This
Application Consists of 40 Pages
As filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2009
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
RMR
REAL ESTATE FUND
RMR
HOSPITALITY AND REAL ESTATE FUND
RMR
F.I.R.E. FUND
RMR
PREFERRED DIVIDEND FUND
RMR
DIVIDEND CAPTURE FUND
RMR
ADVISORS, INC.
400
Centre Street
Newton,
Massachusetts 02458
APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER PURSUANT TO SECTION 6(c) OF THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 FOR EXEMPTION FROM
SECTION 19(b) OF THE ACT AND RULE 19b-1 THEREUNDER
AMENDMENT NO.
2
File No.
812-13058
Please send
communications, notice and order to:
Mark L. Kleifges
Treasurer/Chief
Financial Officer
RMR
Advisors, Inc.
400
Centre Street
Newton,
Massachusetts 02458
Thomas A.
DeCapo, Esq.
Skadden
, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
One
Beacon Street
Boston,
Massachusetts 02108
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEFORE THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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In the Matter of
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APPLICATION FOR
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RMR REAL ESTATE FUND
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AN ORDER
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RMR HOSPITALITY AND
REAL ESTATE FUND
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PURSUANT TO
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RMR F.I.R.E. FUND
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SECTION 6(c) OF
THE
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RMR PREFERRED DIVIDEND
FUND
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INVESTMENT
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RMR DIVIDEND CAPTURE
FUND
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COMPANY ACT OF
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RMR ADVISORS, INC.
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1940 FOR EXEMPTION
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FROM SECTION 19(b)
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400 Centre Street
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OF THE ACT
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Newton, Massachusetts
02458
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AND RULE 19b-1
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THEREUNDER
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Investment Company Act
of 1940
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File No. 812-13058
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AMENDMENT NO. 2
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I. INTRODUCTION
RMR Real Estate Fund (RMR),
RMR Hospitality and Real Estate Fund (RHR), RMR F.I.R.E. FUND (RFR), RMR
Preferred Dividend Fund (RDR), RMR Dividend Capture Fund (RCR) and RMR
Advisors, Inc. (the Advisor, and together with RMR, RHR, RFR, RDR and RCR,
the Applicants) request an order (the Order) of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the Commission) pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), exempting RMR, RHR, RFR, RDR
and RCR, and each registered closed-end management investment company in the
future that seeks to rely on the Order advised by the Advisor (including any
successor in
2
interest(1))
or by any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control (within the
meaning of Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act) with the Advisor, from the
provisions of Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 promulgated
thereunder, as more fully set forth below in this application (the Application).(2)
RMR, RHR, RFR, RDR and RCR, and such
future investment companies are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Funds,
and separately as a Fund.
A.
The
Funds
Each of the Funds, except
for RCR, is a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered
under the 1940 Act and organized as a Massachusetts business trust. RCR is a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company registered under the 1940 Act and organized as a
Massachusetts business trust. RMR was
organized on July 2, 2002, RHR was organized on January 27, 2004, RFR was
organized on August 6, 2004, RDR was organized on November 8, 2004, and RCR was
organized on June 14, 2007.
RMRs primary investment
objective is to earn and pay to its common shareholders a high level of current
income by investing in real estate companies, including real estate investment
trusts (REITs).(3) The Funds
secondary objective is capital appreciation.
Generally, in normal market conditions, RMR
(1) A successor in interest is limited to any
entity that results from a reorganization into another jurisdiction or a change
in the type of business organization.
(2) All existing registered closed-end investment
companies that are operational and currently intend to be able to rely on the
requested Order are named as Applicants and any closed-end investment company
that may rely on the Order in the future will satisfy each of the
representations in this Application except that such representations will be
made in respect of actions by the board of directors of such future fund and
will be made at a future time.
(3) A real estate
company is a company which derives at least 50% of its revenue from the
ownership, leasing, management, construction, sale or financing of real estate
or has at least 50% of its assets invested in real estate.
3
invests: (i) at least 90% of its managed assets(4)
in income producing securities issued by real estate companies, including
common shares, preferred shares and debt; (ii) at least 75% of its managed
assets in securities issued by REITs; and (iii) no more than 45% of its managed
assets in non-investment grade ratable debt or preferred shares.
RMR has two classes of
shares: a single class of common shares
and a single class of auction preferred shares (preferred shares). RMRs common shares are currently listed and
traded on NYSE Alternext US under the symbol RMR. RMRs preferred shares are not listed on an
exchange. Rather, investors may offer to
buy or offer to sell RMRs preferred shares at an auction (normally held
weekly) with or through a broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with
RMRs auction agent.
RMRs total assets on December
31, 2008 were $36,591,294, and on that date 6,824,000 of its common shares,
$0.001 par value, and 438 of its preferred shares (Series T), $0.0001 par
value, were issued and outstanding. The
total liquidation preference of preferred shares as of that date was
$10,950,000.
RHRs primary investment
objective is to earn and pay to its common shareholders a high level of current
income by investing in hospitality(5) and real estate companies. Its secondary objective is capital
appreciation. Generally, under normal
market conditions, (i) at least 90% of RHRs managed assets are
(4) Managed assets
are equal to the net asset value of a Funds common shares plus the liquidation
preference of any preferred shares and the principal amount of any borrowings
outstanding.
(5) A hospitality
company is a company which derives at least 50% of its revenue directly or
indirectly from or has at least 50% of its assets invested in businesses
related to lodging, dining, recreation or entertainment services.
4
invested
in income producing securities issued by hospitality and real estate companies;
(ii) at least 25% of its managed assets are invested in securities issued by
hospitality companies; (iii) at least 25% of its managed assets are invested in
securities issued by real estate companies, including REITs; and (iv) no more
than 45% of its managed assets are invested in non-investment grade ratable
debt or preferred shares.
RHR has two classes of
shares: a single class of common shares
and a single class of preferred shares.
RHRs common shares are currently listed and traded on NYSE Alternext US
under the symbol RHR. RHRs preferred
shares are not listed on an exchange. Rather,
investors may offer to buy or offer to sell RHRs preferred shares at an
auction (normally held weekly) with or through a broker-dealer that has entered
into an agreement with RHRs auction agent.
