Ticker Symbol: PHT |

Q | How did the Fund perform during the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2025? |
A | Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc. returned 9.11% at net asset value (NAV) and 9.98% at market price during the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2025. During the same twelve-month period, the Fund’s benchmark, the ICE Bank of America US High Yield Index (the ICE BofA Index), returned 7.60% at NAV. The ICE BofA Index is an unmanaged measure of the performance of high-yield securities. Unlike the Fund, the ICE BofA Index does not use leverage. While the use of leverage increases investment opportunity, it also increases investment risk. |
During the same twelve-month period, the average return at NAV of the 36 closed end funds in Morningstar’s High Yield Bond Closed End Funds category (which may or may not be leveraged) was 7.79%, while the same closed end fund Morningstar category’s average return at market price was 12.58%. The shares of the Fund were selling at a 5.49% discount to NAV on March 31, |
2025. Comparatively, the Fund’s shares were selling at a discount to NAV of 6.24% on March 31, 2024. On March 31, 2025, the standardized 30-day SEC yield of the Fund’s shares was 8.80%*. | |
Q | Which of the Fund’s investment strategies contributed positively to the Fund’s benchmark-relative performance during the twelve-month period? |
A | The Fund carries leveraged exposure to the high yield corporate bond market, which proved additive to benchmark-relative returns during the twelve-month period, driven by the market’s positive performance during the period. Overall, both sector allocation and security selection were positive during the periods. The Fund benefitted from underweight allocations to the retail, capital goods, insurance and utility sectors which underperformed the broader high yield market. |
With regard to individual security selection, Abra Global Finance and Aeromexico, two issuers related to air transportation in Latin America, outperformed as a result of bankruptcy resolutions. Abra Global closed on a series of refinancing deals to begin restructuring existing debt. | |
The Fund’s portfolio is positioned with a bias toward lower quality securities, with an underweight to more interest rate sensitive BB bonds while maintaining an overweight to B rated bonds. We continue to favor investments in insurance-linked securities. Insurance-linked securities are generally uncorrelated to fixed income and equity markets and, therefore, we believe that they offer high-income potential, short duration and the potential to reduce portfolio volatility. | |
Q | Which investment strategies detracted from the Fund’s benchmark-relative performance results during the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2025? |
A | The Fund’s duration is generally managed shorter than the reference benchmark to assist in reducing volatility resulting from a leveraged portfolio. During the period, short duration investments underperformed longer duration investments. We |
* | The 30-day SEC yield is a standardized formula that is based on the hypothetical annualized earning power (investment income only) of the Fund’s portfolio securities during the period indicated. |
believe it is still beneficial to maintain leverage within the portfolio, as borrowing continues to enhance the Fund’s income potential. | |
From a sector allocation perspective, the top detractors from benchmark-relative performance included the Fund’s underweight positions in the media and telecommunications sectors, as well as the Fund’s overweight positions within the basic industry and energy sectors. Within the basic industry sector, Cornerstone Building Brands, a leading manufacturer of external building products, underperformed as a result of the slowdown of housing in the second half of 2024. A meatpacker in Paraguay, Frigorifico Concepcion, underperformed as a result of accounting concerns, and we decided it was prudent for the Fund to exit the position. | |
Q | Did the Fund’s distributions** to stockholders change during the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2025? |
A | The Fund’s monthly distribution rate remained at $0.0550 per share over the course of the twelve-month period. |
Q | How did the level of leverage in the Fund change during the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2025? |
A | The Fund employs leverage through a credit agreement. As of March 31, 2025, 31.1% of the Fund’s total managed assets were financed by leverage, or borrowed funds, which was the same as the 31.1% of the Fund’s total managed assets financed by leverage at the start of the twelve-month period on April 1, 2024. During the twelve-month period, there was no change to the absolute amount of funds borrowed of $108.5 million. The interest rate on the Fund’s leverage decreased by 99 basis points from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. |
Q | Did the Fund have any exposure to derivatives during the twelve month period ended March 31, 2025? |
A | Yes, we invested the Fund’s portfolio in forward foreign currency exchange contracts (currency forwards) and other currency related derivatives during the period, which had a slightly negative effect on benchmark-relative performance. These |
** | Dividends/Distributions are not guaranteed |
investments were made in an effort to hedge positions bought in non-dollar securities. In addition, the Fund’s small position in credit default swaps contributed modestly to relative returns. | |
Q | What is your investment outlook, and how is the Fund positioned heading into its new fiscal year? |
A | On a longer-term basis, we have been contemplating the effect that the growth of private credit has had on the public high yield and leveraged loans markets. Private credit has been growing steadily, as institutional investors have been willing to accept the much lower liquidity associated with private credit in exchange for its higher returns and lower volatility with no independent or market driven mark-to-market. Instead, valuations for private credit are provided by private credit managers. To achieve private credit investors’ return expectations, private credit funds, which are already burdened by the product’s higher fees, have targeted investments in higher-spread, higher-risk investments. |
As we have noted historically, the high yield bond market has increased in quality over time. Further, multiple private credit firms have seen substantial asset growth and now have the capability of lending over $1 billion to a single borrower, which allows them to compete with public markets for opportunities. | |
Overall, we believe the below investment grade credit markets have been tiering, with high yield bonds attracting larger and relatively higher credit quality issuers, leveraged loans attracting midsized mid-B issuers suited for collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and private credit attracting smaller and more aggressively financed issuers. We believe this tiering may help explain high yield’s decreasing dollar-weighted default rate, which leads to our expectation that future high yield returns may be relatively less affected by credit losses. Of course, we expect periods of interest rate and spread volatility to keep high yield returns volatile. Longer-term, we believe the migration of M&A, leveraged buyouts and other higher credit risk financings to the private credit markets will result in average future default rates for the public high yield bond market being below historic long-term averages. | |
Strategically, with a longer-term view that private credit is financing some of the riskier credits, which means the typical |
high yield issuer is becoming larger and relatively less aggressively financed, we believe high yield spreads with at least 300 basis points over Treasuries will have the ability to generate attractive excess returns over the economic cycle. Tactically, on a shorter-term basis, we question whether high yield spreads will return to levels below 300 basis points where it spent all of the fourth quarter of 2024 and nearly all of the first quarter of 2025 considering the likelihood that the US economy slows on tariff and migration concerns. | |
We view high yield valuations as “cautious but not panicked,” and consider the economy as likely to slow but as also likely to avoid entering a recession, which we realize is the consensus view. However, we believe the announcement of tariffs by the Trump Administration will further reduce economic growth. | |
In summary, the high yield team views the potentially continual policy uncertainty as making it unlikely that high yield spreads will approach this winter’s tighter credit spreads. On the other hand, we view the US economy as likely to continue expanding, albeit at a slower pace, and do not see any sectors presenting the risk of an imminent default spike. Therefore, the team views high yield spreads as likely to migrate between 300 and 400 basis points, with spreads in the high 300s being attractive on a long-term basis. If we do enter a recession as a result of tariff wars, we believe that credit spreads will gap wider even considering the improved credit quality of the high yield market. |
(As a percentage of total investments)* | ||
1. | US Acute Care Solutions LLC, 9.75%, 5/15/29 (144A) | 1.45% |
2. | Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc., 6.25%, 1/15/28 (144A) | 1.21 |
3. | Hercules LLC, 6.50%, 6/30/29 | 1.21 |
4. | Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., 7.625%, 10/15/25 | 1.12 |
5. | Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., 10.75% (3 Month Term SOFR + 738 bps), 6/15/58 (144A) | 1.07 |
6. | Kennedy-Wilson, Inc., 5.00%, 3/1/31 | 1.02 |
7. | Limak Cimento Sanayi ve Ticaret AS, 9.75%, 7/25/29 (144A) | 1.02 |
8. | McGraw-Hill Education, Inc., 8.00%, 8/1/29 (144A) | 1.01 |
9. | ION Trading Technologies S.a.r.l., 9.50%, 5/30/29 (144A) | 0.99 |
10. | Gol Finance S.A., 14.824% (1 Month Term SOFR + 1,050 bps), 4/29/25 (144A) | 0.98 |
3/31/25 | 3/31/24 | |
Market Value | $ |
$ |
Discount | ( |
( |
3/31/25 | 3/31/24 | |
Net Asset Value | $ |
$ |
Net Investment Income |
Short-Term Capital Gains |
Long-Term Capital Gains | |
4/1/24 – 3/31/25 | $0.6600 | $— | $— |
3/31/25 | 3/31/24 | |
30-Day SEC Yield | 8.80% | 7.32% |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
UNAFFILIATED ISSUERS — 145.5% | ||||||
Senior Secured Floating Rate Loan Interests — 3.9% of Net Assets*(a) |
||||||
Auto Parts & Equipment — 0.5% | ||||||
1,368,501 | First Brands Group LLC, First Lien 2021 Term Loan, 9.552% ( Term SOFR + 500 bps ), 3/30/27 | $ 1,273,561 | ||||
Total Auto Parts & Equipment | $1,273,561 | |||||
Casino Hotels — 0.6% | ||||||
1,484,536 | Century Casinos, Inc., Term B Facility Loan, 10.414% (Term SOFR + 600 bps), 4/2/29 | $ 1,462,268 | ||||
Total Casino Hotels | $1,462,268 | |||||
Computer Services — 0.2% | ||||||
379,050 | Amentum Holdings, Inc., Initial Term Loan, 6.575% (Term SOFR + 225 bps), 9/29/31 | $ 368,448 | ||||
Total Computer Services | $368,448 | |||||
Cruise Lines — 0.4% | ||||||
835,800 | LC Ahab US Bidco LLC, Initial Term Loan, 7.325% (Term SOFR + 300 bps), 5/1/31 | $ 842,069 | ||||
Total Cruise Lines | $842,069 | |||||
Electric-Generation — 0.3% | ||||||
671,625 | Alpha Generation LLC, Initial Term B Loan, 7.075% (Term SOFR + 275 bps), 9/30/31 | $ 672,884 | ||||
Total Electric-Generation | $672,884 | |||||
Medical-Drugs — 1.9% | ||||||
2,676,537 | Bausch Health Cos, Inc., Second Amendment Term Loan, 9.675% (Term SOFR + 525 bps), 2/1/27 | $ 2,629,698 | ||||
1,655,000(b) | Bausch Health Cos, Inc., Term Loan B, 9/25/30 | 1,601,212 | ||||
388,050 | Endo Finance Holdings, Inc., 2024 Refinancing Term Loan, 8.325% (Term SOFR + 400 bps), 4/23/31 | 384,655 | ||||
Total Medical-Drugs | $4,615,565 | |||||
Total Senior Secured Floating Rate Loan Interests (Cost $9,267,148) |
$9,234,795 | |||||
Shares | Value | |||||
Common Stocks — 0.5% of Net Assets | ||||||
Chemicals — 0.0%† | ||||||
22 | LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A | $ 1,549 | ||||
Total Chemicals | $1,549 | |||||
Communications Equipment — 0.0%† | ||||||
2,630(c) | Digicel International Finance Ltd. | $ 17,095 | ||||
Total Communications Equipment | $17,095 | |||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.0%† | ||||||
21(c) | Amplify Energy Corp. | $ 79 | ||||
8,027(c) | Petroquest Energy, Inc. | 1,043 | ||||
Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | $1,122 | |||||
Passenger Airlines — 0.5% | ||||||
57,203(c) | Grupo Aeromexico SAB de CV | $ 1,141,385 | ||||
Total Passenger Airlines | $1,141,385 | |||||
Professional Services — 0.0% | ||||||
251,944(c)+ | Atento S.A. | $ — | ||||
Total Professional Services | $— | |||||
Total Common Stocks (Cost $1,221,121) |
$1,161,151 | |||||
Principal Amount USD ($) |
||||||
Asset Backed Securities — 0.5% of Net Assets |
||||||
1,137,020 | Santander Bank Auto Credit-Linked Notes, Series 2023-B, Class F, 12.24%, 12/15/33 (144A) | $ 1,180,861 | ||||
Total Asset Backed Securities (Cost $1,137,021) |
$1,180,861 | |||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations—2.4% of Net Assets |
||||||
710,000(a) | Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust, Series 2021-R01, Class 1B2, 10.34% (SOFR30A + 600 bps), 10/25/41 (144A) | $ 739,243 | ||||
430,000(a) | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. STACR REMIC Trust, Series 2021-DNA7, Class B2, 12.14% (SOFR30A + 780 bps), 11/25/41 (144A) | 461,167 | ||||
450,000(a) | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. STACR REMIC Trust, Series 2021-HQA3, Class B2, 10.59% (SOFR30A + 625 bps), 9/25/41 (144A) | 469,908 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations—(continued) |
||||||
610,000(a) | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. STACR REMIC Trust, Series 2022-DNA2, Class B2, 12.84% (SOFR30A + 850 bps), 2/25/42 (144A) | $ 658,613 | ||||
1,370,000(a) | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. STACR Trust, Series 2019-DNA3, Class B2, 12.604% (SOFR30A + 826 bps), 7/25/49 (144A) | 1,567,075 | ||||
120,000(a) | Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities, Series 2021-R02, Class 2B2, 10.54% (SOFR30A + 620 bps), 11/25/41 (144A) | 126,027 | ||||
1,350,000(a) | STACR Trust, Series 2018-HRP2, Class B2, 14.954% (SOFR30A + 1,061 bps), 2/25/47 (144A) | 1,667,250 | ||||
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $5,226,881) |
$5,689,283 | |||||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities—1.9% of Net Assets |
||||||
779,835(d) | FREMF Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-KJ24, Class B, 7.60%, 10/25/27 (144A) | $ 738,012 | ||||
1,491,457(a) | FREMF Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-KS12, Class C, 11.367% (SOFR30A + 701 bps), 8/25/29 | 1,436,036 | ||||
222,712(a) | FREMF Mortgage Trust, Series 2020-KF74, Class C, 10.717% (SOFR30A + 636 bps), 1/25/27 (144A) | 205,559 | ||||
317,327(a) | FREMF Mortgage Trust, Series 2020-KF83, Class C, 13.467% (SOFR30A + 911 bps), 7/25/30 (144A) | 303,301 | ||||
2,500,000 | Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-C28, Class E, 3.00%, 5/15/48 (144A) | 1,963,734 | ||||
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $4,816,578) |
$4,646,642 | |||||
Convertible Corporate Bonds — 2.7% of Net Assets |
||||||
Banks — 0.0%† | ||||||
IDR1,422,679,000 | PT Bakrie & Brothers Tbk, 12/31/25 | $ 5,155 | ||||
Total Banks | $5,155 | |||||
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Chemicals — 1.7% | ||||||
4,000,000(e) | Hercules LLC, 6.50%, 6/30/29 | $ 4,150,691 | ||||
Total Chemicals | $4,150,691 | |||||
Commercial Services — 0.4% | ||||||
1,130,000 | Global Payments, Inc., 1.50%, 3/1/31 | $ 1,064,460 | ||||
Total Commercial Services | $1,064,460 | |||||
Entertainment — 0.6% | ||||||
1,455,000(f) | DraftKings Holdings, Inc., 3/15/28 | $ 1,266,577 | ||||
50,000 | Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., 2.875%, 1/15/30 (144A) | 51,750 | ||||
Total Entertainment | $1,318,327 | |||||
Total Convertible Corporate Bonds (Cost $5,778,455) |
$6,538,633 | |||||
Corporate Bonds — 126.2% of Net Assets |
||||||
Advertising — 2.1% | ||||||
2,090,000 | Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., 7.50%, 6/1/29 (144A) | $ 1,726,041 | ||||
1,470,000 | Neptune Bidco US, Inc., 9.29%, 4/15/29 (144A) | 1,275,446 | ||||
2,010,000 | Stagwell Global LLC, 5.625%, 8/15/29 (144A) | 1,914,140 | ||||
Total Advertising | $4,915,627 | |||||
Aerospace & Defense — 2.6% | ||||||
2,150,000 | Bombardier, Inc., 6.00%, 2/15/28 (144A) | $ 2,121,707 | ||||
246,000 | Bombardier, Inc., 7.125%, 6/15/26 (144A) | 246,047 | ||||
2,510,000 | Efesto Bidco S.p.A Efesto US LLC, 7.50%, 2/15/32 (144A) | 2,447,476 | ||||
740,000 | Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., 9.375%, 11/30/29 (144A) | 789,415 | ||||
592,000 | Triumph Group, Inc., 9.00%, 3/15/28 (144A) | 622,359 | ||||
Total Aerospace & Defense | $6,227,004 | |||||
Airlines — 5.3% | ||||||
2,726,170(g) | ABRA Global Finance, 14.00% (8.00% PIK or 6.00% Cash), 10/22/29 (144A) | $ 2,598,040 | ||||
355,000 | Delta Air Lines, Inc., 7.375%, 1/15/26 | 361,190 | ||||
3,275,773(a) | Gol Finance S.A., 14.824% (1 Month Term SOFR + 1,050 bps), 4/29/25 (144A) | 3,374,046 | ||||
1,180,000 | Grupo Aeromexico S.A.B de CV, 8.25%, 11/15/29 (144A) | 1,137,638 | ||||
2,545,000 | Grupo Aeromexico S.A.B de CV, 8.625%, 11/15/31 (144A) | 2,449,257 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Airlines — (continued) | ||||||
330,000 | Latam Airlines Group S.A., 13.375%, 10/15/29 (144A) | $ 372,797 | ||||
621,000 | Mileage Plus Holdings LLC/Mileage Plus Intellectual Property Assets, Ltd., 6.50%, 6/20/27 (144A) | 623,677 | ||||
1,790,000 | OneSky Flight LLC, 8.875%, 12/15/29 (144A) | 1,809,126 | ||||
Total Airlines | $12,725,771 | |||||
Auto Manufacturers — 0.4% | ||||||
1,035,000 | JB Poindexter & Co., Inc., 8.75%, 12/15/31 (144A) | $ 1,063,647 | ||||
Total Auto Manufacturers | $1,063,647 | |||||
Auto Parts & Equipment — 0.5% | ||||||
1,285,000 | Adient Global Holdings, Ltd., 8.25%, 4/15/31 (144A) | $ 1,245,122 | ||||
Total Auto Parts & Equipment | $1,245,122 | |||||
Banks — 3.9% | ||||||
315,000(d)(h) | Barclays Plc, 7.625% (5 Year USD Swap Rate + 369 bps) | $ 308,053 | ||||
EUR2,400,000(d)(h) | CaixaBank S.A., 3.625% (5 Year EUR Swap + 386 bps) | 2,384,266 | ||||
