WELLS FARGO ADVANTAGE GLOBAL DIVIDEND OPPORTUNITY FUND
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811- 22005

Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

C. David Messman

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 800-643-9691

Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2011

Date of reporting period: October 31, 2011

 

 

 


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ITEM 1. REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


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LOGO

 

Wells Fargo Advantage

Global Dividend Opportunity Fund

 

LOGO

 

Annual Report

October 31, 2011

 

This closed-end fund is no longer offered as an initial public offering and is only offered through broker/dealers on the secondary market. A closed-end fund is not required to buy its shares back from investors upon request.

 

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Contents

 

 

 

Letter to Shareholders

    2   

Portfolio of Investments

    7   

Financial Statements

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    11   

Statement of Operations

    12   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    13   

Financial Highlights

    14   

Notes to Financial Statements

    15   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    21   

Other Information

    22   

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

    25   

List of Abbreviations

    26   

 

The Fund has filed with the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) its chief executive officer certification regarding compliance with the NYSE’s listing standards and has filed with the SEC the certification of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer required by section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of October 31, 2011, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements; the views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE


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2   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund   Letter to Shareholders

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch,

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

After establishing solid momentum entering 2011, the financial markets met some resistance during the early months of the year, which kept many markets from advancing steadily during the first 10 months of 2011.

 

 

Dear Valued Shareholder:

We are pleased to provide you with this annual report for the Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund for the 12-month period that ended October 31, 2011. After establishing solid momentum entering 2011, the financial markets met some resistance during the early months of the year, which kept many markets from advancing steadily during the first 10 months of 2011. Headwinds emerged in the form of political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and renewed sovereign debt concerns affecting several eurozone countries. These challenges, coupled with mixed economic data, debt-ceiling debates, and the long-term debt credit downgrade within the U.S., further increased investor anxiety. Despite these headwinds, many areas of the financial markets showed a degree of resilience, underscoring the need for a sound, well-diversified1 investment strategy. As always, we believe that such a strategy may enable investors to balance risk and opportunity as they pursue long-term financial goals in a dynamic financial environment.

The U.S. economic recovery moved toward expansion.

The U.S. economic recovery that began in mid-2009 and gained further momentum throughout 2010, particularly during the fourth quarter, failed to maintain that level of growth through the first 10 months of 2011. For example, gross domestic product (GDP), the broadest measure of economic activity, grew at an annualized rate of 3.1% in the fourth quarter of 2010, only to slow dramatically during the first and second quarters of 2011 to annualized rates of 0.4% and 1.3%, respectively. While still positive, these readings showed a much slower pace of growth than experienced in the second half of 2010 and were lower than consensus forecasts had predicted. Nevertheless, the “advance” estimate of third-quarter 2011 GDP growth (which was released on October 27) was 2.5%, suggesting that the U.S. economy continues to expand, though at a slow and uneven pace relative to past economic recoveries.

Persistent weakness in jobs and housing slowed economic growth.

By the end of the reporting period, the U.S. unemployment rate for October 2011 stood at 9.0%, down from 9.6% a year earlier but still notably higher than historical averages. Unfortunately, the drop may be more attributable to a decline in the labor force than to a meaningful uptick in hiring. While the rate of job creation has remained positive throughout 2011, it remains far below the historical average of 1.4 million jobs created each year over the past 80 years, suggesting that the improving economy has yet to translate into widespread hiring. Meanwhile, the beleaguered housing market was an ongoing source of concern, despite an extraordinarily low interest-rate environment. Since many observers consider labor and housing activities to be key to long-term economic growth, the persistent weakness in both markets bears close watching in the months ahead.

Other economic data in the U.S. was more encouraging, reflecting greater confidence in the sustainability of the expansion on the part of both consumers and businesses. Retail sales came in strong at certain points during the period, including the critical holiday shopping season during the fourth quarter of 2010. Industrial production and durable goods orders have also picked up in 2011, and

 

1. Diversification does not assure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses.
 


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Letter to Shareholders   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund     3   

the level of corporate profits continues to grow. Although still reluctant to hire, businesses have gradually increased spending in other areas, such as equipment and information technology. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, remained benign.

The Federal Reserve announced that it will target current low rates until 2013.

With inflation subdued, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) held its target range for the federal funds rate – a proxy for short-term interest rates—steady at 0.00% to 0.25%. At its meeting on August 9, 2011 responding in part to the volatility and uncertainty facing the financial markets and global economies, the Federal Reserve (Fed) established a timetable for its commitment to lower rates. In that meeting’s statement, the FOMC explained that “economic conditions—including low rates of resource utilization and a subdued outlook for inflation over the medium run—are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate at least through mid-2013.” At its September 21, 2011, meeting, the Fed introduced “Operation Twist,” where it outlined its focus on buying long-term Treasury securities, specifically those with maturities of six years or longer, while selling an equivalent amount of Treasury notes within six years of maturity. The objective is to help ensure that intermediate-and long-term Treasury yields remain low, which, in turn, should provide ongoing support for further economic growth.

The debt-ceiling debate became the focus of the summer.

During the second half of the reporting period, both bonds and equities experienced an unusually high level of volatility, especially during the final months of the summer season when many traders on Wall Street and politicians in Washington, D.C., typically focus on vacation and other activities. Instead, due to the debt-ceiling impasse, many market participants and politicians were forced to stay on the job until a solution was reached. As the estimated debt-ceiling deadline loomed, rating agencies began to voice concerns over the possibility of the U.S. government running short on funds to pay its bills. While the U.S. Congress was able to address the debt-ceiling issue in time, Standard & Poor’s, one of the major credit rating agencies, lowered its rating of long-term U.S. debt from AAA to AA+2. While this did not seem to diminish the role U.S. Treasuries play as the primary source of liquidity and safety in the global markets, it did briefly roil the markets.

Eurozone sovereign debt concerns returned to the forefront in the third quarter of 2011.

The markets were further rattled during the period by sovereign debt concerns within the eurozone. The financial solvency of Greece and its ability to service its sovereign debt were focuses of the markets in early 2010. After the European Union and the International Monetary Fund developed a plan to support Greece, many market participants thought the situation was at a manageable point. Unfortunately, one year later Greece’s financial problems returned to the forefront of investors’ minds, as the country failed to make significant progress in

 

2. The ratings indicated are from Standard & Poor’s. Credit quality ratings apply to underlying holdings of the Fund and not the Fund itself. Standard and Poor’s rates the creditworthiness of bonds, ranging from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). Ratings from A to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.


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4   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund   Letter to Shareholders

addressing its financial condition. As a result, fear spread and market volatility spiked during the third quarter, with investors becoming more concerned about the negative impact of a Greek default on the eurozone periphery and those developed countries with large exposures to Greece, such as France.

The equity markets became a rollercoaster toward the end of the period.

Improving fundamentals, including strong corporate earnings, remained the core drivers of returns across the equity markets for much of the period. Further supporting equities was the second round of quantitative easing (QE2), which was implemented by the Fed from late 2010 through June 30, 2011. While there were bouts of volatility along the way, the markets demonstrated surprising resilience in the face of numerous global challenges, with many equity markets posting positive returns during the first half the reporting period.

The market momentum carried into the spring but sharply reversed course in early summer amid mounting evidence that the U.S. economic recovery had entered a soft patch, coupled with rising fears about the eurozone sovereign debt crisis. The final three months of the period were a rollercoaster for the equity markets, both domestically and internationally, due to the U.S. debt-ceiling impasse and the renewed fears that Greece would default on its sovereign debt, dragging down many of the other eurozone economies. After selling off dramatically during the weeks surrounding the debt-ceiling impasse, many areas of the equity markets gained back some of those losses but finished the period significantly lower than where they began.

After the S&P 500 Index3 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average4 rose 6.0% and 8.6%, respectively, during the first half of 2011, the worry-driven sell-off throughout the third quarter pushed the major indexes into negative territory for 2011. However, during the final month of the reporting period the markets shared resilience, as both indexes posted total returns of more than 9.0%. On a year-to-date basis, the S&P 500 Index posted a modestly positive total return of 1.3% through October 31.

A steep yield curve continued to define bond market performance.

Most sectors of the bond market performed well during 2010 and continued to post positive total returns in 2011, with interest income – rather than price gains – accounting for the bulk of those returns. This part of the investment cycle is known as the income phase and is typically characterized by relatively stable short-term rates and relatively small movements in bond yields. The current market environment is certainly holding true to a typical income phase, especially considering that the Fed is maintaining an extraordinarily accommodative monetary policy. U.S. Treasuries continued to rally for much of the period, even after Standard & Poor’s lowered its credit rating on long-term U.S. debt, pulling yields lower in nearly all corners of the fixed-income markets, including municipal bonds.

 

3. The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted index of 30 “blue-chip” industrial U.S. stocks. You cannot invest directly in an index.


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Letter to Shareholders   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund     5   

The extraordinarily steep yield curve remained the most defining, perhaps most influential, characteristic of the fixed-income markets during the majority of the reporting period. Considering the shape of the curve, the best-performing maturities across most segments of the fixed-income markets were longer-dated bonds. For example, for the 12-month period that ended October 31, 2011, the 20-to 30-year range of the Treasury market posted a total return of 19.38%, while the one- to five-year maturities returned 1.93%. The municipal market and the investment-grade corporate market exhibited similar return profiles within the period.

In typical fashion, the high-yield fixed-income market moved in the same direction as equities throughout the reporting period. As a result, high yield was among the strongest-performing bond sectors through the first nine months of the reporting period, bolstered by improving corporate fundamentals and by less risk aversion from investors. In fact, as of June 30, the Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index5 had produced a year-to-date total return of 4.97%, as compared with a 2.22% total return for the Barclays Capital U.S. Treasury Index6. However, as the debt-ceiling debate and the Greek debt crisis became the focus of the marketplace, many investors reduced their exposure to riskier assets, including high-yield bonds. As a result, the high-yield markets significantly underperformed almost every bond sector during the third quarter. The high-yield market began the fourth quarter of 2011 with relatively strong performance, as it seemed that investors took advantage of the lower valuation that resulted from the third-quarter sell-off to capture the extra yield being offered by these lower-quality credits. As of October 31, the high-yield index recorded a year-to-date total return of 4.52%, while recording a 12-month total return of 5.17%. By comparison, the U.S. Treasury index returned 7.96% and 5.27% on a year-to-date and one-year basis, respectively.

A long-term perspective is key.

The market’s rebound over the past two years from the severe downturn of 2008 and 2009, coupled with the bouts of volatility, underscores the importance of maintaining a disciplined and balanced long-term investment strategy through changing market cycles. By staying focused on your long-term goals, you may be better positioned to both navigate falling markets and participate in rising markets.

 

5. The Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index is an unmanaged, U.S. dollar denominated, nonconvertible, non-investment grade debt index. The index consists of domestic and corporate bonds rated Ba and below with a minimum outstanding amount of $150 million. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6. The Barclays Capital U.S. Treasury Index is an index of U.S. Treasury securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

 

The market’s rebound over the past two years from the severe downturn of 2008 and 2009, coupled with the bouts of volatility, underscores the importance of maintaining a disciplined and balanced long-term investment strategy through changing market cycles.

