DEF: Clough Funds Announce Joint Annual Shareholder Meeting
Definitive Proxy Statement
Clough Global Funds are convening their Joint Annual Shareholder Meeting virtually on July 6, 2026, to elect Trustees and address other business.
Summary
- The Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund, Clough Global Equity Fund, and Clough Global Opportunities Fund are holding a Joint Annual Meeting of Shareholders virtually via a telephone conference call on July 6, 2026.
- The primary purpose of the meeting is to elect Trustees for each fund: one for Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund, three for Clough Global Equity Fund, and two for Clough Global Opportunities Fund.
- The record date for determining shareholders eligible to vote is May 8, 2026.
- Shareholders must register to attend the virtual meeting by emailing shareholdermeetings@computershare.com no later than June 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Proxy materials are available online, and shareholders are encouraged to vote via internet, telephone, or by returning a signed proxy card.
Sentiment
Score: 5
Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral filing, primarily procedural, focused on routine governance matters like Trustee elections rather than financial performance or strategic shifts.
Positives
- The meeting is being held to ensure continued governance and oversight of the Funds through the election of Trustees.
- Multiple voting options (internet, telephone, mail) are provided to facilitate shareholder participation.
- The Board of Trustees, including independent Trustees, unanimously recommends voting for the nominees.
- Detailed information on Trustee qualifications and experience is provided, demonstrating a commitment to informed governance.
- The Funds have a robust risk oversight framework managed by the Board and its committees.
Negatives
- One Trustee, Hon. V. Versaci, filed one Form 5 filing late during the fiscal year, indicating a minor compliance oversight.
- No Trustees attended the Funds Annual Meeting of Shareholders held in 2025, which could be seen as a lack of direct engagement with shareholders at that event.
Risks
- Investment risk is an inherent and undeniable risk that shareholders must bear for the Funds to operate according to their strategies.
- The Funds are subject to various risks including counterparty risk, valuation risk, political risk, operational failures, business continuity risk, regulatory risk, and legal risk.
Future Outlook
The filing does not contain specific forward-looking financial guidance. The outlook is primarily focused on the upcoming shareholder meeting and the election of Trustees to ensure continued governance.
Management Comments
- "YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE OF YOUR HOLDINGS IN A FUND."
- "The Board believes that the use of an Independent Trustee as Chairman is the appropriate leadership structure for mitigating potential conflicts of interest associated with appointing an Interested Trustee as chairman and facilitates the ability to maintain a robust culture of compliance."
- "Each Funds Board, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously recommends that shareholders vote for the election of the Funds respective nominees."
Industry Context
StockSavvy.ai notes that this filing is typical for closed-end funds (CEFs) as they approach their annual shareholder meetings. The focus on electing Trustees and providing detailed information about their qualifications and governance responsibilities is standard practice within the investment company industry to ensure compliance and shareholder confidence.
Comparison to Industry Standards
- The structure of the Board of Trustees, with independent and interested members, and the presence of standing committees (Audit, Governance and Nominating, Strategic Governance Advisory) align with industry best practices for corporate governance in registered investment companies.
- The detailed disclosure of Trustee qualifications, including experience in finance, law, and asset management, is consistent with regulatory requirements and investor expectations for oversight of investment funds.
- The provision for shareholder nominations of Trustees, with specific criteria outlined, reflects a commitment to shareholder rights and engagement, a common feature in the governance of publicly traded funds.
Corporate Governance
| Change Type | Description | Effective Date | Impact Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trustee Election | Shareholders will vote on the election of Trustees for each of the three Clough Global Funds. | July 6, 2026 | Ensures continued oversight and governance of the Funds. |
| Board Leadership Structure | The Board utilizes an Independent Trustee as Chairman to mitigate conflicts of interest and foster compliance. | Ongoing | Promotes independent oversight and robust governance. |
| Committee Structure | The Board operates with three standing committees: Audit, Governance and Nominating, and Strategic Governance Advisory, with specific compositions of independent and interested Trustees. | Ongoing | Enhances specialized oversight of financial reporting, nominations, and strategic governance. |
| Shareholder Nomination Process | Shareholders can submit recommendations for Trustee candidates, subject to detailed criteria outlined in the Governance and Nominating Committee Charter and Fund By-Laws. | Ongoing | Provides a mechanism for shareholder input into Board composition and governance. |
Legal Proceedings
- Hon. V. Versaci filed one Form 5 filing late during the fiscal year, which is a minor reporting compliance issue.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: Directly impacted by the election of Trustees who oversee the Funds' operations and investment strategies. Their voting rights are central to this process.
- Employees: Indirectly impacted by the governance and strategic direction set by the Board of Trustees.
- Service Providers (e.g., Investment Adviser, Administrator): Their performance and relationships with the Funds are overseen by the Board and its committees.
Next Steps
- Shareholders will vote on the election of Trustees at the Joint Annual Meeting on July 6, 2026.