RHRs total assets on December
31, 2008 were $9,803,915, and on that date 2,485,000 of its common shares,
$0.001 par value, and 115 of its preferred shares (Series Th), $0.0001 par
value, were issued and outstanding. The
total liquidation preference of preferred shares as of that date was
$2,875,000. On January 7, 2009, RHR
redeemed an additional 24 preferred shares with a liquidation preference of
$600,000.
RFRs investment
objective is to provide high total returns to common shareholders through a
combination of capital appreciation and current income. Generally, in normal market conditions, RFR
invests at least 80% of its managed assets in securities issued by F.I.R.E.
(the combined financial services, insurance and real estate industries)
companies.
5
RFR has two classes of
shares: a single class of common shares
and a single class of auction preferred shares.
RFRs common shares are currently listed and traded on NYSE Alternext US
under the symbol RFR. RFRs preferred
shares are not listed on an exchange.
Rather, investors may offer to buy or offer to sell RFRs preferred
shares at an auction (normally held weekly) with or through a broker-dealer
that has entered into an agreement with RFRs auction agent.
RFRs total assets on December
31, 2008 were $4,266,229 and on that date, 1,484,000 of its common shares,
$0.001 par value, and 47 of its preferred shares (Series W), $0.0001 par value,
were issued and outstanding. The total
liquidation preference of preferred shares as of that date was $1,175,000.
RDRs primary investment
objective is to provide high current income to common shareholders. RDRs secondary investment objective is
capital appreciation. Generally, in
normal market conditions, RDR invests (i) at least 80% of its managed assets in
preferred securities; and (ii) at least 50% of its managed assets in preferred
securities issued by REITs.
RDR has two classes of
shares: a single class of common shares
and a single class of auction preferred shares.
RDRs common shares are currently listed and traded on NYSE Alternext US
under the symbol RDR. RDRs preferred
shares are not listed on an exchange.
Rather, investors may offer to buy or offer to sell RDRs preferred
shares at an auction (normally held weekly) with or through a broker-dealer
that has entered into an agreement with RDRs auction agent.
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RDRs total assets on December
31, 2008 were $6,055,277 and on that date, 2,663,977 of its common shares,
$0.001 par value, and 232 of its preferred shares (Series M), $0.0001 par
value, were issued and outstanding. The
total liquidation preference of preferred shares as of that date was
$5,800,000. On January 2, 2009 and January
9, 2009, RDR redeemed an additional 168 preferred shares with a liquidation
preference of $4,200,000.
RCRs primary investment
objective is to earn and pay to its common shareholders a high current dividend
income by investing in real estate companies and portfolio funds. RCRs secondary investment objective is
capital appreciation. Generally, in
normal market conditions, RCR invests at least 80% of its managed assets in
common shares of domestic REITs and closed-end management investment companies
that pay regular dividends.
RCR has two classes of
shares: a single class of common shares
and a single class of auction preferred shares.
RCRs common shares are currently listed and traded on NYSE Alternext US
under the symbol RCR. RCRs preferred
shares are not listed on an exchange.
Rather, investors may offer to buy or offer to sell RCRs preferred
shares at an auction (normally held weekly) with or through a broker-dealer
that has entered into an agreement with RCRs auction agent.
RCRs total assets on December
31, 2008 were $3,524,001 and on that date, 1,255,914 of its common shares,
$0.001 par value, and 43 of its preferred shares (Series F), $0.0001 par value,
were issued and outstanding. The total
liquidation preference of preferred shares as of that date was $1,075,000. On
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January
8, 2009, RCR redeemed an additional 16 preferred shares with a liquidation
preference of $400,000.
B.
The
Advisor
RMR Advisors, Inc.
(previously defined as the Advisor) has provided investment advisory services
to each Fund since its inception. The
Advisor, a Massachusetts corporation, is a registered investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act). The Advisor is wholly owned by Barry M.
Portnoy and Adam D. Portnoy.
II. DISTRIBUTION POLICIES
The periodic pay-out
policy with respect to each Funds common shares (each a Distribution Policy
and, collectively, the Distribution Policies) has been established and will
be reviewed at least annually by the board of directors/trustees (Board) of
such Fund, including a majority of the directors or trustees who are not interested
persons of the Fund as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act (Independent
Trustees).
Each Funds Board has:
(a)
approved
the Funds adoption of the Distribution Policies;
(b)
requested
and evaluated, and the Funds Advisor has furnished, such information as was
reasonably necessary for each Board to make an informed determination of
whether the Distribution Policies should be adopted and implemented;
(c)
determined
that adoption and implementation of the Distribution Policies are consistent
with the Funds investment objective(s) and policies and are in the best
interests of the Fund and its shareholders, after considering information provided
pursuant to representation (b) above, including, without limitation: (i) the
purposes and terms of the Distribution Policies as stated in this application; (ii)
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any potential or actual
conflict of interest that the Funds Advisor, any affiliated person of the Funds
Advisor, or any other affiliated person of the Fund may have relating to the
adoption or implementation of the Distribution Policies; (iii) whether the rate
of distribution under the Distribution Policies will exceed the Funds expected
total return in relation to its net asset value (NAV) per common share; and (iv)
any reasonably foreseeable material effect of the Distribution Policies on the
Funds long-term total return (in relation to market price and NAV); and
(d)
approved
the Funds adoption of compliance policies and procedures in accordance with Rule
38a-1 under the 1940 Act that:
(i) are reasonably designed to ensure that all
notices required to be sent to Fund shareholders pursuant to Section 19(a) of
the 1940 Act, Rule 19a-l thereunder and to condition 4 below (each a 19(a) Notice)
include the disclosure required by Rule 19a-1 and by condition 2(a) below, and
that all other written communications by the Fund or its agents, described in
condition 3(a) below about the distributions under the Distribution Policies
include the disclosure required by condition 3(a) below; and
(ii) require the Fund to keep records that
demonstrate its compliance with all of the conditions of the Order and that are
necessary for the Fund to form the basis for, or demonstrate the calculation
of, the amounts disclosed in its 19(a) Notices.
Each Funds Board has
recorded the basis for its approval of the Distribution Policies, including
their consideration of the factors listed in (c) above, in their meeting
minutes, which will be preserved for a period of not less than six years from
the date of such meeting, the first two years in an easily accessible place, or
such longer period as may otherwise be required by law.
The Board of each future
Fund intending to rely on the requested Order, including a majority of its
Independent Trustees, will make similar findings prior
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to
implementing a Distribution Policy with respect to the common shares of the
respective future Fund in reliance on the Order.
