$100,000,000

NXG Cushing^® Midstream Energy Fund

Common Shares
Subscription Rights for Common Shares

Statement of Additional Information

NXG Cushing^® Midstream Energy Fund (formerly, The Cushing^® MLP & Infrastructure Total Return Fund) (the “Fund”) was formed as a Delaware statutory trust on May 23, 2007 and is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to obtain a high after-tax total return from a combination of capital appreciation and current income. No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the prospectus for the Fund dated November 13, 2023 (the “Prospectus”). Investors should obtain and read the Prospectus prior to purchasing common shares. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained, without charge, by calling the Fund at (855) 862-6092.

The Prospectus and this SAI omit certain of the information contained in the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The registration statement may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s office or via its website (www.sec.gov) at no charge. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.

The Fund is managed by Cushing^® Asset Management, LP d/b/a NXG Investment Management (the “Investment Adviser”).

This Statement of Additional Information is dated November 13, 2023.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE FUND

The Fund was formed as a Delaware statutory trust on May 23, 2007 and is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund commenced investment operations on August 27, 2007.

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

The sections below describe, in greater detail than in the Prospectus, some of the different types of investments that may be made by the Fund and the investment practices in which the Fund may engage. The Fund may make the following investments, among others, some of which are part of its principal investment strategies and some of which are not. The principal risks of the Fund’s principal investment strategies are discussed in the Prospectus and the Annual Report. The Fund may not buy all of the types of securities or use all of the investment techniques that are described.

Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions to earn a return on temporarily available cash. A repurchase agreement is a short-term investment in which the purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires ownership of a security and the seller agrees to repurchase the obligation at a future time and set price, thereby determining the yield during the holding period. Repurchase agreements involve certain risks in the event of default by the other party. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions deemed to be creditworthy by the Investment Adviser under guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees. The Fund does not bear the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security unless the seller defaults under its repurchase obligation. In the event of the bankruptcy or other default of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying securities and losses including: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto; (b) possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

Repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by the underlying securities and are considered to be loans under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays for such securities only upon physical delivery or evidence of book entry transfer to the account of a custodian or bank acting as agent. The seller under a repurchase agreement will be required to maintain the value of the underlying securities marked-to-market daily at not less than the repurchase price. The underlying securities (normally securities of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) may have maturity dates exceeding one year.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

A reverse repurchase agreement involves the sale of a portfolio-eligible security by the Fund, coupled with its agreement to repurchase the instrument at a specified time and price. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund continues to receive any principal and interest payments on the underlying security during the term of the agreement. The Fund typically will segregate cash and/or liquid securities equal (on a daily mark-to-market basis) to its obligations under reverse repurchase agreements. However, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of securities retained by the Fund may decline below the repurchase price of the securities sold by the Fund which it is obligated to repurchase. To the extent that positions in reverse repurchase agreements are not covered through the segregation of cash and/or liquid securities at least equal to the amount of any purchase commitment, such transactions would be subject to the Fund’s limitations on borrowings.

Rights and Warrants

Warrants are in effect longer-term call options. They give the holder the right to purchase a given number of shares of a particular company at specified prices within certain periods of time. Rights are similar to warrants except that they have a substantially shorter term. The purchaser of a warrant expects that the market price of the security will exceed the purchase price of the warrant plus the exercise price of the warrant, thus producing a profit. Of course, since the market price may never exceed the exercise price before the expiration date of the warrant, the purchaser of the warrant risks the loss of the entire purchase price of the warrant. Warrants generally trade in the open market and may be sold rather than exercised.

Warrants are sometimes sold in unit form with other securities of an issuer. Units of warrants and common stock may be employed in financing young, unseasoned companies. The purchase price of a warrant varies with the exercise price of the warrant, the current market value of the underlying security, the life of the warrant and various other investment factors. Rights and warrants may be considered more speculative and less liquid than certain other types of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities nor do they represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company and may lack a secondary market.

Depositary Receipts

Non-U.S. securities include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and other similar global instruments. ADRs typically are issued by an American bank or trust company and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a non-U.S. corporation. EDRs, which are sometimes referred to as Continental Depositary Receipts, are receipts issued in Europe, typically by non-U.S. banks and trust companies, that evidence ownership of either non-U.S. or domestic underlying securities. GDRs are depositary receipts structured like global debt issues to facilitate trading on an international basis. Unsponsored ADR, EDR and GDR programs are organized independently and without the cooperation of the issuer of the underlying securities. As a result, available information concerning the issuer may not be as current as for sponsored ADRs, EDRs and GDRs, and the prices of unsponsored ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be more volatile than if such instruments were sponsored by the issuer. Investments in ADRs, EDRs and GDRs present additional investment considerations of non-U.S. securities.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions

The Fund may purchase and sell portfolio securities on a when-issued and delayed delivery basis. No income accrues to the Fund on securities in connection with such purchase transactions prior to the date the Fund actually takes delivery of such securities. These transactions are subject to market fluctuation; the value of the securities at delivery may be more or less than their purchase price, and yields generally available on comparable securities when delivery occurs may be higher or lower than yields on the securities obtained pursuant to such transactions. Because the Fund relies on the buyer or seller, as the case may be, to consummate the transaction, failure by the other party to complete the transaction may result in the Fund missing the opportunity of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. When the Fund is the buyer in such a transaction, however, it will segregate cash and/or liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of such purchase commitments until payment is made unless the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction and the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date, in which case the transaction will be treated as a derivatives transaction in accordance with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Derivatives Rule”). The Fund will make commitments to purchase securities on such basis only with the intention of actually acquiring these securities, but the Fund may sell such securities prior to the settlement date if such sale is considered to be advisable. To the extent the Fund engages in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions, it will do so for the purpose of acquiring securities for the Fund’s portfolio consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies and not for the purpose of investment leverage.

Since the market value of both the securities or currency subject to the commitment and the securities or currency held as segregated assets may fluctuate, the use of commitments may magnify the impact of interest rate changes on the Fund’s net asset value. A commitment sale is covered if the Fund owns or has the right to acquire the underlying securities or currency subject to the commitment. A commitment sale is for cross-hedging purposes if it is not covered, but is designed to provide a hedge against a decline in value of a security or currency which the Fund owns or has the right to acquire. By entering into a commitment sale transaction, the Fund foregoes or reduces the potential for both gain and loss in the security which is being hedged by the commitment sale.

Short Sales Against the Box

The Fund may from time to time make short sales of securities it owns or has the right to acquire. A short sale is “against the box” to the extent that the Fund contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain at no added cost securities identical to those sold short. In a short sale, the Fund does not immediately deliver the securities sold and does not receive the proceeds from the sale. The Fund is required to recognize gain from the short sale for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the time it enters into the short sale, even though it does not receive the sales proceeds until it delivers the securities. The Fund is said to have a short position in the securities sold until it delivers such securities at which time it receives the proceeds of the sale. The Fund may close out a short position by purchasing and delivering an equal amount of the securities sold short, rather than by delivering securities already held by the Fund, because the Fund may want to continue to receive interest and dividend payments on securities in its portfolio.

STRATEGIC TRANSACTIONS

The Fund may, but is not required to, use various investment strategies as described below (“Strategic Transactions”). Strategic Transactions may be used for a variety of purposes including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Any or all of the investment techniques described herein may be used at any time and there is no particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather than another, as the use of any Strategic Transaction by the Fund is a function of numerous variables including market conditions. The Fund complies with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing Strategic Transactions, including the Derivatives Rule. Although the Investment Adviser seeks to use Strategic Transactions to further the Fund’s investment objective, no assurance can be given that the use of Strategic Transactions will achieve this result.

General Risks of Derivatives

Strategic Transactions may involve the purchase and sale of derivative instruments. A derivative is a financial instrument the value of which depends upon (or derives from) the value of another asset, security, interest rate, or index. Derivatives may relate to a wide variety of underlying instruments, including equity and debt securities, indexes, interest rates, currencies and other assets. Certain derivative instruments which the Fund may use and the risks of those instruments are described in further detail below. The Fund may in the future also utilize derivatives techniques, instruments and strategies that may be newly developed or permitted as a result of regulatory changes, consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. Such newly developed techniques, instruments and strategies may involve risks different than or in addition to those described herein. No assurance can be given that any derivatives strategy employed by the Fund will be successful.

The risks associated with the use of derivatives are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the instruments underlying such derivatives. Derivatives are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from other portfolio investments. The use of derivative instruments requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the derivative itself. Certain risk factors generally applicable to derivative transactions are described below.

Options

An option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right, but not the obligation, to buy from (in the case of a call option) or sell to (in the case of a put option) the seller of the option (the “option writer”) the underlying security at a specified fixed price (the “exercise price”) prior to a specified date (the “expiration date”). The buyer of the option pays to the option writer the option premium, which represents the purchase price of the option.

Exchange-traded options are issued by a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”), which guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties to such option. OTC options are purchased from or sold to counterparties through direct bilateral agreement between the counterparties. Certain options, such as options on individual securities, are settled through physical delivery of the underlying security, whereas other options, such as index options, are settled in cash in an amount based on the value of the underlying instrument multiplied by a specified multiplier.

Writing Options. The Fund may write call and put options. As the writer of a call option, the Fund receives the premium from the purchaser of the option and has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price. If the option expires without being exercised the Fund is not required to deliver the underlying security but retains the premium received.

The Fund may write call options that are “covered.” A call option on a security is covered if (a) the Fund owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by the Fund; or (b) the Fund has purchased a call on the underlying security, the exercise price of which is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written.

Selling call options involves the risk that the Fund may be required to sell the underlying security at a disadvantageous price, below the market price of such security, at the time the option is exercised. As the writer of a covered call option, the Fund gives up the opportunity during the option’s life to profit from increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but the Fund retains the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline.

