAA Aaa 4,000 North Broward, Florida, Hospital District
Revenue Bonds, 5.375% due 1/15/2024 3,941
AAA Aaa 3,340 Okaloosa County, Florida, Gas District
Revenue Bonds, 5.625% due 10/01/2023 3,433
AAA Aaa 1,700 Orange County, Florida, Health Facilities
Authority Revenue Bonds, 5.25% due
11/15/2020 1,651
AAA Aaa 7,000 Orange County, Florida, Tourist Development
and Tax Revenue Bonds, 5.125% due
10/01/2021 6,778
A1 VMIG1+ 3,200 Pinellas County, Florida, Health Facilities
Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds (Pooled
Hospital Loan Program), DATES, 4.05% due
12/01/2015 (a) 3,200
AAA Aaa 6,765 Port Saint Lucie, Florida, Utility Revenue
Bonds, 5.125% due 9/01/2027 6,510
AAA Aaa 7,095 Saint John's County, Florida, IDR
(Professional Golfers Hall of Fame
Project), 5.875% due 9/01/2023 7,390
AAA Aaa 2,630 Seminole County, Florida, School Board,
COP, Refunding, Series A, 5.25% due
7/01/2021 (b) 2,557
AAA Aaa 4,550 South Broward Hospital District, Florida,
Hospital Revenue Refunding Bonds, 5.25% due
5/01/2021 (c) 4,424
AAA Aaa 2,750 South Miami Florida, Health Facilities
Authority, Hospital Revenue Bonds, 5.50%
due 10/01/2020 2,754
A1 NR* 4,150 Wauchula, Florida, IDA, Refunding (Hardee
County Center Project), 4.15% due
12/01/2013 4,150
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments (Cost - $168,920) -- 107.4% 169,552
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets -- (7.4%) (11,615)
--------
Net Assets -- 100.0% $157,937
========
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(a) The interest rate is subject to change periodically based upon prevailing
market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect at September
26, 1997.
(b) FGIC Insured.
(c) MBIA Insured.
(d) The interest rate is subject to change periodically and inversely based
upon prevailing market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect
at September 26, 1997.
* Not rated.
+ Highest short-term rating by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
71
<PAGE>
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONCLUDED)
SEPTEMBER 26, 1997
(IN THOUSANDS)
To simplify the listings of MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund's portfolio
holdings in the Schedule of Investments, we have abbreviated the names of many
of the securities according to the list below.
AMT Alternative Minimum Tax (subject to)
COP Certificates of Participation
DATES Daily Adjustable Tax-Exempt Securities
HFA Housing Finance Agency
IDA Industrial Development Authority
IDR Industrial Development Revenue Bonds
M/F Multi-Family
PCR Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
RIB Residual Interest Bonds
VRDN Variable Rate Demand Notes
See Notes to Financial Statements.
72
<PAGE>
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
AS OF SEPTEMBER 26, 1997 (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments, at value (identified cost--$168,920,356)
(Note 1a)........................................... $169,552,195
Cash................................................. 100,005
Receivables:
Capital shares sold................................ $157,500,000
Interest........................................... 2,071,797
Investment adviser (Note 2)........................ 1,404 159,573,201
------------ ------------
Total assets......................................... 329,225,401
------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for securities purchased..................... 170,926,523
Accrued expenses and other liabilities............... 361,931
------------
Total liabilities.................................... 171,288,454
------------
NET ASSETS:
Net assets........................................... $157,936,947
============
CAPITAL:
Common Shares (unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest authorized) (Note 4), par value
$.10 per share (10,506,667 shares issued
and outstanding).................................... $ 1,050,667
Paid-in capital in excess of par..................... 156,188,811
Undistributed investment income--net................. 65,630
Unrealized appreciation on investments--net.......... 631,839
------------
Total capital--Equivalent to $15.03 net asset value
per share of Common Shares.......................... $157,936,947
============
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
73
<PAGE>
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund (the "Fund") is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company. Prior to commencement of operations on September 26, 1997
the Fund had no operations other than those relating to organizational matters
and the sale of 6,667 Common Shares on September 18, 1997, to Fund Asset
Management, L.P. ("FAM") for $100,005. The Fund will determine and make
available for publication the net asset value of its Common Shares on a weekly
basis. The Fund's Common Shares will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol MFL. The following is a summary of significant accounting
policies followed by the Fund.
(a) Valuation of investments--Municipal bonds are traded primarily in the
over-the-counter markets and are valued at the most recent bid price or yield
equivalent as obtained by the Fund's pricing service from dealers that make
markets in such securities. Financial futures contracts and options thereon,
which are traded on exchanges, are valued at their closing prices as of the
close of such exchanges. Options, which are traded on exchanges, are valued at
their last sale price as of the close of such exchanges or, lacking any sales,
at the last available bid price. Securities with remaining maturities of sixty
days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at
fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board
of Trustees of the Fund, including valuations furnished by a pricing service
retained by the Fund, which may utilize a matrix system for valuations. The
procedures of the pricing service and its valuations are reviewed by the
officers of the Fund under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees.
(b) Derivative financial instruments--The Fund may engage in various
portfolio strategies to seek to increase its return by hedging its portfolio
against adverse movements in the debt markets. Losses may arise due to changes
in the value of the contract or if the counterparty does not perform under the
contract.
. Financial futures contracts--The Fund may purchase or sell interest rate
futures contracts and options on such futures contracts for the purpose of
hedging the market risk on existing securities or the intended purchase of
securities. Futures contracts are contracts for delayed delivery of
securities at a specific future date and at a specific price or yield.
Upon entering into a contract, the Fund deposits and maintains as
collateral such initial margin as required by the exchange on which the
transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to
receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily
fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known
as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or
losses. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or
loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time
it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
. Options--The Fund is authorized to write covered call options and
purchase put options. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to
the premium received by the Fund is reflected as an asset and an
equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked
to market to reflect the current market value of the option written.
When a security is purchased or sold through an exercise of an option,
the related premium paid (or received) is added to (or deducted from) the
basis of the security acquired or deducted from (or added to) the
proceeds of the security sold. When an option expires (or the Fund enters
into a closing transaction), the Fund realizes a gain or loss on the
option to the extent of the premiums received or paid (or gain or loss to
the extent the cost of the closing transaction exceeds the premium paid
or received).
Written and purchased options are non-income producing investments.
(c) Income taxes--It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of
the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is required.
(d) Security transactions and investment income--Security transactions are
recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates).
Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. Discounts and
74
<PAGE>
market premiums are amortized into interest income. Realized gains and losses
on security transactions are determined on the identified cost basis.
(e) Dividends and distributions--Dividends from net investment income are
declared and paid monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the
ex-dividend dates.
2. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES:
The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Fund Asset
Management, L.P. ("FAM"). The general partner of FAM is Princeton Services,
Inc. ("PSI"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
("ML & Co."), which is the limited partner.
FAM is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio and provides
the necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services
necessary to the operations of the Fund. For such services, the Fund pays a
monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund's average weekly net
assets. For the period ended September 26, 1997, FAM earned fees of $7,124,
all of which was voluntarily waived. FAM also reimbursed the Fund additional
expenses of $1,404.
Accounting services are provided to the Fund by FAM at cost.
Certain officers and/or trustees of the Fund are officers and/or directors
of FAM, PSI, and/or ML & Co.
3. INVESTMENTS:
Purchases of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the period
ended September 26, 1997 were $115,316,817. There were no long-term sales.
Net unrealized gains as of September 26, 1997 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNREALIZED
GAINS
----------
<S> <C>
Long-term investments......................................... $631,839
--------
Total......................................................... $631,839
========
</TABLE>
As of September 26, 1997, net unrealized appreciation for Federal income tax
purposes aggregated $631,839, of which $649,821 related to appreciated
securities and $17,982 related to depreciated securities. The aggregate cost
of investments at September 26, 1997 for Federal income tax purposes was
$168,920,356.
4. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial
interest, including Preferred Shares, par value $.10 per share, all of which
were initially classified as Common Shares. The Board of Trustees is
authorized, however, to reclassify any unissued capital shares without
approval of holders of Common Shares.
Common Shares
For the period ended September 26, 1997, shares issued and outstanding were
10,506,667. At September 26, 1997, total paid-in capital amounted to
$157,239,478.
5. GENERAL:
As of September 26, 1997, the Fund had only one day of investment operations
and had not yet declared dividends (whereas it will ordinarily do so on a
monthly basis). As a result, the Fund believes that more extensive interim
financial statements would not be indicative of the Fund's current and ongoing
operations. The Fund believes that such financial statements may be misleading
to potential investors and, accordingly, believes that inclusion of such
financial statements would be inappropriate. For the period ended September
26, 1997, the Fund had net investment income of $65,630. FAM voluntarily
waived all expenses.
75
<PAGE>
GLOSSARY
" "AA' (AA) Composite Commercial Paper Rate," on any Valuation Date, means
(i) the Interest Equivalent of the rate on commercial paper placed on behalf
of issuers whose corporate bonds are rated "AA" by S&P or "Aa" by Moody's or
the equivalent of such rating by another nationally recognized statistical
rating organization, as such rate is made available on a discount basis or
otherwise by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the Business Day
immediately preceding such date, or (ii) in the event that the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York does not make available such a rate, then the arithmetic
average of the Interest Equivalent of the rate on commercial paper placed on
behalf of such issuers, as quoted on a discount basis or otherwise by Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its successors that are
Commercial Paper Dealers, to the Auction Agent for the close of business on
the Business Day immediately preceding such date. If one of the Commercial
Paper Dealers does not quote a rate required to determine the "AA" Composite
Commercial Paper Rate, the "AA" Composite Commercial Paper Rate will be
determined on the basis of the quotation or quotations furnished by any
Substitute Commercial Paper Dealer or Substitute Commercial Paper Dealers
selected by the Fund to provide such rate or rates not being supplied by the
Commercial Paper Dealer. If the number of Dividend Period days shall be (i) 7
or more but fewer than 49 days, such rate shall be the Interest Equivalent of
the 30-day rate on such commercial paper; (ii) 49 or more but fewer than 70
days, such rate shall be the Interest Equivalent of the 60-day rate on such
commercial paper; (iii) 70 or more days but fewer than 85 days, such rate
shall be the arithmetic average of the Interest Equivalent of the 60-day and
90-day rates on such commercial paper; (iv) 85 or more days but fewer than 99
days, such rate shall be the Interest Equivalent of the 90-day rate on such
commercial paper; (v) 99 or more days but fewer than 120 days, such rate shall
be the arithmetic average of the Interest Equivalent of the 90-day and 120-day
rates on such commercial paper; (vi) 120 or more days but fewer than 141 days,
such rate shall be the Interest Equivalent of the 120-day rate on such
commercial paper; (vii) 141 or more days but fewer than 162 days, such rate
shall be the arithmetic average of the Interest Equivalent of the 120-day and
180-day rates on such commercial paper; and (viii) 162 or more days but fewer
than 183 days, such rate shall be the Interest Equivalent of the 180-day rate
on such commercial paper.
