We could not find any results for:
Make sure your spelling is correct or try broadening your search.
Register to chat with like-minded investors on our interactive forums.
| Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund | AMEX:NHS | AMEX | Common Stock |
| Price Change | % Change | Share Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.05 | 0.63% | 8.01 | 8.00 | 7.96 | 7.96 | 82,669 | 21:15:07 |
|
Neuberger Berman
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Report October 31, 2020 |
|
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website www.nb.com/CEFliterature, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800.877.9700 or by sending an e-mail request to fundinfo@nb.com. You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 800.877.9700 or send an email request to fundinfo@nb.com to inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary or all funds held with the fund complex if you invest directly with the Fund. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRESIDENT’S LETTER | 1 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PORTFOLIO COMMENTARY |
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS |
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS/PER SHARE DATA |
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
|
40 |
|
|
|
|
|
Fund Investment Objective, Policies and Risks |
|
41 |
|
|
|
|
|
Distribution Reinvestment Plan for the Fund |
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
Directory |
|
53 |
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and Officers |
|
54 |
|
|
|
|
|
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures |
|
62 |
|
|
|
|
|
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule |
|
62 |
|
|
|
|
|
Report of Votes of Stockholders |
|
63 |
|
|
|
|
|
Board Consideration of the Management Agreement |
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The “Neuberger Berman” name and logo and “Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC” name are registered service marks of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. The individual Fund name in this piece is either a service mark or registered service mark of Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC. ©2020 Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC. All rights reserved.
|
President’s Letter |
Dear Stockholder,
I am pleased to present this annual report for Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. (the Fund) for the 12 months ended October 31, 2020 (the reporting period). The report includes a portfolio commentary, a listing of the Fund’s investments and its audited financial statements for the reporting period.
The Fund seeks high total return (income plus capital appreciation). To pursue that objective, we have assembled a portfolio that consists primarily of high yield debt securities.
On August 5, 2020, the Fund announced it successfully refinanced a portion of its leverage by completing a private placement of 7,600,000 Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares (the “Preferred Shares”) with an aggregate liquidation preference of $95,000,000 to a major financial institution. The Fund used the proceeds from the issuance of the Preferred Shares to prepay a portion of its outstanding Floating Rate Senior Notes and repurchase preferred stock it had previously issued. After the refinance transaction, the total amount of leverage employed by the Fund did not change. We believe the amended leverage structure provides the Fund with an enhanced ability to withstand potential market volatility and better positions the Fund to avoid having to sell securities into volatile markets in order to comply with required asset coverage levels.
As previously announced, on November 10, 2020, the Fund commenced a tender offer to purchase up to 25% of its outstanding shares of common stock for cash at a price equal to 96% of its net asset value per share determined on the date the tender offer expired, December 10, 2020. In accordance with the terms of the tender offer, since the tender offer was oversubscribed, the Fund purchased 25% of its outstanding shares of common stock on a pro-rata basis, with appropriate adjustment to avoid purchase of fractional shares of common stock, based on the number of shares properly tendered. The Fund purchased 4,885,146 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $12.03 per share, representing 96% of the NAV per share as of the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE on December 10, 2020. Shares of the Fund’s common stock that were not purchased remain outstanding.
As of the date of this letter, the COVID-19 pandemic situation remains fluid, and the extent of its impact on financial markets and the global economy remains uncertain. We encourage you to visit the Fund’s webpage under the “Investment Strategies – Closed-End Funds - Literature” section of Neuberger Berman’s website at www.nb.com, where we offer the Fund’s quarterly factsheet, which includes portfolio manager commentary and market analysis.
Neuberger Berman continues to monitor the ongoing developments related to COVID-19 with a particular focus on two areas: the safety and health of its employees and clients; and the ability to continue to conduct effectively its investment and business operations, including all critical services. Neuberger Berman has a dedicated Business Continuity Management Team staffed with full-time professionals, who partner with over 60 Business Continuity Coordinators covering all business functions across all geographies. Neuberger Berman currently has not experienced a significant impact on its operating model. Neuberger Berman will continue to watch the effectiveness of efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the potential long-term implications on global economies and will continue to monitor and adapt as necessary the firm’s operations and processes in the effort to most effectively manage portfolios.
Thank you for your confidence in the Fund. We will continue to do our best to retain your trust in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Joseph V. Amato
President and CEO
Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
|
|
1 |
|
|
Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
|
Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. (the Fund) generated a 2.28% total return on a net asset value (NAV) basis for the 12 months ended October 31, 2020 (the reporting period), and underperformed its benchmark, the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index (the Index), which provided a 2.44% total return for the same period. The use of leverage (typically a performance enhancer in up markets and a detractor during market retreats) was a key driver of the Fund’s underperformance during the reporting period. Fund performance on a market price basis is provided in the table immediately following this commentary.
The overall high yield market, as measured by the Index, generated a positive return, but lagged the investment grade fixed income market, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, during the reporting period, as U.S. Treasury yields moved sharply lower. This was driven by many factors, but led by the repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in increased demand for “safe-haven” assets. However, credit spreads, which widened at the onset of the pandemic to levels not seen since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, subsequently narrowed as investor risk appetite was supported by unprecedented monetary policy accommodation by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, aggressive fiscal actions, and the prospect of a viable COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, the economic recovery was much better than initially expected. Even with the severe downturn in February and March 2020, the overall high yield market, as measured by the Index, posted a positive return over the reporting period. That said, another wave of virus cases late in the reporting period led to concerns that a rapid “V-shaped” economic recovery could be in jeopardy.
From a sector perspective, security selection within and an overweight versus the Index to support services, security selection within and an underweight to gaming, and an underweight to health care detracted the most from results. In contrast, security selection within and an underweight relative to the Index to energy, security selection within and an overweight to gas distribution and security selection within and an overweight to technology & electronics were the top positive contributors to performance.
In terms of the Fund’s portfolio credit quality, security selection in and an underweight to securities rated B and an overweight to securities rated CCC and below versus the Index were the primary detractors from returns. Conversely, security selection within securities rated CCC and below, BB and BBB and above contributed the most to performance.
The Fund’s use of swap contracts detracted from performance during the reporting period.
In the heightened volatility period due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting increase in downgrades (“fallen angels”), we were able to increase the Fund’s exposure to securities rated BBB and above as well as those rated BB. As the economic recovery ensued and credit differentiation became more apparent, we increased the Fund’s exposure to securities rated CCC and below as well as those rated BBB and above.
In our view, spread levels are compensating investors for an increase in default rates. Moreover, we believe there is much better visibility into troubled sectors, credits and potential future defaults, as we anticipate most are likely to continue to come from industries that have been challenged secularly and/or hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. While we continue to be vigilant to the developments of the ongoing pandemic, the economic recovery and potential changes in policy as a result of the U.S. elections, we believe we are finding ample relative value opportunities. While the resurgence of COVID-19 cases and policy shifts could result in pockets of short-term volatility, we believe the Fund is well positioned given our deep fundamental credit research that seeks to avoid default risk and our “best ideas” portfolio construction approach.
Sincerely,
Russ Covode, Daniel Doyle, Joe Lind and Chris Kocinski
Portfolio Co-Managers
The portfolio composition, industries and holdings of the Fund are subject to change without notice.
The opinions expressed are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers. The opinions are as of the date of this report and are subject to change without notice.
The value of securities owned by the Fund, as well as the market value of shares of the Fund’s common stock, may decline in response to certain events, including those directly involving the issuers whose securities are owned by the Fund; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional, national or global political, social or economic instability; regulatory or legislative developments; price, currency and interest rate fluctuations, including those resulting from changes in central bank policies; and changes in investor sentiment.
The performance of certain rated bonds within the Index, as noted above, represent issues that are rated Baa1/BBB+ through Baa3/BBB-, Ba1/BB+ through Ba3/BB- and Caa1/CCC+ or lower, based on an average of Moody’s, S&P Global and Fitch, as calculated by ICE BofA.
|
|
2 |
|
| TICKER SYMBOL |
|
|
| High Yield Strategies Fund | NHS |
|
| PORTFOLIO BY MATURITY DISTRIBUTION | ||
| (as a % of Total Investments*) |
|
|
| Less than One Year | 0.1 | % |
| One to less than Five Years | 26.4 |
|
| Five to less than Ten Years | 67.0 |
|
| Ten Years or Greater | 6.5 |
|
| Total | 100.0 | % |
| * |
Does not include Short-Term Investments or the impact of the Fund’s open positions in derivatives, if any. |
| PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS1 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Average Annual Total Return | |||||||
|
|
|
Inception | Ended 10/31/2020 | |||||||
|
|
|
Date |
|
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years | Life of Fund | |||
| At NAV2 |
|
07/28/2003 |
|
2.28% |
|
7.07% |
|
7.01% |
|
8.91% |
| At Market Price3 |
|
07/28/2003 |
|
-0.53% |
|
8.86% |
|
5.90% |
|
8.07% |
| Index |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ICE BofA U.S. High Yield
Constrained Index4 |
|
|
|
2.44% |
|
6.12% |
|
6.06% |
|
7.31% |
Listed closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continually offered. Generally, there is an initial public offering and, once issued, shares of common stock of closed-end funds are sold in the secondary market on a stock exchange.
The performance data quoted represent past performance and do not indicate future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For current performance data, please visit www.nb.com/cef-performance.
The results shown in the table reflect the reinvestment of income dividends and other distributions, if any. The results do not reflect the effect of taxes a stockholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the sale of shares of the Fund’s common stock.
The investment return and market price will fluctuate and shares of the Fund’s common stock may trade at prices above or below NAV. Shares of the Fund’s common stock, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Returns would have been lower if Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC ("NBIA") had not waived certain expenses during certain of the periods shown. The waived fees are from prior years that are no longer disclosed in the Financial Highlights.
|
|
3 |
|
| Endnotes |
| 1 | The performance information for periods prior to August 6, 2010 is that of a predecessor fund (Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund). |
| 2 | Returns based on the NAV of the Fund. |
| 3 | Returns based on the market price of shares of the Fund’s common stock on the NYSE American. |
| 4 | Please see “Description of Index” on page 5 for a description of the index. |
For more complete information on Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc., call Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC at (800) 877-9700, or visit our website at www.nb.com.
|
|
4 |
|
| Description of Index |
| ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index: |
The index tracks the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated, below investment grade corporate debt publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. In addition to meeting other criteria, qualifying securities must have a below investment grade rating (based on an average of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch ratings) and have risk exposure to countries that are members of the FX-G10, Western Europe or territories of the U.S. and Western Europe. Securities in legal default are excluded from the index. Index constituents are capitalization-weighted, provided the total allocation to an individual issuer does not exceed 2%. |
Please note that the index does not take into account any fees and expenses or any tax consequences of investing in the individual securities that it tracks and that individuals cannot invest directly in any index. Data about the performance of this index are prepared or obtained by NBIA and include reinvestment of all income dividends and other distributions, if any. The Fund may invest in securities not included in the above described index and generally does not invest in all securities included in the index.
|
|
5 |
|
| Legend October 31, 2020 (Unaudited) |
Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
Benchmarks
LIBOR = London Interbank Offered Rate
Currency Abbreviations:
USD = United States Dollar
Counterparties:
SSB = State Street Bank and Trust Company
Clearinghouses:
CME = CME Group, Inc.
Index Periods/Payment Frequencies:
1M = 1 Month
2M = 2 Months
3M = 3 Months
6M = 6 Months
|
|
6 |
|
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| October 31, 2020 |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 7 |
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 8 |
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
| PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | VALUE | ||||||
|
|
|
Panther BF Aggregator 2 L.P./Panther Finance Co., Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
| $ | 185,000 |
|
6.25%, due 5/15/2026 |
|
$ | 193,325 | (e) |
|
|
1,145,000 |
|
8.50%, due 5/15/2027 |
|
|
1,194,407 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,109,707 |
|
| Automakers 3.9% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Ford Motor Co. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
330,000 |
|
9.00%, due 4/22/2025 |
|
|
388,162 |
|
|
|
1,090,000 |
|
9.63%, due 4/22/2030 |
|
|
1,463,325 |
|
|
|
575,000 |
|
7.45%, due 7/16/2031 |
|
|
684,969 |
|
|
|
1,005,000 |
|
4.75%, due 1/15/2043 |
|
|
930,881 |
|
|
|
4,600,000 |
|
7.40%, due 11/1/2046 |
|
|
5,042,750 |
|
|
|
525,000 |
|
5.29%, due 12/8/2046 |
|
|
496,301 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,006,388 |
|
| Building & Construction 1.6% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Shea Homes L.P./Shea Homes Funding Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
4.75%, due 2/15/2028 |
|
|
404,000 | (e) |
|
|
365,000 |
|
4.75%, due 4/1/2029 |
|
|
370,475 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,560,000 |
|
5.75%, due 1/15/2028 |
|
|
1,731,600 | (e) |
|
|
510,000 |
|
5.13%, due 8/1/2030 |
|
|
553,697 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
TRI Pointe Group, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
5.25%, due 6/1/2027 |
|
|
376,250 |
|
|
|
240,000 |
|
5.70%, due 6/15/2028 |
|
|
266,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,702,422 |
|
| Building Materials 5.0% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3,700,000 |
|
Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., 4.88%, due 11/1/2025 |
|
|
3,629,700 | (e) |
|
|
290,000 |
|
CD&R Waterworks Merger Sub LLC, 6.13%, due 8/15/2025 |
|
|
294,350 | (e) |
|
|
615,000 |
|
Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc., 6.13%, due 1/15/2029 |
|
|
628,253 | (e) |
|
|
550,000 |
|
Forterra Finance LLC/FRTA Finance Corp., 6.50%, due 7/15/2025 |
|
|
580,938 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Jeld-Wen, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
4.63%, due 12/15/2025 |
|
|
607,500 | (e) |
|
|
2,605,000 |
|
4.88%, due 12/15/2027 |
|
|
2,689,662 | (e) |
|
|
1,795,000 |
|
Masonite Int’l Corp., 5.38%, due 2/1/2028 |
|
|
1,902,700 | (e) |
|
|
785,000 |
|
PLY Gem Midco LLC, 8.00%, due 4/15/2026 |
|
|
816,400 | (e) |
|
|
360,000 |
|
White Cap Buyer LLC, 6.88%, due 10/15/2028 |
|
|
369,000 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,518,503 |
|
| Cable & Satellite Television 5.5% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
CSC Holdings LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
560,000 |
|
5.50%, due 4/15/2027 |
|
|
589,400 | (e) |
|
|
560,000 |
|
7.50%, due 4/1/2028 |
|
|
613,124 | (e) |
|
|
705,000 |
|
6.50%, due 2/1/2029 |
|
|
782,212 | (e) |
|
|
3,835,000 |
|
5.75%, due 1/15/2030 |
|
|
4,099,788 | (e) |
|
|
1,155,000 |
|
4.63%, due 12/1/2030 |
|
|
1,154,688 | (e) |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 9 |
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 10 |
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 11 |
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
| PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | VALUE | ||||||
|
|
|
Post Holdings, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
| $ | 530,000 |
|
5.75%, due 3/1/2027 |
|
$ | 555,286 | (e) |
|
|
615,000 |
|
5.63%, due 1/15/2028 |
|
|
648,825 | (e) |
|
|
1,140,000 |
|
4.63%, due 4/15/2030 |
|
|
1,169,925 | (e) |
|
|
840,000 |
|
U.S. Foods, Inc., 6.25%, due 4/15/2025 |
|
|
877,800 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,339,625 |
|
| Gaming 3.4% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Boyd Gaming Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,765,000 |
|
6.38%, due 4/1/2026 |
|
|
1,831,329 |
|
|
|
355,000 |
|
6.00%, due 8/15/2026 |
|
|
363,765 |
|
|
|
2,315,000 |
|
4.75%, due 12/1/2027 |
|
|
2,251,361 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
Caesars Resort Collection LLC/CRC Finco, Inc., 5.25%, due 10/15/2025 |
|
|
237,780 | (e) |
|
|
1,335,000 |
|
Churchill Downs, Inc., 5.50%, due 4/1/2027 |
|
|
1,382,559 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Scientific Games Int’l, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
525,000 |
|
5.00%, due 10/15/2025 |
|
|
526,969 | (e) |
|
|
475,000 |
|
8.25%, due 3/15/2026 |
|
|
480,937 | (e) |
|
|
745,000 |
|
7.00%, due 5/15/2028 |
|
|
740,016 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,814,716 |
|
| Gas Distribution 13.1% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
705,000 |
|
Antero Midstream Partners L.P./Antero Midstream Finance Corp., 5.38%, due 9/15/2024 |
|
|
659,316 |
|
|
|
|
|
Buckeye Partners L.P. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
640,000 |
|
4.13%, due 3/1/2025 |
|
|
606,400 | (e) |
|
|
1,680,000 |
|
3.95%, due 12/1/2026 |
|
|
1,558,200 |
|
|
|
3,285,000 |
|
4.13%, due 12/1/2027 |
|
|
3,087,900 |
|
|
|
650,000 |
|
4.50%, due 3/1/2028 |
|
|
617,500 | (e) |
|
|
605,000 |
|
5.85%, due 11/15/2043 |
|
|
535,425 |
|
|
|
2,105,000 |
|
Cheniere Energy Partners L.P., 4.50%, due 10/1/2029 |
|
|
2,146,089 |
|
|
|
1,540,000 |
|
Cheniere Energy, Inc., 4.63%, due 10/15/2028 |
|
|
1,590,050 | (e) |
|
|
1,215,000 |
|
DCP Midstream LLC, 5.85%, due 5/21/2043 |
|
|
903,243 | (e)(g) |
|
|
|
|
DCP Midstream Operating L.P. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
895,000 |
|
5.63%, due 7/15/2027 |
|
|
927,578 |
|
|
|