The Fund may also write uncovered call options (i.e., where the Fund does not own the underlying security or index). Similar to a naked short sale, writing an uncovered call creates the risk of an unlimited loss, in that the price of the underlying security could theoretically increase without limit, thus increasing the cost of buying those securities to cover the call option if it is exercised before it expires. There can be no assurance that the securities necessary to cover the call option will be available for purchase. Purchasing securities to cover an uncovered call option can itself cause the price of the securities to rise, further exacerbating the loss.

The Fund may write put options. As the writer of a put option, the Fund receives the premium from the purchaser of the option and has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to pay the exercise price and receive delivery of the underlying security. If the option expires without being exercised, the Fund is not required to receive the underlying security in exchange for the exercise price but retains the option premium.

The Fund may write put options that are “covered.” A put option on a security is covered if the Fund has purchased a put on the same security as the put written, the exercise price of which is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written.

Selling put options involves the risk that the Fund may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price, above the market price of such security, at the time the option is exercised. While the Fund’s potential gain in writing a covered put option is limited to the premium received, the Fund’s risk of loss is equal to the entire value of the underlying security, offset only by the amount of the premium received.

The Fund may also write uncovered put options. The seller of an uncovered put option theoretically could lose an amount equal to the entire aggregate exercise price of the option if the underlying security were to become valueless.

The Fund may close out an options position which it has written through a closing purchase transaction. The Fund would execute a closing purchase transaction with respect to a call option written by purchasing a call option on the same underlying security and having the same exercise price and expiration date as the call option written by the Fund. The Fund would execute a closing purchase transaction with respect to a put option written by purchasing a put option on the same underlying security and having the same exercise price and expiration date as the put option written by the Fund. A closing purchase transaction may or may not result in a profit to the Fund. The Fund could close out its position as an option writer only if a liquid secondary market exists for options of that series and there is no assurance that such a market will exist with respect to any particular option.

The writer of an option generally has no control over the time when the option is exercised and the option writer is required to deliver or acquire the underlying security. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option. Thus, the use of options may require the Fund to buy or sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than the current market values of such securities, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on an investment, or may cause the Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell.

Purchasing Options. The Fund may purchase call and put options. As the buyer of a call option, the Fund pays the premium to the option writer and has the right to purchase the underlying security from the option writer at the exercise price. If the market price of the underlying security rises above the exercise price, the Fund could exercise the option and acquire the underlying security at a below market price, which could result in a gain to the Fund, minus the premium paid. As the buyer of a put option, the Fund pays the premium to the option writer and has the right to sell the underlying security to the option writer at the exercise price. If the market price of the underlying security declines below the exercise price, the Fund could exercise the option and sell the underlying security at an above market price, which could result in a gain to the Fund, minus the premium paid. The Fund may buy call and put options whether or not it holds the underlying securities.

As a buyer of a call or put option, the Fund may sell put or call options that it has purchased at any time prior to such option’s expiration date through a closing sale transaction. The principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price of the underlying security in relation to the exercise price of the option, the volatility of the underlying security, the underlying security’s dividend policy, and the time remaining until the expiration date. A closing sale transaction may or may not result in a profit to the Fund. The Fund’s ability to initiate a closing sale transaction is dependent upon the liquidity of the options market and there is no assurance that such a market will exist with respect to any particular option. If the Fund does not exercise or sell an option prior to its expiration date, the option expires and becomes worthless.

OTC Options. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size and strike price, the terms of OTC options generally are established through negotiation between the parties to the options contract. This type of arrangement allows the purchaser and writer greater flexibility to tailor the option to their needs. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities or baskets of securities, and in a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than exchange-traded options. However, unlike exchange-traded options, which are issued and guaranteed by a regulated intermediary, such as the OCC, OTC options are entered into directly with the counterparty. Unless the counterparties provide for it, there is no central clearing or guaranty function for an OTC option. Therefore, OTC options are subject to the risk of default or non-performance by the counterparty. Accordingly, the Investment Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of the counterparty to determine the likelihood that the terms of the option will be satisfied. There can be no assurance that a continuous liquid secondary market will exist for any particular OTC option at any specific time. As a result, the Fund may be unable to enter into closing sale transactions with respect to OTC options.

Index Options. Call and put options on indices operate similarly to options on securities. Rather than the right to buy or sell a single security at a specified price, options on an index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash determined by reference to the value of the underlying index. The underlying index may be a broad-based index or a narrower market index. Unlike options on securities, all settlements are in cash. The settlement amount, which the writer of an index option must pay to the holder of the option upon exercise, is generally equal to the difference between the fixed exercise price of the option and the value of the underlying index, multiplied by a specified multiplier. The multiplier determines the size of the investment position the option represents. Gain or loss to the Fund on index options transactions will depend on price movements in the underlying securities market generally or in a particular segment of the market rather than price movements of individual securities. As with other options, the Fund may close out its position in index options through closing purchase transactions and closing sale transactions provided that a liquid secondary market exists for such options.

Index options written by the Fund may be covered in a manner similar to the covering of other types of options, by holding an offsetting financial position. The Fund may cover call options written on an index by owning securities whose price changes, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, are expected to correlate to those of the underlying index.

Foreign Currency Options. Options on foreign currencies operate similarly to options on securities. Rather than the right to buy or sell a single security at a specified price, options on foreign currencies give the holder the right to buy or sell foreign currency for a fixed amount in U.S. dollars. Options on foreign currencies are traded primarily in the OTC market, but may also be traded on United States and foreign exchanges. The value of a foreign currency option is dependent upon the value of the underlying foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The price of the option may vary with changes in the value of either or both currencies and has no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security. Options on foreign currencies are affected by all of those factors which influence foreign exchange rates and foreign investment generally. As with other options, the Fund may close out its position in foreign currency options through closing purchase transactions and closing sale transactions provided that a liquid secondary market exists for such options. Foreign currency options written by the Fund may be covered in a manner similar to the covering of other types of options, by holding an offsetting financial position.

Additional Risks of Options Transactions. The risks associated with options transactions are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying instruments. Options are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. The use of options requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the option itself. Options may be subject to the risk factors generally applicable to derivatives transactions described herein, and may also be subject to certain additional risk factors, including:

Futures Contracts

A futures contract is a standardized agreement between two parties to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specific price at a specific future time (the “settlement date”). Futures contracts may be based on a specified equity security (securities futures), a specified debt security or reference rate (interest rate futures), the value of a specified securities index (index futures) or the value of a foreign currency (forward contracts and currency futures). The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of the underlying instrument. The buyer of a futures contract agrees to purchase the underlying instrument on the settlement date and is said to be “long” the contract. The seller of a futures contract agrees to sell the underlying instrument on the settlement date and is said to be “short” the contract. Futures contracts differ from options in that they are bilateral agreements, with both the purchaser and the seller equally obligated to complete the transaction. Futures contracts call for settlement only on the expiration date and cannot be “exercised” at any other time during their term.

Depending on the terms of the particular contract, futures contracts are settled through either physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date (such as in the case of securities futures and interest rate futures based on a specified debt security) or by payment of a cash settlement amount on the settlement date (such as in the case of futures contracts relating to interest rates, foreign currencies and broad-based securities indexes). In the case of cash settled futures contracts, the settlement amount is equal to the difference between the reference instrument’s price on the last trading day of the contract and the reference instrument’s price at the time the contract was entered into. Most futures contracts, particularly futures contracts requiring physical delivery, are not held until the settlement date, but instead are offset before the settlement date through the establishment of an opposite and equal futures position (buying a contract that had been sold, or selling a contract that had been purchased). All futures transactions (except currency forward contracts) are effected through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the futures are traded.

The buyer and seller of a futures contract are not required to deliver or pay for the underlying commodity unless the contract is held until the settlement date. However, both the buyer and seller are required to deposit “initial margin” with a futures commodities merchant when the futures contract is entered into. Initial margin deposits are typically calculated as a percentage of the contract’s market value. If the value of either party’s position declines, the party will be required to make additional “variation margin” payments to settle the change in value on a daily basis. The process is known as “marking-to-market.” Upon the closing of a futures position through the establishment of an offsetting position, a final determination of variation margin will be made and additional cash will be paid by or released to the Fund.

Currency Forward Contracts and Currency Futures. A foreign currency forward contract is a negotiated agreement between two parties to exchange specified amounts of two or more currencies at a specified future time at a specified rate. The rate specified by the forward contract can be higher or lower than the spot rate between the currencies that are the subject of the contract. Settlement of a foreign currency forward contract for the purchase of most currencies typically must occur at a bank based in the issuing nation. Currency futures are similar to currency forward contracts, except that they are traded on an exchange and standardized as to contract size and delivery date. Most currency futures call for payment or delivery in U.S. dollars. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in losses to the Fund and poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into forward contracts.

Options on Futures Contracts. Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities except that options on futures contracts give the purchasers the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position in the case of a call option and a short position in the case of a put option) at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the parties will be subject to all of the risks associated with futures transactions and subject to margin requirements. As the writer of options on futures contracts, the Fund would also be subject to initial and variation margin requirements on the option position.

Options on futures contracts written by the Fund may be covered in a manner similar to the covering of other types of options, by holding an offsetting financial position. The Fund may cover an option on a futures contract by purchasing or selling the underlying futures contract. In such instances the exercise of the option will serve to close out the Fund’s futures position.