1,175,000 | Freedom Mortgage Corp., 12.25%, 10/1/30 (144A) | 1,294,653 | ||||
675,000(d)(h) | Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A., 7.70% (5 Year USD Swap Rate + 546 bps) (144A) | 674,194 | ||||
1,975,000 | KeyBank N.A., 4.90%, 8/8/32 | 1,887,629 | ||||
410,000(d) | Toronto-Dominion Bank, 7.25% (5 Year CMT Index + 298 bps), 7/31/84 | 412,073 | ||||
1,240,000(d) | Toronto-Dominion Bank, 8.125% (5 Year CMT Index + 408 bps), 10/31/82 | 1,282,662 | ||||
495,000(d)(h) | UBS Group AG, 7.125% (5 Year USD Swap Rate + 318 bps) (144A) | 486,890 | ||||
545,000(d)(h) | UBS Group AG, 9.25% (5 Year CMT Index + 476 bps) (144A) | 621,955 | ||||
Total Banks | $9,352,375 | |||||
Biotechnology — 0.3% | ||||||
EUR745,000 | Cidron Aida Finco S.a.r.l., 5.00%, 4/1/28 (144A) | $ 810,711 | ||||
Total Biotechnology | $810,711 | |||||
Building Materials — 3.7% | ||||||
1,991,000 | AmeriTex HoldCo Intermediate LLC, 10.25%, 10/15/28 (144A) | $ 2,043,479 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Building Materials — (continued) | ||||||
2,211,000 | Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc., 6.125%, 1/15/29 (144A) | $ 1,348,710 | ||||
1,140,000 | Knife River Corp., 7.75%, 5/1/31 (144A) | 1,186,938 | ||||
3,550,000 | Limak Cimento Sanayi ve Ticaret AS, 9.75%, 7/25/29 (144A) | 3,517,606 | ||||
510,000 | Quikrete Holdings, Inc., 6.375%, 3/1/32 (144A) | 513,238 | ||||
370,000 | Quikrete Holdings, Inc., 6.75%, 3/1/33 (144A) | 368,317 | ||||
Total Building Materials | $8,978,288 | |||||
Chemicals — 5.9% | ||||||
1,715,000 | Celanese US Holdings LLC, 6.95%, 11/15/33 | $ 1,792,297 | ||||
2,250,000 | LYB Finance Co. BV, 8.10%, 3/15/27 (144A) | 2,375,543 | ||||
980,000 | Mativ Holdings, Inc., 8.00%, 10/1/29 (144A) | 844,643 | ||||
EUR1,355,000 | Olympus Water US Holding Corp., 9.625%, 11/15/28 (144A) | 1,525,614 | ||||
2,320,000 | Olympus Water US Holding Corp., 9.75%, 11/15/28 (144A) | 2,408,659 | ||||
2,500,000 | SCIL IV LLC/SCIL USA Holdings LLC, 5.375%, 11/1/26 (144A) | 2,459,013 | ||||
EUR1,005,000 | SCIL IV LLC/SCIL USA Holdings LLC, 9.50%, 7/15/28 (144A) | 1,139,629 | ||||
2,000,000 | Tronox, Inc., 4.625%, 3/15/29 (144A) | 1,710,460 | ||||
Total Chemicals | $14,255,858 | |||||
Coal — 1.2% | ||||||
2,795,000 | Alliance Resource Operating Partners LP/Alliance Resource Finance Corp., 8.625%, 6/15/29 (144A) | $ 2,928,836 | ||||
Total Coal | $2,928,836 | |||||
Commercial Services — 7.7% | ||||||
20,000 | Allied Universal Holdco LLC, 7.875%, 2/15/31 (144A) | $ 20,255 | ||||
1,645,000 | Allied Universal Holdco LLC/Allied Universal Finance Corp., 6.00%, 6/1/29 (144A) | 1,511,724 | ||||
1,905,000 | Allied Universal Holdco LLC/Allied Universal Finance Corp., 9.75%, 7/15/27 (144A) | 1,911,069 | ||||
1,165,000 | Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc., 8.25%, 1/15/30 (144A) | 1,136,280 | ||||
1,652,000 | Champions Financing, Inc., 8.75%, 2/15/29 (144A) | 1,478,556 | ||||
1,330,000 | EquipmentShare.com, Inc., 8.00%, 3/15/33 (144A) | 1,339,211 | ||||
735,000 | EquipmentShare.com, Inc., 8.625%, 5/15/32 (144A) | 757,616 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Commercial Services — (continued) | ||||||
2,116,000 | Garda World Security Corp., 6.00%, 6/1/29 (144A) | $ 1,983,957 | ||||
1,315,000 | Garda World Security Corp., 8.375%, 11/15/32 (144A) | 1,292,920 | ||||
319,000 | Herc Holdings, Inc., 5.50%, 7/15/27 (144A) | 317,662 | ||||
915,000 | NESCO Holdings II, Inc., 5.50%, 4/15/29 (144A) | 844,477 | ||||
4,155,000 | Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc., 6.25%, 1/15/28 (144A) | 4,158,262 | ||||
1,093,000 | Sotheby's, 7.375%, 10/15/27 (144A) | 1,052,352 | ||||
690,000 | Williams Scotsman, Inc., 6.625%, 6/15/29 (144A) | 698,083 | ||||
Total Commercial Services | $18,502,424 | |||||
Computers — 0.2% | ||||||
365,000 | Amentum Holdings, Inc., 7.25%, 8/1/32 (144A) | $ 359,035 | ||||
Total Computers | $359,035 | |||||
Distribution/Wholesale — 0.9% | ||||||
705,000 | Velocity Vehicle Group LLC, 8.00%, 6/1/29 (144A) | $ 723,150 | ||||
1,325,000 | Windsor Holdings III LLC, 8.50%, 6/15/30 (144A) | 1,367,245 | ||||
Total Distribution/Wholesale | $2,090,395 | |||||
Diversified Financial Services — 11.2% | ||||||
3,500,000(d)(h) | Air Lease Corp., 4.125% (5 Year CMT Index + 315 bps) | $ 3,322,288 | ||||
1,725,000(d) | Ally Financial, Inc., 6.184% (SOFR + 229 bps), 7/26/35 | 1,713,966 | ||||
140,000 | Credito Real S.A.B de CV SOFOM ENR, 8.00%, 1/21/28 | 17,724 | ||||
1,500,000 | Credito Real S.A.B de CV SOFOM ENR, 9.50%, 2/7/26 | 188,610 | ||||
180,000 | Freedom Mortgage Holdings LLC, 8.375%, 4/1/32 (144A) | 175,878 | ||||
1,095,000 | Freedom Mortgage Holdings LLC, 9.125%, 5/15/31 (144A) | 1,101,913 | ||||
1,140,000 | Freedom Mortgage Holdings LLC, 9.25%, 2/1/29 (144A) | 1,157,715 | ||||
EUR480,000 | Garfunkelux Holdco 3 S.A., 6.75%, 11/1/25 (144A) | 358,747 | ||||
GBP820,000 | Garfunkelux Holdco 3 S.A., 7.75%, 11/1/25 (144A) | 725,576 | ||||
350,000 | GGAM Finance, Ltd., 7.75%, 5/15/26 (144A) | 353,865 | ||||
1,805,000 | GGAM Finance, Ltd., 8.00%, 6/15/28 (144A) | 1,892,738 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Diversified Financial Services — (continued) | ||||||
3,045,000 | Global Aircraft Leasing Co., Ltd., 8.75%, 9/1/27 (144A) | $ 3,095,026 | ||||
2,900,000 | Jefferies Finance LLC/JFIN Co.-Issuer Corp., 5.00%, 8/15/28 (144A) | 2,726,420 | ||||
845,000 | Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc., 6.00%, 1/15/27 (144A) | 844,555 | ||||
1,210,000 | OneMain Finance Corp., 7.875%, 3/15/30 | 1,254,133 | ||||
2,320,000 | OneMain Finance Corp., 9.00%, 1/15/29 | 2,434,633 | ||||
340,000 | Planet Financial Group LLC, 10.50%, 12/15/29 (144A) | 341,211 | ||||
2,405,000 | Provident Funding Associates LP/PFG Finance Corp., 9.75%, 9/15/29 (144A) | 2,461,368 | ||||
1,051,000 | United Wholesale Mortgage LLC, 5.50%, 4/15/29 (144A) | 1,013,289 | ||||
1,860,000 | United Wholesale Mortgage LLC, 5.75%, 6/15/27 (144A) | 1,828,817 | ||||
Total Diversified Financial Services | $27,008,472 | |||||
Electric — 1.5% | ||||||
1,095,000(d) | AES Corp., 6.95% (5 Year CMT Index + 289 bps), 7/15/55 | $ 1,043,462 | ||||
360,000 | Alpha Generation LLC, 6.75%, 10/15/32 (144A) | 360,234 | ||||
1,145,000 | Lightning Power LLC, 7.25%, 8/15/32 (144A) | 1,178,869 | ||||
1,045,000 | Talen Energy Supply LLC, 8.625%, 6/1/30 (144A) | 1,108,433 | ||||
3,000 | Vistra Operations Co. LLC, 5.625%, 2/15/27 (144A) | 2,989 | ||||
Total Electric | $3,693,987 | |||||
Electrical Components & Equipments — 1.3% | ||||||
2,600,000 | Energizer Holdings, Inc., 6.50%, 12/31/27 (144A) | $ 2,614,154 | ||||
520,000 | WESCO Distribution, Inc., 7.25%, 6/15/28 (144A) | 527,378 | ||||
Total Electrical Components & Equipments | $3,141,532 | |||||
Entertainment — 4.0% | ||||||
395,000 | International Game Technology Plc, 6.25%, 1/15/27 (144A) | $ 397,620 | ||||
1,910,000 | Light & Wonder International, Inc., 7.00%, 5/15/28 (144A) | 1,909,206 | ||||
1,910,000 | Light & Wonder International, Inc., 7.25%, 11/15/29 (144A) | 1,936,152 | ||||
EUR730,000 | Lottomatica Group S.p.A., 7.125%, 6/1/28 (144A) | 820,370 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Entertainment — (continued) | ||||||
930,000 | Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, 8.00%, 2/1/26 (144A) | $ 929,957 | ||||
2,895,000(i) | Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority/MS Digital Entertainment Holdings LLC, 8.25%, 4/15/30 (144A) | 2,845,081 | ||||
735,000(i) | Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority/MS Digital Entertainment Holdings LLC, 11.875%, 4/15/31 (144A) | 708,531 | ||||
Total Entertainment | $9,546,917 | |||||
Food — 0.8% | ||||||
505,000(g) | Chobani Holdco II LLC, 8.75% (9.50% PIK or 8.75% Cash), 10/1/29 (144A) | $ 548,916 | ||||
1,215,000 | Fiesta Purchaser, Inc., 9.625%, 9/15/32 (144A) | 1,248,575 | ||||
Total Food | $1,797,491 | |||||
Forest Products & Paper — 0.6% | ||||||
EUR1,400,000 | Fedrigoni S.p.A., 6.125%, 6/15/31 (144A) | $ 1,476,862 | ||||
Total Forest Products & Paper | $1,476,862 | |||||
Healthcare-Products — 0.8% | ||||||
1,960,000 | Sotera Health Holdings LLC, 7.375%, 6/1/31 (144A) | $ 1,992,597 | ||||
Total Healthcare-Products | $1,992,597 | |||||
Healthcare-Services — 4.3% | ||||||
1,014,000 | Auna S.A., 10.00%, 12/15/29 (144A) | $ 1,098,400 | ||||
580,000 | CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., 5.625%, 3/15/27 (144A) | 553,854 | ||||
265,000 | CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., 6.00%, 1/15/29 (144A) | 235,493 | ||||
385,000 | LifePoint Health, Inc., 5.375%, 1/15/29 (144A) | 337,886 | ||||
3,200,000 | Prime Healthcare Services, Inc., 9.375%, 9/1/29 (144A) | 3,019,051 | ||||
4,995,000 | US Acute Care Solutions LLC, 9.75%, 5/15/29 (144A) | 4,980,603 | ||||
Total Healthcare-Services | $10,225,287 | |||||
Home Builders — 1.5% | ||||||
1,155,000 | Beazer Homes USA, Inc., 7.25%, 10/15/29 | $ 1,135,748 | ||||
2,285,000 | LGI Homes, Inc., 8.75%, 12/15/28 (144A) | 2,381,377 | ||||
Total Home Builders | $3,517,125 | |||||
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Household Products/Wares — 0.7% | ||||||
2,050,000 | Spectrum Brands, Inc., 3.875%, 3/15/31 (144A) | $ 1,746,155 | ||||
Total Household Products/Wares | $1,746,155 | |||||
Insurance — 5.0% | ||||||
3,800,000 | Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., 7.625%, 10/15/25 | $ 3,840,211 | ||||
3,075,000(d) | Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., 10.75% (3 Month Term SOFR + 738 bps), 6/15/58 (144A) | 3,689,635 | ||||
2,677,000 | Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., 7.697%, 10/15/97 (144A) | 3,038,623 | ||||
1,100,000 | MetLife, Inc., 10.75%, 8/1/39 | 1,455,825 | ||||
Total Insurance | $12,024,294 | |||||
Internet — 2.6% | ||||||
3,005,000 | Acuris Finance US, Inc./Acuris Finance S.a.r.l., 9.00%, 8/1/29 (144A) | $ 2,909,015 | ||||
3,400,000 | ION Trading Technologies S.a.r.l., 9.50%, 5/30/29 (144A) | 3,412,872 | ||||
Total Internet | $6,321,887 | |||||
Iron & Steel — 2.7% | ||||||
1,855,000 | Carpenter Technology Corp., 7.625%, 3/15/30 | $ 1,910,733 | ||||
1,721,000 | Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc., 7.00%, 3/15/32 (144A) | 1,651,416 | ||||
750,000 | Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc., 7.375%, 5/1/33 (144A) | 719,651 | ||||
2,235,000 | TMS International Corp., 6.25%, 4/15/29 (144A) | 2,080,611 | ||||
Total Iron & Steel | $6,362,411 | |||||
Leisure Time — 3.9% | ||||||
215,000 | Carnival Corp., 7.625%, 3/1/26 (144A) | $ 215,063 | ||||
EUR731,000 | Carnival Plc, 1.00%, 10/28/29 | 697,567 | ||||
1,000,000 | Cruise Yacht Upper HoldCo, Ltd., 11.875%, 7/5/28 | 1,026,435 | ||||
203,000 | NCL Corp., Ltd., 5.875%, 3/15/26 (144A) | 202,574 | ||||
2,435,000 | NCL Corp., Ltd., 7.75%, 2/15/29 (144A) | 2,537,796 | ||||
965,000 | NCL Corp., Ltd., 8.125%, 1/15/29 (144A) | 1,015,019 | ||||
360,000 | NCL Finance, Ltd., 6.125%, 3/15/28 (144A) | 358,848 | ||||
625,000 | SP Cruises Intermediate, Ltd., 11.50%, 3/14/30 (144A) | 605,293 | ||||
2,790,000 | Viking Cruises, Ltd., 6.25%, 5/15/25 (144A) | 2,790,812 | ||||
Total Leisure Time | $9,449,407 | |||||
Lodging — 3.4% | ||||||
375,000 | Choice Hotels International, Inc., 5.85%, 8/1/34 | $ 375,786 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Lodging — (continued) | ||||||
2,095,000 | Genting New York LLC/GENNY Capital, Inc., 7.25%, 10/1/29 (144A) | $ 2,135,098 | ||||
1,715,000 | Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower LLC/Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower, Inc., 6.625%, 1/15/32 (144A) | 1,699,338 | ||||
1,715,000 | Melco Resorts Finance, Ltd., 7.625%, 4/17/32 (144A) | 1,706,801 | ||||
1,505,000 | MGM Resorts International, 6.50%, 4/15/32 | 1,475,788 | ||||
725,000 | Travel + Leisure Co., 6.625%, 7/31/26 (144A) | 730,326 | ||||
Total Lodging | $8,123,137 | |||||
Media — 4.6% | ||||||
2,500,000 | CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 4.75%, 2/1/32 (144A) | $ 2,219,737 | ||||
2,200,000 | CSC Holdings LLC, 4.625%, 12/1/30 (144A) | 1,070,603 | ||||
1,925,000 | CSC Holdings LLC, 5.00%, 11/15/31 (144A) | 909,563 | ||||
835,000 | CSC Holdings LLC, 11.75%, 1/31/29 (144A) | 809,819 | ||||
1,545,000 | Gray Media, Inc., 10.50%, 7/15/29 (144A) | 1,609,658 | ||||
1,057,000 | Gray Television, Inc., 7.00%, 5/15/27 (144A) | 1,035,887 | ||||
3,530,000 | McGraw-Hill Education, Inc., 8.00%, 8/1/29 (144A) | 3,471,730 | ||||
Total Media | $11,126,997 | |||||
Metal Fabricate/Hardware — 0.5% | ||||||
1,185,000 | Park-Ohio Industries, Inc., 6.625%, 4/15/27 | $ 1,145,585 | ||||
Total Metal Fabricate/Hardware | $1,145,585 | |||||
Mining — 3.9% | ||||||
2,340,000 | Coeur Mining, Inc., 5.125%, 2/15/29 (144A) | $ 2,219,883 | ||||
333,000 | First Quantum Minerals, Ltd., 6.875%, 10/15/27 (144A) | 332,735 | ||||
2,840,000 | First Quantum Minerals, Ltd., 8.625%, 6/1/31 (144A) | 2,907,350 | ||||
415,000 | First Quantum Minerals, Ltd., 9.375%, 3/1/29 (144A) | 436,433 | ||||
692,000 | Hudbay Minerals, Inc., 6.125%, 4/1/29 (144A) | 688,549 | ||||
755,000 | Novelis, Inc., 6.875%, 1/30/30 (144A) | 765,683 | ||||
2,010,000 | Taseko Mines, Ltd., 8.25%, 5/1/30 (144A) | 2,052,150 | ||||
Total Mining | $9,402,783 | |||||
Miscellaneous Manufacturing — 0.9% | ||||||
255,000 | Axon Enterprise, Inc., 6.125%, 3/15/30 (144A) | $ 257,352 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Miscellaneous Manufacturing — (continued) | ||||||
225,000 | Axon Enterprise, Inc., 6.25%, 3/15/33 (144A) | $ 227,315 | ||||
1,670,000 | Trinity Industries, Inc., 7.75%, 7/15/28 (144A) | 1,731,257 | ||||
Total Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $2,215,924 | |||||
Oil & Gas — 13.8% | ||||||
685,000 | 3R Lux S.a.r.l., 9.75%, 2/5/31 (144A) | $ 714,558 | ||||
1,105,000 | Ascent Resources Utica Holdings LLC/ARU Finance Corp., 5.875%, 6/30/29 (144A) | 1,078,291 | ||||
1,890,000 | Baytex Energy Corp., 7.375%, 3/15/32 (144A) | 1,817,882 | ||||
2,140,000 | Baytex Energy Corp., 8.50%, 4/30/30 (144A) | 2,173,112 | ||||
699,756 | Borr IHC, Ltd./Borr Finance LLC, 10.00%, 11/15/28 (144A) | 665,507 | ||||
528,059 | Borr IHC, Ltd./Borr Finance LLC, 10.375%, 11/15/30 (144A) | 490,434 | ||||
180,000 | Cenovus Energy, Inc., 6.75%, 11/15/39 | 194,039 | ||||
1,225,000 | Civitas Resources, Inc., 8.375%, 7/1/28 (144A) | 1,264,184 | ||||
830,000 | Civitas Resources, Inc., 8.625%, 11/1/30 (144A) | 856,287 | ||||
1,225,000 | Civitas Resources, Inc., 8.75%, 7/1/31 (144A) | 1,258,007 | ||||
885,000 | Expand Energy Corp., 4.75%, 2/1/32 | 837,071 | ||||
830,000 | Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co., 6.00%, 2/1/31 (144A) | 773,348 | ||||
915,000 | Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co., 6.875%, 5/15/34 (144A) | 860,541 | ||||
560,000 | Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co., 7.25%, 2/15/35 (144A) | 534,798 | ||||
1,330,000 | Kosmos Energy, Ltd., 7.75%, 5/1/27 (144A) | 1,278,800 | ||||
975,000 | Kraken Oil & Gas Partners LLC, 7.625%, 8/15/29 (144A) | 951,878 | ||||
2,150,000 | Long Ridge Energy LLC, 8.75%, 2/15/32 (144A) | 2,076,961 | ||||
1,010,000 | MEG Energy Corp., 5.875%, 2/1/29 (144A) | 993,186 | ||||
1,109,000 | Nabors Industries, Ltd., 7.50%, 1/15/28 (144A) | 1,020,824 | ||||
1,130,000 | Noble Finance II LLC, 8.00%, 4/15/30 (144A) | 1,129,336 | ||||
2,010,000 | Occidental Petroleum Corp., 4.40%, 4/15/46 | 1,507,082 | ||||
692,000 | Petroleos Mexicanos, 6.70%, 2/16/32 | 608,046 | ||||
579,000 | Precision Drilling Corp., 6.875%, 1/15/29 (144A) | 565,677 | ||||
2,067,000 | Shelf Drilling Holdings, Ltd., 9.625%, 4/15/29 (144A) | 1,786,525 | ||||
257,857 | Transocean Titan Financing, Ltd., 8.375%, 2/1/28 (144A) | 263,414 | ||||
1,030,000 | Transocean, Inc., 6.80%, 3/15/38 | 789,207 | ||||
1,741,000 | Transocean, Inc., 8.25%, 5/15/29 (144A) | 1,701,784 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Oil & Gas — (continued) | ||||||
665,000 | Transocean, Inc., 8.50%, 5/15/31 (144A) | $ 646,170 | ||||
2,075,000 | Tullow Oil Plc, 10.25%, 5/15/26 (144A) | 1,899,922 | ||||
2,174,000 | Wildfire Intermediate Holdings LLC, 7.50%, 10/15/29 (144A) | 2,113,503 | ||||
342,000 | YPF S.A., 6.95%, 7/21/27 (144A) | 339,600 | ||||
Total Oil & Gas | $33,189,974 | |||||
Oil & Gas Services — 2.6% | ||||||
385,000 | Archrock Partners LP/Archrock Partners Finance Corp., 6.25%, 4/1/28 (144A) | $ 385,295 | ||||
2,583,000 | Archrock Partners LP/Archrock Partners Finance Corp., 6.875%, 4/1/27 (144A) | 2,584,381 | ||||
1,301,000 | Enerflex, Ltd., 9.00%, 10/15/27 (144A) | 1,331,368 | ||||
703,000 | USA Compression Partners LP/USA Compression Finance Corp., 6.875%, 9/1/27 | 703,535 | ||||
1,290,000 | USA Compression Partners LP/USA Compression Finance Corp., 7.125%, 3/15/29 (144A) | 1,312,019 | ||||
Total Oil & Gas Services | $6,316,598 | |||||
Packaging & Containers — 0.6% | ||||||
1,355,000 | Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc., 7.25%, 5/15/31 (144A) | $ 1,322,819 | ||||
Total Packaging & Containers | $1,322,819 | |||||
Pharmaceuticals — 3.3% | ||||||
1,775,000 | Bausch Health Cos., Inc., 6.125%, 2/1/27 (144A) | $ 1,799,850 | ||||
1,590,000(i) | Bausch Health Cos., Inc., 10.00%, 4/15/32 (144A) | 1,580,241 | ||||
1,005,000(d) | CVS Health Corp., 7.00% (5 Year CMT Index + 289 bps), 3/10/55 | 1,012,929 | ||||
2,750,000 | Owens & Minor, Inc., 6.625%, 4/1/30 (144A) | 2,405,853 | ||||
579,000+ | Par Pharmaceutical, Inc., 7.50%, 4/1/27 (144A) | — | ||||
1,095,000 | Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV, 7.875%, 9/15/29 | 1,177,797 | ||||
2,600,000+ | Tricida, Inc., 5/15/27 | — | ||||
Total Pharmaceuticals | $7,976,670 | |||||
Pipelines — 7.5% | ||||||
1,633,077 | Acu Petroleo Luxembourg S.a.r.l., 7.50%, 1/13/32 (144A) | $ 1,632,825 | ||||
910,000 | DCP Midstream Operating LP, 5.60%, 4/1/44 | 844,752 | ||||
1,060,000 | Delek Logistics Partners LP/Delek Logistics Finance Corp., 7.125%, 6/1/28 (144A) | 1,062,352 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Pipelines — (continued) | ||||||
1,524,000(a) | Energy Transfer LP, 7.57% (3 Month Term SOFR + 328 bps), 11/1/66 | $ 1,516,380 | ||||
1,965,000(d)(h) | Energy Transfer LP, 7.125% (5 Year CMT Index + 531 bps) | 1,988,328 | ||||
270,000 | EnLink Midstream Partners LP, 5.45%, 6/1/47 | 244,629 | ||||
717,000 | EnLink Midstream Partners LP, 5.60%, 4/1/44 | 667,107 | ||||
1,845,000 | Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp., 7.875%, 5/15/32 | 1,858,109 | ||||