"Additional Dividend" has the meaning set forth on page 46 of this
Prospectus.
"Agent Member" means the member of the Securities Depository that will act
on behalf of a Beneficial Owner of one or more shares of AMPS or on behalf of
a Potential Beneficial Owner.
"AMPS" means the Auction Market Preferred Shares, Series A and the Auction
Market Preferred Shares, Series B, each with a par value of $.10 per share and
a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to
accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared),
of the Fund.
"AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount" has the meaning set forth on page 47 of this
Prospectus.
"AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date" has the meaning set forth on page 47 of
this Prospectus.
"AMPS Basic Maintenance Report" has the meaning set forth on page 48 of this
Prospectus.
"Anticipation Notes" means the following Florida Municipal Bonds: revenue
anticipation notes, tax anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation
notes, grant anticipation notes and bond anticipation notes.
"Applicable Percentage" has the meaning set forth on page 36 of this
Prospectus.
"Applicable Rate" means the rate per annum at which cash dividends are
payable on shares of AMPS for any Dividend Period.
"Auction" means a periodic operation of the Auction Procedures.
"Auction Agent" means IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company unless and until
another commercial bank, trust company or other financial institution
appointed by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund or a
76
<PAGE>
duly authorized committee thereof enters into an agreement with the Fund to
follow the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining the Applicable
Rate and to act as transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and
redemption agent for the AMPS.
"Auction Agent Agreement" means the agreement entered into between the Fund
and the Auction Agent which provides, among other things, that the Auction
Agent will follow the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining the
Applicable Rate.
"Auction Date" has the meaning set forth on page 35 of this Prospectus.
"Auction Procedures" means the procedures for conducting Auctions set forth
in Appendix D to this Prospectus.
"Available AMPS" has the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(d)(i) of the
Auction Procedures.
"Beneficial Owner" means a customer of a Broker-Dealer who is listed on the
records of that Broker-Dealer (or if applicable, the Auction Agent) as a
holder of shares of AMPS or a Broker-Dealer that holds AMPS for its own
account.
"Bid" has the meaning specified in Subsection 10(b)(i) of the Auction
Procedures.
"Bidder" has the meaning specified in Subsection 10(b)(i) of the Auction
Procedures.
"Board of Trustees" or "Board" means the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
"Broker-Dealer" means any broker-dealer, or other entity permitted by law to
perform the functions required of a Broker-Dealer in the Auction Procedures,
that has been selected by the Fund and has entered into a Broker-Dealer
Agreement with the Auction Agent that remains effective.
"Broker-Dealer Agreement" means an agreement entered into between the
Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer, including Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated, pursuant to which such Broker-Dealer agrees to follow the
Auction Procedures.
"Business Day" means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for
trading and which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in The
City of New York are authorized or obligated by law to close.
"Cede" means Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and in whose name the shares of
AMPS initially will be registered.
"Certificate of Designation" means the Certificate of Designation of the
Fund specifying the powers, preferences and rights of the AMPS.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commercial Paper Dealers" means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated and such other commercial paper dealer or dealers as the Fund
from time to time may appoint or, in lieu thereof, their respective affiliates
and successors.
"Common Stock" means the Common Stock, par value $.10 per share, of the
Fund.
"Date of Original Issue" means, with respect to each share of AMPS, the date
on which such share first is issued by the Fund.
"Declaration" means the Declaration of Trust, as amended and supplemented
(including the Certificate of Designation) of the Fund.
77
<PAGE>
"Deposit Securities" means cash and Florida Municipal Bonds and Municipal
Bonds rated at least A2 (having a remaining maturity of 12 months or less), P-
1, VMIG-1 or MIG-1 by Moody's or A (having a remaining maturity of 12 months
or less), A-1+ or SP-1+ by S&P.
"Discount Factor" means a Moody's Discount Factor or an S&P Discount Factor,
as the case may be.
"Discounted Value" of any asset of the Fund means (i) with respect to an S&P
Eligible Asset, the quotient of the market value thereof divided by the
applicable S&P Discount Factor and (ii) with respect to a Moody's Eligible
Asset, the lower of par and the quotient of the market value thereof divided
by the applicable Moody's Discount Factor.
"Dividend Payment Date" has the meaning set forth on page 42 of this
Prospectus.
"Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth on page 44 of this Prospectus.
"DTC" means The Depository Trust Company.
"Eligible Assets" means Moody's Eligible Assets or S&P Eligible Assets, as
the case may be.
"Existing Holder" means a Broker-Dealer or any such other person as may be
permitted by the Fund that is listed as the holder of record of shares of AMPS
in the records of the Auction Agent.
"Florida Municipal Bonds" has the meaning set forth on page 3 of this
Prospectus.
"Forward Commitment" has the meaning set forth on page 28 of this
Prospectus.
"Fund" means MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund, a Massachusetts business
trust that is the issuer of the AMPS.
"Hold Order" has the meaning specified in Subsection 10(b)(i) of the Auction
Procedures.
"Initial Dividend Payment Date" has the meaning, with respect to each series
of AMPS, set forth on page 2 of this Prospectus.
"Initial Dividend Period" means, with respect to the AMPS, the period from
and including the Date of Original Issue to but excluding the Initial Dividend
Payment Date for each series of AMPS.
"Initial Margin" means the amount of cash or securities deposited with a
broker as a margin payment at the time of purchase or sale of a financial
futures contract.
"Interest Equivalent" means a yield on a 360-day basis of a discount basis
security which is equal to the yield on an equivalent interest-bearing
security.
"Investment Adviser" means Fund Asset Management, L.P.
"IRS" means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
"Long Term Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth on page 4 of this
Prospectus.
"Mandatory Redemption Price" has the meaning set forth on page 48 of this
Prospectus.
"Marginal Tax Rate" means the maximum marginal regular Federal individual
income tax rate applicable to ordinary income or the maximum marginal regular
Federal corporate income tax rate, whichever is greater.
"Maximum Applicable Rate" has the meaning specified under "Description of
AMPS--The Auction--Orders by Beneficial Owners, Potential Beneficial Owners,
Existing Holders and Potential Holders" in the Prospectus.
78
<PAGE>
"Maximum Potential Additional Dividend Liability" has the meaning set forth
on page 47 of this Prospectus.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or its successors.
"Moody's Discount Factor" has the meaning set forth on page 25 of this
Prospectus.
"Moody's Eligible Assets" has the meaning set forth on page 24 of this
Prospectus.
"Moody's Exposure Period" means a period that is the same length or longer
than the number of days used in calculating the cash dividend component of the
AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and initially shall be the period commencing on
and including a given Valuation Date and ending 48 days thereafter.
"Moody's Hedging Transactions" has the meaning set forth on page 27 of this
Prospectus.
"Moody's Volatility Factor" means 272% as long as there has been no increase
enacted to the Marginal Tax Rate. If such an increase is enacted but not yet
implemented, the Moody's Volatility Factor shall be as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% CHANGE IN MOODY'S
MARGINAL TAX RATE VOLATILITY FACTOR
----------------- -----------------
<S> <C>
less than or equal to 5%.............. 292%
greater than 5% but less than or equal to 10%.............. 313%
greater than 10% but less than or equal to 15%.............. 338%
greater than 15% but less than or equal to 20%.............. 364%
greater than 20% but less than or equal to 25%.............. 396%
greater than 25% but less than or equal to 30%.............. 432%
greater than 30% but less than or equal to 35%.............. 472%
greater than 35% but less than or equal to 40%.............. 520%
</TABLE>
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Moody's Volatility Factor may mean such
other potential dividend rate increase factor as Moody's advises the Fund in
writing is applicable.
"Municipal Bonds" has the meaning set forth on page 14 of this Prospectus.
"Municipal Index" has the meaning set forth on page 24 of this Prospectus.
"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to
time.
"1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage" has the meaning set forth on page 46 of this
Prospectus.
"1940 Act Cure Date" has the meaning set forth on page 46 of this
Prospectus.
"Non-Call Period" has the meaning set forth under "Specific Redemption
Provisions" below.
"Non-Payment Period" has the meaning set forth on page 44 of this
Prospectus.
"Non-Payment Period Rate" has the meaning set forth on page 44 of this
Prospectus.
"Notice of Revocation" has the meaning set forth on page 43 of this
Prospectus.
"Notice of Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth on page 43 of
this Prospectus.
"Optional Redemption Price" has the meaning set forth on page 48 of this
Prospectus.
"Order" has the meaning specified in Subsection 10(b)(i) of the Auction
Procedures.
79
<PAGE>
"Policy" means an insurance policy purchased by the Fund which guarantees
the payment of principal and interest on specified Florida Municipal Bonds or
Municipal Bonds during the period in which such Florida Municipal Bonds or
Municipal Bonds are owned by the Fund; provided, however, that, as long as the
AMPS are rated by Moody's and S&P, the Fund will not obtain any Policy unless
Moody's and S&P advise the Fund in writing that the purchase of such Policy
will not adversely affect their then-current rating on the AMPS.
"Potential Beneficial Owner" means a customer of a Broker-Dealer or a
Broker-Dealer that is not a Beneficial Owner of shares of AMPS but that wishes
to purchase such shares, or that is a Beneficial Owner that wishes to purchase
additional shares of AMPS.