785,000 |
|
5.60%, due 4/1/2044 |
|
|
683,892 |
|
|
|
|
|
EQM Midstream Partners L.P. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
455,000 |
|
6.00%, due 7/1/2025 |
|
|
466,375 | (e) |
|
|
580,000 |
|
6.50%, due 7/1/2027 |
|
|
608,301 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
EQT Midstream Partners L.P. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,015,000 |
|
4.75%, due 7/15/2023 |
|
|
1,009,625 |
|
|
|
420,000 |
|
4.00%, due 8/1/2024 |
|
|
406,686 |
|
|
|
590,000 |
|
4.13%, due 12/1/2026 |
|
|
556,453 |
|
|
|
1,445,000 |
|
5.50%, due 7/15/2028 |
|
|
1,463,424 |
|
|
|
|
|
Genesis Energy L.P./Genesis Energy Finance Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
165,000 |
|
6.50%, due 10/1/2025 |
|
|
136,950 |
|
|
|
685,000 |
|
6.25%, due 5/15/2026 |
|
|
548,144 |
|
|
|
|
|
Global Partners L.P./GLP Finance Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
625,000 |
|
7.00%, due 8/1/2027 |
|
|
643,394 |
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
6.88%, due 1/15/2029 |
|
|
360,692 | (e) |
|
|
820,000 |
|
Harvest Midstream I L.P., 7.50%, due 9/1/2028 |
|
|
813,850 | (e) |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 12 |
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
| PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | VALUE | ||||||
|
|
|
NuStar Logistics L.P. |
|
|
|
|
|
| $ | 520,000 |
|
5.75%, due 10/1/2025 |
|
$ | 523,552 |
|
|
|
460,000 |
|
6.00%, due 6/1/2026 |
|
|
454,250 |
|
|
|
570,000 |
|
5.63%, due 4/28/2027 |
|
|
558,600 |
|
|
|
1,200,000 |
|
Summit Midstream Holdings LLC/Summit Midstream Finance Corp., 5.75%, due 4/15/2025 |
|
|
777,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tallgrass Energy Partners L.P./Tallgrass Energy Finance Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
280,000 |
|
4.75%, due 10/1/2023 |
|
|
265,916 | (e) |
|
|
400,000 |
|
5.50%, due 9/15/2024 |
|
|
384,392 | (e) |
|
|
490,000 |
|
7.50%, due 10/1/2025 |
|
|
494,900 | (e) |
|
|
660,000 |
|
6.00%, due 3/1/2027 |
|
|
623,700 | (e) |
|
|
535,000 |
|
5.50%, due 1/15/2028 |
|
|
491,660 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Targa Resources Partners L.P./Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
176,000 |
|
5.38%, due 2/1/2027 |
|
|
176,880 |
|
|
|
2,420,000 |
|
5.50%, due 3/1/2030 |
|
|
2,434,363 | (e) |
|
|
570,000 |
|
4.88%, due 2/1/2031 |
|
|
556,269 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Western Midstream Operating L.P. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
470,000 |
|
3.10%, due 2/1/2025 |
|
|
442,796 |
|
|
|
1,665,000 |
|
4.05%, due 2/1/2030 |
|
|
1,579,527 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,093,292 |
|
| Health Facilities 4.8% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
955,000 |
|
5.50%, due 7/1/2028 |
|
|
993,200 | (e) |
|
|
350,000 |
|
5.00%, due 4/15/2029 |
|
|
360,605 | (e) |
|
|
1,080,000 |
|
Columbia/HCA Corp., 7.50%, due 11/15/2095 |
|
|
1,371,600 |
|
|
|
835,000 |
|
Select Medical Corp., 6.25%, due 8/15/2026 |
|
|
880,925 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Tenet Healthcare Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,610,000 |
|
6.75%, due 6/15/2023 |
|
|
1,697,809 |
|
|
|
420,000 |
|
4.63%, due 6/15/2028 |
|
|
426,038 | (e) |
|
|
5,000,000 |
|
6.13%, due 10/1/2028 |
|
|
4,856,250 | (e) |
|
|
450,000 |
|
THC Escrow Corp., 7.00%, due 8/1/2025 |
|
|
460,125 | (f) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,046,552 |
|
| Health Services 3.3% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
1,035,000 |
|
Envision Healthcare Corp., 8.75%, due 10/15/2026 |
|
|
486,450 | (e) |
|
|
1,110,000 |
|
Jaguar Holding Co. II/PPD Development L.P., 5.00%, due 6/15/2028 |
|
|
1,156,964 | (e) |
|
|
1,825,000 |
|
Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc./Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics SA, 7.25%, due 2/1/2028 |
|
|
1,907,125 | (e) |
|
|
950,000 |
|
Team Health Holdings, Inc., 6.38%, due 2/1/2025 |
|
|
584,915 | (e) |
|
|
720,000 |
|
Vizient, Inc., 6.25%, due 5/15/2027 |
|
|
761,400 | (e) |
|
|
2,610,000 |
|
West Street Merger Sub, Inc., 6.38%, due 9/1/2025 |
|
|
2,649,150 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,546,004 |
|
| Hotels 2.0% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
105,000 |
|
5.13%, due 5/1/2026 |
|
|
106,312 |
|
|
|
105,000 |
|
5.75%, due 5/1/2028 |
|
|
110,062 | (e) |
|
|
435,000 |
|
Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC/Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp., 4.88%, due 4/1/2027 |
|
|
440,057 |
|
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 13 |
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
| PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | VALUE | ||||||
|
|
|
Park Intermediate Holdings LLC/PK Domestic Property LLC/PK Finance Co-Issuer |
|
|
|
|
|
| $ | 490,000 |
|
7.50%, due 6/1/2025 |
|
$ | 514,500 | (e) |
|
|
1,895,000 |
|
5.88%, due 10/1/2028 |
|
|
1,857,100 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
535,000 |
|
5.38%, due 4/15/2026 |
|
|
541,687 | (e) |
|
|
1,085,000 |
|
4.38%, due 8/15/2028 |
|
|
1,078,403 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,648,121 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Insurance Brokerage 6.0% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
1,710,000 |
|
Alliant Holdings Intermediate LLC/Alliant Holdings Co-Issuer, 6.75%, due 10/15/2027 |
|
|
1,795,500 | (e) |
|
|
1,875,000 |
|
AmWINS Group, Inc., 7.75%, due 7/1/2026 |
|
|
2,001,562 | (e) |
|
|
1,780,000 |
|
AssuredPartners, Inc., 7.00%, due 8/15/2025 |
|
|
1,815,600 | (e) |
|
|
3,115,000 |
|
GTCR AP Finance, Inc., 8.00%, due 5/15/2027 |
|
|
3,317,475 | (e) |
|
|
4,675,000 |
|
HUB Int’l Ltd., 7.00%, due 5/1/2026 |
|
|
4,791,875 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,722,012 |
|
| Machinery 0.8% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
245,000 |
|
Granite U.S. Holdings Corp., 11.00%, due 10/1/2027 |
|
|
254,800 | (e) |
|
|
835,000 |
|
Harsco Corp., 5.75%, due 7/31/2027 |
|
|
853,787 | (e) |
|
|
235,000 |
|
Vertical Holdco GmbH, 7.63%, due 7/15/2028 |
|
|
243,813 | (e) |
|
|
475,000 |
|
Vertical U.S. Newco, Inc., 5.25%, due 7/15/2027 |
|
|
488,870 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,841,270 |
|
| Managed Care 0.8% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
1,830,000 |
|
MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, 5.75%, due 11/1/2028 |
|
|
1,793,400 | (e) |
| Media Content 1.5% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
335,000 |
|
Cars.com, Inc., 6.38%, due 11/1/2028 |
|
|
333,325 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Sirius XM Radio, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
5.38%, due 7/15/2026 |
|
|
520,730 | (e) |
|
|
2,445,000 |
|
5.50%, due 7/1/2029 |
|
|
2,661,260 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,515,315 |
|
| Metals - Mining Excluding Steel 5.5% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
505,000 |
|
Alcoa Nederland Holding B.V., 5.50%, due 12/15/2027 |
|
|
531,513 | (e) |
|
|
270,000 |
|
Arconic Rolled Products Corp., 6.13%, due 2/15/2028 |
|
|
284,481 | (e) |
|
|
590,000 |
|
Constellium SE, 5.63%, due 6/15/2028 |
|
|
614,780 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,065,000 |
|
6.88%, due 3/1/2026 |
|
|
1,057,013 | (e) |
|
|
1,345,000 |
|
6.88%, due 10/15/2027 |
|
|
1,338,275 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
905,000 |
|
5.00%, due 9/1/2027 |
|
|
944,594 |
|
|
|
895,000 |
|
4.38%, due 8/1/2028 |
|
|
934,156 |
|
|
|
290,000 |
|
5.25%, due 9/1/2029 |
|
|
313,200 |
|
|
|
330,000 |
|
4.25%, due 3/1/2030 |
|
|
346,705 |
|
|
|
835,000 |
|
4.63%, due 8/1/2030 |
|
|
891,363 |
|
|
|
790,000 |
|
5.40%, due 11/14/2034 |
|
|
904,550 |
|
|
|
430,000 |
|
5.45%, due 3/15/2043 |
|
|
490,660 |
|
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 14 |
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
| PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | VALUE | ||||||
|
|
|
Hudbay Minerals, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
| $ | 1,417,000 |
|
7.63%, due 1/15/2025 |
|
$ | 1,470,137 | (e) |
|
|
740,000 |
|
6.13%, due 4/1/2029 |
|
|
756,650 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Novelis Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
505,000 |
|
5.88%, due 9/30/2026 |
|
|
521,099 | (e) |
|
|
1,185,000 |
|
4.75%, due 1/30/2030 |
|
|
1,201,726 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,600,902 |
|
| Oil Field Equipment & Services 0.8% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
755,000 |
|
Archrock Partners L.P./Archrock Partners Finance Corp., 6.25%, due 4/1/2028 |
|
|
728,575 | (e) |
|
|
270,000 |
|
Precision Drilling Corp., 5.25%, due 11/15/2024 |
|
|
174,825 |
|
|
|
|
|
USA Compression Partners L.P./USA Compression Finance Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
625,000 |
|
6.88%, due 4/1/2026 |
|
|
619,756 |
|
|
|
380,000 |
|
6.88%, due 9/1/2027 |
|
|
381,980 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,905,136 |
|
| Packaging 2.8% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
605,000 |
|
Berry Global Escrow Corp., 5.63%, due 7/15/2027 |
|
|
632,918 | (e) |
|
|
555,000 |
|
Berry Global, Inc., 4.50%, due 2/15/2026 |
|
|
562,415 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
BWAY Holding Co. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
5.50%, due 4/15/2024 |
|
|
75,029 | (e) |
|
|
1,520,000 |
|
7.25%, due 4/15/2025 |
|
|
1,466,344 | (e) |
|
|
870,000 |
|
Graham Packaging Co., Inc., 7.13%, due 8/15/2028 |
|
|
909,150 | (e) |
|
|
825,000 |
|
Intelligent Packaging Ltd. Finco, Inc./Intelligent Packaging Ltd. Co-Issuer LLC, 6.00%, due |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/15/2028 |
|
|
839,437 | (e)(i) |
|
|
1,670,000 |
|
Trident TPI Holdings, Inc., 9.25%, due 8/1/2024 |
|
|
1,757,675 | (e) |
|
|
200,000 |
|
Trivium Packaging Finance B.V., 8.50%, due 8/15/2027 |
|
|
214,040 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,457,008 |
|
| Personal & Household Products 0.9% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
500,000 |
|
Edgewell Personal Care Co., 5.50%, due 6/1/2028 |
|
|
525,490 | (e) |
|
|
755,000 |
|
Energizer Holdings, Inc., 4.75%, due 6/15/2028 |
|
|
776,986 | (e) |
|
|
620,000 |
|
Spectrum Brands, Inc., 5.50%, due 7/15/2030 |
|
|
663,400 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,965,876 |
|
| Pharmaceuticals 1.1% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
365,000 |
|
Bausch Health Americas, Inc., 8.50%, due 1/31/2027 |
|
|
399,098 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Valeant Pharmaceuticals Int’l, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,000 |
|
5.50%, due 3/1/2023 |
|
|
31,920 | (e) |
|
|
2,060,000 |
|
6.13%, due 4/15/2025 |
|
|
2,117,680 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,548,698 |
|
| Rail 0.2% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
525,000 |
|
Watco Cos. LLC/Watco Finance Corp., 6.50%, due 6/15/2027 |
|
|
544,687 | (e) |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 15 |
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
| PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | VALUE | ||||||
| Real Estate Development & Management 1.5% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
Realogy Group LLC/Realogy Co-Issuer Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
| $ | 860,000 |
|
4.88%, due 6/1/2023 |
|
$ | 856,775 | (e) |
|
|
1,160,000 |
|
7.63%, due 6/15/2025 |
|
|
1,225,250 | (e) |
|
|
1,260,000 |
|
9.38%, due 4/1/2027 |
|
|
1,334,277 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,416,302 |
|
| Real Estate Investment Trusts 5.3% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
ESH Hospitality, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
5.25%, due 5/1/2025 |
|
|
100,000 | (e) |
|
|
1,580,000 |
|
4.63%, due 10/1/2027 |
|
|
1,548,400 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Iron Mountain, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,435,000 |
|
5.25%, due 3/15/2028 |
|
|
3,520,875 | (e) |
|
|
330,000 |
|
5.00%, due 7/15/2028 |
|
|
336,874 | (e) |
|
|
2,785,000 |
|
4.88%, due 9/15/2029 |
|
|
2,798,925 | (e) |
|
|
1,190,000 |
|
5.63%, due 7/15/2032 |
|
|
1,230,025 | (e) |
|
|
405,000 |
|
MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership L.P./MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc., 4.63%, due 6/15/2025 |
|
|
412,476 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
145,000 |
|
5.00%, due 8/15/2027 |
|
|
137,389 | (e) |
|
|
545,000 |
|
4.63%, due 3/15/2030 |
|
|
500,719 | (e) |
|
|
1,765,000 |
|
RHP Hotel Properties L.P./RHP Finance Corp., 4.75%, due 10/15/2027 |
|
|
1,631,072 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,216,755 |
|
| Recreation & Travel 4.9% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Carnival Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,185,000 |
|
11.50%, due 4/1/2023 |
|
|
1,309,425 | (e) |
|
|
705,000 |
|
10.50%, due 2/1/2026 |
|
|
766,688 | (e) |
|
|
410,000 |
|
9.88%, due 8/1/2027 |
|
|
429,988 | (e) |
|
|
1,590,000 |
|
Cedar Fair L.P./Canada’s Wonderland Co./Magnum Management Corp., 5.50%, due 5/1/2025 |
|
|
1,609,875 | (e) |
|
|
1,190,000 |
|
Motion Bondco DAC, 6.63%, due 11/15/2027 |
|
|
1,021,555 | (e)(f) |
|
|
|
|
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,095,000 |
|
10.88%, due 6/1/2023 |
|
|
1,194,108 | (e) |
|
|
635,000 |
|
11.50%, due 6/1/2025 |
|
|
726,281 | (e) |
|
|
1,705,000 |
|
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc., 9.50%, due 8/1/2025 |
|
|
1,790,250 | (e) |
|
|
730,000 |
|
Six Flags Entertainment Corp., 4.88%, due 7/31/2024 |
|
|
678,345 | (e) |
|
|
1,600,000 |
|
Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc., 7.00%, due 7/1/2025 |
|
|
1,694,000 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,220,515 |
|
| Restaurants 0.7% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
170,000 |
|
5.75%, due 4/15/2025 |
|
|
181,138 | (e) |
|
|
1,375,000 |
|
5.00%, due 10/15/2025 |
|
|
1,409,513 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,590,651 |
|
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 16 |
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
| PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | VALUE | ||||||
| Software - Services 4.1% |
|
|
|
|
|||
| $ | 115,000 | Granite Merger Sub 2, Inc., 11.00%, due 7/15/2027 |
|
$ | 124,775 | (e) | |
|
|
|
|
Presidio Holdings, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
385,000 |
|
4.88%, due 2/1/2027 |
|
|
395,226 | (e) |
|
|
1,215,000 |
|
8.25%, due 2/1/2028 |
|
|
1,287,900 | (e) |
|
|
3,102,000 |
|
Rackspace Hosting, Inc., 8.63%, due 11/15/2024 |
|
|
3,229,958 | (e) |
|
|
2,330,000 |
|
Solera LLC/Solera Finance, Inc., 10.50%, due 3/1/2024 |
|
|
2,419,169 | (e) |
|
|
1,815,000 |
|
SS&C Technologies, Inc., 5.50%, due 9/30/2027 |
|
|
1,929,036 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,386,064 |
|
| Specialty Retail 1.9% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
359,000 |
|
4.50%, due 3/1/2028 |
|
|
365,282 | (e) |
|
|
323,000 |
|
4.75%, due 3/1/2030 |
|
|
333,498 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
L Brands, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
290,000 |
|
9.38%, due 7/1/2025 |
|
|
336,400 | (e) |
|
|
290,000 |
|
5.25%, due 2/1/2028 |
|
|
285,650 |
|
|
|
645,000 |
|
6.63%, due 10/1/2030 |
|
|
677,250 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Penske Automotive Group, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
5.38%, due 12/1/2024 |
|
|
612,750 |
|
|
|
1,695,000 |
|
5.50%, due 5/15/2026 |
|
|
1,749,028 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,359,858 |
|
| Steel Producers - Products 0.8% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
ArcelorMittal SA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
7.25%, due 10/15/2039 |
|
|
336,128 |
|
|
|
285,000 |
|
6.25%, due 3/1/2041 |
|
|
343,438 |
|
|
|
380,000 |
|
Carpenter Technology Corp., 6.38%, due 7/15/2028 |
|
|
398,361 |
|
|
|
653,000 |
|
Joseph T Ryerson & Son, Inc., 8.50%, due 8/1/2028 |
|
|
699,722 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,777,649 |
|
| Support - Services 11.7% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
1,080,000 |
|
ADT Corp., 4.88%, due 7/15/2032 |
|
|
1,112,076 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
APX Group, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
665,000 |
|
7.63%, due 9/1/2023 |
|
|
670,237 |
|
|
|
845,000 |
|
6.75%, due 2/15/2027 |
|
|
880,912 | (e) |
|
|
|
|
Aramark Services, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,195,000 |
|
6.38%, due 5/1/2025 |
|
|
2,302,292 | (e) |
|
|
1,280,000 |
|
5.00%, due 2/1/2028 |
|
|
1,291,341 | (e) |
|
|
1,400,000 |
|
ASGN, Inc., 4.63%, due 5/15/2028 |
|
|
1,439,606 | (e) |
|
|
2,160,000 |
|
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc., 5.25%, due 3/15/2025 |
|
|
2,035,800 | (e) |
|
|
910,000 |
|
frontdoor, Inc., 6.75%, due 8/15/2026 |
|
|
971,425 | (e) |
|
|
2,380,000 |
|
Garda World Security Corp., 8.75%, due 5/15/2025 |
|
|
2,368,100 | (e) |
|
|
565,000 |
|
GW B-CR Security Corp., 9.50%, due 11/1/2027 |
|
|
603,138 | (e) |
|
|
1,035,000 |
|
IAA Spinco, Inc., 5.50%, due 6/15/2027 |
|
|
1,088,044 | (e) |
|
|
3,845,000 |
|
KAR Auction Services, Inc., 5.13%, due 6/1/2025 |
|
|
3,873,837 | (e) |
|
|
700,000 |
|
Korn/Ferry Int’l, 4.63%, due 12/15/2027 |
|
|
712,250 | (e) |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 17 |
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 18 |
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
| (a) | Variable or floating rate security. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of October 31, 2020 and changes periodically. |
| (b) | The stated interest rates represent the range of rates at October 31, 2020 of the underlying contracts within the Loan Assignment. |
| (c) | Value determined using significant unobservable inputs. |
| (d) | Fixed coupon. |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 19 |
|
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
| (e) | Securities were purchased under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or are otherwise restricted and, unless registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or exempted from registration, may only be sold to qualified institutional investors or may have other restrictions on resale. At October 31, 2020, these securities amounted to $249,522,841, which represents 108.8% of net assets applicable to common stockholders of the Fund. |
| (f) | The security or a portion of this security is on loan at October 31, 2020. Total value of all such securities at October 31, 2020 amounted to $2,944,906 for the Fund (see Note A of the Notes to Financial Statements). |
| (g) | Security issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a future date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end. |
| (h) | Payment-in-kind (PIK) security. |
|
|
|
| (i) | All or a portion of this security was purchased on a delayed delivery basis. |
|
|
|
| (j) | Represents 7-day effective yield as of October 31, 2020. |
|
|
|
| (k) | All or a portion of this security is segregated in connection with obligations for swap contracts and/or delayed delivery securities with a total value of $6,576,280. |
|
|
|
| (l) | Represents investment of cash collateral received from securities lending. |
|
|
|
| (m) | Includes the impact of the Fund’s open positions in derivatives at October 31, 2020. |
|
|
|
| (n) | As of October 31, 2020, the value of unfunded loan commitments was $159,863 for the Fund (see Note A of Notes to Financial Statements). |
| Positions By Country |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments |
|
|
Percentage of | ||
| Country | at Value |
|
Net Assets | ||||
| United States |
|
$ | 307,561,744 |
|
|
134.1 | % |
| Canada |
|
|
8,211,285 |
|
|
3.6 | % |
| Luxembourg |
|
|
8,122,468 |
|
|
3.6 | % |
| France |
|
|
5,231,306 |
|
|
2.3 | % |
| Cayman Islands |
|
|
4,681,699 |
|
|
2.0 | % |
| Zambia |
|
|
2,395,288 |
|
|
1.0 | % |
| Peru |
|
|
2,226,787 |
|
|
1.0 | % |
| Ireland |
|
|
1,680,160 |
|
|
0.7 | % |
| Netherlands |
|
|
1,666,490 |
|
|
0.7 | % |
| United Kingdom |
|
|
1,543,930 |
|
|
0.7 | % |
| Germany |
|
|
732,683 |
|
|
0.3 | % |
| Liquidation Value of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares |
|
|
(95,000,000 | ) |
|
(41.4 | )% |
| Short-Term Investments and Other Liabilities-Net |
|
|
(19,734,408 | ) |
|
(8.6 | )% |
|
|
|
$ | 229,319,432 |
|
|
100.0 | % |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 20 |
|
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
Derivative Instruments
Interest rate swap contracts (“interest rate swaps”)
At October 31, 2020, the Fund had outstanding interest rate swaps as follows:
Centrally cleared interest rate swaps
|
|
|
|
|
Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receives/ |
|
|
|
|
|
Frequency |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pays |
|
|
|
|
|
of Fund |
|
|
|
Unrealized |
|
|
Interest |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
Notional |
|
Floating |
|
Floating Rate |
|
Annual |
|
Receipt/ |
|
Maturity |
|
Appreciation/ |
|
|
Receivable/ |
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Clearinghouse | Amount | Rate | Index | Fixed-Rate | Payment | Date | (Depreciation) |
|
(Payable) |
|
Value | |||||||||||||
| CME |
|
USD 25,000,000 |
|
Receive |
|
3M LIBOR |
|
1.14% |
|
3M/6M |
|
6/17/2021 |
|
$ | (142,438 | ) |
|
$ | (98,205 | ) |
|
$ | (240,643 | ) |
| CME |
|
USD 20,000,000 |
|
Receive |
|
3M LIBOR |
|
0.99% |
|
3M/6M |
|
6/29/2021 |
|
|
(102,027 | ) |
|
|
(63,377 | ) |
|
|
(165,404 | ) |
| Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ | (244,465 | ) |
|
$ | (161,582 | ) |
|
$ | (406,047 | ) |
At October 31, 2020, the Fund had $587,368 deposited in a segregated account to cover margin requirements for centrally cleared swaps.