265,000 | Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp., 8.00%, 1/15/27 | 270,324 | ||||
421,000 | Global Partners LP/GLP Finance Corp., 7.00%, 8/1/27 | 419,745 | ||||
1,515,000 | Harvest Midstream I LP, 7.50%, 9/1/28 (144A) | 1,530,154 | ||||
1,150,000 | NuStar Logistics LP, 6.375%, 10/1/30 | 1,162,668 | ||||
540,000(d) | South Bow Canadian Infrastructure Holdings, Ltd., 7.50% (5 Year CMT Index + 367 bps), 3/1/55 (144A) | 546,330 | ||||
2,270,000 | Summit Midstream Holdings LLC, 8.625%, 10/31/29 (144A) | 2,316,676 | ||||
1,355,000 | Venture Global LNG, Inc., 8.375%, 6/1/31 (144A) | 1,374,351 | ||||
505,000 | Venture Global LNG, Inc., 9.50%, 2/1/29 (144A) | 541,517 | ||||
Total Pipelines | $17,976,247 | |||||
Real Estate — 1.5% | ||||||
4,000,000 | Kennedy-Wilson, Inc., 5.00%, 3/1/31 | $ 3,519,920 | ||||
Total Real Estate | $3,519,920 | |||||
REITS — 2.1% | ||||||
EUR490,000 | Alexandrite Monnet UK Holdco Plc, 10.50%, 5/15/29 (144A) | $ 579,509 | ||||
2,275,000 | MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp., 3.50%, 3/15/31 | 1,516,487 | ||||
365,000 | Starwood Property Trust, Inc., 7.25%, 4/1/29 (144A) | 374,179 | ||||
230,000 | Uniti Group LP/Uniti Fiber Holdings, Inc./CSL Capital LLC, 6.00%, 1/15/30 (144A) | 199,031 | ||||
2,210,000 | Uniti Group LP/Uniti Group Finance 2019, Inc./CSL Capital LLC, 10.50%, 2/15/28 (144A) | 2,347,665 | ||||
Total REITS | $5,016,871 | |||||
Retail — 1.7% | ||||||
GBP1,320,000 | CD&R Firefly Bidco Plc, 8.625%, 4/30/29 (144A) | $ 1,739,212 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Retail — (continued) | ||||||
1,210,000 | Cougar JV Subsidiary LLC, 8.00%, 5/15/32 (144A) | $ 1,247,158 | ||||
1,125,000 | LCM Investments Holdings II LLC, 8.25%, 8/1/31 (144A) | 1,167,622 | ||||
Total Retail | $4,153,992 | |||||
Telecommunications — 2.0% | ||||||
1,495,000 | Altice France Holding S.A., 6.00%, 2/15/28 (144A) | $ 437,211 | ||||
1,169,000 | Altice France Holding S.A., 10.50%, 5/15/27 (144A) | 341,812 | ||||
270,000 | Altice France S.A., 5.125%, 1/15/29 (144A) | 212,113 | ||||
1,035,000 | Connect Finco S.a.r.l./Connect US Finco LLC, 9.00%, 9/15/29 (144A) | 943,640 | ||||
375,000 | Iliad Holding SASU, 8.50%, 4/15/31 (144A) | 393,286 | ||||
41,000 | Sprint LLC, 7.625%, 3/1/26 | 41,643 | ||||
2,405,000 | Windstream Services LLC/Windstream Escrow Finance Corp., 8.25%, 10/1/31 (144A) | 2,448,547 | ||||
Total Telecommunications | $4,818,252 | |||||
Transportation — 2.2% | ||||||
2,640,000 | Carriage Purchaser, Inc., 7.875%, 10/15/29 (144A) | $ 2,354,051 | ||||
1,375,000 | Danaos Corp., 8.50%, 3/1/28 (144A) | 1,397,729 | ||||
820,000 | Seaspan Corp., 5.50%, 8/1/29 (144A) | 742,721 | ||||
690,000 | Star Leasing Co. LLC, 7.625%, 2/15/30 (144A) | 663,156 | ||||
Total Transportation | $5,157,657 | |||||
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $305,443,799) |
$303,222,943 | |||||
Shares | ||||||
Convertible Preferred Stock — 0.4% of Net Assets |
||||||
Banks — 0.4% | ||||||
752(h) | Wells Fargo & Co., 7.50% | $ 903,002 | ||||
Total Banks | $903,002 | |||||
Total Convertible Preferred Stock (Cost $950,539) |
$903,002 | |||||
Shares | Value | |||||
Preferred Stock — 0.0%† of Net Assets | ||||||
Internet — 0.0%† | ||||||
129,055 | MYT Holding LLC, 10.00%, 6/6/29 | $ 50,009 | ||||
Total Internet | $50,009 | |||||
Total Preferred Stock (Cost $235,605) |
$50,009 | |||||
Right/Warrant — 0.0%† of Net Assets | ||||||
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.0%† | ||||||
GBP21,700(c) | Avation Plc, 1/1/59 | $ 7,008 | ||||
Total Trading Companies & Distributors | $7,008 | |||||
Total Right/Warrant (Cost $—) |
$7,008 | |||||
Principal Amount USD ($) |
||||||
Insurance-Linked Securities — 4.5% of Net Assets# |
||||||
Event Linked Bonds — 1.4% | ||||||
Flood – U.S. — 0.2% | ||||||
250,000(a) | FloodSmart Re, 18.282%, (3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill + 1,400 bps), 3/12/27 (144A) | $ 257,400 | ||||
250,000(a) | FloodSmart Re, 21.442%, (1 Month U.S. Treasury Bill + 1,715 bps), 3/11/26 (144A) | 249,350 | ||||
$506,750 | ||||||
Multiperil – U.S. — 0.6% | ||||||
250,000(a) | Merna Re II, 11.542%, (3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill + 725 bps), 7/7/27 (144A) | $ 261,450 | ||||
250,000(a) | Merna Re II, 12.792%, (3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill + 850 bps), 7/7/27 (144A) | 255,325 | ||||
250,000(a) | Mystic Re, 16.282%, (3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill + 1,200 bps), 1/8/27 (144A) | 261,600 | ||||
250,000(a) | Residential Re, 11.292%, (3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill + 700 bps), 12/6/28 (144A) | 256,375 | ||||
250,000(a) | Residential Re, 16.302%, (3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill + 1,202 bps), 12/6/25 (144A) | 225,000 | ||||
$1,259,750 | ||||||
Multiperil – U.S. & Canada — 0.2% | ||||||
250,000(a) | Atlas Re, 16.86%, (SOFR + 1,250 bps), 6/8/27 (144A) | $ 279,075 | ||||
250,000(a) | Easton Re, 11.792%, (3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill + 750 bps), 1/8/27 (144A) | 256,200 | ||||
$535,275 | ||||||
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Windstorm – Florida — 0.2% | ||||||
250,000(a) | Marlon Re, 11.292%, (3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill + 700 bps), 6/7/27 (144A) | $ 257,175 | ||||
250,000(a) | Merna Re II, 13.042%, (3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill + 875 bps), 7/7/27 (144A) | 258,600 | ||||
$515,775 | ||||||
Windstorm – Mexico — 0.1% | ||||||
250,000(a) | International Bank for Reconstruction & Development, 18.059%, (SOFR + 1,372 bps), 4/24/28 (144A) | $ 256,000 | ||||
Windstorm – U.S. — 0.1% | ||||||
250,000(a) | Bonanza Re, 12.742%, (3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill + 845 bps), 1/8/26 (144A) | $ 255,300 | ||||
Total Event Linked Bonds | $3,328,850 | |||||
Face Amount USD ($) |
||||||
Collateralized Reinsurance — 0.1% | ||||||
Multiperil – Massachusetts — 0.1% | ||||||
350,000(c)(j)+ | Portsalon Re 2022, 5/31/28 | $ 320,922 | ||||
Windstorm – North Carolina — 0.0%† | ||||||
250,000(j)+ | Mangrove Risk Solutions, 4/30/30 | $ 4,125 | ||||
Windstorm – U.S. Regional — 0.0%† | ||||||
250,000(c)(j)+ | Oakmont Re 2024, 4/1/30 | $ 6,415 | ||||
Total Collateralized Reinsurance | $331,462 | |||||
Reinsurance Sidecars — 3.0% | ||||||
Multiperil – U.S. — 0.0%† | ||||||
500,000(c)(k)+ | Harambee Re 2018, 12/31/25 | $ 450 | ||||
600,000(k)+ | Harambee Re 2019, 12/31/25 | — | ||||
$450 | ||||||
Multiperil – Worldwide — 3.0% | ||||||
40,466(k)+ | Alturas Re 2022-2, 12/31/27 | $ 2,149 | ||||
1,000,000(c)(j)+ | Bantry Re 2025, 12/31/30 | 916,120 | ||||
1,000,000(c)(j)+ | Berwick Re 2025, 12/31/30 | 912,213 | ||||
750,000(c)(j)+ | Gleneagles Re 2022, 12/31/27 | 112,500 | ||||
1,000,000(c)(j)+ | Gullane Re 2025, 12/31/30 | 795,253 | ||||
499,318(c)(k)+ | Lorenz Re 2019, 6/30/25 | 3,645 | ||||
1,000,000(c)(j)+ | Merion Re 2022-2, 12/31/27 | 844,573 | ||||
500,000(c)(j)+ | Pangaea Re 2024-3, 7/1/28 | 531,343 | ||||
645(c)(j)+ | Sector Re V, 12/1/28 (144A) | 14,379 |
Face Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Multiperil – Worldwide — (continued) | ||||||
1,290(c)(j)+ | Sector Re V, 12/1/28 (144A) | $ 28,758 | ||||
1,500,000(c)(j)+ | Sector Re V, 12/1/29 (144A) | 1,523,977 | ||||
1,500,000(k)+ | Thopas Re 2022, 12/31/27 | — | ||||
1,596,147(k)+ | Thopas Re 2023, 12/31/28 | 1,436 | ||||
1,596,147(c)(k)+ | Thopas Re 2024, 12/31/29 | 14,685 | ||||
1,000,000(c)(j)+ | Thopas Re 2025, 12/31/30 | 890,200 | ||||
500,000(c)(j)+ | Torricelli Re 2024, 6/30/30 | 506,152 | ||||
$7,097,383 | ||||||
Total Reinsurance Sidecars | $7,097,833 | |||||
Total Insurance-Linked Securities (Cost $10,968,482) |
$10,758,145 | |||||
Principal Amount USD ($) |
||||||
Foreign Government Bond — 0.1% of Net Assets |
||||||
Russia — 0.1% | ||||||
382,800(l)# | Russian Government International Bond, 7.500%, 3/31/30 | $ 254,903 | ||||
Total Russia | $254,903 | |||||
Total Foreign Government Bond (Cost $326,879) |
$254,903 | |||||
Shares | ||||||
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS — 2.4% of Net Assets |
||||||
Open-End Fund — 2.4% | ||||||
5,790,752(m) | Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares, 4.23% |
$ 5,790,752 | ||||
$5,790,752 | ||||||
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $5,790,752) |
$5,790,752 | |||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN UNAFFILIATED ISSUERS — 145.5% (Cost $351,163,260) |
$349,438,127 | |||||
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — (45.5)% | $(109,220,913) | |||||
net assets — 100.0% | $240,217,214 | |||||
bps | Basis Points. |
CMT | Constant Maturity Treasury. |
FREMF | Freddie Mac Multifamily Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans. |
SOFR | Secured Overnight Financing Rate. |
SOFR30A | Secured Overnight Financing Rate 30 Day Average. |
(144A) | The resale of such security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be resold normally to qualified institutional buyers. At March 31, 2025, the value of these securities amounted to $265,904,945, or 110.7% of net assets. |
(a) | Floating rate note. Coupon rate, reference index and spread shown at March 31, 2025. |
(b) | All or a portion of this senior loan position has not settled. Rates do not take effect until settlement date. Rates shown, if any, are for the settled portion. |
(c) | Non-income producing security. |
(d) | The interest rate is subject to change periodically. The interest rate and/or reference index and spread shown at March 31, 2025. |
(e) | Security is priced as a unit. |
(f) | Security issued with a zero coupon. Income is recognized through accretion of discount. |
(g) | Payment-in-kind (PIK) security which may pay interest in the form of additional principal amount. |
(h) | Security is perpetual in nature and has no stated maturity date. |
(i) | Securities purchased on a when-issued basis. Rates do not take effect until settlement date. |
(j) | Issued as participation notes. |
(k) | Issued as preference shares. |
(l) | Security is in default. |
(m) | Rate periodically changes. Rate disclosed is the 7-day yield at March 31, 2025. |
* | Senior secured floating rate loan interests in which the Fund invests generally pay interest at rates that are periodically re-determined by reference to a base lending rate plus a premium. These base lending rates are generally (i) the lending rate offered by one or more major European banks, such as SOFR, (ii) the prime rate offered by one or more major United States banks, (iii) the rate of a certificate of deposit or (iv) other base lending rates used by commercial lenders. The interest rate shown is the rate accruing at March 31, 2025. |
+ | Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). |
† | Amount rounds to less than 0.1%. |
# | Securities are restricted as to resale. |
Restricted Securities | Acquisition date | Cost | Value |
Alturas Re 2022-2 | 4/11/2023 | $— | $2,149 |
Atlas Re | 5/24/2024 | 250,000 | 279,075 |
Bantry Re 2025 | 1/21/2025 | 926,107 | 916,120 |
Berwick Re 2025 | 1/17/2025 | 910,239 | 912,213 |
Bonanza Re | 1/6/2023 | 250,000 | 255,300 |
Restricted Securities | Acquisition date | Cost | Value |
Easton Re | 5/16/2024 | $247,393 | $256,200 |
FloodSmart Re | 2/23/2023 | 250,000 | 249,350 |
FloodSmart Re | 2/29/2024 | 250,000 | 257,400 |
Gleneagles Re 2022 | 1/18/2022 | 313,226 | 112,500 |
Gullane Re 2025 | 1/22/2025 | 823,724 | 795,253 |
Harambee Re 2018 | 12/19/2017 | 8,683 | 450 |
Harambee Re 2019 | 12/20/2018 | — | — |
International Bank for Reconstruction & Development | 5/10/2024 | 243,507 | 256,000 |
Lorenz Re 2019 | 6/26/2019 | 70,732 | 3,645 |
Mangrove Risk Solutions | 7/9/2024 | — | 4,125 |
Marlon Re | 5/24/2024 | 250,000 | 257,175 |
Merion Re 2022-2 | 2/22/2022 | 896,472 | 844,573 |
Merna Re II | 5/8/2024 | 250,000 | 261,450 |
Merna Re II | 5/8/2024 | 250,000 | 258,600 |
Merna Re II | 5/8/2024 | 250,000 | 255,325 |
Mystic Re | 5/21/2024 | 249,381 | 261,600 |
Oakmont Re 2024 | 5/23/2024 | — | 6,415 |
Pangaea Re 2024-3 | 7/26/2024 | 500,000 | 531,343 |
Portsalon Re 2022 | 7/15/2022 | 283,022 | 320,922 |
Residential Re | 10/28/2021 | 250,000 | 225,000 |
Residential Re | 11/4/2024 | 250,000 | 256,375 |
Russian Government International Bond | 6/26/2002 | 326,879 | 254,903 |
Sector Re V | 12/4/2023 | — | 14,379 |
Sector Re V | 12/29/2023 | — | 28,758 |
Sector Re V | 12/31/2024 | 1,500,000 | 1,523,977 |
Thopas Re 2022 | 2/7/2022 | — | — |
Thopas Re 2023 | 2/15/2023 | — | 1,436 |
Thopas Re 2024 | 2/2/2024 | — | 14,685 |
Thopas Re 2025 | 1/10/2025 | 1,000,000 | 890,200 |
Torricelli Re 2024 | 7/17/2024 | 495,996 | 506,152 |
Total Restricted Securities | $11,013,048 | ||
% of Net assets | 4.6% |
Currency Purchased |
In Exchange for |
Currency Sold |
Deliver | Counterparty | Settlement Date |
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
USD | 3,701,950 | EUR | 3,540,000 | Bank of America NA | 5/22/25 | $(136,837) |
EUR | 5,000,000 | USD | 5,472,114 | Citibank NA | 6/26/25 | (39,080) |
USD | 8,514,580 | EUR | 8,137,500 | HSBC Bank USA NA | 4/30/25 | (298,740) |
USD | 783,360 | GBP | 605,000 | HSBC Bank USA NA | 6/27/25 | 1,911 |
TOTAL FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS | $(472,746) |
Notional Amount ($) |
Counterparty | Reference Obligation /Index |
Pay/ Receive |
Annual Fixed Rate |
Expiration Date |
Premiums (Received) |
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
Market Value |
988,000 | JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. | Receive | 5.00% | 6/20/27 | $(40,792) | $120,880 | $80,088 |
329,000 | JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. | Receive | 5.00% | 6/20/27 | (15,479) | 42,148 | 26,669 |
433,000 | JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. | Receive | 5.00% | 6/20/27 | (20,384) | 55,483 | 35,099 |
TOTAL OVER THE COUNTER (OTC) CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP CONTRACTS – SELL PROTECTION |
$(76,655) | $218,511 | $141,856 | |||||
TOTAL SWAP CONTRACTS | $(76,655) | $218,511 | $141,856 |
EUR — Euro |
GBP — Great British Pound |
IDR — Indonesian Rupiah |
USD — United States Dollar |
Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there is an excess of value over tax cost | $11,519,904 |
Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which there is an excess of tax cost over value | (13,701,253) |
Net unrealized depreciation | $(2,181,349) |
Level 1 | – | unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. |
Level 2 | – | other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.). See Notes to Financial Statements — Note 1A. |
Level 3 | – | significant unobservable inputs (including the Adviser’s own assumptions in determining fair value of investments). See Notes to Financial Statements — Note 1A. |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |
Senior Secured Floating Rate Loan Interests | $— | $9,234,795 | $— | $9,234,795 |
Common Stocks | ||||
Chemicals | 1,549 | — | — | 1,549 |
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | 79 | 1,043 | — | 1,122 |
Professional Services | — | — | 0* | 0* |
All Other Common Stocks | — | 1,158,480 | — | 1,158,480 |
Asset Backed Securities | — | 1,180,861 | — | 1,180,861 |
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | — | 5,689,283 | — | 5,689,283 |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | — | 4,646,642 | — | 4,646,642 |
Convertible Corporate Bonds | — | 6,538,633 | — | 6,538,633 |
Corporate Bonds | — | 303,222,943 | 0* | 303,222,943 |
Convertible Preferred Stock | 903,002 | — | — | 903,002 |
Preferred Stock | — | 50,009 | — | 50,009 |
Right/Warrant | 7,008 | — | — | 7,008 |
Insurance-Linked Securities | ||||
Collateralized Reinsurance | ||||
Multiperil – Massachusetts | — | — | 320,922 | 320,922 |
Windstorm – North Carolina | — | — | 4,125 | 4,125 |
Windstorm – U.S. Regional | — | — | 6,415 | 6,415 |
Reinsurance Sidecars | ||||
Multiperil – U.S. | — | — | 450 | 450 |
Multiperil – Worldwide | — | — | 7,097,383 | 7,097,383 |
All Other Insurance-Linked Securities | — | 3,328,850 | — | 3,328,850 |
Foreign Government Bond | — | 254,903 | — | 254,903 |
Open-End Fund | 5,790,752 | — | — | 5,790,752 |
Total Investments in Securities | $6,702,390 | $335,306,442 | $7,429,295 | $349,438,127 |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |
Other Financial Instruments | ||||
Credit Agreement(a) | $— | $(108,500,000) | $— | $(108,500,000) |
Net unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts | — | (472,746) | — | (472,746) |
OTC swap contracts, at value | — | 141,856 | — | 141,856 |
Total Other Financial Instruments | $— | $(108,830,890) | $— | $(108,830,890) |
(a) | The Fund may hold liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. |
* | Securities valued at $0. |
Common Stocks |
Corporate Bonds |
Insurance- Linked Securities |
Total | |
Balance as of 3/31/24 | $9,205 | $— | $10,040,668 | $10,049,873 |
Realized gain (loss)(1) | — | — | (26,080) | (26,080) |
Changed in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(2) | 7,882 | 0** | (938,013) | (930,131) |
Accrued Premiums/Discounts | — | — | (5,249,197) | (5,249,197) |
Purchases | — | — | 6,953,605 | 6,953,605 |
Sales | — | — | (3,351,688) | (3,351,688) |
Transfers in to Level 3* | 8 | — | — | 8 |
Transfers out of Level 3* | (17,095) | — | — | (17,095) |
Balance as of 3/31/25 | $0** | $0** | $7,429,295 | $7,429,295 |
(1) | Realized gain (loss) on these securities is included in the realized gain (loss) from investments on the Statement of Operations. | ||
(2) | Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on these securities is included in the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments on the Statement of Operations. | ||
* | Transfers are calculated on the beginning of period values. During the year ended March 31, 2025, a security valued at $9,205 was transferred out of Level 3 to Level 2, as there were significant observable inputs available to determine the value. Security valued at $8 was transferred from Level 2 to Level 3, due to valuing the security using unobservable inputs. There were no other transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3. | ||
** | Securities valued at $0. | ||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of Level 3 investments still held and considered Level 3 at March 31, 2025: | $(443,453) |
ASSETS: | |
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $351,163,260) | $349,438,127 |