 

 

 


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6   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund   Letter to Shareholders

 

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs. For current information about your Fund investments, contact your investment professional, visit our website at www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sincerely,

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 


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Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund     7   

      

 

 

Security Name             Shares      Value  
          

Common Stocks: 74.41%

          
Bermuda: 0.25%           

VimpelCom Limited ADR (Telecommunication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services)

          100,000       $ 1,098,000   
          

 

 

 
Brazil: 0.26%           

Telefonica Brasil ADR (Telecommunication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          38,750         1,124,525   
          

 

 

 
France: 7.32%           

France Telecom SA (Telecommunication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          1,425,000         25,619,812   

Suez Environnement SA (Utilities, Multi-Utilities)

          230,000         3,608,229   

Veolia Environnement (Utilities, Multi-Utilities)

          200,000         2,831,925   
             32,059,966   
          

 

 

 
Germany: 4.22%           

Deutsche Post AG (Industrials, Air Freight & Logistics)

          1,218,726         18,486,257   
          

 

 

 
Italy: 16.40%           

Enel SpA (Utilities, Electric Utilities)

          5,375,001         25,359,771   

ENI SpA (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          600,000         13,262,340   

Hera SpA (Utilities, Multi-Utilities)

          5,963,673         9,751,096   

Mediaset SpA (Consumer Discretionary, Media)

          4,100,000         15,106,131   

TERNA SpA (Utilities, Electric Utilities)†

          2,175,000         8,358,561   
             71,837,899   
          

 

 

 
Portugal: 1.01%           

Portugal Telecom SGPS SA ADR (Telecommunication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          618,179         4,444,707   
          

 

 

 
Spain: 2.42%           

Red Electrica de Espana (Utilities, Electric Utilities)

          220,000         10,598,117   
          

 

 

 
Sweden: 3.03%           

Tele2 AB Series B (Telecommunication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          630,000         13,266,724   
          

 

 

 
Turkey: 2.53%           

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS ADR (Telecommunication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services)

          900,000         11,088,000   
          

 

 

 
United Kingdom: 8.55%           

National Grid plc (Utilities, Multi-Utilities)

          250,000         2,485,510   

Severn Trent plc (Utilities, Water Utilities)

          250,262         6,091,514   

United Utilities Group plc (Utilities, Water Utilities)

          390,223         3,803,984   

Vodafone Group plc ADR (Telecommunication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services)

          900,000         25,056,000   
             37,437,008   
          

 

 

 
United States: 28.42%           

Ameresco Incorporated Class A (Industrials, Building Products)†

          131,000         1,439,690   

Annaly Capital Management Incorporated (Financials, REIT)

          1,093,800         18,430,530   

Apartment Investment Management Company (Financials, REIT)

          120,000         2,864,400   

Ashford Hospitality Trust (Financials, REIT)

          200,000         1,780,000   

Chatham Lodging Trust (Financials, REIT)

          552,000         6,210,000   

ConocoPhillips (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)†

          175,000             12,188,750   

Convergys Corporation (Information Technology, IT Services)†

          25,000         267,500   

Digital Realty Trust Incorporated (Financials, REIT )

          45,000         1,129,950   


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8   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund   Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011

      

 

 

Security Name              Shares      Value  
         
United States (continued)          

Excel Trust Incorporated (Financials, REIT)

         1,245,000       $ 13,084,950   

FirstEnergy Corporation (Utilities, Electric Utilities)

         150,000         6,744,000   

Hatteras Financial Corporation (Financials, REIT)

         825,000         21,202,500   

Hicks Acquisition Company II Incorporated (Financials, Consumer Finance)†(a)

         60,000         598,105   

Invesco Mortgage Capital (Financials, REIT)

         400,000         6,312,000   

Kodiak Oil & Gas Corporation (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

         300,000         2,073,000   

Mitek Systems Incorporated (Information Technology, Software)†

         25,000         252,750   

PG&E Corporation (Utilities, Multi-Utilities)†

         55,000         2,359,500   

Preferred Apartment Communities Incorporated (Financials, Real Estate Management & Development)

         420,000         2,730,000   

Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (Utilities, Multi-Utilities)

         250,000         8,425,000   

SCANA Corporation (Utilities, Multi-Utilities)†

         50,000         2,114,000   

Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Telecommunication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services)(i)

         249,999         3,389,986   

Sprint Nextel Corporation (Telecommunication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services)

         1,968,020         5,057,811   

Starwood Property Trust Incorporated (Financials, REIT)

         250,000         4,697,500   

Whitestone REIT (Financials, REIT)

         100,000         1,170,000   
                124,521,922   
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $372,312,822)

            325,963,125   
         

 

 

 
Investment Companies: 0.91%          

Tortoise Energy Capital Corporation

         137,137         3,355,742   

Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund

         25,000         622,500   

Total Investment Companies (Cost $4,053,425)

            3,978,242   
         

 

 

 
         Dividend Yield               

Preferred Stocks: 19.16%

         
Canada: 0.34%          

Nexen Incorporated (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

       7.35     59,058         1,503,026   
         

 

 

 
United Kingdom: 2.13%          

Barclays Bank plc (Financials, Commercial Banks)

       8.13        200,000         4,932,000   

National Westminster Bank plc (Financials, Commercial Banks)

       7.76        225,000         4,416,750   
            9,348,750   
         

 

 

 
United States: 16.69%          

Alabama Power Company (Utilities, Electric Utilities)

       6.45        109,400         3,008,500   

Ashford Hospitality Trust (Financials, REIT)

       9.00        25,000         588,500   

Bank of America Corporation Series 3 (Financials, Diversified Financial Services)

       6.38        74,157         1,554,331   

Bank of America Corporation Series 5 (Financials, Diversified Financial Services)

       4.00        40,000         606,000   

Bank of America Corporation Series 8 (Financials, Diversified Financial Services)

       8.63        150,000         3,706,500   

Citigroup Capital X (Financials, Commercial Banks)

       6.10        469         10,426   

Citigroup Capital XII (Financials, Commercial Banks)

       8.50        250,000         6,400,000   

Citigroup Capital XV (Financials, Commercial Banks)

       6.50        20,000         455,800   

Countrywide Capital V (Financials, Diversified Financial Services)

       7.00        100,000         2,140,000   

Deutsche Bank Contingent Capital Trust V (Financials, Commercial Banks)

       8.05        188,000         4,658,640   

Dupont Fabros Technology Incorporated (Financials, REIT)

       7.63        81,250         1,975,188   


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Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund     9   

      

 

 

Security Name        Dividend Yield     Shares      Value  
         
United States (continued)          

Duquesne Light Company (Utilities, Electric Utilities)

       6.50     105,000       $ 5,345,162   

Fifth Third Capital Trust V (Financials, Commercial Banks)

       7.25        34,000         860,540   

Fifth Third Capital Trust VI (Financials, Commercial Banks)

       7.25        30,200         764,060   

First Potomac Realty Trust Series A (Financials, REIT)

       7.75        200,000         5,098,000   

Gladstone Capital Corporation (Financials, Capital Markets)

       7.13        25,000         625,000   

HSBC Bank USA NA (Financials, Commercial Banks)

       6.50        200,000         4,980,000   

HSBC Finance Corporation (Financials, Diversified Financial Services)

       6.36        29,000         627,850   

M&T Capital Trust IV (Financials, Commercial Banks)

       8.50        100,000         2,585,000   

NSTAR Electric Company (Utilities, Electric Utilities)

       4.25        8,410         752,169   

Pacific Gas & Electric Company Series D (Utilities, Electric Utilities)

       5.00        186,000         4,596,060   

Pacific Gas & Electric Company Series I (Utilities, Electric Utilities)

       4.36        39,900         933,620   

Principal Financial Group Series A (Financials, Insurance)

       5.56        10,000         935,938   

Protective Life Corporation (Financials, Insurance)

       8.00        75,600         1,753,920   

Qwest Corporation (Telecommunication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

       7.50        75,000         1,908,000   

Red Lion Hotels Capital Trust (Consumer Discretionary, Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure)

       9.50        80,000         1,996,000   

SG Preferred Capital II (Financials, Capital Markets)

       6.30        3,000         3,014,064   

Southern California Edison Company Series C (Utilities, Electric Utilities) 144A

       6.00        60,000         5,921,250   

Southern California Edison Company Series D (Utilities, Electric Utilities)

       4.32        85,000         1,822,400   

Summit Hotel Properties Incorporated (Financials, REIT)(a)

       9.25        50,000         1,250,000   

SunTrust Capital IX (Financials, Commercial Banks)

       7.88        88,000         2,229,920   
            73,102,838   
         

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $82,857,363)

                83,954,614   
         

 

 

 
Short-Term Investments: 3.68%          
         Yield               
Investment Companies: 3.68%          

Wells Fargo Advantage Cash Investment Money Market Fund, Institutional Class (l)(u)

       0.07        16,119,478         16,119,478   
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $16,119,478)

            16,119,478   
         

 

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities
(Cost $475,343,088)*
  

 

98.16

    

 

430,015,459

  

Other Assets and Liabilities, Net

     1.84           8,068,426   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total Net Assets      100.00      $     438,083,885   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income earning security.
(a) Security is fair valued by the Management Valuation Team, and in certain instances by the Board of Trustees, in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.
144A Security that may be resold to “qualified institutional buyers” under Rule 144A or securities offered pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(i) Illiquid security for which the designation as illiquid is unaudited.
(l) Investment in an affiliate.
(u) Rate shown is the 7-day annualized yield at period end.
* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $485,363,421 and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 15,332,061   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (70,680,023
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (55,347,962

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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10   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund   Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011

      

 

 

The following table shows the percent of long-term investments by geographic location as of October 31, 2011:

 

United States

    48.7%   

Italy

    17.4%   

United Kingdom

    11.3%   

France

    7.7%   

Germany

    4.5%   

Sweden

    3.2%   

Turkey

    2.7%   

Spain

    2.5%   

Portugal

    1.1%   

Canada

    0.3%   

Bermuda

    0.3%   

Brazil

    0.3%   
 

 

 

 
    100.0%   
 

 

 

 

The following table shows the percent of long-term investments by industry as of October 31, 2011:

 

REIT

    20.7%   

Electric Utilities

    17.7%   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

    11.2%   

Wireless Telecommunication Services

    11.0%   

Commercial Banks

    7.8%   

Multi-Utilities

    7.6%   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    7.0%   

Air Freight & Logistics

    4.5%   

Media

    3.6%   

Water Utilities

    2.4%   

Diversified Financial Services

    2.1%   

Investment Companies

    1.0%   

Capital Markets

    0.9%   

Real Estate Management & Development

    0.7%   

Insurance

    0.7%   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

    0.5%   

Building Products

    0.3%   

Consumer Finance

    0.1%   

IT Services

    0.1%   

Software

    0.1%   
 

 

 

 
    100.0%   
 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities—October 31, 2011   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund     11   
         

Assets

 

Investments

 

In unaffiliated securities, at value

  $ 413,895,981   

In affiliated securities, at value

    16,119,478   
 

 

 

 

Total investments, at value (see cost below)

    430,015,459   

Segregated cash

    3,446,636   

Foreign currency, at value (see cost below)

    9,919,745   

Receivable for investments sold

    3,681,224   

Receivable for dividends

    2,866,518   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    9,119   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    449,938,701   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    9,491,216   

Written options, at value

    1,793,648   

Advisory fee payable

    368,756   

Due to other related parties

    19,408   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    181,788   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    11,854,816   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 438,083,885   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 868,615,338   

Overdistributed net investment income

    (417

Accumulated net realized losses on investments

    (384,822,084

Net unrealized losses on investments

    (45,708,952
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 438,083,885   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

 

Based on $438,083,885 divided by 49,131,807 shares issued and outstanding
(unlimited shares authorized)

    $8.92   

Total investments, at cost

  $ 475,343,088   
 

 

 

 

Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 9,787,811   
 

 

 

 

Premiums received on written options

  $ 1,219,500   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


Table of Contents

 

12   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund   Statement of Operations—Year Ended October 31, 2011
         

Investment income

 

Dividends*

  $ 53,779,987   

Interest

    228,054   

Income from affiliated securities

    19,327   
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    54,027,368   
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    4,579,119   

Administration fee

    241,006   

Custody and accounting fees

    58,136   

Professional fees

    37,088   

Shareholder report expenses

    92,969   

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    12,516   

Transfer agent fees

    36,175   

Other fees and expenses

    6,607   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    5,063,616   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    48,963,752   
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gains on:

 

Unaffiliated securities

    15,813,247   

Written options

    5,134,103   
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    20,947,350   
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on:

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (85,597,596

Written options

    (318,536
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (85,916,132
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (64,968,782
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (16,005,030
 

 

 

 

* Net of foreign dividend withholding taxes of

    $4,729,890   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


Table of Contents

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund     13   
     Year Ended
October 31, 2011
       Year Ended
October 31, 2010
 

Operations

      

Net investment income

  $ 48,963,752         $ 48,344,527   

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

    20,947,350           (16,357,133

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (85,916,132        21,742,893   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (16,005,030        53,730,287   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from

      

Net investment income

    (54,923,576        (47,916,503

Tax basis return of capital

    0           (6,857,102
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (54,923,576        (54,773,605
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

      

Net asset value of shares issued under the
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

    1,247,339           1,711,131   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (69,681,267        667,813   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    507,765,152           507,097,339   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 438,083,885         $ 507,765,152   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Overdistributed net investment income

  $ (417      $ (494
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


Table of Contents

 

14   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund   Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
    2011     2010     2009     2008     20071  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.36      $ 10.38      $ 11.75      $ 19.83      $ 19.10 2 

Net investment income

    1.00        0.99        0.88        1.88        1.31   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (1.32     0.11        (0.47     (7.96     0.46   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (0.32     1.10        0.41        (6.08     1.77   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (1.12     (0.98 )3      (0.78     (2.00     (1.00

Tax basis return of capital

    0.00        (0.14 )3      (1.00     0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.12     (1.12     (1.78     (2.00     (1.00

Offering costs charged to capital

    0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        (0.04

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.92      $ 10.36      $ 10.38      $ 11.75      $ 19.83   

Market value, end of period

  $ 8.32      $ 10.39      $ 9.89      $ 10.99      $ 17.29   

Total return based on market value4,5

    (9.76 )%      17.35     8.36     (27.19 )%      (8.66 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.05     1.14     1.11     1.13     1.22

Net expenses

    1.05     1.14     1.11     1.13     1.22

Net investment income

    10.16     9.73     8.48     11.07     11.79

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    129     90     160     218     102

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $438,084        $507,765        $507,097        $574,157        $968,376   

 

 

 

1. For the period from March 28, 2007 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2007.

 

2. Initial public offering price of $20.00 per share less underwriting discount of $0.90 per share.

 

3. Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

4. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock on the first day and a sale on the last day of the period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of these calculations to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Total return does not reflect brokerage commissions or sales charges.

