UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant
to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
[ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary
Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive
Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive
Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
PIONEER
DIVERSIFIED HIGH INCOME FUND, INC. (HNW)
PIONEER FLOATING RATE FUND, INC. (PHD)
PIONEER HIGH INCOME FUND, INC. (PHT)
|
(Name of Registrant(s)
as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing
Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate
box):
[X] No
fee required.
[ ] Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth
the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
4) Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total
fee paid:
[ ] Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the
Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
| 1) | Amount
Previously Paid: |
| 2) | Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
PIONEER DIVERSIFIED HIGH INCOME FUND, INC. (HNW)
PIONEER FLOATING
RATE FUND, INC. (PHD)
PIONEER HIGH INCOME FUND, INC. (PHT)
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
1-877-361-7966
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 3, 2024
To the stockholders of Pioneer Diversified High Income Fund, Inc.,
Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc. and Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc.:
The annual meeting of stockholders (the annual meeting)
of each of Pioneer Diversified High Income Fund, Inc., Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc. and Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. (each, a fund
and, collectively, the funds) is scheduled to be held at the offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, One Federal Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02110, on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, for the following purposes:
1. | | To consider and vote upon the election of three Directors of Pioneer Diversified High Income
Fund, Inc., Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc. and Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. by the holders of shares of Common Stock. Each elected
Director will serve until the third annual meeting following his or her election and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. |
2. | | To consider and vote upon any other business that may properly come before the annual meeting
or any adjournments, postponements, continuation or rescheduling thereof. |
The Board of Directors (the Board) of each fund knows
of no business other than that mentioned in this Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders that will be presented for consideration at
the annual meeting. If any other matters are properly presented at the annual meeting, it is the intention of the persons named as proxies
by the Board to vote on such matters in accordance with their discretion.
Each fund will hold a separate meeting. Stockholders of each fund
will vote separately.
YOUR DIRECTORS RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES
FOR ELECTION AS A DIRECTOR.
The Board has fixed the close of business on August 9, 2024 as the
record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting and any adjournments, postponements,
continuation or rescheduling thereof.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 3, 2024: This Notice and the attached Proxy Statement are available on the Internet at https://vote.proxyonline.com/pioneer/docs/2024proxy.pdf.
By Order of each Board of Directors,
Christopher J. Kelley, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Boston, Massachusetts
August 21, 2024
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, AND IN
ORDER TO FACILITATE TIMELY RECEIPT OF YOUR PROXY VOTE, WE RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO SUBMIT VOTING INSTRUCTIONS BY TELEPHONE OR OVER THE
INTERNET AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. ALTERNATIVELY, YOU MAY SUBMIT VOTING INSTRUCTIONS BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY
CARD IN THE ACCOMPANYING POSTAGE-PAID RETURN ENVELOPE. VOTING NOW WILL NOT LIMIT YOUR RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR VOTE OR TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL
MEETING.
33906-00-0824
PROXY STATEMENT OF
PIONEER DIVERSIFIED HIGH INCOME FUND, INC. (HNW)
PIONEER FLOATING
RATE FUND, INC. (PHD)
PIONEER HIGH INCOME FUND, INC. (PHT)
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
1-877-361-7966
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
This proxy statement contains the information you should know before
voting on the proposal described below.
Each fund will furnish without charge a copy of its most recent
annual report and any more recent semi-annual report to any stockholder upon request. Stockholders who want to obtain a copy of a funds
reports should direct all written requests to the attention of the fund, at the address listed above, or should call the fund at 1-800-710-0935.
INTRODUCTION
This proxy statement is being used by the Board of Directors (the
Board) of each fund to solicit proxies to be voted at the annual meeting of stockholders (the annual meeting)
of each fund referenced above. Participating in the annual meeting are holders of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share
(the Common Stock), of each fund referenced above. Each meeting is scheduled to be held at the offices of Morgan, Lewis &
Bockius LLP, One Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Thursday, October 3, 2024, and at any adjournments,
postponements, continuation, or rescheduling thereof, for the purposes as set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
You may call the funds at 1-800-710-0935 for information on how to obtain directions to be able to attend the annual meeting and vote
in person.
This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card are being mailed
to stockholders of each fund on or about August 21, 2024. The annual report for each fund for its most recently completed fiscal year
previously was mailed to stockholders.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE
Stockholders of record of each fund as of the close of business on
August 9, 2024 (the record date) are entitled to vote on all of the funds business at the annual meeting and any adjournments,
postponements, continuation, or rescheduling thereof. On any matter submitted to a vote of stockholders each whole share shall be entitled
to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional
vote. Even if you plan to attend the annual meeting, please sign,
1
date and return the enclosed proxy card, or provide voting instructions
by telephone or over the Internet. If you authorize a proxy to vote your shares by telephone or over the Internet, you will be asked to
enter a unique code that has been assigned to you, which is printed on your proxy card. This code is designed to confirm your identity,
provide access into the voting site and confirm that your instructions are properly recorded. Shares represented by properly executed
proxies, unless revoked prior to exercise at the annual meeting, will be voted according to the stockholders instructions. If you
sign a proxy card but do not provide instructions, your shares will be voted FOR each of the nominees for Director in Proposal 1. If any
other business properly comes before the annual meeting, your shares will be voted at the discretion of the persons named as proxies.
Stockholders of each fund will only vote on proposals relating to
their fund.
2
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Introduction
Stockholders of each fund are being asked to consider the election
of Craig C. MacKay, Thomas J. Perna and Fred J. Ricciardi to the Board of Directors of each fund.
Mr. MacKay, Mr. Perna and Mr. Ricciardi stand for election as their
terms expire in 2024. Mr. MacKay was elected as a Director of Pioneer Diversified High Income Fund, Inc., Pioneer Floating Rate Fund,
Inc. and Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. in March 2021, and was most recently elected by stockholders of such funds in 2021. Each of Mr.
Perna and Mr. Ricciardi currently serves as a Director of each fund and has served in that capacity continuously since originally elected.
Mr. Perna has served as a Director of Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc. and Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. since 2006, and Pioneer Diversified
High Income Fund, Inc. since 2007. Mr. Perna was most recently elected by stockholders of such funds in 2021. Mr. Ricciardi has served
as a Director of Pioneer Diversified High Income Fund, Inc., Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc. and Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. since
2014, and was most recently elected by stockholders of such funds in 2021. If elected, each of Mr. MacKay, Mr. Perna and Mr. Ricciardi
shall hold office for a three-year term and until his successor is elected and qualified.
Each nominee has consented to being named in this proxy statement
and indicated his willingness to serve if elected. In the unanticipated event that any nominee should be unable to serve, the persons
named as proxies may vote for such other person as shall be designated by each of the funds Board of Directors. The persons named
on the accompanying proxy card intend to vote at the meeting (unless otherwise directed) for the election of Mr. MacKay, Mr. Perna and
Mr. Ricciardi as Directors of each fund.
On July 9, 2024, Amundi, the parent company of Amundi Asset Management
US, Inc. (the Adviser), each funds investment adviser, announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement with
Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (Victory Capital) to combine the Adviser with Victory Capital, and for Amundi to become a strategic
shareholder of Victory Capital (the Transaction). The closing of the Transaction is subject to certain regulatory approvals
and other conditions. There is no assurance that the Transaction will close.
The closing of the Transaction would cause each funds
current investment advisory agreement with the Adviser to terminate. Under the terms of the Transaction, each funds Board of
Directors will be asked to approve a new investment advisory agreement for the fund with Victory Capital Management Inc., an
affiliate of Victory Capital. If approved by the Board, each funds new investment advisory agreement will be submitted to the
stockholders of the fund for their approval at a special meeting of stockholders. There is no assurance that the Board of a fund
will approve the new investment advisory agreement. Other changes to the funds, including changes to each funds Board, also
may be submitted to stockholders for their approval. Neither the Governance and Nominating Committee nor the Board of Directors have
considered any other proposed directors.
3
Stockholders are not being asked to consider approval of a new investment
advisory agreement or any other proposals related to the Transaction at this annual meeting.
Director Class Designations and Terms of Office
Each funds bylaws (Bylaws) provides that a majority
of the Board may establish, increase or decrease the number of Directors of the fund, provided that the number thereof shall never be
less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL) nor more than fifteen Directors.
Each fund currently has nine Directors.
Pursuant to each funds charter, each funds Board is divided
into three staggered term classes - Class I, Class II and Class III. The Directors of only one class are elected at each annual meeting
so that the regular term of only one class of Directors will expire at each annual meeting and any particular Director stands for election
every third annual meeting of stockholders.
Each class of Directors will stand for election at the conclusion
of its respective term. Such classification may prevent replacement of a majority of the Directors for up to two annual meetings.
Director Class Designations and Terms of Office
Currently, the designations and terms of office of each class of Directors
of each fund are as follows:
Pioneer Diversified High Income Fund, Inc.
|
|
Class I Directors |
Diane Durnin, Benjamin M. Friedman and Marco Pirondini. |
|
Terms expire in 2026. |
Class II Directors |
Craig C. MacKay, Thomas J. Perna and Fred J. Ricciardi. |
|
Terms expire in 2024 at the annual meeting. Each of these |
|
Directors has been nominated for election at the annual |
|
meeting. |
Class III Directors |
John E. Baumgardner, Jr., Lisa M. Jones and Lorraine H. |
|
Monchak. Terms expire in 2025. |
Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc.
|
|
Class I Directors |
Mr. Baumgardner, Ms. Jones and Ms. Monchak. Terms expire |
|
in 2025. |
Class II Directors |
Ms. Durnin, Dr. Friedman and Mr. Pirondini. Terms expire in |
|
2026. |
Class III Directors |
Mr. MacKay, Mr. Perna and Mr. Ricciardi. Terms expire in |
|
2024 at the annual meeting. Each of these Directors has been |
|
nominated for election at the annual meeting. |
4
Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc.
|
|
Class I Directors |
Mr. MacKay, Mr. Perna and Mr. Ricciardi. Terms expire in |
|
2024 at the annual meeting. Each of these Directors has been |
|
nominated for election at the annual meeting. |
Class II Directors |
Mr. Baumgardner, Ms. Jones and Ms. Monchak. Terms expire |
|
in 2025. |
Class III Directors |
Ms. Durnin, Dr. Friedman and Mr. Pirondini. Terms expire |
|
in 2026. |
Information Regarding the Boards Nominees and Directors
The following table sets forth for each of the Boards nominees
and other Directors, his or her position(s) with each fund, age, address, principal occupation during at least the past five years and
any other board memberships held during at least the past five years. Directors who are interested persons of a fund within the meaning
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), are referred to as Interested Directors. Directors who are
not interested persons of a fund are referred to as Independent Directors. Each of the Directors serves as a Director of each of the 46
U.S. registered funds for which Amundi Asset Management US, Inc. (Amundi US) serves as investment adviser (the Pioneer
Funds). The address for all Directors and all officers of each fund is 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
5
|
|
|
|
Name, Age
and |
|
|
|
Position
Held |
Term of
Office and |
|
Other Directorships |
With
the Fund |
Length
of Service+ |
Principal
Occupation |
Held
by Director |
Independent
Directors and Nominees: |
|
|
Thomas
J. |
Pioneer
Diversified |
Private investor (2004 –
2008 |
Director,
Broadridge |
Perna (73) |
High Income
Fund, |
and 2013 – present); Chairman |
Financial
Solutions, Inc. |
Chairman of |
Inc.: Class
II Director |
(2008 – 2013) and Chief |
(investor
communications |
the Board
and |
since 2007.