Cash | 7,384 |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $783,873) | 781,065 |
Swap contracts, at value (net premiums received $76,655) | 141,856 |
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts | 1,911 |
Receivables — | |
Dividends | 26,898 |
Interest | 6,346,462 |
Other assets | 112 |
Total assets | $356,743,815 |
LIABILITIES: | |
Payables — | |
Credit agreement | $108,500,000 |
Investment securities purchased | 6,814,566 |
Directors’ fees | 217 |
Interest expense | 514,400 |
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts | 474,657 |
Management fees | 69,062 |
Administrative expenses | 2,187 |
Accrued expenses | 151,512 |
Total liabilities | $116,526,601 |
NET ASSETS: | |
Paid-in capital | $372,917,739 |
Distributable earnings (loss) | (132,700,525) |
Net assets | $240,217,214 |
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE: | |
Based on $240,217,214/29,341,635 common shares | $8.19 |
INVESTMENT INCOME: | ||
Interest from unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld $7,264) | $27,341,737 | |
Dividends from unaffiliated issuers | 2,831,121 | |
Total Investment Income | $30,172,858 | |
EXPENSES: | ||
Management fees | $2,107,882 | |
Administrative expenses | 69,406 | |
Transfer agent fees | 16,804 | |
Stockholder communications expense | 41,400 | |
Custodian fees | 7,426 | |
Professional fees | 135,580 | |
Printing expense | 15,561 | |
Officers’ and Directors’ fees | 14,415 | |
Insurance expense | 6,816 | |
Interest expense | 6,500,127 | |
Miscellaneous | 83,873 | |
Total expenses | $8,999,290 | |
Net investment income | $21,173,568 | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS: | ||
Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||
Investments in unaffiliated issuers | $595,491 | |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts | 357,398 | |
Swap contracts | 123,172 | |
Other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | 90,657 | $1,166,718 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | ||
Investments in unaffiliated issuers | $(2,068,418) | |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts | (518,805) | |
Swap contracts | (26,423) | |
Other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | 5,882 | $(2,607,764) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | $(1,441,046) | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $19,732,522 |
Year Ended 3/31/25 |
Year Ended 3/31/24 | |
FROM OPERATIONS: | ||
Net investment income (loss) | $21,173,568 | $20,546,657 |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | 1,166,718 | (10,403,507) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | (2,607,764) | 26,244,564 |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $19,732,522 | $36,387,714 |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS: | ||
($0.66 and $0.66 per share, respectively) | $(19,365,479) | $(19,438,833) |
Total distributions to common stockholders | $(19,365,479) | $(19,438,833) |
Net increase in net assets | $367,043 | $16,948,881 |
NET ASSETS: | ||
Beginning of year | $239,850,171 | $222,901,290 |
End of year | $240,217,214 | $239,850,171 |
Year Ended 3/31/25 Shares |
Year Ended 3/31/25 Amount |
Year Ended 3/31/24 Shares |
Year Ended 3/31/24 Amount | |
Fund Share Transaction | ||||
Shares sold | — | $— | — | $— |
Reinvestment of distributions | — | — | — | — |
Net increase | — | $— | — | $— |
Cash Flows From Operating Activities | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $19,732,522 |
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash and foreign currencies from operating activities: | |
Purchases of investment securities | $(150,540,138) |
Proceeds from disposition and maturity of investment securities | 131,390,790 |
Net sales of short term investments | 17,596,180 |
Net accretion and amortization of discount/premium on investment securities | (1,586,838) |
Net realized loss on investments in unaffiliated issuers | (595,491) |
Change in unrealized depreciation on investments in unaffiliated issuers | 2,068,418 |
Change in unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts | 518,805 |
Change in unrealized appreciation on other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | (5,882) |
Changes in unrealized on swaps | 26,423 |
Increase in dividends receivable | (26,898) |
Increase in interest receivable | (157,390) |
Increase in management fees payable | 34,842 |
Decrease in directors’ fees payable | (366) |
Increase in administrative expenses payable | 989 |
Proceeds from swap contracts | (34,457) |
Decrease in accrued expenses payable | (39,586) |
Net cash and foreign currencies from operating activities | $18,381,923 |
Cash Flows Used In Financing Activities: | |
Decrease in interest expense payable | (75,816) |
Distributions to stockholders | (19,365,479) |
Net cash flows used in financing activities | $(19,441,295) |
Cash Impact From Foreign Exchange Fluctuations | |
Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations | $5,882 |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH | $(1,053,490) |
Cash, Restricted Cash and Foreign Currencies: | |
Beginning of year* | $1,841,939 |
End of year* | $788,449 |
Cash Flow Information: | |
Cash paid for interest | $6,575,943 |
* | The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, restricted cash and foreign currencies reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Statement of Cash Flows: |
Year Ended 3/31/25 |
Year Ended 3/31/24 | |
Cash | $7,384 | $1,249,842 |
Foreign currenices, at value | 781,065 | 592,097 |
Total cash and foreign currencies shown in the Statement of Cash Flows | $788,449 | $1,841,939 |
Year Ended 3/31/25 |
Year Ended 3/31/24 |
Year Ended 3/31/23 |
Year Ended 3/31/22 |
Year Ended 3/31/21 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $8.17 | $7.60 | $8.93 | $9.57 | $7.25 |
Increase (decrease) from investment operations: | |||||
Net investment income (loss)(a) | $0.72 | $0.70 | $0.69 | $0.80 | $0.80 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.04) | 0.53 | (1.29) | (0.61) | 2.36 |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | $0.68 | $1.23 | $(0.60) | $0.19 | $3.16 |
Distributions to stockholders: | |||||
Net investment income and previously undistributed net investment income | $(0.66) | $(0.66) | $(0.73)* | $(0.83)* | $(0.84)* |
Total distributions | $(0.66) | $(0.66) | $(0.73) | $(0.83) | $(0.84) |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value | $0.02 | $0.57 | $(1.33) | $(0.64) | $2.32 |
Net asset value, end of period | $8.19 | $8.17 | $7.60 | $8.93 | $9.57 |
Market value, end of period | $7.74 | $7.66 | $6.63 | $8.12 | $9.37 |
Total return at net asset value(b) | 9.11% | 18.07% | (5.65)% | 1.91% | 46.08% |
Total return at market value(b) | 9.98% | 26.90% | (9.49)% | (5.35)% | 61.52% |
Ratios to average net assets of stockholders: | |||||
Total expenses plus interest expense(c) | 3.71% | 4.14% | 2.88% | 1.61% | 1.60% |
Net investment income available to stockholders | 8.72% | 9.02% | 8.86% | 8.45% | 9.10% |
Portfolio turnover rate | 38% | 29% | 24% | 38% | 50% |
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $240,217 | $239,850 | $222,901 | $261,910 | $279,865 |
Total amount of debt outstanding (in thousands) | $108,500 | $108,500 | $106,500 | $116,500 | $123,000 |
Asset coverage per $1,000 of indebtedness | $3,214 | $3,211 | $3,093 | $3,248 | $3,275 |
* | The amount of distributions made to stockholders during the period was in excess of the net investment income earned by the Fund during the period. The Fund has accumulated undistributed net investment income which is part of the Fund’s NAV. A portion of this accumulated net investment income was distributed to stockholders during the period. A decrease in distributions may have a negative effect on the market value of the Fund’s shares. |
(a) | The per-share data presented above is based on the average shares outstanding for the period presented. |
(b) | Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common shares at the current net asset value or market value on the first day and a sale at the current net asset value or market value on the last day of the periods reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of this calculation to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. |
(c) | Includes interest expense of 2.68%, 3.03%, 1.75%, 0.45% and 0.53% respectively. |
A. | Security Valuation |
The net asset value of the Fund is computed once daily, on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE. | |
Fixed income securities are valued by using prices supplied by independent pricing services, which consider such factors as market prices, market events, quotations from one or more brokers, Treasury spreads, yields, maturities and ratings, or may use a pricing matrix or other fair value methods or techniques to provide an estimated value of the security or instrument. A pricing matrix is a means of valuing a debt security on the basis of current market prices for other debt securities, historical trading patterns in the market for fixed income securities and/or other factors. Non-U.S. debt securities that are listed on an exchange will be valued at the bid price obtained from an independent third party pricing service. When independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices, or when prices or market quotations are considered to be unreliable, the value of that security may be determined using quotations from one or more broker-dealers. | |
Loan interests are valued at the mean between the last available bid and asked prices from one or more brokers or dealers as obtained from Loan Pricing Corporation, an independent third party pricing service. If price information is not available from Loan Pricing Corporation, or if the price information is deemed to be unreliable, price information will be |
obtained from an alternative loan interest pricing service. If no reliable price quotes are available from either the primary or alternative pricing service, broker quotes will be solicited. | |
Event-linked bonds are valued at the bid price obtained from an independent third party pricing service. Other insurance-linked securities (including reinsurance sidecars, collateralized reinsurance and industry loss warranties) may be valued at the bid price obtained from an independent pricing service, or through a third party using a pricing matrix, insurance valuation models, or other fair value methods or techniques to provide an estimated value of the instrument. | |
Equity securities that have traded on an exchange are valued by using the last sale price on the principal exchange where they are traded. Equity securities that have not traded on the date of valuation, or securities for which sale prices are not available, generally are valued using the mean between the last bid and asked prices or, if both last bid and asked prices are not available, at the last quoted bid price. Last sale and bid and asked prices are provided by independent third party pricing services. In the case of equity securities not traded on an exchange, prices are typically determined by independent third party pricing services using a variety of techniques and methods. | |
The value of foreign securities is translated into U.S. dollars based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by a third party pricing source. Trading in non-U.S. equity securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund’s shares are determined as of such times. The Adviser may use a fair value model developed by an independent pricing service to value non-U.S. equity securities. | |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued daily using the foreign exchange rate or, for longer term forward contract positions, the spot currency rate and the forward points on a daily basis, in each case provided by a third party pricing service. Contracts whose forward settlement date falls between two quoted days are valued by interpolation. | |
Swap contracts, including interest rate swaps, caps and floors (other than centrally cleared swap contracts), are valued at the dealer quotations obtained from reputable International Swap Dealers Association members. Centrally cleared swaps are valued at the daily settlement price provided by the central clearing counterparty. |
Shares of open-end registered investment companies (including money market mutual funds) are valued at such funds’ net asset value. | |
Securities or loan interests for which independent pricing services or broker-dealers are unable to supply prices or for which market prices and/or quotations are not readily available or are considered to be unreliable are valued by a fair valuation team comprised of certain personnel of the Fund’s investment adviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is designated as the valuation designee for the Fund pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s investment adviser’s fair valuation team is responsible for monitoring developments that may impact fair valued securities. | |
Inputs used when applying fair value methods to value a security may include credit ratings, the financial condition of the company, current market conditions and comparable securities. The Fund's investment adviser may use fair value methods if it is determined that a significant event has occurred after the close of the exchange or market on which the security trades and prior to the determination of the Fund’s net asset value. Examples of a significant event might include political or economic news, corporate restructurings, natural disasters, terrorist activity or trading halts. Thus, the valuation of the Fund’s securities may differ significantly from exchange prices, and such differences could be material. | |
B. | Investment Income and Transactions |
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are recorded as soon as the Fund becomes aware of the ex-dividend data in the exercise of reasonable diligence. | |
Interest income, including interest on income-bearing cash accounts, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend and interest income are reported net of unrecoverable foreign taxes withheld at the applicable country rates and net of income accrued on defaulted securities. | |
Discounts and premiums on purchase prices of debt securities are accreted or amortized, respectively, daily, into interest income on an effective yield to maturity basis with a corresponding increase or decrease in the cost basis of the security. Premiums and discounts related to certain mortgage backed securities are amortized or accreted in proportion to the monthly paydowns. |
Interest and dividend income payable by delivery of additional shares is reclassified as PIK (payment-in-kind) income upon receipt and is included in interest and dividend income, respectively. | |
Principal amounts of mortgage-backed securities are adjusted for monthly paydowns. Premiums and discounts related to certain mortgage-backed securities are amortized or accreted in proportion to the monthly paydowns. All discounts/premiums on purchase prices of debt securities are accreted/amortized for financial reporting purposes over the life of the respective securities, and such accretion/amortization is included in interest income. | |
Security transactions are recorded as of trade date. Gains and losses on sales of investments are calculated on the identified cost method for both financial reporting and federal income tax purposes. | |
C. | Foreign Currency Translation |
The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Amounts denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. | |
Net realized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions, if any, represent, among other things, the net realized gains and losses on foreign currency exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies and the difference between the amount of income accrued and the U.S. dollars actually received. Further, the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investments are not segregated on the Statement of Operations from the effects of changes in the market prices of those securities, but are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments. | |
D. | Federal Income Taxes |
It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net taxable income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its stockholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required. As of March 31, 2025, the Fund did not accrue any interest or penalties with respect to uncertain tax positions, which, if applicable, would be recorded as an income tax expense on the Statement of Operations. Tax returns filed within the prior three years remain subject to examination by federal and state tax authorities. | |
The amount and character of income and capital gain distributions to stockholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax rules, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Distributions in excess of net |
investment income or net realized gains are temporary over distributions for financial statement purposes resulting from differences in the recognition or classification of income or distributions for financial statement and tax purposes. Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character, but are not adjusted for temporary differences. | |
At March 31, 2025, the Fund was permitted to carry forward indefinitely $13,950,721 of short-term losses and $118,955,421 of long-term losses. | |
During the year ended March 31, 2025, a capital loss carryforward of $885,934 was utilized to offset net realized gains by the Fund. | |
The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, was as follows: |
2025 | 2024 | |
Distributions paid from: | ||
Ordinary income | $19,365,479 | $19,438,833 |
Total | $19,365,479 | $19,438,833 |
2025 | |
Distributable earnings/(losses): | |
Undistributed ordinary income | $4,000,756 |
Capital loss carryforward | (132,906,142) |
Other book/tax temporary differences | (1,613,790) |
Net unrealized depreciation | (2,181,349) |
Total | $(132,700,525) |
E. | Risks |
The value of securities held by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, inflation, changes in interest rates, armed conflict such as between |
