UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-Q

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number: 811-21980

ALPINE TOTAL DYNAMIC DIVIDEND FUND

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

2500 Westchester Avenue, Suite 215, Purchase, New York 10577

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Alpine Woods Capital Investors, LLC

2500 Westchester Avenue, Suite 215

Purchase, New York 10577

(Name and address of agent for service)

Copies of information to:

     
Rose F. DiMartino, Esq.   Sarah E. Cogan, Esq.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP   Simpson Thacher &
Bartlett LLP
787 Seventh Avenue   425 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10019-6099   New York, NY 10174

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 914-251-0880

Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2015

Date of reporting period: July 31, 2015

 

Item 1. Schedule of Investments.

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments Alpine Total Dynamic Dividend Fund
July 31, 2015 (Unaudited)  

 

Shares   Security
Description
  Value
          
Common Stocks-95.8%     
        
Aerospace & Defense-0.5%     
           
 54,500   Raytheon Co.  $5,945,405 
           
Air Freight & Logistics-2.1%     
 68,000   FedEx Corp.   11,656,560 
 1,407,895   Royal Mail PLC   11,103,134 
         22,759,694 
           
Airlines-0.7%     
 200,000   Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.   7,552,346 
           
Auto Components-1.4%     
 63,000   Delphi Automotive PLC   4,919,040 
 1,093,000   GKN PLC   5,436,427 
 96,000   Magna International, Inc.   5,218,560 
         15,574,027 
           
Automobiles-1.1%     
 367,000   Ford Motor Co.   5,442,610 
 126,500   Thor Industries, Inc.   7,068,820 
         12,511,430 
           
Banks-3.9%     
 755,000   Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA   7,640,057 
 466,000   Bangkok Bank PCL-NVDR   2,194,808 
 204,000   Hana Financial Group, Inc.   5,081,913 
 461,000   Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.   3,347,723 
 793,000   Regions Financial Corp.   8,239,270 
 361,500   Standard Chartered PLC   5,533,589 
 55,000   Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.   2,460,322 
 147,500   Wells Fargo & Co.   8,535,825 
         43,033,507 
           
Beverages-1.2%     
 109,000   Anheuser-Busch InBev NV-SP ADR   13,030,950 
           
Biotechnology-0.3%     
 28,100   Gilead Sciences, Inc.   3,311,866 
           
Capital Markets-2.8%     
 295,500   Daiwa Securities Group, Inc.   2,297,764 
 292,000   Invesco, Ltd.   11,271,200 
 106,500   Lazard, Ltd.-Class A   5,901,165 
 425,811   Mediobanca SpA   4,636,722 
 140,000   Schroders PLC   6,915,302 
         31,022,153 
           
Chemicals-1.7%     
 597,500   Clariant AG   11,921,556 
 106,000   Symrise AG   7,046,574 
         18,968,130 
           
Commercial Services & Supplies-2.8%     
 190,900   ISS A/S   6,574,185 
 339,000   KAR Auction Services, Inc.   13,197,270 
 641,000   RR Donnelley & Sons Co.   11,249,550 
         31,021,005 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
Schedule of Portfolio Investments Alpine Total Dynamic Dividend Fund
July 31, 2015 (Unaudited)  

 

Communications Equipment-2.1%     
 286,000   Cisco Systems, Inc.   8,128,120 
 1,107,000   Nokia OYJ   7,817,359 
 114,000   QUALCOMM, Inc.   7,340,460 
         23,285,939 
           
Construction & Engineering-1.5%     
 4,329,000   China Railway Construction Corp., Ltd.-Class H   5,639,990 
 164,500   Vinci SA   10,550,674 
         16,190,664 
           
Consumer Finance-0.7%     
 141,500   Discover Financial Services   7,897,115 
           
Containers & Packaging-1.2%    
 701,000   DS Smith PLC   4,384,342 
 127,553   Packaging Corp. of America   9,029,477 
         13,413,819 
           
Diversified Financial Services-1.9%     
 403,000   Bank of America Corp.   7,205,640 
 146,000   Citigroup, Inc.   8,535,160 
 80,500   Eurazeo SA   5,231,171 
         20,971,971 
           
Diversified Telecommunication Services-1.0%     
 144,500   BT Group PLC-SP ADR   10,441,570 
           