 

5. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


Table of Contents

 

Notes to Financial Statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund     15   

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund (the “Fund”) was organized as a statutory trust under the laws of the state of Delaware on December 21, 2006 and is registered as a diversified closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The primary investment objective of the Fund is to seek a high level of current income. The Fund’s secondary objective is long-term growth of capital.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

Investments in securities are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, which is usually 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). Securities which are traded on a national or foreign securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price, except that securities listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“Nasdaq”) are valued at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (“NOCP”), and if no NOCP is available, then at the last reported sales price. If no sales price is shown on the Nasdaq, the bid price will be used. In the absence of any sale of securities listed on the Nasdaq (and in the case of other securities, including U.S. Government obligations, but excluding debt securities maturing in 60 days or less) the price will be deemed “stale” and the valuations will be determined in accordance with the Fund’s Fair Valuation Procedures.

Securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using the closing rates of exchange in effect on the day of valuation.

Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange and therefore may not fully reflect trading or events that occur after the close of the principal exchange in which the foreign investments are traded but before the close of the New York Stock Exchange. If such trading or events are expected to materially affect the value of the investments, then those investments are fair valued following procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. These procedures take into account multiple factors including movements in U.S. securities markets after foreign exchanges close. Depending on market activity, such fair valuations may be frequent. Such fair value pricing may result in NAVs that are higher or lower than NAVs based on the closing price or latest quoted bid price.

Certain fixed income securities with maturities exceeding 60 days are valued based on available evaluated prices received from an independent pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees which may utilize both transaction data and market information such as yield, prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data. If valuations are not available from the pricing service or values received are deemed not representative of market value, values will be obtained from a third party broker-dealer or determined based on the Fund’s Fair Value Procedures.

Investments in open-end mutual funds and non-registered investment companies are generally valued at net asset value.

Certain investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above, are valued at their fair value, as determined by procedures established in good faith and approved by the Board of Trustees.

Foreign currency translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Assets, including investment securities, and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange at the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually paid or received. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities resulting in changes in exchange rates.


Table of Contents

 

16   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund   Notes to Financial Statements

The changes in net assets arising from changes in exchange rates and the changes in net assets resulting from changes in market prices of securities are not separately presented. Such changes are recorded with net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments. Gains and losses from certain foreign currency transactions are treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Options

The Fund is subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The Fund may write covered put or call options. When a Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the written option. Premiums received from written options, which expire unexercised, are recognized as realized gains from investments on the expiration date. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is treated as a realized gain or loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in calculating the realized gain or loss on the sale. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost of the security purchased. The Fund, as a writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option.

The Fund may also purchase call or put options. The premium is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an investment which is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option. Premiums paid for purchased options which expire are recognized as realized losses from investments on the expiration date. Premiums paid for purchased options which are exercised or closed are added to the amount paid or offset against the proceeds on the underlying security to determine the realized gain or loss. The risk of loss associated with purchased options is limited to the premium paid.

Options traded on an exchange are regulated and terms of the options are standardized. Options traded over the counter expose the Fund to counterparty risk in the event the counterparty does not perform. This risk is mitigated by having a master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by having the counterparty post collateral to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.

Short sales

The Fund may sell a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of that security (short sale). When the Fund makes a short sale, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the buyer. The Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of replacement.

The Fund records the proceeds as a liability which is marked-to-market daily based upon quotations from an independent pricing service or from brokers which use prices provided by market makers and any change in value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. Any interest or dividends accrued on such borrowed securities during the period of the loan are recorded as an expense on the Statement of Operations. To borrow the security, the Fund may be required to pay a premium, which would decrease the proceeds of the security sold. A gain, limited to the price at which the Fund sold the security short, or a loss, unlimited in size, will be recognized upon the closing of a short sale if the market price at the closing is less than or greater than, respectively, the proceeds originally received. Until the short sale is closed or the borrowed security is replaced, the Fund maintains a segregated account of cash or liquid securities, the dollar value of which is at least equal to the market value of the security at the time of the short sale.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are reported on the basis of identified cost of securities delivered.

Interest income is accrued daily and bond discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized daily based on the effective interest method. To the extent debt obligations are placed on non-accrual status, any related interest income may be reduced by writing off interest receivables when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful based on consistently applied procedures. If the issuer subsequently resumes interest payments or when the collectability of interest is reasonably assured, the debt obligation is removed from non accrual status.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Dividend income from foreign securities is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.


Table of Contents

 

Notes to Financial Statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund     17   

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Such distributions are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.

The timing and character of distributions made during the period from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. To the extent that these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment. Temporary differences do not require reclassifications. The primary permanent differences causing such reclassifications are due to dividends from certain securities, certain distributions paid, foreign currency transactions and recognition of partnership income. At October 31, 2011, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Overdistributed
Net Investment
Income
    

Accumulated

Net Realized
Losses on
Investments

    

Paid-in

Capital

 
$ 5,959,901       $ 3,720,882       $ (9,680,783

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities.

As of October 31, 2011, the Fund had estimated net capital loss carryforwards, which are available to offset future net realized capital gains, in the amount of $374,801,751 with $164,024,521 expiring in 2016, $193,644,982 expiring in 2017 and $17,132,248 expiring in 2018.

Under the recently enacted Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in preenactment taxable years. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under previous law.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

n  

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

n  

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

n  

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.


Table of Contents

 

18   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund   Notes to Financial Statements

As of October 31, 2011, the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets, which are carried at fair value, were as follows:

 

Investments in Securities    Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Equity securities

           

Common stocks

   $ 166,735,048    $ 159,228,077    $ 0       $ 325,963,125   

Investment companies

     3,978,242         0         0         3,978,242   

Preferred stocks

     67,052,412         16,902,202         0         83,954,614   

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     16,119,478         0         0         16,119,478   
     $ 253,885,180       $ 176,130,279       $ 0       $ 430,015,459   

 

* Transfers in and transfers out are recognized at the end of the reporting period. At the end of the period, foreign securities valued in the amount of $155,798,046 in common stocks were transferred out of Level 1 and into Level 2 since adjustments to prices of foreign securities were necessary at October 31, 2011 due to movements against a specified benchmark.

Further details on the major security types listed above can be found in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

As of October 31, 2011, the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s other financial instruments, which are carried at fair value, were as follows:

 

Other financial instruments    Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Written options

   $ 0       $ (1,793,648    $ 0       $ (1,793,648

The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining value:

 

     Preferred stocks  

Balance as of October 31, 2010

   $ 749,700   

Accrued discounts (premiums)

     0   

Realized gains (losses)

     (18,012

Change in unrealized gains (losses)

     0   

Purchases

     0   

Sales

     (731,688

Transfers into Level 3

     0   

Transfers out of Level 3

     0   

Balance as of October 31, 2011

   $ 0   

Change in unrealized gains (losses)
relating to securities still held at October 31, 2011

   $ 0   

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER EXPENSES

Advisory fee

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the adviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee at an annual rate of 0.95% of the Fund’s average daily total assets. Total assets consist of the net assets of the Fund plus borrowings or other leverage for investment purposes to the extent excluded in calculating net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of certain sub-advisers to provide daily portfolio management. The fees related to investment sub-advisory services are borne directly by Funds Management and do not increase the overall fees paid by the Fund. Wells Capital Management Incorporated, an affiliate of Funds Management, is a sub-adviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate of 0.10% of the Fund’s average daily total assets. Crow Point Partners, LLC is also a sub-adviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate of 0.20% of the Fund’s average daily total assets.


Table of Contents

 

Notes to Financial Statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund     19   

Administration fee

Funds Management also serves as the administrator to the Fund providing the Fund with facilities, equipment and personnel. Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual administration fee of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily total assets.

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of shares with no par value. For the year ended October 31, 2011 and the year ended October 31, 2010, the Fund issued 123,866 and 163,097 shares, respectively.

6. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. Government obligations (if any) and short-term securities (securities with maturities of one year or less at purchase date), for the year ended October 31, 2011 were $592,532,075 and $597,614,436, respectively.

7. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the year ended October 31, 2011, the Fund entered into purchased and written options for economic hedging purposes.

During the year ended October 31, 2011, the Fund had written options activities as follows:

 

       Call Options        Put Options  
       Number of
Contracts
       Premiums
Received
       Number of
Contracts
       Premiums
Received
 

Options outstanding at October 31, 2010

       11,446         $ 1,404,145           0         $ 0   

Options written

       95,069           8,063,602           903,539           129,164   

Options expired

       (89,058        (7,545,800        (903,539        (129,164

Options terminated in closing purchase transactions

       (7,843        (499,773        0           0   

Options exercised

       (896        (202,674        0           0   

Options outstanding at October 31, 2011

       8,718         $ 1,219,500           0         $ 0   

Open call options written at October 31, 2011 were as follows for the Fund:

 

Expiration Date     Issuer Name   Number of
Contracts
    Call/
Put
    Strike
Price
    Market
Value
    Premiums
Received
 
  November 2011      NDX Index     66        Call        2,503 USD      $ 29,900      $ 67,914   
  November 2011      SX5E Index     490        Call        2,496 EUR        142,253        127,483   
  November 2011      MID Index     183        Call        925 USD        174,704        119,865   
  November 2011      DAX Index     387        Call        6,298 EUR        256,242        159,854   
  November 2011      IBEX Index     1,289        Call        9,558 EUR        84,061        78,528   
  November 2011      EEM Equity Index     4,085        Call        42 USD        345,768        172,092   
  November 2011      UKX Index     180        Call        5,820 GBP        43,998        42,191   
  November 2011      RTY Index     221        Call        766 USD        254,277        146,523   
  November 2011      OMX Index     1,083        Call        1,011 SEK        244,404        132,349   
  November 2011      AEX Index     373        Call        324 EUR        67,063        62,704   
  November 2011      CAC Index     361        Call        3,383 EUR        150,978        109,997   

The Fund had written options with total premiums received that averaged $667,571 during the year ended October 31, 2011. As of October 31, 2011, the Fund had segregated $3,446,636 as cash collateral for written options.

At October 31, 2011, the Fund did not have any purchased options. During the year ended October 31, 2011, the Fund had purchased options with an average cost of $26,311.