Russia and Ukraine or in the Middle East, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, lack of liquidity in the bond markets or adverse investor sentiment. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread. Inflation and interest rates may increase. These circumstances could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments and negatively impact the Fund’s performance. | |
Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced or may experience particularly large losses. Periods of extreme volatility in the financial markets, reduced liquidity of many instruments, increased government debt, inflation, and disruptions to supply chains, consumer demand and employee availability, may continue for some time. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future political, geopolitical or other events or conditions. | |
Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time. | |
The U.S. and other countries are periodically involved in disputes over trade and other matters, which may result in tariffs, investment restrictions and adverse impacts on affected companies and securities. For example, the U.S. has imposed tariffs and other trade barriers on Chinese exports, has restricted sales of certain categories of goods to China, and has established barriers to investments in China. Trade disputes may adversely affect the economies of the U.S. and its trading partners, as well as companies directly or indirectly affected and financial markets generally. If the political climate between the U.S. and China does not improve or continues to deteriorate, if China enters into military conflict with Taiwan, the Philippines or another neighbor, or if other geopolitical conflicts develop or get worse, economies, markets and individual securities may be severely affected both regionally and globally, and the value of the Fund’s assets may go down. |
At times, the Fund’s investments may represent industries or industry sectors that are interrelated or have common risks, making the Fund more susceptible to any economic, political, or regulatory developments or other risks affecting those industries and sectors. | |
The market prices of the Fund’s fixed income securities may fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, the value of a Fund’s portfolio with a portfolio duration of ten years would be expected to decrease by 10%, all other things being equal. A general rise in interest rates could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities. The maturity of a security may be significantly longer than its effective duration. A security’s maturity and other features may be more relevant than its effective duration in determining the security’s sensitivity to other factors affecting the issuer or markets generally, such as changes in credit quality or in the yield premium that the market may establish for certain types of securities (sometimes called “credit spread”). In general, the longer its maturity the more a security may be susceptible to these factors. When the credit spread for a fixed income security goes up, or “widens”, the value of the security will generally go down. | |
If an issuer or guarantor of a security held by the Fund or a counterparty to a financial contract with the Fund defaults on its obligation to pay principal and/or interest, has its credit rating downgraded or is perceived to be less creditworthy, or the credit quality or value of any underlying assets declines, the value of your investment will typically decline. Changes in actual or perceived creditworthiness may occur quickly. The Fund could be delayed or hindered in its enforcement of rights against an issuer, guarantor or counterparty. | |
The Fund’s investments in foreign markets and countries with limited developing markets may subject the Fund to a greater degree of risk than investments in a developed market. These risks include disruptive political or economic conditions, military conflicts and sanctions, terrorism, sustained economic downturns, financial instability, less liquid trading markets, extreme price volatility, currency risks, reduction of government or central bank support, inadequate accounting standards, tariffs, tax disputes or other tax burdens, nationalization or expropriation of assets and the imposition of adverse governmental laws, arbitrary application of laws and regulations or lack of rule of law and investment and repatriation restrictions. Lack of information and less market regulation also may affect the value of these securities. |
Withholding and other non-U.S. taxes may decrease the Fund’s return. Non-U.S. issuers may be located in parts of the world that have historically been prone to natural disasters. Investing in depositary receipts is subject to many of the same risks as investing directly in non-U.S. issuers. Depositary receipts may involve higher expenses and may trade at a discount (or premium) to the underlying security. | |
Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. In response to the military action by Russia, various countries, including the U.S., the United Kingdom, and European Union issued broad-ranging economic sanctions against Russia and Belarus and certain companies and individuals. Since then, Russian securities lost all, or nearly all, their market value, and many other issuers, securities and markets have been adversely affected. The United States and other countries may impose sanctions on other countries, companies and individuals in light of Russia’s military invasion. The extent and duration of the military action or future escalation of such hostilities, the extent and impact of existing and future sanctions, market disruptions and volatility, and the result of any diplomatic negotiations cannot be predicted. These and any related events could have a significant impact on the value and liquidity of certain Fund investments, on Fund performance and the value of an investment in the Fund, particularly with respect to securities and commodities, such as oil, natural gas and food commodities, as well as other sectors with exposure to Russian issuers or issuers in other countries affected by the invasion, and are likely to have collateral impacts on market sectors globally. | |
The Fund invests in below-investment-grade (high-yield) debt securities and preferred stocks. Some of these high-yield securities may be convertible into equity securities of the issuer. Debt securities rated below-investment-grade are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These securities involve greater risk of loss, are subject to greater price volatility, and may be less liquid and more difficult to value, especially during periods of economic uncertainty or change, than higher rated debt securities. | |
Certain securities in which the Fund invests, including floating rate loans, once sold, may not settle for an extended period (for example, several weeks or even longer). The Fund will not receive its sale proceeds until that time, which may constrain the Fund’s ability to meet its obligations. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers that are in default or that are in bankruptcy. The value of collateral, if any, securing a floating rate loan can decline or may be insufficient to meet the issuer’s obligations or may be difficult to liquidate. No active trading |
market may exist for many floating rate loans, and many loans are subject to restrictions on resale. Any secondary market may be subject to irregular trading activity and extended settlement periods. There is less readily available, reliable information about most floating rate loans than is the case for many other types of securities. Normally, the Adviser will seek to avoid receiving material, nonpublic information about the issuer of a loan either held by, or considered for investment by, the Fund, and this decision could adversely affect the Fund’s investment performance. Loans may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections afforded by federal securities laws. | |
The Fund may invest up to 50% of its total assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are securities that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the securities. | |
The Fund may invest in REIT securities, the value of which can fall for a variety of reasons, such as declines in rental income, fluctuating interest rates, poor property management, environmental liabilities, uninsured damage, increased competition, or changes in real estate tax laws. | |
With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. While the Fund’s investment adviser has established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, limit or mitigate, such cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Fund such as the Fund’s custodian and accounting agent, and the Fund’s transfer agent. In addition, many beneficial owners of Fund shares hold them through accounts at broker-dealers, retirement platforms and other financial market participants over which neither the Fund nor the Fund’s investment adviser exercises control. Each of these may in turn rely on service providers to them, which are also subject to the risk of cyber-attacks. Cybersecurity failures or breaches at the Fund’s investment adviser or the Fund’s service providers or intermediaries have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value, impediments to trading, the inability of Fund stockholders to effect share purchases or sales or receive distributions, loss of or unauthorized access to private stockholder information and violations of applicable |
privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, or additional compliance costs. Such costs and losses may not be covered under any insurance. In addition, maintaining vigilance against cyber-attacks may involve substantial costs over time, and system enhancements may themselves be subject to cyber-attacks. | |
F. | Restricted Securities |
Restricted Securities are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Restricted securities generally are resold in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. Private placement securities are generally considered to be restricted except for those securities traded between qualified institutional investors under the provisions of Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. | |
Disposal of restricted investments may involve negotiations and expenses, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult to achieve. Restricted investments held by the Fund at March 31, 2025 are listed in the Schedule of Investments. | |
G. | Insurance-Linked Securities (“ILS”) |
The Fund invests in ILS. The Fund could lose a portion or all of the principal it has invested in an ILS, and the right to additional interest or dividend payments with respect to the security, upon the occurrence of one or more trigger events, as defined within the terms of an insurance-linked security. Trigger events, generally, are hurricanes, earthquakes, or other natural events of a specific size or magnitude that occur in a designated geographic region during a specified time period, and/or that involve losses or other metrics that exceed a specific amount. There is no way to accurately predict whether a trigger event will occur, and accordingly, ILS carry significant risk. The Fund is entitled to receive principal, and interest and/or dividend payments so long as no trigger event occurs of the description and magnitude specified by the instrument. In addition to the specified trigger events, ILS may expose the Fund to other risks, including but not limited to issuer (credit) default, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations and adverse tax consequences. | |
The Fund’s investments in ILS may include event-linked bonds. ILS also may include special purpose vehicles (“SPVs”) or similar instruments structured to comprise a portion of a reinsurer’s catastrophe-oriented business, known as quota share instruments (sometimes referred to as reinsurance sidecars), or to provide reinsurance relating to specific risks to insurance or reinsurance companies through a collateralized instrument, known as collateralized reinsurance. Structured reinsurance |
investments also may include industry loss warranties (“ILWs”). A traditional ILW takes the form of a bilateral reinsurance contract, but there are also products that take the form of derivatives, collateralized structures, or exchange-traded instruments. | |
Where the ILS are based on the performance of underlying reinsurance contracts, the Fund has limited transparency into the individual underlying contracts, and therefore must rely upon the risk assessment and sound underwriting practices of the issuer. Accordingly, it may be more difficult for the Adviser to fully evaluate the underlying risk profile of the Fund’s structured reinsurance investments, and therefore the Fund’s assets are placed at greater risk of loss than if the Adviser had more complete information. Structured reinsurance instruments generally will be considered illiquid securities by the Fund. These securities may be difficult to purchase, sell or unwind. Illiquid securities also may be difficult to value. If the Fund is forced to sell an illiquid asset, the Fund may be forced to sell at a loss. | |
H. | Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“contracts”) for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a fixed price on a future date. All contracts are marked-to-market daily at the applicable exchange rates, and any resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation is recorded in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund records realized gains and losses at the time a contract is offset by entry into a closing transaction or extinguished by delivery of the currency. Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of the contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar (see Note 6). | |
During the year ended March 31, 2025, the Fund had entered into various forward foreign currency exchange contracts that obligated the Fund to deliver or take delivery of currencies at specified future maturity dates. Alternatively, prior to the settlement date of a forward foreign currency exchange contract, the Fund may close out such contract by entering into an offsetting contract. | |
The average market value of forward foreign currency exchange contracts open during the year ended March 31, 2025 was $5,693,001 and $10,831,039 for buys and sells, respectively. Open forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at March 31, 2025 are listed in the Schedule of Investments. |
I. | Credit Default Swap Contracts |
A credit default swap is a contract between a buyer of protection and a seller of protection against a pre-defined credit event or an underlying reference obligation, which may be a single security or a basket or index of securities. The Fund may buy or sell credit default swap contracts to seek to increase the Fund’s income, or to attempt to hedge the risk of default on portfolio securities. A credit default swap index is used to hedge risk or take a position on a basket of credit entities or indices. | |
As a seller of protection, the Fund would be required to pay the notional (or other agreed-upon) value of the referenced debt obligation to the counterparty in the event of a default by a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer of a debt obligation, which would likely result in a loss to the Fund. In return, the Fund would receive from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments during the term of the contract, provided that no event of default occurred. The maximum exposure of loss to the seller would be the notional value of the credit default swaps outstanding. If no default occurs, the Fund would keep the stream of payments and would have no payment obligation. The Fund may also buy credit default swap contracts in order to hedge against the risk of default of debt securities, in which case the Fund would function as the counterparty referenced above. | |
As a buyer of protection, the Fund makes an upfront or periodic payment to the protection seller in exchange for the right to receive a contingent payment. An upfront payment made by the Fund, as the protection buyer, is recorded within the “Swap contracts, at value” line item on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are recorded as realized gains or losses on the Statement of Operations. | |
Credit default swap contracts are marked-to-market daily using valuations supplied by independent sources, and the change in value, if any, is recorded within the “Swap contracts, at value” line item on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or made as a result of a credit event or upon termination of the contract are recognized, net of the appropriate amount of the upfront payment, as realized gains or losses on the Statement of Operations. | |
Credit default swap contracts involving the sale of protection may involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the referenced debt instrument directly. Credit default swap contracts are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. If the Fund is a protection buyer and no credit event occurs, it will lose its investment. If the Fund is a protection seller and a credit event occurs, |
the value of the referenced debt instrument received by the Fund, together with the periodic payments received, may be less than the amount the Fund pays to the protection buyer, resulting in a loss to the Fund. In addition, obligations under sell protection credit default swaps may be partially offset by net amounts received from settlement of buy protection credit default swaps entered into by the Fund for the same reference obligation with the same counterparty. | |
Certain swap contracts that are cleared through a central clearinghouse are referred to as centrally cleared swaps. All payments made or received by the Fund are pursuant to a centrally cleared swap contract with the central clearing party rather than the original counterparty. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap contract, the Fund is required to make an initial margin deposit, either in cash or in securities. The daily change in value on open centrally cleared contracts is recorded as “Variation margin for centrally cleared swap contracts” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Cash received from or paid to the broker related to previous margin movement is held in a segregated account at the broker and is recorded as either “Due from broker for swaps” or “Due to broker for swaps” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The amount of cash deposited with a broker as collateral is recorded as “Swaps collateral” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. | |