"Potential Holder" means any Broker-Dealer or any such other person as may
be permitted by the Fund, including any Existing Holder, who may be interested
in acquiring shares of AMPS (or, in the case of an Existing Holder, additional
shares of AMPS).
"Preferred Shares" means Preferred Shares, par value $.10 per share, of the
Fund.
"Premium Call Period" has the meaning set forth under "Specific Redemption
Provisions" below.
"Receivables for Florida Municipal Bonds Sold." for purposes of determining
S&P Eligible Assets, has the meaning set forth on page 22 of this Prospectus.
"Receivables for Florida Municipal Bonds or Municipal Bonds Sold," for
purposes of determining Moody's Eligible Assets, has the meaning set forth on
page 25 of this Prospectus.
"Reference Rate" means: (i) with respect to a Dividend Period or a Short
Term Dividend Period having 28 or fewer days, the higher of the applicable
"AA" Composite Commercial Paper Rate and the Taxable Equivalent of the Short
Term Municipal Bond Rate, (ii) with respect to any Short Term Dividend Period,
having more than 28 but fewer than 183 days, the applicable "AA" Composite
Commercial Paper Rate, (iii) with respect to any Short Term Dividend Period
having 183 or more but fewer than 364 days, the applicable U.S. Treasury Bill
Rate and (iv) with respect to any Long Term Dividend Period, the applicable
U.S. Treasury Note Rate.
"Request for Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth on page 42
of this Prospectus.
"Response" has the meaning set forth on page 43 of this Prospectus.
"Retroactive Taxable Allocation" has the meaning set forth on page 45 of
this Prospectus.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services or its successors.
"S&P Discount Factor" has the meaning set forth on page 21 of this
Prospectus.
"S&P Eligible Assets" has the meaning set forth on page 21 of this
Prospectus.
"S&P Exposure Period" means the maximum period of time following a Valuation
Date, including the Valuation Date and the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date,
that the Fund has under the Certificate of Designation to cure any failure to
maintain, as of such Valuation Date, a Discounted Value for its portfolio at
least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.
"S&P Hedging Transactions" has the meaning set forth on page 24 of this
Prospectus.
"S&P Volatility Factor" means 277% or such other potential dividend rate
increase factor as S&P advises the Fund in writing is applicable.
"Securities Depository" means The Depository Trust Company and its
successors and assigns or any successor securities depository selected by the
Fund that agrees to follow the procedures required to be followed by such
securities depository in connection with shares of AMPS.
80
<PAGE>
"Sell Order" has the meaning specified in Subsection 10(b)(i) of the Auction
Procedures.
"7-Day Dividend Period" means a Dividend Period consisting of seven days.
"Short Term Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth on page 4 of this
Prospectus.
"Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth on page 4 of this
Prospectus.
"Specific Redemption Provisions" means, with respect to a Special Dividend
Period, either, or any combination of, (i) a period (a "Non-Call Period")
determined by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, after consultation with the
Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers, during which the AMPS subject to such
Dividend Period shall not be subject to redemption at the option of the Fund
and (ii) a period (a "Premium Call Period"), consisting of a number of whole
years and determined by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, after consultation
with the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers, during each year of which the
AMPS subject to such Dividend Period shall be redeemable at the Fund's option
at a price per share equal to $25,000 plus accumulated but unpaid dividends
plus a premium expressed as a percentage of $25,000, as determined by the
Board of Trustees of the Fund after consultation with the Auction Agent and
the Broker-Dealers.
"Submission Deadline" has the meaning specified in Subsection 10(a)(x) of
the Auction Procedures.
"Submitted Bid" has the meaning specified in Subsection 10(d)(i) of the
Auction Procedures.
"Submitted Hold Order" has the meaning specified in Subsection 10(d)(i) of
the Auction Procedures.
"Submitted Order" has the meaning specified in Subsection 10(d)(i) of the
Auction Procedures.
"Submitted Sell Order" has the meaning specified in Subsection 10(d)(i) of
the Auction Procedures.
"Subsequent Dividend Period" means each Dividend Period after the Initial
Dividend Period.
"Substitute Rating Agency" and "Substitute Rating Agencies" shall mean a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization or two nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations, respectively, selected by Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, or its respective affiliates and
successors, after consultation with the Fund, to act as a substitute rating
agency or substitute rating agencies, as the case may be, to determine the
credit ratings of the AMPS.
"Sufficient Clearing Bids" has the meaning specified in Subsection 10(d)(i)
of the Auction Procedures.
"Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate" on any date means
90% of the quotient of (A) the per annum rate expressed on an interest
equivalent basis equal to the Kenny S&P 30 day High Grade Index (the "Kenny
Index"), or any successor index made available for the Business Day
immediately preceding such date but in any event not later than 8:30 A.M., New
York City time, on such date by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any
successor thereto, based upon 30-day yield evaluations at par of bonds the
interest on which is excludable for regular Federal income tax purposes under
the Code of "high grade" component issuers selected by Kenny Information
Systems Inc. or any such successor from time to time in its discretion, which
component issuers shall include, without limitation, issuers of general
obligation bonds but shall exclude any bonds the interest on which constitutes
an item of tax preference under Section 57(a) (5) of the Code, or successor
provisions, for purposes of the "alternative minimum tax," divided by (B) 1.00
minus the Marginal Tax Rate (expressed as a decimal); provided, however, that
if the Kenny Index is not made so available by 8:30 A.M., New York City time,
on such date by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any successor, the Taxable
Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate shall mean the quotient of
(A) the per annum rate expressed on an interest equivalent basis equal to the
most recent Kenny Index so made available for any preceding Business Day,
divided by (B) 1.00 minus the Marginal Tax Rate (expressed as a decimal). The
Fund may not utilize a successor index to the Kenny Index unless Moody's and
S&P provide the Fund with written
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confirmation that the use of such successor index will not adversely affect
the then-current respective Moody's and S&P ratings of the AMPS.
"Treasury Bonds" has the meaning set forth on page 24 of this Prospectus.
"U.S. Treasury Bill Rate" on any date means (i) the Interest Equivalent of
the rate on the actively traded Treasury Bill with a maturity most nearly
comparable to the length of the related Dividend Period, as such rate is made
available on a discount basis or otherwise by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York in its Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities
report for such Business Day, or (ii) if such yield as so calculated is not
available, the Alternate Treasury Bill Rate on such date. "Alternate Treasury
Bill Rate" on any date means the Interest Equivalent of the yield as
calculated by reference to the arithmetic average of the bid price quotations
of the actively traded Treasury Bill with a maturity most nearly comparable to
the length of the related Dividend Period, as determined by bid price
quotations as of any time on the Business Day immediately preceding such date,
obtained from at least three recognized primary U.S. Government securities
dealers selected by the Auction Agent.
"U.S. Treasury Note Rate" on any date means (i) the yield as calculated by
reference to the bid price quotation of the actively traded, current coupon
Treasury Note with a maturity most nearly comparable to the length of the
related Dividend Period, as such bid price quotation is published on the
Business Day immediately preceding such date by the Federal Reserve Bank of
New York in its Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities
report for such Business Day, or (ii) if such yield as so calculated is not
available, the Alternate Treasury Note Rate on such date. "Alternate Treasury
Note Rate" on any date means the yield as calculated by reference to the
arithmetic average of the bid price quotations of the actively traded, current
coupon Treasury Note with a maturity most nearly comparable to the length of
the related Dividend Period, as determined by the bid price quotations as of
any time on the Business Day immediately preceding such date, obtained from at
least three recognized primary U.S. Government securities dealers selected by
the Auction Agent.
"Valuation Date" has the meaning set forth on page 47 of this Prospectus.
"Variation Margin" means, in connection with an outstanding financial
futures contract owned or sold by the Fund, the amount of cash or securities
paid to or received from a broker (subsequent to the Initial Margin payment)
from time to time as the price of such financial futures contract fluctuates.
"Winning Bid Rate" has the meaning specified in Subsection 10(d)(i) of the
Auction Procedures.
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APPENDIX A
ECONOMIC AND OTHER CONDITIONS IN FLORIDA
The following information is a brief summary of factors affecting the
economy of the State and does not purport to be a complete description of such
factors. Other factors will affect issuers. The summary is based primarily
upon one or more publicly available offering statements relating to debt
offerings of state issuers, however, it has not been updated nor will it be
updated during the year. The Fund has not independently verified the
information.
Throughout the 1980s, the State's unemployment rate has generally tracked
below that of the nation. In the nineties, the trend was reversed, until 1995
and 1996, where the State's unemployment rate again tracked below the national
average. The State's unemployment rate for 1996 was 5.3% and is projected to
be 5.3% for 1997 also. The average rate of unemployment for the State since
1987 is 6.2%, while the national average is also 6.2%. (The projections set
forth in this Appendix were obtained from a report, prepared by the Revenue
and Economic Analysis Unit of the Executive Office of the Governor for the
State of Florida, contained within a recent official statement, dated August
4, 1997, for a State of Florida debt offering.)
Personal income in the State has grown at a strong pace and has generally
outperformed both the nation as a whole and the Southeast in particular. From
1985 through 1996, the State's per capita income rose an average 5.0% per
year, while the national per capita income increased an average of 4.9%. Real
personal income in Florida is estimated to increase 4.2% in both 1996-97 and
1997-98 while real personal income per capita is projected to grow at 2.3% in
1996-97 and 2.4% in 1997-98.
The structure of Florida's income differs from that of the nation and the
southeast. Because Florida has a proportionally greater retirement age
population, property income (dividends, interest, and rent) and transfer
payments (social security and pension benefits, among other sources of income)
are a relatively more important source of income. For example, Florida's
employment income in 1995 represented 60.6% of total personal income, while
the nation's share of total personal income in the form of wages and salaries
and other labor benefits was 70.8%. Florida's income is dependent upon
transfer payments controlled by the federal government.
The State's strong population growth is one fundamental reason why its
economy has typically performed better than the nation as a whole. In 1980,
the State was ranked seventh among the 50 states with a population of 9.7
million people. The State has grown dramatically since then and as of April 1,
1996 ranked fourth with an estimated population of 14.4 million. Since 1987,
the State's average annual rate of population increase has been approximately
2.2% as compared to an approximately 1.0% for the nation as a whole. While
annual growth in the State's population is expected to decline somewhat, it is
still expected to grow close to 230,000 new residents per year throughout the
1990s.
