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)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: 800-643-9691
Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2011
Date of reporting period: October 31, 2011
ITEM 1. | REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Wells Fargo Advantage
Global Dividend Opportunity Fund
Annual Report
October 31, 2011
Reduce clutter. Save trees.
Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports at www.wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery
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Financial Statements |
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The Fund has filed with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) its chief executive officer certification regarding compliance with the NYSEs 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
2 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Letter to Shareholders |
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 ratessteady 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 meetings statement, the FOMC explained that economic conditionsincluding low rates of resource utilization and a subdued outlook for inflation over the medium runare 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 & Poors, 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 Greeces 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 & Poors. Credit quality ratings apply to underlying holdings of the Fund and not the Fund itself. Standard and Poors 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. |
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 & Poors 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 stocks 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. |
Letter to Shareholders | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 5 |
6 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Letter to Shareholders |
Portfolio of InvestmentsOctober 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 | ||||||||||||
|
|
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Portugal: 1.01% | ||||||||||||
Portugal Telecom SGPS SA ADR (Telecommunication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services) |
618,179 | 4,444,707 | ||||||||||
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Spain: 2.42% | ||||||||||||
Red Electrica de Espana (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
220,000 | 10,598,117 | ||||||||||
|
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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 |
8 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Portfolio of InvestmentsOctober 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 |
Portfolio of InvestmentsOctober 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.
10 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Portfolio of InvestmentsOctober 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% | ||||
|
|
Statement of Assets and LiabilitiesOctober 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 |
$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.
12 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Statement of OperationsYear 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.
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 |
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.
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 (000s 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 Funds 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.
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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds 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.
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 Funds 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.
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 |
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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds 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.
18 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Notes to Financial Statements |
As of October 31, 2011, the inputs used in valuing the Funds 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 Funds Portfolio of Investments.
As of October 31, 2011, the inputs used in valuing the Funds 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) |
$ | 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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds average daily total assets.
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 Funds 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.
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 |
Change in Unrealized
Gains |
|||||||||||
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 Funds 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 Funds 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 transferors 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.
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 Funds 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.
Boston, Massachusetts
December 23, 2011
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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SECs 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.
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 | |||
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 Whartons 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 |
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 | |||
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 Institutes 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. |
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 participants 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 participants 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 Agents 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.
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.
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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 & Companys broker/dealer subsidiaries.
NOT FDIC INSURED ¡ NO BANK GUARANTEE ¡ MAY LOSE VALUE
© 2011 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.
206337 12-11 AGDO/AR142 10-11 |
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 Registrants 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 Funds 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.
(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 Registrants investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant.
(h) |
The Registrants audit committee of the board of directors has determined that non-audit services rendered to the registrants 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
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.
(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 Funds 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 members 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 Funds web site at www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds and on the Securities and Exchange Commissions 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 Trusts 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 Commissions 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 |
| 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 companys 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 |
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 companys 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 companys 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 |
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 corporations 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 |
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; managements 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 |
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 shareholders 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 companys 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 companys 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 corporations 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 companys owners. | FOR |
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 corporations 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 corporations 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 companys 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 proponents 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 companys outstanding voting shares. | FOR |
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 managements counsel interprets as applicable law. | FOR | |
However, amendments that have a material effect on shareholders 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 companys performance and whether the companys 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 companys 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 |
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. |
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 companys 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 companys 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 (DERs) 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 (TSOs) 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 companys 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 companys 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 owners interest. In addition, exercising options can shift the balance of voting power by increasing executive ownership. |
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 companys industry and whether it is justified by the companys 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 companys 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 companys 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 |
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 states 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 companys 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 companys 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 |
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 funds net asset size. Most agreements require that the particular fund pay the advisor a fee constituting a small percentage of the funds average net daily assets. In exchange for this consideration, the investment advisor manages the funds 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 advisors corporate parent. | ||
Fundamental investment restrictions are limitations within a funds 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 funds 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 OBrien,
Mr. OBrien is jointly responsible for managing the Fund, which he has managed since 2007. Mr. OBrien 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.
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 Funds 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 Managements 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 Funds. 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
concurrently for other accounts. It may also happen that the Funds 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 managers or an investment advisors 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 companys Code of Ethics and compliance policies and procedures. Crow Points chief compliance officer monitors and reviews compliance regularly. Crow Points 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 Managements 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 accounts 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 Funds 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 OBrien |
$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 Committees consideration.
The shareholder must submit any such recommendation (a Shareholder Recommendation) in writing to the Trust, to the attention of the Trusts 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 shareholders name as it appears on the Trusts 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 Trusts 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 registrants 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. |
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 |