The average notional values of credit default swap contracts buy protection and credit default swap contracts sell protection open during the year ended March 31, 2025 were $0 and $1,750,000, respectively. Open credit default swap contracts at March 31, 2025 are listed in the Schedule of Investments. | |
J. | Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan |
All stockholders whose shares are registered in their own names automatically participate in the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), under which participants receive all dividends and capital gain distributions (collectively, dividends) in full and fractional shares of the Fund in lieu of cash. Stockholders may elect not to participate in the Plan. Stockholders not participating in the Plan receive all dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notifying Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, formerly known as American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the agent for stockholders in administering the Plan (the “Plan Agent”), in writing prior to any |
dividend record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. | |
If a stockholder’s shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, the stockholder can ask the firm or nominee to participate in the Plan on the stockholder’s behalf. If the firm or nominee does not offer the Plan, dividends will be paid in cash to the stockholder of record. A firm or nominee may reinvest a stockholder’s cash dividends in shares of the Fund on terms that differ from the terms of the Plan. | |
Whenever the Fund declares a dividend on shares payable in cash, participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in shares acquired by the Plan Agent either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized shares from the Fund or (ii) by purchase of outstanding shares on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any dividend, the net asset value per share is equal to or less than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage trading fees (market premium), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in newly issued shares. The number of newly issued shares to be credited to each account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the net asset value per share on the date the shares are issued, provided that the maximum discount from the then current market price per share on the date of issuance does not exceed 5%. If, on the payment date for any dividend, the net asset value per share is greater than the market value (market discount), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired in open-market purchases. There are no brokerage charges with respect to newly issued shares. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage trading fees incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open-market purchases. Participating in the Plan does not relieve stockholders from any federal, state or local taxes which may be due on dividends paid in any taxable year. Stockholders holding Plan shares in a brokerage account may be able to transfer the shares to another broker and continue to participate in the Plan. | |
K. | Statement of Cash Flows |
Information on financial transactions which have been settled through the receipt or disbursement of cash or restricted cash is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows. Cash as presented in the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities includes cash on hand at the Fund’s custodian bank and does not include any short-term investments. As of and for |
the year ended March 31, 2025, the Fund had no restricted cash presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
Counterparty | Derivative Assets Subject to Master Netting Agreement |
Derivatives Available for Offset |
Non-Cash Collateral Received(a) |
Cash Collateral Received(a) |
Net Amount of Derivative Assets(b) |
Bank of America NA | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— |
Citibank NA | — | — | — | — | — |
HSBC Bank USA NA | 1,911 | (1,911) | — | — | — |
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | 141,856 | — | — | — | 141,856 |
Total | $143,767 | $(1,911) | $— | $— | $141,856 |
Counterparty | Derivative Liabilities Subject to Master Netting Agreement |
Derivatives Available for Offset |
Non-Cash Collateral Pledged(a) |
Cash Collateral Pledged(a) |
Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities(c) |
Bank of America NA | $136,837 | $— | $— | $— | $136,837 |
Citibank NA | 39,080 | — | — | — | 39,080 |
HSBC Bank USA NA | 298,740 | (1,911) | — | — | 296,829 |
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | — | — | — | — | — |
Total | $474,657 | $(1,911) | $— | $— | $472,746 |
(a) | The amount presented here may be less than the total amount of collateral received/pledged, as the net amount of derivative assets and liabilities cannot be less than $0. |
(b) | Represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default. |
(c) | Represents the net amount payable to the counterparty in the event of default. |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
Interest Rate Risk |
Credit Risk |
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk |
Equity Risk |
Commodity Risk |
Assets | |||||
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts | $— | $— | $1,911 | $— | $— |
OTC swap contracts, at value | — | 141,856 | — | — | — |
Total Value | $— | $141,856 | $1,911 | $— | $— |
Liabilities | |||||
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts | $— | $— | $474,657 | $— | $— |
Total Value | $— | $— | $474,657 | $— | $— |
Statement of Operations | Interest Rate Risk |
Credit Risk |
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk |
Equity Risk |
Commodity Risk |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) on | |||||
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts | $— | $— | $357,398 | $— | $— |
Swap contracts | — | 123,172 | — | — | — |
Total Value | $— | $123,172 | $357,398 | $— | $— |
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | |||||
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts | $— | $— | $(518,805) | $— | $— |
Swap contracts | — | (26,423) | — | — | — |
Total Value | $— | $(26,423) | $(518,805) | $— | $— |
3/31/25 | 3/31/24 | |
Shares outstanding at beginning of year | 29,341,635 | 29,341,635 |
Shares outstanding at end of year |
Boston, Massachusetts
May 30, 2025
• | In an attempt to hedge against adverse changes in the market prices of securities, interest rates or currency exchange rates |
• | As a substitute for purchasing or selling securities |
• | To attempt to increase the Fund’s return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered speculative |
• | To manage portfolio characteristics (for example, the duration or credit quality of the Fund’s portfolio) |
• | As a cash flow management technique |
Borrowings under credit agreement as a percentage of total managed assets (including assets attributable to borrowings) | 31.11% |
Annual effective interest rate payable by Fund on borrowings | |
Annual return Fund portfolio must experience (net of expenses) to cover interest rate on borrowings | |
Common share total return for (10.00)% assumed portfolio total return | ( |
Common share total return for (5.00)% assumed portfolio total return | ( |
Common share total return for 0.00% assumed portfolio total return | ( |
Common share total return for 5.00% assumed portfolio total return | |
Common share total return for 10.00% assumed portfolio total return |
Victory Capital Management Inc.
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Equiniti Trust Company, LLC
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Director During At Least The Past Five Years |
Thomas J. Perna (74) Chairman of the Board and Director |
Class I Director since 2006. Term expires in 2027. |
Private investor (2004 – 2008 and 2013 – present); Chairman (2008 – 2013) and Chief Executive Officer (2008 – 2012), Quadriserv, Inc. (technology products for securities lending industry); and Senior Executive Vice President, The Bank of New York (financial and securities services) (1986 – 2004) | 43 | Director, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (investor communications and securities processing provider for financial services industry) (2009 – 2023); Director, Quadriserv, Inc. (2005 – 2013); and Commissioner, New Jersey State Civil Service Commission (2011 – 2015) |
John E. Baumgardner, Jr. (74)* Director |
Class II Director since 2019. Term expires in 2025. |
Of Counsel (2019 – present), Partner (1983-2018), Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (law firm). | 43 | Chairman, The Lakeville Journal Company, LLC, (privately-held community newspaper group) (2015-2021) |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Director During At Least The Past Five Years |
Diane Durnin (68) Director |
Class III Director since 2020. Term expires in 2026. |
Managing Director - Head of Product Strategy and Development, BNY Mellon Investment Management (investment management firm) (2012-2018); Vice Chairman – The Dreyfus Corporation (2005 – 2018): Executive Vice President Head of Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management (2007-2012); Executive Director- Product Strategy, Mellon Asset Management (2005-2007); Executive Vice President Head of Products, Marketing and Client Service, Dreyfus Corporation (investment management firm) (2000-2005); Senior Vice President Strategic Product and Business Development, Dreyfus Corporation (1994-2000) | 43 | None |
Benjamin M. Friedman (80) Director |
Class III Director since 2008. Term expires in 2026. |
William Joseph Maier Professor of Political Economy, Harvard University (1972 – present) | 43 | Trustee, Mellon Institutional Funds Investment Trust and Mellon Institutional Funds Master Portfolio (oversaw 17 portfolios in fund complex) (1989 - 2008) |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Director During At Least The Past Five Years |
Craig C. MacKay (62) Director |
Class I Director since 2021. Term expires in 2027 |
Senior Advisor, England & Company, LLC (advisory firm) (2022 – present); Partner, England & Company, LLC (advisory firm) (2012 – 2022); Group Head – Leveraged Finance Distribution, Oppenheimer & Company (investment bank) (2006 – 2012); Group Head – Private Finance & High Yield Capital Markets Origination, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey (investment bank) (2003 – 2006); and Founder and Chief Executive Officer, HNY Associates, LLC (investment bank) (1996 – 2003) | 43 | Director, Equitable Holdings, Inc. (financial services holding company) (2022 – present); Board Member of Carver Bancorp, Inc. (holding company) and Carver Federal Savings Bank, NA (2017 – present); Advisory Council Member, MasterShares ETF (2016 – 2017); Advisory Council Member, The Deal (financial market information publisher) (2015 – 2016); Board Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Danis Transportation Company (privately-owned commercial carrier) (2000 – 2003); Board Member and Chief Financial Officer, Customer Access Resources (privately-owned teleservices company) (1998 – 2000); Board Member, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (human services agency) (1993 – 2022); and Board Treasurer, Harlem Dowling Westside Center (foster care agency) (1999 – 2018) |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Director During At Least The Past Five Years |
Lorraine H. Monchak (68) Director |
Class II Director since 2015. Term expires in 2025. |
Chief Investment Officer, 1199 SEIU Funds (healthcare workers union pension funds) (2001 – present); Vice President – International Investments Group, American International Group, Inc. (insurance company) (1993 – 2001); Vice President – Corporate Finance and Treasury Group, Citibank, N.A. (1980 – 1986 and 1990 – 1993); Vice President – Asset/Liability Management Group, Federal Farm Funding Corporation (government-sponsored issuer of debt securities) (1988 – 1990); Mortgage Strategies Group, Shearson Lehman Hutton, Inc. (investment bank) (1987 – 1988); Mortgage Strategies Group, Drexel Burnham Lambert, Ltd. (investment bank) (1986 – 1987) | 43 | None |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Director During At Least The Past Five Years |
Fred J. Ricciardi (78) Director |
Class I Director since 2014. Term expires in 2027. |
Private investor (2020 – present); Consultant (investment company services) (2012 – 2020); Executive Vice President, BNY Mellon (financial and investment company services) (1969 – 2012); Director, BNY International Financing Corp. (financial services) (2002 – 2012); Director, Mellon Overseas Investment Corp. (financial services) (2009 – 2012); Director, Financial Models (technology) (2005-2007); Director, BNY Hamilton Funds, Ireland (offshore investment companies) (2004-2007); Chairman/Director, AIB/BNY Securities Services, Ltd., Ireland (financial services) (1999-2006); Chairman, BNY Alternative Investment Services, Inc. (financial services) (2005-2007) | 43 | None |
* Mr. Baumgardner is Of Counsel to Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, which acts as counsel to the Independent Directors of the Fund. |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Director During At Least The Past Five Years |
David C. Brown (52)** Director |
Class III Director since 2025. Term expires in 2026. |
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman (2013-present), Victory Capital Management Inc.; Chief Executive Officer and Chairman (2013-present), Victory Capital Holdings, Inc.; Director, Victory Capital Services, Inc. (2013-present); Director, Victory Capital Transfer Agency, Inc. (2019- present) | 159 | None |
** Mr. Brown is an “Interested Person” by reason of his relationship with the Adviser. |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Officer During At Least The Past Five Years |
Thomas Dusenberry (47) President |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board |
Director, Fund Administration, Victory Capital; Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer (May 2023-present); Manager, Fund Administration, Victory Capital; Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer (2020-2022), Assistant Treasurer (2019), Salient MF Trust, Salient Midstream, MLP Fund and Forward Funds; Principal Financial Officer (2018-2021)and Treasurer (2020-2021), Salient Private Access Funds and Endowment PMF Funds; Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting and Operations, Salient Partners (2020-2022); Director of Fund Operations, Salient Partners (2016-2019). Mr. Dusenberry also serves as President of Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds | 159 | None |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Officer During At Least The Past Five Years |
Scott A. Stahorsky (55) Vice President |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board |
Director, Third-Party Dealer Services & Reg Administration, Fund Administration, Victory Capital (2023-present); Vice President, Victory Capital Transfer Agency, Inc. (2023- present); Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser 2015- 2023). Mr. Stahorsky also serves as Vice President of Victory Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds , Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds |
159 | None |
Patricia McClain (62) Secretary |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board |
Director, Regulatory Administration, Fund Administration, Victory Capital (2019-present). Ms. McClain also serves as Secretary of Victory Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds | 159 | None |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Officer During At Least The Past Five Years |
Carol D. Trevino (59) Treasurer |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board |
Director, Financial Reporting, Fund Administration (2023- present); Director, Accounting and Finance, Victory Capital (2019-2023); Accounting/ Financial Director, USAA (2013-2019). Ms. Trevino also serves as Treasurer of Victory Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds | 159 | None |
Christopher Ponte (40) Assistant Treasurer |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board |
Director, Fund and Broker Dealer Finance, Fund Administration, (2023- present); Victory Capital Transfer Agency, Inc. (2023- present); Manager, Fund Administration, Victory Capital (2017-2023); Chief Financial Officer, Victory Capital Services, Inc. (since 2018). Mr. Ponte also serves as Assistant Treasurer of Victory Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds | 159 | None |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Officer During At Least The Past Five Years |
Sean Fox (48) Chief Compliance Officer |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board |
Sr. Compliance Officer, Victory Capital (2019-Present); Compliance Officer, Victory Capital (2015-2019). Mr. Fox also serves as Chief Compliance Officer for Victory Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds | 159 | None |
D. Brent Rowse (43) Anti-Money Laundering Officers and Identity Theft Officer |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board |
Sr. Compliance Officer, Victory Capital (2023-present); Compliance Officer, Victory Capital (2019-2023). Mr. Rowse also serves as the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Identity Theft Officer for Victory Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds and the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Victory Capital Services, Inc. | 159 | None |
change of address, lost stock certificates,Company, LLC
stock transferOperations Center
6201 15th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Company, LLC
Wall Street Station
P.O. Box 922
New York, NY 10269-0560
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
(a) Disclose whether, as of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party. If the registrant has not adopted such a code of ethics, explain why it has not done so.