Distribution Policy
Investment income
remaining after the payment of any preferred shares distributions and fund
expenses is available for distribution to common shareholders of the respective
Fund, which had historically been in the form of regular monthly
distributions. In light of the economic
uncertainty created by recent market volatility, the Funds currently distribute
to their respective common shareholders all or a portion of their respective
net investment income in amounts determined with the objective of sustaining
distributions of equal amounts each quarter (rather than each month) for the
immediately foreseeable future, and net realized capital gains, if any, at
least annually.(6) A Fund may, in its discretion, pay out less than the
entire amount of net investment income earned in any particular period and may
at times pay out such accumulated undistributed income in addition to net
investment income earned in other periods in order to permit the
(6) Prior to October 2008,
the Funds made regular monthly distributions to common shareholders in equal
amounts each month. However, as a result
of the recent economic turmoil, the values of the Funds portfolio securities,
especially their REIT investments, have substantially declined. Beginning in October 2008, these
declines have resulted in the Funds failing to maintain certain minimum asset
coverage ratios for their preferred shares required by the 1940 Act and the
rating agencies rating the Funds preferred shares in order to declare or pay
distributions to their respective common shareholders. As a consequence, the Funds suspended their
monthly distributions to common shareholders in October 2008. In November and December 2008, the
Funds executed a comprehensive plan to bring themselves back into compliance
with these minimum asset coverage ratios through a series of preferred share
redemptions. Each Funds Board
subsequently declared a distribution to its common shareholders in December 2008,
payable in January 2009, approximately equal to its undistributed 2008 net
investment income. The Funds Boards
have determined to resume paying regular distributions to common shareholders
beginning in 2009. However, in light of
the economic uncertainty created by this economic turmoil, the Funds Boards
determined to make regular distributions to the Funds common shareholders on a
quarterly, rather than a monthly, basis beginning in March 2009. The Funds Boards periodically evaluate their
respective distribution policies and may, in the future, resume making regular
monthly, rather than quarterly, distributions to common shareholders when and
if economic and market conditions significantly improve.
10
Fund
to maintain a stable level of distributions.
As a result, the distribution paid by a Fund to its common shareholders
for any particular period may be more or less than the amount of net investment
income earned by the Fund during that period.
Although the Funds will attempt to maintain a stable level of
distributions, they will still comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
In adopting each
Distribution Policy, each Funds Board considered the fact that such a policy
would allow the respective Fund to make more frequent distributions of capital
gains which might have the effect of reducing or eliminating the distribution
variability associated with a level-rate distribution policy, thereby allowing
the respective Fund to pay regular distributions at higher levels than those it
might pay under a level-rate distribution policy.
Under each Distribution
Policy, a Fund will make distributions as often as monthly to its common
shareholders in equal amounts per common share, and as often as specified by or
determined in accordance with the terms thereof in respect of its preferred
shares. If, for any taxable year, the
total distributions required by the Distribution Policy exceed a Funds annual
net investment company taxable income(7) and net long-term realized
capital gains, the excess would generally be treated as a distribution in
excess of net investment income or capital gains. For federal income tax purposes, such excess
is usually treated as a return of capital (up to the amount of the common
shareholders adjusted tax basis
(7) Investment
company taxable income is a Funds taxable income with certain adjustments; it
generally includes dividends, interest, other ordinary income items (such as
section 988 gain) and the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net
long-term capital losses.
11
in his
or her shares). Distributions under a
Funds Distribution Policy will be paid out of, in order of preference and
priority, (i) net investment income; (ii) net realized short-term
capital gains; (iii) net realized long-term capital gains and (iv) only
to the extent necessary to make up any shortfall, a return of capital. If a Funds net investment company taxable
income and net long-term realized capital gains for any taxable year or
calendar year exceed the amount required to be distributed under the Funds
Distribution Policy, then the Fund will at a minimum make distributions
necessary to permit it to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment
company under the Code.(8) A Fund will have the discretion to retain for
reinvestment its net long-term capital gains in excess of its net short-term
capital loss to the extent that it does not need to distribute these gains to
meet its obligations under its Distribution Policy or comply with applicable
tax requirements. Any retained gains
will be subject to taxation, although a Funds shareholders may receive credit
for taxes paid by the Fund. In addition,
shareholders will be entitled to increase their basis in their shares of a Fund
by an amount equal to the gains deemed distributed less the tax paid.
The Distribution Policy
with respect to each Funds common shares will be reviewed at least annually by
the Board of such Fund. The Board,
including a majority of the Independent Trustees, may, from time to time,
change the amount per share of the distribution on the basis of considerations
such as the actual or anticipated performance of the Funds investments, the
distributions payable on the Funds preferred shares and interest payable on
the Funds debt, if any. A
(8) Each Fund
intends to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to a regulated
investment company as defined in Section 851 of the Code.
12
Fund
may change or abandon the Distribution Policy at any time at the discretion of
the Funds Board.
In adopting the
Distribution Policy, each Board, including a majority of the Independent
Trustees, concluded that adoption of each Funds Distribution Policy would be
in the best interests of each Funds common shareholders. In continuing the Distribution Policy each
Board is expected to consider factors, including, but not limited to, their
perception of the Funds ability to attract shareholders in the absence of a
steady distribution pattern, the Funds ability to meet its investment
objectives, and the potential impact that a fluctuating distribution may have
on the Funds NAV, market trading price and ability to raise capital, whether
equity or leverage.
III. LEGAL ANALYSIS
A.
Applicable Statutory and Regulatory Provisions
Section 19(b) of
the 1940 Act provides that it shall be unlawful in contravention of such rules,
regulations, or orders as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or
appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors for any
registered investment company to distribute long-term capital gains, as defined
in the Code, more often than once every twelve months. Rule 19b-1 under the 1940 Act provides that
no registered investment company which is a regulated investment company as
defined in Section 851 of the Code shall make more than (i) one
distribution of long-term capital gains, as defined in the Code, in any one
taxable year of the company; (ii) one additional net long-term capital
gains distribution made in whole or in part to avoid excise tax under Section 4982
of the Code; plus (iii) one supplemental clean-up distribution of
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net
long-term capital gains pursuant to Section 855 of the Code not in excess
of 10% of the total long-term capital gains distributed in any one taxable year
of the company.
B.