For the year ended October 31, 2020, the average notional value for the months where the Fund had interest rate swaps outstanding was $44,917,929 when the Fund paid the fixed rate.
The following is a summary, categorized by Level (see Note A of Notes to Financial Statements), of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of October 31, 2020:
| Asset Valuation Inputs | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3(b) | Total | ||||||||
| Investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Loan Assignments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Industrial Equipment |
|
$ | — |
|
$ | — |
|
$ | 643,327 |
|
$ | 643,327 |
| Other Loan Assignments(a) |
|
|
— |
|
|
12,835,732 |
|
|
— |
|
|
12,835,732 |
| Total Loan Assignments |
|
|
— |
|
|
12,835,732 |
|
|
643,327 |
|
|
13,479,059 |
| Corporate Bonds(a) |
|
|
— |
|
|
324,854,495 |
|
|
— |
|
|
324,854,495 |
| Convertible Bonds(a) |
|
|
— |
|
|
2,202,703 |
|
|
— |
|
|
2,202,703 |
| Asset-Backed Securities |
|
|
— |
|
|
3,517,583 |
|
|
— |
|
|
3,517,583 |
| Short-Term Investments |
|
|
— |
|
|
9,573,840 |
|
|
— |
|
|
9,573,840 |
| Total Investments |
|
$ | — |
|
|
352,984,353 |
|
$ | 643,327 |
|
$ | 353,627,680 |
| (a) | The Schedule of Investments provides information on the industry or sector categorization as well as a Positions by Country summary. |
| (b) | The following is a reconciliation between the beginning and ending balances of investments in which unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining value: |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 21 |
|
| Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^ |
| (cont’d) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
in unrealized |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
appreciation/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(depreciation) |
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
from |
|
|||
|
|
|
balance, |
|
Accrued |
|
|
|
|
|
in unrealized |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfers |
|
Transfers |
|
Balance, |
|
investments |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
as of |
|
discounts/ |
|
Realized |
|
|
appreciation/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
into |
|
out of |
|
as of |
|
still held as of |
|
||||||||
|
|
11/1/2019 | (premiums) | gain/(loss) |
|
(depreciation) |
|
Purchases | Sales |
|
Level 3 | Level 3 | 10/31/2020 | 10/31/2020 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Securities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Loan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Assignments(c) |
|
$ | 1,338,823 |
|
$ | 3,314 |
|
$ | (79,060 | ) |
|
$ | (24,872 | ) |
|
$ | — |
|
$ | (594,878 | ) |
|
$ | — |
|
$ | — |
|
$ | 643,327 |
|
$ | (8,994 | ) |
| Total |
|
$ | 1,338,823 |
|
$ | 3,314 |
|
$ | (79,060 | ) |
|
$ | (24,872 | ) |
|
$ | — |
|
$ | (594,878 | ) |
|
$ | — |
|
$ | — |
|
$ | 643,327 |
|
$ | (8,994 | ) |
| (c) | Securities categorized as Level 3 were valued using a single quotation obtained from a dealer. The Fund does not have access to unobservable inputs and therefore cannot disclose such inputs used in formulating such quotation. |
The following is a summary, categorized by Level (see Note A of Notes to Financial Statements), of inputs used to value the Fund’s derivatives as of October 31, 2020:
| Other Financial Instruments | Level 1 | Level 2 |
|
Level 3 | Total |
|
||||||||
| Swaps |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Liabilities |
|
$ | — |
|
$ | (406,047 | ) |
|
$ | — |
|
$ | (406,047 | ) |
| Total |
|
$ | — |
|
$ | (406,047 | ) |
|
$ | — |
|
$ | (406,047 | ) |
| ^ | A balance indicated with a “-”, reflects either a zero balance or an amount that rounds to less than 1. |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 22 |
|
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
| Neuberger Berman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
HIGH YIELD |
|
|
|
|
STRATEGIES |
|
|
|
|
FUND INC. |
|
|
|
October 31, 2020 |
|
|
| Assets |
|
|
|
| Investments in securities, at value*† (Note A)—see Schedule of Investments: |
|
|
|
| Unaffiliated issuers(a) |
|
$353,627,680 |
|
| Cash |
|
21,699 |
|
| Cash collateral segregated for centrally cleared swap contracts (Note A) |
|
587,368 |
|
| Interest receivable |
|
5,260,678 |
|
| Receivable for securities sold |
|
535,126 |
|
| Receivable for securities lending income (Note A) |
|
836 |
|
| Receivable for unfunded loan commitments (Note A) |
|
4,339 |
|
| Prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
20,629 |
|
| Total Assets |
|
360,058,355 |
|
| Liabilities |
|
|
|
| Notes payable (net of unamortized deferred issuance costs of $379,506) (Note A) |
|
29,620,494 |
|
| Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series C ($12.50 liquidation value per share; 7,600,000 shares issued |
|
|
|
| and outstanding) (Note A) |
|
95,000,000 |
|
| Distributions payable—preferred shares |
|
540,415 |
|
| Distributions payable—common stock |
|
15,743 |
|
| Payable to investment manager (Note B) |
|
181,599 |
|
| Payable for securities purchased |
|
1,256,925 |
|
| Payable for accumulated variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts (Note A) |
|
406,047 |
|
| Payable to administrator (Note B) |
|
15,133 |
|
| Payable to directors |
|
20,942 |
|
| Interest payable (Note A) |
|
37,877 |
|
| Payable for loaned securities collateral (Note A) |
|
2,997,560 |
|
| Other accrued expenses and payables |
|
646,188 |
|
| Total Liabilities |
|
130,738,923 |
|
| Net Assets applicable to Common Stockholders |
|
$229,319,432 |
|
| Net Assets applicable to Common Stockholders consist of: |
|
|
|
| Paid-in capital—common stock |
|
265,711,703 |
|
| Total distributable earnings/(losses) |
|
(36,392,271 | ) |
| Net Assets applicable to Common Stockholders |
|
$229,319,432 |
|
| Shares of Common Stock Outstanding ($0.0001 par value; 999,999,997,100 shares authorized) |
|
19,540,585 |
|
| Net Asset Value Per Share of Common Stock Outstanding |
|
$11.74 |
|
| † Securities on loan, at value: |
|
|
|
| Unaffiliated issuers |
|
$2,944,906 |
|
| * Cost of Investments |
|
|
|
| (a) Unaffiliated Issuers |
|
$348,913,957 |
|
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 23 |
|
| Statement of Operations |
Neuberger Berman
|
|
|
HIGH YIELD |
|
|
|
|
STRATEGIES |
|
|
|
|
FUND INC. |
|
|
|
|
For the |
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
|
|
|
October 31, 2020 |
|
|
| Investment Income: |
|
|
|
| Income (Note A): |
|
|
|
| Interest and other income-unaffiliated issuers |
|
$21,509,390 |
|
| Income from securities loaned-net |
|
25,187 |
|
| Total income |
|
$21,534,577 |
|
| Expenses: |
|
|
|
| Investment management fees (Note B) |
|
2,128,046 |
|
| Administration fees (Note B) |
|
177,337 |
|
| Audit fees |
|
57,261 |
|
| Basic maintenance expense (Note A) |
|
12,000 |
|
| Custodian and accounting fees |
|
125,293 |
|
| Insurance |
|
11,624 |
|
| Legal fees |
|
519,746 |
|
| Stockholder reports |
|
396,042 |
|
| Stock exchange listing fees |
|
11,584 |
|
| Stock transfer agent fees |
|
27,296 |
|
| Distributions to mandatory redeemable preferred shareholders (Note A) |
|
1,620,319 |
|
| Directors’ fees and expenses |
|
56,702 |
|
| Interest (Note A) |
|
2,106,074 |
|
| Miscellaneous |
|
29,533 |
|
| Total expenses |
|
7,278,857 |
|
| Net investment income/(loss) |
|
$14,255,720 |
|
| Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments (Note A): |
|
|
|
| Net realized gain/(loss) on: |
|
|
|
| Transactions in investment securities of unaffiliated issuers |
|
(12,500,252 | ) |
| Expiration or closing of swap contracts |
|
135,549 |
|
| Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) in value of: |
|
|
|
| Investment securities of unaffiliated issuers |
|
1,854,267 |
|
| Unfunded loan commitments |
|
4,339 |
|
| Swap contracts |
|
(727,669 | ) |
| Net gain/(loss) on investments |
|
(11,233,766 | ) |
| Net increase/(decrease) in net assets applicable to Common Stockholders resulting from operations |
|
$3,021,954 |
|
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 24 |
| Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
Neuberger Berman
|
|
|
HIGH YIELD |
|
|||
|
|
|
STRATEGIES FUND INC. |
|
|||
|
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
|
|
Ended |
|
|
Ended |
|
|
|
October 31, 2020 |
|
October 31, 2019 |
|
||
| Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Stockholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| From Operations (Note A): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net investment income/(loss) |
|
$14,255,720 |
|
|
$15,161,360 |
|
| Net realized gain/(loss) on investments |
|
(12,364,703 | ) |
|
(9,476,383 | ) |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments |
|
1,130,937 |
|
|
16,840,640 |
|
| Net increase/(decrease) in net assets applicable to Common Stockholders resulting |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| from operations |
|
3,021,954 |
|
|
22,525,617 |
|
| Distributions to Common Stockholders From (Note A): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distributable earnings |
|
(15,049,600 | ) |
|
(15,967,909 | ) |
| Tax return of capital |
|
(6,171,475 | ) |
|
(2,357,252 | ) |
| Total distributions to Common Stockholders |
|
(21,221,075 | ) |
|
(18,325,161 | ) |
| Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Stockholders |
|
(18,199,121 | ) |
|
4,200,456 |
|
| Net Assets Applicable to Common Stockholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Beginning of year |
|
247,518,553 |
|
|
243,318,097 |
|
| End of year |
|
$229,319,432 |
|
|
$247,518,553 |
|
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 25 |
| Statement of Cash Flows |
Neuberger Berman
|
|
|
HIGH YIELD |
|
|
|
|
STRATEGIES |
|
|
|
|
FUND INC. |
|
|
|
|
For the |
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
|
|
|
October 31, 2020 |
|
|
| Increase/(Decrease) in cash: |
|
|
|
| Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
| Net increase in net assets applicable to Common Stockholders resulting from operations |
|
$3,021,954 |
|
| Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets applicable to Common Stockholders resulting from |
|
|
|
| operations to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
| Changes in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
| Purchase of investment securities |
|
(370,192,934 | ) |
| Proceeds from disposition of investment securities |
|
383,439,581 |
|
| Purchase/sale of short-term investment securities, net |
|
(3,103,000 | ) |
| Decrease in receivable for accumulated variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts |
|
727,669 |
|
| Decrease in dividends and interest receivable |
|
221,591 |
|
| Increase in unamortized deferred issuance cost |
|
(291,070 | ) |
| Increase in receivable for securities lending income |
|
(836 | ) |
| Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
(2,059 | ) |
| Decrease in receivable for securities sold |
|
4,714,830 |
|
| Increase in distributions payable on preferred shares |
|
400,278 |
|
| Decrease in payable for securities purchased |
|
(8,372,287 | ) |
| Decrease in interest payable |
|
(226,475 | ) |
| Net amortization/(accretion) of premium/(discount) on investments |
|
38,939 |
|
| Decrease in payable to investment manager |
|
(8,435 | ) |
| Increase in payable to directors |
|
18,025 |
|
| Decrease in payable to administrator |
|
(703 | ) |
| Increase in other accrued expenses and payables |
|
137,098 |
|
| Unrealized appreciation on investment securities of unaffiliated issuers |
|
(1,854,267 | ) |
| Unrealized appreciation unfunded loan commitments |
|
(4,339 | ) |
| Net realized loss from transactions in investment securities of unaffiliated issuers |
|
12,500,252 |
|
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
$21,163,812 |
|
| Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
| Cash distributions paid on common stock |
|
(21,222,477 | ) |
| Cash disbursement for change in loan |
|
(60,000,000 | ) |
| Cash disbursement for repayment of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares Series B |
|
(35,000,000 | ) |
| Cash receipts from issuance of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares Series C |
|
95,000,000 |
|
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
(21,222,477 | ) |
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and restricted cash |
|
(58,665 | ) |
| Cash and restricted cash at beginning of year |
|
667,732 |
|
| Cash and restricted cash at end of year |
|
$609,067 |
|
| Supplemental disclosure |
|
|
|
| Cash paid for interest |
|
$2,332,549 |
|
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash, if any, reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities that sum to the total of such amounts shown on the Statement of Cash Flows.
|
|
October 31, 2020 | October 31, 2019 |
|
||
| Cash |
|
$21,699 |
|
$753,253 |
|
| Deposit for derivative collateral |
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash collateral segregated for centrally cleared swap contracts |
|
587,368 |
|
(85,521 | ) |
| Total cash and restricted cash as shown in the Statement of Cash Flows |
|
$609,067 |
|
$667,732 |
|
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 26 |
| Notes to Financial Statements High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. |
Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
| 1 |
General: Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) was organized as a Maryland
corporation on March 18, 2010, and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. Under the 1940 Act, the status of a fund that was
registered as non-diversified may, under certain circumstances, change to that of a diversified fund. The Fund is currently a diversified fund. The Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) may classify or re-classify any unissued shares of
capital stock into one or more classes of preferred stock without the approval of stockholders.
A balance indicated with a “—”, reflects either a zero balance or a balance that rounds to less than 1. The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 “Financial Services—Investment Companies.” The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC (“Management” or “NBIA”) to make estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
|
| 2 |
Portfolio valuation: In accordance with ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASC 820”), all
investments held by the Fund are carried at the value that Management believes the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the
investment under current market conditions. Various inputs, including the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability in the market, are considered in valuing the Fund’s investments, some of which are discussed below.
Significant Management judgment may be necessary to value investments in accordance with ASC 820.
ASC 820 established a three-tier hierarchy of inputs to create a classification of value measurements for disclosure purposes. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below. |
| ● | Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| ● | Level 2 – other observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, amortized cost, etc.) |
| ● | Level 3 – unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The inputs or methodology used for valuing an investment are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The value of the Fund’s investments in debt securities is determined by Management primarily by obtaining valuations from independent pricing services based on readily available bid quotations, or if quotations are not available, by methods which include various considerations based on security type (generally Level 2 inputs). In addition to the consideration of yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type, indications as to values from dealers, and general market conditions, the following is a description of other Level 2 inputs and related valuation techniques used by independent pricing services to value certain types of debt securities held by the Fund:
Corporate Bonds. Inputs used to value corporate debt securities generally include relative credit information, observed market movements, sector news, U.S. Treasury yield curve or relevant benchmark curve, and other market information, which may include benchmark yield curves, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, comparable securities, and reference data, such as market research publications, when available (“Other Market Information”).
|
|
27 |
Asset-Backed Securities. Inputs used to value asset-backed securities generally include models that consider a number of factors, which may include the following: prepayment speeds, cash flows, spread adjustments and Other Market Information.
Convertible Bonds. Inputs used to value convertible bonds generally include underlying stock data, conversion premiums, listed bond and preferred stock prices and Other Market Information, which may include benchmark curves, trade execution data, and sensitivity analysis, when available.
High Yield Securities. Inputs used to value high yield securities generally include a number of observations of equity and credit default swap curves related to the issuer and Other Market Information.