The registrant has adopted, as of the end of the period covered by this report, a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller.
(b) For purposes of this Item, the term “code of ethics” means written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
(1) Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
(2) Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Commission and in other public communications made by the registrant;
(3) Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations;
(4) The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and
(5) Accountability for adherence to the code.
(c) The registrant must briefly describe the nature of any amendment, during the period covered by the report, to a provision of its code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of this Item. The registrant must file a copy of any such amendment as an exhibit pursuant to Item 19(a), unless the registrant has elected to satisfy paragraph (f) of this Item by posting its code of ethics on its website pursuant to paragraph (f)(2) of this Item, or by undertaking to provide its code of ethics to any person without charge, upon request, pursuant to paragraph (f)(3) of this Item.
The registrant has made no amendments to the code of ethics during the period covered by this report.
(d) If the registrant has, during the period covered by the report, granted a waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this Item, the registrant must briefly describe the nature of the waiver, the name of the person to whom the waiver was granted, and the date of the waiver.
Not applicable.
(e) If the registrant intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under paragraph (c) or (d) of this Item regarding an amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of its code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of this Item by posting such information on its Internet website, disclose the registrant’s Internet address and such intention.
Not applicable.
(f) The registrant must:
(1) File with the Commission, pursuant to Item 19(a)(1), a copy of its code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, as an exhibit to its annual report on this Form N-CSR (see attachment);
(2) Post the text of such code of ethics on its Internet website and disclose, in its most recent report on this Form N-CSR, its Internet address and the fact that it has posted such code of ethics on its Internet website; or
(3) Undertake in its most recent report on this Form N-CSR to provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of such code of ethics and explain the manner in which such request may be made. See Item 19(2)
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
(a) (1) Disclose that the registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that the registrant either:
(i) Has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee; or
(ii) Does not have an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.
The registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert.
(2) If the registrant provides the disclosure required by paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this Item, it must disclose the name of the audit committee financial expert and whether that person is “independent.” In order to be considered “independent” for purposes of this Item, a member of an audit committee may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the Board of Directors, or any other board committee:
(i) Accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the issuer; or
(ii) Be an “interested person” of the investment company as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(19)).
Mr. Fred J. Ricciardi, an independent Director, is such an audit committee financial expert.
(3) If the registrant provides the disclosure required by paragraph (a)(1) (ii) of this Item, it must explain why it does not have an audit committee financial expert.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
(a) Disclose, under the caption AUDIT FEES, the aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.
The audit fees for the Fund were $44,900 payable to Deloitte & Touche LLP for the year ended March 31, 2025 and $43,900 for the year ended March 31, 2024.
(b) Disclose, under the caption AUDIT-RELATED FEES, the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item. Registrants shall describe the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category.
N/A
(c) Disclose, under the caption TAX FEES, the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. Registrants shall describe the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category.
The Fund paid aggregate non-audit fees to Deloitte & Touche LLP for tax services of $9,000 and $10,500 to Ernst & Young LLP for during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
(d) Disclose, under the caption ALL OTHER FEES, the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item. Registrants shall describe the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category.
There were no other fees in 2025 or 2024.
(e) (1) Disclose the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
PIONEER FUNDS
APPROVAL OF AUDIT, AUDIT-RELATED, TAX AND OTHER SERVICES
PROVIDED BY THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
SECTION I - POLICY PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY
The Pioneer Funds recognize the importance of maintaining the independence of their outside auditors. Maintaining independence is a shared responsibility involving Amundi Asset Management US, Inc., the audit committee and the independent auditors.
The Funds recognize that a Fund’s independent auditors: 1) possess knowledge of the Funds, 2) are able to incorporate certain services into the scope of the audit, thereby avoiding redundant work, cost and disruption of Fund personnel and processes, and 3) have expertise that has value to the Funds. As a result, there are situations where it is desirable to use the Fund’s independent auditors for services in addition to the annual audit and where the potential for conflicts of interests are minimal. Consequently, this policy, which is intended to comply with Rule 210.2-01(C)(7), sets forth guidelines and procedures to be followed by the Funds when retaining the independent audit firm to perform audit, audit-related tax and other services under those circumstances, while also maintaining independence.
Approval of a service in accordance with this policy for a Fund shall also constitute approval for any other Fund whose pre-approval is required pursuant to Rule 210.2-01(c)(7)(ii).
In addition to the procedures set forth in this policy, any non-audit services that may be provided consistently with Rule 210.2-01 may be approved by the Audit Committee itself and any pre-approval that may be waived in accordance with Rule 210.2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) is hereby waived.
Selection of a Fund’s independent auditors and their compensation shall be determined by the Audit Committee and shall not be subject to this policy.
SECTION II - POLICY
| ||||
SERVICE CATEGORY |
SERVICE CATEGORY DESCRIPTION |
SPECIFIC PRE-APPROVED SERVICE SUBCATEGORIES | ||
I. AUDIT SERVICES | Services that are directly related to performing the independent audit of the Funds | • Accounting research assistance
• SEC consultation, registration statements, and reporting
• Tax accrual related matters | ||
• Implementation of new accounting standards | ||||
• Compliance letters (e.g. rating agency letters) | ||||
• Regulatory reviews and assistance regarding financial matters | ||||
• Semi-annual reviews (if requested) | ||||
• Comfort letters for closed end offerings | ||||
II. AUDIT-RELATED SERVICES | Services which are not prohibited under Rule 210.2-01(C)(4) (the “Rule”) and are related extensions of the audit services support the audit, or use the knowledge/expertise gained from the audit procedures as a foundation to complete the project. In most cases, if the Audit-Related Services are not performed by the Audit firm, the scope of the Audit Services would likely increase. The Services are typically well-defined and governed by accounting professional standards (AICPA, SEC, etc.) | • AICPA attest and agreed-upon procedures
• Technology control assessments
• Financial reporting control assessments
• Enterprise security architecture assessment |
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTING POLICY | |
• “One-time” pre-approval for the audit period for all pre-approved specific service subcategories. Approval of the independent auditors as auditors for a Fund shall constitute pre approval for these services. |
• A summary of all such services and related fees reported at each regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting. | |
• “One-time” pre-approval for the fund fiscal year within a specified dollar limit for all pre-approved specific service subcategories |
• A summary of all such services and related fees (including comparison to specified dollar limits) reported quarterly. | |
• Specific approval is needed to exceed the pre-approved dollar limit for these services (see general Audit Committee approval policy below for details on obtaining specific approvals)
• Specific approval is needed to use the Fund’s auditors for Audit-Related Services not denoted as “pre-approved”, or to add a specific service subcategory as “pre-approved” |
SECTION III - POLICY DETAIL, CONTINUED
SERVICE CATEGORY |
SERVICE CATEGORY DESCRIPTION |
SPECIFIC PRE-APPROVED SERVICE SUBCATEGORIES | ||
III. TAX SERVICES | Services which are not prohibited by the Rule, if an officer of the Fund determines that using the Fund’s auditor to provide these services creates significant synergy in the form of efficiency, minimized disruption, or the ability to maintain a desired level of confidentiality. | • Tax planning and support
• Tax controversy assistance
• Tax compliance, tax returns, excise tax returns and support
• Tax opinions |
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTING POLICY | |
• “One-time” pre-approval for the fund fiscal year within a specified dollar limit |
• A summary of all such services and related fees (including comparison to specified dollar limits) reported quarterly. | |
• Specific approval is needed to exceed the pre-approved dollar limits for these services (see general Audit Committee approval policy below for details on obtaining specific approvals) |
||
• Specific approval is needed to use the Fund’s auditors for tax services not denoted as pre-approved, or to add a specific service subcategory as “pre-approved” |
SECTION III - POLICY DETAIL, CONTINUED
SERVICE CATEGORY |
SERVICE CATEGORY DESCRIPTION |
SPECIFIC PRE-APPROVED SERVICE SUBCATEGORIES | ||
IV. OTHER SERVICES
A. SYNERGISTIC, UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS |
Services which are not prohibited by the Rule, if an officer of the Fund determines that using the Fund’s auditor to provide these services creates significant synergy in the form of efficiency, minimized disruption, the ability to maintain a desired level of confidentiality, or where the Fund’s auditors posses unique or superior qualifications to provide these services, resulting in superior value and results for the Fund. | • Business Risk Management support
• Other control and regulatory compliance projects |
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTING POLICY | |
• “One-time” pre-approval for the fund fiscal year within a specified dollar limit |
• A summary of all such services and related fees (including comparison to specified dollar limits) reported quarterly. | |
• Specific approval is needed to exceed the pre-approved dollar limits for these services (see general Audit Committee approval policy below for details on obtaining specific approvals) |
||
• Specific approval is needed to use the Fund’s auditors for “Synergistic” or “Unique Qualifications” Other Services not denoted as pre-approved to the left, or to add a specific service subcategory as “pre-approved” |
SECTION III - POLICY DETAIL, CONTINUED
SERVICE CATEGORY |
SERVICE CATEGORY DESCRIPTION |
SPECIFIC PROHIBITED SERVICE SUBCATEGORIES | ||
PROHIBITED SERVICES | Services which result in the auditors losing independence status under the Rule. | 1. Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the audit client* | ||
2. Financial information systems design and implementation* | ||||
3. Appraisal or valuation services, fairness* opinions, or contribution-in-kind reports | ||||
4. Actuarial services (i.e., setting actuarial reserves versus actuarial audit work)* | ||||
5. Internal audit outsourcing services* | ||||
6. Management functions or human resources | ||||
7. Broker or dealer, investment advisor, or investment banking services | ||||
8. Legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit | ||||
9. Any other service that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible |
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTING POLICY | |
• These services are not to be performed with the exception of the(*) services that may be permitted if they would not be subject to audit procedures at the audit client (as defined in rule 2-01(f)(4)) level the firm providing the service. |
• A summary of all services and related fees reported at each regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting will serve as continual confirmation that has not provided any restricted services. |
GENERAL AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY:
• | For all projects, the officers of the Funds and the Fund’s auditors will each make an assessment to determine that any proposed projects will not impair independence. |
• | Potential services will be classified into the four non-restricted service categories and the “Approval of Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and Other Services” Policy above will be applied. Any services outside the specific pre-approved service subcategories set forth above must be specifically approved by the Audit Committee. |
• | At least quarterly, the Audit Committee shall review a report summarizing the services by service category, including fees, provided by the Audit firm as set forth in the above policy. |
(2) Disclose the percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
Non-Audit Services
Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the effective date of the new SEC pre-approval rules, the Fund’s audit committee is required to pre-approve services to affiliates defined by SEC rules to the extent that the services are determined to have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the Fund. For the years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, there were no services provided to an affiliate that required the Fund’s audit committee pre-approval.
(f) If greater than 50 percent, disclose the percentage of hours expended on the principal accountants engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees.
N/A
(g) Disclose the aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrants accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrants investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant.
The Fund paid aggregate non-audit fees to Deloitte & Touche LLP for tax services of $9,000 and $10,500 to during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
(h) Disclose whether the registrants audit committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrants investment adviser (not including any subadviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
The Fund’s audit committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Affiliates (as defined) that were not pre- approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
(i) A registrant identified by the Commission pursuant to Section 104(i)(2)(A) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 7214(i)(2)(A)), as having retained, for the preparation of the audit report on its financial statements included in the Form NCSR, a registered public accounting firm that has a branch or office that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has determined it is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction must electronically submit to the Commission on a supplemental basis documentation that establishes that the registrant is not owned or controlled by a governmental entity in the foreign jurisdiction. The registrant must submit this documentation on or before the due date for this form. A registrant that is owned or controlled by a foreign governmental entity is not required to submit such documentation.
N/A
(j) A registrant that is a foreign issuer, as defined in 17 CFR 240.3b-4, identified by the Commission pursuant to Section 104(i)(2)(A) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 7214(i)(2)(A)), as having retained, for the preparation of the audit report on its financial statements included in the Form N-CSR, a registered public accounting firm that has a branch or office that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has determined it is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction, for each year in which the registrant is so identified, must provide the below disclosures. Also, any such identified foreign issuer that uses a variable-interest entity or any similar structure that results in additional foreign entities being consolidated in the financial statements of the registrant is required to provide the below disclosures for itself and its consolidated foreign operating entity or entities. A registrant must disclose:
(1) That, for the immediately preceding annual financial statement period, a registered public accounting firm that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely, because of a position taken by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction, issued an audit report for the registrant;
N/A
(2) The percentage of shares of the registrant owned by governmental entities in the foreign jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated or otherwise organized;
N/A
(3) Whether governmental entities in the applicable foreign jurisdiction with respect to that registered public accounting firm have a controlling financial interest with respect to the registrant;
N/A
(4) The name of each official of the Chinese Communist Party who is a member of the board of directors of the registrant or the operating entity with respect to the registrant;
N/A
(5) Whether the articles of incorporation of the registrant (or equivalent organizing document) contains any charter of the Chinese Communist Party, including the text of any such charter.
N/A
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS
(a) If the registrant is a listed issuer as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10A-3), state whether or not the registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)). If the registrant has such a committee, however designated, identify each committee member. If the entire Board of Directors is acting as the registrant’s audit committee as specified in Section 3(a)(58)(B) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(B)), so state.
N/A
(b) If applicable, provide the disclosure required by Rule 10A-3(d) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10A-3(d)) regarding an exemption from the listing standards for audit committees.
N/A
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
File Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period as set forth in 210.1212 of Regulation S-X [17 CFR 210.12-12], unless the schedule is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
Included in Item 1
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Included in Item 1
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
N/A
ITEM 9. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. (Unaudited)
N/A
Item 10. REMUNERATION PAID TO DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND OTHERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. (Unaudited)
Each Board Member also serves as a Board Member of other Funds in the Pioneer Family of Funds complex. Annual retainer fees and attendance fees are allocated to each Fund based on net assets. Directors’ fees paid by the Fund are within Item 1. Statement of Operations as Directors’ fees and expenses.
Item 11. STATEMENT REGARDING BASIS FOR APPROVAL OF INVESMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT. (Unaudited)
Approval of New Investment Advisory Agreement and Interim Investment Advisory Agreement with Victory Capital Management Inc.
