Filing Details
- Accession Number:
- 0001048703-17-000007
- Form Type:
- 13D Filing
- Publication Date:
- 2017-02-08 16:15:43
- Filed By:
- Karpus Management, Inc.
- Company:
- Madison Covered Call & Equity Strategy Fund (NYSE:MCN)
- Filing Date:
- 2017-02-08
- SEC Url:
- 13D Filing
Ownership Summary
Please notice the below summary table is generated without human intervention and may contain errors. Please refer to the complete filing displayed below for exact figures.
Name | Sole Voting Power | Shared Voting Power | Sole Dispositive Power | Shared Dispositive Power | Aggregate Amount Owned Power | Percent of Class |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Karpus Investment Management | 1,758,216 | 42,685 | 1,758,216 | 42,685 | 1,758,216 | 9.12% |
George W. Karpus | 76,950 | 76,950 | 119,635 | Less than 1% |
Filing
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
§ 240.13d-2(a)
Madison Covered Call & Equity Strategy Fund
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
557437100
(CUSIP Number)
Daniel Lippincott, Senior Tax-Sensitive Manager
Karpus Management, Inc.
d/b/a Karpus Investment Management
183 Sully’s Trail
Pittsford, New York 14534
(585) 586-4680
(Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
(Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
February 8, 2017
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box x.
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
_______________
1 The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
CUSIP NO.
557437100
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
Karpus Investment Management
| ||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) x (b) o | |
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS AF | ||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ¨ | |
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION NEW YORK | ||
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER
1,758,216
| |
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER
-
| ||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,758,216
| ||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-
| ||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,758,216
| ||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | o | |
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
9.12%
| ||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IA |
CUSIP NO.
557437100
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
George W. Karpus
| ||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) x (b) o | |
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS AF | ||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ¨ | |
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION NEW YORK | ||
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER
76,950
| |
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER
42,685
| ||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
76,950
| ||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
42,685
| ||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
119,635
| ||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | o | |
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
Less than 1%
| ||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO |
CUSIP NO.
557437100
Item 1. | Security and Issuer. |
This statement relates to the
Common Stock
of
Madison Covered Call & Equity Strategy Fund
(the "Shares"). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is
Madison Funds, 550 Science Dr., Madison, WI 53711.
CUSIP NO.
557437100
Item 2. | Identity and Background. |
a) This statement is filed by:
- (i) Karpus Management, Inc., d/b/a Karpus Investment Management ("Karpus"); and
(ii) George W. Karpus, the President and CEO of Karpus. Mr. Karpus owns Shares individually and may be deemed the beneficial owner of Shares held by The Karpus Family Foundation, Inc., George W. Karpus IRA Rollover, Karpus Investment Management Profit Sharing Plan Fund C- Growth Common Stock Fund, and Karpus Investment Management Defined Benefit Plan (collectively, the "Karpus Entities").
Each of the foregoing is referred to as a "Reporting Person" and collectively as the "Reporting Persons." Each of the Reporting Persons is party to that certain Joint Filing Agreement as further described in Item 6. Accordingly, the Reporting Persons are hereby filing a joint Schedule 13D.
Set forth on Schedule A annexed hereto ("Schedule A") is the name and present principal business, occupation or employment and the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted of the executive officers and directors of Karpus. To the best of the Reporting Persons' knowledge, except as otherwise set on Schedule A, none of the persons listed on Schedule A beneficially owns any securities of the Issuer or is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding required to be disclosed herein.
(b) The address of the principal office of each of the Reporting Persons is 183 Sully's Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534.
(c) The principal business of Karpus is serving as a registered investment adviser who provides investment management for individuals, pension plans, profit sharing plans, corporations, endowments, trusts, and others. The principal occupation of Mr. Karpus is serving as the President and CEO of Karpus.
(d) No Reporting Person nor any person listed on Schedule A has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
(e) No Reporting Person nor any person listed on Schedule A has, during the last five years, been party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
(f) Karpus is organized under the laws of the State of New York. Mr. Karpus is a citizen of the United States of America.
CUSIP NO.
557437100
Item 3. | Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.. |
Karpus, an independent registered investment advisor, has accumulated
1,758,216
Shares on behalf of accounts that are managed by Karpus (the “Accounts”) under limited powers of attorney, which represents
9.12%
of the outstanding Shares. All funds that have been utilized in making such purchases are from such Accounts.
The aggregate purchase price of the
1,758,216
Shares beneficially owned by Karpus Investment Management is approximately
$13,166,602, excluding brokerage commissions.
The aggregate purchase price of the
119,635
Shares held by Mr. Karpus and the Karpus Entities
is approximately
$865,661, excluding brokerage commissions.
CUSIP NO.
557437100
Item 4. | Purpose of Transaction.. |
Karpus, an indepependent registered investment advisor, with a specialty focus in closed-end funds, believes that the profile of the Issuer fit the investment guidelines for various Accouts. Shares have been acquired since July 10, 2015.
On February 8, 2017, Karpus sent a letter containing a stockholder proposal to terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and Madison Asset Management, LLC. A copy of the letter is attached as Exhibit 99.1.