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20   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund   Notes to Financial Statements

A summary of derivative instruments by primary risk exposure is outlined in the following table, unless the only primary risk exposure category is already reflected in the appropriate financial statements.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2011 was as follows for the Fund:

 

    

Amount of Realized Gains
(Losses) on Derivatives

    

Change in Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on Derivatives

 
     Unaffiliated
securities
   Written
options
     Unaffiliated
securities
   Written
options
 

Equity contracts

   $(365,216)*    $ 5,134,103       $0*    $ (318,536

 

* Amount relates to purchased options.

8. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

       Year Ended October 31,  
       2011        2010  

Ordinary Income

     $ 54,923,576         $ 47,916,503   

Return of Capital

       0           6,857,102   

As of October 31, 2011, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
     Capital Loss
Carryforward
 
$ (55,729,285    $ (374,801,751

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04 “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs”. ASU No. 2011-04 amends FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to establish common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP. The ASU is effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.

In April 2011, FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03 “Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements”. ASU No. 2011-03 amends FASB ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, specifically the criteria required to determine whether a repurchase agreement (repo) and similar agreements should be accounted for as sales of financial assets or secured borrowings with commitments. ASU No. 2011-03 changes the assessment of effective control by focusing on the transferor’s contractual rights and obligations and removing the criterion to assess its ability to exercise those rights or honor those obligations. This could result in changes to the way entities account for certain transactions including repurchase agreements, mortgage dollar rolls and reverse repurchase agreements. The ASU will become effective on a prospective basis for new transfers and modifications to existing transactions as of the beginning of the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011.

As of October 31, 2011, management of the Fund is currently assessing the potential impact, in addition to expanded financial statement disclosure, that may result from adopting these ASUs.

11. SUBSEQUENT DISTRIBUTION

On November 16, 2011, the Fund declared distributions from net investment income of $0.28 per share payable on January 3, 2012 to shareholders of record on December 14, 2011. This distribution is not reflected in the accompanying financial statements.


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund     21   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO ADVANTAGE GLOBAL DIVIDEND OPPORTUNITY FUND:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund (the Fund), as of October 31, 2011, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2011, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or other appropriate auditing procedures. 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 audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund as of October 31, 2011, the results of its operations for the year then ended, changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

December 23, 2011


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22   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund   Other Information (Unaudited)

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 28% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $38,652,566 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

Pursuant to Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code, the following amounts have been designated as foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011. These amounts may be less than the actual foreign taxes paid for financial statement purposes. Foreign taxes paid or withheld should be included in taxable income with an offsetting deduction from gross income or as a credit for taxes paid to foreign governments. None of the income was derived from ineligible foreign sources as defined under Section 901(j) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Creditable
Foreign Taxes
Paid
     Per Share
Amount
     Foreign
Income as %
of Ordinary
Income
Distributions
 
$ 4,420,586       $ 0.09         57.75

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our Web site at www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds, or visiting the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge on the Fund’s Web site at www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds or by visiting the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The complete portfolio holdings for the Fund are publicly available on the Fund’s Web site (www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds) on a monthly, 30-day or more delayed basis. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available without charge by visiting the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and at regional offices in New York City, at 233 Broadway, and in Chicago, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.


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Other Information (Unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund     23   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The following table provides basic information about the Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”) and Officers of the Fund. Each of the Trustees and Officers listed below acts in identical capacities for the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds, which consists of 138 funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust, and four closed-end funds, including the Fund (collectively the “Fund Complex”). All of the Trustees are also Members of the Audit and Governance Committees of each Trust in the Fund Complex. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. The Board of Trustees is classified into three classes of which one is elected annually. Each Trustee serves a three-year term concurrent with the class from which the Trustee is elected. Each Officer serves an indefinite term.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

Year of Birth

 

Position Held and

Length of Service

  Principal Occupations During Past Five Years  

Other

Directorships During
Past Five Years

Peter G. Gordon
(Born 1942)
  Trustee, since 2010; Chairman, since 2010   Co-Founder, Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser. Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College   Asset Allocation Trust
Isaiah Harris, Jr.
(Born 1952)
  Trustee, since 2010   Retired. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant.   CIGNA Corporation; Deluxe Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust
Judith M. Johnson
(Born 1949)
  Trustee, since 2010   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   Asset Allocation Trust
Leroy Keith, Jr.
(Born 1939)
  Trustee, since 2004   Chairman, Bloc Global Services (development and construction), Trustee of the Evergreen Funds from 1983 to 2010. Former Managing Director, Almanac Capital Management (commodities firm), former Partner, Stonington Partners, Inc. (private equity fund), former Director, Obagi Medical Products Co. and former Director, Lincoln Educational Services.   Trustee, Virtus Fund Complex (consisting of 45 portfolios as of 12/31/10); Director, Diversapack Co. (packaging company); Asset Allocation Trust
David F. Larcker
(Born 1950)
  Trustee, since 2010   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of Corporate Governance Research Program and Co-Director of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   Asset Allocation Trust
Olivia S. Mitchell
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2010   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   Asset Allocation Trust


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24   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund   Other Information (Unaudited)

Name and

Year of Birth

 

Position Held and

Length of Service

  Principal Occupations During Past Five Years  

Other

Directorships During
Past Five Years

Timothy J. Penny
(Born 1951)
  Trustee, since 2010   President and CEO of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   Asset Allocation Trust
Michael S. Scofield
(Born 1943)
  Trustee, since 2004  

Served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield and former Director and Chairman, Branded Media Corporation (multi-media branding company).

  Asset Allocation Trust
Donald C. Willeke
(Born 1940)
  Trustee, since 2010   Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010.   Asset Allocation Trust

Officers

 

Name and

Year of Birth

  Position Held and
Length of Service
  Principal Occupations During Past Five Years    
Karla M. Rabusch
(Born 1959)
  President, since 2010   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003. Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC from 2001 to 2003.    
C. David Messman
(Born 1960)
  Secretary, since 2010; Chief Legal Counsel, since 2010   Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 1996.    
Kasey Phillips
(Born 1970)
  Treasurer, since 2005   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2006 to 2010. Treasurer of the Evergreen Funds from 2005 to 2010. Vice President and Assistant Vice President of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 1999 to 2006.    
David Berardi
(Born 1975)
  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009 . Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Assistant Vice President of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2008. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.    
Jeremy DePalma
(Born 1974)
  Assistant Treasurer, since 2005   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Assistant Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2000 to 2004 and the head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.    
Debra Ann Early
(Born 1964)
  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2010   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007 and Senior Audit Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1998 to 2004.    


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Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund     25   

AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

All common shareholders are eligible to participate in the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“the Plan”). Pursuant to the Plan, unless a common shareholder is ineligible or elects otherwise, all cash dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for shareholders in administering the Plan (“Plan Agent”), in additional common shares of the Fund. Whenever the Fund declares an ordinary income dividend or a capital gain dividend (collectively referred to as “dividends”) payable either in shares or in cash, nonparticipants in the Plan will receive cash, and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in shares of common shares. The shares are acquired by the Plan Agent for the participant’s account, depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized common shares from the Fund (“newly issued common shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding common shares on the open-market (open-market purchases) on the NYSE Amex or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any dividend or distribution, the net asset value per share of the common shares is equal to or less than the market price per common share plus estimated brokerage commissions (“market premium”), the Plan Agent will invest the amount of such dividend or distribution in newly issued shares on behalf of the participant. The number of newly issued common shares to be credited to the participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the net asset value per share on the date the shares are issued, provided that the maximum discount from the then current market price per share on the date of issuance may not exceed 5%. If on the dividend payment date the net asset value per share is greater than the market value or market premium (“market discount”), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired on behalf of the participant in open-market purchases. There will be no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of dividends or capital gains distributions payable either in shares or in cash. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such dividends. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43010, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3010 or by calling 1-800-730-6001.


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26   Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund   List of Abbreviations

The following is a list of common abbreviations for terms and entities which may have appeared in this report.

 

ACB —  Agricultural Credit Bank
ADR —  American Depository Receipt
ADS —  American Depository Shares
AGC-ICC —  Assured Guaranty Corporation - Insured Custody Certificates
AGM —  Assured Guaranty Municipal
AMBAC —  American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT —  Alternative Minimum Tax
AUD —  Australian Dollar
BAN —  Bond Anticipation Notes
BHAC —  Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation
BRL —  Brazil Real
CAB —  Capital Appreciation Bond
CAD —  Canadian Dollar
CCAB —  Convertible Capital Appreciation Bond
CDA —  Community Development Authority
CDO —  Collateralized Debt Obligation
CHF —  Swiss Franc
COP —  Certificate of Participation
CR —  Custody Receipts
DKK —  Danish Krone
DRIVER —  Derivative Inverse Tax-Exempt Receipts
DW&P —  Department of Water & Power
DWR —  Department of Water Resources
ECFA —  Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority
EDA —  Economic Development Authority
EDFA —  Economic Development Finance Authority
ETF —  Exchange-Traded Fund
EUR —  Euro
FFCB —  Federal Farm Credit Bank
FGIC —  Financial Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHA —  Federal Housing Authority
FHLB —  Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC —  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA —  Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA —  Farm Service Agency
GBP —  Great British Pound
GDR —  Global Depository Receipt
GNMA —  Government National Mortgage Association
GO —  General Obligation
HCFR —  Healthcare Facilities Revenue
HEFA —  Health & Educational Facilities Authority
HEFAR —  Higher Education Facilities Authority Revenue
HFA —  Housing Finance Authority
HFFA —  Health Facilities Financing Authority
HKD —  Hong Kong Dollar
HUF —  Hungarian Forint
IBC —  Insured Bond Certificate
IDA —  Industrial Development Authority
IDAG —  Industrial Development Agency
IDR —  Industrial Development Revenue
IEP —  Irish Pound
JPY —  Japanese Yen
KRW —  Republic of Korea Won
LIBOR —  London Interbank Offered Rate
LLC —  Limited Liability Company
LLP —  Limited Liability Partnership
LOC —  Letter of Credit
LP —  Limited Partnership
MBIA —  Municipal Bond Insurance Association
MFHR —  Multi-Family Housing Revenue
MTN —  Medium Term Note
MUD —  Municipal Utility District
MXN —  Mexican Peso
MYR —  Malaysian Ringgit
NATL-RE —  National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
NOK —  Norwegian Krone
NZD —  New Zealand Dollar
PCFA —  Pollution Control Finance Authority
PCR —  Pollution Control Revenue
PFA —  Public Finance Authority
PFFA —  Public Facilities Financing Authority
PFOTER —  Puttable Floating Option Tax-Exempt Receipts
plc —  Public Limited Company
PLN —  Polish Zloty
PUTTER —  Puttable Tax-Exempt Receipts
R&D —  Research & Development
RDA —  Redevelopment Authority
RDFA —  Redevelopment Finance Authority
REIT —  Real Estate Investment Trust
ROC —  Reset Option Certificates
SAVRS —  Select Auction Variable Rate Securities
SBA —  Small Business Authority
SEK —  Swedish Krona
SFHR —  Single Family Housing Revenue
SFMR —  Single Family Mortgage Revenue
SGD —  Singapore Dollar
SKK —  Slovakian Koruna
SPDR —  Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts
TAN —  Tax Anticipation Notes
TBA —  To Be Announced
TIPS —  Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities
TRAN —  Tax Revenue Anticipation Notes
TCR —  Transferable Custody Receipts
TRY —  Turkish Lira
TTFA —  Transportation Trust Fund Authority
TVA —  Tennessee Valley Authority
XLCA —  XL Capital Assurance
ZAR —  South African Rand
 


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LOGO

 

LOGO

Transfer Agent, Registrar, Shareholder Servicing

Agent & Dividend Disbursing Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 43010

Providence, RI 02940-3010

1-800-730-6001

Web site: www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, is a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company and is an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company’s broker/dealer subsidiaries.

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE

© 2011 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

LOGO     

206337 12-11

AGDO/AR142 10-11

 


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ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS

As of the end of the period, October 31, 2011, Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to its President and Treasurer. A copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

The Board of Trustees of Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund has determined that Judith Johnson is an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Mrs. Johnson is independent for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

(a)

Audit Fees – Provided below are the aggregate fees billed for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011 for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011, the Audit Fees were $40,600 and $40,600, respectively.

(b)

Audit-Related Fees – There were no audit-related fees incurred for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011 for assurance and related services by the principal accountant for the Registrant.