|
|
The value of loan assignments is determined by Management primarily by obtaining valuations from independent pricing services based on broker quotes (generally Level 2 or Level 3 inputs depending on the number of quotes available). The value of interest rate swaps is determined by Management primarily by obtaining valuations from independent pricing services based on references to the underlying rates including the local overnight index swap rate and the respective interbank offered forward rate to produce the daily price. The present value is calculated based off of expected cash flows based on swap parameters along with reference to the underlying yield curve and reference rate (Level 2 inputs). Management has developed a process to periodically review information provided by independent pricing services for all types of securities. Investments in non-exchange traded investment companies are valued using the respective fund’s daily calculated net asset value (“NAV”) per share (Level 2 inputs). If a valuation is not available from an independent pricing service, or if Management has reason to believe that the valuation received does not represent the amount the Fund might reasonably expect to receive on a current sale in an orderly transaction, Management seeks to obtain quotations from brokers or dealers (generally considered Level 2 or Level 3 inputs depending on the number of quotes available). If such quotations are not readily available, the security is valued using methods the Fund’s Board has approved in the good-faith belief that the resulting valuation will reflect the fair value of the security. Inputs and assumptions considered in determining the fair value of a security based on Level 2 or Level 3 inputs may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer and/or analysts; an analysis of the company’s or issuer’s financial statements; an evaluation of the inputs that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold. Fair value prices are necessarily estimates, and there is no assurance that such a price will be at or close to the price at which the security is next quoted or next trades. |
|
| 3 | Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on trade date for financial reporting purposes. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, including accretion of discount (adjusted for original issue discount, where applicable) and amortization of premium, where applicable, is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost and stated separately in the Statement of Operations. | |
| 4 | Income tax information: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) by complying with the requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code applicable to RICs and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to its stockholders. To the extent the Fund distributes substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to stockholders, no federal income or excise tax provision is required. |
|
|
28 |
|
The Fund has adopted the provisions of ASC 740 “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of a tax position taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax positions as an income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. The Fund is subject to examination by U.S. federal and state tax authorities for returns filed for the tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not yet expired. As of October 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any unrecognized tax positions. For federal income tax purposes, the estimated cost in value of investments held at October 31, 2020 was $349,143,228. The estimated gross unrealized appreciation was $9,834,082 and estimated gross unrealized depreciation was $5,594,095 resulting in net unrealized appreciation of $4,239,987 based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities held by the Fund, timing differences and differing characterization of distributions made by the Fund. Any permanent differences resulting from different book and tax treatment are reclassified at year-end and have no impact on net income, NAV or NAV per share of common stock of the Fund. For the year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund recorded permanent reclassifications primarily related to nondeductible restructuring costs. For the year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund recorded the following permanent reclassifications: |
|
| Paid-in Capital |
Total
Distributable Earnings/(Losses) |
|
| $(86,649) |
|
$86,649 |
|
|
The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2020, and October 31, 2019, was as follows: |
| Distributions Paid From: | ||||||||||||||
| Ordinary Income |
|
Long-Term
Capital Gain |
|
Return of
Capital |
Total | |||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 |
|
2019 | 2020 | 2019 |
|
2020 | 2019 | |||||
| $16,669,919 |
|
$17,707,091 |
|
$— | $— |
|
$6,171,475 |
|
$2,357,252 |
|
$22,841,394 |
|
$20,064,343 | |
|
|
As of October 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a U.S. federal income tax basis were as follows: |
|
Undistributed
Ordinary Income |
Undistributed
Long-Term Capital Gain |
Unrealized
Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
Loss
Carryforwards and Deferrals |
Other
Temporary Differences |
Total | |||||
| $— |
|
$— |
|
$4,244,326 |
|
$(40,080,440) |
|
$(556,157) |
|
$(36,392,271) |
|
|
The temporary differences between book basis and tax basis distributable earnings are primarily due to: losses disallowed and recognized on wash sales, timing differences of fund level distributions, tax adjustments related to swap contracts and amortization of bond premium. To the extent the Fund’s net realized capital gains, if any, can be offset by capital loss carryforwards, it is the policy of the Fund not to distribute such gains. Capital loss carryforward rules allow for RICs to carry forward capital losses indefinitely and to retain the character of capital loss carryforwards as short-term or long-term. As determined at October 31, 2020, the Fund had unused capital loss carryforwards available for federal income tax purposes to offset future net realized capital gains, if any, as follows: |
| Capital Loss Carryforwards | ||
| Long-Term | Short-Term | |
| $30,755,342 |
|
$9,325,098 |
|
|
29 |
|
| 5 | Foreign taxes: Foreign taxes withheld, if any, represent amounts withheld by foreign tax authorities, net of refunds recoverable. |
| 6 |
Distributions to common stockholders: The Fund earns income, net of expenses, daily on its investments. It is the policy of the Fund to declare and pay monthly distributions to common stockholders. The Fund has adopted a policy to pay common stockholders a stable monthly distribution. The Fund’s ability to satisfy its policy will depend on a number of factors, including the stability of income received from its investments, the availability of capital gains, distributions paid on any preferred shares, interest paid on any notes and the level of Fund expenses. In an effort to maintain a stable monthly distribution amount, the Fund may pay distributions consisting of net investment income, net realized gains and paid-in capital. There is no assurance that the Fund will always be able to pay distributions of a particular size, or that distributions will consist solely of net investment income and net realized capital gains. The composition of the Fund’s distributions for the calendar year 2020 will be reported to Fund stockholders on IRS Form 1099-DIV. The Fund may pay distributions in excess of those required by its stable distribution policy to avoid excise tax or to satisfy the requirements of Subchapter M of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Distributions to common stockholders are recorded on the ex-date. Net realized capital gains, if any, will be offset to the extent of any available capital loss carryforwards. Any such offset will not reduce the level of the stable distribution paid by the Fund. Distributions to preferred stockholders are accrued and determined as described in Note A-8. On October 30, 2020, the Fund declared a monthly distribution to common stockholders in the amount of $0.0905 per share, payable on November 30, 2020 to stockholders of record on November 16, 2020, with an ex-date of November 13, 2020. Subsequent to October 31, 2020, the Fund declared a monthly distribution on November 30, 2020 to common stockholders in the amount of $0.0905 per share, payable on December 31, 2020 to stockholders of record on December 15, 2020, with an ex-date of December 14, 2020. |
| 7 |
Expense allocation: Certain expenses are applicable to multiple funds within the complex of related investment companies, which includes open-end and closed-end investment companies for which NBIA serves as investment manager. Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund. Expenses borne by the complex of related investment companies that are not directly attributable to a particular investment company (e.g., the Fund) are allocated among the Fund and the other investment companies or series thereof in the complex on the basis of relative net assets, except where a more appropriate allocation of expenses to each of the investment companies or series thereof in the complex can otherwise be made fairly. |
| 8 |
Financial leverage: In September 2013, the Fund issued privately placed notes (“PNs”) with an aggregate principal value of $90,000,000 and Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series B with an aggregate liquidation preference of $35,000,000. In August 2020, the Fund issued Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series C (“MRPS” and, together with the PNs, “Private Securities”) with an aggregate liquidation preference of $95,000,000. The Fund used the proceeds from the issuance of the MRPS to repurchase the outstanding Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series B and to prepay $60,000,000 of the aggregate principal balance of the PNs. The PNs have a maturity date of September 18, 2023 and the MRPS have a maturity date of August 3, 2023. The interest on the PNs is accrued daily and paid quarterly. The MRPS have a liquidation preference of $12.50 per share plus any accumulated unpaid distributions, whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but excluding interest thereon (“Liquidation Value”). Distributions on the MRPS are accrued daily and paid quarterly. For financial reporting purposes only, the liquidation preference of the MRPS is recognized as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. During the year ended October 31, 2020, the average principal balance outstanding and average annualized interest rate of the PNs were $75,409,836 and 2.73%, respectively. During the year ended October 31, 2020, the average aggregate liquidation preference outstanding and average annualized distribution rate of the MRPS and the Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series B (for the months in which they were outstanding) were $95,000,000 and $35,000,000 and 2.34% and 4.08%, respectively. |
|
|
30 |
|
| The table below sets forth key terms of the MRPS. | |
| Series |
Mandatory
Redemption Date |
Interest
Rate |
Shares
Outstanding |
Aggregate
Liquidation Preference |
||||
| Series C |
|
8/3/23 |
|
2.301%* |
|
7,600,000 |
|
$95,000,000 |
| * Current floating rate as of October 31, 2020. | |
|
The Fund has paid organizational expenses which are being amortized over the life of the PNs and MRPS. The expenses are included in the Interest expense that is reflected in the Statement of Operations. The Fund may redeem the MRPS or prepay the PNs, in whole or in part, at its option after giving notice to the relevant holders of the Private Securities but may incur additional expenses on the MRPS if it chooses to so redeem. The Fund is also subject to certain restrictions relating to the Private Securities. Failure to comply with these restrictions could preclude the Fund from declaring any distributions to common stockholders or repurchasing shares of common stock and/or could trigger the mandatory redemption of the MRPS at Liquidation Value and certain expenses and/or mandatory prepayment of the PNs at par plus accrued but unpaid interest and certain expenses. The holders of the MRPS are entitled to one vote per share and will vote with holders of shares of common stock as a single class, except that the holders of the MRPS will vote separately as a class on certain matters, as required by law or the Fund’s organizational documents. The holders of the MRPS, voting as a separate class, are entitled at all times to elect two Directors of the Fund, and to elect a majority of the Directors of the Fund if the Fund fails to pay distributions on the MRPS for two consecutive years. |
|
| 9 |
Concentration of credit risk: The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in high yield debt securities of U.S. and foreign issuers, which include securities that are rated below investment grade by a rating agency or are unrated debt securities determined to be of comparable quality by the Fund’s investment manager. Due to the likelihood of volatility and potential illiquidity of the high yield securities in which the Fund invests and the real or perceived difficulty of issuers of those high yield securities to meet their payment obligations during economic downturns or because of negative business developments relating to the issuer or its industry in general, the value and/or price of the Fund’s shares of common stock may fluctuate more than would be the case if the Fund did not concentrate in high yield securities. |
| 10 |
Derivative instruments: The Fund’s use of derivatives during the year ended October 31, 2020, is described below. Please see the Schedule of Investments for the Fund’s open positions in derivatives, if any, at October 31, 2020. The Fund has adopted the provisions of ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). The disclosure requirements of ASC 815 distinguish between derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting and those that do not. Because investment companies value their derivatives at fair value and recognize changes in fair value through the Statement of Operations, they do not qualify for hedge accounting. Accordingly, even though the Fund’s investments in derivatives may represent economic hedges, they are considered non-hedge transactions for purposes of this disclosure. In October 2020, the SEC adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund could enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure to establish and maintain a derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager. There is a transition period for compliance for the new rule and it is not currently clear what impact, if any, the new rule will have on the availability, liquidity or performance of derivatives. When fully implemented, the new rule may require changes in how the Fund will use derivatives, may adversely affect the Fund’s performance and may increase costs related to the Fund’s use of derivatives. Interest rate swaps: During the year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund used interest rate swap contracts to reduce the risk that an increase in short-term interest rates could reduce common share net earnings as a result of leverage. Under the terms of the interest rate swaps, the Fund agrees to pay the swap counterparty a fixed-rate payment in |
|
|
31 |
|
|
exchange for the counterparty’s paying the Fund a variable-rate payment that is intended to approximate all or a portion of the Fund’s variable-rate payment obligations on the Fund’s Private Securities. The fixed-rate and variable rate payment flows are paid by one party to the other on a periodic basis and netted against each other when applicable. The Fund segregates cash or liquid securities having a value at least equal to the Fund’s net payment obligations under any interest rate swap transaction, marked to market daily. There is no guarantee that these interest rate swap transactions will be successful in reducing or limiting risk. Risks may arise if the counterparty to a swap contract fails to comply with the terms of its contract. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interest payment to be received by the Fund and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Additionally, risks may arise if there is no liquid market for these agreements or from movements in interest rates unanticipated by Management. Periodic expected interim net interest payments or receipts on the swaps are recorded as an adjustment to unrealized gains/losses, along with the fair value of the future periodic payment or receivable streams on the swaps. The unrealized gains/losses associated with the periodic interim net interest payments or receipts are reclassified to realized gains/ losses in conjunction with the actual net receipt or payment of such amounts. The reclassifications do not impact the Fund’s total net assets applicable to common stockholders or its total net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common stockholders resulting from operations. Certain clearinghouses currently offer clearing for limited types of derivative transactions. In a cleared derivative transaction, a fund typically enters into the transaction with a financial institution counterparty that is then cleared through a central clearinghouse. Upon acceptance of a swap by a central clearinghouse, the original swap is extinguished and replaced with a swap with the clearinghouse, thereby reducing or eliminating the fund’s exposure to the credit risk of the original counterparty. A fund typically will be required to post specified levels of both initial and variation margin with the clearinghouse or at the instruction of the clearinghouse. The daily change in valuation is recorded as a receivable or payable for variation margin and settled in cash with the central clearing party. For financial reporting purposes, unamortized upfront payments, if any, are netted with unrealized appreciation or depreciation and net interest received or paid on swap contracts to determine the fair value of swaps. At October 31, 2020, the Fund had the following derivatives (which did not qualify as hedging instruments under ASC 815), grouped by primary risk exposure: |
|
| Liabilities Derivatives | Interest Rate Risk | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | ||
| Centrally cleared swaps |
|
$(406,047) |
|
Receivable/Payable for accumulated variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts(a) |
| Total Value - Liabilities |
|
$(406,047) |
|
|
| (a) “Centrally cleared swaps” reflect the cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of the centrally cleared swap contracts plus accrued interest as of October 31, 2020. | |
| The impact of the use of these derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations during the year ended October 31, 2020, was as follows: | |
| Realized Gain/(Loss) |
|
|
|
|
| Interest Rate Risk | Statement of Operations Location | |||
| Swaps |
|
$135,549 |
|
Net realized gain/(loss) |
| Total Realized Gain/(Loss) |
|
$135,549 |
|
on: Expiration or closing of swap contracts |
| Change in Appreciation/(Depreciation) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate Risk |
|
Statement of Operations Location |
| Swaps |
|
$(727,669) |
|
Change in net unrealized appreciation/ |
| Total Change in Appreciation/(Depreciation) |
|
$(727,669) |
|
(depreciation) in value of: Swap contracts |
|
|
32 |
|
| 11 |
Securities lending: The Fund, using State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) as its lending agent, may loan securities to qualified brokers and dealers in exchange for negotiated lender’s fees. These fees, if any, would be disclosed within the Statement of Operations under the caption “Income from securities loaned-net” and are net of expenses retained by State Street as compensation for its services as lending agent. The initial cash collateral received by the Fund at the beginning of each transaction shall have a value equal to at least 102% of the prior day’s market value of the loaned securities (105% in the case of international securities). Thereafter, the value of the cash collateral is monitored on a daily basis, and cash collateral is moved daily between a counterparty and the Fund until the close of the transaction. The Fund may only receive collateral in the form of cash (U.S. dollars). Cash collateral is generally invested in a money market fund registered under the 1940 Act that is managed by an affiliate of State Street. The risks associated with lending portfolio securities include, but are not limited to, possible delays in receiving additional collateral or in the recovery of the loaned securities. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned and any interest earned or dividends paid or owed on those securities during the term of the loan would accrue to the Fund. As of October 31, 2020, the Fund had outstanding loans of securities to certain approved brokers, with a value of $2,944,906, for which it received collateral as follows: |
|
|
|
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements | ||||||||
|
|
Overnight and
Continuous |
Less Than
30 Days |
Between 30 &
90 Days |
Greater Than
90 Days |
Total | |||||
| Securities Lending Transactions(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Corporate Bonds |
|
$2,997,560 |
|
$— |
|
$— |
|
$— |
|
$2,997,560 |
|
(a) Amounts represent the payable for loaned securities collateral received. The Fund is required to disclose both gross and net information for assets and liabilities related to derivatives, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities lending and securities borrowing transactions, if any, that are eligible for offset or subject to an enforceable master netting or similar agreement. The Fund’s securities lending assets at fair value are reported gross in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The following tables present the Fund’s securities lending assets by counterparty and net of the related collateral received by the Fund for assets as of October 31, 2020. |
|
| Description |
Gross
Amounts of Recognized Assets |
Gross Amounts Offset in
the Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
Net Amounts of Assets
Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
|||
| Securities Lending |
|
$2,944,906 |
|
$— |
|
$2,944,906 |
| Total |
|
$2,944,906 |
|
$— |
|
$2,944,906 |
|
|
|
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | ||||||
| Counterparty |
Net Amounts of Assets
Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
Liabilities Available
for Offset |
Cash
Collateral Received(a) |
Net Amount(b) | ||||
| SSB |
|
$2,944,906 |
|
$— |
|
$(2,944,906) |
|
$— |
| Total |
|
$2,944,906 |
|
$— |
|
$(2,944,906) |
|
$— |
| (a) Collateral received is limited to an amount not to exceed 100% of the net amount of assets in the tables presented above. | |
|
|
(b) Net Amount represents amounts subject to loss at October 31, 2020, in the event of a counterparty failure. |
|
|
33 |
|
| 12 |
When-issued/delayed delivery securities: The Fund may purchase securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the security is reflected in the NAV. The price of such security and the date when the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. No interest accrues to the Fund until payment takes place. At the time the Fund enters into this type of transaction it is required to segregate cash or other liquid assets at least equal to the amount of the commitment. When-issued and delayed delivery transactions can have a leverage-like effect on the Fund, which can increase fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV. Certain risks may arise upon entering into when-issued or delayed delivery securities transactions from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic, or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to changes in the value of the underlying securities. |
| 13 |
Indemnifications: Like many other companies, the Fund’s organizational documents provide that its officers (“Officers”) and directors (“Directors”) are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, both in some of its principal service contracts and in the normal course of its business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide indemnifications to other parties for certain types of losses or liabilities. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this could involve future claims against the Fund. |
| 14 |
Arrangements with certain non-affiliated service providers: In order to satisfy rating agency requirements and the terms of the Private Securities, the Fund is required to provide the rating agency and holders of Private Securities a report on a monthly basis verifying that the Fund is maintaining eligible assets having a discounted value equal to or greater than the basic maintenance amount, which is the minimum level set by the rating agency as one of the conditions to maintain the rating on the PNs and the MRPS. “Discounted value” refers to the fact that the rating agency requires the Fund, in performing this calculation, to discount portfolio securities below their face value, at rates determined by the rating agency. The Fund pays State Street for the preparation of this report, which is reflected in the Statement of Operations under the caption “Basic maintenance expense (Note A).” |
| 15 |
Unfunded loan commitments: The Fund may enter into certain credit agreements all or a portion of which may be unfunded. The Fund is obligated to fund these commitments at the borrower’s discretion. As of October 31, 2020, the value of unfunded loan commitments was $159,863, pursuant to the following loan agreement: |
|
|
|
Principal |
|
|
| Borrower | Amount | Value | ||
| Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., Term Loan DIP, (3M USD LIBOR + 3.60%), 3.60%, due 7/13/2022(a) |
|
$157,500 |
|
$159,863 |
|
|
(a) Position is a delayed draw term loan which may be partially or fully unfunded. In accordance with the underlying credit agreement, the interest rate shown reflects the unfunded rate as of October 31, 2020. |
|
|
|
| 16 |
Other matters - Coronavirus: The outbreak of the novel coronavirus in many countries, which is a rapidly evolving situation, has, among other things, disrupted global travel and supply chains, and has adversely impacted global commercial activity, the transportation industry and commodity prices in the energy sector. The impact of this virus has negatively affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global securities and commodities markets, including liquidity and volatility, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to its ultimate impact, which may have a continued adverse effect on economic and market conditions and trigger a period of global economic slowdown. Such conditions (which may be across industries, sectors or geographies) have impacted and may continue to impact the issuers of the securities held by the Fund. |
|
|
34 |
|
Note B—Investment Management Fees, Administration Fees, and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
The Fund retains NBIA as its investment manager under a Management Agreement. For such investment management services, the Fund pays NBIA an investment management fee computed at an annual rate of 0.60% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. Managed Assets equal the total assets of the Fund, less liabilities other than the aggregate indebtedness entered into for purposes of leverage. For purposes of calculating Managed Assets, the liquidation preference of any MRPS outstanding and principal amount of the PNs are not considered liabilities.
The Fund retains NBIA as its administrator under an Administration Agreement. The Fund pays NBIA an administration fee at the annual rate of 0.05% of its average daily Managed Assets under this agreement. Additionally, NBIA retains State Street as its sub-administrator under a Sub-Administration Agreement. NBIA pays State Street a fee for all services received under the Sub-Administration Agreement.
Note C—Securities Transactions:
During the year ended October 31, 2020, there were purchase and sale transactions of long-term securities (excluding swap contracts) of $353,693,542 and $366,784,620, respectively.
Note D—Change in Accounting Principle:
In March 2017, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-08, Receivables — Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20) — Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (“ASU 2017-08”). For callable debt securities held at a premium that have explicit, non-contingent call features and that are callable at fixed prices on preset dates, ASU 2017-08 requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The adoption resulted in a change in accounting principle, since the Fund had historically amortized such premiums to maturity for GAAP. Accordingly, the Fund has adopted ASU 2017-08 to amend the premium amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities with non-contingent call features to the earliest call date. In accordance with the transition provisions of the standard, the Fund applied the amendments on a modified retrospective basis by recognizing a cumulative effect adjustment directly to the component of net assets as of the beginning of the period of adoption that decreased the beginning of period cost of investments and increased the unrealized appreciation on investments by $257,073.
This change in accounting policy has been made to comply with the newly issued accounting standard and had no impact on total accumulated earnings/(loss) or the NAV of the Fund. With respect to the Fund’s results of operations, amortization of premium to first call date accelerates amortization with the intent of more closely aligning the recognition of income on such bonds with the economics of the instrument.
Note E—Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820: “Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”) (“ASU 2018-13”). ASU 2018-13 eliminates the requirement to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the timing of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 will require the disclosure of the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements and the changes in unrealized gains and losses for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 will also require that
|
|
35 |
|
information is provided about the measurement uncertainty of Level 3 fair value measurements as of the reporting date. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, and allows for early adoption of either the entire standard or only the provisions that eliminate or modify the disclosure requirements. Management has elected to adopt early the provisions that eliminate the disclosure requirements. Management is still currently evaluating the impact of applying the rest of the guidance.
In March 2020, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04 (“ASU 2020-04”), “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)”. In response to concerns about structural risks of interbank offered rates, and particularly the risk of cessation of LIBOR, regulators have undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation. ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. ASU 2020-04 is elective and applies to all entities, subject to meeting certain criteria, that have contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The amendments are effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance.
Note F—Subsequent Event:
On November 10, 2020, the Fund commenced a tender offer to purchase up to 25% of its outstanding shares of common stock for cash at a price equal to 96% of its NAV per share determined on December 10, 2020. The Fund’s tender offer expired on December 10, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., New York City time.
