Sec Form 13D Filing - Karpus Management Inc. filing for DUFF & PHELPS UTILITY & CORPORATE BOND TRUST INC (DUC) - 2020-10-06

Insider filing report for Changes in Beneficial Ownership

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  • Schedule 13G is a shorter version of Schedule 13D with fewer reporting requirements.
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13D/A

(Rule 13d-101)

 

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT

TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO

§ 240.13d-2(a)

 

(Amendment No. 8)

 

Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust (DUC)

(Name of Issuer)

 

Common Stock

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

26432K108

(CUSIP Number)

 

Daniel Lippincott, Senior Tax-Sensitive Manager

Karpus Management, Inc.

d/b/a Karpus Investment Management

183 Sully’s Trail

Pittsford, New York 14534

(585) 586-4680

 

Adam W. Finerman, Esq.

Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP

1325 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

(212) 451-2300
(Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

October 1, 2020

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ý.

 

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

_______________

1              The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

CUSIP NO. 26432K108

 

  1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON  
         
       

Karpus Investment Management

 
  2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ☒
        (b) ☐
           
  3   SEC USE ONLY    
           
           
  4   SOURCE OF FUNDS  
         
        WC

 
  5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)     ☐
       
           
  6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION  
         
       

NEW YORK

 
NUMBER OF   7   SOLE VOTING POWER  
SHARES          
BENEFICIALLY        

9,591,897

 
OWNED BY   8   SHARED VOTING POWER  
EACH          
REPORTING         0

 
PERSON WITH   9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER  
         
         

10,778,147

 
    10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER  
           
          0

 
  11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON  
         
       

10,778,147

 
  12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES     ☐
       
           
  13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)  
         
       

39.2%

 
  14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON  
         
        IA

 

 

CUSIP NO. 26432K108

 

  1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON  
         
       

George W. Karpus

 
  2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ☐
        (b) ☐
           
  3   SEC USE ONLY    
           
           
  4   SOURCE OF FUNDS  
         
        WC

 
  5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)     ☐
       
           
  6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION  
         
       

NEW YORK

 
NUMBER OF   7   SOLE VOTING POWER  
SHARES          
BENEFICIALLY         0

 
OWNED BY   8   SHARED VOTING POWER  
EACH          
REPORTING         0

 
PERSON WITH   9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER  
         
          0

 
    10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER  
           
          0

 
  11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON  
         
        0

 
  12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES     ☐
       
           
  13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)  
         
        0.00%

 
  14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON  
         
        IN

 

 

CUSIP NO. 26432K108

 

  1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON  
         
       

Karpus Investment Management Profit Sharing Plan Fund B – Conservative Bond Fund

 
  2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ☒
        (b) ☐
           
  3   SEC USE ONLY    
           
           
  4   SOURCE OF FUNDS  
         
        WC

 
  5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)     ☐
       
           
  6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION  
         
       

NEW YORK

 
NUMBER OF   7   SOLE VOTING POWER  
SHARES          
BENEFICIALLY         0

 
OWNED BY   8   SHARED VOTING POWER  
EACH          
REPORTING        

13,350

 
PERSON WITH   9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER  
         
          0

 
    10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER  
           
         

13,350

 
  11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON  
         
       

13,350

 
  12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES     ☐
       
           
  13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)  
         
       

Less than 1%

 
  14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON  
         
        OO

 

 

CUSIP NO. 26432K108

 

  1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON  
         
       

Arthur Charles Regan

 
  2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ☒
        (b) ☐
           
  3   SEC USE ONLY    
           
           
  4   SOURCE OF FUNDS  
         
       

 
  5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)     ☐
       
         
  6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION  
         
        USA

 
NUMBER OF   7   SOLE VOTING POWER  
SHARES          
BENEFICIALLY &# xA0;       0

 
OWNED BY   8   SHARED VOTING POWER  
EACH          
REPORTING         0

 
PERSON WITH   9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER  
         
          0

 
    10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER  
           
          0

 
  11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON  
         
        0

 
  12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES     ☐
       
           
  13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)  
         
        0.00%

 
  14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON  
         
        IN

 

 

CUSIP NO. 26432K108

 

  1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON  
         
       

Daniel C. Robeson

 
  2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ☒
        (b) ☐
           
  3   SEC USE ONLY    
           
           
  4   SOURCE OF FUNDS  
         
       

 
  5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)     ☐
       
         
  6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION  
         
        USA

 
NUMBER OF   7   SOLE VOTING POWER  
SHARES          
BENEFICIALLY         0

 
OWNED BY   8   SHARED VOTING POWER  
EACH          
REPORTING         0

 
PERSON WITH   9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER  
         
          0

 
    10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER  
           
          0

 
  11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON  
         
        0

 
  12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES     ☐
       
           
  13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)  
         
        0.00%

 
  14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON  
         
        IN

 

 

CUSIP NO. 26432K108

 

The following constitutes Amendment No. 8 to the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned ("Amendment No. 8"). This Amendment No. 8 amends the Schedule 13D as specifically set forth herein.