 

(c)

Tax Fees – Provided below are the aggregate fees billed for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011 for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the Registrant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011, the Tax Fees were $1,620 and $1,660, respectively. The incurred Tax Fees are comprised of excise tax review services.

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011, the Tax Fees were $2,420 and $2,480, respectively. The incurred Tax Fees are comprised of tax preparation and consulting services.

 

(d)

All Other Fees – There were no other fees incurred for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011.

(e)(1)

The Chairman of the Audit Committees is authorized to pre-approve: (1) audit services to Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund; (2) non-audit tax or compliance consulting or training services provided to the Fund by the independent auditors (“Auditors”) if the fees for any particular engagement are not anticipated to exceed $50,000; and (3) non-audit tax or compliance consulting or training services provided by the Auditors to the Fund’s investment adviser and its controlling entities (where pre-approval is required because the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund) if the fee to the Auditors for any particular engagement is not anticipated to exceed $50,000. For any such pre-approval sought from the Chairman, Management shall prepare a brief description of the proposed services. If the Chairman approves of such service, he or she shall sign the statement prepared by Management. Such written statement shall be presented to the full Committees at their next regularly scheduled meetings.


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(e)(2)

Not Applicable.

 

(f)

Not Applicable.

 

(g)

Non-Audit Fees – There were no non-audit fees billed for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011, by the principal accountant for services rendered to the Registrant, and rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant.

 

(h)

The Registrant’s audit committee of the board of directors has determined that non-audit services rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser, that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of the Regulation S-X, does not compromise the independence of the principal accountant.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

The Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

REVISED AS OF AUGUST 25, 2010

1. Scope of Policies and Procedures. These Policies and Procedures (“Procedures”) are used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the series of Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Asset Allocation Trust, Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Income Opportunities Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund, and Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund (the “Trusts”) except for those series that exclusively hold non-voting securities (hereafter, all such series, and all such Trusts not having separate series, holding voting securities are referred to as the “Funds”).

2. Voting Philosophy. The Funds and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”) have adopted these Procedures to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of Fund shareholders, without regard to any relationship that any affiliated person of the Fund (or an affiliated person of such affiliated person) may have with the issuer. Funds Management exercises its voting responsibility, as a fiduciary, with the goal of maximizing value to shareholders consistent with governing laws and the investment policies of each Fund. While securities are not purchased to exercise control or to seek to effect corporate change through share ownership, the Funds support sound corporate governance practices within companies in which they invest.

3. Responsibilities

(a) Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees of each Trust (the “Board”) has delegated the responsibility for voting proxies relating to the Funds’ portfolio securities to Funds Management. The Board retains the authority to make or ratify any voting decisions or approve any changes to these Procedures as the Board deems appropriate. Funds


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Management will provide reports to the Board regarding voting matters when and as reasonably requested by the Board. The Board shall review these Procedures as often as it deems appropriate to consider whether any revisions are warranted. On an annual basis, the Board shall receive and review a report from Funds Management on the proxy voting process.

(b) Funds Management Proxy Committee

(i) Responsibilities. The Funds Management Proxy Voting Committee (the “Proxy Committee”) shall be responsible for overseeing the proxy voting process to ensure its implementation in conformance with these Procedures. The Proxy Committee shall monitor Risk Metrics Group (“Risk Metrics”), the proxy voting agent for Funds Management, to determine that Risk Metrics is accurately applying the Procedures as set forth herein. The Proxy Committee shall review the continuing appropriateness of the Procedures set forth herein, recommend revisions to the Board as necessary and provide an annual update to the Board on the proxy voting process.

(ii) Voting Guidelines. Appendix A hereto sets forth guidelines regarding how proxies will be voted on the issues specified. Risk Metrics will vote proxies for or against as directed by the guidelines. Where the guidelines specify a “case by case” determination for a particular issue, Risk Metrics will forward the proxy to the Proxy Committee for a vote determination by the Proxy Committee. Finally, with respect to issues for which a vote for or against is specified by the Procedures, the Proxy Committee shall have the authority to direct Risk Metrics to forward the proxy to the Proxy Committee for a discretionary vote by the Proxy Committee if the Proxy Committee determines that a case-by-case review of such matter is warranted. The Proxy Committee may also consult Fund sub-advisers on certain proxy voting issues on a case-by-case basis as the Proxy Committee deems appropriate or to the extent that a sub-adviser of a Fund makes a recommendation regarding a proxy voting issue. As a general matter, however, proxies are voted consistently on the same matter when securities of an issuer are held by multiple Funds.

(iii) Proxy Committee. In all cases, the Proxy Committee will exercise its voting discretion in accordance with the voting philosophy of the Funds. In cases where a proxy is forwarded by Risk Metrics to the Proxy Committee, the Proxy Committee may be assisted in its voting decision through receipt of: (i) independent research and voting recommendations provided by Risk Metrics or other independent sources; (ii) input from the investment sub-adviser responsible for purchasing the security; and (iii) information provided by company management and shareholder groups.

Voting decisions made by the Proxy Committee will be reported to Risk Metrics to ensure that the vote is registered in a timely manner and included in Form N-PX reporting.

(iv) Securities on Loan. As a general matter, securities on loan will not be recalled to facilitate proxy voting (in which case the borrower of the security shall be entitled to vote the proxy). However, if the Proxy Committee is aware of an item in time to recall the security and has determined in good faith that the importance of the matter to be voted upon outweighs the loss in lending revenue that would result from recalling the security (i.e., if there is a controversial upcoming merger or acquisition, or some other significant matter), the security will be recalled for voting.

(v) Practical Limitations to Proxy Voting. While Funds Management uses its best efforts to vote proxies, in certain circumstances it may be impractical or impossible for Funds Management to vote proxies (e.g., limited value or unjustifiable costs). For example, in accordance with local law or business practices, many foreign companies prevent the sales of shares that have been voted for a certain period beginning prior to the shareholder meeting and ending on the day following the meeting (“share blocking”). Due to these restrictions, Funds Management must balance the benefits to its clients of voting proxies against the potentially serious portfolio management consequences of a reduced flexibility to sell the underlying shares at the most advantageous time. As a result, Funds Management will generally not vote those proxies in the absence of an unusual, significant vote or compelling economic importance. Additionally, Funds Management may not be able to vote proxies for certain foreign securities if Funds Management does not receive the proxy statement in time to vote the proxies due to custodial processing delays.


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(vi) Conflicts of Interest. Funds Management may have a conflict of interest regarding a proxy to be voted upon if, for example, Funds Management or its affiliates have other relationships with the issuer of the proxy. In most instances, conflicts of interest are avoided through a strict and objective application of the voting guidelines attached hereto. However, when the Proxy Committee is aware of a material conflict of interest regarding a matter that would otherwise require a vote by the Proxy Committee, the Proxy Committee shall address the material conflict by using any of the following methods: (1) instructing Risk Metrics to vote in accordance with the recommendation Risk Metrics makes to its clients; (2) disclosing the conflict to the Board and obtaining their consent before voting; (3) submitting the matter to the Board to exercise its authority to vote on such matter; (4) engaging an independent fiduciary who will direct the Proxy Committee on voting instructions for the proxy; (5) consulting with outside legal counsel for guidance on resolution of the conflict of interest; (6) erecting information barriers around the person or persons making voting decisions; (7) voting in proportion to other shareholders (“mirror voting”); or (8) voting in other ways that are consistent with each Fund’s obligation to vote in the best interests of its shareholders. Additionally, the Proxy Committee will not permit its votes to be influenced by any conflict of interest that exists for any other affiliated person of the Fund (such as a sub-adviser or principal underwriter) or any affiliated persons of such affiliated persons and the Proxy Committee will vote all such matters without regard to the conflict.

(vii) Meetings. The Proxy Committee shall convene as needed and when discretionary voting determinations need to be considered, and shall have the authority to act by vote of a majority of the Proxy Committee members available at that time. The Proxy Committee shall also meet at least semi-annually to review the Procedures and the performance of Risk Metrics in exercising its proxy voting responsibilities.

(viii) Membership. The voting members of the Proxy Committee shall be Tom Biwer, Travis Keshemberg, Patrick McGuinnis and Erik Sens. Andrew Owen shall be a non-voting member and serve in an advisory capacity on the Proxy Committee. Changes to the membership of the Proxy Committee will be made only with Board approval. Upon departure from Funds Management, a member’s position on the Proxy Committee will automatically terminate.

4. Disclosure of Policies and Procedures. Each Fund shall disclose in its statement of additional information a description of the policies and procedures it uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to securities held in its portfolio. In addition, each Fund shall disclose in its semi- and annual reports that a description of its proxy voting policies and procedures is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, on the Fund’s web site at www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

5. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Record. Each Trust shall file with the Commission an annual report on Form N-PX not later than August 31 of each year (beginning August 31, 2004), containing the Trust’s proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30.

Each Fund shall disclose in its statement of additional information and semi- and annual reports that information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge on the Funds’ web site at www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds or by accessing the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov.

Each Fund shall disclose the following information on Form N-PX for each matter relating to a portfolio security considered at any shareholder meeting held during the period covered by the report and with respect to which the Fund was entitled to vote:

 

   

The name of the issuer of the portfolio security;

 

   

The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security;

 

   

The Council of Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the portfolio security (unless the CUSIP is not available through reasonably practicable means, in which case it will be omitted);

 

   

The shareholder meeting date;

 

   

A brief identification of the matter voted on;

 

   

Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder;

 

   

Whether the Fund cast its vote on the matter;

 

   

How the Fund cast its vote (e.g. for or against a proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors); and


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Whether the Fund cast its vote for or against management.

Form N-PX shall be made available to Fund shareholders through the SEC web site.

APPENDIX A

TO

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Funds Management will vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trusts in accordance with the following proxy voting guidelines. To the extent the specific guidelines below do not address a proxy voting proposal, Funds Management will vote pursuant to Risk Metrics’ current U.S. and International proxy voting guidelines. Proxies for securities held by the Wells Fargo Advantage Social Awareness Fund related to social and environmental proposals will be voted pursuant to Risk Metrics’ current SRI Proxy Voting Guidelines. In addition, proxies related to issues not addressed by the specific guidelines below or by Risk Metrics’ current U.S. and International proxy voting guidelines will be forwarded to the Proxy Committee for a vote determination by the Proxy Committee.

Uncontested Election of Directors or Trustees

 

THE FUNDS will generally vote for all uncontested director or trustee nominees. The Nominating Committee is in the best position to select nominees who are available and capable of working well together to oversee management of the company. THE FUNDS will not require a performance test for directors.    FOR
THE FUNDS will generally vote for reasonably crafted shareholder proposals calling for directors to be elected with an affirmative majority of votes cast and/or the elimination of the plurality standard for electing directors, unless the company has adopted formal corporate governance principles that present a meaningful alternative to the majority voting standard.    FOR
THE FUNDS will withhold votes for a director if the nominee fails to attend at least 75% of the board and committee meetings without a valid excuse.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will vote against routine election of directors if any of the following apply: company fails to disclose adequate information in a timely manner, serious issues with the finances, questionable transactions, conflicts of interest, record of abuses against minority shareholder interests, bundling of director elections, and/or egregious governance practices.    AGAINST
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from the entire board (except for new nominees) where the director(s) receive more than 50% withhold votes out of those cast and the issue that was the underlying cause of the high level of withhold votes has not been addressed.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from members of the Audit Committee and/or the full board if poor accounting practices, which rise to a level of serious concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures, are identified.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from members of the Audit Committee if the company receives an adverse opinion on the company’s financial statements from its auditor.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from members of the Audit Committee if there is persuasive evidence that the audit committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.    WITHHOLD
Ratification of Auditors   
THE FUNDS will vote against auditors and withhold votes from audit committee members if non-audit fees are greater than audit fees, audit-related fees, and permitted tax fees, combined. THE FUNDS will follow the disclosure categories being proposed by the SEC in applying the above formula.    AGAINST/
WITHHOLD


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With the above exception, THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to ratify auditors unless:    FOR

•       an auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent, or

   AGAINST

•       there is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position.