Additional Risks of Futures Transactions. The risks associated with futures contract transactions are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying instruments. Futures are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. The use of futures requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the futures contract itself. Futures may be subject to the risk factors generally applicable to derivatives transactions described herein, and may also be subject to certain additional risk factors, including:

Swap Contracts and Related Derivative Instruments

A swap contract is an agreement between two parties pursuant to which the parties exchange payments at specified dates on the basis of a specified notional amount, with the payments calculated by reference to specified securities, indexes, reference rates, currencies or other instruments. Most swap agreements provide that when the period payment dates for both parties are the same, the payments are made on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with only the net amount paid by one party to the other). The Fund’s obligations or rights under a swap contract entered into on a net basis will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement, based on the relative values of the positions held by each counterparty. Swap agreements are not entered into or traded on exchanges and there is no central clearing or guaranty function for swaps. Therefore, swaps are subject to the risk of default or non-performance by the counterparty. Accordingly, the Investment Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of the counterparty to determine the likelihood that the terms of the swap will be satisfied.

Swap agreements allow for a wide variety of transactions. For example, fixed rate payments may be exchanged for floating rate payments, U.S. dollar denominated payments may be exchanged for payments denominated in foreign currencies, and payments tied to the price of one security, index, reference rate, currency or other instrument may be exchanged for payments tied to the price of a different security, index, reference rate, currency or other instrument. Swap contracts are typically individually negotiated and structured to provide exposure to a variety of particular types of investments or market factors. Swap contracts can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names. To the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies, the Fund is not limited to any particular form or variety of swap contract. The Fund may utilize swaps to increase or decrease their exposure to the underlying instrument, reference rate, foreign currency, market index or other asset. The Fund may also enter into related derivative instruments including caps, floors and collars.

Interest Rate Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars. Interest rate swaps consist of an agreement between two parties to exchange their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments). Interest rate swaps are generally entered into on a net basis.

The Fund may also buy or sell interest rate caps, floors and collars. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a specified notional amount from the party selling the interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a specified notional amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. A collar is a combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rate of values. Caps, floors and collars may be less liquid that other types of swaps.

Index Swaps. An index swap consists of an agreement between two parties in which a party exchanges a cash flow based on a notional amount of a reference index for a cash flow based on a different index or on another specified instrument or reference rate. Index swaps are generally entered into on a net basis.

Currency Swaps. A currency swap consists of an agreement between two parties to exchange cash flows on a notional amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value differential among them, such as exchanging a right to receive a payment in foreign currency for the right to receive U.S. dollars. Currency swap agreements may be entered into on a net basis or may involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the entire principal value of another designated currency. In such cases, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the counterparty will default on its contractual delivery obligations.

Credit Default Swaps. The Fund may enter into credit default swap contracts and options thereon. A credit default swap consists of an agreement between two parties in which the “buyer” agrees to pay to the “seller” a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract and the seller agrees to pay the buyer the par value (or other agreed-upon value ) of a referenced debt obligation upon the occurrence of a credit event with respect to the issuer of the referenced debt obligation. Generally, a credit event means bankruptcy, failure to pay, obligation acceleration or modified restructuring. The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in a credit default swap. As the buyer in a credit default swap, the Fund would pay to the counterparty the periodic stream of payments. If no default occurs, the Fund would receive no benefit from the contract. As the seller in a credit default swap, the Fund would receive the stream of payments but would be subject to exposure on the notional amount of the swap, which it would be required to pay in the event of default. The use of credit default swaps could result in losses to the Fund if the Investment Adviser fails to correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the issuer of the referenced debt obligation.

Inflation Swaps. Inflation swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to pay the cumulative percentage increase in a price index, such as the Consumer Price Index, over the term of the swap (with some lag on the referenced inflation index), and the other party pays a compounded fixed rate. Inflation swap agreements may be used to protect the net asset value of the Fund against an unexpected change in the rate of inflation measured by an inflation index. The value of inflation swap agreements is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If nominal interest rates increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates may rise, leading to a decrease in value of an inflation swap agreement.

Swaptions. An option on a swap agreement, also called a “swaption,” is an option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a future date in exchange for paying a market based “premium.” A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. Swaptions also include options that allow an existing swap to be terminated or extended by one of the counterparties.

General Risks of Swaps. The risks associated with swap transactions are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying instruments. Swaps are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. The use of swaps requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the swap contract itself. Swap transactions may be subject to the risk factors generally applicable to derivatives transactions described above, and may also be subject to certain additional risk factors, including:

Structured Products

The Fund also may invest a portion of its assets in structured notes and other types of structured investments (referred to collectively as “structured products”). A structured note is a derivative security for which the amount of principal repayment and/or interest payments is based on the movement of one or more “factors.” These factors include, but are not limited to, currency exchange rates, interest rates (such as the prime lending rate or SOFR), referenced bonds and stock indices. The cash flow or rate of return on a structured note may be determined by applying a multiplier to the rate of total return on the referenced factor. Application of a multiplier is comparable to the use of financial leverage, a speculative technique. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. As a result, a relatively small decline in the value of the referenced factor could result in a relatively large loss in the value of a structured note.

Investments in structured notes involve risks including interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. Where the Fund’s investments in structured notes are based upon the movement of one or more factors, including currency exchange rates, interest rates, referenced bonds and stock indices, depending on the factor used and the use of multipliers or deflators, changes in interest rates and movement of the factor may cause significant price fluctuations. Additionally, changes in the reference factor may cause the interest rate on the structured note to be reduced to zero and any further changes in the reference factor may then reduce the principal amount payable on maturity. Structured notes may be less liquid than other types of securities and more volatile than the reference factor underlying the note.

Generally, structured investments are interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of underlying investment interests or securities. These investment entities may be structured as trusts or other types of pooled investment vehicles. This type of restructuring generally involves the deposit with or purchase by an entity of the underlying investments and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of securities backed by, or representing interests in, the underlying investments. The cash flow or rate of return on the underlying investments may be apportioned among the newly issued securities to create different investment characteristics, such as varying maturities, credit quality, payment priorities and interest rate provisions. The Fund may have the right to receive payments to which it is entitled only from the structured investment, and generally does not have direct rights against the issuer. Holders of structured investments bear risks of the underlying investment and are subject to counterparty risk. While certain structured investment vehicles enable the investor to acquire interests in a pool of securities without the brokerage and other expenses associated with directly holding the same securities, investors in structured investment vehicles generally pay their share of the investment vehicle’s administrative and other expenses.

Certain structured products may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing the Fund’s illiquidity to the extent that the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for these securities.

Combined Transactions

Combined transactions involve entering into multiple derivatives transactions (such as multiple options transactions, including purchasing and writing options in combination with each other; multiple futures transactions; and combinations of options, futures, forward and swap transactions) instead of a single derivatives transaction in order to customize the risk and return characteristics of the overall position. Combined transactions typically contain elements of risk that are present in each of the component transactions. The Fund may enter into a combined transaction instead of a single derivatives transaction when, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, it is in the best interest of the Fund to do so. Because combined transactions involve multiple transactions, they may result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to close out.

Regulatory Matters

The Derivatives Rule permits the Fund to enter into derivatives transactions and certain other transactions notwithstanding the restrictions on the issuance of “senior securities” under Section 18 of the 1940 Act. The Derivatives Rule requires registered investment companies that enter into derivatives transactions and certain other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations to, among other things, (i) comply with a value-at-risk leverage limit, and (ii) adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program, unless the Fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” which the Derivatives Rule defines as a fund that limits its derivatives exposure (excluding certain derivative transactions used to hedge currency and interest rate risks) to 10% of its net assets. The Derivatives Rule requires a limited derivatives user to adopt policies and procedures to manage its aggregate derivatives risk. The Fund currently qualifies, and intends to continue to qualify, as a limited derivatives user and has adopted policies and procedures designed to manage its derivatives risk in accordance with the Derivatives Rule. In the event that the Fund no longer qualifies as a limited derivatives user, the Fund will comply with the value-at-risk leverage limit and adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program in accordance with the Derivatives Rule.

In addition, each of the exchanges and other trading facilitates on which options are traded has established limitations on the maximum number of put or call options on a given underlying security that may be written by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are written on different exchanges or through one or more brokers. These position limits may restrict the number of listed options which the Fund may write. Option positions of all investment companies advised by the Investment Adviser are combined for purposes of these limits. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits and may impose certain other sanctions or restrictions.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Fund operates under the following restrictions that constitute fundamental policies that, except as otherwise noted, cannot be changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund voting together as a single class, which is defined by the 1940 Act as the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the Fund’s voting securities present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. Except as otherwise noted, all percentage limitations set forth below apply immediately after a purchase or initial investment and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market fluctuations does not require any action. These restrictions provide that the Fund shall not:

The rest of the Fund’s investment policies, including the Fund’s investment objective and percentage parameters described in the Fund’s Prospectus, are not fundamental policies of the Fund and may be changed without shareholder approval.

With respect to investment restriction #2 above:

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of the Fund provides broad oversight over the operations and affairs of the Fund and protects the interests of shareholders. The Board of Trustees of the Fund has overall responsibility for monitoring the operations of the Fund and for supervising the services provided by the Investment Adviser and other organizations. The officers of the Fund are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Fund.

The names and ages of the Trustees and officers of the Fund, the year each was first elected or appointed to office, their principal business occupations during the last five years, the number of funds overseen by each Trustee and other directorships or trusteeships during the last five years are shown below. The business address of the Fund, its Trustees and officers is 600 N. Pearl Street, Suite 1205, Dallas, Texas 75201.

Trustee Qualifications

The Board of Trustees has determined that each Trustee should serve as such based on several factors (none of which alone is decisive). Among the factors the Board of Trustees considered when concluding that an individual should serve on the Board of Trustees were the following: (i) availability and commitment to attend meetings and perform the responsibilities of a Trustee, (ii) personal and professional background, (iii) educational background, (iv) financial expertise, and (v) ability, judgment, attributes and expertise. In respect of each current Trustee, the individual’s professional accomplishments and prior experience, including, in some cases, in fields related to the operations of the Fund, were a significant factor in the determination that the individual should serve as a trustee of the Fund.