Term expires |
Executive Officer (2008 –
2012), |
and securities
processing |
Director |
in 2024. |
Quadriserv, Inc. (technology |
provider for
financial |
Nominee |
|
products for securities lending |
services industry) |
|
Pioneer
Floating Rate |
industry); and Senior Executive |
(2009 –
2023); Director, |
|
Fund, Inc.:
Class III |
Vice President, The Bank of
New |
Quadriserv,
Inc. |
|
Director since
2006. Term |
York (financial and securities |
(2005 –
2013); and |
|
expires in
2024. |
services) (1986 – 2004) |
Commissioner,
New |
|
|
|
Jersey State
Civil Service |
|
Pioneer
High Income |
|
Commission
(2011 – |
|
Fund, Inc.:
Class I |
|
2015) |
|
Director since 2006. Term |
|
|
|
expires in 2024. |
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
Name, Age and |
|
|
|
Position Held |
Term of Office and |
|
Other Directorships |
With the Fund |
Length of Service+ |
Principal Occupation |
Held by Director |
Independent Directors and Nominees: |
|
|
John E. |
Pioneer Diversified |
Of Counsel (2019 present), |
Member, Governing |
Baumgardner, |
High Income Fund, |
Partner (1983-2018), Sullivan & |
Council and Policy |
Jr. (73)* |
Inc.: Class III Director |
Cromwell LLP (law firm) |
Steering Committee, |
Director |
since 2019. Term expires |
|
Independent Directors |
|
in 2025. |
|
Council (since 2021); |
|
|
|
Chairman, The Lakeville |
|
Pioneer Floating Rate |
|
Journal Company, |
|
Fund, Inc.: Class I |
|
LLC, (privately-held |
|
Director since 2019. Term |
|
community newspaper |
|
expires in 2025. |
|
group) (2015-2021) |
|
|
|
|
|
Pioneer High Income |
|
|
|
Fund, Inc.: Class II |
|
|
|
Director since 2019. Term |
|
|
|
expires in 2025. |
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
Name, Age and |
|
|
|
Position Held |
Term of Office and |
|
Other Directorships |
With the Fund |
Length of Service+ |
Principal Occupation |
Held by Director |
Independent Directors and Nominees: |
|
|
Diane Durnin |
Pioneer Diversified |
Managing Director - Head |
None |
(67) |
High Income Fund, |
of Product Strategy and |
|
Director |
Inc.: Class I Director |
Development, BNY Mellon |
|
|
since 2020. Term expires |
Investment Management |
|
|
in 2026. |
(investment management firm) |
|
|
Pioneer Floating Rate |
(2012-2018); Vice Chairman |
|
|
Fund, Inc.: Class II |
The Dreyfus Corporation |
|
|
Director since 2020. Term |
(2005 2018): Executive Vice |
|
|
expires in 2026. |
President Head of Product, BNY |
|
|
|
Mellon Investment Management |
|
|
Pioneer High Income |
(2007-2012); Executive Director- |
|
|
Fund, Inc.: Class III |
Product Strategy, Mellon Asset |
|
|
Director since 2020. Term |
Management (2005-2007); |
|
|
expires in 2026. |
Executive Vice President Head of |
|
|
|
Products, Marketing and Client |
|
|
|
Service, Dreyfus Corporation |
|
|
|
(investment management |
|
|
|
firm) (2000-2005); Senior Vice |
|
|
|
President Strategic Product and |
|
|
|
Business Development, Dreyfus |
|
|
|
Corporation (1994-2000) |
|
8
|
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|
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Name, Age and |
|
|
|
Position Held |
Term of Office and |
|
Other Directorships |
With the Fund |
Length of Service+ |
Principal Occupation |
Held by Director |
Independent Directors and Nominees: |
|
|
Benjamin M. |
Pioneer Diversified |
William Joseph Maier Professor |
Trustee, Mellon |
Friedman (79) |
High Income Fund, |
of Political Economy, Harvard |
Institutional Funds |
Director |
Inc.: Class I Director |
University (1972 present) |
Investment Trust and |
|
since 2008. Term expires |
|
Mellon Institutional Funds |
|
in 2026. |
|
Master Portfolio (oversaw |
|
Pioneer Floating Rate |
|
17 portfolios in fund |
|
Fund, Inc.: Class II |
|
complex) (1989 - 2008) |
|
Director since 2008. Term |
|
|
|
expires in 2026. |
|
|
|
Pioneer High Income |
|
|
|
Fund, Inc.: Class III |
|
|
|
Director since 2008. Term |
|
|
|
expires in 2026. |
|
|
9
|
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Name, Age and |
|
|
|
Position Held |
Term of Office and |
|
Other Directorships |
With the Fund |
Length of Service+ |
Principal Occupation |
Held by Director |
Independent Directors and Nominees: |
|
|
Craig C. |
Pioneer Diversified |
Partner, England & Company, |
Director, Equitable |
MacKay (61) |
High Income Fund, |
LLC (advisory firm) |
Holdings, Inc. (financial |
Director |
Inc.: Class II Director |
(2012 present); Group |
services holding |
Nominee |
since 2021. Term expires |
Head Leveraged Finance |
company) (2022 |
|
in 2024. |
Distribution, Oppenheimer & |
present); Board Member |
|
Pioneer Floating Rate |
Company (investment bank) |
of Carver Bancorp, Inc. |
|
Fund, Inc.: Class III |
(2006 2012); Group Head |
(holding company) |
|
Director since 2021. Term |
Private Finance & High Yield |
and Carver Federal |
|
expires in 2024. |
Capital Markets Origination, |
Savings Bank, NA (2017 |
|
|
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey |
present); Advisory |
|
Pioneer High Income |
(investment bank) (2003 |
Council Member, |
|
Fund, Inc.: Class I |
2006); and Founder and |
MasterShares ETF |
|
Director since 2021. Term |
Chief Executive Officer, HNY |
(2016 2017); Advisory |
|
expires in 2024. |
Associates, LLC (investment |
Council Member, The |
|
|
bank) (1996 2003) |
Deal (financial market |
|
|
|
information publisher) |
|
|
|
(2015 2016); Board |
|
|
|
Co-Chairman and Chief |
|
|
|
Executive Officer, Danis |
|
|
|
Transportation Company |
|
|
|
(privately-owned |
|
|
|
commercial carrier) (2000 |
|
|
|
2003); Board Member |
|
|
|
and Chief Financial |
|
|
|
Officer, Customer Access |
|
|
|
Resources (privately- |
|
|
|
owned teleservices |
|
|
|
company) (1998 |
|
|
|
2000); Board Member, |
|
|
|
Federation of Protestant |
|
|
|
Welfare Agencies |
|
|
|
(human services agency) |
|
|
|
(1993 present); and |
|
|
|
Board Treasurer, Harlem |
|
|
|
Dowling Westside Center |
|
|
|
(foster care agency) |
|
|
|
(1999 2018) |
10
|
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Name, Age and |
|
|
|
Position Held |
Term of Office and |
|
Other Directorships |
With the Fund |
Length of Service+ |
Principal Occupation |
Held by Director |
Independent Directors and Nominees: |
|
|
Lorraine H. |
Pioneer Diversified |
Chief Investment Officer, |
None |
Monchak (67) |
High Income Fund, |
1199 SEIU Funds (healthcare |
|
Director |
Inc.: Class III Director |
workers union pension funds) |
|
|
since 2015. Term expires |
(2001 present); Vice President |
|
|
in 2025. |
International Investments |
|
|
Pioneer Floating Rate |
Group, American International |
|
|
Fund, Inc.: Class I |
Group, Inc. (insurance |
|
|
Director since 2015. Term |
company) (1993 2001); |
|
|
expires in 2025. |
Vice President Corporate |
|
|
|
Finance and Treasury Group, |
|
|
Pioneer High Income |
Citibank, N.A.(1980 1986 and |
|
|
Fund, Inc.: Class II |
1990 1993); Vice President |
|
|
Director since 2015. Term |
Asset/Liability Management |
|
|
expires in 2025. |
Group, Federal Farm Funding |
|
|
|
Corporation (government- |
|
|
|
sponsored issuer of debt |
|
|
|
securities) (1988 1990); |
|
|
|
Mortgage Strategies Group, |
|
|
|
Shearson Lehman Hutton, |
|
|
|
Inc. (investment bank) (1987 |
|
|
|
1988); Mortgage Strategies |
|
|
|
Group, Drexel Burnham |
|
|
|
Lambert, Ltd. (investment bank) |
|
|
|
(1986 1987) |
|
11
|
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|
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Name, Age and |
|
|
|
Position Held |
Term of Office and |
|
Other Directorships |
With the Fund |
Length of Service+ |
Principal Occupation |
Held by Director |
Independent Directors and Nominees: |
|
|
Fred J. |
Diversified High |
Private investor (2020 |
None |
Ricciardi (77) |
Income Fund, Inc.: |
present); Consultant (investment |
|
Director |
Class II Director since |
company services) (2012 |
|
Nominee |
2014. Term expires in |
2020); Executive Vice President, |
|
|
2024. |
BNY Mellon (financial and |
|
|
Pioneer Floating Rate |
investment company services) |
|
|
Fund, Inc.: Class III |
(1969 2012); Director, BNY |
|
|
Director since 2014. Term |
International Financing Corp. |
|
|
expires in 2024. |
(financial services) (2002 |
|
|
|
2012); Director, Mellon Overseas |
|
|
Pioneer High Income |
Investment Corp. (financial |
|
|
Fund, Inc.: Class I |
services) (2009 2012); |
|
|
Director since 2014. Term |
Director, Financial Models |
|
|
expires in 2024. |
(technology) (2005-2007); |
|
|
|
Director, BNY Hamilton Funds, |
|
|
|
Ireland (offshore investment |
|
|
|
companies) (2004-2007); |
|
|
|
Chairman/Director, AIB/BNY |
|
|
|
Securities Services, Ltd., Ireland |
|
|
|
(financial services) (1999-2006); |
|
|
|
Chairman, BNY Alternative |
|
|
|
Investment Services, Inc. |
|
|
|
(financial services) (2005-2007) |
|
12
|
|
|
|
Name, Age and |
|
|
|
Position Held |
Term of
Office and |
|
Other Directorships |
With
the Fund |
Length
of Service |
Principal
Occupation |
Held
by Director |
Interested
Directors: |
|
|
Lisa M. Jones |
Pioneer
Diversified |
Director, CEO and President
of |
Director of
Clearwater |
(62)** |
High Income
Fund, |
Amundi US, Inc. (investment |
Analytics
(provider of |
Director, |
Inc.: Class
III Director |
management firm) (since |
web-based
investment |
President and |
since 2014. Term expires |
September 2014); Director, CEO |
accounting
software |
Chief Executive |
in 2025. |
and President of Amundi Asset |
for reporting
and |
Officer |
|
Management US, Inc. (since |
reconciliation
services) |
|
Pioneer
Floating Rate |
September 2014); Director, |
(September
2022 – |
|
Fund, Inc.:
Class I |
CEO and President of Amundi |
present) |
|
Director since
2014. Term |
Distributor US, Inc. (since |
|
|
expires in
2025. |
September 2014); Director, |
|
|
|