Tourism is one of the State's most important industries. 42.9 million people
visited the State in 1995, according to the Florida Department of Commerce.
Tourism arrivals are expected to increase by 3.1% this fiscal year and 4.7%
next year. By the end of the fiscal year, 42.7 million domestic and
international tourists are expected to have visited the State. In 1997-98,
tourist arrivals should approximate 44.7 million. Florida tourism appears to
be recovering from the effects of negative publicity regarding crime against
tourists in the state. Factors such as "product maturity" of a Florida
vacation package, higher prices, and more aggressive marketing by competing
vacation destinations, could contribute to a tourism slowdown.
Florida's dependency on the highly cyclical construction and construction-
related manufacturing sectors has declined. For example, total contract
construction employment as a share of total non-farm employment was a little
over 5% in 1996. Florida, nevertheless, has had a dynamic construction
industry, with single and multi-family housing starts accounting for
approximately 8.1% of total U.S. housing starts in 1996, while the State's
population is 5.5% of the nation's population. Total housing starts were
118,400 in 1996. A driving force behind Florida's construction industry is its
rapid growth in population. In Florida, single and multi-family housing starts
in 1997 are projected to reach a combined level of 115,500. Multi-family
starts have been slow to recover, but are showing stronger growth now and
should maintain a level of nearly 30,300 in 1996-97 and almost 30,900 in
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1997-98. Total construction expenditures are forecasted to increase 7.6% in
this year and increase 3.1% next year. This represents a slower pace of growth
than what was originally projected.
Financial operations of the State covering all receipts and expenditures are
maintained through the use of four funds--the General Revenue Fund, Trust
Funds, the Working Capital Fund, and beginning in fiscal year 1994-95, the
Budget Stabilization Fund. In fiscal year 1995-96, the State derived
approximately 66% of its total direct revenues to these funds from State taxes
and fees. Federal funds and other special revenues accounted for the remaining
revenues. Major sources of tax revenues to the General Revenue Fund are the
sales and use tax, corporate income tax, intangible personal property tax, and
beverage tax, which amounted to 69%, 7%, 4% and 4%, respectively, of total
General Revenue Funds available. State expenditures are categorized for budget
and appropriation purposes by type of fund and spending unit, which are
further subdivided by line item. In fiscal year 1995-96, expenditures from the
General Revenue Fund for education, health and welfare, and public safety
amounted to approximately 51%, 31% and 14%, respectively, of total General
Revenues.
The Sales and Use Tax is the greatest single source of tax receipts in the
State. For the State fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, receipts from this
source were $11,461 million, an increase of 7.4% from fiscal year 1994-95. The
second largest source of State tax receipts is the Motor Fuel Tax. The
estimated collections from this source during the fiscal year ending June 30,
1996, were $1,923 million. Alcoholic beverage tax revenues totalled $441.5
million for the State fiscal year ending June 30, 1996, an increase of $4.2
million from the previous year. The receipts of corporate income tax for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1996 were $1,162.7 million, an increase of 9.3%
from fiscal year 1994-95. Gross Receipt tax collections for fiscal year 1995-
96 totalled $543.3 million, an increase of 6.9% over the previous fiscal year.
Documentary stamp tax collections totalled $775.2 million during fiscal year
1995-96, posting an 11.5% increase from the previous fiscal year. The
intangible personal property tax is a tax on stocks, bonds, notes,
governmental leaseholds, certain limited partnership interests, mortgages and
other obligations secured by liens on Florida realty, and other intangible
personal property. Total collections from intangible personal property taxes
were $895.9 million during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1996, a 9.5%
increase from the previous fiscal year. Severance taxes totalled $77.2 million
during fiscal year 1995-96, up 26.1% from the previous fiscal year. In
November 1986, the voters of the State approved a constitutional amendment to
allow the State to operate a lottery. Fiscal year 1995-96 produced ticket
sales of $2.07 billion of which education received approximately $788.1
million.
For fiscal year 1996-97 the estimated General Revenue plus Working Capital
and Budget Stabilization funds available total $16,617.4 million, a 6.7%
increase over 1995-96. The $15,568.7 million in estimated revenues represent a
6.3% increase over the analogous figure in 1995-96. With combined General
Revenue, Working Capital Fund and Budget Stabilization Fund appropriations at
$15,537.2 million, unencumbered reserves at the end of 1996-97 are estimated
at $1,080.2 million.
Estimated fiscal year 1997-98 General Revenue plus Working Capital and
Budget Stabilization funds available are expected to total $17,537.3 million,
a 5.5% increase over fiscal year 1996-97.
The State Constitution does not permit a state or local personal income tax.
An amendment to the State Constitution by the electors of the State would be
required in order to impose a personal income tax in the State.
Property valuations for homestead property are subject to a growth cap.
Growth in the just (market) value of property qualifying for the homestead
exemption is limited to 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index,
whichever is less. If the property changes ownership or homestead status, it
is to be re-valued at full just value on the next tax roll. Although the
impact of the growth cap cannot be determined, it may have the effect of
causing local government units in the State to rely more on non-ad valorem tax
revenues to meet operating expenses and other requirements normally funded
with ad valorem tax revenues.
An amendment to the State Constitution was approved by statewide ballot in
the November 8, 1994 general election which is commonly referred to as the
"Limitation on State Revenues Amendment". This amendment provides that State
revenues collected for any fiscal year shall be limited to State revenues
allowed under the amendment for the prior fiscal year plus an adjustment for
growth. Growth is defined as an amount equal to the
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average annual rate of growth in State personal income over the most recent
twenty quarters times the State revenues allowed under the amendment for the
prior fiscal year. State revenues collected for any fiscal year in excess of
this limitation are required to be transferred to the Budget Stabilization
Fund until the fund reaches the maximum balance specified in Section 19(g) of
Article III of the State Constitution, and thereafter is required to be
refunded to taxpayers as provided by general law. The limitation on State
revenues imposed by the amendment may be increased by the Legislature, by a
two-thirds vote of each house.
The term "State revenues," as used in the amendment, means taxes, fees,
licenses, and charges for services imposed by the Legislature on individuals,
businesses, or agencies outside State government. However, the term "State
revenues" does not include: (i) revenues that are necessary to meet the
requirements set forth in documents authorizing the issuance of Bonds by the
State; (ii) revenues that are used to provide matching funds for federal
Medicaid program with the exception of the revenues used to support the Public
Medical Assistance Trust Fund or its successor program and with the exception
of State matching funds used to fund elective expansions made after July 1,
1994; (iii) proceeds from the State lottery returned as prizes; (iv) receipts
of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund; (v) balances carried forward from
prior fiscal years; (vi) taxes, licenses, fees and charges for services
imposed by local, regional, or school district governing bodies; or (vii)
revenue from taxes, licenses, fees and charges for services required to be
imposed by any amendment or revision to the State Constitution after July 1,
1994. The amendment took effect on January 1, 1995 and is applicable to State
fiscal year 1995-96.
It should be noted that many of the provisions of the amendment are
ambiguous, and likely will not be clarified until state courts have ruled on
their meanings. Further, it is unclear how the Legislature will implement the
language of the amendment and whether such implementing legislation will
itself be the subject of court interpretation.
The Fund cannot predict the impact of the amendment on State finances. To
the extent local governments traditionally receive revenues from the State
which are subject to, and limited by, the amendment, the future distribution
of such State revenues may be adversely affected by the amendment.
Hurricanes continue to endanger the coastal and interior portions of
Florida. Substantial damage resulted from Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The 1995
hurricane season also experienced a record number of tropical storms and
hurricanes which caused substantial damage. During 1996 hurricane season and
thus far during 1997 hurricane season the State suffered considerably less
damage than in 1995.
According to the Florida General Purposes Financial Statements for fiscal
year ended June 30, 1996, as of June 30, 1996, the State had a high bond
rating from Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Aa), Standard & Poor's Ratings
Services (AA) and Fitch Investors Service, Inc. (AA) on all of its general
obligation bonds. Outstanding general obligation bonds at June 30, 1996
totalled almost $7.4 billion and were issued to finance capital outlay for
educational projects of both local school districts, community colleges and
state universities, environmental protection and highway construction. The
State has issued over $805 million of general obligation bonds since July 1,
1996.
Due to investments in certain derivatives, Escambia County, Florida in 1994
sustained notable losses which may in the future affect their operations. As
reported in the local press, several lawsuits have resulted regarding such
investments.
In late October, 1996, the Florida Auditor General notified the Governor's
office that seventeen municipalities or special districts are in a state of
financial emergency (including the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority
and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) and that another twenty-five
municipalities or special districts might be in a state of financial emergency
(including the City of Miami). For these purposes, a state of emergency is
considered two consecutive years of budget deficits. Municipalities or special
districts that may be in a state of financial emergency are those that the
Auditor General was unable to conclude had sufficient revenues to cover their
deficits. The operations of all of these entities mentioned in the Auditor
General's communication may be adversely affected by their financial
condition.
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APPENDIX B
RATINGS OF MUNICIPAL BONDS AND COMMERCIAL PAPER
DESCRIPTION OF MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.'S ("MOODY'S") MUNICIPAL BOND
RATINGS
Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements
are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to
impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa--Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known
as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins
of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa
securities.
A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving
security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may
be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the
future.
Baa--Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations,
i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present, but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba--Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B--Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa--Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal
or interest.
Ca--Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in
a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.
C--Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
Con. ( . . . )--Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of
some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated conditionally. These
are bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under construction, (b) earnings
of projects unseasoned in operation experience, (c) rentals which begin when
facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting
condition attaches. Parenthetical rating denotes probable credit stature upon
completion of construction or elimination of basis of condition.
Note: These bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B groups which Moody's believes
possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the symbols Aa1,
Al, Baal, Bal and B1.