Relief
Requested
Applicants request an
order pursuant to Section 6(c) of the 1940 Act granting an exemption
from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder to
permit each Fund, as applicable, to make periodic long-term capital gains
distributions (as described in Section 852(b)(3)(C) of the Code) as
often as monthly in any one taxable year with respect to its common shares, and
as often as specified by or determined in accordance with the terms thereof in
respect of its preferred shares.
C.
Justification
for the Requested Relief
Section 6(c) of
the 1940 Act provides that the Commission may exempt any person, security or
transaction, or any class or classes of persons, securities or transactions,
from any provision of the 1940 Act or any rule under the 1940 Act if and
to the extent that such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public
interest and consistent with the protection of investors and the purposes
fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the 1940 Act. For the reasons set forth below, Applicants
submit that the requested exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940
Act and Rule 19b-l thereunder would be consistent with the standards set
forth in Section 6(c) of the 1940 Act, and would be in the best
interests of each Fund and its shareholders.
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1.
Shareholder Interests and Market
Perception
Based on information
provided in presentations to them by the Advisor, including information related
to the shareholder profile for investors in each Funds common shares, the
Board of each Fund determined that investors in each Funds common shares may
prefer an investment vehicle that provides regular periodic distributions and a
steady cash flow. The Board of each Fund
also considered the different nature of funds that invest in REITs. REITs typically specify the distribution rate
to be paid on their respective securities until notice of any change in
policy. Accordingly, investors in each
Fund may generally expect a similar distribution policy.
The common shares of
closed-end funds frequently trade at discounts to their NAVs per common
share. At the request of the
shareholders of some closed-end funds whose shares were trading at a discount,
the boards of directors and management of those funds have instituted measures
aimed at reducing these persistent discounts.
To this end, many closed-end funds have adopted managed distribution
plans which call for monthly or quarterly distributions to shareholders. Some of these funds successfully narrowed
their discounts as a result. In the
Applicants view, the discount at which the Funds common shares may trade also
may be reduced if the Funds are permitted to pay capital gains dividends with
respect to their common shares more frequently than is permitted under Rule 19b-1.
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2.
Each Funds shareholders have received,
or will receive, information sufficient to clearly inform them of the nature of
its distribution policies.
One
of the concerns leading to the adoption of Section 19(b) and Rule 19b-1
was that shareholders
might be unable to distinguish between frequent distributions of capital gains
and dividends from investment income.
(9)
However, Rule 19a-1 under the 1940
Act effectively address this concern by requiring that distributions (or the
confirmation of the reinvestment thereof) estimated to be sourced in part from
capital gains or capital be accompanied by a separate statement showing the
sources of the distribution (e.g., estimated net income, net short-term capital
gains, net long-term capital gains and/or return of capital). The same information is included in each Funds
annual report to shareholders and on its IRS Form 1099-DIV, which is sent
to each common and preferred shareholder who received distributions during a
particular year (including shareholders who have sold shares during the year).
In addition, each Fund
will make the additional disclosures required by the conditions set forth in Section IV
of this Application, and each Fund has adopted compliance policies and
procedures in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act to ensure that
all required notices and disclosures are sent to shareholders.
Rule 19a-1, the Distribution
Policies and the compliance policies ensure that each Funds shareholders would
be provided sufficient information to
(9)
See
Public Policy Implications of Investment Company Growth, Report of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, H.R. Rep. No. 2337, 89
th
Cong., 2d.
Sess. at 190-95 (1966) (PPI Report); S. Rep. No. 91-184, 91
st
Cong., 1
st
Sess. 29
(1969); H.R. Rep. No. 91-1382, 91
st
Cong., 2
nd
Sess. 28-29 (1970).
16
understand
that their periodic distributions are not tied to the Funds net investment
income (which for this purpose is the Funds taxable income other than from
capital gains) and realized capital gains to date, and may not represent yield
or investment return. Accordingly, continuing
to subject the Funds to Section 19(b) and Rule 19b-1 would
afford shareholders no extra protection.
In addition, the Funds will undertake to request intermediaries to
forward 19(a) Notices to their customers and to reimburse them for the
costs of forwarding. Such forwarding may
occur in any manner permitted by statute, rule, order or the staff.
3.
Rule 19b-1, under certain
circumstances, gives rise to improper influence on portfolio management
decisions with no offsetting benefit to shareholders.
Another concern leading
to the adoption of Rule 19b-1 was that frequent capital gains
distributions could impose pressure on management to realize capital gains on a
regular and frequent basis and at a time when purely investment considerations
would dictate not doing so.(10) As applied to distributions based on
realized capital gains, the Rule avoids the imposition of improper
influence on management. However, when
applied to a periodic fixed distribution policy that is not based on realized
capital gains, Rule 19b-1 may create an inappropriate influence on
portfolio management decisions by imposing pressure on a Fund to make decisions
regarding the realization of long-term capital gains aimed at ensuring that
such capital gains distributions fit within the framework of Rule 19b-1. As a result, short-term gains rather than
long-term gains might be realized,
(10)
See
PPI
Report at 194-195.
17
or the
realization of long-term gains may be limited to the total amount of such gains
that properly may be paid under Section 19(b) and Rule 19b-1 as part
of a Funds Distribution Policy, notwithstanding that purely investment
considerations might dictate different portfolio management decisions. In addition, a Funds shareholders should be
permitted to benefit from the continued investment of funds that might
otherwise be distributed as a return of capital in order to satisfy the Funds
Distribution Policy because the Fund may be able to retain such amounts to the
extent that long-term capital gains are appropriately distributed throughout
the year in satisfaction of the Funds obligations under its Distribution
Policy.
No purpose is served by
the distortion in the intended operation of each Funds Distribution Policy in
order to comply with Rule 19b-1. No
reason exists for requiring return of capital distributions on a Funds common
and preferred shares beyond what is necessary to make up any shortfall between
the Funds annual distribution obligations under its Distribution Policy and
its
net investment income and
capital gains, or for forcing a Fund either to pay out more than is called for
by its Distribution Policy or to retain (and pay taxes on) long-term capital
gains to an extent greater than would otherwise be the case. The relief requested by the Applicants would
minimize these anomalous effects of Rule 19b-1 by enabling the Funds to
realize long-term capital gains as often as investment considerations dictate
without fear of violating Rule 19b-1.
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4.