Electric Utilities-1.1%     
 245,000   Eversource Energy   12,181,400 
           
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components-1.1%  
 198,000   TE Connectivity, Ltd.   12,062,160 
           
Energy Equipment & Services-0.5%     
 64,000   Schlumberger, Ltd.   5,300,480 
           
Food & Staples Retailing-1.7%     
 166,000   CVS Health Corp.   18,670,020 
           
Food Products-3.7%    
 325,000   Mondelez International, Inc.-Class A   14,667,250 
 173,000   Nestle SA   13,105,247 
 170,300   Pinnacle Foods, Inc.   7,654,985 
 65,000   The Kraft Heinz Co.   5,165,550 
         40,593,032 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies-1.3%    
 176,000   Medtronic PLC   13,796,640 
           
Health Care Providers & Services-4.1%     
 53,200   Anthem, Inc.   8,207,164 
 51,900   HCA Holdings, Inc. (a)   4,827,219 
 53,700   Humana, Inc.   9,778,233 
 52,300   McKesson Corp.   11,535,811 
 47,000   UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   5,705,800 
 30,700   Universal Health Services, Inc.-Class B   4,458,561 
         44,512,788 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
Schedule of Portfolio Investments Alpine Total Dynamic Dividend Fund
July 31, 2015 (Unaudited)  

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure-1.7%    
 117,000   Carnival Corp.   6,234,930 
 58,000   McDonald’s Corp.   5,791,880 
 69,000   Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.   6,199,650 
         18,226,460 
           
Household Durables-1.3%     
 169,500   Lennar Corp.-Class A   8,990,280 
 122,000   Ryland Group, Inc.   5,547,340 
         14,537,620 
           
Household Products-1.4%    
 79,700   Colgate-Palmolive Co.   5,421,194 
 91,000   Energizer Holdings, Inc. (a)   3,504,410 
 217,500   Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA-B Shares   6,192,135 
         15,117,739 
           
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders-0.7% 
 42,673   Abengoa Yield PLC   1,083,041 
 269,720   Pattern Energy Group, Inc.   6,589,259 
         7,672,300 
           
Industrial Conglomerates-0.4%    
 319,000   CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd.   4,736,259 
           
Insurance-3.0%     
 32,100   Allianz SE   5,256,348 
 256,000   Montpelier Re Holdings, Ltd.   10,918,400 
 91,000   Prudential Financial, Inc.   8,040,760 
 30,000   Zurich Insurance Group AG   9,136,914 
         33,352,422 
           
IT Services-1.3%     
 113,000   Accenture PLC-Class A   11,651,430 
 41,000   Computer Sciences Corp.   2,682,630 
         14,334,060 
           
Life Sciences Tools & Services-1.3%    
 102,200   Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   14,259,966 
           
Machinery-2.0%    
 4,311,450   CRRC Corp., Ltd.-Class H   5,444,719 
 102,500   Snap-on, Inc.   16,892,000 
         22,336,719 
           
Media-4.1%     
 146,000   CBS Corp.-Class B   7,806,620 
 99,000   Comcast Corp.-Class A   6,178,590 
 1,600,000   ITV PLC   7,013,686 
 102,000   The Walt Disney Co.   12,240,000 
 66,500   Time Warner, Inc.   5,854,660 
 247,500   WPP PLC   5,681,676 
         44,775,232 
           
Multi-Utilities-1.1%     
 355,000   CMS Energy Corp.   12,162,300 
           
Multiline Retail-1.3%    
 71,000   Dollar General Corp.   5,706,270 
 1,024,500   Marks & Spencer Group PLC   8,703,517 
         14,409,787 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
Schedule of Portfolio Investments Alpine Total Dynamic Dividend Fund
July 31, 2015 (Unaudited)  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels-5.6%     
 75,000   Chevron Corp.   6,636,000 
 235,500   Enbridge, Inc.   10,258,380 
 61,500   EOG Resources, Inc.   4,747,185 
 117,500   Exxon Mobil Corp.   9,307,175 
 132,500   Occidental Petroleum Corp.   9,301,500 
 111,500   Phillips 66   8,864,250 
 225,571   The Williams Cos., Inc.   11,837,966 
         60,952,456 
           