Short-term Notes and Variable Rate Demand Obligations: The four ratings of
Moody's for short-term notes and VRDOs are MIG-1/VMIG-1, MIG-2/VMIG-2, MIG-
3/VMIG-3, and MIG-4/VMIG-4; MIG-1/VMIG-1
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denotes "best quality, enjoying strong protection from established cash
flows"; MIG-2/VMIG-2 denotes "high quality" with "ample margins of
protection"; MIG-3/VMIG-3 instruments are of "favorable quality . . . but
lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding grades"; MIG-4/VMIG-4
instruments are of "adequate quality, carrying specific risk but having
protection . . . and not distinctly or predominantly speculative."
DESCRIPTION OF MOODY'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Moody's Commercial Paper ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to
repay punctually promissory obligations not having an original maturity in
excess of nine months. Moody's employs the following three designations, all
judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of
rated issuers:
PRIME-1 Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a
superior ability for repayment of senior short-term promissory obligations.
Prime-l repayment capacity will often be evidenced by the following
characteristics: leading market positions in well established industries;
high rates of return on funds employed; conservative capitalization
structures with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; broad
margins in earning coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal
cash generation; and with established access to a range of financial
markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
PRIME-2 Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong
ability for repayment of senior short-term promissory obligations. This
will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but
to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will
be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still
appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate
liquidity is maintained.
PRIME-3 Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an
acceptable ability for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. The
effects of industry characteristics and market composition may be more
pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes
to the level of debt protection measurements and the requirement for
relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is
maintained.
NOT PRIME Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime
rating categories.
If an issuer represents to Moody's that its Commercial Paper obligations are
supported by the credit of another entity or entities, then the name or names
of such supporting entity or entities are listed within the parentheses
beneath the name of the issuer, or there is a footnote referring the reader to
another page for the name or names of the supporting entity or entities. In
assigning ratings to such issuers, Moody's evaluates the financial strength of
the affiliated corporations, commercial banks, insurance companies, foreign
governments or other entities, but only as one factor in the total rating
assessment. Moody's makes no representations and gives no opinion on the legal
validity or enforceability of any support arrangement. You are cautioned to
review with your counsel any questions regarding particular support
arrangements.
DESCRIPTION OF STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS SERVICES' ("S&P") MUNICIPAL DEBT
RATINGS
An S&P municipal debt rating is a current assessment of the creditworthiness
of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation. This assessment may take
into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers, or lessees.
The debt rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a
security, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability
for a particular investor.
The ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or
obtained by S&P's from other sources S&P's considers reliable. S&P's does not
perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on
unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended or
withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information,
or for other circumstances.
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The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
I. Likelihood of default--capacity and willingness of the obligor as to
the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance
with the terms of the obligation;
II. Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
III. Protection afforded to, and relative position of, the obligation in
the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws
of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
AAA Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by S&P's. Capacity
to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA Debt rated "AA" has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal and differs from the highest-rated issues only in small degree.
A Debt rated "A" has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in
higher-rated categories.
BBB Debt rated "BBB" is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay
interest and repay principal for debt in this category than for debt in
higher-rated categories.
BB, B, CCC, CC, C Debt rated "BB", "B", "CCC", "CC" and "C" is regarded,
on balance, as predominately speculative with respect to capacity to pay
interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the
obligation. "BB" indicates the lowest degree of speculation and "C" the
highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large
uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
C--The rating "C" is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior
debt which is assigned an actual or implied "CCC-" debt rating. The "C"
rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has
been filed but debt service payments are continued.
C1 The rating "Cl" is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is
being paid.
D Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used
when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due
even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P's believes
that such payments will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating
also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service
payments are jeopardized.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by
the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the
major rating categories.
DESCRIPTION OF S&P'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of
timely payment of debt considered short-term in the relevant market.
Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from "A-l" for the
highest quality obligations to "D" for the lowest. These categories are as
follows:
A-1 This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding
timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely
strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
A-2 Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
issues designated "A-1."
A-3 Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity for timely
payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
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B Issues rated "B" are regarded as having only speculative capacity for
timely payment.
C This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful
capacity for payment.
D Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used
when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due,
even if the applicable grace period has not expired unless S&P's believes
that such payments will be made during such grace period.
A commercial paper rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold
a security inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability
for a particular investor. The ratings are based on current information
furnished to S&P's by the issuer or obtained by S&P's from other sources it
considers reliable. S&P's does not conduct an audit in connection with any
rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The
ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or
unavailability of, such information or based on other circumstances.
An S&P municipal note rating reflects the liquidity concerns and market
access risks unique to such notes. Notes due in three years or less will
likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most
likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in
making that assessment.
Amortization schedule (the larger the final maturity relative to other
maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note).
Source of payment (the more dependent the issue is on the market for its
refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note).
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1 A very strong, or strong, capacity to pay principal and interest.
Issues that possess overwhelming safety characteristics will be given a "+"
designation.
SP-2 A satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
SP-3 A speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
DESCRIPTION OF FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.'S ("FITCH") INVESTMENT GRADE BOND
RATINGS
Fitch investment grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in
determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. The rating
represents Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to meet the obligations
of a specific debt issue or class of debt in a timely manner.
The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its
relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective
financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor,
as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the
issuer's future financial strength and credit quality.
Fitch ratings do not reflect any credit enhancement that may be provided by
insurance policies or financial guarantees unless otherwise indicated.
Bonds that have the same rating are of similar but not necessarily identical
credit quality since the rating categories do not fully reflect small
differences in the degrees of credit risk.
Fitch ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security.
Ratings do not comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any
security for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature or taxability of
payments made in respect of any security.
Fitch ratings are based on information obtained from issuers, other
obligors, underwriters, their experts, and other sources Fitch believes to be
reliable. Fitch does not audit or verify the truth or accuracy of such
B-4
<PAGE>
information. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of
changes in, or the unavailability of, information or for other reasons.
AAA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and
repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable
events.
AA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong,
although not quite as strong as bonds rated "AAA." Because bonds rated in the
"AAA" and "AA" categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable
future developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated "F-
1+."
A--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions
and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory-credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds,
and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these
bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher
ratings.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus
and minus signs, however, are not used in the "AAA" category.
Credit Trend Indicator: Credit trend indicators show whether credit
fundamentals are improving, stable, declining or uncertain, as follows:
Improving UP ARROW
Stable LEFT ARROW/RIGHT ARROW
Declining DOWN ARROW
Uncertain UP ARROW/DOWN ARROW
Credit trend indicators are not predictions that any rating change will
occur, and have a longer-term time frame than issues placed on FitchAlert.
NR indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
Conditional: A conditional rating is premised on the successful completion
of a project or the occurrence of a specific event.
Suspended: A rating is suspended when Fitch deems the amount of information
available from the issuer to be inadequate for rating purposes.
Withdrawn: A rating will be withdrawn when an issue matures or is called or
refinanced and, at Fitch's discretion, when an issuer fails to furnish proper
and timely information.
FitchAlert: Ratings are placed on FitchAlert to notify investors of an
occurrence that is likely to result in a rating change and the likely
direction of such change. These are designated as "Positive" indicating a
potential upgrade, "Negative" for potential downgrade, or "Evolving" where
ratings may be raised or lowered. FitchAlert is relatively short-term, and
should be resolved within three to 12 months.
Ratings Outlook: An outlook is used to describe the most likely direction of
any rating change over the intermediate term. It is described as "Positive" or
"Negative." The absence of a designation indicates a stable outlook.
B-5
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF FITCH'S SPECULATIVE GRADE BOND RATINGS
Fitch speculative grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in
determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. The ratings
("BB" to "C") represent Fitch's assessment of the likelihood of timely payment
of principal and interest in accordance with the terms of obligation for bond
issues not in default. For defaulted bonds, the rating ("DDD" to "D") is an
assessment of the ultimate recovery value through reorganization or
liquidation.
The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its
relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective
financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor,
as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the
issuer's future financial strength.
Bonds that have the rating are of similar but not necessarily identical
credit quality since rating categories cannot fully reflect the differences in
degrees of credit risk.
BB--Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest
and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes.
However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which could
assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B--Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued
timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin
of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity
throughout the life of the issue.
CCC--Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied,
may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous
business and economic environment.
CC--Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.
C--Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD, and D--Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments.
Such bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of
their ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor.
"DDD" represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and "D"
represents the lowest potential for recovery.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus
and minus signs, however, are not used in the "DDD", "DD", or "D" categories.
DESCRIPTION OF FITCH'S SHORT-TERM RATINGS
Fitch's short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on
demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including commercial
paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal and
investment notes.
The short-term rating places greater emphasis than a long-term rating on the
existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer's obligations in a timely
manner.
Fitch short-term ratings are as follows:
F-1+ Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are
regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
F-1 Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an
assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated
"F-1+."
B-6
<PAGE>
F-2 Good Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have a satisfactory
degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is not as
great as for issues assigned "F-1+" and "F-1" ratings.
F-3 Fair Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics
suggesting that the degree of assurance for timely payment is adequate;
however, near-term adverse changes could cause these securities to be rated
below investment grade.
F-S Weak Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics
suggesting a minimal degree of assurance for timely payment and are
vulnerable to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic
conditions.
D Default. Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent payment
default.
LOC The symbol "LOC" indicates that the rating is based on a letter of
credit issued by a commercial bank.
B-7
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES
The following summary of Settlement Procedures sets forth the procedures
expected to be followed in connection with the settlement of each Auction and
will be incorporated by reference in the Auction Agent Agreement and each
Broker-Dealer Agreement. Nothing contained in this Appendix C constitutes a
representation by the Fund that in each Auction each party referred to herein
actually will perform the procedures described herein to be performed by such
party. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings
specified in the glossary of this Prospectus or Appendix D hereto, as the case
may be.