CEO and President of Amundi |
|
|
Pioneer
High Income |
Asset Management US, Inc. |
|
|
Fund, Inc.:
Class II |
(since September 2014); Chair, |
|
|
Director since
2014. Term |
Amundi US, Inc., Amundi |
|
|
expires in
2025. |
Distributor US, Inc. and Amundi |
|
|
|
Asset Management US, Inc. |
|
|
|
(September 2014 – 2018); |
|
|
|
Managing Director, Morgan |
|
|
|
Stanley Investment Management |
|
|
|
(investment management |
|
|
|
firm) (2010 – 2013); Director |
|
|
|
of Institutional Business, CEO |
|
|
|
of International, Eaton Vance |
|
|
|
Management (investment |
|
|
|
management firm) (2005 – |
|
|
|
2010); Director of Amundi |
|
|
|
Holdings US, Inc. (since 2017) |
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
Name, Age and |
|
|
|
Position Held |
Term of
Office and |
|
Other Directorships |
With
the Fund |
Length
of Service |
Principal
Occupation |
Held
by Director |
Interested
Directors: |
|
|
Marco |
Diversified
High |
Executive Vice President and |
None |
Pirondini |
Income
Fund, Inc.: |
Chief Investment Officer of |
|
(57)** |
Class I Director since |
Amundi Asset Management US, |
|
Director and |
2024. Term expires in |
Inc. since January 2024; Senior |
|
Executive Vice |
2026. |
Managing Director and Head of |
|
President |
|
Equities U.S. of Amundi US from |
|
|
Pioneer
Floating Rate |
2010 to December 2023 |
|
|
Fund, Inc.:
Class II |
|
|
|
Director since
2024. Term |
|
|
|
expires in
2026. |
|
|
|
Pioneer
High Income |
|
|
|
Fund, Inc.:
Class III |
|
|
|
Director since
2024. Term |
|
|
|
expires in
2026. |
|
|
+ | | Each Director holds office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualify.
Any Director nominated for re-election as a Director who fails to receive the requisite vote for re-election at an annual meeting of
stockholders, and whose successor has neither been elected nor qualified, shall holdover. Except as otherwise provided by applicable
law, such holdover Director shall continue to serve as Director until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until he or she
sooner dies, resigns, retires or is disqualified or removed from office as provided in each funds Charter. |
* | | Mr. Baumgardner is Of Counsel to Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, which acts as independent outside
legal counsel to the Independent Directors of each Pioneer Fund. |
** | | Ms. Jones and Mr. Pirondini are Interested Directors because they are an officer or director
of each funds investment adviser and certain of its affiliates. |
14
Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
The Board is responsible for overseeing each funds management
and operations. The Chairman of the Board is an Independent Director. Independent Directors constitute at least 75% of the Board.
During the most recent fiscal year of each of Pioneer Diversified
High Income Fund, Inc. and Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. the Board held 8 meetings. During the most recent fiscal year of Pioneer Floating
Rate Fund, Inc., the Board held 7 meetings. All of the current Directors and committee members of each fund then serving attended at least
75% of the meetings of the Board and applicable committees, if any, held during that funds most recent fiscal year.
The funds do not have a policy on Director attendance at the annual
meeting. For each fund, one Director attended the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.
The Directors were selected or nominated to join the Board based upon
the following as to each Board member: such persons character and integrity; such persons judgment, analytical ability, intelligence,
and common sense; such persons experience and previous profit and not-for-profit board membership; such persons demonstrated
willingness to take an independent and questioning stance toward management; such persons willingness and ability to commit the
time necessary to perform the duties of a Director; as to each Independent Director, his or her status as not being an interested
person as defined under the 1940 Act; and, as to Ms. Jones and Mr. Pirondini, their association with Amundi US. Each Director also
serves on the Boards of Directors of other exchange-listed closed-end funds, a closed-end interval fund, and open-end funds, all part
of the Pioneer Funds complex, and has substantial experience protecting fund stockholders interests. As part of their service on
the boards of Pioneer closed-end funds, the nominees regularly evaluate issues unique to closed-end funds, including the discount
at which closed-end funds shares may trade relative to their net asset value per share. Each of the Independent Directors also was
selected to join the Board based on the criteria and principles set forth in the charter of each funds Governance and Nominating
Committee, as then in effect. In addition to individual attributes, the value of diversity is considered. In evaluating an incumbent Directors
prospective service on the Board, the Directors experience in, and ongoing contributions toward, overseeing that funds business
as a Director also are considered.
In addition, the following specific experiences, qualifications, attributes
and/or skills apply as to each Director: Mr. Baumgardner, legal, investment management, business and public company experience as an attorney
practicing investment management, corporate and securities law and experience as a board member of other organizations; Ms. Durnin, investment
management and investment company experience as an executive officer of an investment adviser; Dr. Friedman, academic leadership, economic
and finance experience and investment company board experience; Mr. MacKay, investment, financial and business experience as a partner
in an investment banking firm and experience as a board member of other organizations; Ms. Monchak, investment, financial and business
experience, including as the chief investment officer of a pension fund; Mr. Perna, accounting, financial,
15
and business experience as an executive officer and experience as
a board member of other organizations; Mr. Ricciardi, financial, business and investment company experience as an executive officer of
a financial and investment company services organization, and experience as a board member of offshore investment companies and other
organizations; Ms. Jones, investment management experience as an executive and leadership roles with Amundi US and its affiliates; and
Mr. Pirondini, portfolio management experience and leadership roles with Amundi US. However, in its periodic assessment of the effectiveness
of the Board, the Board considers the complementary skills and experience of individual Directors primarily in the broader context of
the Boards overall composition so that the Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately diverse) skills and experience
to oversee the business of the fund.
Under the MGCL, the appointment, designation (including in any proxy
or registration statement or other document) of a Director as an expert on any topic or in any area, or as having experience, attributes
or skills in any area, or any other appointment, designation or identification, does not impose on that person any standard of care or
liability that is greater than that imposed on that person as a Director in the absence of the appointment, designation or identification,
and no Director who has special attributes, skills, experience or expertise, or is appointed, designated, or identified as aforesaid,
is held to a higher standard of care by virtue thereof.
Board Committees
The Board currently has four standing committees: the Independent
Directors Committee, the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Policy Administration Committee. Each committee
is chaired by an Independent Director (the Chairs) and all members of each committee are Independent Directors.
The Chairs of the committees work with the Chairman of the Board and
fund management in setting the agendas for Board meetings. The Chairs of the committees set the agendas for committee meetings with input
from fund management. As noted below, through the committees, the Independent Directors consider and address important matters involving
the funds, including those presenting conflicts or potential conflicts of interest for management. The Independent Directors also regularly
meet without the presence of management and are advised by independent legal counsel. The Board believes that the committee structure,
and delegation to the committees of specified oversight responsibilities, help the Board more effectively to provide governance and oversight
of the funds affairs. Mr. Perna, Chairman of the Board, is a member of each committee except the Audit Committee and the Valuation
Committee*, each of which he is a non-voting, ex-officio member.
During the most recent fiscal year for each fund, the Audit Committee,
Governance and Nominating Committee, Independent Directors Committee, Policy Administration Committee and Valuation Committee* of each
fund held the following meetings:
16
|
|
|
|
|
4/30/2024 |
11/30/2023 |
3/31/2024 |
|
Pioneer |
Pioneer |
Pioneer |
|
Diversified High |
Floating Rate |
High Income |
|
Income Fund, Inc. |
Fund, Inc. |
Fund, Inc. |
Audit Committee |
8 |
8 |
8 |
Governance and |
|
|
|
Nominating Committee |
6 |
5 |
5 |
Independent Directors |
|
|
|
Committee |
6 |
6 |
6 |
Policy Administration |
|
|
|
Committee |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Valuation Committee* |
3 |
4 |
3 |
* | | The Valuation Committee was combined with the Audit Committee on January 22, 2024. |
Independent Directors Committee: John E. Baumgardner, Jr.,
Diane Durnin, Benjamin M. Friedman, Craig C. MacKay, Lorraine H. Monchak, Thomas J. Perna (Chair) and Fred J. Ricciardi.