The
other concerns leading to the adoption of Section 19(b) and Rule 19b-l
are not applicable.
Another concern
that led to the enactment of Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and
adoption of Rule 19b-l was that frequent long-term capital gains
distributions could facilitate improper fund distribution practices, including,
in particular, the practice of urging an investor to purchase shares of a fund
on the basis of an upcoming capital gain dividend (selling the dividend),
where the dividend results in an immediate corresponding reduction in net asset
value and is in effect a return of the investors capital. Applicants submit that this concern does not
apply to closed-end investment companies, such as the Funds, which normally do
not continuously distribute shares. In
addition, Applicants note that each Fund is designed primarily as a long-term
investment and no Fund is intended as a vehicle for investors who wish to take
advantage of short-term swings in net asset value and market price. Furthermore, by paying out periodically any
capital gains that have occurredat least up to the fixed periodic payout
amounteach Funds Distribution Policy helps avoid the buildup of large
end-of-the-year distributions and accordingly helps avoid a scenario in which
any investor acquires shares in the open market that are subject to a large
upcoming capital gains dividend.
The Applicants
also submit that the selling the dividend concern is not applicable to
preferred shares which entitle a holder to a specified periodic dividend and no
more and, like a debt security, is initially sold at a price based upon its
liquidation preference, credit quality, dividend rate and frequency of payment. Investors buy a Funds preferred shares for
the express purpose of
19
receiving specific
payments at the frequency indicated by the Funds prospectus, and the
application of Rule 19b-1 to a Funds preferred shares is contrary to the
expectation of investors. There is also
currently a tax rule that provides that any loss attributable to a
long-term capital gain realized within six months prior to the incurrence of
the loss must be treated as a long-term capital loss to avoid the selling of
dividends.(11)
5.
Further
limitations of Rule 19b-1.
Subparagraphs (a) and
(f) of Rule 19b-1 limit the number of capital gains dividends, as
defined in Section 852(b)(3)(C) of the Code, that a Fund may make
with respect to any one taxable year to one, plus a supplemental clean-up
distribution made pursuant to Section 855 of the Code not exceeding 10% of
the total amount distributed for the year, plus one additional capital gain
dividend made in whole or in part to avoid the excise tax under Section 4982
of the Code.
Applicants assert
that by limiting the number of capital gain dividends that a Fund may make with
respect to any one year, Rule 19b-1 may prevent the normal and efficient
operation of a periodic distribution plan whenever that Funds realized net
long-term capital gains in any year exceed the total of the periodic
distributions that may include such capital gains under the Rule. Rule 19b-1 thus may force the fixed
regular periodic distributions to be funded with returns of capital(12) (to the
extent net investment income and realized short-term capital gains are
insufficient to fund the distribution), even though realized net
(11)
See
Section 852(b)(4) of the Code.
(12) These would be return of capital for financial
accounting purposes and not for tax accounting purposes.
20
long-term capital gains
otherwise would be available. To
distribute all of a Funds long-term capital gains within the limits in Rule 19b-1,
a Fund may be required to make total distributions in excess of the annual
amount called for by its periodic distribution plan or to retain and pay taxes
on the excess amount. Applicants believe
that the application of Rule 19b-1 to a Funds periodic distribution plan
may create pressure to limit the realization of long-term capital gains based
on considerations unrelated to investment goals.
Revenue Ruling
89-81 under the Code requires that a Fund that seeks to qualify as a regulated
investment company under the Code and that has both common stock and preferred
stock outstanding designate the types of income, e.g., investment income and
capital gains, in the same proportion as the total distributions distributed to
each class for the tax year. To satisfy
the proportionate designation requirements of Revenue Ruling 89-81, whenever a
Fund has realized a long-term capital gain with respect to a given tax year,
the Fund must designate the required proportionate share of such capital gain
to be included in common and preferred stock dividends. Although Rule 19b-1 allows a Fund some
flexibility with respect to the frequency of capital gains distributions, a
Fund might use all of the exceptions available under Rule 19b-1 for a tax
year and still need to distribute additional capital gains allocated to the
preferred stock to comply with Revenue Ruling 89-81.
The potential
abuses addressed by Section 19(b) and Rule 19b-1 do not arise
with respect to preferred stock issued by a closed-end fund. Such distributions are either fixed or are
determined in periodic auctions by reference to
21
short-term interest rates
rather than by reference to performance of the issuer, and Revenue Ruling 89-81
determines the proportion of such distributions that are comprised of the
long-term capital gains.
Applicants also
submit that the selling the dividend concern is not applicable to preferred
stock, which entitles a holder to no more than a periodic dividend at a fixed
rate or the rate determined by the market, and, like a debt security, is priced
based upon its liquidation value, dividend rate, credit quality, and frequency
of payment. Investors buy preferred
shares for the purpose of receiving payments at the frequency bargained for and
do not expect the liquidation value of their shares to change.
The proposed Order
will assist the Funds in avoiding these Rule 19b-1 problems.
6.
General.
The relief
requested is that the Commission permit the Funds to make periodic
distributions in respect of their common shares as often as monthly and in respect
of their preferred shares as specified by or determined in accordance with the
terms thereof. Granting this relief
would provide the Funds with flexibility in meeting investor interest in
receiving more frequent distributions.
By reducing the amount of individual periodic distributions even
further, implementation of the additional relief would actually ameliorate the
concerns that gave rise to Section 19(b) and Rule 19b-1 and help
avoid the selling of dividends problem, which Section 19(b) and Rule 19b-1
are not effective in preventing.
22
The potential
issues under Rule 19b-1 are basically not relevant to distributions on
preferred shares. Not only are such
distributions fixed or determined in periodic auctions or remarketings by
reference to short-term interest rates rather than by reference to performance
of the issuer, but also the long-term capital gain component is mandated by the
Internal Revenue Service to be the same proportion as the proportion of
long-term gain dividends bears to the total distributions in respect of the
common shares and consequently the long-term gain component cannot even be
known until the last dividend of the year.
In these circumstance it would be very difficult for any of the
potential abuses reflected in Rule 19b-1s restrictions to occur.
In summary, Rule 19b-1
in the circumstances referred to above distorts the effective and proper
functioning of the Funds distributions and gives rise to the very pressures on
portfolio management decisions that Rule 19b-1 was intended to avoid. These distortions forced by Rule 19b-1
serve no purpose and are not in the best interests of shareholders.