(a) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify by telephone or
through the Auction Agent's Processing System the Broker-Dealers that
participated in the Auction held on such Auction Date and submitted an Order
on behalf of any Beneficial Owner or Potential Beneficial Owner of:
(i) the Applicable Rate fixed for the next succeeding Dividend Period;
(ii) whether Sufficient Clearing Bids existed for the determination of
the Applicable Rate;
(iii) if such Broker-Dealer (a "Seller's Broker-Dealer") submitted a Bid
or a Sell Order on behalf of a Beneficial Owner, the number of shares, if
any, of AMPS to be sold by such Beneficial Owner;
(iv) if such Broker-Dealer (a "Buyer's Broker-Dealer") submitted a Bid on
behalf of a Potential Beneficial Owner, the number of shares, if any, of
AMPS to be purchased by such Potential Beneficial Owner;
(v) if the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be sold by all
Beneficial Owners on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid or a
Sell Order exceeds the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be purchased
by all Potential Beneficial Owners on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer
submitted a Bid, the name or names of one or more Buyer's Broker-Dealers
(and the name of the Agent Member, if any, of each such Buyer's Broker-
Dealer) acting for one or more purchasers of such excess number of shares
of AMPS and the number of such shares to be purchased from one or more
Beneficial Owners on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer acted by one or more
Potential Beneficial Owners on whose behalf each of such Buyer's Broker-
Dealers acted;
(vi) if the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be purchased by all
Potential Beneficial Owners on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a
Bid exceeds the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be sold by all
Beneficial Owners on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid or a
Sell Order, the name or names of one or more Seller's Broker-Dealers (and
the name of the Agent Member, if any, of each such Seller's Broker-Dealer)
acting for one or more sellers of such excess number of shares of AMPS and
the number of such shares to be sold to one or more Potential Beneficial
Owners on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer acted by one or more Beneficial
Owners on whose behalf each of such Seller's Broker-Dealers acted; and
(vii) the Auction Date of the next succeeding Auction with respect to the
AMPS.
(b) On each Auction Date, each Broker-Dealer that submitted an Order on
behalf of any Beneficial Owner or Potential Beneficial Owner shall:
(i) in the case of a Broker-Dealer that is a Buyer's Broker-Dealer,
instruct each Potential Beneficial Owner on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer
submitted a Bid that was accepted, in whole or in part, to instruct such
Potential Beneficial Owner's Agent Member to pay to such Broker-Dealer (or
its Agent Member) through the Securities Depository the amount necessary to
purchase the number of shares of AMPS to be purchased pursuant to such Bid
against receipt of such shares and advise such Potential Beneficial Owner
of the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period;
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<PAGE>
(ii) in the case of a Broker-Dealer that is a Seller's Broker-Dealer,
instruct each Beneficial Owner on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted
a Sell Order that was accepted, in whole or in part, or a Bid that was
accepted, in whole or in part, to instruct such Beneficial Owner's Agent
Member to deliver to such Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member) through the
Securities Depository the number of shares of AMPS to be sold pursuant to
such Order against payment therefor and advise any such Beneficial Owner
that will continue to hold shares of AMPS of the Applicable Rate for the
next succeeding Dividend Period;
(iii) advise each Beneficial Owner on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer
submitted a Hold Order of the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding
Dividend Period;
(iv) advise each Beneficial Owner on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer
submitted an Order of the Auction Date for the next succeeding Auction; and
(v) advise each Potential Beneficial Owner on whose behalf such Broker-
Dealer submitted a Bid that was accepted, in whole or in part, of the
Auction Date for the next succeeding Auction.
(c) On the basis of the information provided to it pursuant to (a) above,
each Broker-Dealer that submitted a Bid or a Sell Order on behalf of a
Potential Beneficial Owner or a Beneficial Owner shall, in such manner and at
such time or times as in its sole discretion it may determine, allocate any
funds received by it pursuant to (b) (i) above and any shares of AMPS received
by it pursuant to (b) (ii) above among the Potential Beneficial Owners, if
any, on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted Bids, the Beneficial Owners,
if any, on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted Bids that were accepted
or Sell Orders, and any Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers identified to it by
the Auction Agent pursuant to (a) (v) or (a)(vi) above.
(d) On each Auction Date:
(i) each Potential Beneficial Owner and Beneficial Owner shall instruct
its Agent Member as provided in (b) (i) or (ii) above, as the case may be;
(ii) each Seller's Broker-Dealer which is not an Agent Member of the
Securities Depository shall instruct its Agent Member to (A) pay through
the Securities Depository to the Agent Member of the Beneficial Owner
delivering shares to such Broker-Dealer pursuant to (b)(ii) above the
amount necessary to purchase such shares against receipt of such shares,
and (B) deliver such shares through the Securities Depository to a Buyer's
Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member) identified to such Seller's Broker-
Dealer pursuant to (a)(v) above against payment therefor; and
(iii) each Buyer's Broker-Dealer which is not an Agent Member of the
Securities Depository shall instruct its Agent Member to (A) pay through
the Securities Depository to a Seller's Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member)
identified pursuant to (a) (vi) above the amount necessary to purchase the
shares to be purchased pursuant to (b)(i) above against receipt of such
shares, and (B) deliver such shares through the Securities Depository to
the Agent Member of the purchaser thereof against payment therefor.
(e) On the day after the Auction Date:
(i) each Bidder's Agent Member referred to in (d) (i) above shall
instruct the Securities Depository to execute the transactions described in
(b) (i) or (ii) above, and the Securities Depository shall execute such
transactions;
(ii) each Seller's Broker-Dealer or its Agent Member shall instruct the
Securities Depository to execute the transactions described in (d)(ii)
above, and the Securities Depository shall execute such transactions; and
(iii) each Buyer's Broker-Dealer or its Agent Member shall instruct the
Securities Depository to execute the transactions described in (d) (iii)
above, and the Securities Depository shall execute such transactions.
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<PAGE>
(f) If a Beneficial Owner selling shares of AMPS in an Auction fails to
deliver such shares (by authorized book-entry), a Broker-Dealer may deliver to
the Potential Beneficial Owner on behalf of which it submitted a Bid that was
accepted a number of whole shares of AMPS that is less than the number of
shares that otherwise was to be purchased by such Potential Beneficial Owner.
In such event, the number of shares of AMPS to be so delivered shall be
determined solely by such Broker-Dealer. Delivery of such lesser number of
shares shall constitute good delivery. Notwithstanding the foregoing terms of
this paragraph (f), any delivery or non-delivery of shares which shall
represent any departure from the results of an Auction, as determined by the
Auction Agent, shall be of no effect unless and until the Auction Agent shall
have been notified of such delivery or non-delivery in accordance with the
provisions of the Auction Agent Agreement and the Broker-Dealer Agreements.
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<PAGE>
APPENDIX D
AUCTION PROCEDURES
The following procedures will be set forth in provisions of the Certificate
of Designation relating to the AMPS, and will be incorporated by reference in
the Auction Agent Agreement and each Broker-Dealer Agreement. The terms not
defined below are defined in the forepart of this Prospectus. Nothing
contained in this Appendix D constitutes a representation by the Fund that in
each Auction each party referred to herein actually will perform the
procedures described herein to be performed by such party.
PARAGRAPH 10(A) CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Paragraph 10, the following terms shall have the following
meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) "AMPS" shall mean the shares of AMPS being auctioned pursuant to this
Paragraph 10.
(ii) "Auction Date" shall mean the first Business Day preceding the first
day of a Dividend Period.
(iii) "Available AMPS" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph
10(d)(i) below.
(iv) "Bid" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(b)(i) below.
(v) "Bidder" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(b)(i) below.
(vi) "Hold Order" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(b)(i)
below.
(vii) "Maximum Applicable Rate" for any Dividend Period will be the
Applicable Percentage of the Reference Rate. The Applicable Percentage will be
determined based on (i) the lower of the credit rating or ratings assigned on
such date to such shares by Moody's and S&P (or if Moody's or S&P or both
shall not make such rating available, the equivalent of either or both of such
ratings by a Substitute Rating Agency or two Substitute Rating Agencies or, in
the event that only one such rating shall be available, such rating) and (ii)
whether the Fund has provided modification to the Auction Agent prior to the
Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend that net capital
gains or other taxable income will be included in such dividend on shares of
AMPS as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APPLICABLE
PERCENTAGE OF APPLICABLE
CREDIT RATINGS REFERENCE RATE-- PERCENTAGE OF
------------------------------ NO REFERENCE RATE--
MOODY'S S&P NOTIFICATION NOTIFICATION
---------------- ------------- ---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
"aa3" or higher AA- or Higher 110% 150%
"a3" or "a1" A- to A+ 125% 160%
"baa3" to "baa1" BBB- to BBB+ 150% 250%
Below "baa3" Below BBB- 200% 275%
</TABLE>
The Fund shall take all reasonable action necessary to enable S&P and
Moody's to provide a rating for the AMPS. If either S&P or Moody's shall not
make such a rating available, or if neither S&P nor Moody's shall make such a
rating available, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its
affiliates and successors, after consultation with the Fund, shall select a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization or two nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations to act as a Substitute Rating
Agency or Substitute Rating Agencies, as the case may be.
(viii) "Order" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(b)(i) below.
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<PAGE>
(ix) "Sell Order" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(b)(i)
below.
(x) "Submission Deadline" shall mean 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any
Auction Date or such other time on any Auction Date as may be specified by the
Auction Agent from time to time as the time by which each Broker-Dealer must
submit to the Auction Agent in writing all Orders obtained by it for the
Auction to be conducted on such Auction Date.
(xi) "Submitted Bid" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(d)(i)
below.
(xii) "Submitted Hold Order" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph
10(d)(i) below.
(xiii) "Submitted Order" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph
10(d)(i) below.
(xiv) "Submitted Sell Order" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph
10(d)(i) below.
(xv) "Sufficient Clearing Bids" shall have the meaning specified in
Paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(xvi) "Winning Bid Rate" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph
10(d)(i) below.
PARAGRAPH 10(B) ORDERS BY BENEFICIAL OWNERS, POTENTIAL BENEFICIAL OWNERS,
EXISTING HOLDERS AND POTENTIAL HOLDERS.