Personal Products-0.8%
 91,000   Edgewell Personal Care Co.   8,709,610 
           
Pharmaceuticals-6.3%
 318,000   AstraZeneca PLC-SP ADR   10,745,220 
 57,000   Bayer AG   8,407,218 
 90,000   Merck & Co., Inc.   5,306,400 
 176,000   Novartis AG-SP ADR   18,260,000 
 44,500   Roche Holding AG   12,853,100 
 191,700   Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.-SP ADR   13,231,134 
         68,803,072 
           
Real Estate Investment Trusts-5.6%
 117,530   American Tower Corp.   11,178,278 
 116,000   Digital Realty Trust, Inc.   7,455,320 
 700,000   Fibra Uno Administracion SA de CV   1,681,738 
 780   Nippon Building Fund, Inc.   3,486,667 
 843,000   NorthStar Realty Finance Corp.   13,488,000 
 840,723   Scentre Group   2,433,524 
 220,000   Starwood Waypoint Residential Trust   5,385,600 
 302,500   The Geo Group, Inc.   11,419,375 
 674,738   Westfield Corp.   4,946,792 
         61,475,294 
           
Real Estate Management & Development-2.0%     
 577,000   BR Malls Participacoes SA   2,165,467 
 319,000   Cheung Kong Property Holdings, Ltd. (a)   2,658,230 
 4,210,000   Global Logistic Properties, Ltd.   7,058,352 
 357,000   Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.   10,163,993 
         22,046,042 
           
Road & Rail-3.7%     
 76,000   Canadian Pacific Railway, Ltd.   12,224,600 
 92,000   Kansas City Southern   9,125,480 
 6,720,293   Rumo Logistica Operadora Multimodal SA (a)   1,786,085 
 111,500   Ryder System, Inc.   10,092,980 
 71,160   Union Pacific Corp.   6,944,505 
         40,173,650 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment-2.9%     
 387,500   Applied Materials, Inc.   6,727,000 
 77,900   Avago Technologies, Ltd.   9,748,406 
 102,000   Broadcom Corp.-Class A   5,162,220 
 177,000   Intel Corp.   5,124,150 
 146,500   SK Hynix, Inc.   4,644,832 
         31,406,608 
           
Specialty Retail-1.1%    
 176,000   TJX Cos., Inc.   12,288,320 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
Schedule of Portfolio Investments Alpine Total Dynamic Dividend Fund
July 31, 2015 (Unaudited)  

 

Technology, Hardware, Storage & Peripherals-4.3%     
 182,000   Apple, Inc.   22,076,600 
 438,000   EMC Corp.   11,777,820 
 7,400   Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.   7,493,911 
 64,000   Western Digital Corp.   5,507,840 
         46,856,171 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods-1.2%
 76,000   Carter’s, Inc.   7,707,160 
 75,500   VF Corp.   5,820,295 
         13,527,455 
           
Trading Companies & Distributors-0.5%
 335,000   Ashtead Group PLC   5,134,747 
           
Water Utilities-0.5%
 108,500   American Water Works Co., Inc.   5,632,235 
           
Wireless Telecommunication Services-1.3%
 368,500   Vodafone Group PLC-SP ADR   13,921,930 
     Total Common Stocks (Cost $919,984,044)   1,050,896,565 
           
Equity-Linked Structured Notes-2.1%    
     
Capital Markets-0.3%
 349,999   Merrill Lynch International & Co CV (a)   3,189,272 
           
Electric Utilities-0.8%     
 378,500   SSE PLC-Morgan Stanley BV   8,954,936 
           
Multi-Utilities-1.0%     
 496,000   Veolia Environnement SA-Morgan Stanley BV   11,071,684 
     Total Equity-Linked Structured Notes (Cost $23,889,180)   23,215,892 
           
Principal
Amount
         
           
Short-Term Investments-1.9%    
$21,149,000   State Street Eurodollar Time Deposit, 0.01%   21,149,000 
     Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $21,149,000)   21,149,000 
           
Total Investments (Cost $965,022,224)-99.8%   1,095,261,457 
      
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities-0.2%   2,034,233 
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS 100.0%  $1,097,295,690 

 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

(a) Non-income producing security.

ADR-American Depositary Receipt

AG-Aktiengesellschaft is a German term that refers to a corporation that is limited by shares, i.e., owned by shareholders.