   AGAINST
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals that require auditors to attend annual meetings as auditors are regularly reviewed by the board audit committee, and such attendance is unnecessary.    AGAINST
THE FUNDS will consider shareholder proposals requiring companies to prohibit their auditors from engaging in non-audit services on a case-by-case basis (or cap level of non-audit services).    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will vote for shareholder proposals requesting a shareholder vote for audit firm ratification.    FOR
THE FUNDS will vote against shareholder proposals asking for audit firm rotation. This practice is viewed as too disruptive and too costly to implement for the benefit achieved.    AGAINST
Company Name Change/Purpose   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to change the company name as management and the board is best suited to determine if such change in company name is necessary.    FOR
However, where the name change is requested in connection with a reorganization of the company, the vote will be based on the merits of the reorganization.    CASE-BY-CASE
In addition, THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to amend the purpose of the company. Management is in the best position to know whether the description of what the company does is accurate, or whether it needs to be updated by deleting, adding or revising language.    FOR
Employee Stock Purchase Plans/401(k) Employee Benefit Plans   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to adopt, amend or increase authorized shares for employee stock purchase plans and 401(k) plans for employees as properly structured plans enable employees to purchase common stock at a slight discount and thus own a beneficial interest in the company, provided that the total cost of the company’s plan is not above the allowable cap for the company.    FOR
Similarly, THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to adopt or amend thrift and savings plans, retirement plans, pension plans and profit plans.    FOR
Approve Other Business   
THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to approve other business. This transfer of authority allows the corporation to take certain ministerial steps that may arise at the annual or special meeting.    FOR
However, THE FUNDS retains the discretion to vote against such proposals if adequate information is not provided in the proxy statement, or the measures are significant and no further approval from shareholders is sought.    AGAINST
Independent Board of Directors/Board Committees   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals requiring that two-thirds of the board be independent directors. An independent board faces fewer conflicts and is best prepared to protect stockholders’ interests.    FOR
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from insiders and affiliated outsiders on boards that are not at least majority independent.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from compensation committee members where there is a pay-for-performance disconnect (for Russell 3000 companies).    WITHHOLD


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THE FUNDS will vote for proposals requesting that the board audit, compensation and/or nominating committees be composed of independent directors, only. Committees should be composed entirely of independent directors in order to avoid conflicts of interest.    FOR
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from any insiders or affiliated outsiders on audit, compensation or nominating committees. THE FUNDS will withhold votes from any insiders or affiliated outsiders on the board if any of these key committees has not been established.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals from shareholders requesting an independent compensation consultant.    AGAINST
Minimum Stock Requirements by Directors   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals requiring directors to own a minimum number of shares of company stock in order to qualify as a director, or to remain on the board. Minimum stock ownership requirements can impose an across-the-board requirement that could prevent qualified individuals from serving as directors.    AGAINST
Indemnification and Liability Provisions for Directors and Officers   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to allow indemnification of directors and officers, when the actions taken were on behalf of the company and no criminal violations occurred. THE FUNDS will also vote in favor of proposals to purchase liability insurance covering liability in connection with those actions. Not allowing companies to indemnify directors and officers to the degree possible under the law would limit the ability of the company to attract qualified individuals.    FOR
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will vote against indemnity proposals that are overly broad. For example, THE FUNDS will oppose proposals to indemnify directors for acts going beyond mere carelessness, such as gross negligence, acts taken in bad faith, acts not otherwise allowed by state law or more serious violations of fiduciary obligations.    AGAINST
Nominee Statement in the Proxy   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals that require board nominees to have a statement of candidacy in the proxy, since the proxy statement already provides adequate information pertaining to the election of directors.    AGAINST
Limitation on Number of Boards a Director May Sit On   
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from directors who sit on more than six boards.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from CEO directors who sit on more than two outside boards besides their own.    WITHHOLD
Director Tenure/Retirement Age   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals to limit the tenure of directors as such limitations based on an arbitrary number could prevent qualified individuals from serving as directors. However, THE FUNDS is in favor of inserting cautionary language when the average director tenure on the board exceeds 15 years for the entire board.    AGAINST
The Funds will vote for proposals to establish a mandatory retirement age for directors provided that such retirement age is not less than 65.    FOR
Board Powers/Procedures/Qualifications   
THE FUNDS will consider on a case-by-case basis proposals to amend the corporation’s By-laws so that the Board of Directors shall have the power, without the assent or vote of the shareholders, to make, alter, amend, or rescind the By-laws, fix the amount to be reserved as working capital, and fix the number of directors and what number shall constitute a quorum of the Board. In determining these issues, THE FUNDS will rely on the proxy voting Guidelines.    CASE-BY-CASE


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Loans to Officers   
THE FUNDS will consider on a case-by-case basis proposals to authorize the corporation to make loans or to guarantee the obligations of officers of the corporation or any of its affiliates.    CASE-BY-CASE
Adjourn Meeting to Solicit Additional Votes   
THE FUNDS will examine proposals to adjourn the meeting to solicit additional votes on a case-by-case basis. As additional solicitation may be costly and could result in coercive pressure on shareholders, THE FUNDS will consider the nature of the proposal and its vote recommendations for the scheduled meeting.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will vote for this item when:   
THE FUNDS is supportive of the underlying merger proposal; the company provides a sufficient, compelling reason to support the adjournment proposal; and the authority is limited to adjournment proposals requesting the authority to adjourn solely to solicit proxies to approve a transaction THE FUNDS supports.    FOR
Contested Election of Directors or Trustees   
Reimbursement of Solicitation Expenses   
THE FUNDS will consider contested elections on a case-by-case basis, considering the following factors: long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry; management’s track record; background of the proxy contest; qualifications of director or trustee nominees (both slates); evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders as well as the likelihood that the proposed objectives and goals can be met; and stock ownership positions.    CASE-BY-CASE
In addition, decisions to provide reimbursement for dissidents waging a proxy contest are made on a case-by-case basis as proxy contests are governed by a mix of federal regulation, state law, and corporate charter and bylaw provisions.    CASE-BY-CASE
Board Structure: Staggered vs. Annual Elections   
THE FUNDS will consider the issue of classified boards on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, the division of the board into classes, elected for staggered terms, can entrench the incumbent management and make them less responsive to shareholder concerns. On the other hand, in some cases, staggered elections may provide for the continuity of experienced directors on the Board.    CASE-BY-CASE
Removal of Directors   
THE FUNDS will consider on a case-by-case basis proposals to eliminate shareholders’ rights to remove directors with or without cause or only with approval of two-thirds or more of the shares entitled to vote.    CASE-BY-CASE
However, a requirement that a 75% or greater vote be obtained for removal of directors is abusive and will warrant a vote against the proposal.    AGAINST
Board Vacancies   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals that allow the board to fill vacancies without shareholder approval as these authorizations run contrary to basic shareholders’ rights.    AGAINST
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will vote for proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.    FOR
Cumulative Voting   
THE FUNDS will vote on proposals to permit or eliminate cumulative voting on a case-by-case basis based upon the existence of a counter balancing governance structure and company performance, in accordance with its proxy voting guideline philosophy. However, if the board is elected annually we will not support cumulative voting.    CASE-BY-CASE


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Shareholders’ Right To Call A Special Meeting   
Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent   
Proposals providing that stockholder action may be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholder and not by written consent, or increasing the shareholder vote necessary to call a special meeting, will be voted on a case by case basis in accordance with the proxy voting guidelines.    CASE-BY-CASE
Board Size   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals that seek to fix the size of the board, as the ability for management to increase or decrease the size of the board in the face of a proxy contest may be used as a takeover defense.    FOR
However, if the company has cumulative voting, downsizing the board may decrease a minority shareholder’s chances of electing a director.   
By increasing the size of the board, management can make it more difficult for dissidents to gain control of the board. Fixing the size of the board also prevents a reduction in the board size as a means to oust independent directors or those who cause friction within an otherwise homogenous board.   
Shareholder Rights Plan (Poison Pills)   
THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals that request a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification.    FOR
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from all directors (except for new nominees) if the company has adopted or renewed a poison pill without shareholder approval since the company’s last annual meeting, does not put the pill to a vote at the current annual meeting, and does not have a requirement or does not commit to put the pill to shareholder vote within 12 months. In addition, THE FUNDS will withhold votes on all directors at any company that responds to the majority of the shareholders voting by putting the poison pill to a shareholder vote with a recommendation other than to eliminate the pill.    WITHHOLD
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will analyze proposals to redeem a company’s poison pill, or requesting the ratification of a poison pill on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
Poison pills are one of the most potent anti-takeover measures and are generally adopted by boards without shareholder approval. These plans harm shareholder value and entrench management by deterring stock acquisition offers that are not favored by the board.   
Fair Price Provisions   
THE FUNDS will consider fair price provisions on a case-by-case basis, evaluating factors such as the vote required to approve the proposed mechanism, the vote required to approve the proposed acquisition, the vote required to repeal the fair price provision, and the mechanism for determining the fair price.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will vote against fair price provisions with shareholder vote requirements of 75% or more of disinterested shares.    AGAINST
Greenmail   
THE FUNDS will generally vote in favor of proposals limiting the corporation’s authority to purchase shares of common stock (or other outstanding securities) from a holder of a stated interest (5% or more) at a premium unless the same offer is made to all shareholders. These are known as “anti-greenmail” provisions. Greenmail discriminates against rank-and-file shareholders and may have an adverse effect on corporate image.    FOR
If the proposal is bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments, THE FUNDS will analyze such proposals on a case-by-case basis. In addition, THE FUNDS will analyze restructurings that involve the payment of pale greenmail on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
Voting Rights   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals that seek to maintain or convert to a one-share, one-vote capital structure as such a principle ensures that management is accountable to all the company’s owners.    FOR


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Alternatively, THE FUNDS will vote against any proposals to cap the number of votes a shareholder is entitled to. Any measure that places a ceiling on voting may entrench management and lessen its interest in maximizing shareholder value.    AGAINST
Dual Class/Multiple-Voting Stock   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals that authorize, amend or increase dual class or multiple-voting stock which may be used in exchanges or recapitalizations. Dual class or multiple-voting stock carry unequal voting rights, which differ from those of the broadly traded class of common stock.    AGAINST
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will vote for the elimination of dual class or multiple-voting stock, which carry different rights than the common stock.    FOR
Supermajority Vote Provisions   
THE FUNDS will generally consider on a case-by-case basis proposals to increase the shareholder vote necessary to approve mergers, acquisitions, sales of assets etc. and to amend the corporation’s charter or by-laws. The factors considered are those specified in the proxy guidelines.    CASE-BY-CASE
However, a supermajority requirement of 75% or more is abusive and THE FUNDS will vote against proposals that provide for them.    AGAINST
Supermajority vote provisions require voting approval in excess of a simple majority of the outstanding shares for a proposal. Companies may include supermajority lock-in provisions, which occur when changes are made to a corporation’s governing documents, and once approved, a supermajority vote is required to amend or repeal the changes.   
Confidential Voting   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to adopt confidential voting.    FOR
Vote Tabulations   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals asking corporations to refrain from counting abstentions and broker non-votes in their vote tabulations and to eliminate the company’s discretion to vote unmarked proxy ballots. Vote counting procedures are determined by a number of different standards, including state law, the federal proxy rules, internal corporate policies, and mandates of the various stock exchanges.    AGAINST
Equal Access to the Proxy   
THE FUNDS will evaluate Shareholder proposals requiring companies to give shareholders access to the proxy ballot for the purpose of nominating board members, on a case-by-case basis taking into account the ownership threshold proposed in the resolution and the proponent’s rationale for the proposal at the targeted company in terms of board and director conduct.    CASE-BY-CASE
Disclosure of Information   
THE FUNDS will vote against shareholder proposals requesting fuller disclosure of company policies, plans, or business practices. Such proposals rarely enhance shareholder return and in many cases would require disclosure of confidential business information.    AGAINST
Annual Meetings   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to amend procedures or change date or location of the annual meeting. Decisions as to procedures, dates or locations of meetings are best placed with management.    FOR
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will vote against proposals from shareholders calling for a change in the location or date of annual meetings as no date or location proposed will be acceptable to all shareholders.    AGAINST
THE FUNDS will generally vote in favor of proposals to reduce the quorum necessary for shareholders’ meetings, subject to a minimum of a simple majority of the company’s outstanding voting shares.    FOR