(i) Unless otherwise permitted by the Fund, Beneficial Owners and Potential
Beneficial Owners may only participate in Auctions through their Broker-
Dealers. Broker-Dealers will submit the Orders of their respective customers
who are Beneficial Owners and Potential Beneficial Owners to the Auction
Agent, designating themselves as Existing Holders in respect of shares subject
to Orders submitted or deemed submitted to them by Beneficial Owners and as
Potential Holders in respect of shares subject to Orders submitted to them by
Potential Beneficial Owners. A Broker-Dealer may also hold shares of AMPS in
its own account as a Beneficial Owner. A Broker-Dealer may thus submit Orders
to the Auction Agent as a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner and
therefore participate in an Auction as an Existing Holder or Potential Holder
on behalf of both itself and its customers. On or prior to the Submission
Deadline on each Auction Date:
(A) each Beneficial Owner may submit to its Broker-Dealer information as
to:
(1) the number of outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS held by such
Beneficial Owner which such Beneficial Owner desires to continue to
hold without regard to the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding
Dividend Period;
(2) the number of outstanding AMPS, if any, held by such Beneficial
Owner which such Beneficial Owner desires to continue to hold, provided
that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall
not be less than the rate per annum specified by such Beneficial Owner,
and/or
(3) the number of outstanding AMPS, if any, held by such Beneficial
Owner which such Beneficial Owner offers to sell without regard to the
Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period; and
(B) each Broker-Dealer, using a list of Potential Beneficial Owners that
shall be maintained in good faith for the purpose of conducting a
competitive Auction, shall contact Potential Beneficial Owners, including
Persons that are not Beneficial Owners, on such list to determine the
number of outstanding AMPS, if any, which each such Potential Beneficial
Owner offers to purchase, provided that the Applicable Rate for the next
succeeding Dividend Period shall not be less than the rate per annum
specified by such Potential Beneficial Owner.
For the purposes hereof, the communication by a Beneficial Owner or
Potential Beneficial Owner to a Broker-Dealer, or the communication by a
Broker-Dealer acting for its own account to the Auction Agent, of information
referred to in clause (A) or (B) of this Paragraph 10(b)(i) is hereinafter
referred to as an "Order"
D-2
<PAGE>
and each Beneficial Owner and each Potential Beneficial Owner placing an
Order, including a Broker-Dealer acting in such capacity for its own account,
is hereinafter referred to as a "Bidder"; an Order containing the information
referred to in clause (A)(1) of this Paragraph 10(b)(i) is hereinafter
referred to as a "Hold Order"; an Order containing the information referred to
in clause (A)(2) or (B) of this Paragraph 10(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to
as a "Bid"; and an Order containing the information referred to in clause
(A)(3) of this Paragraph 10(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as a "Sell
Order." Inasmuch as a Broker-Dealer participates in an Auction as an Existing
Holder or a Potential Holder only to represent the interests of a Beneficial
Owner or Potential Beneficial Owner, whether it be its customers or itself,
all discussion herein relating to the consequences of an Auction for Existing
Holders and Potential Holders also applies to the underlying beneficial
ownership interests represented.
(ii) (A) A Bid by an Existing Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer
to sell:
(1) the number of outstanding AMPS specified in such Bid if the
Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be less than the rate
per annum specified in such Bid; or
(2) such number or a lesser number of outstanding AMPS to be determined
as set forth in Paragraph 10(e)(i)(D) if the Applicable Rate determined on
such Auction Date shall be equal to the rate per annum specified therein;
or
(3) a lesser number of outstanding AMPS to be determined as set forth in
Paragraph 10(e)(ii)(C) if such specified rate per annum shall be higher
than the Maximum Applicable Rate and Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist.
(B) A Sell Order by an Existing Holder shall constitute an irrevocable
offer to sell:
(1) the number of outstanding AMPS specified in such Sell Order, or
(2) such number or a lesser number of outstanding AMPS to be determined
as set forth in Paragraph 10(e)(ii)(C) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not
exist.
(C) A Bid by a Potential Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer to
purchase:
(1) the number of outstanding shares of AMPS specified in such Bid if the
Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be higher than the
rate per annum specified in such Bid; or
(2) such number or a lesser number of outstanding AMPS to be determined
as set forth in Paragraph 10(e)(i)(E) if the Applicable Rate determined on
such Auction Date shall be equal to the rate per annum specified therein.
PARAGRAPH 10(C) SUBMISSION OF ORDERS BY BROKER-DEALERS TO AUCTION AGENT.
(i) Each Broker-Dealer shall submit in writing or through the Auction
Agent's Auction Processing System to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission
Deadline on each Auction Date all Orders obtained by such Broker-Dealer,
designating itself (unless otherwise permitted by the Fund) as an Existing
Holder in respect of shares subject to Orders submitted or deemed submitted to
it by Beneficial Owners and as a Potential Holder in respect of shares subject
to Orders submitted to it by Potential Beneficial Owners, and specifying with
respect to each Order:
(A) the name of the Bidder placing such Order (which shall be the Broker-
Dealer unless otherwise permitted by the Fund);
(B) the aggregate number of outstanding shares of AMPS that are the
subject of such Order;
(C) to the extent that such Bidder is an Existing Holder
(1) the number of outstanding AMPS, if any, subject to any Hold Order
placed by such Existing Holder;
(2) the number of outstanding AMPS, if any, subject to any Bid placed
by such Existing Holder and the rate per annum specified in such Bid;
and
D-3
<PAGE>
(3) the number of outstanding AMPS, if any, subject to any Sell Order
placed by such Existing Holder; and
(D) to the extent such Bidder is a Potential Holder, the rate per annum
specified in such Potential Holder's Bid.
(ii) If any rate per annum specified in any Bid contains more than three
figures to the right of the decimal point, the Auction Agent shall round such
rate up to the next highest one-thousandth (.001) of 1%.
(iii) If an Order or Orders covering all of the outstanding AMPS held by an
Existing Holder are not submitted to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission
Deadline, the Auction Agent shall deem a Hold Order (in the case of an Auction
relating to a Dividend Period which is not a Special Dividend Period) and a
Sell Order (in the case of an Auction relating to a Special Dividend Period)
to have been submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder covering the number
of outstanding AMPS held by such Existing Holder and not subject to Orders
submitted to the Auction Agent.
(iv) If one or more Orders on behalf of an Existing Holder covering in the
aggregate more than the number of outstanding AMPS held by such Existing
Holder are submitted to the Auction Agent, such Orders shall be considered
valid as follows and in the following order of priority:
(A) any Hold Order submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder shall be
considered valid up to and including the number of outstanding AMPS held by
such Existing Holder; provided that if more than one Hold Order is
submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder and the number of AMPS subject
to such Hold Orders exceeds the number of outstanding AMPS held by such
Existing Holder, the number of AMPS subject to each of such Hold Orders
shall be reduced pro rata so that such Hold Orders, in the aggregate, cover
exactly the number of outstanding AMPS held by such Existing Holder;
(B) any Bids submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder shall be
considered valid, in the ascending order of their respective rates per
annum if more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder,
up to and including the excess of the number of outstanding AMPS held by
such Existing Holder over the number of AMPS subject to any Hold Order
referred to in Paragraph 10(c)(iv)(A) above (and if more than one Bid
submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder specifies the same rate per
annum and together they cover more than the remaining number of shares that
can be the subject of valid Bids after application of Paragraph
10(c)(iv)(A) above and of the foregoing portion of this Paragraph
10(c)(iv)(B) to any Bid or Bids specifying a lower rate or rates per annum,
the number of shares subject to each of such Bids shall be reduced pro rata
so that such Bids, in the aggregate, cover exactly such remaining number of
shares); and the number of shares, if any, subject to Bids not valid under
this Paragraph 10(c)(iv)(B) shall be treated as the subject of a Bid by a
Potential Holder; and
(C) any Sell Order shall be considered valid up to and including the
excess of the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing
Holder over the number of AMPS subject to Hold Orders referred to in
Paragraph 10(c)(iv)(A) and Bids referred to in Paragraph 10(c)(iv)(B);
provided that if more than one Sell Order is submitted on behalf of any
Existing Holder and the number of AMPS subject to such Sell Orders is
greater than such excess, the number of AMPS subject to each of such Sell
Orders shall be reduced pro rata so that such Sell Orders, in the
aggregate, cover exactly the number of AMPS equal to such excess.
(v) If more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of any Potential Holder,
each Bid submitted shall be a separate Bid with the rate per annum and number
of AMPS therein specified.
(vi) Any Order submitted by a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial
Owner to its Broker-Dealer, or by a Broker-Dealer to the Auction Agent, prior
to the Submission Deadline on any Auction Date shall be irrevocable.
PARAGRAPH 10(D) DETERMINATION OF SUFFICIENT CLEARING BIDS, WINNING BID RATE
AND APPLICABLE RATE.
(i) Not earlier than the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date, the
Auction Agent shall assemble all Orders submitted or deemed submitted to it by
the Broker-Dealers (each such Order as submitted or deemed
D-4
<PAGE>
submitted by a Broker-Dealer being hereinafter referred to individually as a
"Submitted Hold Order," a "Submitted Bid" or a "Submitted Sell Order," as the
case may be, or as a "Submitted Order") and shall determine:
(A) the excess of the total number of outstanding AMPS over the number of
outstanding AMPS that are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders (such excess
being hereinafter referred to as the "Available AMPS");
(B) from the Submitted Orders whether the number of outstanding AMPS that
are the subject of Submitted Bids by Potential Holders specifying one or
more rates per annum equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate
exceeds or is equal to the sum of:
(1) the number of outstanding AMPS that are the subject of Submitted
Bids by Existing Holders specifying one or more rates per annum higher
than the Maximum Applicable Rate, and
(2) the number of outstanding AMPS that are subject to Submitted Sell
Orders (if such excess or such equality exists (other than because the
number of outstanding AMPS in clauses (1) and (2) above are each zero
because all of the outstanding AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold
Orders), such Submitted Bids by Potential Holders hereinafter being
referred to collectively as "Sufficient Clearing Bids"); and
(C) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, the lowest rate per annum
specified in the Submitted Bids (the "Winning Bid Rate") that if:
(1) each Submitted Bid from Existing Holders specifying the Winning
Bid Rate and all other submitted Bids from Existing Holders specifying
lower rates per annum were rejected, thus entitling such Existing
Holders to continue to hold the AMPS that are the subject of such
Submitted Bids, and
(2) each Submitted Bid from Potential Holders specifying the Winning
Bid Rate and all other Submitted Bids from Potential Holders specifying
lower rates per annum were accepted, thus entitling the Potential
Holders to purchase the AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted
Bids, would result in the number of shares subject to all Submitted
Bids specifying the Winning Bid Rate or a lower rate per annum being at
least equal to the Available AMPS.