IV. CONDITIONS
Applicants agree
that, with respect to each Fund and each future Fund seeking to rely on the
Order, the Order will be subject to each of the following conditions:
1.
Compliance Review
and Reporting:
The
Funds chief compliance officer will (a) report to the Funds Boards, no
less frequently than once every three months or at the next regularly scheduled
quarterly Board meeting, whether (i) each Fund and the Advisor have
complied with the conditions of the Order and (ii) a material compliance
matter (as defined in Rule 38a-1(e)(2) under the 1940 Act) has
occurred with respect to such conditions; and (b) review the adequacy of
the policies and procedures adopted by the Boards no less frequently than
annually.
23
2.
Disclosures to
Fund Shareholders:
(a)
Each 19(a) Notice
to the holders of a Funds common shares, in addition to the information
required by Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1:
(i) Will provide, in a tabular or graphical
format:
(1) the amount of the distribution, on a per
share basis, together with the amounts of such distribution amount, on a per
share basis and as a percentage of such distribution amount, from estimated: (A) net
investment income; (B) net realized short-term capital gains; (C) net
realized long-term capital gains; and (D) return of capital or other
capital source;
(2) the fiscal year-to-date cumulative amount of
distributions, on a per share basis, together with the amounts of such
cumulative amount, on a per share basis and as a percentage of such cumulative
amount of distributions, from estimated: (A) net investment income; (B) net
realized short-term capital gains; (C) net realized long-term capital
gains; and (D) return of capital or other capital source;
(3) the average annual total return in relation
to the change in NAV per common share for the 5-year period (or, if a Funds
history of operations is less than five years, the time period commencing
immediately following the Funds first public offering) ending on the last day
of the month ended immediately prior to the most recent distribution
declaration date compared to the current fiscal periods annualized
distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV per common share as of the
last day of the month prior to the most recent distribution declaration date;
and
(4) the cumulative total return in relation to
the change in NAV per common share from the last completed fiscal year to the
last day of the month prior to the most recent distribution declaration date
compared to the fiscal year-to-date cumulative distribution rate expressed as a
percentage of NAV per common share as of the last day of the month
24
prior to the most recent distribution declaration
date;(13)
Such
disclosure shall be made in a type size at least as large and as prominent as
the estimate of the sources of the current distribution; and
(ii) will include the following disclosure:
(1) You should not draw any conclusions about
the Funds investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from
the terms of the Funds Managed Distribution Plan.;
(2) If the Funds state in the 19(a) Notice
pursuant to condition 2(a)(i)(1) or 2(a)(i)(2) that the current
distribution or the fiscal year to date cumulative distribution are estimated
to include a return of capital, then the Funds will include the following
disclosure: The Fund estimates that it
has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of
your distribution may be a return of capital.
A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the
money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital does not necessarily
reflect the Funds investment performance and should not be confused with yield
or income.; and
(3) The amounts and sources of distributions
reported in this 19(a) Notice are only estimates and are not being
provided for tax reporting purposes. The
actual amounts and sources of the amounts for [accounting and] tax reporting
purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder
of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV
for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for
federal income tax purposes.;
Such
disclosure shall be made in a type size at least as large as and as prominent
as any other information in the 19(a)
(13) Such total return and distribution rate shall be
stated on a cumulative basis and not annualized.
25
Notice
and placed on the same page in close proximity to the amount and the
sources of the distribution;
(b)
On the inside of the
front cover of each report provided to shareholders under Rule 30e-1 under
the 1940 Act, the Funds will:
(i) describe the terms of the Distribution
Policies (including the fixed amount or fixed percentage of the distributions
and the frequency of the distributions);
(ii) include the disclosure required by
condition 2(a)(ii)(1) above;
(iii) state, if applicable, that the
Distribution Policies provide that a Funds Board may amend or terminate the
Distribution Policies at any time without prior notice to Fund shareholders;
and
(iv) describe any reasonably foreseeable
circumstances that might cause the Fund to terminate the Distribution Policies
and any reasonably foreseeable consequences of such termination; and
(c)
Each report provided to
shareholders under Rule 30e-1 under the 1940 Act and each prospectus filed
with the Commission on Form N-2 under the 1940 Act, will provide the Funds
total return in relation to changes in NAV per common share in the financial
highlights table and in any discussion about the Funds total return.
3.
Disclosure to
Shareholders, Prospective Shareholders and Third-Party Information Providers:
(a)
The Funds will include
the information contained in the relevant 19(a) Notice, including the
disclosure required by condition 2(a)(ii) above, in any written
communication (other than a communication on Form 1099) about the
Distribution Policies or distributions under the Distribution Policies by the
Funds, or agents that the Funds have authorized to make such communications on
the Funds behalf, to any Fund shareholder, prospective shareholder, or
third-party information provider;
(b)
The Funds will issue,
contemporaneously with the issuance of any 19(a) Notice, a press release
containing the information in such 19(a) Notice and will file with the
Commission the information contained in such 19(a)
26
Notice, including the
disclosure required by condition 2(a)(ii) above, as an exhibit to its next
filed Form N-CSR; and
(c)
The Funds will post a
prominent statement containing the information in each 19(a) Notice,
including the disclosure required by condition 2(a)(ii) above, on its Web
site or on the Advisors Web site. The
information contained in each 19(a) Notice will remain on such Web site
for at least 24 months.
4.
Delivery of 19(a) Notices
to Beneficial Owners:
If a broker,
dealer, bank, or other person (financial intermediary) holds common stock
issued by a Fund in nominee name, or otherwise, on behalf of a beneficial
owner, the Fund will: (A) request that the financial intermediary, or its
agent, forward the 19(a) Notice to all beneficial owners of the Funds
shares held through such financial intermediary; (B) provide, in a timely
manner, to the financial intermediary, or its agent, enough copies of the 19(a) Notice
assembled in the form and at the place that the financial intermediary, or its
agent, reasonably requests to facilitate the financial intermediarys sending
of the 19(a) Notice to each beneficial owner of the Funds shares; and (C) upon
the request of any financial intermediary, or its agent, that receives copies
of the 19(a) Notice, pay the financial intermediary, or its agent, the
reasonable expenses of sending the 19(a) Notice to such beneficial owners.
5.