A/S-Aktieselskab is the Danish term for a stock-based corporation.

BV-Besloten Vennootschap is the Dutch equivalent of a private limited liability company.

NV-Naamloze Vennootschap is the Dutch term for a public limited liability corporation.

NVDR-Non-Voting Depositary Receipts

PCL-Public Company Limited

PLC-Public Limited Company

SA-Generally designates corporations in various countries, mostly those employing the civil law.

SA de CV-Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable is the Spanish equivalent to Variable Capital Company.

SCA-Societe en Commandite par actions is the French equivalent of a limited partnership.

SE-SE Regulation. A European Company which can operate on a Europe-wide basis and be governed by Community law directly applicable in all Member States.

SP ADR-Sponsored American Depositary Receipt

SpA-Societa’ Per Azioni is an Italian shared company.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

Alpine Total Dynamic Dividend Fund

Notes to Schedule of Portfolio Investments

July 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

1. Organization:

 

Alpine Total Dynamic Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund was organized as a Delaware Statutory Trust on October 27, 2006, and had no operating history prior to January 26, 2007. The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) authorized an unlimited number of shares with no par value. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek high current dividend income. The Fund also focuses on long-term growth of capital as a secondary investment objective.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies:

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported herein. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ.

 

A. Valuation of Securities:

 

The net asset value (“NAV”) of shares of the Fund is calculated by dividing the value of the Fund’s net assets by the number of outstanding shares. NAV is determined each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open as of the close of regular trading (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). In computing NAV, portfolio securities of the Fund are valued at their current market values determined on the basis of market quotations or if market quotations are not readily available or determined to be unreliable, through procedures and/or guidelines established by the Board. In computing the Fund’s NAV, equity securities that are traded on a securities exchange in the United States, except for those listed on NASDAQ Global Market, NASDAQ Global Select Market and NASDAQ Capital Market exchanges (collectively, “NASDAQ”) and option securities are valued at the last reported sale price as of the time of valuation. Securities traded on NASDAQ will be valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Prices (“NOCP”). If, on a particular day, an exchange traded or NASDAQ security does not trade, then the mean between the most recent quoted bid and asked prices will be used. For equity investments traded on more than one exchange, the last reported sale price on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded is used. Equity-linked structured notes are valued by referencing the last reported sale or settlement price of the underlying security on the day of valuation. Foreign exchange adjustments are applied to the last reported price to convert the underlying security’s trading currency to the equity-linked structured note’s settlement currency. These investments are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Each option security traded on a securities exchange in the United States is valued at the last current reported sales price as of the time of valuation if the last current reported sales price falls within the consolidated bid/ask quote. If the last current reported sale price does not fall within the consolidated bid/ask quote, the security is valued at the mid-point of the consolidated bid/ask quote for the option security. Forward currency contracts are valued based on third-party vendor quotations. Each security traded in the over-the-counter market and quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System is valued at the NOCP, as determined by NASDAQ, or lacking an NOCP, the last current reported sale price as of the time of valuation by NASDAQ, or lacking any current reported sale on NASDAQ at the time of valuation, at the mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations. Each over-the-counter option that is not traded through the Options Clearing Corporation is valued by the counterparty, or if the counterparty’s price is not readily available, then by using the Black-Scholes method. Debt and short-term securities are valued based on an evaluated bid price as furnished by pricing services approved by the Board, which may be based on market transactions for comparable securities and various relationships between securities that are generally recognized by institutional traders, a computerized matrix system, or appraisals derived from information concerning the securities or similar securities received from recognized dealers in those securities. Each other security traded over-the-counter is valued at the mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations.

 

Securities that are principally traded in a foreign market are valued at the last current sale price at the time of valuation or lacking any current or reported sale, at the time of valuation, at the mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations as of the close of the appropriate exchange or other designated time. Trading in securities on European and Far Eastern securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets is normally completed at various times before the close of business on each day on which the NYSE is open. Trading of these securities may not take place on every NYSE business day. In addition, trading may take place in various foreign markets on Saturdays or on other days when the NYSE is not open and on which the Fund’s NAV is not calculated.