Following is a summary of various qualifications, experiences and skills of each Trustee (in addition to business experience during the past five years as set forth in the table above) that contributed to the Board of Trustee’s conclusion that an individual should serve on the Board of Trustees. References to the qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees do not constitute the holding out of any Trustee as being an expert under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”) or the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Brian R. Bruce. Mr. Bruce has served as a Trustee of the Fund since the Fund’s inception, and has served as a Trustee of the portfolios in the Fund Complex since 2007. Through his experience as a Trustee of and Chairman of the Audit Committee of funds in the Fund Complex and certain other registered investment companies, as a professor at Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business and Director of the ENCAP Investments & LCM Group Alternative Asset Management Center and as a chief executive officer, and formerly chief investment officer, of investment management firms, Mr. Bruce is experienced in financial, accounting, regulatory and investment matters.

Andrea N. Mullins. Ms. Mullins has served as a Trustee of funds in the Fund Complex since 2021 and since 2021 has served as Chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Mullins has served as a trustee of a family of investment companies since 2013. Through her experience as a Trustee of funds in the Fund Complex and Chair of the Audit Committee of funds in the Fund Complex and her former positions in senior financial roles at asset management companies, her service as a trustee of other investment companies, including as a member of the audit and pricing committees and her experience as an independent contractor with a registered investment adviser, Ms. Mullins is experienced in financial, accounting, regulatory and investment matters.

Ronald P. Trout. Mr. Trout has served as a Trustee of funds in the Fund Complex since 2007. Through his experience as a Trustee of and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of funds in the Fund Complex, as founding partner and senior vice president of an investment management firm and his service on the board of a publicly traded natural resources company, Mr. Trout is experienced in financial, regulatory and investment matters.

John H. Alban. Mr. Alban has served as a Trustee of funds in the Fund Complex since January 2023. Through his former positions as the Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Adviser from 2019-2022 and as Chief Operating Officer of the Investment Adviser from 2010-2019 and his experience as Chief Executive Officer and President of funds in the Fund complex from 2021-2022, Mr. Alban is experienced in financial, regulatory and investment matters.

Board Leadership Structure

The primary responsibility of the Board is to represent the interests of the Funds and to provide oversight of the management of the Funds. The Funds’ day-to-day operations are managed by the Adviser and other service providers who have been approved by the Board. The Board is currently comprised of four Trustees, three of whom are classified under the 1940 Act as “non-interested” persons of the Funds and one of whom is classified as an “interested person” of the Funds. Generally, the Board acts by majority vote of all the Trustees, including a majority vote of the Independent Trustees, if required by applicable law.

An Independent Trustee, Mr. Brian R Bruce, currently serves as Chair of the Board. The Chair of the Board presides at meetings of the Board and acts as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys and other Trustees generally between meetings, and performs such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time.

The Board meets regularly meets four times each year to discuss and consider matters concerning the Fund, and also holds special meetings to address matters arising between regular meetings. Regular meetings generally take place in-person; other meetings may take place in-person or by telephone. The Independent Trustees are advised by independent legal counsel and regularly meet outside the presence of Fund management.

The Trustees have determined that the efficient conduct of the Trustees’ affairs makes it desirable to delegate responsibility for certain specific matters to committees of the Board. The committees meet as often as necessary, either in conjunction with regular meetings of the Board or otherwise. The committees of the Board are the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (each a “Committee”). The functions and role of each Committee are described below under “—Board Committees.” The membership of each Committee consists of all of the Independent Trustees, which the Board believes allows them to participate in the full range of the Board’s oversight duties.

The Board has determined that this leadership structure, including a Chairman of the Board who is an Independent Trustee, a supermajority of Independent Trustees and Committee membership limited to Independent Trustees, is appropriate in light of the characteristics and circumstances of the Fund. In reaching this conclusion, the Board considered, among other things, the role of the Investment Adviser in the day-to-day management of Fund affairs, the extent to which the work of the Board will be conducted through the Committees, the projected net assets of the Fund and the management, distribution and other service arrangements of the Fund. The Board also believes that its structure, including the presence of one Trustee who is or was previously an executive officer of the Investment Adviser, facilitates an efficient flow of information concerning the management of the Fund to the Independent Trustees.

Board Committees

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Brian R. Bruce, Ronald P. Trout and Andrea N. Mullins, who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, serve on the Fund’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Ronald P. Trout serves as chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. As part of its duties, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee makes recommendations to the full Board with respect to candidates for the Board in the event that a position is vacated or created. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee would consider Trustee candidates recommended by Shareholders if a vacancy were to exist. Such recommendations should be forwarded to the Secretary of the Fund. In considering candidates submitted by Shareholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will take into consideration the needs of the Board and the qualifications of the candidate.

Audit Committee. Brian R. Bruce, Andrea N. Mullins and Ronald P. Trout, who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, serve on the Fund’s Audit Committee. Andrea N. Mullins serves as chair of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is generally responsible for reviewing and evaluating issues related to the accounting and financial reporting policies and internal controls of the Fund and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers, overseeing the quality and objectivity of the Fund’s financial statements and the audit thereof and acting as a liaison between the Board and the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Board and Committee Meetings. During the Fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, the Board held four meetings, the Audit Committee held one meeting and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held two meetings.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Fund has retained the Investment Adviser to provide investment advisory services and certain administrative services. The Investment Adviser is primarily responsible for the management of risks that may arise from Fund investments and operations. Certain employees of the Investment Adviser serve as the Fund’s officers, including the

Fund’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Board of Trustees oversees the performance of these functions by the Investment Adviser, both directly and through the Committee structure the Board of Trustees has established. The Board of Trustees will receive from the Investment Adviser reports on a regular and as-needed basis relating to the Fund’s investment activities and to the actual and potential risks of the Fund, including reports on investment risks, compliance with applicable laws, and the Fund’s financial accounting and reporting. In addition, the Board of Trustees will meet periodically with the portfolio managers of the Fund to receive reports regarding the portfolio management of the Fund and its performance and investment risks.

In addition, the Board of Trustees has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). The CCO oversees the development of compliance policies and procedures of the Fund that are reasonably designed to minimize the risk of violations of the federal securities laws (“Compliance Policies”). The CCO reports directly to the Independent Trustees, and will provide presentations to the Board of Trustees at its quarterly meetings and an annual report on the application of the Compliance Policies. The Board of Trustees will discuss relevant risks affecting the Fund with the CCO at these meetings. The Board of Trustees has approved the Compliance Policies and will review the CCO’s reports. Further, the Board of Trustees will annually review the sufficiency of the Compliance Policies, as well as the appointment and compensation of the CCO.

Executive Officers

The following information relates to the executive officers of the Funds who are not Trustees. The officers of the Fund were appointed by the Board of Trustees and will serve until their respective successors are chosen and qualified.

Shareholder Communications

Shareholders may send communications to the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Shareholders should send communications intended for the Fund’s Board of Trustees by addressing the communications directly to the Board of Trustees (or individual Board member(s)) and/or otherwise clearly indicating in the salutation that the communication is for the Board of Trustees (or individual Board members) and by sending the communication to either the Fund’s office or directly to such Board member(s) at the address specified above for each Trustee. Other shareholder communications received by the Fund not directly addressed and sent to the Board of Trustees will be reviewed and generally responded to by management and will be forwarded to the Board of Trustees only at management’s discretion based on the matters contained in those communications.

Remuneration of Trustees and Officers

The following table provides information regarding compensation of the Trustees of the Fund and for the Fund Complex, each for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022. Officers of the Funds do not receive any compensation from the Funds. The Trustees do not receive any pension or retirement benefits from the Fund Complex.

Trustee Share Ownership

As of March 1, 2023, each Trustee of the Fund beneficially owned equity securities of the Fund and all of the registered investment companies in the family of investment companies overseen by the Trustee in the dollar range amounts specified below.

As of March 1, 2023, the Trustees and officers of the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding common shares of the Fund.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

John Musgrave and Todd Sunderland (the “portfolio managers”) are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. The following section discusses the accounts managed by the portfolio manager, the structure and method of their compensation and potential conflicts of interest.

Other accounts managed by the portfolio managers

The following table reflects information regarding accounts for which a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities (other than the Fund). Accounts are grouped into three categories: (a) registered investment companies, (b) other pooled investment accounts, and (c) other accounts. To the extent that any of these accounts pay advisory fees that are based on account performance, this information will be reflected in a separate table below. Asset amounts are approximate and have been rounded.

As of November 30, 2022, Mr. Musgrave managed or was a member of the management team for the following client accounts (excluding the Fund):

As of November 30, 2022, Mr. Sunderland did not manage any client accounts nor was he a member of the management team. Mr. Sunderland is also the Chief Risk Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Investment Adviser and joined the Investment Adviser in 2007. Mr. Sunderland was appointed portfolio manager on October 9, 2023.

Each portfolio manager is compensated by the Investment Adviser. Each portfolio manager receives a base salary and is eligible to receive incentive compensation based on the profits of the Investment Adviser. The incentive compensation is affected by the amount of assets the Investment Adviser manages and the appreciation of those assets, particularly over the long-term, but are not determined with specific reference to any particular performance benchmark or time period. Some of the other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, including the Affiliated Funds, have investment strategies that are similar to the registrant’s investment strategy. However, the Investment Adviser manages potential material conflicts of interest by allocating investment opportunities in accordance with its allocation policies and procedures.

Securities Ownership of the Portfolio Manager

As of November 30, 2022, the dollar range of equity securities in the Fund beneficially owned by the portfolio managers was as follows:

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

Cushing^® Asset Management, LP d/b/a NXG Investment Management acts as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Investment Adviser’s principal business address is 600 N. Pearl Street, Suite 1205, Dallas, Texas 75201.