In accordance with the terms of the tender offer, since the tender offer was oversubscribed, the Fund purchased 25% of its outstanding shares of common stock on a pro-rata basis, with appropriate adjustment to avoid purchase of fractional shares of common stock, based on the number of shares properly tendered. The Fund purchased 4,885,146 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $12.03 per share, representing 96% of the NAV per share as of the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE on December 10, 2020. Shares of the Fund’s common stock that were not purchased remain outstanding.
|
|
36 |
|
Financial Highlights
High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
The following table includes selected data for a share of common stock outstanding throughout each year and other performance information derived from the Financial Statements. Amounts that do not round to $0.01 or $(0.01) per share are presented as $0.00 or $(0.00), respectively. Ratios that do not round to 0.01% or (0.01)% are presented as 0.00% or (0.00)%, respectively. A “-” indicates that the line item was not applicable in the corresponding period.
|
|
Year Ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
|
2018 |
|
2017 |
|
2016 | ||||||||||
| Common Stock Net Asset Value, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Beginning of Year |
|
$ | 12.67 |
|
|
$ | 12.45 |
|
|
$ | 13.43 |
|
$ | 13.12 |
|
$ | 12.68 |
|
||
| Income From Investment Operations Applicable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| to Common Stockholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net Investment Income/(Loss)@ |
|
|
0.73 |
|
|
|
0.78 |
|
|
|
0.76 |
|
|
|
0.87 |
|
|
|
0.92 |
|
| Net Gains or Losses on Securities (both realized and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| unrealized) |
|
|
(0.57 | ) |
|
|
0.38 |
|
|
|
(0.92 | ) |
|
|
0.35 |
|
|
|
0.48 |
|
| Total From Investment Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Applicable to Common Stockholders |
|
|
0.16 |
|
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
(0.16 | ) |
|
|
1.22 |
|
|
|
1.40 |
|
| Less Distributions to Common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Stockholders From: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net Investment Income |
|
|
(0.77 | ) |
|
|
(0.82 | ) |
|
|
(0.79 | ) |
|
|
(0.87 | ) |
|
|
(0.90 | ) |
| Tax Return of Capital |
|
|
(0.32 | ) |
|
|
(0.12 | ) |
|
|
(0.03 | ) |
|
|
(0.04 | ) |
|
|
(0.06 | ) |
| Total Distributions to Common Stockholders |
|
|
(1.09 | ) |
|
|
(0.94 | ) |
|
|
(0.82 | ) |
|
|
(0.91 | ) |
|
|
(0.96 | ) |
| Voluntary Contribution from Management |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
| Common Stock Net Asset Value, End of Year |
|
$ | 11.74 |
|
|
$ | 12.67 |
|
|
$ | 12.45 |
|
|
$ | 13.43 |
|
|
$ | 13.12 |
|
| Common Stock Market Value, End of Year |
|
$ | 10.75 |
|
|
$ | 11.93 |
|
|
$ | 10.33 |
|
|
$ | 12.13 |
|
|
$ | 11.61 |
|
| Total Return, Common Stock Net Asset Value† |
|
|
2.28 | % |
|
|
10.43 | % |
|
|
(0.20 | )%a |
|
|
10.41 | %ab |
|
|
13.08 | %ac |
| Total Return, Common Stock Market Value† |
|
|
(0.53 | )% |
|
|
25.32 | % |
|
|
(8.32 | )%a |
|
|
12.70 | %ab |
|
|
18.69 | %ac |
| Supplemental Data/Ratios |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net Assets Applicable to Common Stockholders, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| End of Year (in millions) |
|
$ | 229.3 |
|
|
$ | 247.5 |
|
|
$ | 243.3 |
|
|
$ | 262.5 |
|
|
$ | 256.4 |
|
| Preferred Stock Outstanding, End of Year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (in millions)^^ |
|
$ | 95.0 |
|
|
$ | 35.0 |
|
|
$ | 35.0 |
|
|
$ | 35.0 |
|
|
$ | 35.0 |
|
| Preferred Stock Liquidation Value Per Share^^ |
|
$ | 12.50 |
|
|
$ | 25,000 |
|
|
$ | 25,000 |
|
|
$ | 25,000 |
|
|
$ | 25,000 |
|
| Ratios are Calculated Using Average Net Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Applicable to Common Stockholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ratio of Gross ExpensesØØ |
|
|
3.17 | % |
|
|
3.52 | % |
|
|
2.96 | % |
|
|
2.47 | % |
|
|
2.39 | % |
| Ratio of Net ExpensesØØ |
|
|
3.17 | % |
|
|
3.52 | % |
|
|
2.96 | % |
|
|
2.45 | %d |
|
|
2.39 | % |
| Ratio of Net Investment Income/(Loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Excluding Preferred Stock Distributions |
|
|
6.21 | % |
|
|
6.20 | % |
|
|
5.88 | % |
|
|
6.56 | %d |
|
|
7.53 | % |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate |
|
|
102 | % |
|
|
89 | % |
|
|
62 | % |
|
|
65 | % |
|
|
57 | % |
| Asset Coverage Per Share, of Preferred Stock, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| End of Year¢ |
|
$ | 43 |
|
|
$ | 201,899 |
|
|
$ | 198,912 |
|
|
$ | 212,582 |
|
|
$ | 208,182 |
|
| Notes Payable (in millions) |
|
$ | 29.6 | ^ |
|
$ | 89.9 | ^ |
|
$ | 89.9 | ^ |
|
$ | 89.9 | ^ |
|
$ | 90.0 |
|
| Asset Coverage Per $1,000 of Notes Payable¢¢ |
|
$ | 11,969 |
|
|
$ | 4,147 |
|
|
$ | 4,103 |
|
|
$ | 4,308 |
|
|
$ | 4,238 |
|
| See Notes to Financial Highlights | 37 |
|
| Notes to Financial Highlights High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. |
| @ |
Calculated based on the average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each fiscal period. |
| † |
Total return based on per share NAV reflects the effects of changes in NAV on the performance of the Fund during each fiscal period. Total return based on per share market value assumes the purchase of shares of common stock at the market price on the first day and sale of common stock at the market price on the last day of the period indicated. Distributions, if any, are assumed to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's distribution reinvestment plan. Results represent past performance and do not indicate future results. Current returns may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment returns will fluctuate and shares of common stock, when sold, may be worth more or less than original cost. |
| ^ |
Net of unamortized deferred issuance costs. The unamortized deferred issuance costs were: |
| Year Ended October 31, | ||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||
| $379,506 |
|
$88,436 |
|
$110,770 |
|
$133,104 |
| ^^ |
From September 18, 2013 to August 4, 2020, the Fund had 1,400 Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series B outstanding. Effective August 5, 2020, the Fund has 7,600,000 MRPS outstanding (see Note A of Notes to Financial Statements). |
| ØØ |
Distributions to mandatory redeemable preferred stockholders and interest expense is included in expense ratios. The annualized ratios of distributions to mandatory redeemable preferred stockholders and interest expense to average net assets applicable to common stockholders were: |
|
|
|
Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||
|
|
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
|
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||
| Distributions to mandatory redeemable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| preferred stockholders |
|
0.71% |
|
0.71% |
|
0.62% |
|
0.48% |
|
0.44% |
| Interest |
|
0.89% |
|
1.38% |
|
1.16% |
|
0.81% |
|
0.68% |
| ¢ |
Calculated by subtracting the Fund's total liabilities (excluding the liquidation preference of mandatory redeemable preferred shares and accumulated unpaid distributions on mandatory redeemable preferred shares) from the Fund's total assets and dividing by the number of mandatory redeemable preferred shares outstanding. |
| ¢¢ |
Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (excluding the liquidation preference of mandatory redeemable preferred shares), the outstanding principal of the PNs and accumulated unpaid liabilities on the PNs and the mandatory redeemable preferred shares from the Fund’s total assets and dividing by the outstanding Notes Payable balance. |
| a |
The class action proceeds received in 2018, 2017 and 2016 had no impact on the Fund’s total returns for the years ended October 31, 2018, 2017 or 2016. |
| b |
In May 2016, the Fund's custodian, State Street, announced that it had identified inconsistencies in the way in which the Fund was invoiced for categories of expenses, particularly those deemed “out-of-pocket” costs, from 1998 through November 2015, and refunded to the Fund certain expenses, plus interest, determined to be payable to the Fund for the period. These amounts had no impact on the Fund’s total return for the year ended October 31, 2017. |
| c |
The voluntary contribution received in 2016 had no impact on the Fund’s total returns for the year ended October 31, 2016. |
|
|
38 |
|
| d | The custodian expenses refund noted in (b) above is non-recurring and is included in these ratios. Had the Fund not received the refund, the annualized ratio of net expenses to average net assets applicable to common stockholders and the annualized ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets applicable to common stockholders would have been: |
| Ratio of | Ratio of | ||
|
|
Net Expenses to Average |
|
Net Investment Income/(Loss) |
|
|
Net Assets Applicable to |
|
to Average Net Assets |
|
|
Common Stockholders |
|
Applicable to Common |
|
|
Year Ended |
|
Stockholders |
|
|
October 31, 2017 |
|
Year Ended October 31, 2017 |
|
|
2.47% |
|
6.54% |
|
|
39 |
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2020 and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund at October 31, 2020, the results of its operations and cash flows for the year ended, the changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of one or more Neuberger Berman investment companies since 1954.
Boston, Massachusetts
December 21, 2020
|
|
40 |
|
|
Fund Investment Objective, Policies and Risks |
Investment Objective and Policies
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high total return (income plus capital appreciation). There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in high yield debt securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. High yield debt securities include securities that, at the time of investment, are rated below investment grade by at least one independent credit rating agency or, if unrated, determined by the Fund’s portfolio managers to be of comparable quality. To the extent not invested in high yield debt securities, the Fund may invest a portion of its assets (normally, not more than 20% of its total assets) in other securities and financial instruments, including investment grade debt securities, equity securities and derivatives. The Fund’s investment objective and its policy of investing at least 80% of its total assets in high yield debt securities of U.S. and foreign issuers are not fundamental and may be changed by the Fund’s Board without stockholder approval, however stockholders would be provided at least 60 days’ notice of any changes.
The Fund invests primarily in securities of U.S. issuers, but may also invest in securities of foreign issuers. Up to 25% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in securities of foreign issuers traded outside of the U.S. Liquid securities purchased by the Fund may subsequently become illiquid.
The Fund uses leverage to pursue its investment objective. The Fund currently utilizes leverage through the issuance of privately placed notes and preferred stock, and may borrow money or use a variety of additional strategies to increase funds available for investment. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is permitted to issue debt up to 33 1/3% of its total managed assets or equity securities (e.g., preferred shares) up to 50% of its total managed assets. The Fund may voluntarily elect to limit its leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Fund may be subject to certain asset coverage, leverage or portfolio composition requirements imposed by the Fund’s notes and preferred stock governing instruments or by agencies rating the preferred stock and notes, which may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act.
Securities purchased by the Fund may have fixed or variable principal payments and various types of interest rate and dividend payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, variable rate, floating rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features. Although the Fund may invest in debt securities having a broad range of maturities, the average portfolio maturity of the Fund is expected to be within the intermediate range (2 to 7 years) and will vary over time, based on the judgment of the Fund’s portfolio managers.
The Fund may invest in a variety of direct debt instruments, including bank loans, notes and other interests in amounts owed to financial institutions by borrowers, such as companies and governments. Corporate loans in which the Fund may invest will primarily consist of direct obligations of borrowers. The Fund may invest in corporate loans at origination as a co-lender or may acquire loans in the secondary market by purchasing participations in, assignments of or novations of corporate loans. The bank loans in which the Fund invests may be structured and administered by a third party that acts as agent for a group of lenders that make or hold interests in the loan. The Fund may acquire interests in such loans by taking an assignment of all or a portion of a direct interest in a loan previously held by another institution or by acquiring a participation in an interest in a loan that continues to be held by another institution.
The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, depositary receipts, warrants and rights. The Fund may also invest in bonds and preferred stocks that are convertible into equity securities.
|
|
41 |
|
The Fund may invest in derivatives. The Fund may purchase and sell derivative instruments such as exchange listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, foreign currencies and securities indices. It may also purchase and sell financial futures contracts (and options thereon) and enter into various other types of transactions in derivatives, such as swaps, caps, floors and collars. These transactions may include the use of interest rate swaps (to hedge against adverse changes in interest rates affecting securities held by the Fund, dividends payable on any preferred stock issued by the Fund or interest payable on the Fund’s borrowings) and credit default swaps. Although the Fund will not use derivatives as a primary investment technique, it may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including: (1) as a hedge against adverse changes in securities prices, interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates; and (2) as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities.
In connection with the Fund’s use, or expected use, of leverage through the issuance of preferred stock and notes, the Fund may seek to hedge the interest rate risks associated with leverage through interest rate swaps, caps or other derivative transactions. These transactions involve investment techniques and risks different from those associated with portfolio transactions in securities of high yield debt securities. There is no assurance that any interest rate hedging transactions, if undertaken, will be successful, and such transactions may adversely affect the Fund’s achievement of its investment objective.
Risk Factors
This section contains a discussion of principal risks of investing in the Fund. The net asset value per share (“NAV”) and market price of, and distributions paid on, the Fund’s shares of common stock will fluctuate with and be affected by, among other things, the risks more fully described below. As with any fund, there can be no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective or that the Fund’s performance will be positive for any period of time. Each of the following risks, which are described in alphabetical order and not in order of importance, can significantly affect the Fund’s performance. The relative importance of, or potential exposure as a result of, each of these risks will vary based on market and other investment-specific considerations. The Fund may be subject to other risks in addition to those identified below.
Call Risk. Upon the issuer’s desire to call a security, or under other circumstances where a security is called, including when interest rates are low and issuers opt to repay the obligation underlying a “callable security” early, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield and may not benefit from any increase in value that might otherwise result from declining interest rates.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that issuers, guarantors, or insurers may fail, or become less able or unwilling, to pay interest and/or principal when due. Changes in the actual or perceived creditworthiness of an issuer or a downgrade or default affecting any of the Fund’s securities could affect the Fund’s performance. Generally, the longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a security, the more sensitive it is to credit risk.
Currency Risk. To the extent that the Fund invests in securities or other instruments denominated in or indexed to foreign currencies, changes in currency exchange rates could adversely impact investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time and can be affected unpredictably by intervention, or failure to intervene, by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or by currency controls or political developments in the U.S. or abroad.
Derivatives Risk. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques and risks different from, and in some respects greater than, those associated with investing in more traditional investments, such as stocks and bonds. Derivatives can be highly complex and highly volatile and may perform in unanticipated ways. Derivatives can create leverage, and the Fund could lose more than the amount it invests; some derivatives can have the potential for unlimited losses. Derivatives may at times be highly illiquid, and the Fund may not be able to close out or sell a derivative at a particular time or at an anticipated price. Derivatives can be difficult to value and valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil. There may be imperfect correlation between the behavior of
|
|
42 |
|
a derivative and that of the reference instrument underlying the derivative. An abrupt change in the price of a reference instrument could render a derivative worthless. Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the reference instrument. Suitable derivatives may not be available in all circumstances, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will use derivatives to reduce exposure to other risks when that might have been beneficial. Derivatives involve counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party to the derivative will fail to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the derivative. That risk is generally thought to be greater with over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives than with derivatives that are exchange traded or centrally cleared. When the Fund uses derivatives, it will likely be required to provide margin or collateral and/or segregate cash or other liquid assets; these practices are intended to satisfy contractual undertakings and regulatory requirements and will not prevent the Fund from incurring losses on derivatives. The need to provide margin or collateral and/or segregate assets could limit the Fund’s ability to pursue other opportunities as they arise. Ongoing changes to regulation of the derivatives markets and potential changes in the regulation of funds using derivative instruments could limit the Fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategies. New regulation of derivatives may make them more costly, or may otherwise adversely affect their liquidity, value or performance.
Additional risks associated with certain types of derivatives are discussed below:
Forward Contracts. There are no limitations on daily price movements of forward contracts. Changes in foreign exchange regulations by governmental authorities might limit the trading of forward contracts on currencies.
Futures. Futures contracts are subject to the risk that an exchange may impose price fluctuation limits, which may make it difficult or impossible for a fund to close out a position when desired. To the extent the Fund enters into futures contracts requiring physical delivery (e.g., certain commodities contracts), the inability of the Fund to take or make physical delivery can negatively impact performance.
Swaps. The risk of loss with respect to swaps generally is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make or, in the case of the other party to a swap defaulting, the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. If the Fund sells a credit default swap, however, the risk of loss may be the entire notional amount of the swap.
Some swaps are now executed through an organized exchange or regulated facility and cleared through a regulated clearing organization. The absence of an organized exchange or market for swap transactions may result in difficulties in trading and valuation, especially in the event of market disruptions. The use of an organized exchange or market for swap transactions is expected to result in swaps being easier to trade or value, but this may not always be the case.
Distressed Securities Risk. Distressed securities may present a substantial risk of default, including the loss of the entire investment, or may be in default. The Fund may not receive interest payments on the distressed securities and may incur costs to protect its investment. The prices of such securities may be subject to periods of abrupt and erratic market movements and above-average price volatility and it may be difficult to value such securities. In certain periods, there may be little or no liquidity in the markets for distressed securities meaning that the Fund may be unable to exit its position.
Foreign and Emerging Market Risk. Foreign securities involve risks in addition to those associated with comparable U.S. securities. Additional risks include exposure to less developed or less efficient trading markets; social, political, diplomatic, or economic instability; trade barriers and other protectionist trade policies (including those of the U.S.); significant government involvement in an economy and/or market structure; fluctuations in foreign currencies or currency redenomination; potential for default on sovereign debt; nationalization or expropriation of assets; settlement, custodial or other operational risks; higher transaction costs; confiscatory withholding or other taxes; and less stringent auditing, corporate disclosure, governance, and legal standards. As a result, foreign securities may fluctuate more widely in price, and may also be less liquid, than comparable U.S. securities. Regardless of where a company is organized or its stock is traded, its performance may be affected significantly by events in regions from which it derives its profits or in which it conducts significant operations.
|
|
43 |
|
Investing in emerging market countries involves risks in addition to and greater than those generally associated with investing in more developed foreign countries. The governments of emerging market countries may be more unstable and more likely to impose capital controls, nationalize a company or industry, place restrictions on foreign ownership and on withdrawing sale proceeds of securities from the country, intervene in the financial markets, and/or impose burdensome taxes that could adversely affect security prices. To the extent a foreign security is denominated in U.S. dollars, there is also the risk that a foreign government will not let U.S. dollar-denominated assets leave the country. In addition, the economies of emerging market countries may be dependent on relatively few industries that are more susceptible to local and global changes. Emerging market countries may also have less developed legal and accounting systems. Securities markets in emerging market countries are also relatively small and have substantially lower trading volumes. Securities of issuers in emerging market countries may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of issuers in foreign countries with more developed economies or markets and the situation may require that the Fund fair value its holdings in those countries.
Securities of issuers traded on foreign exchanges may be suspended, either by the issuers themselves, by an exchange or by governmental authorities. The likelihood of such suspensions may be higher for securities of issuers in emerging or less-developed market countries than in countries with more developed markets. Trading suspensions may be applied from time to time to the securities of individual issuers for reasons specific to that issuer, or may be applied broadly by exchanges or governmental authorities in response to market events. Suspensions may last for significant periods of time, during which trading in the securities and in instruments that reference the securities, such as derivative instruments, may be halted. In the event that the Fund holds material positions in such suspended securities or instruments, the Fund’s ability to liquidate its positions or provide liquidity to investors may be compromised and the Fund could incur significant losses.
Interest Rate Risk. The Fund’s distribution rate and NAV will fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates. In general, the value of investments with interest rate risk, such as debt securities, will move in the direction opposite to movements in interest rates. If interest rates rise, the value of such securities may decline. Typically, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt security, the greater the effect a change in interest rates could have on the security’s price. Thus, the sensitivity of the Fund’s debt securities to interest rate risk will increase with any increase in the duration of those securities.
Issuer-Specific Risk. An individual security may be more volatile, and may perform differently, than the market as a whole.
