What disclosures will the fund provide to investors regarding the lawsuit and its impact on performance?
Disclosures the fund is expected to provide
Existence of the action and materialârisk warning â The fundâs prospectus and periodic reports will contain a clear statement that a securitiesâfraud classâaction lawsuit has been filed against the fund (formerly Principal Street HighâIncome Municipal Fund). The filing will be identified as a âmaterial eventâ that could have aâŻsignificantâŻimpact on the fundâs net asset value (NAV) and totalâreturn performance.
Potential financial impact â The fund will disclose that, if the lawsuit results in a judgment, settlement, or other liability, the outâofâpocket costs (legal fees, possible damages, and any remedial expenses) could be deducted from the fundâs assets. Consequently, the fund may experience a drag on returns, especially in the nearâterm, and could be forced to adjust its portfolio to meet cashâflow or liquidity requirements.
Effect on investment strategy and holdings â The fund will note that the litigation may compel a review of the underlying municipal securities that gave rise to the alleged fraud. This could lead to the sale of certain positions, a shift toward higherâquality or lowerâduration securities, or a temporary reduction in the fundâs exposure to the affected issuersâany of which would affect yield, duration, and creditâquality metrics.
Ongoing reporting and updates â Investors will be told that the fund will provide periodic updates on the status of the case (e.g., motions, settlements, or judgments) through 10âK, 10âQ, and shareholder letters. The updates will include any material changes to the fundâs projected cashâflow, expense ratio, or ability to meet its stated investment objective.
Riskâmanagement and redemption considerations â The disclosure will caution that adverse outcomes could trigger higher redemption activity or liquidity strain, and that the fund may impose temporary redemption gates or fees to protect remaining shareholders.
Trading implications
Because the lawsuit introduces a contingent liability and potential portfolioârebalancing, the fundâs risk profile is elevated. Market participants should:
- Reâprice the fundâs yield and creditârisk premium â Anticipate a modest discount to the fundâs price relative to comparable highâincome muni funds until the legal risk is resolved.
- Monitor NAV volatility and redemption flows â A spike in redemptions or a sudden NAV dip could create shortâterm trading opportunities (e.g., buying on a dip if the fundâs fundamentals remain sound) or signal a need to reduce exposure.
- Assess creditâquality exposure â If the fund is forced to sell lowerârated securities, its average credit rating may improve, potentially offsetting some performance drag; however, the sellâoff could also compress yields.
In short, the fund will disclose the lawsuitâs existence, the possible cost and portfolioâimpact, and will commit to regular updates. Traders should treat the fund as a higherârisk, âeventâdrivenâ muni vehicle and adjust position sizing, stopâloss levels, and riskâmanagement protocols accordingly.