Special Board
Review for Funds Whose Common Stock Trades at a Premium:
If:
(a)
A Funds common
shares have traded on the stock exchange that they primarily trade on at the
time in question at an average premium to NAV per common share equal to or
greater than 10%, as determined on the basis of the average of the discount or
premium to NAV per common share of the Funds common shares as of the close of
each trading day over a 12-week rolling full trading week period (each such
12-week rolling period ending on the last trading day of each week); and
(b)
The Funds
annualized distribution rate for such 12-week rolling period, expressed as a
percentage of NAV per common share as of the ending date of such 12-week
rolling period, is greater than the Funds average annual total return in
relation to the change in NAV per common share over the 2-year period ending on
the last day of such 12-week rolling period;
27
then:
(i) At the earlier of the next regularly
scheduled Board meeting or within four months of the last day of such 12-week
rolling period, the Funds board, including a majority of the Independent
Trustees:
(1) will request and evaluate, and the Advisor
will furnish, such information as may be reasonably necessary to make an
informed determination of whether the Distribution Policy should be continued
or continued after amendment;
(2) will determine that continuation, or
continuation after amendment, of the Distribution Policy is consistent with the
Funds investment objective(s) and policies and in the best interests of
the Fund and its shareholders, after considering the information in condition
5(b)(i)(1) above, including, without limitation:
(A) whether the Distribution Policy is
accomplishing its purpose(s);
(B) the reasonably foreseeable material effects
of the Distribution Policy on the Funds long-term total return in relation to
the market price and NAV per common share of the Funds common shares; and
(C) the Funds current distribution rate, as
described in condition 5(b) above, compared to the Funds average annual
taxable income or total return over the 2-year period, as described in
condition 5(b), or such longer period as the Funds board deems appropriate;
and
(3) based upon that determination, will approve
or disapprove the continuation, or continuation after amendment, of the
Distribution Policy; and
(ii) The Funds Board will record the
information considered by it, including its consideration of the factors listed
in condition 5(b)(i)(2) above, and the basis for its approval or
disapproval of the continuation, or continuation after amendment, of the
Distribution Policy in its meeting
28
minutes, which must be made and preserved for a period
of not less than six years from the date of such meeting, the first two years
in an easily accessible place.
6.
Public Offerings:
A Fund
will not make a public offering of a Funds common shares, other than:
(a)
a
rights offering below NAV per common share to holders of a Funds common
shares;
(b)
an
offering in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, merger,
consolidation, acquisition, spin-off or reorganization of a Fund; or
(c)
an
offering other than an offering described in conditions 6(a) and 6(b) above,
provided that, with respect to such other offering:
(i) the Funds average annual distribution rate
for the six months ending on the last day of the month ended immediately prior
to the most recent distribution declaration date, expressed as a percentage of
NAV per common share as of such date, is no more than 1 percentage point
greater than the Funds average annual total return for the 5-year period
ending on such date;(14)
(ii) the transmittal letter accompanying any
registration statement filed with the Commission in connection with such
offering discloses that the Fund has received an order under Section 19(b) to
permit it to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains with
respect to its common shares as frequently as twelve times each year, and as
frequently as distributions are specified by or determined in accordance with
the terms of any outstanding preferred shares as such Fund may issue.
7.
Amendments to Rule 19b-l:
The
requested order will expire on the effective date of any amendments to Rule 19b-1
that provides relief permitting certain closed-end investment companies to make
periodic distributions of long-term capital gains
(14)
If a Fund has been in operation fewer than five years, then the measured period
will begin using the NAV per common share immediately following the Funds
first public offering.
29
with
respect to their outstanding common shares as frequently as twelve times each
year.
V. PRECEDENT
The Commission has
recently issued substantially similar orders subject to conditions
substantially identical to those proposed in this Application, to other
closed-end investment companies based on applications substantially similar to
this Application.
See,
e.g.
,
ING Clarion Real Estate Fund, et al., 1940 Act Rel. Nos. 28329 (July 8,
2008) (notice) and 28352 (August 5, 2008) (order); The Mexico Fund, Inc.,
et al., 1940 Act Rel. Nos. 28332 (July 17, 2008) (notice) and 28357 (August 12,
2008) (order); Cohen & Steers
Advantage Income Realty Fund, Inc., et al, 1940 Act Rel. Nos. 28341 (July 24,
2008) (notice) and 28358 (August 19, 2008) (order); DNP Select Income
Fund, et al.. 1940 Act Rel. Nos. 28348 (July 31, 2008) (notice) and 28368
(August 26, 2008) (order); John Hancock Income Securities Trust, et al.,
1940 Act Rel. No. 28372 (August 29, 2008) (notice) and 28389 September 24,
2008 (order); Calamos Convertible
Opportunities and Income Fund, et al., 1940 Act Rel. Nos. 28435 (October 7,
2008) (notice) and 28483 (November 4, 2008) (order); Boulder Total Return
Fund, Inc., et al., 1940 Act Rel. Nos. 28442 (October 20, 2008)
(notice) and 28486 (November 17, 2008) (order); The Zwieg Total Return
Fund, Inc., et al., 1940 Act Rel. Nos. 28441 (October 20, 2008)
(notice) and 28485 (November 17, 2008) (order).
VI. PROCEDURAL
MATTERS
The verifications
required by Rule 0-2(d) are attached hereto.
30
Pursuant to Rule 0-2(c) under
the 1940 Act, each Applicant hereby states that the officer signing this
Application on behalf of such Applicant is fully authorized to do so and that
each Applicant has complied with all the requirements for the execution and
filing of this Application in the name of and on behalf of each Applicant, and
that under the provisions of each Applicants Agreement and Declaration of
Trust or Articles of Organization, as the case may be, and By-Laws,
responsibility for the management of the affairs and business of each Applicant
is vested in its Board of Trustees or Directors, as the case may be. By resolutions duly adopted and attached to
the original Application, filed with the Commission on December 31, 2003
(the Original Application), as Exhibit A-1, and attached to Amendment No. 1
to this Application, filed with the Commission on September 23, 2008 (Amendment
No. 1), as Exhibits A-1 through A-4, respectively, each Funds Board has
authorized designated officers to prepare or cause to be prepared and to
execute and file with the Commission this Application and any amendments
thereto. By resolutions duly adopted and
attached to the Original Application as Exhibit A-2, the Advisors Board
of Directors has authorized designated officers to prepare or cause to be
prepared and to execute and file with the Commission this Application and any
amendments thereto. The authorizations
described in the Original Application and Amendment No. 1 are applicable
to the officer signing this Application and such authorizations remain in
effect.