Leverage Risk. The Fund’s use of leverage may cause higher volatility for the Fund’s NAV, market price, and distribution rate. Leverage typically magnifies the total return of the Fund’s portfolio, whether that return is positive or negative. Leverage is intended to increase common stock net income, but there is no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategy will be successful or that the use of leverage will result in a higher yield on the Fund’s shares of common stock. Different forms of leverage, including swaps, may introduce additional credit or interest rate risk. Leverage may also increase the Fund’s liquidity risk, as the Fund may need to sell securities at inopportune times to stay within Fund, contractual or regulatory limits. The Fund’s use of leverage may increase operating costs, which may reduce total return. The Fund’s use of leverage may increase or decrease from time to time in its discretion and the Fund may, in the future, determine not to use leverage.
Liquidity Risk. From time to time, the trading market for a particular investment in which the Fund invests, or a particular type of instrument in which the Fund is invested, may become less liquid or even illiquid. Illiquid investments frequently can be more difficult to purchase or sell at an advantageous price or time, and there is a greater risk that the investments may not be sold for the price at which the Fund is carrying them. Certain investments that were liquid when the Fund purchased them may become illiquid, sometimes abruptly. Additionally, market closures due to holidays or other factors may render a security or group of securities (e.g., securities tied to a particular country or geographic region) illiquid for a period of time. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect the Fund’s
|
|
44 |
|
value or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities. Market prices for such securities or other investments may be volatile. During periods of substantial market volatility, an investment or even an entire market segment may become illiquid, sometimes abruptly, which can adversely affect the Fund’s ability to limit losses.
Loan Interests Risk. Loan interests generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and the Fund may be unable to sell its loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them promptly only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Loan interests may be difficult to value and may have extended settlement periods (the settlement cycle for many bank loans exceeds 7 days). Extended settlement periods may result in cash not being immediately available to the Fund. A significant portion of floating rate loans may be “covenant lite” loans that may contain fewer or less restrictive constraints on the borrower and/or may contain other characteristics that would be favorable to the borrower, limiting the ability of lenders to take legal action to protect their interests in certain situations. Interests in loans made to finance highly leveraged companies or to finance corporate acquisitions or other transactions may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, in the event of a default, second or lower lien secured loans, and unsecured loans, will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the senior secured lenders, and the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan and the Fund may need to retain legal counsel to enforce its rights in any resulting event of default, bankruptcy, or similar situation. Interests in loans expose the Fund to the credit risk of the underlying borrower and may expose the Fund to the credit risk of the lender.
The Fund may acquire a loan interest by obtaining an assignment of all or a portion of the interests in a particular loan that are held by an original lender or a prior assignee. As an assignee, the Fund normally will succeed to all rights and obligations of its assignor with respect to the portion of the loan that is being assigned. However, the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of a loan assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the original lenders or the assignor. Alternatively, the Fund may acquire a participation in a loan interest that is held by another party. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and the Fund normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower. It is possible that the Fund could be held liable, or may be called upon to fulfill other obligations, with respect to loans in which it receives an assignment in whole or in part, or in which it owns a participation. The potential for such liability is greater for an assignee than for a participant.
Lower-Rated Debt Securities Risk. Lower-rated debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) and unrated debt securities determined to be of comparable quality involve greater risks than investment grade debt securities. Such securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield and may fall in price during times when the economy is weak or is expected to become weak. These securities also may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price and may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires. Lower-rated debt securities are considered by the major rating agencies to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to pay principal and interest and carry a greater risk that the issuer of such securities will default in the timely payment of principal and interest. Issuers of securities that are in default or have defaulted may fail to resume principal or interest payments, in which case the Fund may lose its entire investment. The creditworthiness of issuers of these securities may be more complex to analyze than that of issuers of investment grade debt securities, and the overreliance on credit ratings may present additional risks.
|
|
45 |
|
Market Premium/Discount Risk. The market price of the Fund’s shares of common stock will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in the Fund’s NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for shares on the secondary market. The Fund’s investment advisor cannot predict whether shares will trade below, at or above their NAV because the shares trade on the secondary market at market prices and not at NAV. Because the market price of the Fund’s shares of common stock will be determined by factors such as relative supply of and demand for shares in the market, general market and economic circumstances, and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot predict whether the common shares will trade at, below or above NAV. This characteristic is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that the Fund’s NAV could decrease as a result of investment activities. Common stockholders bear a risk of loss to the extent that the price at which they sell their shares is lower in relation to the Fund’s NAV than at the time of purchase.
Market Volatility Risk. Markets may be volatile and values of individual securities and other investments, including those of a particular type, may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, economic or other developments that may cause broad changes in market value, public perceptions concerning these developments, and adverse investor sentiment or publicity. Geopolitical and other risks, including environmental and public health risks may add to instability in world economies and markets generally. Changes in value may be temporary or may last for extended periods. If the Fund sells a portfolio position before it reaches its market peak, it may miss out on opportunities for better performance.
Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The value of mortgage- and asset-backed securities, including collateralized mortgage instruments, will be influenced by the factors affecting the housing market or the assets underlying the securities. These securities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates than other types of debt securities. In addition, investments in mortgage- and asset-backed securities may be subject to prepayment risk and extension risk, call risk, credit risk, valuation risk, and illiquid investment risk, sometimes to a higher degree than various other types of debt securities. These securities are also subject to the risk of default on the underlying mortgages or assets, particularly during periods of market downturn, and an unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the underlying assets will adversely affect the security’s value.
Operational and Cybersecurity Risk. The Fund and its service providers, and your ability to transact with the Fund, may be negatively impacted due to operational matters arising from, among other problems, human errors, systems and technology disruptions or failures, or cybersecurity incidents. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to fund assets, customer data, or proprietary information, or cause the Fund or its service providers, as well as the securities trading venues and their service providers, to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. It is not possible for the Manager or the other Fund service providers to identify all of the cybersecurity or other operational risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to completely eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. Most issuers in which the Fund invests are heavily dependent on computers for data storage and operations, and require ready access to the internet to conduct their business. Thus, cybersecurity incidents could also affect issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, leading to significant loss of value.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. The Fund’s performance could be affected if borrowers pay back principal on certain debt securities, such as mortgage- or asset-backed securities, before (prepayment) or after (extension) the market anticipates such payments, shortening or lengthening their duration. Due to a decline in interest rates or an excess in cash flow into the issuer, a debt security might be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity. As a result of prepayment, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield, may not benefit from any increase in value that might otherwise result from declining interest rates, and may lose any premium it paid to acquire the security. Conversely, rising market interest rates generally result in slower payoffs or extension, which effectively increases the duration of certain debt securities, heightening interest rate risk and increasing the magnitude of any resulting price declines.
|
|
46 |
|
Private Placements and Other Restricted Securities Risk. Private placements and other restricted securities, including securities for which Fund management has material non-public information, are securities that are subject to legal and/ or contractual restrictions on their sales. These securities may not be sold to the public unless certain conditions are met, which may include registration under the applicable securities laws. As a result of the absence of a public trading market, the prices of these securities may be more difficult to determine than publicly traded securities and these securities may involve heightened risk as compared to investments in securities of publicly traded companies. Private placements and other restricted securities may be illiquid, and it frequently can be difficult to sell them at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or the Fund may be able to sell them only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. Transaction costs may be higher for these securities. In addition, the Fund may get only limited information about the issuer of a private placement or other restricted security.
Recent Market Conditions. National economies are increasingly interconnected, as are global financial markets, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. Some countries, including the U.S., have in recent years adopted more protectionist trade policies. The rise in protectionist trade policies, changes to some major international trade agreements and the potential for changes to others, could affect the economies of many nations in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. Equity markets in the U.S. and China have been very sensitive to the outlook for resolving the U.S.-China “trade war,” a trend that may continue in the future.
High public debt in the U.S. and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and policymaking uncertainty, and there may be a further increase in the amount of debt due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing public health measures. Governments and central banks have moved to limit the potential negative economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with interventions that are unprecedented in size and scope and may continue to do so, but the ultimate impact of these efforts is uncertain. Governments’ efforts to limit potential negative economic effects of the pandemic may be altered, delayed, or eliminated at inopportune times for political, policy or other reasons. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad, and central banks have reduced rates further in an effort to combat the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact on various markets of a significant rate increase or other significant policy changes. Over the longer term, rising interest rates may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the current period of relatively low rates and the effect of government fiscal and monetary policy initiatives and potential market reaction to those initiatives or their alteration or cessation.
Funds and their advisers, as well as many of the companies in which they invest, are subject to regulation by the federal government. Over the past several years, the U.S. has moved away from tighter industry regulation, a trend that may change going forward. Increased regulation may impose added costs on the Fund and its service providers for monitoring and compliance, and affect the businesses of various portfolio companies, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.
The impact of the United Kingdom’s (“UK”) vote to leave the European Union (the “EU”), commonly referred to as “Brexit,” is impossible to know for sure until it is more completely implemented. The effect on the economies of the United Kingdom and the EU will likely depend on the nature of trade relations between the UK and the EU and other major economies following Brexit, which are subject to negotiation and the political processes of the nations involved. Although the UK formally left the EU on January 31, 2020, the parties are continuing to trade under the established rules while a new agreement is negotiated. The UK government has insisted that this agreement must be completed by December 31, 2020, which may be difficult to achieve. Thus, there is still a possibility that the parties will enter 2021 without a trade agreement, which could be disruptive to the economies of both regions.
|
|
47 |
|
Climate Change. Economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential effects of global climate change on property and security values. A rise in sea levels, an increase in powerful windstorms and/or a climate-driven increase in flooding could cause coastal properties to lose value or become unmarketable altogether. Economists warn that, unlike previous declines in the real estate market, properties in affected coastal zones may not ever recover their value. Large wildfires driven by high winds and prolonged drought may devastate businesses and entire communities and may be very costly to any business found to be responsible for the fire. Regulatory changes tied to concerns about climate change could adversely affect the value of certain land and the viability of certain industries.
These losses could adversely affect corporate issuers and mortgage lenders, the value of mortgage-backed securities, the bonds of municipalities that depend on tax or other revenues and tourist dollars generated by affected properties, and insurers of the property and/or of corporate, municipal or mortgage-backed securities. Since property and security values are driven largely by buyers’ perceptions, it is difficult to know the time period over which these market effects might unfold.
LIBOR Transition. Trillions of dollars’ worth of financial contracts around the world specify rates that are based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). LIBOR is produced daily by averaging the rates for inter-bank lending reported by a number of banks. Current plans call for LIBOR to be phased out by the end of 2021. There are risks that the financial services industry will not have a suitable substitute in place by that time and that there will not be time to perform the substantial work necessary to revise the many existing contracts that rely on LIBOR. The transition process, or a failure of the industry to transition properly, might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR. It also could lead to a reduction in the value of some LIBOR-based investments and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against existing LIBOR-based instruments. Since the usefulness of LIBOR as a benchmark could deteriorate during the transition period, these effects could occur prior to the end of 2021.
Risk Management. Risk is an essential part of investing. No risk management program can eliminate the Fund’s exposure to adverse events; at best, it may only reduce the possibility that the Fund will be affected by such events, and especially those risks that are not intrinsic to the Fund’s investment program. The Fund could experience losses if judgments about risk prove to be incorrect.
Sector Risk. From time to time, based on market or economic conditions, the Fund may have significant positions in one or more sectors of the market. To the extent the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors. Individual sectors may be more volatile, and may perform differently, than the broader market. The industries that constitute a sector may all react in the same way to economic, political or regulatory events.
Shareholder Activism Risk. Shareholder activism can take many forms, including making public demands that the Fund consider certain alternatives, engaging in public campaigns to attempt to influence the Fund’s governance and/or management, commencing proxy contests in an effort to elect the activists’ representatives or others to the Fund’s Board of Directors or to seek other actions such as a tender offer or Fund liquidation, and commencing litigation. Shareholder activism arises in a variety of situations, and has been increasing in the closed-end fund space recently. While the Fund is currently not subject to any shareholder activism, due to the potential volatility of the Fund’s common stock market price and for a variety of other reasons, the Fund may in the future become the target of shareholder activism. Shareholder activism could result in substantial costs and divert Management’s and the Fund’s Board’s attention and resources from its business. Also, the Fund may be required to incur significant legal and other expenses related to any activist shareholder matters. Further, the Fund’s stock price could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties of any shareholder activism. Shareholder activists seek short-term actions that can increase Fund costs per share and be detrimental to long-term stockholders.
|
|
48 |
|
Valuation Risk. The Fund may not be able to sell an investment at the price at which the Fund has valued the investment. Such differences could be significant, particularly for illiquid securities and securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. If market or other conditions make it difficult to value some investments, SEC rules and applicable accounting protocols may require the Fund to value these investments using more subjective methods, known as fair value methodologies. Using fair value methodologies to price investments may result in a value that is different from an investment’s most recent price and from the prices used by other funds to calculate their NAVs. The Fund’s ability to value its investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third party service providers, such as pricing services or accounting agents.
Variable and Floating Rate Instruments Risk. The market prices of instruments with variable and floating interest rates are generally less sensitive to interest rate changes than are the market prices of instruments with fixed interest rates. Variable and floating rate instruments may decline in value if market interest rates or interest rates paid by such instruments do not move as expected. Certain types of floating rate instruments, such as interests in bank loans, may be subject to greater liquidity risk than other debt securities.
|
|
49 |
|
|
Distribution Reinvestment Plan for the Fund |
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “Plan Agent”) will act as Plan Agent for stockholders who have not elected in writing to receive dividends and distributions in cash (each a “Participant”), will open an account for each Participant under the Distribution Reinvestment Plan (“Plan”) in the same name as their then-current shares of the Fund’s common stock (“Shares”) are registered, and will put the Plan into effect for each Participant as of the first record date for a dividend or capital gains distribution.
Whenever the Fund declares a dividend or distribution with respect to the Shares, each Participant will receive such dividends and distributions in additional Shares, including fractional Shares acquired by the Plan Agent and credited to each Participant’s account. If on the payment date for a cash dividend or distribution, the net asset value is equal to or less than the market price per Share plus estimated brokerage commissions, the Plan Agent shall automatically receive such Shares, including fractions, for each Participant’s account. Except in the circumstances described in the next paragraph, the number of additional Shares to be credited to each Participant’s account shall be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend or distribution payable on their Shares by the greater of the net asset value per Share determined as of the date of purchase or 95% of the then-current market price per Share on the payment date.
Should the net asset value per Share exceed the market price per Share plus estimated brokerage commissions on the payment date for a cash dividend or distribution, the Plan Agent or a broker-dealer selected by the Plan Agent shall endeavor, for a purchase period lasting until the last business day before the next date on which the Shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis, but in no event, except as provided below, more than 30 days after the payment date, to apply the amount of such dividend or distribution on each Participant’s Shares (less their pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of such dividend or distribution) to purchase Shares on the open market for each Participant’s account. No such purchases may be made more than 30 days after the payment date for such dividend or distribution except where temporary curtailment or suspension of purchase is necessary to comply with applicable provisions of federal securities laws. If, at the close of business on any day during the purchase period the net asset value per Share equals or is less than the market price per Share plus estimated brokerage commissions, the Plan Agent will not make any further open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of such dividend or distribution. If the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full dividend or distribution amount through open-market purchases during the purchase period, the Plan Agent shall request that, with respect to the uninvested portion of such dividend or distribution amount, the Fund issue new Shares at the close of business on the earlier of the last day of the purchase period or the first day during the purchase period on which the net asset value per Share equals or is less than the market price per Share, plus estimated brokerage commissions, such Shares to be issued in accordance with the terms specified in the third paragraph hereof. These newly issued Shares will be valued at the then-current market price per Share at the time such Shares are to be issued.
For purposes of making the reinvestment purchase comparison under the Plan, (a) the market price of the Shares on a particular date shall be the last sales price on the New York Stock Exchange (or if the Shares are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange, such other exchange on which the Shares are principally traded) on that date, or, if there is no sale on such Exchange (or if not so listed, in the over-the-counter market) on that date, then the mean between the closing bid and asked quotations for such Shares on such Exchange on such date and (b) the net asset value per Share on a particular date shall be the net asset value per Share most recently calculated by or on behalf of the Fund. All dividends, distributions and other payments (whether made in cash or Shares) shall be made net of any applicable withholding tax.
Open-market purchases provided for above may be made on any securities exchange where the Fund’s Shares are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as the Plan Agent shall determine. Each Participant’s uninvested funds held by the Plan Agent will not bear interest, and it is understood that, in any event, the Plan Agent shall have no liability in connection with any inability to purchase Shares within 30 days after the initial date of such purchase as herein provided, or with the timing of any purchases effected. The Plan Agent shall have no responsibility as to the value of the Shares acquired for each
|
|
50 |
|
Participant’s account. For the purpose of cash investments, the Plan Agent may commingle each Participant’s funds with those of other stockholders of the Fund for whom the Plan Agent similarly acts as agent, and the average price (including brokerage commissions) of all Shares purchased by the Plan Agent as Plan Agent shall be the price per Share allocable to each Participant in connection therewith.
The Plan Agent may hold each Participant’s Shares acquired pursuant to the Plan together with the Shares of other stockholders of the Fund acquired pursuant to the Plan in noncertificated form in the Plan Agent’s name or that of the Plan Agent’s nominee. The Plan Agent will forward to each Participant any proxy solicitation material and will vote any Shares so held for each Participant only in accordance with the instructions set forth on proxies returned by the Participant to the Fund.
The Plan Agent will confirm to each Participant each acquisition made for their account as soon as practicable but not later than 60 days after the date thereof. Although each Participant may from time to time have an undivided fractional interest (computed to three decimal places) in a Share, no certificates for a fractional Share will be issued. However, dividends and distributions on fractional Shares will be credited to each Participant’s account. In the event of termination of a Participant’s account under the Plan, the Plan Agent will adjust for any such undivided fractional interest in cash at the market value of the Shares at the time of termination, less the pro rata expense of any sale required to make such an adjustment.
Any Share dividends or split Shares distributed by the Fund on Shares held by the Plan Agent for Participants will be credited to their accounts. In the event that the Fund makes available to its stockholders rights to purchase additional Shares or other securities, the Shares held for each Participant under the Plan will be added to other Shares held by the Participant in calculating the number of rights to be issued to each Participant.
The Plan Agent’s service fee for handling capital gains and other distributions or income dividends will be paid by the Fund. Participants will be charged their pro rata share of brokerage commissions on all open-market purchases.
Each Participant may terminate their account under the Plan by notifying the Plan Agent in writing. Such termination will be effective immediately if the Participant’s notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten days prior to any dividend or distribution record date, otherwise such termination will be effective the first trading day after the payment date for such dividend or distribution with respect to any subsequent dividend or distribution. The Plan may be terminated by the Plan Agent or the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to each Participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund.
These terms and conditions may be amended or supplemented by the Plan Agent or the Fund at any time or times but, except when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules or policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority, only by mailing to each Participant appropriate written notice at least 30 days prior to the effective date thereof. The amendment or supplement shall be deemed to be accepted by each Participant unless, prior to the effective date thereof, the Plan Agent receives written notice of the termination of their account under the Plan. Any such amendment may include an appointment by the Plan Agent in its place and stead of a successor Plan Agent under these terms and conditions, with full power and authority to perform all or any of the acts to be performed by the Plan Agent under these terms and conditions. Upon any such appointment of any Plan Agent for the purpose of receiving dividends and distributions, the Fund will be authorized to pay to such successor Plan Agent, for each Participant’s account, all dividends and distributions payable on Shares held in their name or under the Plan for retention or application by such successor Plan Agent as provided in these terms and conditions.
The Plan Agent shall at all times act in good faith and agrees to use its best efforts within reasonable limits to ensure the accuracy of all services performed under this Agreement and to comply with applicable law, but assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors unless such error is caused by the Plan Agent’s negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of its employees. These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland.
|
|
51 |
|
Reinvested dividends and distributions are taxed in the same manner as cash dividends and distributions — i.e., reinvestment in additional Shares does not relieve stockholders of, or defer the need to pay, any income tax that may be payable (or that is required to be withheld) on Fund dividends and distributions. Participants should contact their tax professionals for information on how the Plan impacts their personal tax situation. For additional information about the Plan, please contact the Plan Agent by telephone at 1-866-227-2136 or by mail at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11219 or online at www.astfinancial.com.
|
|
52 |
|
|
Directory |
|
Investment Manager and Administrator
Custodian
Transfer Agent
|
Plan Agent
Overnight correspondence should be sent to:
Legal Counsel
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
Directors and Officers |
The following tables set forth information concerning the Directors and Officers of the Fund. All persons named as Directors and Officers also serve in similar capacities for other funds administered or managed by NBIA. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Directors as of the time of the Fund’s most recent public offering and is available upon request, without charge, by calling (877) 461-1899.