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Shareholder Advisory Committees/Independent Inspectors   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals seeking to establish shareholder advisory committees or independent inspectors. The existence of such bodies dilutes the responsibility of the board for managing the affairs of the corporation.    AGAINST
Technical Amendments to the Charter of Bylaws   
THE FUNDS will generally vote in favor of charter and bylaw amendments proposed solely to conform to modern business practices, for simplification, or to comply with what management’s counsel interprets as applicable law.    FOR
However, amendments that have a material effect on shareholder’s rights will be considered on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
Bundled Proposals   
THE FUNDS will vote for bundled or “conditional” proxy proposals on a case-by-case basis, as THE FUNDS will examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items, and determine if the effect of the conditioned items are in the best interests of shareholders.    CASE-BY-CASE
Common Stock Authorizations/Reverse Stock Splits/Forward Stock Splits   
THE FUNDS will follow the Risk Metrics capital structure model in evaluating requested increases in authorized common stock. In addition, even if capital requests of less than or equal to 300% of outstanding shares fail the calculated allowable cap, THE FUNDS will evaluate the request on a case-by-case basis, potentially voting for the proposal based on the company’s performance and whether the company’s ongoing use of shares has shown prudence. Further, the company should identify what the stock increases are to be used for, i.e. a proposed stock split, issuance of shares for acquisitions, or for general business purposes.    CASE-BY-CASE
Also to be considered is whether the purpose of the proposed increase is to strengthen takeover defenses, in which case THE FUNDS will vote against the proposal. Such increases give management too much power and are beyond what a company would normally need during the course of a year. They may also allow management to freely place the shares with an allied institution or set the terms and prices of the new shares.    AGAINST
For reverse stock splits, THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to implement the split provided the number of authorized common shares is reduced to a level that does not represent an unreasonably large increase in authorized but unissued shares. The failure to reduce authorized shares proportionally to any reverse split has potential adverse anti-takeover consequences. However, such circumstances may be warranted if delisting of the company’s stock is imminent and would result in greater harm to shareholders than the excessive share authorization.    FOR
THE FUNDS will evaluate “Going Dark” transactions, which allow listed companies to de-list and terminate the registration of their common stock on a case-by-case basis, determining whether the transaction enhances shareholder value.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will generally vote in favor of forward stock splits.    FOR
Dividends   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to allocate income and set dividends.    FOR
THE FUNDS will also vote for proposals that authorize a dividend reinvestment program as it allows investors to receive additional stock in lieu of a cash dividend.    FOR
However, if a proposal for a special bonus dividend is made that specifically rewards a certain class of shareholders over another, THE FUNDS will vote against the proposal.    AGAINST
THE FUNDS will also vote against proposals from shareholders requesting management to redistribute profits or restructure investments. Management is best placed to determine how to allocate corporate earnings or set dividends.    AGAINST
In addition, THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to set director fees.    FOR


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Reduce the Par Value of the Common Stock   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to reduce the par value of common stock.    FOR
Preferred Stock Authorization   
THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to create preferred stock in cases where the company expressly states that the stock will not be used as a takeover defense or carry superior voting rights, or where the stock may be used to consummate beneficial acquisitions, combinations or financings.    FOR
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will vote against proposals to authorize or issue preferred stock if the board has asked for the unlimited right to set the terms and conditions for the stock and may issue it for anti-takeover purposes without shareholder approval (blank check preferred stock).    AGAINST
In addition, THE FUNDS will vote against proposals to issue preferred stock if the shares to be used have voting rights greater than those available to other shareholders.    AGAINST
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to require shareholder approval of blank check preferred stock issues for other than general corporate purposes (white squire placements).    FOR
Finally, THE FUNDS will consider on a case-by-case basis proposals to modify the rights of preferred shareholders and to increase or decrease the dividend rate of preferred stock.    CASE-BY-CASE
Reclassification of Shares   
THE FUNDS will consider proposals to reclassify a specified class or series of shares on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
Preemptive Rights   
THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to eliminate preemptive rights. Preemptive rights are unnecessary to protect shareholder interests due to the size of most modern companies, the number of investors and the liquidity of trading.    FOR
Share Repurchase Plans   
THE FUNDS will vote for share repurchase plans, unless:    FOR

•    there is clear evidence of past abuse of the authority; or

   AGAINST

•    the plan contains no safeguards against selective buy-backs.

   AGAINST
Corporate stock repurchases are a legitimate use of corporate funds and can add to long-term shareholder returns.   
Executive and Director Compensation Plans   
THE FUNDS will analyze on a case-by-case basis proposals on executive or director compensation plans, with the view that viable compensation programs reward the creation of stockholder wealth by having high payout sensitivity to increases in shareholder value. Such proposals may seek shareholder approval to adopt a new plan, or to increase shares reserved for an existing plan.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will review the potential cost and dilutive effect of the plan. After determining how much the plan will cost, Risk Metrics evaluates whether the cost is reasonable by comparing the cost to an allowable cap. The allowable cap is industry-specific, market cap-base, and pegged to the average amount paid by companies performing in the top quartile of their peer groups. If the proposed cost is below the allowable cap, THE FUNDS will vote for the plan. Risk Metrics will also apply a pay for performance overlay in assessing equity-based compensation plans for Russell 3000 companies.    FOR
If the proposed cost is above the allowable cap, THE FUNDS will vote against the plan.    AGAINST
Among the plan features that may result in a vote against the plan are:    AGAINST

•       plan administrators are given the authority to reprice or replace underwater options; repricing guidelines will conform to changes in the NYSE and NASDAQ listing rules.

  


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THE FUNDS will vote against equity plans that have high average three-year burn rate. (The burn rate is calculated as the total number of stock awards and stock options granted any given year divided by the number of common shares outstanding.) THE FUNDS will define a high average three-year burn rate as the following: The company’s most recent three-year burn rate exceeds one standard deviation of its four-digit GICS peer group segmented by Russell 3000 index and non-Russell 3000 index; and the company’s most recent three-year burn rate exceeds 2% of common shares outstanding. For companies that grant both full value awards and stock options to their employees, THE FUNDS shall apply a premium on full value awards for the past three fiscal years.    AGAINST
Even if the equity plan fails the above burn rate, THE FUNDS will vote for the plan if the company commits in a public filing to a three-year average burn rate equal to its GICS group burn rate mean plus one standard deviation. If the company fails to fulfill its burn rate commitment, THE FUNDS will consider withholding from the members of the compensation committee.    FOR
THE FUNDS will calculate a higher award value for awards that have Dividend Equivalent Rights (DER’s) associated with them.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will generally vote for shareholder proposals requiring performance-based stock options unless the proposal is overly restrictive or the company demonstrates that it is using a substantial portion of performance-based awards for its top executives.    FOR
THE FUNDS will vote for shareholder proposals asking the company to expense stock options, as a result of the FASB final rule on expensing stock options.    FOR
THE FUNDS will generally vote for shareholder proposals to exclude pension fund income in the calculation of earnings used in determining executive bonuses/compensation.    FOR
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from compensation committee members if they fail to submit one-time transferable stock options (TSO’s) to shareholders for approval.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will generally vote for TSO awards within a new equity plan if the total cost of the equity plan is less than the company’s allowable cap.    FOR
THE FUNDS will generally vote against shareholder proposals to ban future stock option grants to executives. This may be supportable in extreme cases where a company is a serial repricer, has a huge overhang, or has highly dilutive, broad-based (non-approved) plans and is not acting to correct the situation.    AGAINST
THE FUNDS will evaluate shareholder proposals asking companies to adopt holding periods for their executives on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the company’s current holding period or officer share ownership requirements, as well as actual officer stock ownership in the company.    CASE-BY-CASE
For certain OBRA-related proposals, THE FUNDS will vote for plan provisions that (a) place a cap on annual grants or amend administrative features, and (b) add performance criteria to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.    FOR
In addition, director compensation plans may also include stock plans that provide directors with the option of taking all or a portion of their cash compensation in the form of stock. THE FUNDS will consider these plans based on their voting power dilution.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will generally vote for retirement plans for directors.    FOR
THE FUNDS will evaluate compensation proposals (Tax Havens) requesting share option schemes or amending an existing share option scheme on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
Stock options align management interests with those of shareholders by motivating executives to maintain stock price appreciation. Stock options, however, may harm shareholders by diluting each owner’s interest. In addition, exercising options can shift the balance of voting power by increasing executive ownership.   


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Bonus Plans   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to adopt annual or long-term cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans on a case-by-case basis. These plans enable companies qualify for a tax deduction under the provisions of Section 162(m) of the IRC. Payouts under these plans may either be in cash or stock and are usually tied to the attainment of certain financial or other performance goals. THE FUNDS will consider whether the plan is comparable to plans adopted by companies of similar size in the company’s industry and whether it is justified by the company’s performance.    CASE-BY-CASE
Deferred Compensation Plans   
THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to adopt or amend deferred compensation plans as they allow the compensation committee to tailor the plan to the needs of the executives or board of directors, unless    FOR

•    the proposal is embedded in an executive or director compensation plan that is contrary to guidelines

   AGAINST
Disclosure on Executive or Director Compensation   
Cap or Restrict Executive or Director Compensation   
THE FUNDS will generally vote for shareholder proposals requiring companies to report on their executive retirement benefits (deferred compensation, split-dollar life insurance, SERPs, and pension benefits.    FOR
THE FUNDS will generally vote for shareholder proposals requesting to put extraordinary benefits contained in SERP agreements to a shareholder vote, unless the company’s executive pension plans do not contain excessive benefits beyond what is offered under employee-wide plans.    FOR
THE FUNDS will generally vote against proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay.    AGAINST
Golden and Tin Parachutes   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals that seek shareholder ratification of golden or tin parachutes as shareholders should have the opportunity to approve or disapprove of these severance agreements.    FOR
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will examine on a case-by-case basis proposals that seek to ratify or cancel golden or tin parachutes. Effective parachutes may encourage management to consider takeover bids more fully and may also enhance employee morale and productivity. Among the arrangements that will be considered on their merits are:    CASE-BY-CASE

•       arrangements guaranteeing key employees continuation of base salary for more than three years or lump sum payment of more than three times base salary plus retirement benefits;

 

•       guarantees of benefits if a key employee voluntarily terminates;

 

•       guarantees of benefits to employees lower than very senior management; and

 

•       indemnification of liability for excise taxes.

  
By contrast, THE FUNDS will vote against proposals that would guarantee benefits in a management-led buyout.    AGAINST
Reincorporation   
THE FUNDS will evaluate a change in a company’s state of incorporation on a case-by-case basis. THE FUNDS will analyze the valid reasons for the proposed move, including restructuring efforts, merger agreements, and tax or incorporation fee savings. THE FUNDS will also analyze proposed changes to the company charter and differences between the states’ corporate governance laws.    CASE-BY-CASE


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States have adopted various statutes intended to encourage companies to incorporate in the state. These may include state takeover statutes, control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freezeout provisions, fair price provisions, and disgorgement provisions. THE FUNDS will examine reincorporations on a case-by-case in light of these statutes and in light of the corporate governance features the company has adopted to determine whether the reincorporation is in shareholders’ best interests.    CASE-BY-CASE
In addition, THE FUNDS will also examine poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, and anti-greenmail provisions in the context of a state’s corporate governance laws on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will evaluate shareholder proposals requiring offshore companies to reincorporate into the United States on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
Reincorporation proposals may have considerable implications for shareholders, affecting the company’s takeover defenses and possibly its corporate structure and rules of governance.   
Stakeholder Laws   
THE FUNDS will vote against resolutions that would allow the Board to consider stakeholder interests (local communities, employees, suppliers, creditors, etc.) when faced with a takeover offer.    AGAINST
Similarly, THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to opt out of stakeholder laws, which permit directors, when taking action, to weight the interests of constituencies other than shareholders in the process of corporate decision-making. Such laws allow directors to consider nearly any factor they deem relevant in discharging their duties.    FOR
Mergers/Acquisitions and Corporate Restructurings   
THE FUNDS will consider proposals on mergers and acquisitions on a case-by-case basis. THE FUNDS will determine if the transaction is in the best economic interests of the shareholders. THE FUNDS will take into account the following factors:    CASE-BY-CASE

•    anticipated financial and operating benefits;

 

•    offer price (cost versus premium);

 

•    prospects for the combined companies;

 

•    how the deal was negotiated;

 

•    changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights.