The Reporting Persons purchased the Shares based on the Reporting Persons' belief that the Shares, when purchased, were undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity. Depending upon overall market conditions, other investment opportunities available to the Reporting Persons, and the availability of Shares at prices that would make the purchase or sale of Shares desirable, the Reporting Persons may endeavor to increase or decrease their position in the Issuer through, among other things, the purchase or sale of Shares on the open market or in private transactions or otherwise, on such terms and at such times as the Reporting Persons may deem advisable.
No Reporting Person has any present plan or proposal which would relate to or result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) - (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D except as set forth herein or such as would occur upon or in connection with completion of, or following, any of the actions discussed herein. The Reporting Persons intend to review their investment in the Issuer on a continuing basis. In addition, Karpus may contact the Issuer with regards to concerns that they have with respect to the Issuer.
CUSIP NO.
557437100
Item 5. | Interest in Securities of the Issuer. |
Item 5(a)-(c) is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:
The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each Reporting Person is based upon
19,268,423
Shares outstanding, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as of
February 8, 2017
as reported in the Issuer’s Certified Shareholder Report of Registered Management Investment Companies on Form N-CSR, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 7, 2016
.
CUSIP NO.
557437100
Item 6. | Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer. |
On February 8, 2017, Karpus sent a 14a-8 shareholder propsal to the Fund, referenced in Item 4, above, and attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
On February 8, 2017, the Reporting Persons entered into a Joint Filing Agreement in which the Reporting Persons agreed to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13D with respect to the securities of the Issuer to the extent required by applicable law. The Joint Filing Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.
CUSIP NO.
557437100
SCHEDULE A
Executive Officers & Directors of Karpus Management, Inc., d/b/a Karpus Investment Management
Name | Position & Present Principal Occupation | Business Address | Shares Owned |
George W. Karpus | President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board | 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 | See Above |
Kathleen Finnerty Crane | Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer | 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 |
0
Shares |
Dana R. Consler | Executive Vice President | 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 |
640
Shares |
Thomas M. Duffy | Vice President | 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 |
0
Shares |
Sharon L. Thornton | Senior Director of Investments | 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 |
0
Shares |
Daniel L. Lippincott | Sr. Tax-Sensitive Manager and Director of Investment Personnel | 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 |
0
Shares |
CUSIP NO.
557437100
SCHEDULE B
Transactions in the Shares over the last 60 days.
Nature of the Transaction | Securities Purchased/(Sold) | Price Per Share($) | Date of Purchase / Sale |
KARPUS MANAGEMENT, INC., D/B/A/ KARPUS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
(THROUGH THE ACCOUNTS)
(THROUGH THE ACCOUNTS)
Purchase of Common Stock
|
5,125
|
$7.92
|
12/8/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
3,500
|
$7.94
|
12/9/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
14,615
|
$7.95
|
12/12/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
15,041
|
$7.97
|
12/13/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
6,727
|
$7.76
|
12/14/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
8,907
|
$7.77
|
12/15/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
10,650
|
$7.73
|
12/16/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
52,719
|
$7.76
|
12/19/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
7,823
|
$7.75
|
12/20/2016
|
Sale of Common Stock
|
(4,839)
|
$7.74
|
12/21/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
6,800
|
$7.75
|
12/22/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
14,100
|
$7.72
|
12/23/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
18,262
|
$7.73
|
12/27/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
13,524
|
$7.71
|
12/28/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
35,719
|
$7.67
|
12/29/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
27,208
|
$7.66
|
12/30/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
27,110
|
$7.69
|
1/3/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
18,886
|
$7.73
|
1/4/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
1,579
|
$7.75
|
1/5/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
5,801
|
$7.78
|
1/6/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
5,100
|
$7.84
|
1/10/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
200
|
$7.80
|
1/11/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
351
|
$7.76
|
1/12/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
6,584
|
$7.80
|
1/13/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
1,557
|
$7.80
|
1/17/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
7,760
|
$7.78
|
1/18/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
260
|
$7.77
|
1/19/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
2,452
|
$7.79
|
1/20/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
900
|
$7.79
|
1/23/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
2,787
|
$7.86
|
1/24/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
6,110
|
$7.87
|
1/25/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
5,713
|
$7.90
|
1/26/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
6,967
|
$7.90
|
1/27/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
6,890
|
$7.85
|
1/30/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
5,434
|
$7.86
|
1/31/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
5,585
|
$7.86
|
2/1/2017
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
3,394
|
$7.87
|
2/2/2017
|
|
THE KARPUS ENTITIES
Purchase of Common Stock
|
4,885
|
$7.95
|
12/12/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
3,175
|
$7.73
|
12/16/2016
|
Purchase of Common Stock
|
13,000
|
$7.67
|
12/29/2016
|
EXHIBIT 99.1
14a-8 Shareholder Proposal Sent to the Fund on February 8, 2017
U.S. Bank N.A. Letter
Cede & Co. Letter
EXHIBIT 99.2
Joint Filing Agreement
KARPUS MANAGEMENT, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Daniel Lippincott | ||
Name: | Daniel Lippincott | ||
Title: | Director of Investment Personnel and Sr. Tax-Sensitive Portfolio Manager |
/s/ George W. Karpus | |
GEORGE W. KARPUS |