The Independent Directors Committee is comprised of all of the Independent
Directors. The Independent Directors Committee serves as the forum for consideration of a number of issues required to be considered separately
by the Independent Directors under the 1940 Act, including the assessment and review of each funds advisory agreement and other
related party contracts. The Independent Directors Committee also considers issues that the Independent Directors believe it is advisable
for them to consider separately from the Interested Directors.
Audit Committee: Benjamin M. Friedman, Craig C. MacKay, Lorraine
H. Monchak and Fred J. Ricciardi (Chair).
Each funds Audit Committee is comprised of only Independent
Directors who are independent as defined in the applicable New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NYSE American (Pioneer
Diversified High Income Fund, Inc.) listing standards relating to closed-end funds. The Board of each fund has adopted a charter for the
Audit Committee. In accordance with its charter, the purposes of the Audit Committee are to:
| | Assist the Boards oversight and monitoring of: (i) the integrity of the funds
financial statements; (ii) the funds compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) the independent registered public
accounting firms qualifications, performance and independence; and (iv) the performance of the funds internal audit function;
and |
| | Prepare the disclosure required by Item 407(d)(3)(i) of Regulation S-K to be included in
the funds annual proxy statement and other filings. |
The Audit Committee charter is available on Amundi USs website:
amundi.com/US. You also can obtain a copy by sending a written request to your fund at the address listed on this proxy statement. The
information contained on Amundi USs website is not part of, or incorporated by reference in, this proxy statement.
17
In addition, the Audit Committee reviews the reports and other information
provided to the Committee by Amundi US, as the valuation designee of the Fund, and assists the Board in the oversight of Amundi US as
the valuation designee of the funds
Each funds Board has determined that the fund has at least one
audit committee financial expert serving on its Audit Committee. Mr. Ricciardi, an Independent Director, serves on each Audit Committee
and has been determined to be an audit committee financial expert.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee reports that it has (1) reviewed and discussed
each funds audited financial statements with management; (2) discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the
matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC); and (3) received written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public
accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered
public accounting firms communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and discussed with the independent registered
public accounting firm that firms independence. Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended
to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report for Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc.
for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2023, the Annual Report for Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. for the fiscal year ended March 31,
2024 and the Annual Report for Pioneer Diversified High Income Fund, Inc. for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024.
The members of each funds Audit Committee are:
Benjamin M. Friedman
Craig C. MacKay
Lorraine H. Monchak
Fred J. Ricciardi (Chair)
Governance and Nominating Committee: John E. Baumgardner, Jr.
(Chair), Diane Durnin, and Thomas J. Perna.
All members of the Governance and Nominating Committee are independent
under the applicable NYSE and NYSE American listing standards relating to closed-end funds, and are not interested persons,
as defined in the 1940 Act, of each fund. The Board of each fund has adopted a written charter for the Governance and Nominating Committee,
which is available on Amundi USs website: amundi.com/US. You also can obtain a copy by sending a written request to your fund at
the address listed on this proxy statement.
The Governance and Nominating Committee considers governance matters
affecting the Board and each fund. Among other responsibilities, the Governance and Nominating Committee reviews the performance of the
Independent Directors as a whole, and reviews and recommends to the Independent Directors Committee any appropriate changes concerning,
among other things, the size and composition of the Board, the Boards
18
committee structure and the Independent Directors compensation.
The Governance and Nominating Committee also makes recommendations to the Independent Directors Committee or the Board on matters delegated
to it.
In addition, the Governance and Nominating Committee screens potential
candidates for Independent Directors. Among other responsibilities, the Governance and Nominating Committee reviews periodically the criteria
for Independent Directors and the spectrum of desirable experience, expertise and characteristics for Independent Directors as a whole,
and reviews periodically the qualifications and requisite skills of persons currently serving as Independent Directors and being considered
for re-nomination. The Governance and Nominating Committee also reviews the qualifications of any person nominated to serve on the Board
by a stockholder or recommended by any Director, management or another person and makes a recommendation as to the qualifications of such
nominated or recommended person to the Independent Directors and the Board, and reviews periodically the Committees procedure, if
any, regarding candidates submitted by stockholders. The Governance and Nominating Committee also strives to achieve diversity of the
Board with respect to attributes such as race, ethnicity, gender, cultural background and professional experience when reviewing candidates
for any Board vacancies. The Directors who are not Independent Directors and the officers of each fund are nominated and selected by the
Board.
The Governance and Nominating Committee does not have specific, minimum
qualifications for nominees, nor has it established specific qualities or skills that it regards as necessary for one or more of the Independent
Directors to possess (other than qualities or skills that may be required by applicable law or regulation). However, in evaluating a person
as a potential nominee to serve as an Independent Director, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider the following general
criteria and principles, among any others that it may deem relevant: (i) the nominees reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence
to high ethical standards; (ii) the nominees business acumen and ability to exercise sound judgment in matters that relate to the
current and long-term objectives of the fund and whether the person is willing and able to contribute positively to the decision-making
process of the fund; (iii) the nominees commitment and ability to devote the necessary time and energy to be an effective Independent
Director, to understand the fund and the responsibilities of a director of an investment company; (iv) the nominees ability to understand
the sometimes conflicting interests of the fund and the management company, and to act in the interests of the fund; (v) whether the nominee
has, or appears to have, a conflict of interest that would impair his or her ability to represent the interests of all stockholders and
to fulfill the responsibilities of a director; (vi) that nominees shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, national
origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or any other basis proscribed by law; (vii) nominees should have, or be willing to acquire,
an appreciation and understanding for the oversight of publicly offered investment companies and the management, administration and distribution
services provided by service providers to the companies and their shareholders, and the regulatory context within which these activities
are carried out; (viii) nominees should have a collegial, collaborative approach: people who will work efficiently, effectively and in
the spirit of
19
candor and respect for fellow board members and the staffs of the
service providers; (ix) nominees should have the willingness and ability to serve on appropriate committees, and contribute to and engage
meaningfully in the deliberations thereof; and (x) nominees should be committed to diversity and inclusion among Board members.
The Governance and Nominating Committee also will consider whether
the nominee has the experience or skills that the Governance and Nominating Committee believes would maintain or enhance the effectiveness
of the Independent Directors oversight of each funds affairs, based on the then current composition and skills of the Independent
Directors and experience or skills that may be appropriate in light of changing business conditions and regulatory or other developments.
The Governance and Nominating Committee does not necessarily place the same emphasis on each criterion.
The Governance and Nominating Committee does not have a formal procedure
for the implementation, or for assessing the effectiveness, of its policy with regard to the consideration of the value of diversity on
the Board in reviewing potential nominees for Independent Director. However, as noted above, in its periodic assessment of the effectiveness
of the Board, the Board considers the complementary skills and experience of individual Directors in the context of the Boards overall
composition so that the Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately diverse) skills and experience to oversee the business
of the funds. In addition, the Governance and Nominating Committee charter provides that the Committee shall strive to achieve diversity
of the Board with respect to attributes such as race, ethnicity, gender, cultural background and professional experience when reviewing
candidates for any Board vacancies, and further provides, as noted above, that nominees shall not be discriminated against on the basis
of race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or any other basis proscribed by law.
In the event that a vacancy arises or a change in Board membership
is determined to be advisable, the Governance and Nominating Committee will, in addition to any stockholder recommendations, evaluate
candidates identified by other means, including candidates proposed by Independent Directors or management. While it has not done so in
the past, the Governance and Nominating Committee may retain a consultant to assist the committee in a search for a qualified candidate.
The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider recommendations
for board membership by stockholders. In evaluating a nominee recommended by a stockholder, the Governance and Nominating Committee, in
addition to the criteria discussed above, may consider the objectives of the stockholder in submitting that nomination and whether such
objectives are consistent with the interests of all stockholders. If the Board determines to include a stockholders candidate among
the slate of Board nominees, the candidates name will be placed on that funds proxy card.
The Governance and Nominating Committee initiated the recommendation
of each of the non-interested nominees to serve as an Independent Director.
20
With respect to the re-nomination of an existing Independent Director,
the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee use the criteria and the principles set forth above, as
revised from time to time, to guide the selection process.
Stockholders may communicate with the members of the Board as a group
or individually. Any such communication should be sent to the Board or an individual Director c/o the Secretary of the fund at the address
on the notice of this annual meeting. The Secretary may determine not to forward any communication to members of the Board that does not
relate to the business of a fund.
Policy Administration Committee: Thomas J. Perna (Chair), John
E. Baumgardner, Jr., and Diane Durnin.
The Policy Administration Committee, among other things, oversees
and monitors each funds compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that are not directly related to financial reporting,
internal financial controls, independent audits or the performance of the funds internal audit function. The Policy Administration
Committee also oversees the adoption and implementation of certain of the funds policies and procedures.
Oversight of Risk Management
Consistent with its responsibility for oversight of each fund in the
interests of stockholders, the Board has established a framework for the oversight of various risks relating to the funds, including the
oversight of the identification of risks and the management of certain identified risks. The Board has delegated certain aspects of its
risk oversight responsibilities to the committees, but relies primarily on Amundi US and its affiliates for the identification and management
or mitigation of risks relating to their management activities on behalf of the funds, as well as to oversee and advise the Board on the
risks that may arise relating to the activities of other fund service providers.
Each fund faces a number of risks, such as investment risk, counterparty
risk, valuation risk, enterprise risk, reputational risk, cybersecurity risk, risk of operational failure or lack of business continuity,
and legal, compliance and regulatory risk. The goal of risk management is to identify and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances
that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, stockholder services, investment performance or reputation of a
fund.