Information about the Board of Directors
| Name, (Year of Birth), |
|
Position(s) |
|
Principal Occupation(s)(3) |
|
Number of |
|
Other Directorships Held |
| and Address(1) |
|
and Length |
|
|
|
Funds in |
|
Outside Fund Complex by |
|
|
|
of Time |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Director(3) |
|
|
Served(2) |
|
Overseen by |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
| CLASS I | ||||||||
| Independent Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marc Gary (1952) |
|
Director since 2015 |
|
Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, Jewish Theological Seminary, since 2012; formerly, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Fidelity Investments, 2007 to 2012; formerly, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, BellSouth Corporation, 2004 to 2007; formerly, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, BellSouth Corporation, 2000 to 2004; formerly, Associate, Partner, and National Litigation Practice Co-Chair, Mayer, Brown LLP, 1981 to 2000; formerly, Associate Independent Counsel, Office of Independent Counsel, 1990 to 1992. |
|
46 |
|
Director, UJA Federation of Greater New York, since 2019; Trustee, Jewish Theological Seminary, since 2015; Director, Legility, Inc. (privately held for-profit company), since 2012; Director, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (not-for-profit), since 2005; formerly, Director, Equal Justice Works (not-for-profit), 2005 to 2014; formerly, Director, Corporate Counsel Institute, Georgetown University Law Center, 2007 to 2012; formerly, Director, Greater Boston Legal Services (not-for-profit), 2007 to 2012. |
|
|
54 |
|
| Name, (Year of Birth), |
|
Position(s) |
|
Principal Occupation(s)(3) |
|
Number of |
|
Other Directorships Held |
| and Address(1) |
|
and Length |
|
|
|
Funds in |
|
Outside Fund Complex by |
|
|
|
of Time |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Director(3) |
|
|
Served(2) |
|
Overseen by |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
Michael M. Knetter (1960) |
|
Director since 2007 |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer, University of Wisconsin Foundation, since 2010; formerly, Dean, School of Business, University of Wisconsin - Madison; formerly, Professor of International Economics and Associate Dean, Amos Tuck School of Business - Dartmouth College, 1998 to 2002. |
|
46 |
|
Director, 1 William Street Credit Income Fund, since 2018; Board Member, American Family Insurance (a mutual company, not publicly traded), since March 2009; formerly, Trustee, Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc., 2007 to 2011; formerly, Director, Wausau Paper, 2005 to 2011; formerly, Director, Great Wolf Resorts, 2004 to 2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter P. Trapp (1944) |
|
Director since 2006 |
|
Retired; formerly, Regional Manager for Mid-Southern Region, Ford Motor Credit Company, September 1997 to 2007; formerly, President, Ford Life Insurance Company, April 1995 to August 1997. |
|
46 |
|
None. |
| CLASS II | ||||||||
| Independent Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael J. Cosgrove (1949) |
|
Director since 2015 |
|
President, Carragh Consulting USA, since 2014; formerly, Executive, General Electric Company, 1970 to 2014, including President, Mutual Funds and Global Investment Programs, GE Asset Management, 2011 to 2014, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mutual Funds and Intermediary Business, GE Asset Management, 2007 to 2011, President, Institutional Sales and Marketing, GE Asset Management, 1998 to 2007, and Chief Financial Officer, GE Asset Management, and Deputy Treasurer, GE Company, 1988 to 1993. |
|
46 |
|
Director, America Press, Inc. (not-for-profit Jesuit publisher), since 2015; formerly, Director, Fordham University, 2001 to 2018; formerly, Director, The Gabelli Go Anywhere Trust, June 2015 to June 2016; formerly, Director, Skin Cancer Foundation (not-for-profit), 2006 to 2015; formerly, Director, GE Investments Funds, Inc., 1997 to 2014; formerly, Trustee, GE Institutional Funds, 1997 to 2014; formerly, Director, GE Asset Management, 1988 to 2014; formerly, Director, Elfun Trusts, 1988 to 2014; formerly, Trustee, GE Pension & Benefit Plans, 1988 to 2014; formerly, Member of Board of Governors, Investment Company Institute. |
|
|
55 |
|
| Name, (Year of Birth), |
|
Position(s) |
|
Principal Occupation(s)(3) |
|
Number of |
|
Other Directorships Held |
| and Address(1) |
|
and Length |
|
|
|
Funds in |
|
Outside Fund Complex by |
|
|
|
of Time |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Director(3) |
|
|
Served(2) |
|
Overseen by |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
Deborah C. McLean (1954) |
|
Director since 2015 |
|
Member, Circle Financial Group (private wealth management membership practice), since 2011; Managing Director, Golden Seeds LLC (an angel investing group), since 2009; Adjunct Professor, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, since 2008; formerly, Visiting Assistant Professor, Fairfield University, Dolan School of Business, Fall 2007; formerly, Adjunct Associate Professor of Finance, Richmond, The American International University in London, 1999 to 2007. |
|
46 |
|
Board member, Norwalk Community College Foundation, since 2014; Dean’s Advisory Council, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, since 2014; formerly, Director and Treasurer, At Home in Darien (not-for-profit), 2012 to 2014; formerly, Director, National Executive Service Corps (not-for-profit), 2012 to 2013; formerly, Trustee, Richmond, The American International University in London, 1999 to 2013. |
|
George W. Morriss (1947) |
|
Director since 2007 |
|
Adjunct Professor, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, since 2012; formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, People’s United Bank, Connecticut (a financial services company), 1991 to 2001. |
|
46 |
|
Director, 1 William Street Credit Income Fund, since 2018; Director and Chair, Thrivent Church Loan and Income Fund, since 2018; formerly, Trustee, Steben Alternative Investment Funds, Steben Select Multi-Strategy Fund, and Steben Select Multi-Strategy Master Fund, 2013 to 2017; formerly, Treasurer, National Association of Corporate Directors, Connecticut Chapter, 2011 to 2015; formerly, Manager, Larch Lane Multi-Strategy Fund complex (which consisted of three funds), 2006 to 2011; formerly, Member, NASDAQ Issuers’ Affairs Committee, 1995 to 2003. |
|
|
56 |
|
| Name, (Year of Birth), |
|
Position(s) |
|
Principal Occupation(s)(3) |
|
Number of |
|
Other Directorships Held |
| and Address(1) |
|
and Length |
|
|
|
Funds in |
|
Outside Fund Complex by |
|
|
|
of Time |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Director(3) |
|
|
Served(2) |
|
Overseen by |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
Tom D. Seip (1950) |
|
Director since 2006; Chairman of the Board since 2008; formerly Lead Independent Director from 2006 to 2008 |
|
Formerly, Managing Member, Ridgefield Farm LLC (a private investment vehicle), 2004 to 2016; formerly, President and CEO, Westaff, Inc. (temporary staffing), May 2001 to January 2002; formerly, Senior Executive, The Charles Schwab Corporation, 1983 to 1998, including Chief Executive Officer, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.; Trustee, Schwab Family of Funds and Schwab Investments, 1997 to 1998; and Executive Vice President-Retail Brokerage, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., 1994 to 1997. |
|
46 |
|
Formerly, Director, H&R Block, Inc. (tax services company), 2001 to 2018; formerly, Director, Talbot Hospice Inc., 2013 to 2016; formerly, Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee, H&R Block, Inc., 2011 to 2015; formerly, Chairman, Compensation Committee, H&R Block, Inc., 2006 to 2010; formerly, Director, Forward Management, Inc. (asset management company), 1999 to 2006. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLASS III |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Directors |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Martha C. Goss (1949) |
|
Director since 2007 |
|
President, Woodhill Enterprises Inc./Chase Hollow Associates LLC (personal investment vehicle), since 2006; formerly, Consultant, Resources Global Professionals (temporary staffing), 2002 to 2006; formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Inc., 1995 to 1999; formerly, Enterprise Risk Officer, Prudential Insurance, 1994 to 1995; formerly, President, Prudential Asset Management Company, 1992 to 1994; formerly, President, Prudential Power Funding (investments in electric and gas utilities and alternative energy projects), 1989 to 1992; formerly, Treasurer, Prudential Insurance Company, 1983 to 1989. |
|
46 |
|
Director, American Water (water utility), since 2003; Director, Allianz Life of New York (insurance), since 2005; Director, Berger Group Holdings, Inc. (engineering consulting firm), since 2013; Director, Financial Women’s Association of New York (not-for-profit association), since 2003; Trustee Emerita, Brown University, since 1998; Director, Museum of American Finance (not-for-profit), since 2013; formerly, Non-Executive Chair and Director, Channel Reinsurance (financial guaranty reinsurance), 2006 to 2010; formerly, Director, Ocwen Financial Corporation (mortgage servicing), 2005 to 2010; formerly, Director, Claire’s Stores, Inc. (retailer), 2005 to 2007; formerly, Director, Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. (engineering consulting firm), 2007 to 2010; formerly, Director, Bank Leumi (commercial bank), 2005 to 2007; formerly, Advisory Board Member, Attensity (software developer), 2005 to 2007. |
|
|
57 |
|
| Name, (Year of Birth), |
|
Position(s) |
|
Principal Occupation(s)(3) |
|
Number of |
|
Other Directorships Held |
| and Address(1) |
|
and Length |
|
|
|
Funds in |
|
Outside Fund Complex by |
|
|
|
of Time |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Director(3) |
|
|
Served(2) |
|
Overseen by |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James G. Stavridis (1955) |
|
Director since 2015 |
|
Operating Executive, The Carlyle Group, since 2018; Commentator, NBC News, since 2015; formerly, Dean, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, 2013 to 2018; formerly, Admiral, United States Navy, 1976 to 2013, including Supreme Allied Commander, NATO and Commander, European Command, 2009 to 2013, and Commander, United States Southern Command, 2006 to 2009. |
|
46 |
|
Director, American Water (water utility), since 2018; Director, NFP Corp. (insurance broker and consultant), since 2017; Director, U.S. Naval Institute, since 2014; Director, Onassis Foundation, since 2014; Director, BMC Software Federal, LLC, since 2014; Director, Vertical Knowledge, LLC, since 2013; formerly, Director, Navy Federal Credit Union, 2000-2002. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Candace L. Straight (1947) |
|
Director since 2006 |
|
Private investor and consultant specializing in the insurance industry; formerly, Advisory Director, Securitas Capital LLC (a global private equity investment firm dedicated to making investments in the insurance sector), 1998 to 2003. |
|
46 |
|
Director, ERA Coalition (not-for-profit), 2019 to 2020; Director, Re belle Media (a privately held TV and film production company), since 2018; formerly, Public Member, Board of Governors and Board of Trustees, Rutgers University, 2011 to 2016; formerly, Director, Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (reinsurance company), 2006 to 2015; formerly, Director, National Atlantic Holdings Corporation (property and casualty insurance company), 2004 to 2008; formerly, Director, The Proformance Insurance Company (property and casualty insurance company), 2004 to 2008; formerly, Director, Providence Washington Insurance Company (property and casualty insurance company), 1998 to 2006; formerly, Director, Summit Global Partners (insurance brokerage firm), 2000 to 2005. |
|
|
58 |
|
| (1) | The business address of each listed person is 1290 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10104. |
| (2) | The Board shall at all times be divided as equally as possible into three classes of Directors designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The Class I, Class II and Class III Directors shall serve until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively, and each third Annual Meeting of Stockholders thereafter, or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. |
| (3) | Except as otherwise indicated, each individual has held the positions shown during at least the last five years. |
| * | Indicates a Director who is an “interested person” within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Mr. Amato is an interested person of the Fund by virtue of the fact that he is an officer of NBIA and/or its affiliates. |
|
|
59 |
|
|
Information about the Officers of the Fund |
|
Name, (Year of Birth),
and Address(1) |
Position(s)
and Length of Time Served(2) |
Principal Occupation(s)(3) | ||
|
|
|
|
||
|
Claudia A. Brandon (1956) |
|
Executive Vice President since 2008 and Secretary since 2006 |
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2007 and Employee since 1999; Senior Vice President, NBIA, since 2008 and Assistant Secretary since 2004; formerly, Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2002 to 2006; formerly, Vice President — Mutual Fund Board Relations, NBIA, 2000 to 2008; formerly, Vice President, NBIA, 1986 to 1999 and Employee, 1984 to 1999; Executive Vice President and Secretary, twenty-nine registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agnes Diaz (1971) |
|
Vice President since 2013 |
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2012; Senior Vice President, NBIA, since 2012 and Employee since 1996; formerly, Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2007 to 2012; Vice President, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony DiBernardo (1979) |
|
Assistant Treasurer since 2011 |
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2014; Senior Vice President, NBIA, since 2014, and Employee since 2003; formerly, Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2009 to 2014; Assistant Treasurer, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Savonne Ferguson (1973) |
|
Chief Compliance Officer since 2018 |
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer (Mutual Funds) and Associate General Counsel, NBIA, since November 2018; formerly, Vice President T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (2018), Vice President and Senior Legal Counsel, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (2014-2018), Vice President and Director of Regulatory Fund Administration, PNC Capital Advisors, LLC (2009-2014), Secretary, PNC Funds and PNC Advantage Funds (2010-2014); Chief Compliance Officer, twenty-nine registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corey A. Issing (1978) |
|
Chief Legal Officer since 2016 (only for purposes of sections 307 and 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) |
|
General Counsel and Head of Compliance — Mutual Funds since 2016 and Managing Director, NBIA, since 2017; formerly, Associate General Counsel (2015 to 2016), Counsel (2007 to 2015), Senior Vice President (2013-2016), Vice President (2009 — 2013); Chief Legal Officer (only for purposes of sections 307 and 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), twenty-nine registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sheila R. James (1965) |
|
Assistant Secretary since 2006 |
|
Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2008 and Employee since 1999; Vice President, NBIA, since 2008; formerly, Assistant Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2007; Employee, NBIA, 1991 to 1999; Assistant Secretary, twenty-nine registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator. |
|
|
60 |
|
|
Name, (Year of Birth),
and Address(1) |
Position(s)
and Length of Time Served(2) |
Principal Occupation(s)(3) | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brian Kerrane (1969) |
|
Chief Operating Officer since 2015 and Vice President since 2008 |
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman, since 2013; Chief Operating Officer — Mutual Funds and Managing Director, NBIA, since 2015; formerly, Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2006 to 2014; Vice President, NBIA, 2008 to 2015 and Employee since 1991; Chief Operating Officer, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator; Vice President, twenty-nine registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony Maltese (1959) |
|
Vice President since 2015 |
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2014 and Employee since 2000; Senior Vice President, NBIA, since 2014; Vice President, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Josephine Marone (1963) |
|
Assistant Secretary since 2017 |
|
Senior Paralegal, Neuberger Berman, since 2007 and Employee since 2007; Assistant Secretary, twenty-nine registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owen F. McEntee, Jr. (1961) |
|
Vice President since 2008 |
|
Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2006; Vice President, NBIA, since 2006 and Employee since 1992; Vice President, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John M. McGovern (1970) |
|
Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer since 2006 |
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2007; Senior Vice President, NBIA, since 2007 and Employee since 1993; formerly, Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2004 to 2006; formerly, Assistant Treasurer, 2002 to 2005; Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frank Rosato (1971) |
|
Assistant Treasurer since 2006 |
|
Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2006; Vice President, NBIA, since 2006 and Employee since 1995; Assistant Treasurer, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator. |
| (1) | The business address of each listed person is 1290 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10104. | |
|
|
|
|
| (2) | Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Fund, each officer elected by the Directors shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, inability to serve, or resignation. Officers serve at the pleasure of the Directors and may be removed at any time with or without cause. | |
|
|
|
|
| (3) | Except as otherwise indicated, each individual has held the positions shown during at least the last five years. |
|
|
61 |
|
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll-free) and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is also available upon request, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll-free), on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and on Neuberger Berman’s website at www.nb.com.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The portfolio holdings information on Forms N-PORT are available upon request, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll-free).
|
|
62 |
|
Report of Votes of Stockholders
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on October 29, 2020, to (i) elect four Class III Directors to serve until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2023, or until their successors are elected and qualified and (ii) elect three Class II Directors to serve until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2022, or until their successors are elected and qualified. Class I Directors (which include Marc Gary, Michael M. Knetter and Peter P. Trapp (preferred stock only)) continue to hold office until the Annual Meeting in 2021 or until their successors are elected and qualified.
To elect four Class III Directors to serve until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2023 or until their successors are elected and qualified.
|
|
|
|
|
Votes |
|
|
|
Broker |
| Shares of Common and Preferred Stock | Votes For | Withheld | Abstentions | Non-Votes | ||||
| Joseph V. Amato |
|
20,163,947 |
|
681,977 |
|
— |
|
— |
| Martha C. Goss |
|
20,175,979 |
|
669,945 |
|
— |
|
— |
| James G. Stavridis |
|
20,163,838 |
|
682,086 |
|
— |
|
— |
| Candace L. Straight |
|
20,178,031 |
|
667,892 |
|
— |
|
— |
To elect three Class II Directors to serve until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2022 or until their successors are elected and qualified.
|
|
|
|
|
Votes |
|
|
|
Broker |
| Shares of Common and Preferred Stock | Votes For | Withheld | Abstentions | Non-Votes | ||||
| Michael J. Cosgrove |
|
20,205,186 |
|
640,738 |
|
— |
|
— |
| Deborah C. McLean |
|
20,215,995 |
|
629,928 |
|
— |
|
— |
| Tom D. Seip |
|
20,199,026 |
|
646,898 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
63 |
|
Board Consideration of the Management Agreement
On an annual basis, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. (the “Fund”), including the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund or of Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC (“Management”) (including its affiliates) (“Independent Fund Directors”), considers whether to continue the Fund’s management agreement with Management (the “Agreement”). Throughout the process, the Independent Fund Directors are advised by counsel that is experienced in Investment Company Act of 1940 matters and that is independent of Management (“Independent Counsel”). At a meeting held on October 1, 2020, the Board, including the Independent Fund Directors, approved the continuation of the Agreement for the Fund.
In evaluating the Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Fund Directors, reviewed extensive materials provided by Management in response to questions submitted by the Independent Fund Directors and Independent Counsel, and met with senior representatives of Management regarding its personnel, operations, and profitability as they relate to the Fund. The annual contract review extends over at least two regular meetings of the Board to ensure that Management has time to respond to any questions the Independent Fund Directors may have on their initial review of the materials and that the Independent Fund Directors have time to consider those responses.
In connection with its deliberations, the Board also considered the broad range of information relevant to the annual contract review that is provided to the Board (including its various standing committees) at meetings throughout the year, including reports on investment performance based on net asset value and common stock market prices, portfolio risk, use of leverage, information regarding share price premiums and/or discounts, and other portfolio information for the Fund, as well as periodic reports on, among other matters, pricing and valuation; quality and cost of portfolio trade execution; compliance; and stockholder and other services provided by Management and its affiliates. The Contract Review Committee, which is comprised of Independent Fund Directors, was established by the Board to assist in its evaluation and analysis of materials for the annual contract review. The Board has also established other committees that focus throughout the year on specific areas relevant to the annual contract review, such as Fund performance or compliance matters, and that are charged with specific responsibilities regarding the annual contract review. Those committees provide reports to the Contract Review Committee and the full Board, which consider that information as part of the annual contract review process. The Board’s Contract Review Committee annually considers and updates the questions it asks of Management in light of legal advice furnished to it by Independent Counsel; its own business judgment; and developments in the industry, in the markets, in fund regulation and litigation, and in Management’s business model.