(ii) Promptly after the Auction Agent has made the determinations pursuant
to Paragraph 10(d)(i), the Auction Agent shall advise the Fund of the Maximum
Applicable Rate and, based on such determinations, the Applicable Rate for the
next succeeding Dividend Period as follows:
(A) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, that the Applicable Rate for the
next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal to the Winning Bid Rate;
(B) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist (other than because all of
the outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders),
that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be
equal to the Maximum Applicable Rate; or
(C) if all of the outstanding AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold
Orders, that the Dividend Period next succeeding the Auction automatically
shall be the same length as the immediately preceding Dividend Period and
the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal
to 59% of the Reference Rate (or 90% of such rate if the Fund has provided
notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the
Applicable Rate for any dividend that net capital gains or other taxable
income will be included in such dividend on AMPS) on the date of the
Auction.
PARAGRAPH 10(E) ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION OF SUBMITTED BIDS AND SUBMITTED SELL
ORDERS AND ALLOCATION OF SHARES.
Based on the determinations made pursuant to Paragraph 10(d)(i), the
Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders shall be accepted or rejected and the
Auction Agent shall take such other action as set forth below:
D-5
<PAGE>
(i) If Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made, subject to the provisions of
Paragraph 10(e)(iii) and Paragraph 10(e)(iv), Submitted Bids and Submitted
Sell Orders shall be accepted or rejected in the following order of priority
and all other Submitted Bids shall be rejected:
(A) the Submitted Sell Orders of Existing Holders shall be accepted and
the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying any rate per
annum that is higher than the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted, thus
requiring each such Existing Holder to sell the outstanding AMPS that are
the subject of such Submitted Sell Order or Submitted Bid;
(B) the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holder specifying any rate
per annum that is lower than the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected, thus
entitling each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the outstanding
AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid;
(C) the Submitted Bid of each of the Potential Holders specifying any
rate per annum that is lower than the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted;
(D) the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying a rate
per annum that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected, thus
entitling each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the outstanding
AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid, unless the number of
outstanding shares of AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids shall be
greater than the number of outstanding AMPS ("Remaining Shares") equal to
the excess of the Available AMPS over the number of outstanding AMPS
subject to Submitted Bids described in Paragraph 10(e)(i)(B) and Paragraph
10(e)(i)(C), in which event the Submitted Bids of each such Existing Holder
shall be accepted, and each such Existing Holder shall be required to sell
outstanding AMPS, but only in an amount equal to the difference between (1)
the number of outstanding AMPS then held by such Existing Holder subject to
such Submitted Bid and (2) the number of AMPS obtained by multiplying (x)
the number of Remaining Shares by (y) a fraction the numerator of which
shall be the number of outstanding AMPS held by such Existing Holder
subject to such Submitted Bid and the denominator of which shall be the sum
of the numbers of outstanding AMPS subject to such Submitted Bids made by
all such Existing Holders that specified a rate per annum equal to the
Winning Bid Rate; and
(E) the Submitted Bid of each of the Potential Holders specifying a rate
per annum that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted but only
in an amount equal to the number of outstanding AMPS obtained by
multiplying (x) the difference between the Available AMPS and the number of
outstanding AMPS subject to Submitted Bids described in Paragraph
10(e)(i)(B), Paragraph 10(e)(i)(C) and Paragraph 10(e)(i)(D) by (y) a
fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of outstanding AMPS
subject to such Submitted Bid and the denominator of which shall be the sum
of the number of outstanding AMPS subject to such Submitted Bids made by
all such Potential Holders that specified rates per annum equal to the
Winning Bid Rate.
(ii) If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made (other than because all
of the outstanding shares of AMPS are subject to Submitted Hold Orders),
subject to the provisions of Paragraph 10(e)(iii), Submitted Orders shall be
accepted or rejected as follows in the following order of priority and all
other Submitted Bids shall be rejected:
(A) the Submitted Bid of each Existing Holder specifying any rate per
annum that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be
rejected, thus entitling such Existing Holder to continue to hold the
outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid;
(B) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying any rate per
annum that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be
accepted, thus requiring such Potential Holder to purchase the outstanding
shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid; and
(C) the Submitted Bids of each Existing Holder specifying any rate per
annum that is higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be accepted and
the Submitted Sell Orders of each Existing Holder shall be accepted, in
both cases only in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the number
of outstanding AMPS then held by such Existing Holder subject to such
Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell Order and (2)
D-6
<PAGE>
the number of AMPS obtained by multiplying (x) the difference between the
Available AMPS and the aggregate number of outstanding shares of AMPS
subject to Submitted Bids described in Paragraph 10(e)(ii)(A) and Paragraph
10(e)(ii)(B) by (y) a fraction the numerator of which shall be the number
of outstanding AMPS held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted
Bid or Submitted Sell Order and the denominator of which shall be the
number of outstanding AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids and Submitted
Sell Orders.
(iii) If, as a result of the procedures described in Paragraph 10(e)(i) or
Paragraph 10(e)(ii), any Existing Holder would be entitled or required to
sell, or any Potential Holder would be entitled or required to purchase, a
fraction of a share of AMPS on any Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall, in
such manner as in its sole discretion it shall determine, round up or down the
number of AMPS to be purchased or sold by any Existing Holder or Potential
Holder on such Auction Date so that each outstanding share of AMPS purchased
or sold by each Existing Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date shall
be a whole share of AMPS.
(iv) If, as a result of the procedures described in Paragraph 10(e)(i), any
Potential Holder would be entitled or required to purchase less than a whole
share of AMPS on any Auction Date, the Auction Agent, in such manner as in its
sole discretion it shall determine, shall allocate AMPS for purchase among
Potential Holders so that only whole shares of AMPS are purchased on such
Auction Date by any Potential Holder, even if such allocation results in one
or more of such Potential Holders not purchasing any shares of AMPS on such
Auction Date.
(v) Based on the results of each Auction, the Auction Agent shall determine,
with respect to each Broker-Dealer that submitted Bids or Sell Orders on
behalf of Existing Holders or Potential Holders, the aggregate number of the
outstanding shares of AMPS to be purchased and the aggregate number of
outstanding AMPS to be sold by such Potential Holders and Existing Holders
and, to the extent that such aggregate number of outstanding shares to be
purchased and such aggregate number of outstanding shares to be sold differ,
the Auction Agent shall determine to which other Broker-Dealer or Broker-
Dealers acting for one or more purchasers such Broker-Dealer shall deliver, or
from which other Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers acting for one or more
sellers such Broker-Dealer shall receive, as the case may be, outstanding
AMPS.
PARAGRAPH 10(F) MISCELLANEOUS.
The Fund may interpret the provisions of this Paragraph 10 to resolve any
inconsistency or ambiguity, remedy any formal defect or make any other change
or modification that does not substantially adversely affect the rights of
Beneficial Owners of AMPS. A Beneficial Owner or an Existing Holder (A) may
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of AMPS only pursuant to a Bid or Sell
Order in accordance with the procedures described in this Paragraph 10 or to
or through a Broker-Dealer, provided that in the case of all transfers other
than pursuant to Auctions such Beneficial Owner or Existing Holder, its
Broker-Dealer, if applicable, or its Agent Member advises the Auction Agent of
such transfer and (B) except as otherwise required by law, shall have the
ownership of the shares of AMPS held by it maintained in book entry form by
the Securities Depository in the account of its Agent Member, which in turn
will maintain records of such Beneficial Owner's beneficial ownership. Neither
the Fund nor any Affiliate (other than Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated) shall submit an Order in any Auction. Any Beneficial Owner that
is an Affiliate (other than Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated) shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of AMPS to any
Person other than the Fund. All of the outstanding AMPS of a Series shall be
represented by a single certificate registered in the name of the nominee of
the Securities Depository unless otherwise required by law or unless there is
no Securities Depository. If there is no Securities Depository, at the Fund's
option and upon its receipt of such documents as it deems appropriate, any
AMPS may be registered in the Share Register in the name of the Beneficial
Owner thereof and such Beneficial Owner thereupon will be entitled to receive
certificates therefor and required to deliver certificates thereof or upon
transfer or exchange thereof.
D-7
<PAGE>
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NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRE-
SENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFOR-
MATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING OF ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN
THE REGISTERED SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO ANY PERSON IN ANY
STATE OR JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY COUNTRY WHERE SUCH OFFER
WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
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<S> <C>
Prospectus Summary......................................................... 3
Risk Factors and Special Considerations.................................... 11
The Fund................................................................... 13
Use of Proceeds............................................................ 13
Capitalization............................................................. 13
Portfolio Composition...................................................... 14
Investment Objective and Policies.......................................... 14
Description of AMPS........................................................ 32
Investment Restrictions.................................................... 52
Trustees and Officers...................................................... 53
Investment Advisory and Management Arrangements............................ 55
Portfolio Transactions..................................................... 56
Taxes...................................................................... 57
Net Asset Value............................................................ 62
Description of Capital Shares.............................................. 63
Custodian.................................................................. 65
Underwriting............................................................... 66
Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Registrar.................... 66
Legal Opinions............................................................. 66
Experts.................................................................... 66
Available Information...................................................... 67
Independent Auditors' Report .............................................. 68
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Capital............................... 69
Financial Statements (Unaudited)........................................... 70
Glossary................................................................... 76
Appendix A--Economic and Other Conditions in Florida....................... A-1
Appendix B--Ratings of Municipal Bonds and Commercial Paper................ B-1
Appendix C--Settlement Procedures.......................................... C-1
Appendix D--Auction Procedures............................................. D-1
</TABLE>
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$104,750,000
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND
AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED SHARES
["AMPS(R)"]
2,095 SHARES, SERIES A
2,095 SHARES, SERIES B
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PROSPECTUS
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MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
OCTOBER , 1997
(R)Registered trademark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
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