Most of the funds investment management and business operations
are carried out by or through Amundi US, its affiliates, and other service providers (such as the custodian and fund accounting agent
and the transfer agent), each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one
or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from each funds and each others in the setting of priorities,
the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. Operational or other failures, including cybersecurity failures, at
any one or more of the funds service providers could have a material adverse effect on a fund and its stockholders.
21
Under the overall supervision of the Board or the applicable committee
of the Board, each fund, or Amundi US and the affiliates of Amundi US, or other service providers to each fund employ a variety of processes,
procedures and controls in an effort to identify, address and mitigate risks. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed
with respect to different types of risks. Various personnel, including the funds and Amundi USs chief compliance officer and
Amundi USs chief risk officer and director of internal audit, as well as various personnel of Amundi US and of other service providers,
make periodic reports to the applicable committee or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management. The reports received
by the Directors related to risks typically are summaries of relevant information.
The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect a fund can
be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear
certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve each funds goals, that the processes, procedures and controls employed
to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness, and that some risks are simply beyond the control of the funds or Amundi
US and its affiliates or other service providers. Because most of the funds operations are carried out by various service providers,
the Boards oversight of the risk management processes of those service providers, including processes to address cybersecurity and
other operational failures, is inherently limited. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, each funds ability to manage
risk is subject to substantial limitations.
It is important to note that each fund is designed for investors that
are prepared to accept investment risk, including the possibility that as yet unforeseen risks may emerge in the future.
The following table indicates the value of shares that each Director
or nominee beneficially owned in each fund and Pioneer Funds in the aggregate as of May 31, 2024, the most recent practicable date prior
to the filing of this Proxy Statement with the SEC. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC Rule 13d-3(d)(1). The share
value of any closed-end Pioneer fund is based on its closing market price on May 31, 2024. The share value of any open-end Pioneer fund
is based on the net asset value of the class of shares on May 31, 2024. The dollar ranges in this table are in accordance with SEC requirements.
22
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Dollar |
|
|
Range of Equity |
|
|
Securities in All |
|
|
Pioneer Funds |
|
|
Overseen or to |
|
Dollar Range of |
be Overseen |
|
Equity Securities |
by Directors |
Name of Directors or Nominees |
in each Fund |
or Nominees |
INTERESTED DIRECTORS or NOMINEES |
|
|
|
$0 1 |
|
Lisa M. Jones |
$0 2 |
Over $100,000 |
|
$0 3 |
|
|
$0 1 |
|
Marco Pirondini* |
$0 2 |
Over $100,000 |
|
$0 3 |
|
|
|
|
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS or NOMINEES |
|
|
|
$0 1 |
|
John E. Baumgardner, Jr. |
$0 2 |
Over $100,000 |
|
$0 3 |
|
|
$0 1 |
|
Diane Durnin |
$0 2 |
Over $100,000 |
|
$0 3 |
|
|
$0 1 |
|
Benjamin M. Friedman |
$0 2 |
Over $100,000 |
|
$0 3 |
|
|
$0 1 |
|
Craig C. MacKay |
$0 2 |
Over $100,000 |
|
$0 3 |
|
|
$0 1 |
|
Lorraine H. Monchak |
$0 2 |
Over $100,000 |
|
$0 3 |
|
|
$0 1 |
|
Thomas J. Perna |
$0 2 |
Over $100,000 |
|
$0 3 |
|
|
$0 1 |
|
Fred J. Ricciardi |
$0 2 |
Over $100,000 |
|
$0 3 |
|
1 | | Shares held in Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. |
2 | | Shares held in Pioneer Diversified High Income Fund, Inc. |
3 | | Shares held in Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc. |
* | | Mr. Pirondini was elected as a Director on January 22, 2024. |
23
As of December 31, 2023, the Directors, any nominee for election as
a Director and the executive officers of each fund owned beneficially in the aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each
fund.
For each of the funds, during the most recent fiscal year, none of
the Independent Directors or any nominee for election as an Independent Director engaged in the purchase or sale of securities of Amundi
US, Amundi, Amundi US, Inc. or any other entity in a control relationship to Amundi US or Amundi Distributor US, Inc.
Material Relationships of the Independent Directors
Mr. Baumgardner, an Independent Director, is Of Counsel to Sullivan
& Cromwell LLP, which acts as independent counsel to the Independent Directors of all of the Pioneer Funds. The aggregate compensation
paid to Sullivan & Cromwell LLP by the Pioneer Funds was approximately $404,966 and $660,871 in each of 2022 and 2023.
Executive Officers of the Funds
In addition to Ms. Jones, who serves as the President and Chief Executive
Officer of each fund, and Mr. Pirondini, who serves as the Executive Vice President of each fund, the following table provides information
with respect to the other executive officers of the funds. Each executive officer is elected by the Board and serves until his or her
successor is duly elected and qualifies or until his or her resignation or removal by the Board. Each of the executive officers of the
funds is an employee of Amundi US and none of the executive officers are employees of the funds. The business address of all officers
of the funds is 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
|
|
Name, age and position with each fund |
Principal occupation(s) |
Christopher J. Kelley |
Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of |
(59) |
Amundi US since March 2024; Vice President and |
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer |
Associate General Counsel of Amundi US from |
|
January 2008 to March 2024; Secretary and Chief |
|
Legal Officer of all of the Pioneer Funds since June |
|
2010; Assistant Secretary of all of the Pioneer Funds |
|
from September 2003 to May 2010; Vice President |
|
and Senior Counsel of Amundi US from July 2002 to |
|
December 2007 |
Thomas Reyes |
Associate General Counsel of Amundi US since |
(61) |
March 2023; Assistant Secretary of all the Pioneer |
Assistant Secretary |
Funds since June 2010; Assistant General Counsel |
|
of Amundi US from May 2013 to March 2023 and |
|
Counsel of Amundi US from June 2007 to May 2013 |
24
|
|
Name, age and position with each fund |
Principal occupation(s) |
Heather L. Melito-Dezan |
Director - Trustee and Board Relationships of |
(47) |
Amundi US since September 2019; Assistant |
Assistant Secretary |
Secretary of Amundi US, Inc. since July 2020: |
|
Assistant Secretary of Amundi Asset Management |
|
US, Inc. since July 2020: Assistant Secretary |
|
of Amundi Distributor US, Inc. since July 2020; |
|
Assistant Secretary of all the Pioneer Funds since |
|
September 2022; Private practice from 2017 2019 |
Anthony J. Koenig, Jr. |
Managing Director, Chief Operations Officer and |
(58) |
Fund Treasurer of Amundi US since May 2021; |
Treasurer and Chief Financial and |
Treasurer of all of the Pioneer Funds since May |
Accounting Officer |
2021; Assistant Treasurer of all of the Pioneer Funds |
|
from January 2021 to May 2021; and Chief of Staff, |
|
US Investment Management of Amundi US from |
|
May 2008 to January 2021 |
Luis I. Presutti |
Director Fund Treasury of Amundi US since |
(58) |
1999; and Assistant Treasurer of all of the |
Assistant Treasurer |
Pioneer Funds since 1999 |
Gary Sullivan |
Senior Manager Fund Treasury of Amundi US |
(65) |
since 2012; and Assistant Treasurer of all of the |
Assistant Treasurer |
Pioneer Funds since 2002 |
Antonio Furtado |
Fund Oversight Manager Fund Treasury of |
(41) |
Amundi US since 2020; Assistant Treasurer of all |
Assistant Treasurer |
of the Pioneer Funds since 2020; and Senior Fund |
|
Treasury Analyst from 2012 - 2020 |
Michael Melnick |
Vice President - Deputy Fund Treasurer of |
(53) |
Amundi US since May 2021; Assistant Treasurer |
Assistant Treasurer |
of all of the Pioneer Funds since July 2021; Director |
|
of Regulatory Reporting of Amundi US from |
|
2001 2021; and Director of Tax of Amundi US from |
|
2000 2001 |
John Malone |
Managing Director, Chief Compliance Officer of |
(53) |
Amundi US Asset Management; Amundi Asset |
Chief Compliance Officer |
Management US, Inc.; and the Pioneer Funds |
|
since September 2018; Chief Compliance Officer of |
|
Amundi Distributor US, Inc. since January 2014 |
Brandon Austin |
Director, Financial Security Amundi Asset |
(52) |
Management; Anti-Money Laundering Officer of |
Anti-Money Laundering Officer |
all the Pioneer Funds since March 2022; Director of |
|
Financial Security of Amundi US since July 2021; |
|
Vice President, Head of BSA, AML and OFAC, Deputy |
|
Compliance Manager, Crédit Agricole Indosuez |
|
Wealth Management (investment management firm) |
|
(2013 2021) |
25
Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers
The Independent Directors review and set their compensation annually,
taking into consideration the committee and other responsibilities assigned to specific Directors and attendance at meetings. The compensation
paid to the Directors is then allocated among the funds as follows:
| | each fund with assets less than $250 million pays each Independent Directors an annual
fee of $1,000. |
| | the remaining compensation of the Independent Directors is allocated to each fund with assets
greater than $250 million based on the funds net assets. |
| | the Interested Directors receive an annual fee of $500 from each fund, except in the
case of funds with net assets of $50 million or less, which pay each Interested Directors an annual fee of $200. Amundi US reimburses
these funds for the fees paid to the Interested Directors. |
Each fund does not pay any salary or other compensation to its executive
officers, none of whom are employees of the funds. Amundi US or its affiliates compensate the funds executive officers, who are also
officers or employees of Amundi US or its affiliates. The funds pay a portion of the chief compliance officers compensation for
his services as the funds chief compliance officer. Amundi US pays the remaining portion of the chief compliance officers
compensation.
No Director has pension or retirement benefits accrued as a part of
fund expenses.
The following tables set forth certain information with respect to
the compensation paid to the Directors/nominees by each fund and by all funds in the Fund Complex for the funds most recent fiscal
year.
Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. and Pioneer Diversified High Income
Fund, Inc.:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
Pioneer |
Compensation |
|
Pioneer |
Diversified |
from the Funds |
|
High Income |
High Income |
and Other |
Name of Director |
Fund, Inc. |
Fund, Inc. |
Pioneer Funds1 |
Interested Directors: |
|
|
|
Lisa M. Jones |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
Marco Pirondini2 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
Kenneth J. Taubes3 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
Pioneer |
Compensation |
|
Pioneer |
Diversified |
from the Funds |
|
High Income |
High Income |
and Other |
Name of Director |
Fund, Inc. |
Fund, Inc. |
Pioneer Funds1 |
Independent Directors: |
|
|
|
John E. Baumgardner, Jr. |
$1,604.83 |
$1,000.00 |
$312,100.00 |
Diane Durnin |
$1,576.67 |
$1,000.00 |
$299,762.00 |
Craig C. MacKay |
$1,564.10 |
$1,000.00 |
$294,177.00 |
Benjamin M. Friedman |
$1,648.56 |
$1,000.00 |
$331,190.00 |
Lorraine H. Monchak |
$1,660.35 |
$1,000.00 |
$336,353.00 |
Thomas J. Perna |
$1,810.75 |
$1,000.00 |
$402,100.00 |
Fred J. Ricciardi |
$1,647.14 |
$1,000.00 |
$330,853.00 |
| | The most recent fiscal year end for Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. is March 31, 2024 and
the most recent fiscal year end for Pioneer Diversified High Income Fund, Inc. is April 30, 2024. |
1 | | As of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, there were 46 U.S. registered funds in the Pioneer
Funds. |
2 | | Mr. Pirondini was elected as a Director of the fund on January 22, 2024. |
3 | | Mr. Taubes retired as a Director of the Pioneer Funds effective January 1, 2024. |
|
|
|
Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
Compensation |
|
Pioneer |
from the Funds |
|
Floating Rate |
and Other |
Name of Director |
Fund, Inc. |
Pioneer Funds1 |
Interested Directors: |
|
|
Lisa M. Jones |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
Marco Pirondini2 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
Kenneth J. Taubes3 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
27
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
Compensation |
|
Pioneer |
from the Funds |
|
Floating Rate |
and Other |
Name of Director |
Fund, Inc. |
Pioneer Funds1 |
Independent Directors: |
|
|
John E. Baumgardner, Jr. |
$1,000.00 |
$306,100.00 |
Diane Durnin |
$1,000.00 |
$293,763.00 |
Benjamin M. Friedman |
$1,000.00 |
$329,775.00 |
Craig C. MacKay |
$1,000.00 |
$292,763.00 |
Lorraine H. Monchak |
$1,000.00 |
$334,939.00 |
Thomas J. Perna |
$1,000.00 |
$396,100.00 |
Fred J. Ricciardi |
$1,000.00 |
$329,439.00 |
| | The most recent fiscal year end for Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc. is November 30, 2023. |
1 | | As of the fiscal year ended November 30, 2023, there were 47 U.S. registered funds in the
Pioneer Funds. |
2 | | Mr. Pirondini was elected as a Director of the fund effective January 22, 2024. |
3 | | Mr. Taubes retired as a Director of the Pioneer Funds effective January 1, 2024. |
Investment Adviser and Administrator
Amundi US, whose executive offices are located at 60 State Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109, serves as investment adviser and administrator to each fund.
Amundi US is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Amundi and Amundis
wholly owned subsidiary, Amundi Holdings US, Inc. Amundi, one of the worlds largest asset managers, is headquartered in Paris, France.
As of June 30, 2024, Amundi had more than $2.3 trillion in assets under management worldwide. As of June 30, 2024, Amundi US (and
its U.S. affiliates) had over $108 billion in assets under management.
Required Stockholder Vote
In accordance with the Bylaws for each of Pioneer Diversified High
Income Fund, Inc., Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc. and Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc., a majority of all of the votes entitled to be
cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present is required to elect each nominee for Director.
- | | Mr. MacKay, Mr. Perna and Mr. Ricciardi are the current nominees for election as Class II
Directors of Pioneer Diversified High Income Fund, Inc.; Class III Directors of Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc.; and Class I Directors
of Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. |
Board Recommendation
For the reasons set forth above, the Directors of your fund unanimously
recommend that stockholders vote FOR each of Mr. MacKay, Mr. Perna and Mr. Ricciardi.
28
AUDITOR INFORMATION
Each funds Board, with the approval and recommendation of the
Audit Committee, has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for the funds
current fiscal year. Deloitte & Touche LLP, in accordance with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (ISB No. 1), confirmed
to the Audit Committee that it is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the funds. Deloitte & Touche LLP
replaced Ernst & Young LLP. Ernst & Young LLP resigned as each funds independent registered public accounting firm, effective
March 25, 2024. Ernst & Young LLP served as the independent registered public accounting firm for Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, Pioneer Diversified High Income Fund, Inc. for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, and Pioneer
Floating Rate Fund, Inc. for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2023 and November 30, 2022. Deloitte & Touche LLP served as the independent
registered public accounting firm for Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and Pioneer Diversified
High Income Fund, Inc. for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024.
During the periods that Ernst & Young LLP served as each funds
independent registered public accounting firm, including each funds two most recent fiscal years, Ernst & Young LLPs reports
on each funds financial statements have not contained an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and have not been qualified or
modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the periods that Ernst & Young LLP served as each funds
independent registered public accounting firm, including each funds two most recent fiscal years, there were no disagreements with
Ernst & Young LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure,
which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Ernst & Young LLP, would have caused Ernst & Young LLP to make reference
to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports on the financial statements for such periods. In addition, there
have been no reportable events related to the funds, as that term is defined in Item 304 (a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
Audit Fees
The following are aggregate fees billed for professional
services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP for the most recently completed fiscal year and Ernst & Young LLP for the prior
fiscal year for its audit of each funds annual financial statements and fees related to services that
are normally provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP and Ernst & Young LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings for
the two most recent fiscal years. All of these services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee of each fund pursuant to Regulation
S-X.
29
|
|
|
|
For the fiscal year |
For the fiscal year |
|
ended 3/31/2024 |
ended 3/31/2023 |
Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. |
$43,900.00 |
$42,215.00 |
|
For the fiscal year |
For the fiscal year |
|
ended 4/30/2024 |
ended 4/30/2023 |
Pioneer Diversified High |
|
|
Income Fund, Inc. |
$43,900.00 |
$42,215.00 |
|
For the fiscal year |
For the fiscal year |
|
ended 11/30/2023 |
ended 11/30/2022 |
Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc. |
$68,869.00 |
$66,220.00 |
Audit-Related Fees
The following are aggregate audit-related fees billed for assurance
and related services by Deloitte & Touche LLP and Ernst & Young LLP to each fund that are related to agreed upon procedures related
to the ratings of each funds Preferred Stock (if any) for the two most recent fiscal years. All of these services were pre-approved
by the Audit Committee of each fund pursuant to Regulation S-X.
|
|
|
|
For the fiscal year |
For the fiscal year |
|
ended 3/31/2024 |
ended 3/31/2023 |
Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. |
$0.00 |
$2,064.47 |
|
For the fiscal year |
For the fiscal year |
|
ended 4/30/2024 |
ended 4/30/2023 |
Pioneer Diversified High |
|
|
Income Fund, Inc. |
$0.00 |
$898.95 |
|
For the fiscal year |
For the fiscal year |
|
ended 11/30/2023 |
ended 11/30/2022 |
Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc. |
$813.88 |
$324.89 |
Tax Fees
The following are aggregate fees billed for professional services,
primarily for tax returns, rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP and Ernst & Young LLP for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning
to each fund for the two most recent fiscal years. All of these services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee of each fund pursuant
to Regulation S-X.
|
|
|
|
For the fiscal year |
For the fiscal year |
|
ended 3/31/2024 |
ended 3/31/2023 |
Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. |
$10,500.00 |
$10,105.00 |
30
|
|
|
|
For the fiscal year |
For the fiscal year |
|
ended 4/30/2024 |
ended 4/30/2023 |
Pioneer Diversified High |
|
|
Income Fund, Inc. |
$10,600.00 |
$10,213.00 |
|
For the fiscal year |
For the fiscal year |
|
ended 11/30/2023 |
ended 11/30/2022 |
Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc. |
$10,621.00 |
$10,213.00 |
All Other Fees
There were no fees billed for other services rendered by Deloitte
& Touche LLP or Ernst & Young LLP to the funds.
Affiliates Fees for Non-Audit Services Required to be Pre-Approved
Each funds Audit Committee is required to pre-approve services
to affiliates as defined by SEC rules to the extent that the services relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the
fund. Affiliates include the funds investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the
investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the fund (hereinafter referred to as affiliates of the fund). For the
fiscal years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, for Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc., there were no services provided to an affiliate that required
the funds Audit Committee pre-approval. For the fiscal years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, for Pioneer Diversified High Income
Fund, Inc., there were no services provided to an affiliate that required the funds Audit Committee pre-approval. For the fiscal
years ended November 30, 2023 and 2022, for Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc., there were no services provided to an affiliate that required
the funds Audit Committee pre-approval.
General Audit Committee Approval Policy
| | For all projects, each of the officers of the funds and the funds independent registered
public accounting firm will make an assessment to determine that any proposed projects will not impair independence. |
| | Potential services will be classified into the four non-restricted service categories and
the Approval of Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and Other Services Policy will be applied. Any services outside the specific pre-approved
service subcategories set forth above must specifically be approved by each funds Audit Committee. |
| | At least quarterly, each funds Audit Committee shall review a report summarizing the
services by service category, including fees, provided by the independent registered public accounting firm as set forth in the above
policy. |
31
The charter of each Audit Committee requires that the Audit Committee
shall approve (a) all audit and non-audit services to be provided to each fund and (b) all non-audit services to be provided by the funds
independent public accounting firm to Amundi US and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment
adviser that provides ongoing services to the fund (Covered Service Providers) if the engagement relates directly to the operations
and financial reporting of the fund. The Audit Committee may delegate, to the extent permitted by law, pre-approval responsibilities to
one or more members of the Audit Committee who shall report to the full Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee may not approve non-audit services that the Audit
Committee believes may impair the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm. Permissible non-audit services include
any professional services (including tax services) that are not prohibited services as described below provided to the fund by the independent
registered public accounting firm, other than those provided to a fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements
of the fund. Permissible non-audit services may not include (a) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial
statements of the fund; (b) financial information systems design and implementation; (c) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions
or contribution-in-kind reports; (d) actuarial services; (e) internal audit outsourcing services; (f) management functions or human resources;
(g) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (h) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit;
and (i) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.