The Independent Fund Directors received from Independent Counsel a memorandum discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed continuation of the Agreement. During the course of the year and during their deliberations regarding the annual contract review, the Contract Review Committee and the Independent Fund Directors met with Independent Counsel separately from representatives of Management.
Provided below is a description of the Board’s contract approval process and material factors that the Board considered at its meetings regarding renewals of the Agreement and the compensation to be paid thereunder. In connection with its approval of the continuation of the Agreement, the Board evaluated the terms of the Agreement, the overall fairness of the Agreement to the Fund, and whether the Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and Fund stockholders. The Board’s determination to approve the continuation of the Agreement was based on a comprehensive consideration of all information provided to the Board throughout the year and specifically in connection with the annual contract review.
This description is not intended to include all of the factors considered by the Board. The Board members did not identify any particular information or factor that was all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The Board focused on the costs and benefits of the Agreement to the Fund and, through the Fund, Fund stockholders.
|
|
64 |
|
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services
With respect to the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided, the Board considered the investment philosophy and decision-making processes of, and the qualifications, experience, and capabilities of, and the resources available to, the portfolio management personnel of Management who perform services for the Fund. The Board noted that Management also provides certain administrative services, including fund accounting and compliance services. The Board also considered Management’s policies and practices regarding trade execution, trading costs, and allocation of portfolio transactions and reviewed the quality of the execution services that Management had provided. Moreover, the Board considered Management’s approach to potential conflicts of interest both generally and between the Fund’s investments and those of other funds or accounts managed by Management. The Board also noted that Management had increased its research capabilities with respect to environmental, social, and corporate governance matters and how those factors may relate to investment performance.
The Board recognized the extensive range of services that Management provides to the Fund beyond the investment management services. The Board noted that Management is also responsible for monitoring compliance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions, as well as compliance with applicable law, including implementing rulemaking initiatives of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Board considered that Management has developed a leverage structure for the Fund tailored to its investment strategy and needs, has monitored the Fund’s ongoing compliance with legal and other restrictions associated with its leverage, and has recommended changes in and/or amendments to the amount or structure of its leverage over time. The Board also considered that Management assumes significant ongoing entrepreneurial and business risks as the investment adviser and sponsor to the Fund, for which it is entitled to reasonable compensation. The Directors also considered that Management’s responsibilities include continual management of investment, operational, enterprise, legal, regulatory, and compliance risks as they relate to the Fund, and the Board considers on a regular basis information regarding Management’s processes for monitoring and managing risk. In addition, the Board noted that when Management launches a new fund, it assumes entrepreneurial risk with respect to that fund, and that some funds have been liquidated without ever having been profitable to Management.
The Board also reviewed and evaluated Management’s activities under its contractual obligation to oversee the Fund’s various outside service providers, including its renegotiation of certain service providers’ fees and its evaluation of service providers’ infrastructure, cybersecurity programs, compliance programs, and business continuity programs, among other matters. The Board also considered Management’s ongoing development of its own infrastructure and information technology to support the Fund through, among other things, cybersecurity, business continuity planning, and risk management. The Board noted Management’s largely seamless implementation of its business continuity plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Board noted the positive compliance history of Management, as no significant compliance problems were reported to the Board with respect to Management. The Board also considered the general structure of the portfolio managers’ compensation and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives to act in the best interests of the Fund. The Board also considered the ability of Management to attract and retain qualified personnel to service the Fund.
As in past years, the Board also considered the manner in which Management addressed various matters that arose during the year, some of them a result of developments in the broader fund industry or the regulations governing it. In addition, the Board considered actions taken by Management in response to recent market conditions, such as changes in fixed-income market liquidity, the economic dislocation and rise in volatility that accompanied shutdowns related to the efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19, and considered the overall performance of Management in this context. The Board also noted that Management actively monitors any discount from net asset value per share at which the Fund’s common stock trades and evaluates potential ways to mitigate the discount and potential impacts on the discount, including the level of distributions that the Fund pays. The Board likewise took into account that Management monitors, to the extent information is publicly available, events that may disrupt the Fund’s long-term investment program.
|
|
65 |
|
Fund Performance
The Board requested a report from an outside consulting firm that specializes in the analysis of fund industry data that compared the Fund’s performance, along with its fees and other expenses, to a group of industry peers (“Expense Group”) and a broader universe of funds pursuing generally similar strategies with the same investment classification and/or objective (“Performance Universe”). The Board considered the Fund’s performance and fees in light of the limitations inherent in the methodology for constructing such comparative groups and determining which investment companies should be included in the comparative groups, noting differences as compared to certain fund industry ranking and rating systems. The Board also considered the impact and inherent limitation on the comparisons due to the small number of funds included in the Expense Group and Performance Universe. In this regard, the Board recognized that the number of leveraged closed-end funds pursuing similar strategies with the same investment classification and/or objective as the Fund has decreased over time. The Board also recognized the limitations inherent in comparing the Fund’s performance to a benchmark index due to the Fund’s use of leverage and pursuit of an investment strategy that is not tied directly to an index. The Board also recognized the inherent limitations in comparing performance of peer funds utilizing leverage in light of, among other things, the impacts due to the level and type of leverage utilized and when peer funds entered into their leverage arrangements (which can impact pricing and, therefore, cost and performance). The Board also considered the premium/discount levels at which peer funds traded along with the distribution rates and yields of those funds.
With respect to investment performance, the Board considered information regarding the Fund’s short-, intermediate- and long-term performance, net of the Fund’s fees and expenses, on an absolute basis, relative to a benchmark index that does not deduct the fees or expenses of investing, and compared to the performance of its Expense Group and Performance Universe, each constructed by the consulting firm. The Board also reviewed performance in relation to certain measures of the degree of investment risk undertaken by the portfolio managers.
The Performance Universe referenced in this section was identified by the consulting firm, as discussed above. For any period of underperformance, the Board considered the magnitude and duration of that underperformance relative to the Performance Universe and the benchmark (e.g., the amount by which the Fund underperformed, including, for example, whether the Fund slightly underperformed or significantly underperformed its benchmark). With respect to performance quintile rankings for the Fund compared to its Performance Universe, the first quintile represents the highest (best) performance and the fifth quintile represents the lowest performance.
The Board considered that, based on performance data for the periods ended December 31, 2019: (1) as compared to its benchmark, the Fund’s performance was higher for the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods; and (2) as compared to its Performance Universe, the Fund’s performance was in the first quintile for the 1-year period and the fourth quintile for the 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods. In determining to renew the Agreement, the Board took into account Management’s representations regarding the effect that the composition of the Fund’s Performance Universe had on the Fund’s performance relative to its peers due to, among other matters, the Fund’s positioning in the higher quality portion of the high income bond market, which positioning also affected its performance versus its benchmark. In considering the Fund’s performance, the Board also considered information provided by Management comparing the Fund’s performance based on its net asset value per share (“NAV”) and market price to the applicable Morningstar peer category and considered the Fund’s strong performance since inception based on the rolling 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended July 31, 2020. The Board considered that based on both the Fund’s NAV and market price, it had ranked in the first or second quartile for the majority of the rolling periods measured since inception. Additionally, the Board noted over the 10-year rolling period that based on its NAV the Fund was ranked in the first or second quartile of the peer group for 89% of the time and based on its market price the Fund was ranked in the first or second quartile 95% of the time. Further, the Board noted the Fund’s ranking exceeded the average of its Lipper and Morningstar peer category for the 7-month period ending July 31, 2020 and for the 1- and 3-year periods ending July 31, 2020.
|
|
66 |
|
The Board identified the Fund as having underperformed in certain of these comparisons to an extent, and over a period of time, that the Board felt warranted additional inquiry, and discussed with Management the Fund’s performance, potential reasons for the relative performance, and steps that Management had taken, or intended to take, to improve performance. The Board’s Closed-End Funds Committee also met with the portfolio managers of the Fund during the 12 months prior to voting on the contract renewal to discuss the Fund’s performance, distribution levels, and the use of leverage. The Board noted that the type, amount and term of the leverage are consistent with the portfolio managers’ preferences for the Fund’s investment strategy. The Board also took into account the positive impact the Fund’s leverage arrangements had on performance. The Board also considered Management’s responsiveness with respect to the relative performance. In this regard, the Board noted that performance, especially short-term performance, is only one of the factors that it deems relevant to its consideration of the Agreement and that, after considering all relevant factors, it determined to approve the continuation of the Agreement notwithstanding the Fund’s relative performance.
Fee Rates, Profitability, and Fall-out Benefits
With respect to the overall fairness of the Agreement, the Board considered the fee structure for the Fund under the Agreement as compared to the Expense Group provided by the consulting firm, as discussed above. The Board reviewed a comparison of the Fund’s management fee to its Expense Group. The Board noted that the comparative management fee analysis includes, in the Fund’s management fee, the separate administrative fees paid to Management. However, the Board noted that some funds in the Expense Group pay directly from fund assets for certain services that Management covers out of the administration fees for the Fund. Accordingly, the Board also considered the Fund’s total expense ratio as compared with its Expense Group as a way of taking account of these differences. The Board considered that only leveraged closed-end funds were considered for inclusion in the Expense Group presented for comparison with the Fund but also noted the challenges associated with making comparisons regarding expenses for leveraged closed-end funds. The Board took into account Management’s representations that relevant expenses would be difficult for the consulting firm to fully and accurately identify due to, among other things, differences in the type of leverage used and the way such leverage costs are reported. The Board also considered Management’s representations regarding the potential impact on expenses due to the time at which the funds in the Expense Group entered into their leverage arrangements and the funds’ fiscal year-ends (which determine the time period for which leverage costs are reported). With this understanding, the Board considered the investment-related expenses of the Fund and the funds in the Expense Group that the consulting firm was able to identify. The Board also considered Management’s representations that there were certain characteristics of leverage that increased leverage expenses but provided benefits and value to stockholders that were not reflected in the Fund’s expense ratios. The Board also considered that, in comparison to certain other products managed by Management, including open-end funds, there are additional portfolio management challenges in managing closed-end funds such as the Fund, including those associated with less liquid holdings and the use of leverage.
The Board considered the Fund’s contractual management fee on managed assets (generally consisting of net assets plus leverage proceeds), as well as the actual management fee on managed assets as a percentage of assets attributable to common stockholders as compared to the Fund’s Expense Group. The Board was aware of the additional expenses borne by common stockholders as a result of the Fund’s leveraged structure. The Board took into account that Management has a financial incentive for the Fund to continue to use leverage, which may create a conflict of interest. It also considered Management’s representation that it continues to believe the use of leverage is in the best interests of the Fund’s stockholders regardless of the level of compensation Management receives. With respect to the quintile rankings for fees and total expenses (net of waivers or other adjustments, if any) on managed assets for the Fund compared to its Expense Group, the first quintile represents the lowest fees and/or total expenses and the fifth quintile represents the highest fees and/or total expenses. The Board considered that, as compared to its Expense Group, the Fund’s contractual management fee ranked in the first quintile, the actual management fee ranked in the second quintile, and total expenses, both
|
|
67 |
|
including and excluding the investment-related expenses and taxes identified by the consulting firm, ranked in the fifth quintile. In determining to renew the Agreement, the Board took into account Management’s representations regarding the effect that the cost of leverage had on the Fund’s total expenses relative to its peers with different types and levels of leverage and noted Management’s efforts to ensure the Fund’s leverage arrangements were among the best available for a fund of its size and investment strategy and with its preferences regarding types and levels of leverage at the time the Fund entered into its leverage arrangements. In addition, the Board considered its Closed-End Fund Committee’s ongoing evaluation of the Fund, including the use of leverage and the specific leverage arrangements.
In concluding that the benefits accruing to Management and its affiliates by virtue of their relationship with the Fund were reasonable in light of the costs of providing the investment advisory and other services and the benefits accruing to the Fund, the Board reviewed specific data as to Management’s estimated profit on the Fund for a recent period on a pre-tax basis without regard to distribution expenses, but including year-over-year changes in each of Management’s reported expense categories. (The Board also reviewed data on Management’s estimated profit on the Fund after distribution/servicing expenses and taxes were factored in, as indicators of the health of the business and the extent to which Management is directing its profits into the growth of the business.) The Board considered the cost allocation methodology that Management used in developing its estimated profitability figures. In recent years, the Board engaged an independent forensic accountant to review the profitability methodology utilized by Management when preparing this information and discussed with the consultant its conclusion that Management’s process for calculating and reporting its estimated profit was not unreasonable.
Recognizing that there is no uniform methodology regarding the allocation of firm-wide or complex-wide expenses within the asset management industry for determining profitability for this purpose and that the use of different reasonable methodologies can give rise to different profit and loss results, the Board, in recent years, requested from Management examples of profitability calculated by different methods and noted that the estimated profitability levels were still reasonable when calculated by these other methods. The Board further noted Management’s representation that its estimate of profitability is derived using methodology that is consistent with the methodology used to assess and/or report measures of profitability elsewhere at the firm. In addition, the Board recognized that Management’s calculations regarding its costs may not reflect all risks, including regulatory, legal, operational, reputational, and, where appropriate, entrepreneurial risks, associated with offering and managing a closed-end fund in the current regulatory and market environment. The Board also considered any fall-out (i.e., indirect) benefits likely to accrue to Management or its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund. The Board recognized that Management and its affiliates should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for services they provide to the Fund and, based on review, concluded that Management’s reported level of estimated profitability on the Fund was reasonable.
Information Regarding Services to Other Clients
The Board also considered whether there were other funds or separate accounts that were advised or sub-advised by Management or its affiliates with investment objectives, policies, and strategies that were similar to those of the Fund. The Board compared the fees charged to the Fund to the fees charged to such comparable funds, noting Management’s representation that there were no such separate accounts. The Board considered the appropriateness and reasonableness of any differences between the fees charged to the Fund and such comparable funds, and determined that differences in fees and fee structures were consistent with the differences in the management and other services provided. The Board explored with Management its assertion that although, generally, the rates of fees paid by such funds, except other Neuberger Berman mutual funds, were lower than the fee rates paid by the Fund, the differences reflected Management’s greater level of responsibilities and significantly broader scope of services regarding the Fund, the more extensive regulatory obligations and risks associated with managing the Fund, and other financial considerations with respect to creation and sponsorship of the Fund.
|
|
68 |
|
Economies of Scale
The Board also evaluated apparent or anticipated economies of scale in relation to the services Management provides to the Fund and noted that there is little expectation that closed-end funds will show significant economies of scale. The Board considered that, as a closed-end investment company, the Fund does not continually offer new shares to raise additional assets (as does a typical open-end investment company), but may experience asset growth through investment performance and/or the increased use of leverage. The Board also considered that Management has provided, at no added cost to the Fund, certain additional services, including but not limited to, services required by new regulations or regulatory interpretations, services impelled by changes in the securities markets or the business landscape, and/or services requested by the Board. The Board considered that this is a way of sharing economies of scale with the Fund and its stockholders.
Conclusions
In approving the continuation of the Agreement, the Board concluded that, in its business judgment, the terms of the Agreement are fair and reasonable to the Fund and that approval of the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund and Fund stockholders. In reaching this determination, the Board considered that Management could be expected to continue to provide a high level of service to the Fund; that the Board retained confidence in Management’s capabilities to manage the Fund; that the Fund’s fee structure appeared to the Board to be reasonable given the nature, extent, and quality of services provided; and that the benefits accruing to Management and Management’s affiliates by virtue of their relationship with the Fund were reasonable in light of the costs of providing the investment advisory and other services and the benefits accruing to the Fund. The Board’s conclusions may be based in part on its consideration of materials prepared in connection with the approval or continuance of the Agreement in prior years and on the Board’s ongoing regular review of Fund performance and operations throughout the year, in addition to material prepared specifically for the most recent annual review of the Agreement.
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statistics and projections in this report are derived from sources deemed to be reliable but cannot be regarded as a representation of future results of the Fund. This report is prepared for the general information of stockholders and is not an offer for shares of the Fund. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
The complete schedule of investments for the Registrant is disclosed in the Registrant’s Annual Report, which is included as Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
|
|
|
(b)
|
Not applicable.
|
|
|
Type of Account
|
Total Assets
Managed ($ millions) |
Number of Accounts
Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based |
Assets Managed for
which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based ($ millions) |
|
|
Russ Covode
|
||||
|
Registered Investment Companies*
|
5
|
$2,352
|
0
|
$0
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles**
|
23
|
$10,611
|
0
|
$0
|
|
Other Accounts***
|
30
|
$9,511
|
2
|
$285
|
|
Daniel Doyle
|
||||
|
Registered Investment Companies*
|
5
|
$2,352
|
0
|
$0
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles**
|
23
|
$10,611
|
0
|
$0
|
|
Other Accounts***
|
30
|
$9,511
|
2
|
$285
|
|
Christopher Kocinski
|
||||
|
Registered Investment Companies*
|
5
|
$2,352
|
0
|
$0
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles**
|
23
|
$10,611
|
0
|
$0
|
|
Other Accounts***
|
30
|
$9,511
|
2
|
$285
|
|
Joseph Lind
|
|
Registered Investment Companies*
|
5
|
$2,352
|
0
|
$0
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles**
|
23
|
$10,611
|
0
|
$0
|
|
Other Accounts***
|
30
|
$9,511
|
2
|
$285
|
|
*
|
Registered Investment Companies include: Mutual Funds.
|
|
**
|
A portion of certain accounts may be managed by other portfolio managers; however, the total assets of such accounts are included above even though the portfolio manager listed above is not involved in the
day-to-day management of the entire account.
|
|
***
|
Other Accounts include: Institutional Separate Accounts, Sub-Advised Accounts and Managed Accounts (WRAP Accounts).
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Owned in the Registrant |
|
Russ Covode
|
A
|
|
Daniel Doyle
|
A
|
|
Christopher Kocinski
|
A
|
|
Joseph Lind
|
E
|
|
A = None
|
E = $100,001-$500,000
|
|
B = $1-$10,000
|
F = $500,001-$1,000,000
|
|
C = $10,001 - $50,000
|
G = Over $1,000,000
|
|
D =$50,001-$100,000
|
| (a) |
Based on an evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Act) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, the Chief Executive Officer and President and the Treasurer and
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of the Registrant have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effectively designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is
accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
|
| (b) |
There were no significant changes in the Registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal half-year period covered by this report
that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
|
| (a) |
The Fund engaged in securities lending activity during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.
|
|
Gross income from securities lending activities
|
$29,408
|
|
Fees and/or compensation paid by the Fund for securities lending activities and related services
|
|
|
Fees paid to securities lending agent from a revenue split
|
$2,795
|
|
Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in the revenue split
|
$1,428
|
|
Administrative fees not included in revenue split
|
$0
|
|
Indemnification fees not included in revenue split
|
$0
|
|
Rebate (paid to borrower)
|
$0
|
|
Other fees relating to the securities lending program that are not included in the revenue split
|
$0
|
|
Aggregate fees/compensation for securities lending activities
|
$4,223
|
|
Net income from securities lending activities
|
$25,185
|
|
(b)
|
The Fund engaged in securities lending activity during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020. State Street Bank and Trust Company, as the Fund’s securities lending agent, effected
loans of available securities of the Fund to qualified brokers and dealers in exchange for negotiated lender’s fees.
|
|
Item 13. Exhibits.
|
|
|
(a)(1)
|
|
|
(a)(2)
|
|
|
(a)(3)
|
Not applicable to the Registrant.
|
|
(a)(4)
|
Not applicable to the Registrant.
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Joseph V. Amato
|
|
|
Joseph V. Amato
|
||
|
Chief Executive Officer and President
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Joseph V. Amato
|
|
|
Joseph V. Amato
|
||
|
Chief Executive Officer and President
|
|
By:
|
/s/ John M. McGovern
|
|
|
Treasurer and Principal Financial
|
||
|
and Accounting Officer
|
1 Year Neuberger Berman High Yi... Chart |
1 Month Neuberger Berman High Yi... Chart |
It looks like you are not logged in. Click the button below to log in and keep track of your recent history.
Support: +44 (0) 203 8794 460 | support@advfn.com
By accessing the services available at ADVFN you are agreeing to be bound by ADVFN's Terms & Conditions
Hot Features
Premium