The Investment Adviser provides investment advisory services to the Fund pursuant to the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”), dated August 6, 2007, between the Investment Adviser and the Fund. The Investment Management Agreement has an initial term expiring two years after the date of its execution, and may be continued in effect from year to year thereafter subject to the approval thereof by (1) the Board of Trustees or (2) vote of a majority (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in either event the continuance must also be approved by a majority of the Independent Trustees, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

The Investment Management Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice by either party. The Fund may terminate by action of the Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities (accompanied by appropriate notice), and the Investment Management Agreement will terminate automatically upon its assignment (as defined in the 1940 act and the rules thereunder). The Investment Management Agreement may also be terminated, at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of outstanding voting securities, in the event that it is established by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Investment Adviser or any principal, officer or employee of the Investment Adviser has taken any action that results in a breach of the covenants of the Investment Adviser set out in the Investment Management Agreement. The Investment Management Agreement will provide that the Investment Adviser will not be liable for any loss sustained by reason of the purchase, sale or retention of any security, whether or not such purchase, sale or retention will have been based upon the investigation and research made by any other individual, firm or corporation, if such recommendation will have been selected with due care and in good faith, except loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Investment Adviser in performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Investment Management Agreement.

Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Investment Adviser is responsible for managing the portfolio of the Fund in accordance with its stated investment objective and policies, makes investment decisions for the Fund, placing orders to purchase and sell securities on behalf of the Fund and managing the other business and affairs of the Fund, all subject to the supervision and direction of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Although the Investment Adviser intends to devote such time and effort to the business of the Fund as is reasonably necessary to perform its duties to the Fund, the services of the Investment Adviser are not exclusive, and the Investment Adviser provides similar services to other clients and may engage in other activities.

Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Fund has agreed to pay the Investment Adviser a fee, payable at the end of each calendar month, at an annual rate equal to 1.25% of the average weekly value of the Fund’s Managed Assets during such month (the “Management Fee”) for the services and facilities provided by the Investment Adviser to the Fund. For purposes of the Management Fee, “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, minus all accrued expenses incurred in the normal course of operations other than liabilities or obligations attributable to investment leverage, including, without limitation, investment leverage obtained through (i) indebtedness of any type (including, without limitation, borrowing through a credit facility or the issuance of debt securities), (ii) the issuance of shares of preferred stock or other similar preference securities and/or (iii) the reinvestment of collateral received for securities loaned in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies.

Pursuant to a fee waiver agreement by and between the Fund and the Investment Adviser, effective February 1, 2023, the Investment Adviser has contractually agreed to waive a portion of the management fee in an amount equal to 0.25% of the Fund’s Managed Assets through May 31, 2024.

Because the Management Fee is based upon a percentage of the Fund’s Managed Assets, the Management Fee will be higher if the Fund employs leverage. Therefore, the Investment Adviser will have a financial incentive to use leverage, which may create a conflict of interest between the Investment Adviser and the Fund’s common shareholders.

The Investment Adviser also provides such additional administrative services as the Fund may require beyond those furnished by the Administrator and furnishes, at its own expense, such office space, facilities, equipment, clerical help, and other personnel and services as may reasonably be necessary in connection with the operations of the Fund.

In addition, the Investment Adviser pays the salaries of officers of the Fund who are employees of the Investment Adviser and any fees and expenses of Trustees of the Fund who are also officers, directors, or employees of the Investment Adviser or who are officers or employees of any company affiliated with the Investment Adviser and bears the cost of telephone service, heat, light, power, and other utilities associated with the services it provides.

Advisory Fees Paid

The following summarizes the investment advisory fees, less any fees waived by the Investment Adviser, paid pursuant to the investment advisory fee agreement in effect during the last three fiscal years ended November 30:

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

Subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees, the Investment Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, the negotiation of the commissions to be paid on brokerage transactions, the prices for principal trades in securities, and the allocation of portfolio brokerage and principal business. It is the policy of the Investment Adviser to seek the best execution at the best security price available with respect to each transaction in light of the overall quality of brokerage and research services provided to the Investment Adviser. In selecting broker/dealers and in negotiating commissions, the Investment Adviser will consider, among other things, the firm’s reliability, the quality of its execution services on a continuing basis and its financial condition.

Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, permits an investment adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause an account to pay a broker or dealer who supplies brokerage and research services a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction. Brokerage and research services include (a) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (b) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (c) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental to those transactions (such as clearance, settlement and custody).

In light of the above, in selecting brokers, the Investment Adviser may consider investment and market information and other research, such as economic, securities and performance measurement research, provided by such brokers, and the quality and reliability of brokerage services, including execution capability, performance, and financial responsibility. Accordingly, the commissions charged by any such broker may be greater than the amount another firm might charge if the Investment Adviser determines in good faith that the amount of such commissions is reasonable in relation to the value of the research information and brokerage services provided by such broker to the Investment Adviser or to the Fund. The Investment Adviser believes that the research information received in this manner provides the Fund with benefits by supplementing the research otherwise available to the Investment Adviser.

The Investment Adviser seeks to allocate portfolio transactions equitably whenever concurrent decisions are made to purchase or sell securities on behalf of the Fund and another advisory account. In some cases, this procedure could have an adverse effect on the price or the amount of securities available to the Fund. In making such allocations between the Fund and other advisory accounts, the main factors considered by the Investment Adviser are the investment objective, the relative size of portfolio holding of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment and the size of investment commitments generally held, and the views of the persons responsible for recommending investments to the Fund and such other accounts and funds.

Commissions Paid

The Fund paid approximately the following commissions to brokers during the fiscal years shown:

During the fiscal period ended November 30, 2022, the Fund paid $131,785 in brokerage commissions on transactions totaling $71,413,552 to brokers selected primarily on the basis of research services provided to the Investment Adviser.

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of Common Shares. This discussion is based upon current provisions of the Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and judicial and administrative authorities, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion does not address any other U.S. federal tax considerations (such as estate, gift, or net investment taxes) or any state, local or non-U.S. tax considerations. No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS regarding any matter discussed herein. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position different from any of the tax aspects set forth below. Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes that the Common Shares are held by U.S. persons and that Common Shareholders hold their Common Shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, assets held for investment). No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income tax concerns affecting the Fund and its Common Shareholders (including Common Shareholders that are subject to special provisions of the Code, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Common Shareholders whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar, tax-exempt organizations, a controlled foreign corporation or a passive foreign investment company, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities or commodities that elect mark-to-market treatment, persons that will hold Common Shares as a position in a “straddle,” “hedge” or as part of a “constructive sale” for federal income tax purposes, persons subject to special rules or exemptions under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, persons that actually or constructively own or have owned a large position in the Fund, and, except as otherwise expressly indicated, non-U.S. persons), and the discussions set forth here and in the Prospectus do not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in the Fund.

Taxation of the Fund

Since its inception and through the Fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the Fund was treated as a regular corporation, or a “C” corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as a result, unlike most investment companies, was subject to corporate income tax to the extent the Fund recognized taxable income. In conjunction with certain changes to the Fund’s non-fundamental investment policies that became effective on February 20, 2018, the Fund has managed its portfolio in a manner intended to allow the Fund to qualify as, and the Fund elected to be treated as, a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with the Fund’s fiscal year ending November 30, 2018. Except as otherwise expressly indicated, the remainder of this discussion assumes the Fund has qualified, and will continue to qualify, for taxation as a RIC for its fiscal year ending November 30, 2018, and thereafter.

In order to qualify to be taxed as a RIC, the Fund must, among other things: (i) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from the following sources, which are referred herein as “Qualifying Income”: (a) dividends, interest (including tax-exempt interest), payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities, or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gain from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (b) net income derived from interests in certain publicly traded partnerships that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in clause (a) above (each a “Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership”), which includes most MLPs; and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities of (I) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and the securities of other RICs), (II) any two or more issuers (other than RICs) that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same business or similar or related trades or businesses or (III) any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships. The Fund may generate certain income that might not qualify as good income for purposes of the 90% annual gross income requirement described above. The Fund will monitor the Fund’s transactions to endeavor to prevent the Fund’s disqualification as a RIC.

Income from the Fund’s investments in equity interests of partnerships that are not Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships (if any) will be Qualifying Income only to the extent it is attributable to items of income of such MLP that would be Qualifying Income if earned directly by the Fund.

The Fund’s investments in partnerships, including in Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships, may result in the Fund being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.

If the Fund fails to satisfy the 90% annual gross income requirement or the asset diversification requirements discussed above in any taxable year, it may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain de minimis failures of the asset diversification requirements where the Fund corrects the failure within a specified period. If the applicable relief provisions are not available or cannot be met, all of the Fund’s income would be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax as described below. The fund cannot provide assurance that the Fund would qualify for any such relief should the Fund fail the 90% annual gross income requirement or the asset diversification requirements discussed above.

For each taxable year the Fund is treated as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, subject to the discussion of built-in gains below the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income and gains that it distributes each taxable year to its Common Shareholders, provided that in such taxable year it distributes at least 90% of the sum of (i) its investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss and other taxable income, other than net capital gain (as defined below), reduced by deductible expenses) determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) its net tax-exempt interest income (the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions), if any (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”). The Fund intends to distribute annually all or substantially all of such income and gain on a timely basis. If the Fund retains any investment company taxable income or net capital gain (as defined below), it will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the retained amount at regular corporate tax rates. In addition, the Fund will be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax or any built-in gains that existed in its assets as of the time of its conversion to a RIC, to the extent such gains were recognized within five years of that time.

The Fund may retain for investment its net capital gain (which consists of the excess of its net long-term capital gain over its net short-term capital loss). However, if the Fund retains any net capital gain or any investment company taxable income, it will be subject to a tax on such amount at regular corporate tax rates. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its Common Shareholders, each of whom, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes its share of such undistributed net capital gain, (ii) will be entitled to credit its proportionate share of the tax paid by the Fund against its U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent that the credit exceeds such liability and (iii) will increase its tax basis in its Common Shares by the excess of the amount described in clause (i) over the amount described in clause (ii). A Common Shareholder that is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or otherwise is not required to file a U.S. federal income tax return would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return on the appropriate form in order to claim a refund for the taxes paid by the Fund.

Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax at the Fund level. To avoid the excise tax, the Fund must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year and (ii) 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to use the Fund’s taxable year instead). In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year to avoid the excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any under-distribution or over-distribution, as the case may be, from previous years. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gain in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% federal excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund’s taxable income and capital gains will be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.

Dividends and distributions will be treated as paid during the calendar year if they are paid during the calendar year or declared by the Fund in October, November or December of the year, payable to Common Shareholders of record on a date during such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following year. Any such dividend or distribution paid during January of the following year will be deemed to be received by Common Shareholders on December 31 of the year the dividend or distribution was declared, rather than when the dividend or distribution is actually received.

If the Fund were unable to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement or otherwise were to fail to qualify as a RIC in any year, it would be taxed on all of its taxable income in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to Common Shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income.

To qualify again to be taxed as a RIC in a subsequent year following the Fund’s failure to qualify as a RIC, the Fund would be required to distribute to its Common Shareholders its accumulated earnings and profits attributable to non-RIC years. In addition, if the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, then, in order to qualify as a RIC in a subsequent year, the Fund would be required to elect to recognize and pay tax on any net built-in gain (the excess of aggregate gain, including items of income, over aggregate loss that would have been realized if the Fund had been liquidated) or, alternatively, be subject to taxation on such built-in gain recognized for a period of five years.

Gain or loss on the sale of securities by the Fund will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the securities have been held by the Fund for more than one year. Gain or loss on the sale of securities held for one year or less will be short-term capital gain or loss. If the Fund realizes a net capital loss, the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital loss over the Fund’s net long-term capital gain is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year and the excess of the Fund’s net long-term capital loss over the Fund’s net short-term capital gain is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year. If future capital gain is offset by carried forward capital losses, such future capital gain is not subject to Fund-level U.S. federal income tax, regardless of whether they are distributed to Common Shareholders. Accordingly, the Fund does not expect to distribute any such offsetting capital gain. A RIC cannot carry back or carry forward any net operating losses.

The Fund may decide to be taxed as a regular corporation even if the Fund would otherwise qualify as a RIC if the Fund determines that treatment as a corporation for a particular year would be in the Fund’s best interests.

Certain Fund Investments

Certain of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions (including the dividends received deduction), (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gains or qualified dividend income into higher taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (iii) convert ordinary loss or a deduction into capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (vii) produce income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the 90% annual gross income requirement described above. The Fund will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections and may be required to borrow money or dispose of securities to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a RIC.

Certain investment practices could limit the Fund’s ability to make sufficient distributions to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement and to eliminate the imposition of Fund-level income and excise taxes. For example, the MLPs in which the Fund intends to invest are expected to be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The cash distributions received by the Fund from an MLP may not correspond to the amount of income allocated to the Fund by the MLP in any given taxable year, and the amount of income allocated by an MLP to the Fund may exceed the amount of cash received by the Fund from such MLP. In addition, certain other investments by the Fund may require the Fund to recognize income or gains without a corresponding receipt of cash. Moreover, if the Fund utilizes leverage, it may be prevented by 1940 Act requirements or loan covenants from declaring and paying dividends in certain circumstances. For the foregoing reasons, among others, the Fund may have difficulty making distributions to its Common Shareholders in the amounts necessary to satisfy the requirements for maintaining its status as a RIC or avoiding U.S. federal income or excise taxes. Accordingly, the Fund may have to dispose of securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to generate sufficient cash to satisfy the distribution requirements.

The Fund expects that the income derived by the Fund from the MLPs in which it invests will be Qualifying Income. If, however, an MLP in which the Fund invests is not a Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership, the income derived by the Fund from such investment may not be Qualifying Income and, therefore, could adversely affect the Fund’s status as a RIC. The Fund intends to monitor its investments in MLPs to prevent to disqualification of the Fund as a RIC.

If the Fund invests in foreign securities, its income from such securities may be subject to withholding and other non-U.S. taxes. The Fund will not be eligible to elect to “pass through” to Common Shareholders of the Fund the ability to use the foreign tax deduction or foreign tax credit for foreign taxes paid with respect to qualifying taxes.

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. shareholder” (or in this section, a “shareholder”) is a beneficial owner of Common Shares which is for U.S. federal income tax purposes (1) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, (2) a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, (3) an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source, or (4) a trust if (a) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) the trust has in effect a valid election to be treated as a domestic trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a partnership or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. tax purposes holds the Common Shares, the tax treatment of the partnership and each partner generally will depend on the activities of the partnership and the status of the partner. Partnerships acquiring Common Shares, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their tax advisors. Prospective investors that are not U.S. shareholders should refer to the section “Non-U.S. shareholders” below and are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Fund’s Common Shares, including the potential application of U.S. withholding taxes.

Distributions paid by the Fund from its investment company taxable income (as defined above) (dividends from investment company taxable income referred to hereinafter as “ordinary income dividends”), whether paid in cash or reinvested in Common Shares, will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Certain properly reported distributions may, however, qualify (provided that holding period and other requirements are met by both the Fund and U.S. shareholders) (i) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate U.S. shareholders to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations or (ii) in the case of individual U.S. shareholders, as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at a reduced maximum rate to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain foreign corporations. There can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s distributions will qualify for the dividends received deduction or for treatment as qualified dividend income.

Distributions made from net capital gain, which is the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses (“capital gain dividends”), including capital gain dividends credited to a U.S. shareholder but retained by the Fund, are taxable to U.S. shareholder as long-term capital gains if they have been properly reported by the Fund, regardless of the length of time the U.S. shareholder has owned Common Shares of the Fund. Net long-term capital gain of individuals is generally taxed at a reduced maximum rate. For corporate taxpayers, net long-term capital gain is taxed at ordinary income rates.

Subject to any future regulatory guidance to the contrary, any distribution of income attributable to income from the Fund’s investment in an MLP will not qualify for the 20% deduction for “qualified PTP income” that would generally be available to a non-corporate U.S. shareholder were the shareholder to own such MLP directly. As a result, it is possible that a non-corporate U.S. shareholder will be subject to a higher effective tax rate on any such distributions received from the Fund compared to the effective rate applicable to any income the U.S. shareholder would receive if the shareholder invested directly in an MLP.

If, for any calendar year, the Fund’s total distributions exceed both current earnings and profits and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital up to the amount of a U.S. shareholder’s tax basis in the Common Shares, reducing that basis accordingly. Such distributions exceeding the U.S. shareholder’s basis will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of the Common Shares. When you sell your Common Shares, the amount, if any, by which your sales price exceeds your basis in the Fund’s Common Shares is gain subject to tax. Because a return of capital reduces your basis in the Common Shares, it will increase the amount of your gain or decrease the amount of your loss when you sell the Common Shares, all other things being equal.

Generally, after the close of its taxable year, the Fund will provide its U.S. shareholders with a written notice reporting the amount of any ordinary income dividends or capital gain dividends and other distributions.

The sale or other disposition of Common Shares will generally result in capital gain or loss to U.S. shareholders measured by the difference between the sale price and the U.S. shareholder’s tax basis in its Common Shares. Generally, a U.S. shareholder’s gain or loss will be long-term gain or loss if the Common Shares have been held for more than one year. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Common Shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain) by the U.S. shareholder. Any loss a U.S. shareholder realizes on a sale or exchange of Common Shares will be disallowed if the U.S. shareholder acquires other Common Shares (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the U.S. shareholder’s sale or exchange of the Common Shares. In such case, the basis of the Common Shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gains of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income. For non-corporate taxpayers, short-term capital gain is taxed at the U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to ordinary income, while long-term capital gain generally is taxed at a reduced maximum U.S. federal income tax rate.

U.S. shareholders may be entitled to offset their capital gains with capital losses. There are several provisions of the Code affecting when capital losses may offset capital gain, and limiting the use of losses from certain investments and activities. Accordingly, U.S. shareholders with capital losses are urged to consult their tax advisors.

An investor should be aware that if Common Shares are purchased shortly before the record date for any taxable distribution (including a capital gain dividend), the purchase price likely will reflect the value of the distribution and the investor then would receive a taxable distribution likely to reduce the trading value of such Common Shares, in effect resulting in a taxable return of some of the purchase price.

Dividends and other taxable distributions will be taxable to you even though they are reinvested in additional Common Shares. The Fund has the ability to declare distributions payable in cash or Common Shares at the election of each U.S. shareholder. As long as a large enough portion of such dividend is available to be paid in cash (20% under current guidance) and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, U.S. shareholders will be taxed on 100% of the dividend in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividend was paid in Common Shares.

Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund will generally be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as received by you at the time the dividend or distribution is made. If, however, the Fund pays you a dividend in January that was declared in the previous October, November or December and you were the U.S. shareholder of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by you on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared. In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of the Fund’s taxable year may be “spilled back” and treated as paid by the Fund (except for purposes of the 4% nondeductible excise tax) during such taxable year. In such case, you will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually made.

Certain U.S. shareholders who are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which ordinarily includes dividends received from the Fund and capital gain from the sale or other disposition of the Fund’s common shares.

Withholding at a rate of 30% will be required on dividends in respect of Common Shares held by or through foreign accounts or foreign intermediaries if certain disclosure requirements related to U.S. accounts or ownership are not satisfied. The Fund will not pay any additional amounts in respect to any amounts withheld.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Common Shares, other than a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes), that is not a U.S. shareholder for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Whether an investment in Common Shares is appropriate for a non-U.S. shareholder will depend on that non-U.S. shareholder’s particular circumstances. An investment in Common Shares by a non-U.S. shareholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors before investing in the Common Shares.