Pre-approval by each funds Audit Committee of any permissible
non-audit services is not required so long as: (a) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to a fund,
Amundi US and any Covered Service Provider constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent registered
public accounting firm during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (i) the fund, (ii) Amundi US
and (iii) any Covered Service Provider during the fiscal year in which services are provided that would not have to be approved by the
Audit Committee; (b) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the fund at the time of the engagement to be non-audit
services; and (c) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee and approved by the Audit Committee (or its
delegate(s)) prior to completion of the audit.
32
Aggregate Non-Audit Fees
The aggregate non-audit fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP
and Ernst & Young LLP for services rendered to each fund and its affiliates, as previously defined, were as follows.
|
For the fiscal year |
For the fiscal year |
|
ended 3/31/2024 |
ended 3/31/2023 |
Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
For the fiscal year |
For the fiscal year |
|
ended 4/30/2024 |
ended 4/30/2023 |
Pioneer Diversified High |
|
|
Income Fund, Inc. |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
For the fiscal year |
For the fiscal year |
|
ended 11/30/2023 |
ended 11/30/2022 |
Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc. |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
The Audit Committee of the Board of each fund has considered whether
the provision of services, other than audit services, by Deloitte & Touche LLP to each fund and its affiliates is compatible with
maintaining Deloitte & Touche LLP’s independence in performing audit services.
Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be available at
the annual meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement should they desire to do so, and will be available to answer questions.
33
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MEETINGS
Outstanding Shares and Quorum
As of the record date, August 9, 2024, the following shares of Common
Stock were outstanding for each fund:
|
|
|
Common Stock |
Pioneer Diversified High |
|
Income Fund, Inc. |
8,334,759 |
Pioneer Floating Rate |
|
Fund, Inc |
12,374,933 |
Pioneer High Income |
|
Fund, Inc |
29,341,635 |
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record
date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting. The presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast
a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the annual meeting (without regard to class) on such matters shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business on such matters.
Ownership of Shares of the Funds
Pioneer Diversified High Income
Fund, Inc.
To the best of the funds knowledge, as of August 9, 2024, Cede
& Co., a nominee for participants in the Depository Trust Company, P.O. Box 20, Bowling Green Station, New York, NY 10004, held of
record 8,333,947.625 shares, equal to approximately 99.99% of the funds outstanding Common Stock, including the shares shown below:
|
|
|
|
Name and Address of |
Share |
Number |
|
Beneficial Owner |
Class |
of Shares |
% of Class |
Karpus Investment Management |
|
|
|
183 Sullys Trail, |
|
|
|
Pittsford, New York 14534 |
Common |
1,221,203 |
14.65%(1) |
Sit Investment Associates, Inc. |
|
|
|
3300 IDS Center |
|
|
|
80 South Eighth Street |
|
|
|
Minneapolis, MN 55402 |
Common |
482,096 |
5.78%(2) |
(1) Based on Schedule 13G/A filed by Karpus Investment
Management on February 13, 2024.
(2) Based on Schedule 13G filed by Sit Investment Associates,
Inc. on February 7, 2024.
34
Pioneer Floating Rate Fund, Inc.
To the best of the funds knowledge, as of August 9, 2024, Cede
& Co., a nominee for participants in the Depository Trust Company, P.O. Box 20, Bowling Green Station, New York, NY 10004, held of
record 12,374,826.691 shares, equal to approximately 99.99% of the funds outstanding Common Stock.
Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc.
To the best of the funds knowledge, as of August 9, 2024, Cede
& Co., a nominee for participants in the Depository Trust Company, P.O. Box 20, Bowling Green Station, New York, NY 10004, held of
record 29,309,280.734 shares, equal to approximately 99.89% of the funds outstanding Common Stock.
Stockholder Proposals
Under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act (relating to stockholder proposals),
any stockholder proposal that may properly be included in your funds proxy statement for the 2025 annual meeting, must be received
by the Secretary of the fund at the funds principal office at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 at least 120 calendar
days prior to the anniversary of the date the funds proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting was released to its stockholders,
or on or before April 23, 2025. A proposal or nomination that is not to be included in a funds proxy statement may be made at the
2025 annual meeting for such fund only if it is received by the Secretary of the fund at the funds principal office at 60 State
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 not earlier than 150 days (i.e., March 24, 2025) and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, 120 days
(i.e., April 23, 2025) before the anniversary of the date of the funds proxy materials for the 2024 annual meeting provided, however,
that in the event that the date of the 2025 annual meeting for a fund is advanced or delayed by more than thirty (30) days from the anniversary
date of the 2024 annual meeting, notice by a stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the
date of the 2025 annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of the 2025
annual meeting, as originally convened, or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting
is first made by the fund. The funds Bylaws require that certain information must be provided by the stockholder to the fund when
notice of a nominee for election as a Director or proposal is submitted to the fund.
The submission by a stockholder of a proposal for inclusion in a proxy
statement does not guarantee that it will be included. Each of Pioneer Diversified High Income Fund, Inc., Pioneer Floating Rate Fund,
Inc. and Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc., currently expect to hold the next annual stockholders meeting on or about October 2, 2025,
which date is subject to change. Stockholder proposals are subject to certain regulations under the federal securities laws.
Proxies, Quorum and Voting at the Annual Meeting
Stockholders who execute proxies or provide voting instructions by
telephone or the Internet generally have the power to revoke them at any time before a vote is taken on a proposal by executing a superseding
proxy or by submitting a notice of revocation to the
35
Secretary of the fund. In addition, although mere attendance at the
meeting will not revoke a proxy, a stockholder present at the meeting may withdraw his or her proxy and vote at the meeting. All shares
represented by properly executed and unrevoked proxies received in time for the meeting will be voted in accordance with the instructions
contained in the proxies. If no instruction is given, the persons named as proxies will vote the shares represented thereby for the election
of each of the nominees for election as a Director, as described above, and will vote in their discretion in connection with the transaction
of such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof.
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record
date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
For each of Pioneer Diversified High Income Fund, Inc., Pioneer Floating
Rate Fund, Inc. and Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc.: the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of
the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting by holders of stock of such fund shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
at the meeting.
An inspector of elections appointed for the meeting will determine
whether a quorum is present and will tabulate votes cast at the meeting. If a quorum is not present, we expect to adjourn the annual meeting
until we obtain a quorum.
Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be treated
as present for purposes of determining a quorum. Broker non-votes occur when a broker or nominee holding shares in street
name does not vote on a proposal because the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power for that particular item
and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. However, because the funds understand that a broker or nominee may exercise
discretionary voting power with respect to Proposal 1, and there are no other proposals expected to come before the meeting for which
a broker or nominee would not have discretionary voting authority, the funds do not anticipate that there will be any broker non-votes
at the meeting.
On any matter submitted to a vote of stockholders each whole share
shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional share shall be entitled to a proportionate
fractional vote.
Stockholders may not cumulate votes for Director nominees. The last
proxy card submitted by a stockholder will be counted. Stockholders do not have rights of appraisal or similar rights of dissenters in
connection with the election of Directors.
As discussed more fully under Proposal 1 above, nominees must be elected
by a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present. Because
the required vote for Proposal 1 is based on the number of votes the funds stockholders are entitled to cast rather than on the
number of votes cast, failure to vote your shares (including failure to give voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee),
abstentions and broker non-votes (if any) will have the same effect as voting AGAINST the election of the directors.
36
As previously disclosed, the Board of Directors of each fund has adopted
a resolution to opt in to the provisions of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (MCSAA). Generally, the MCSAA provides
that a holder of control shares (as defined in the MCSAA) of a Maryland corporation (e.g., a fund) acquired in a control
share acquisition (as defined in the MCSAA) will not be entitled to vote its control shares unless the other stockholders of the
corporation reinstate those voting rights. Generally, control shares are shares that, when aggregated with shares already
owned by an acquiring person, would entitle the acquiring person to exercise 10% or more, 33 1/3% or more, or a majority of the total
voting power of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors. There can be no assurance that the MCSAA will be enforceable with
respect to the funds.
Adjournments
The annual meeting with respect to one or more funds may, by action
of the chair of the meeting and without any action by stockholders, be adjourned from time to time with respect to one or more matters
to be considered at the annual meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the annual meeting, whether or not a quorum
is present with respect to such matter, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice other than announcement at the
meeting, provided that the new meeting date is not more than 120 days from the original record date. At the discretion of the chair, if
a quorum is present with respect to a proposal to be considered at the meeting, a vote may be taken on the proposal prior to such adjournment.
Such vote will be considered final regardless of whether the meeting is adjourned with respect to any other proposal. The meeting may
be postponed prior to the meeting. If the annual meeting with respect to a fund is postponed, that fund will give notice of the postponed
meeting to stockholders.
Method of Solicitation and Expenses
The cost of preparing, printing and mailing the enclosed proxy statement,
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the accompanying proxy card for each fund will be borne by that fund. In addition
to soliciting proxies by mail, Amundi US may, at the funds expense, have one or more of the funds officers, representatives
or compensated third-party agents, including Amundi US and Amundi Distributor US, Inc., aid in the solicitation of proxies by personal
interview or telephone and may request brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward proxy soliciting material
to the beneficial owners of the shares held of record by such persons. Each fund has retained EQ Fund Solutions, LLC to assist in the
proxy solicitation. The cost of services for all solicitations covered by this proxy statement is estimated at approximately $97,100.
Each fund may also arrange to have votes recorded by telephone, the
internet or other electronic means. The voting procedures used in connection with such voting methods are designed to authenticate stockholders
identities, to allow stockholders to authorize the voting of their shares in accordance with their instructions and to confirm that their
instructions have been properly recorded. In the case of telephone voting, stockholders would be called at the phone number the transfer
agent, Equiniti Trust Company, has in its records for their accounts, and would be asked for their Social Security number or other identifying
information. The stockholders would then be given an opportunity to
37
authorize proxies to vote their shares at the meeting in accordance
with their instructions. In the case of automated telephone and internet voting, stockholders would be required to provide their Social
Security number or other identifying information and would receive a confirmation of their instructions.