 

Item 2. Identity and Background.

 

Item 2(a) is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

 

(a) This statement is filed by:

 

(i) Karpus Management, Inc., d/b/a Karpus Investment Management ("Karpus"). Karpus is a registered investment adviser under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Karpus is controlled by City of London Investment Group plc (“CLIG”), which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. However, in accordance with SEC Release No. 34-39538 (January 12, 1998), effective informational barriers have been established between Karpus and CLIG such that voting and investment power over the subject securities is exercised by Karpus independently of CLIG, and, accordingly, attribution of beneficial ownership is not required between Karpus and CLIG. The shares to which this Amendment No. 1 relates are owned directly by the accounts managed by Karpus;

 

(ii) George W. Karpus. Mr. Karpus will cease to be a Reporting Person immediately following the filing of this Amendment No. 8 to the Schedule 13D;

 

(iii) Karpus Investment Management Profit Sharing Plan Fund B-Conservative Bond Fund (“Karpus Fund”);

 

(iv) Arthur Charles Regan, as a nominee to the Board of Directors of the Issuer (the "Board"); and

 

(v) Daniel C. Robeson, as a nominee to the Board.

 

Each of the foregoing is referred to as a "Reporting Person" and collectively as the "Reporting Persons." Each of the Reporting Persons is party to that certain Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement and that certain Amendment No. 1 to Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement, except for Mr. Karpus who will cease to be a Reporting Person immediately following the filing of this Amendment No. 8 to the Schedule 13D, each as further described in Item 6. Accordingly, the Reporting Persons are hereby filing a joint Schedule 13D.

 

Set forth on Schedule A annexed hereto ("Schedule A") is the name and present principal business, occupation or employment and the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted of the executive officers and directors of Karpus. To the best of the Reporting Persons' knowledge, except as otherwise set on Schedule A, none of the persons listed on Schedule A beneficially owns any securities of the Issuer or is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding required to be disclosed herein.

 

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

 

Item 3 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

 

Karpus, an independent registered investment advisor, has accumulated 10,778,147 Shares on behalf of accounts that are managed by Karpus (the “Accounts”) under limited powers of attorney, which represents 39.2% of the outstanding Shares. All funds that have been utilized in making such purchases for the Accounts (which are open market purchases unless otherwise noted) are from such Accounts.

 

The aggregate purchase price of the 10,778,147 Shares beneficially owned by Karpus is approximately $96,912,423, excluding brokerage commissions. The Shares purchased by Karpus were purchased with working capital (which may at any given time, include margin loans made by brokerage firms in the ordinary course of business) in open market purchases except as otherwise noted.

 

CUSIP NO. 26432K108

 

The aggregate purchase price of the 13,350 Shares held by the Karpus Fund is approximately $121,104, excluding brokerage commissions. Such Shares were purchased with working capital (which may at any given time, include margin loans made by brokerage firms in the ordinary course of business) in open market purchases except as otherwise noted.

 

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

 

Item 5(a) – (c) is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

 

The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each Reporting Person is based upon 27,494,683 Shares outstanding, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as of April 30, 2020, as reported in the Issuer’s Certified Shareholder Report of Registered Management Investment Companies on Form N-CSR, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 23, 2020.

 

A. Karpus

 

   (a) As of the close of business on October 2, 2020, Karpus beneficially owned 10,778,147 Shares held in the Accounts.

 

Percentage: Approximately 39.2%

 

(b)1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 9,591,897
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 10,778,147

4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 

(c)The transactions in the Shares by Karpus since the filing of Amendment No. 7 to the Schedule 13D are set forth in Schedule B and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

B. George W. Karpus

 

   (a) As of October 2, 2020, George W. Karpus didn’t beneficially own any Shares of the Issuer.

 

Percentage: 0.00%

 

(b)1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0
   4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 

(c)George W. Karpus did not have any transactions in the Shares since the filing of Amendment No. 7 to the Schedule 13D.

 

 C. Karpus Fund

 

   (a) As of October 2, 2020, Karpus Fund beneficially owned 13,350 Shares.