- Voting results will be disclosed in the Funds' Annual Report dated October 31, 2026.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2006-01-01 | Start of service for Edmund J. Burke as Trustee for GLV and GLQ. |
| 2006-01-01 | Start of service for Adam D. Crescenzi as Trustee for GLO. |
| 2013-01-01 | Start of service for Vincent W. Versaci as Trustee for GLV, GLQ, and GLO. |
| 2017-01-01 | Start of service for Karen A. DiGravio as Trustee for GLV, GLQ, and GLO. |
| 2017-01-01 | Start of service for Clifford J. Weber as Trustee for GLV, GLQ, and GLO. |
| 2017-01-01 | Start of service for Kevin McNally as Trustee for GLV, GLQ, and GLO. |
| 2019-01-01 | Retirement of Edmund J. Burke from ALPS Holdings, Inc. |
| 2020-01-01 | Start of role for Jeremy May as Founder and CEO of Paralel Technologies, LLC. |
| 2020-01-01 | Start of role for Christopher Moore as VP, Senior Counsel of ALPS Fund Services, Inc. |
| 2020-01-01 | Start of role for Edmund J. Burke as passive partner at ETF Action. |
| 2020-01-01 | Start of role for Edmund J. Burke as Director of Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc. |
| 2020-01-01 | Start of role for Edmund J. Burke as Director of BlueBiofuels Inc. |
| 2020-01-01 | Start of role for Christopher Moore as Deputy General Counsel and Legal Operations Manager of RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC. |
| 2021-01-01 | Start of role for Christopher Moore as General Counsel of Paralel Technologies LLC. |
| 2021-01-01 | Start of role for Benjamin Santos in Fund Accounting at ALPS Fund Services, Inc. |
| 2021-01-01 | Start of role for Jill Kerschen as Vice President at ALPS Advisors, Inc. |
| 2021-01-01 | Start of role for Benjamin Santos as Assistant Fund Controller at ALPS Fund Services, Inc. |
| 2021-01-01 | Start of role for Jill Kerschen as Vice President and Fund Controller at ALPS Fund Services, Inc. |
| 2021-01-01 | Start of role for Christopher Moore as General Counsel and CCO of Paralel Advisors LLC. |
| 2021-01-01 | Start of role for Benjamin Santos in Fund Accounting at ALPS Fund Services, Inc. |
| 2021-01-01 | Start of role for Jill Kerschen as Vice President at ALPS Advisors, Inc. |
| 2021-01-01 | Start of role for Benjamin Santos as Assistant Fund Controller at ALPS Fund Services, Inc. |
| 2021-01-01 | Start of role for Jill Kerschen as Vice President and Fund Controller at ALPS Fund Services, Inc. |
| 2021-01-01 | Start of role for Christopher Moore as General Counsel and CCO of Paralel Advisors LLC. |
| 2021-11-01 | Edmund J. Burke became an Independent Trustee. |
| 2022-01-01 | Start of role for Bradley Swenson as President, TruePeak Consulting, LLC. |
| 2022-01-01 | Start of role for Bradley Swenson as President and Chief Compliance Officer, Paralel Distributors LLC. |
| 2022-01-01 | Start of role for Bradley Swenson as Chief Compliance Officer, Paralel Technologies. |
| 2023-01-01 | Start of role for Jeremy May as President of GLV, GLQ, GLO. |
| 2023-01-01 | Start of role for Bradley Swenson as Chief Compliance Officer of GLV, GLQ, GLO. |
| 2023-01-01 | Start of role for Jill Kerschen as Treasurer of GLV, GLQ, GLO. |
| 2023-01-01 | Start of role for Christopher Moore as Secretary of GLV, GLQ, GLO. |
| 2024-01-01 | Start of role for Clifford J. Weber as Chairman of the Board. |
| 2024-01-01 | Start of role for Kevin McNally as Portfolio Manager at Absolute Investment Advisers. |
| 2024-01-01 | Start of role for Clifford J. Weber as Chairman of the Board. |
| 2024-01-01 | Start of role for Kevin McNally as Portfolio Manager at Absolute Investment Advisers. |
| 2025-10-31 | Fiscal year end for the Funds' most recent annual report. |
| 2025-12-19 | Audit Committee reviewed the Audit Committee Charter. |
| 2025-12-19 | Audit Committee met and reviewed audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025. |
| 2026-01-18 | Deadline for shareholder proposals for the 2027 annual meeting. |
| 2026-01-19 | Deadline for shareholder proposals to be considered for inclusion in the 2026 proxy statement. |
| 2026-05-07 | Date as of which beneficial ownership information for Trustees/Nominees was furnished. |
| 2026-05-08 | Record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. |
| 2026-05-18 | Date proxy materials are first being sent to shareholders. |
| 2026-06-30 | Deadline to email Computershare Fund Services to register for the virtual meeting. |
| 2026-07-06 | Date of the Joint Annual Meeting of Shareholders. |
| 2026-07-06 | Time of the Joint Annual Meeting of Shareholders (9:00 a.m. Mountain time). |
| 2026-10-31 | Fiscal year end for the Funds' next annual report. |
| 2027-01-18 | Deadline for shareholder proposals for the 2027 annual meeting. |
| 2029-01-01 | Expiration of term for elected Trustees if their successor is not elected and qualified. |
Recommendation
holdThis filing is a routine proxy statement for an annual shareholder meeting focused on electing Trustees. It does not contain new financial performance data, strategic changes, or market-moving information that would warrant a buy or sell recommendation. The focus is on governance and continuity.
Keywords
Proxy Statement, Annual Meeting, Shareholders, Trustees, Election, Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund, Clough Global Equity Fund, Clough Global Opportunities Fund, Investment Company, Governance
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