A non-U.S. shareholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or possibly a lower rate provided by an applicable tax treaty) on ordinary income dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (except as discussed below). Actual or deemed distributions of the Fund’s net capital gain to a non-U.S. shareholder, and gains recognized by a non-U.S. shareholder upon the sale of Common Shares, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax and will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Different tax consequences may result if (i) the non-U.S. shareholder is engaged in a trade or business in the United States (and, if an income tax treaty applies, the non-U.S. shareholder’s income or gains are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States), (ii) the non-U.S. shareholder is an individual that is present in the United States for 183 days or more during a taxable year and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) in the case of gain on the disposition of Common Shares, the Fund is or has been a “United States real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) at any time within the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date the Common Shares are sold or the period that such non-U.S. shareholder held the shares (and as long as the Common Shares are treated as regularly traded on an established securities market, such non-U.S. shareholder owns or owned (actually or constructively) more than five percent of the Common Shares at any time during the shorter of the two periods mentioned above), or (iv) in the case of distributions that are attributable to the Fund’s gain on the disposition of a “U.S. real property interest” (which may include equity securities in companies that own significant interests in U.S. real estate), the Fund is a “qualified investment entity” (generally, an entity that either is a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition thereof). The determination of whether the Fund is a USRPHC or qualified investment entity will depend on the exact nature of its assets, and no assurances can be given in that regard. Though the Fund expects that its Common Shares will be treated as “regularly traded” on an established securities market, no assurance can be given in this regard. Special certification requirements apply to a non-U.S. shareholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged to consult their tax advisors.

Subject to the discussion of FATCA below, properly reported dividends paid by the Fund to non-U.S. shareholders are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (i) are paid in respect of the Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (generally, the Fund’s U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) are paid in respect of the Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gain over the Fund’s long-term capital loss for such taxable year). In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or W8BEN-E or substitute form). In the case of Common Shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund designates the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts. There can be no assurance as to what portion, if any, of the Fund’s distributions would qualify for favorable treatment as “qualified net interest income” or “qualified short-term capital gains.”

Notwithstanding the foregoing, under certain provisions of the Code referred to as “FATCA,” withholding at a rate of 30% will be required on dividends in respect of Common Shares held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Treasury to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to interests in, and accounts maintained by, the institution to the extent such interests or accounts are held by certain United States persons or by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by United States persons and to withhold on certain payments. Accordingly, the entity or entities through which Common Shares are held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, withholding at a rate of 30% will be required on dividends in respect of Common Shares held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions, unless such entity either (i) certifies that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which the applicable withholding agent will in turn provide to the Secretary of the Treasury. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury regulations or other guidance, may modify these requirements. The Fund will not pay any additional amounts to Common Shareholders in respect of any amounts withheld. Non-U.S. shareholders are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the possible withholding implications of an investment in Common Shares.

Furthermore, if the Fund distributes its net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions (which the Fund may do in the future), a non-U.S. shareholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the shareholder’s allocable share of the tax the Fund pays on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the non-U.S. shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. shareholder is not otherwise required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a federal income tax return. For a corporate non-U.S. shareholder, distributions (both actual and deemed), and gains realized upon the sale of Common Shares that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (or, where an applicable treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States) may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate if provided for by an applicable tax treaty). Accordingly, investment in Common Shares may not be appropriate for certain non-U.S. shareholders.

Backup Withholding

The Fund may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal backup withholding purposes, on all taxable distributions to any non-corporate holders of Common Shares who (1) do not furnish the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, generally their social security number) or a certificate that such Common Shareholder is exempt from backup withholding, or (2) with respect to whom the IRS notifies the Fund that such Common Shareholder has failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. A non-U.S. shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, and who is otherwise subject to withholding of federal income tax, may be subject to backup withholding of federal income tax on dividends unless the non-U.S. shareholder provides the Fund or the dividend paying agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or an acceptable substitute form) or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a non-U.S. shareholder or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to a Common Shareholder may be refunded or credited against such Common Shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is generally furnished to the IRS.

The foregoing is a general summary of the provisions of the Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its Common Shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative, judicial or administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. Ordinary income and capital gain dividends may also be subject to state, local and foreign taxes. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in the Fund.

SERVICE PROVIDERS

Administrator

U.S. Bancorp Global Fund Services, the Administrator, which is located at 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, serves as the Fund’s administrator pursuant to a fund administration servicing agreement. Pursuant to this agreement, the Administrator provides the Fund with, among other things, compliance oversight, financial reporting oversight and tax reporting. The Fund pays the Administrator a monthly fee computed at an annual rate of 0.09% of the first $100 million of Managed Assets, 0.07% on the next $200 million of Managed Assets and 0.04% on the balance of Managed Assets, subject to a minimum annual fee of $70,000. The Fund will also pay for the Administrator’s out-of-pocket expenses. The Administrator also serves as fund accountant pursuant to a fund accounting servicing agreement.

Custodian

U.S. Bank National Association (the “Custodian”), Custody Operations, 1555 N. RiverCenter Drive, Suite 302, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, serves as custodian for the Fund pursuant to the Custodian Agreement with the Fund (the “Custodian Agreement”). The Custodian and the Administrator are affiliates of each other. Under the Custodian Agreement, the Custodian will be responsible for, among other things, receipt of and disbursement of funds from the Fund’s accounts, establishment of segregated accounts as necessary, and transfer, exchange and delivery of Fund portfolio securities.

Transfer Agent

U.S. Bancorp Global Fund Services, located at 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, has entered into a transfer agent servicing agreement with the Fund. Under this agreement, U.S. Bancorp Global Fund Services serves as the Fund’s transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Additional Information

The Prospectus and this SAI constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC under the Securities Act, and the 1940 Act. The Prospectus and this SAI omit certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information with respect to the Fund and the common shares offered hereby. Any statements contained in the Prospectus and herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations or free of charge through the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).

Principal Holders

As of the date of this SAI, to the knowledge of the Fund, no person beneficially owned more than 5% of the voting securities of any class of equity securities of the Fund, except as follows:

Legal Matters

Certain legal matters will be passed on for the Fund by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Chicago, Illinois, in connection with the offering of the Securities.

Independent registered public accounting firm

Ernst & Young LLP, Dallas, Texas, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund and will annually render an opinion on the financial statements of the Fund. The Fund’s audited financial statements appearing in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the period ended November 30, 2022, including accompanying notes thereto and the report of Ernst & Young LLP thereon, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance on their report given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

The Fund has delegated authority to vote proxies to the Investment Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees. Attached hereto as Appendix B is the Proxy Voting Policy which is currently in effect as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

The Proxy Voting Policy is subject to change over time and investors seeking the most current copy of the Proxy Voting Policy should call the Fund toll free at (877) 965-7386. The Fund’s most recent proxy voting record for the period ended June 30 which has been filed with the SEC is available without charge by calling the Fund toll free at (877) 965-7386.

Code of Ethics

The Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j -1 of the 1940 Act. This code permits personnel subject to the code to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. This code of ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. The code of ethics is available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), and copies of this code may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: [email protected], or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Fund’s audited financial statements, including accompanying notes thereto and the report of Ernst & Young LLP thereon, appearing in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the period ended November 30, 2022, as contained in the Fund’s Form N-CSR filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on February 6, 2023, as amened by the Fund’s Form N-CSR/A filed with the SEC on October 5, 2023, are incorporated by reference in this Statement of Additional Information. The Fund’s unaudited financial statements, including accompanying notes thereto, appearing in the Fund’s semi-annual report to shareholders for the period ended May 31, 2023, as contained in the Fund’s Form N-CSRS filed with the Commission on August 7, 2023, are incorporated by reference in this Statement of Additional Information. Shareholder reports are available upon request and without charge by calling toll-free (877) 965-7386, or you may obtain a copy of such reports from the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) or from the Fund’s website at www.cushingcef.com. Information on, or accessible through, the Fund’s website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this Statement of Additional Information, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement.

Appendix A

Description of Securities Ratings

STANDARD & POOR’S CORPORATION

A brief description of the applicable Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by S&P) follows.

Issue Credit Ratings Definition

A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P’s view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days—including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term rating addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings*

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P’s analysis of the following considerations:

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

AAA An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

A An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
* Plus (+) or minus (-) The ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

BBB An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

BB; B; CCC; CC; and C Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

BB An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CCC An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CC An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

C A ‘C’ rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among others, the ‘C’ rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

D An obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made within five business days, irrespective of any grace period. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ upon completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

NR This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings

A-1 A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2 A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3 A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

C A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

D A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

SPUR (S&Ps Underlying Rating) A SPUR rating is a rating of a stand-alone capacity of an issue to pay debt service on a credit-enhanced debt issue, without giving effect to the enhancement that applies to it. These ratings are published only at the request of the debt issuer/obligor with the designation SPUR to distinguish them from the credit-enhanced rating that applies to the debt issue. S&P maintains surveillance of an issue with a published SPUR.

Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings Definitions

A S&P’s U.S. Municipal note rating reflects S&P’s opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P’s analysis will review the following considerations:

Note rating symbols are as follows:

SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

Dual Ratings S&P assigns “dual” ratings to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of their structure. The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the short-term rating symbols for the put option (for example, ‘AAA/A-1+’). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, note rating symbols are used with the short-term issue credit rating symbols (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’).

The ratings and other credit related opinions of S&P and its affiliates are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities or make any investment decisions. S&P assumes no obligation to update any information following publication. Users of ratings and credit related opinions should not rely on them in making any investment decision. S&P’s opinions and analyses do not address the suitability of any security. S&P’s Financial Services LLC does not act as a fiduciary or an investment advisor. While S&P has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, S&P does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives. Ratings and credit related opinions may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn at any time.