 

Percentage: Less than 1%

 

(b)1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 13,350
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0
   4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 13,350

 

   (c) Karpus Fund did not have any transactions in the Shares since the filing of Amendment No. 7 to the Schedule 13D.

 

CUSIP NO. 26432K108

 

D. Arthur Charles Regan

 

  (a) As of the close of business on October 2, 2020, Arthur Charles Regan didn't beneficially own any Shares of the Issuer.

 

Percentage: 0.00%

 

(b)1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0

2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0

3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 

(c)Mr. Regan has not entered into any transactions in the Shares since the filing of Amendment No. 7 to the Schedule 13D.

 

E . Daniel C. Robeson

 

  (a) As of the close of business on October 2, 2020, Daniel C. Robeson didn't beneficially own any Shares of the Issuer.

 

Percentage: 0.00%

 

(b)1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0

2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0

3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 

(c)Mr. Robeson has not entered into any transactions in the Shares since the filing of Amendment No. 7 to the Schedule 13D.

 

The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Persons are, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the beneficial owners of any securities of the Issuer that he or it does not directly own. Each of the Reporting Persons specifically disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities reported herein that he or it does not directly own.

 

Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With respect to the Issuer.

 

Item 6 is hereby amended to add the following:

 

On October 6, 2020, the Reporting Persons entered into that certain Amended and Restated Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement to remove Mr. Karpus as a member of the Group. The Amended and Restated Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

 

Item 7 is hereby amended to add the following exhibit:

 

   99.1 Amended and Restated Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement by and between Karpus Management, Inc., Karpus Investment Management Profit Sharing Plan Fund B – Conservative Bond Fund, Arthur Charles Regan, and Daniel C. Robeson, dated October 6, 2020.


 

CUSIP NO. 26432K108

 

SIGNATURES

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Dated: October 6, 2020

 

   KARPUS MANAGEMENT, INC.
        
   By: /s/ Daniel Lippincott
      Name: Daniel Lippincott, CFA
      Title: Director of Investment Personnel and
Sr. Tax-Sensitive Portfolio Manager

 

   /s/ George W. Karpus
  

GEORGE W. KARPUS

 

KARPUS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT PROFIT SHARING PLAN FUND B – CONSERVATIVE BOND FUND

        
   By: /s/ Kathleen F. Crane
      Name: Kathleen F. Crane
      Title: Chief Financial Officer
of Karpus Investment Management

 

   /s/ Arthur Charles Regan

ARTHUR CHARLES REGAN

 

   /s/ Daniel C. Robeson
   DANIEL C. ROBESON

 

CUSIP NO. 26432K108

 

SCHEDULE A

 

Executive Officers & Directors of Karpus Management, Inc., d/b/a Karpus Investment Management

 

Name Position & Present Principal Occupation Business Address Shares Owned
Kathleen Finnerty Crane Chief Financial Officer 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 150 Shares
Dana R. Consler Executive Vice President 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 0 Shares
Thomas M. Duffy Vice President 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 0 Shares
Sharon L. Thornton Executive Vice-President 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 0 Shares
Daniel L. Lippincott, CFA Sr. Tax-Sensitive Manager and Director of Investment Personnel 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 0 Shares
David D'Ambrosio Senior Vice President 183 Sully's Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 2,775 Shares
Marijoyce Ryan Vice President of Fiduciary Services 183 Sully's Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534 5,975 Shares

 

CUSIP NO. 26432K108

 

SCHEDULE B

 

Transactions in the Shares since the filing of Amendment No. 7 to the Schedule 13D

 

Nature of the Transaction

Securities

Purchased/(Sold)

Price Per

Share($)

Date of

Purchase / Sale

 

KARPUS MANAGEMENT, INC., D/B/A/ KARPUS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
(THROUGH THE ACCOUNTS)

 

Purchase of Common Stock 14,336 $9.40 08/11/2020
Sale of Common Stock (3,575) $9.38 08/12/2020
Purchase of Common Stock 700 $9.35 08/13/2020
Purchase of Common Stock 525 $9.35 08/17/2020
Sale of Common Stock (65) $9.29 08/18/2020
Sale of Common Stock (450) $9.26 09/21/2020
Sale of Common Stock (1,300) $9.24 09/23/2020
Purchase of Common Stock 6,851 $9.16 09/24/2020
Purchase of Common Stock 2,989 $9.15 09/30/2020
Sale of Common Stock (630) $9.22 10/01/2020
Sale of Common Stock (110,870) $9.14 10/02/2020