 

When market quotations are not readily available or when the valuation methods mentioned above are not reflective of a fair value of the security, the security is valued at fair value following procedures and/or guidelines approved by the Board. The Fund may also use fair value pricing, if the value of a security it holds is, pursuant to the Board guidelines, materially affected by events occurring before the Fund’s NAV is calculated but after the close of the primary market or market transactions for

 

comparable securities and various relationships between securities that are generally recognized by institutional traders, a computerized matrix system, or appraisals derived from information concerning the securities or similar securities received from recognized dealers in those securities. The Board has approved the use of a third-party pricing vendor’s proprietary fair value pricing model to assist in determining current valuation for foreign equities and OTC derivatives traded in markets that close prior to the NYSE. When fair value pricing is employed, the value of the portfolio security used to calculate the Fund’s NAV may differ from quoted or official closing prices. The Fund may also fair value a security if the Fund or Adviser believes that the market price is stale. Other types of securities that the Fund may hold for which fair value pricing might be required include illiquid securities including restricted securities and private placements for which there is no public market.

 

Fair Value Measurement:

 

In accordance with GAAP, the Fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entities’ own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Level 1 -  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets/exchanges for identical investments.
   
Level 2 -  Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates, etc.).
   
Level 3 -  Significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

 

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments as of the reporting period end. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments. These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under GAAP.

 

The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of July 31, 2015:

  

    Valuation Inputs      
Investments in Securities at Value*  Level 1    Level 2    Level 3   Total Value 
Common Stocks                    
Consumer Discretionary  $145,850,331   $   $   $145,850,331 
Consumer Staples   96,121,351            96,121,351 
Energy   66,252,936            66,252,936 
Financials   217,603,696    2,194,808        219,798,504 
Health Care   144,684,332            144,684,332 
Industrials   155,850,489            155,850,489 
Information Technology   127,944,938            127,944,938 
Materials   32,381,949            32,381,949 
Telecommunication Services   24,363,500            24,363,500 
Utilities   37,648,235            37,648,235 
Equity-Linked Structured Notes       23,215,892        23,215,892 
Short-Term Investments       21,149,000        21,149,000 
Total  $1,048,701,757   $46,559,700   $   $1,095,261,457 

 
   Valuation Inputs    
Other Financial Instruments  Level 1    Level 2    Level 3   Total Value 
Assets                    
Forward Currency Contracts  $   $1,905,568   $   $1,905,568 
Total  $   $1,905,568   $   $1,905,568 

 

* For detailed industry descriptions, see accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

For the period ended July 31, 2015, there were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. The Fund recognizes transfers as of the beginning of the period.

 

B. Federal and Other Income Taxes:

 

It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the Federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute timely, all of its investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains to shareholders in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is required. Capital gains realized on some foreign securities are subject to foreign taxes. Dividends and interest from non-U.S. sources received by the Fund are generally subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes at rates ranging up to 30%. Such capital gains and withholding taxes, which are accrued as applicable, may be reduced or eliminated under the terms of applicable U.S. income tax treaties, and the Fund intends to undertake procedural steps to claim the benefits of such treaties. Where available, the Fund will file refund claims for foreign taxes withheld.

 

As of July 31, 2015, net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments, excluding foreign currency, based on Federal tax costs was as follows:*

 

Cost of
investments
  Gross unrealized
appreciation
  Gross unrealized
depreciation
  Net unrealized
appreciation
 
$ 965,022,224   $ 177,830,369   $ (47,591,136)   $ 130,239,233  

 

* Because tax adjustments are calculated annually, the above table reflects the tax adjustments outstanding at the Fund’s previous fiscal year end. For the previous fiscal year’s Federal income tax information, please refer to the Notes to Financial Statements section in the Fund’s most recent semi-annual or annual report.

 

C. Distributions to Shareholders:

 

The Fund intends to make a level distribution each month to its shareholders of the net investment income of the Fund after payment of Fund operating expenses. The level distribution rate may be modified or eliminated by the Board from time to time. If a monthly distribution exceeds the Fund’s monthly estimated investment company taxable income (which may include net short-term capital gain) and net tax-exempt income, the excess could result in a tax-free return of capital distribution from the Fund’s assets. The determination of a tax-free return of capital is made on an annual basis as further described below. The Fund’s final distribution for each calendar year will include any remaining investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income undistributed during the year, as well as all net capital gains, if any, realized during the year. If the total distributions made in any fiscal year exceed annual investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income and net capital gain, such excess distributed amount would be treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions in excess of the accumulated investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income and net capital gain would first be a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the adjusted tax basis in the shares. After such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, the distribution would constitute capital gain (assuming the shares are held as capital assets). Distributions to shareholders are recorded by the Fund on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