Persons holding shares as nominees will be reimbursed by the fund,
upon request, for the reasonable expenses of mailing soliciting materials to the principals of the accounts.
Other Business
While the meeting has been called to transact any business that may
properly come before it, the only matter that the Board intends to present is that matter stated in the attached notice of annual meeting.
However, if any additional matters properly come before the annual meeting, and on all matters incidental to the conduct of the meeting,
the persons named as proxies will vote in their discretion on such matters unless instructed to the contrary.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Christopher J. Kelley
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
August 21, 2024
38
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33906-00-0824
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PROXY CARD |
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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES
YOU OWN. PLEASE CAST YOUR PROXY VOTE TODAY!
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Pioneer
Diversified High Income Fund, Inc.
(“HNW”
or the “Fund”)
PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 3, 2024
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board
of Directors of the Fund. I (we) the undersigned holder(s) of shares of common stock of the Fund, having received notice of the meeting
and proxy statement, and revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoint Lisa M. Jones, Christopher J. Kelley and Thomas Reyes, and each of
them, my (our) attorneys (with full power of substitution in them and each of them) for and in my (our) name(s) to attend the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of the Fund scheduled to be held on October 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the
offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, One Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110 and any adjournments, postponements, continuation or
rescheduling thereof, and to vote and act upon the following matters (as more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement) in
respect of all shares of common stock of the Fund which I (we) would possess if personally present. This proxy will be valid until the
sooner of one year from the date indicated on the reverse side and the completion of the Annual Meeting (including any adjournments, postponements,
continuation or rescheduling thereof).
Do you have questions?
If you have any questions about how to vote your proxy, please call toll-free (877) 361-7966.
Representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday 9:00am – 10:00pm Eastern Time.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy
Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on October 3, 2024. The proxy statement for this meeting is available at:
https://vote.proxyonline.com/pioneer/docs/2024proxy.pdf
Pioneer Diversified
High Income Fund, Inc.
YOUR
SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR VOTE TO BE COUNTED. The signer(s) acknowledges receipt of the
Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and of the accompanying Proxy Statement. Your signature(s) on this proxy card should be exactly
as your name(s) appear on the reverse side of this proxy card. If the shares are held jointly, either owner may sign this proxy card.
Attorneys-in-fact, executors, administrators, trustees or guardians should indicate the full title and capacity in which they are signing.
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PROXY CARD |
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SIGNATURE (AND TITLE IF APPLICABLE) |
DATE |
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SIGNATURE (IF HELD JOINTLY) |
DATE |
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
If you specify a vote for the Proposal, your proxy will be voted as you indicate. If you simply sign and date the proxy card, but don’t
specify a vote for the Proposal, your shares will be voted “FOR” each Nominee listed in Proposal 1 below. The
proxy will be voted in accordance with the proxy holders’ discretion as to any other business that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders or any adjournments, postponements, continuation or rescheduling thereof.
THE FUND’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH NOMINEE LISTED BELOW.
TO VOTE, MARK CIRCLES
BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS. Example: ●
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FOR |
AGAINST |
ABSTAIN |
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To elect three Class II Directors of the Fund, as named in the proxy |
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1 |
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statement, each to serve until the third annual meeting following his or |
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her election and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies: |
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1a. Craig C. MacKay |
○ |
○ |
○ |
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1b. Thomas J. Perna |
○ |
○ |
○ |
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1c. Fred J. Ricciardi |
○ |
○ |
○ |
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To consider and act upon any other business that may properly come |
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2 |
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before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments, postponements, |
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continuation or rescheduling thereof. |
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THANK YOU FOR VOTING
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PROXY CARD |
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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES
YOU OWN. PLEASE CAST YOUR PROXY VOTE TODAY!
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Pioneer
Floating Rate Fund, Inc.
(“PHD”
or the “Fund”)
PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 3, 2024
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
of the Fund. I (we) the undersigned holder(s) of shares of common stock of the Fund, having received notice of the meeting and proxy statement,
and revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoint Lisa M. Jones, Christopher J. Kelley and Thomas Reyes, and each of them, my (our) attorneys
(with full power of substitution in them and each of them) for and in my (our) name(s) to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
“Annual Meeting”) of the Fund scheduled to be held on October 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the offices of Morgan,
Lewis & Bockius LLP, One Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110 and any adjournments, postponements, continuation or rescheduling thereof,
and to vote and act upon the following matters (as more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement) in respect of all shares
of common stock of the Fund which I (we) would possess if personally present. This proxy will be valid until the sooner of one year from
the date indicated on the reverse side and the completion of the Annual Meeting (including any adjournments, postponements, continuation
or rescheduling thereof).
Do you have questions?
If you have any questions about how to vote your proxy, please call toll-free (877) 361-7966.
Representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday 9:00am – 10:00pm Eastern Time.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy
Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on October 3, 2024. The proxy statement for this meeting is available at:
https://vote.proxyonline.com/pioneer/docs/2024proxy.pdf
Pioneer
Floating Rate Fund, Inc.
YOUR
SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR VOTE TO BE COUNTED. The signer(s) acknowledges receipt of the
Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and of the accompanying Proxy Statement. Your signature(s) on this proxy card should be exactly
as your name(s) appear on the reverse side of this proxy card. If the shares are held jointly, either owner may sign this proxy card.
Attorneys-in-fact, executors, administrators, trustees or guardians should indicate the full title and capacity in which they are signing.
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PROXY CARD |
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SIGNATURE (AND TITLE IF APPLICABLE) |
DATE |
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SIGNATURE (IF HELD JOINTLY) |
DATE |
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
If you specify a vote for the Proposal, your proxy will be voted as you indicate. If you simply sign and date the proxy card, but don’t
specify a vote for the Proposal, your shares will be voted “FOR” each Nominee listed in Proposal 1 below. The
proxy will be voted in accordance with the proxy holders’ discretion as to any other business that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders or any adjournments, postponements, continuation or rescheduling thereof.
THE FUND’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH NOMINEE LISTED BELOW.
TO VOTE,
MARK CIRCLES BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS. Example: ●
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FOR |
AGAINST |
ABSTAIN |
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To elect three Class III Directors of the Fund, as named in the proxy |
|
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1 |
. |
statement, each to serve until the third annual meeting following his or |
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her election and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies: |
|
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|
|
1a. Craig C. MacKay |
○ |
○ |
○ |
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1b. Thomas J. Perna |
○ |
○ |
○ |
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1c. Fred J. Ricciardi |
○ |
○ |
○ |
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To consider and act upon any other business that may properly come |
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2 |
. |
before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments, postponements, |
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continuation or rescheduling thereof. |
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THANK YOU FOR VOTING
|
|
PROXY CARD |
|
|
|
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES
YOU OWN. PLEASE CAST YOUR PROXY VOTE TODAY!
|
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Pioneer
High Income Fund, Inc.
(“PHT”
or the “Fund”)
PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 3, 2024
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
of the Fund. I (we) the undersigned holder(s) of shares of common stock of the Fund, having received notice of the meeting and proxy statement,
and revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoint Lisa M. Jones, Christopher J. Kelley and Thomas Reyes, and each of them, my (our) attorneys
(with full power of substitution in them and each of them) for and in my (our) name(s) to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
“Annual Meeting”) of the Fund scheduled to be held on October 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the offices of Morgan,
Lewis & Bockius LLP, One Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110 and any adjournments, postponements, continuation or rescheduling thereof,
and to vote and act upon the following matters (as more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement) in respect of all shares
of common stock of the Fund which I (we) would possess if personally present. This proxy will be valid until the sooner of one year from
the date indicated on the reverse side and the completion of the Annual Meeting (including any adjournments, postponements, continuation
or rescheduling thereof).
Do you have questions?
If you have any questions about how to vote your proxy, please call toll-free (877) 361-7966.
Representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday 9:00am – 10:00pm Eastern Time.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy
Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on October 3, 2024. The proxy statement for this meeting is available at:
https://vote.proxyonline.com/pioneer/docs/2024proxy.pdf
PIONEER HIGH INCOME FUND, Inc.
YOUR
SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR VOTE TO BE COUNTED. The signer(s) acknowledges receipt of the
Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and of the accompanying Proxy Statement. Your signature(s) on this proxy card should be exactly
as your name(s) appear on the reverse side of this proxy card. If the shares are held jointly, either owner may sign this proxy card.
Attorneys-in-fact, executors, administrators, trustees or guardians should indicate the full title and capacity in which they are signing.
|
|
PROXY CARD |
|
|
SIGNATURE (AND TITLE IF APPLICABLE) |
DATE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SIGNATURE (IF HELD JOINTLY) |
DATE |
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
If you specify a vote for the Proposal, your proxy will be voted as you indicate. If you simply sign and date the proxy card, but don’t
specify a vote for the Proposal, your shares will be voted “FOR” each Nominee listed in Proposal 1 below. The
proxy will be voted in accordance with the proxy holders’ discretion as to any other business that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders or any adjournments, postponements, continuation or rescheduling thereof.
THE FUND’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH NOMINEE LISTED BELOW.
TO VOTE,
MARK CIRCLES BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS. Example: ●
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FOR |
AGAINST |
ABSTAIN |
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To elect three Class I Directors of the Fund, as named in the proxy |
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1 |
. |
statement, each to serve until the third annual meeting following his or |
|
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|
|
her election and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies: |
|
|
|
|
|
1a. Craig C. MacKay |
○ |
○ |
○ |
|
|
1b. Thomas J. Perna |
○ |
○ |
○ |
|
|
1c. Fred J. Ricciardi |
○ |
○ |
○ |
|
|
To consider and act upon any other business that may properly come |
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2 |
. |
before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments, postponements, |
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continuation or rescheduling thereof. |
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THANK YOU FOR VOTING
Grafico Azioni Pioneer High Income (NYSE:PHT)
Storico
Da Ott 2024 a Nov 2024
Grafico Azioni Pioneer High Income (NYSE:PHT)
Storico
Da Nov 2023 a Nov 2024