The Applicants
request that the Commission issue an order without a hearing pursuant to Rule 0-5
under the 1940 Act.
31
VII. CONCLUSION
For the reasons
set forth in this Application, the Applicants respectfully request that the
Commission issue an order pursuant to Section 6(c) of the 1940 Act
exempting the Applicants from the provisions of Section 19(b) of the
1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder to permit each Fund, as applicable, to
make periodic long-term capital gains distributions (as described in Section 852(b)(3)(C) of
the Code) as often as monthly in any one taxable year with respect to its
common shares and as often as specified by or determined in accordance with the
terms thereof in respect of its preferred shares so long as it complies with
the conditions of the Order and maintains in effect a Distribution Policy.
32
This Application
has been executed as of the 13th day of February, 2009 by the undersigned
authorized officer of the Applicants.
|
RMR REAL ESTATE FUND
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Mark
L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Treasurer/Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMR HOSPITALITY AND REAL
ESTATE FUND
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Mark
L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Treasurer/Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMR F.I.R.E. FUND
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Mark
L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Treasurer/Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMR PREFERRED DIVIDEND
FUND
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Mark
L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Treasurer/Chief
Financial Officer
|
33
|
RMR DIVIDEND CAPTURE
FUND
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Mark
L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Treasurer/Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMR ADVISORS, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Mark
L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Treasurer/Chief
Financial Officer
|
34
VERIFICATION
THE COMMONWEALTH
OF MASSACHUSETTS
|
)
|
|
|
)
|
ss:
|
COUNTY OF
MIDDLESEX
|
)
|
|
The undersigned, being
duly sworn, deposes and says that he has duly executed the foregoing
Application, dated February 13, 2009, for an order pursuant to Section 6(c) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), for an
exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1
thereunder, for and on behalf of RMR Real Estate Fund, a Massachusetts business
trust; that he is Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer of such trust; and that all
action by the shareholders, Trustees and other persons necessary to authorize
deponent to execute and file the Application has been taken. Deponent further says that he is familiar
with the Application and the contents thereof, and that the facts therein set
forth are true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.
|
By:
|
/s/ Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Treasurer/Chief Financial
|
|
|
Officer
|
35
VERIFICATION
THE COMMONWEALTH
OF MASSACHUSETTS
|
)
|
|
|
)
|
ss:
|
COUNTY OF
MIDDLESEX
|
)
|
|
The undersigned, being
duly sworn, deposes and says that he has duly executed the foregoing
Application, dated February 13, 2009, for an order pursuant to Section 6(c) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), for an
exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1
thereunder, for and on behalf of RMR Hospitality and Real Estate Fund, a
Massachusetts business trust; that he is Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer of
such trust; and that all action by the shareholders, Trustees and other persons
necessary to authorize deponent to execute and file the Application has been
taken. Deponent further says that he is
familiar with the Application and the contents thereof, and that the facts
therein set forth are true to the best of his knowledge, information and
belief.
|
By:
|
/s/ Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Treasurer/Chief Financial
|
|
|
Officer
|
36
VERIFICATION
THE COMMONWEALTH
OF MASSACHUSETTS
|
)
|
|
|
)
|
ss:
|
COUNTY OF
MIDDLESEX
|
)
|
|
The undersigned, being
duly sworn, deposes and says that he has duly executed the foregoing
Application, dated February 13, 2009, for an order pursuant to Section 6(c) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), for an
exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1
thereunder, for and on behalf of RMR F.I.R.E. Fund, a Massachusetts business
trust; that he is Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer of such trust; and that all
action by the shareholders, Trustees and other persons necessary to authorize
deponent to execute and file the Application has been taken. Deponent further says that he is familiar
with the Application and the contents thereof, and that the facts therein set
forth are true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.
|
By:
|
/s/ Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Treasurer/Chief Financial
|
|
|
Officer
|
37
VERIFICATION
THE COMMONWEALTH
OF MASSACHUSETTS
|
)
|
|
|
)
|
ss:
|
COUNTY OF
MIDDLESEX)
|
)
|
|
The undersigned, being
duly sworn, deposes and says that he has duly executed the foregoing
Application, dated February 13, 2009, for an order pursuant to Section 6(c) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), for an
exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1
thereunder, for and on behalf of RMR Preferred Dividend Fund, a Massachusetts
business trust; that he is Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer of such trust; and
that all action by the shareholders, Trustees and other persons necessary to
authorize deponent to execute and file the Application has been taken. Deponent further says that he is familiar
with the Application and the contents thereof, and that the facts therein set
forth are true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.
|
By:
|
/s/ Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Treasurer/Chief Financial
|
|
|
Officer
|
38
VERIFICATION
THE COMMONWEALTH
OF MASSACHUSETTS
|
)
|
|
|
)
|
ss:
|
COUNTY OF
MIDDLESEX
|
)
|
|
The undersigned, being
duly sworn, deposes and says that he has duly executed the foregoing
Application, dated February 13, 2009, for an order pursuant to Section 6(c) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), for an
exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1
thereunder, for and on behalf of RMR Dividend Capture Fund, a Massachusetts
business trust; that he is Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer of such trust; and
that all action by the shareholders, Trustees and other persons necessary to
authorize deponent to execute and file the Application has been taken. Deponent further says that he is familiar
with the Application and the contents thereof, and that the facts therein set
forth are true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.
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By:
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/s/ Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Treasurer/Chief Financial
|
|
|
Officer
|
39
VERIFICATION
THE COMMONWEALTH
OF MASSACHUSETTS
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)
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|
|
)
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ss:
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COUNTY OF
MIDDLESEX
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)
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The undersigned, being
duly sworn, deposes and says that he has duly executed the foregoing
Application, dated February 13, 2009, for an order pursuant to Section 6(c) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), for an
exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1
thereunder, for and on behalf of RMR Advisors, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation; that he is Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer of such corporation;
and that all action by the shareholders, Directors and other persons necessary
to authorize deponent to execute and file the Application has been taken. Deponent further says that he is familiar
with the Application and the contents thereof, and that the facts therein set
forth are true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.
|
By:
|
/s/ Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Mark L. Kleifges
|
|
|
Treasurer/Chief Financial
|
|
|
Officer
|
40
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