 

D. Foreign Currency Translation Transactions:

 

The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in foreign securities. In the event that the Fund executes a foreign security transaction, the Fund will generally enter into a forward foreign currency contract to settle the foreign security transaction. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Non-U.S. dollar-denominated amounts are translated into U.S. dollars as follows, with the resultant translations gains and losses recorded in the Statement of Operations:

 

i) market value of investment securities and other assets and liabilities at the exchange rate on the valuation date.

 

ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses at the exchange rate prevailing on the respective date of such transactions.

 

E. Risks Associated with Foreign Securities and Currencies:

 

Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is a possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments, which could adversely affect investments in those countries. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the Funds’ investments denominated in that currency will lose value because that currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

 

Certain countries may also impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets by foreign entities, including restrictions on investments in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests. These factors may limit the investment opportunities available to the Fund or result in a lack of liquidity and high price volatility with respect to securities of issuers from developing countries.

 

F. Equity-Linked Structured Notes:

 

The Fund may invest in equity-linked structured notes. Equity-linked structured notes are securities which are specially designed to combine the characteristics of one or more underlying securities and their equity derivatives in a single note form. The return and/or yield or income component may be based on the performance of the underlying equity securities, and equity index, and/or option positions. Equity-linked structured notes are typically offered in limited transactions by financial institutions in either registered or non-registered form. An investment in equity-linked structured notes creates exposure to the credit risk of the issuing financial institution, as well as to the market risk of the underlying securities. There is no guaranteed return of principal with these securities and the appreciation potential of these securities may be limited by a maximum payment or call right. In certain cases, equity-linked structured notes may be more volatile and less liquid than less complex securities or other types of fixed-income securities. Such securities may exhibit price behavior that does not correlate with other fixed-income securities.

 

G. Forward Currency Contracts:

 

The Fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. The Fund may use forward currency contracts to gain exposure, to or economically hedge against, changes in the value of foreign currencies. A forward currency contract (“forward”) is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The market value of the forward contract fluctuates with changes in forward currency exchange rates. The forward contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Fund as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. When the forward contract is closed, a Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the fluctuation in value during the period the forward contract was open. A Fund could be exposed to risk if a counterparty is unable to meet the terms of a forward or if the value of the currency changes unfavorably. The Fund’s forward contracts are not subject to a master netting agreement or similar agreement.

 

The following forward contracts were held as of July 31, 2015:

 

Total Dynamic Dividend Fund

 

Description  Counterparty  Settlement
Date
  Currency      Settlement
Value
    Current
Value
    Unrealized
Gain
 
Contracts Sold:                           
Swiss Franc  State Street Bank and Trust Company  12/09/15  28,600,000  CHF  $30,810,665   $29,736,853   $1,073,812 
Euro  State Street Bank and Trust Company  12/09/15  30,500,000  EUR   34,247,383    33,564,501    682,882 
British Pound  State Street Bank and Trust Company  12/09/15  18,800,000  GBP   29,468,624    29,335,551    133,073 
Japanese Yen  State Street Bank and Trust Company  12/09/15  1,700,000,000  JPY   13,761,505    13,745,704    15,801 
                    $106,382,609   $1,905,568 
 

Item 2 - Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a) The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) as of a date within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of that date.

 

  (b) There was no change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the Registrant’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 3 – Exhibits.

Separate certifications for the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached as Ex99.CERT.

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    ALPINE TOTAL DYNAMIC DIVIDEND FUND
     
      By:  

/s/ Samuel A. Lieber

        Samuel A. Lieber
        President (Principal Executive Officer)
     
      Date:   September 25, 2015

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

      By:  

/s/ Samuel A. Lieber

        Samuel A. Lieber
        President (Principal Executive Officer)
     
      Date:    September 25, 2015
     
      By:  

/s/ Ronald G. Palmer, Jr.

        Ronald G. Palmer, Jr.
       

Chief Financial Officer (Principal

Financial Officer)

     
      Date:   September 25, 2015