Active Qualifiers (Currently Applied and/or Outstanding)

i This suffix is used for issues in which the credit factors, terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of interest are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of principal on the obligation. The ‘i’ suffix indicates that the rating addresses the interest portion of the obligation only. The ‘i’ suffix will always be used in conjunction with the ‘p’ suffix, which addresses likelihood of receipt of principal. For example, a rated obligation could be assigned ratings of “AAAp NRi” indicating that the principal portion is rated “AAA” and the interest portion of the obligation is not rated.

L Ratings qualified with ‘L’ apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.

p This suffix is used for issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The ‘p’ suffix indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only. The ‘p’ suffix will always be used in conjunction with the ‘i’ suffix, which addresses likelihood of receipt of interest. For example, a rated obligation could be assigned ratings of “AAAp NRi” indicating that the principal portion is rated “AAA” and the interest portion of the obligation is not rated.

pi Ratings with a ‘pi’ suffix are based on an analysis of an issuer’s published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain. They do not, however, reflect in-depth meetings with an issuer’s management and therefore may be based on less comprehensive information than ratings without a ‘pi’ suffix. Ratings with a ‘pi’ suffix are reviewed annually based on a new year’s financial statements, but may be reviewed on an interim basis if a major event occurs that may affect the issuer’s credit quality.

preliminary Preliminary ratings, with the ‘prelim’ suffix, may be assigned to obligors or obligations, including financial programs, in the circumstances described below. Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt by S&P of appropriate documentation. S&P reserves the right not to issue a final rating. Moreover, if a final rating is issued, it may differ from the preliminary rating.

sf The (sf) suffix is assigned to all issues and issuers to which a regulation, such as the European Union Regulation on Credit Rating Agencies, requires the assignment of an additional symbol which distinguishes a structured finance instrument or obligor (as defined in the regulation) from any other instrument or obligor. The addition of this suffix to a credit rating does not change the definition of that rating or our opinion about the issue’s or issuer’s creditworthiness.

t This symbol indicates termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.

unsolicited Unsolicited ratings are those credit ratings assigned at the initiative of S&P and not at the request of the issuer or its agents.

MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

A brief description of the applicable Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moody’s) follows.

Global Rating Scales

Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles and public sector entities. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default. Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.

Moody’s differentiates structured finance ratings from fundamental ratings (i.e., ratings on nonfinancial corporate, financial institution and public sector entities) on the global long-term scale by adding (sf ) to all structured finance ratings. The addition of (sf ) to structured finance ratings should eliminate any presumption that such ratings and fundamental ratings at the same letter grade level will behave the same. The (sf ) indicator for structured finance security ratings indicates that otherwise similarly rated structured finance and fundamental securities may have different risk characteristics. Through its current methodologies, however, Moody’s aspires to achieve broad expected equivalence in structured finance and fundamental rating performance when measured over a long period of time.

Global Long-Term Rating Scale

Aaa Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

Aa Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies and securities firms.

By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.

Global Short-Term Rating Scale

P-1 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-2 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations. NP Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Short-Term Obligation Ratings. While the global short-term ‘prime’ rating scale is applied to US municipal tax-exempt commercial paper, these programs are typically backed by external letters of credit or liquidity facilities and their short-term prime ratings usually map to the long-term rating of the enhancing bank or financial institution and not the municipality’s rating. Other short-term municipal obligations, which generally have different funding sources for repayment, are rated using two additional short-term rating scales (i.e., the MIG and VMIG scales discussed below).

The Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) scale is used to rate US municipal bond anticipation notes of up to three years maturity. Municipal notes rated on the MIG scale may be secured by either pledged revenues or proceeds of a take-out financing received prior to note maturity. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation, and the issuer’s long-term rating is only one consideration in assigning the MIG rating. MIG ratings are divided into three levels—MIG1 through MIG3—while speculative grade short-term obligations are designated SG.

MIG 1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

MIG 3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

Demand Obligation Ratings. In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long- or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating. The rating transitions on the VMIG scale differ from those on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support generally will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade.

VMIG 1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

VMIG 2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

VMIG 3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

Other Ratings Symbols

e Expected Ratings Indicator. To address market demand for timely information on particular types of credit ratings, Moody’s has licensed to certain third parties the right to generate “Expected Ratings.” Expected Ratings are designated by an “e” after the rating code, and are intended to anticipate Moody’s forthcoming rating assignments based on reliable information from third party sources (such as the issuer or underwriter associated with the particular securities) or established Moody’s rating practices (i.e., medium term notes are typically, but not always, assigned the same rating as the note’s program rating). Expected Ratings will exist only until Moody’s confirms the Expected Rating, or issues a different rating for the relevant instrument. Moody’s encourages market participants to contact Moody’s Ratings Desk or visit www.moodys.com if they have questions, or wish Moody’s to confirm an Expected Rating.

(P) Provisional Ratings. As a service to the market and at the request of an issuer, Moody’s will often assign a provisional rating when the assignment of a final rating is subject to the fulfillment of contingencies but it is highly likely that the rating will become definitive after all documents are received or an obligation is issued into the market. A provisional rating is denoted by placing a (P) in front of the rating. Such ratings are typically assigned to shelf registrations under SEC rule 415 or transaction-based structures that require investor education. When a transaction uses a well-established structure and the transaction’s structure and terms are not expected to change prior to sale in a manner that would affect the rating, a definitive rating may be assigned directly.

# Refunded. Issues that are secured by escrowed funds held in trust, reinvested in direct, non-callable US government obligations or non-callable obligations unconditionally guaranteed by the US Government or Resolution Funding Corporation are identified with a # (hatch mark) symbol, e.g., #Aaa.

WR Withdrawn. When Moody’s no longer rates an obligation on which it previously maintained a rating, the symbol WR is employed.

NR Not Rated. The symbol NR is assigned to unrated obligations, issuers and/or programs. NAV Not Available. An issue that Moody’s has not yet rated is denoted by the NAV symbol.

TWR Terminated Without Rating. The symbol TWR applies primarily to issues that mature or are redeemed without having been rated.

FITCH RATINGS, INC.

A brief description of the applicable Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) ratings symbols and meanings (as published by Fitch) follows.

Rated entities in a number of sectors, including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns and insurance companies, are generally assigned Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). IDRs opine on an entity’s relative vulnerability to default on financial obligations. The “threshold” default risk addressed by the IDR is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts, although the agency recognizes that issuers may also make pre-emptive and therefore voluntary use of such mechanisms.

In aggregate, IDRs provide an ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agency’s view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default. For historical information on the default experience of Fitch-rated issuers, please consult the transition and default performance studies available from the Fitch Ratings website.

Long-Term Credit Ratings Scales

AAA Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B Highly speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.

CC Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.

C Exceptionally High Levels of Credit Risk. Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill.

Conditions that are indicative of a ‘C’ category rating for an issuer include:

RD Restricted default. ‘RD’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include:

D Default. ‘D’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

“Imminent” default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.

Note: The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ Long-Term IDR category, or to Long-Term IDR categories below ‘B’.

Limitations for the Issuer Credit Rating Scale:

Specific limitations relevant to the issuer credit rating scale include:

Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive, and is provided for the reader’s convenience.

Short-Term Ratings Assigned to Issuers or Obligations in Corporate, Public and Structured Finance. A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

F1: Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2: Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

F3: Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

B: Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C: High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

RD: Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Applicable to entity ratings only.

D: Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation. Limitations of the Short-Term Ratings Scale:

Specific limitations relevant to the Short-Term Ratings scale include:

Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive, and is provided for the reader’s convenience.

Appendix B

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

Cushing^® Asset Management, LP (the “Investment Manager”) serves as the investment adviser and general partner, respectively, of certain the investment accounts and pooled investment (each a “Client” and collectively, the “Clients”). Through these relationships the Investment Manager is sometimes delegated the right to vote, on behalf of the Clients, proxies received from companies, the securities of which are owned by the Clients.

Purpose

The Investment Manager follows this proxy voting policy (the “Policy”) to ensure that proxies the Investment Manager votes, on behalf of each Client, are voted to further the best interest of that Client. The Policy establishes a mechanism to address any conflicts of interests between the Investment Manager and the Client. Further, the Policy establishes how Clients may obtain information on how the proxies have been voted.

Determination of Vote

The Investment Manager determines how to vote after studying the proxy materials and any other materials that may be necessary or beneficial to voting. The Investment Manager votes in a manner that the Investment Manager believes reasonably furthers the best interests of the Client and is consistent with the Client’s investment philosophy as set forth in the relevant investment management documents.

The major proxy-related issues generally fall within five categories: corporate governance, takeover defenses, compensation plans, capital structure, and social responsibility. The Investment Manager will cast votes for these matters on a case-by-case basis. The Investment Manager will generally vote in favor of matters which follow an agreeable corporate strategic direction, support an ownership structure that enhances shareholder value without diluting management’s accountability to shareholders and/or present compensation plans that are commensurate with enhanced manager performance and market practices.

Resolution of any Conflicts of Interest

If a proxy vote creates a material conflict between the interests of the Investment Manager and a Client, the Investment Manager will resolve the conflict before voting the proxies. The Investment Manager will either disclose the conflict to the Client and obtain a consent or take other steps designed to ensure that a decision to vote the proxy was based on the Investment Manager’s determination of the Client’s best interest and was not the product of the conflict.

Records

The Investment Manager maintains records of (i) all proxy statements and materials the Investment Manager receives on behalf of Clients; (ii) all proxy votes that are made on behalf of the Clients; (iii) all documents that were material to a proxy vote; (iv) all written requests from Clients regarding voting history; and (v) all responses (written and oral) to Clients’ requests. Such records are available to the Clients (and owners of a Client that is an investment vehicle) upon request.