  
In addition, THE FUNDS will also consider whether current shareholders would control a minority of the combined company’s outstanding voting power, and whether a reputable financial advisor was retained in order to ensure the protection of shareholders’ interests.    CASE-BY-CASE
On all other business transactions, i.e. corporate restructuring, spin-offs, asset sales, liquidations, and restructurings, THE FUNDS will analyze such proposals on a case-by-case basis and utilize the majority of the above factors in determining what is in the best interests of shareholders. Specifically, for liquidations, the cost versus premium factor may not be applicable, but THE FUNDS may also review the compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation,    CASE-BY-CASE
Appraisal Rights   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with rights of appraisal.    FOR
Rights of appraisal provide shareholders who are not satisfied with the terms of certain corporate transactions (such as mergers) the right to demand a judicial review in order to determine the fair value of their shares.   
Mutual Fund Proxies   
THE FUNDS will vote mutual fund proxies on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE


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Proposals may include, and are not limited to, the following issues:   

•    eliminating the need for annual meetings of mutual fund shareholders;

 

•    entering into or extending investment advisory agreements and management contracts;

 

•    permitting securities lending and participation in repurchase agreements;

 

•    changing fees and expenses; and

 

•    changing investment policies.

  
An investment advisory agreement is an agreement between a mutual fund and its financial advisor under which the financial advisor provides investment advice to the fund in return for a fee based on the fund’s net asset size. Most agreements require that the particular fund pay the advisor a fee constituting a small percentage of the fund’s average net daily assets. In exchange for this consideration, the investment advisor manages the fund’s account, furnishes investment advice, and provides office space and facilities to the fund. A new investment advisory agreement may be necessitated by the merger of the advisor or the advisor’s corporate parent.   
Fundamental investment restrictions are limitations within a fund’s articles of incorporation that limit the investment practices of the particular fund. As fundamental, such restrictions may only be amended or eliminated with shareholder approval. Non-fundamental investment restrictions may be altered by action of the board of trustees.   
Distribution agreements are agreements authorized by guidelines established under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and, in particular, Rule 12b-1 thereunder, between a fund and its distributor, which provide that the distributor is paid a monthly fee to promote the sale of the fund’s shares.   
Reorganizations of funds may include the issuance of shares for an acquisition of a fund, or the merger of one fund into another for purposes of consolidation.   
The mutual fund industry is one of the most highly regulated industries, as it is subject to: individual state law under which the company is formed; the federal Securities Act of 1933; the federal Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and the federal Investment Company Act of 1940.   

 

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Timothy O’Brien,

Mr. O’Brien is jointly responsible for managing the Fund, which he has managed since 2007. Mr. O’Brien is a Managing Partner of Crow Point Partners LLC, an investment management firm and the sub-adviser for three Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. Prior to forming Crow Point in 2006, he was a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager with the Value Equity team of Evergreen Investments’ Equity Management group. Education: B.A., University of Massachusetts, MBA in finance, Wharton School. He has been awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation by the CFA Institute.

Jeffrey Mellas, CAIA,

Mr. Mellas is jointly responsible for managing the Fund, which he has managed since 2010. Mr. Mellas joined Wells Capital Management in 2003 as Managing Director of Quantitative Asset Management and Portfolio Manager. In this role, Mr. Mellas oversees quantitative investment management efforts on behalf of institutional separate accounts, mutual investment funds and collective investment funds. Prior to joining Wells Capital Management, Mr. Mellas was with Alliance Capital Management since 1995, as Vice President and Global Portfolio Strategist. Education: B.A., Economics, University of Minnesota; M.B.A., Finance and International Business, New York University. Additional studies: International Management Program at Hute Etudes Commerçiales, Paris, France, and Université de Valery, Montpellier, France. He has earned the right to use the CAIA designation and is a member of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association.


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OTHER FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS MANAGED

The following table provides information about the registered investment companies and other pooled investment vehicles and accounts managed by the portfolio manager of the Fund as of the Fund’s most recent period ended October 31, 2011.

Jeffrey Mellas

 

I manage the following types of accounts:    Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other  Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     11         1         5   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 4,140       $ 83       $ 548   

performance based fee accounts:

        
I manage the following types of accounts:    Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     0         0         0   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 0       $ 0       $ 0   

MATERIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The Portfolio Managers face inherent conflicts of interest in their day-to-day management of the Funds and other accounts because the Funds may have different investment objectives, strategies and risk profiles than the other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers. For instance, to the extent that the Portfolio Managers manage accounts with different investment strategies than the Funds, they may from time to time be inclined to purchase securities, including initial public offerings, for one account but not for a Fund. Additionally, some of the accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers may have different fee structures, including performance fees, which are or have the potential to be higher or lower, in some cases significantly higher or lower, than the fees paid by the Funds. The differences in fee structures may provide an incentive to the Portfolio Managers to allocate more favorable trades to the higher-paying accounts.

To minimize the effects of these inherent conflicts of interest, the Sub-Advisers have adopted and implemented policies and procedures, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, that they believe address the potential conflicts associated with managing portfolios for multiple clients and ensure that all clients are treated fairly and equitably. Additionally, some of the Sub-Advisers minimize inherent conflicts of interest by assigning the Portfolio Managers to accounts having similar objectives. Accordingly, security block purchases are allocated to all accounts with similar objectives in proportionate weightings. Furthermore, the Sub-Advisers have adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) to address potential conflicts associated with managing the Funds and any personal accounts the Portfolio Managers may maintain.

Wells Capital Management

Wells Capital Management’s Portfolio Managers often provide investment management for separate accounts advised in the same or similar investment style as that provided to mutual funds. While management of multiple accounts could potentially lead to conflicts of interest over various issues such as trade allocation, fee disparities and research acquisition, Wells Capital Management has implemented policies and procedures for the express purpose of ensuring that clients are treated fairly and that potential conflicts of interest are minimized.

Crow Point.

Crow Point manages other investment vehicles, including some that may have investment objectives and strategies similar to the Fund’s. The management of multiple funds and other accounts may require the portfolio manager to devote less than all of his or her time to the Fund, particularly if the other funds and accounts have different objectives, benchmarks and time horizons. The portfolio manager may also be required to allocate his or her investment ideas across multiple funds and accounts. In addition, if a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity, such as an initial public offering, that may be suitable for more than one fund or other account, the Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to, for example, an allocation of that investment across all eligible funds and accounts. Further, security purchase and sale orders for multiple accounts often are aggregated for purpose of execution. Although such aggregation generally benefits clients, it may cause the price or brokerage costs to be less favorable to a particular client than if similar transactions were not being executed


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concurrently for other accounts. It may also happen that the Fund’s advisor or subadvisor will determine that it would be in the best interest, and consistent with the investment policies, of another account to sell a security (including by means of a short sale) that the Fund holds long, potentially resulting in a decrease in the market value of the security held by the Fund.

The structure of a portfolio manager’s or an investment advisor’s compensation may create an incentive for the portfolio manager or investment advisor to favor accounts whose performance has a greater impact on such compensation. The portfolio manager may, for example, have an incentive to allocate favorable or limited opportunity investments or structure the timing of investments to favor such accounts. Similarly, if a portfolio manager holds a larger personal investment in one fund than he or she does in another, the portfolio manager may have an incentive to favor the fund in which he or she holds a larger stake.

In general, Crow Point has policies and procedures that attempt to address the various potential conflicts of interest described above. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect or address each and every situation where a conflict arises.

All employees of Crow Point are bound by the company’s Code of Ethics and compliance policies and procedures. Crow Point’s chief compliance officer monitors and reviews compliance regularly. Crow Point’s Code of Ethics and compliance procedures have been reviewed and accepted by Wells Fargo Funds Management. In addition, side-by-side trading rules have been agreed between Wells Fargo Funds Management and Crow Point as part of existing sub-advisory arrangements which are intended to ensure that shareholders of the sub-advised Wells Fargo funds are treated equitably by Crow Point with respect to investments, trading and allocations.

COMPENSATION

The Portfolio Managers were compensated by their employing sub-adviser from the fees the Adviser paid the Sub-Adviser using the following compensation structure:

Wells Capital Management Compensation. The compensation structure for Wells Capital Management’s Portfolio Managers includes a competitive fixed base salary plus variable incentives (Wells Capital Management utilizes investment management compensation surveys as confirmation). Incentive bonuses are typically tied to pretax relative investment performance of all accounts under his or her management within acceptable risk parameters. Relative investment performance is generally evaluated for 1, 3, and 5 year performance results, with a predominant weighting on the 3- and 5- year time periods, versus the relevant benchmarks and/or peer groups consistent with the investment style. This evaluation takes into account relative performance of the accounts to each account’s individual benchmark and/or the relative composite performance of all accounts to one or more relevant benchmarks consistent with the overall investment style. In the case of each Fund, the benchmark(s) against which the performance of the Fund’s portfolio may be compared for these purposes generally are indicated in the Performance” sections of the Prospectuses.

Crow Point Compensation. Portfolio managers at Crow Point are paid a fixed salary and participate in the profits of the firm in proportion to their equity ownership in the firm.

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF THE FUND

The following table shows for each Portfolio Manager the dollar value of the Fund beneficially owned by the Portfolio Manager as of October 31, 2011:

Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund

 

Timothy O’Brien

   $10,001-$50,000

Jeffrey Mellas

   none

 

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASES

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

The Governance Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Trustees of the registrant (the “Trust”) has adopted procedures by which a shareholder of any series of the Trust may submit properly a nominee recommendation for the Committee’s consideration.


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The shareholder must submit any such recommendation (a “Shareholder Recommendation”) in writing to the Trust, to the attention of the Trust’s Secretary, at the address of the principal executive offices of the Trust.

The Shareholder Recommendation must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Trust not less than forty-five (45) calendar days nor more than seventy-five (75) calendar days prior to the date of the Committee meeting at which the nominee would be considered.

The Shareholder Recommendation must include: (i) a statement in writing setting forth (A) the name, age, date of birth, business address, residence address and nationality of the person recommended by the shareholder (the “candidate”); (B) the series (and, if applicable, class) and number of all shares of the Trust owned of record or beneficially by the candidate, as reported to such shareholder by the candidate; (C) any other information regarding the candidate called for with respect to director nominees by paragraphs (a), (d), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of Rule 14a-101 (Schedule 14A) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (or the corresponding provisions of any regulation or rule subsequently adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency applicable to the Trust); (D) any other information regarding the candidate that would be required to be disclosed if the candidate were a nominee in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (E) whether the recommending shareholder believes that the candidate is or will be an “interested person” of the Trust (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) and, if not an “interested person,” information regarding the candidate that will be sufficient for the Trust to make such determination; (ii) the written and signed consent of the candidate to be named as a nominee and to serve as a Trustee if elected; (iii) the recommending shareholder’s name as it appears on the Trust’s books; (iv) the series (and, if applicable, class) and number of all shares of the Trust owned beneficially and of record by the recommending shareholder; and (v) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the recommending shareholder and the candidate and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made by the recommending shareholder. In addition, the Committee may require the candidate to interview in person and furnish such other information as it may reasonably require or deem necessary to determine the eligibility of such candidate to serve as a Trustee of the Trust.

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) The President and Treasurer have concluded that the Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund (the “Trust”) disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) provide reasonable assurances that material information relating to the Trust is made known to them by the appropriate persons based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report.

(b) There were no significant changes in the Trust’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the second quarter of the period covered by this report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS

 

(a)(1) Code of Ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 10a.

 

(a)(2) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.

 

(a)(3) Not applicable.

 

(b) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund
  By:   /s/    KARLA M. RABUSCH        
    Karla M. Rabusch
    President
  Date:   December 28, 2011

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

By:   /s/    KARLA M. RABUSCH        
  Karla M. Rabusch
  President
Date:   December 28, 2011
By:   /s/    KASEY L. PHILLIPS        
  Kasey L. Phillips
  Treasurer
Date:   December 28, 2011