Effective April 1, 2025, Amundi Asset Management US, Inc. (“Amundi US”), the Fund’s previous investment adviser, has been contributed to Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (“Victory Capital Holdings”), the parent company of Victory Capital Management Inc. (“Victory Capital”) (the “Transaction”). As a result of the Transaction, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with Amundi US (the “Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement”) terminated automatically on April 1, 2025. In connection with the Transaction, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board” or the “Directors”) approved a new investment advisory agreement with Victory Capital (the “New Investment Advisory Agreement”) at a Board meeting held on December 16, 2024, subject to approval by the Fund’s stockholders. As of May 1, 2025, the Fund’s stockholders had not approved the New Investment Advisory Agreement. At the December 16, 2024 Board meeting, the Board also approved an interim investment advisory agreement with Victory Capital (the “Interim Investment Advisory Agreement”) to take effect upon the closing of the Transaction in the event that additional time was needed to solicit stockholder approval of the New Investment Advisory Agreement. The Board’s considerations in approving the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement are discussed below.
Board Evaluation of the New Investment Advisory Agreement and Interim Investment Advisory Agreement
The Board evaluated the Transaction and the New Investment Advisory Agreement and Interim Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund. At in-person meetings held on May 14-15, 2024, July 22-23, 2024, September 16-17, 2024, November 12-13, 2024, and December 16, 2024, the Board met to consider the Transaction, including the plan to contribute Amundi US to Victory Capital Holdings in exchange for Amundi Asset Management S.A.S. (“Amundi”) becoming a significant shareholder of Victory Capital Holdings, and to establish a long-term reciprocal distribution partnership between Amundi and Victory Capital. The Board was advised that the Transaction, if completed, would constitute a change of control under the 1940 Act that would result in the termination of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement. At these meetings, which included meetings of the full Board and separate meetings of the Independent Directors, and at video conferences of the Independent Directors held on May 23, 2024, June 24, 2024, August 19, 2024, October 29, 2024 and December 9, 2024, the Board or the Independent Directors, as the case may be, considered, among other things, whether it would be in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders to approve the New Investment Advisory Agreement. To assist the Board in its consideration of the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the anticipated impacts of the Transaction on the Fund and its stockholders, Victory Capital provided materials and information about Victory Capital, including its financial condition and asset management capabilities and organization, and Victory Capital and Amundi provided materials and information about the proposed Transaction between Victory Capital and Amundi.
To assist the Board in its consideration of the New Investment Advisory Agreement, Victory Capital provided extensive information to the Board regarding the Transaction and the investment advisory services to be provided by Victory Capital under the New Investment Advisory Agreement. Before and during the December 16, 2024 meeting, the Board sought additional information as it deemed necessary and appropriate. In connection with their consideration of the New Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Directors worked with their independent legal
counsel to prepare requests for additional information that were submitted to Victory Capital and Amundi US. The Board’s requests for information sought information relevant to the Board’s consideration of the New Investment Advisory Agreement and other anticipated impacts of the Transaction on the Fund and its stockholders. In addition, the Board formed a Transaction Sub-Committee, comprised solely of Independent Directors, to assist the Board in its consideration of the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Transaction. The Board and the Transaction Sub- Committee met with senior management representatives of Victory Capital and Amundi US on numerous occasions to discuss various aspects of the Transaction, to review information provided to assist the Board in its consideration of the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Transaction, and to make supplemental due diligence requests for additional information from Victory Capital and Amundi US with respect to the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Transaction. Victory Capital and Amundi US provided documents and information in response to the requests from the Board and the Transaction Sub-Committee, as well as made presentations to, and responded to questions from, the Board and the Transaction Sub-Committee at various meetings. Prior to voting on the New Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Directors reviewed the Transaction and the New Investment Advisory Agreement with representatives of Amundi US and Victory Capital, counsel to the Fund and counsel to the Independent Directors. The Independent Directors also reviewed the Transaction and the New Investment Advisory Agreement with their counsel in private sessions at which no representatives of Amundi US, Victory Capital or counsel to the Fund were present.
The Board’s evaluation of the New Investment Advisory Agreement reflected the information provided specifically in connection with its review of the New Investment Advisory Agreement, as well as, where relevant, information that was previously furnished to the Board in connection with the renewal of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement at inperson meetings held on September 17, 2024 and at other Board meetings throughout the prior year.
Among other things, the Directors considered:
(i) that, in the Transaction, Amundi US would be contributed to Victory Capital in exchange for shares of Victory Capital Holdings issued to Amundi without Amundi becoming a controlling stockholder of Victory Capital Holdings, and that Victory Capital and Amundi would establish a longterm reciprocal distribution partnership;
(ii) representations by Victory Capital regarding the reputation, experience, financial strength and resources of Victory Capital and its investment franchises;
(iii) that Victory Capital has informed the Board that the Transaction was not expected to have a material adverse impact on the nature, scope and overall quality of services provided to the Fund and its stockholders, including investment management, risk management, administrative, compliance, legal and other services;
(iv) that Victory Capital informed the Board that the portfolio managers of the Fund were expected to continue to act as portfolio managers of the Fund following the consummation of the Transaction as members of Pioneer Investments, a planned Victory Capital investment franchise, managing the Fund using the same investment approach under which the Fund was previously managed, and the Board considered the historical investment performance record of the Fund under such investment approach;
(v) the non-investment resources, infrastructure and personnel of Victory Capital that would be involved in Victory Capital’s services to the Fund, including Victory Capital’s legal and operational structure, risk management, administrative, legal, compliance and cybersecurity functions;
(vi) that the Fund’s contractual advisory fee rate would remain the same and would not increase by virtue of the New Investment Advisory Agreement;
(vii) the terms and conditions of the New Investment Advisory Agreement, including that the New Investment Advisory Agreement was substantially identical to the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement;
(viii) the terms of the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement (including fees) also are substantially the same as the terms of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement, that the Interim Investment Agreement allows Victory Capital to manage each Fund for up to 150 days following the closing of the Transaction, and that investment advisory fees payable under the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement will be held in escrow during the term of the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement;
(ix) that the Directors had recently approved the continuance of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement with Amundi US at an inperson meeting held on September 17, 2024 and, in connection with the Directors’ review of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement, received and considered full comparative fee and expense data;
(x) Victory Capital’s plans to propose to transition from certain of the Fund’s current service providers, including fund administration, to the Victory Funds’ service providers following the consummation of the Transaction
(xi) that Victory Capital had agreed with the Board that, for at least three years after the Transaction closes, Victory Capital would waive fees and/or reimburse expenses so that the Fund’s total net annual operating expenses (excluding certain customary items) does not exceed the lower of (i) the total net annual operating expenses associated with investing in the Fund after application of expense limitation arrangements currently in effect for the Fund, if any, or (ii) the total net annual operating expenses of the Fund as of the end of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year at the time of the Transaction close, and that the contractual expense limitation agreement permits Victory Capital to recoup advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed for up to two years after the fiscal year in which the waiver or reimbursement took place, subject to the lesser of any operating expense limitation in effect at the time of: (1) the original waiver or expense reimbursement; or (2) recoupment, after giving effect to the recoupment amount;
(xii) that Victory Capital did not expect to propose any changes to the investment objective(s) of the Fund or any changes to the principal investment strategies of the Fund as a result of the Transaction;
(xiii) that Victory Capital had acquired and integrated several investment management companies;
(xiv) the potential benefits to the stockholders of the Fund, including continuity of portfolio management and operating efficiencies due to the greater scale of Victory Capital that may be achieved from the Transaction;
(xv) that Victory Capital and Amundi would each derive benefits from the Transaction and that, as a result, they had a financial interest in the matters that were being considered;
(xvi) that Victory Capital and Amundi had agreed to conduct, and use reasonable best efforts to cause their affiliates to conduct, their respective businesses in compliance with Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act so as not to impose an “unfair burden” on the Fund; and
(xvii) that the Fund would not bear the costs of obtaining stockholder approval of the New Investment Advisory Agreement, including proxy solicitation costs, legal fees and the costs of printing and mailing the proxy statement, regardless of whether the Transaction is consummated. Certain of these considerations are discussed in more detail below. The Directors also requested, obtained and considered the following information in connection with their evaluation of the Transaction and the New Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund: (i) memoranda provided by Fund counsel that summarized the legal standards and other considerations that are relevant to the Directors in their deliberations regarding the New Investment Advisory Agreement; and (ii) the Fund’s advisory fees and total expense ratios, the financial statements of Victory Capital, a profitability analysis provided by Victory Capital, and an analysis from Victory Capital as to possible economies of scale. The Directors further considered, materials provided in connection with their review of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement, including, for the Fund, information regarding the qualifications of the investment
management teams for the Fund, as well as the level of investment by the Fund’s portfolio managers in the Fund. In addition, the Directors considered the information provided at regularly scheduled meetings throughout the year regarding the Fund’s performance and risk attributes, including through meetings with investment management personnel, and took into account other information related to the Fund provided to the Directors at regularly scheduled meetings.
At the December 16, 2024, meeting, based on their evaluation of the information provided by Victory Capital and Amundi US, the Directors including the Independent Directors voting separately, approved the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund. In considering the New Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Directors considered various factors that they determined were relevant, including the factors described below. The Directors did not identify any single factor as the controlling factor in their determinations. The Directors considered the same factors with respect to the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
The Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services that had been provided by Amundi US to the Fund and that were expected to be provided by Victory Capital to the Fund following the consummation of the Transaction, taking into account the investment objective(s) and principal investment strategies of the Fund.
The Board considered information provided by Victory Capital regarding its business and operating structure, scale of operations, leadership and reputation. The Board also considered the capabilities, resources, and personnel of Victory Capital, in order to determine whether Victory Capital was capable of providing the same level of investment management services provided to the Fund by Amundi US. The Board received information regarding Victory Capital’s plans to integrate Amundi US investment personnel into Victory Capital as members of Pioneer Investments, a Victory Capital investment franchise. The Board noted that it had considered the qualifications of the portfolio managers at Amundi US at its September 17, 2024 Meeting.
The Directors considered Victory Capital’s representation that there would be no change to the investment approach under which the Fund would be managed under the New Investment Advisory Agreement. The Board considered the non-investment resources, infrastructure and personnel of Victory Capital that would be involved in Victory Capital’s services to the Fund, including Victory Capital’s compliance, risk management, cybersecurity and legal resources and personnel. The Board also reviewed information provided by Victory Capital related to its business, legal, and regulatory affairs, including information regarding the resources available to Victory Capital to provide the services specified under the New Investment Advisory Agreement. The Board also considered Victory Capital’s financial condition, and noted that Victory Capital was expected to be able to provide a high level of service to the Fund and continuously invest and re-invest in its investment management business. The Directors considered that Amundi US previously supervised and monitored the performance of the Fund’s service providers and provided the Fund with personnel (including Fund officers) and other resources that are necessary for the Fund’s business management and operations, and considered the personnel and resources that Victory Capital proposed to provide with respect to such services. The Directors also considered that, as administrator, Amundi US was responsible for the administration of the Fund’s business and other affairs and that, post-Transaction, Victory Capital would be responsible for the administration of the Fund’s business and other affairs. The Directors considered that the fees Victory Capital would charge for administration services are higher than the fees that Amundi US received as reimbursement for services rendered, and considered Victory Capital’s explanation of the reasons for the differences in administration fees charged by Victory Capital and Amundi US as well as the expense limitation arrangements proposed to be implemented for the Fund for at least three years following the completion of the Transaction. The Directors considered that the terms and conditions of the New
Investment Advisory Agreement were substantially similar to the terms and conditions of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement, except for different execution dates, effective dates and termination dates. The Directors considered that the terms of the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement (including fees) also are substantially the same as the terms of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement, that the Interim Investment Agreement allows Victory Capital to manage each Fund for up to 150 days following the closing of the Transaction, and that investment advisory fees payable under the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement will be held in escrow during the term of the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement.
The Directors received and considered information regarding the Victory Funds’ key service providers, including custody, transfer agency and administration service providers, the fees charged by such service providers as compared to the fees charged by the Fund’s current service providers, and Victory Capital’s plans to propose the transition from certain of the Fund’s current service providers to the Victory Funds’ service providers following the consummation of the Transaction.
The Directors considered that Victory Capital had advised the Board that, notwithstanding the above, the Transaction was not expected to have a material adverse impact on the nature, scope and overall quality of services provided to the Fund and its stockholders, including investment advisory, risk management, administrative, compliance, legal and other services, as a result of the Transaction. In that regard, the Directors considered the statements by representatives of Victory Capital that they did not foresee major changes in the day-to-day investment management operations of the Fund as a direct result of the Transaction, and also considered the risk management, legal and compliance services that Victory Capital would provide with respect to the Fund.
Based on these considerations, the Directors concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services that are proposed to be provided by Victory Capital to the Fund would be satisfactory and consistent with the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement.
Performance of the Fund
In considering the Fund’s performance, the Directors regularly reviewed and discussed throughout the year data prepared by Amundi US and information comparing the Fund’s performance with the performance of its peer group of funds, as classified by Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar), and with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. The Directors also regularly considered the Fund’s returns at market value relative to its peers, as well as the discount at which the Fund’s shares may trade on the New York Stock Exchange compared to its net asset value per share. They also discussed the Fund’s performance with Amundi US on a regular basis. The Directors’ regular reviews and discussions factored into the Directors’ deliberations concerning the approval of the New Investment Advisory Agreement.
In addition, the Board considered that the Fund’s portfolio managers were expected to continue to act as portfolio managers of the Fund following the consummation of the Transaction as members of Pioneer Investments, a Victory Capital investment franchise. The Board also considered that no changes were proposed to the Fund’s investment objective(s) or principal investment strategies in connection with the Transaction and the New Investment Advisory Agreement.
Advisory Fee and Expenses
The Directors noted that the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund was identical under the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement and the New Investment Advisory Agreement. The Directors considered information received in connection with the Directors’ consideration of the renewal of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement at in-person meetings held on September 17, 2024 showing the fees and expenses of the Fund in comparison to the advisory fees and expense ratios of a peer group of funds selected on the basis of criteria determined by the Independent Directors for this purpose using data provided by Strategic Insight Mutual Fund Research and Consulting, LLC (Strategic Insight), an independent third party. The peer group comparisons referred to below are organized in quintiles. Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group. In all peer group comparisons referred to below, first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareowners.
The Directors considered that the Fund’s advisory fee (based on managed assets) for the Fund’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was in the first quintile relative to the advisory fees paid by other funds in its Strategic Insight peer group for the comparable period. The Directors considered that the expense ratio (based on managed assets) of the Fund’s common stock for the most recent fiscal year (both including and excluding investment-related expenses) was in the first quintile relative to its Strategic Insight peer group for the comparable period.
The Directors also considered Victory Capital’s contractual commitment under the expense limitation agreement to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses for at least three years after the closing of the Transaction, so that the Fund’s total net annual operating expenses (excluding certain customary items) does not exceed the lower of (i) the total net annual operating expenses associated with investing in the Fund after application of expense limitation arrangements currently in effect for the Fund, if any, or (ii) the total net annual operating expenses of the Fund as of the end of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, at the time the Transaction closes. The Directors considered that the expense limitation agreement permits Victory Capital to recoup advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed for up to two years after the fiscal year in which the waiver or reimbursement took place, subject to the lesser of any operating expense limitation in effect at the time of: (1) the original waiver or expense reimbursement; or (2) recoupment, after giving effect to the recoupment amount. The Directors also considered that Victory Capital does not manage closedend funds except for the Pioneer closed-end funds. The Directors concluded that the advisory fee payable by the Fund to Victory Capital under the New Investment Advisory Agreement was reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services to be provided by Victory Capital.
Profitability
The Directors considered information provided by Victory Capital regarding the estimated profitability of Victory Capital with respect to the advisory ervices proposed to be provided by Victory Capital to the Fund, including the methodology used by Victory Capital in allocating certain of its costs to the management of the Fund. The Directors also considered Victory Capital’s profit margins in connection with the overall operation of the Fund. The Board considered the investments Victory Capital expected to make to support and grow the Pioneer funds brand and the costs to integrate the Amundi US/Pioneer Funds business into Victory Capital. The Board also considered information regarding Victory Capital’s profit margins with respect to the funds it currently manages. The Board considered Victory Capital’s representation that the fully integrated Amundi US/Pioneer Funds business, including investments to support ongoing growth, was expected to have a positive impact on Victory Capital’s overall financial profitability. The Directors considered Victory Capital’s profit margins in comparison to the limited industry data available and noted that the profitability of any adviser was affected by numerous factors, including its organizational structure and method for allocating expenses. The Directors concluded that Victory Capital’s estimated profitability with respect to the management of the Fund was not unreasonable.
Economies of Scale
The Directors considered the extent to which Victory Capital may realize economies of scale or other efficiencies in managing and supporting the Fund. Since the Fund is a closed-end fund that has not raised additional capital, the Directors concluded that economies of scale were not a relevant consideration in the renewal of the investment advisory agreement.
Other Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits that Victory Capital may enjoy from its relationship with the Fund. The Directors considered the character and amount of fees to be paid by the Fund, other than under the New Investment Advisory Agreement, for services to be provided by Victory Capital and its affiliates. The Directors further considered the revenues and profitability of Victory Capital’s businesses other than the Fund business.
To the extent applicable, the Directors also considered the potential benefits to the Fund and to Victory Capital and its affiliates from the use of “soft” commission dollars generated by the Fund to pay for research and brokerage services.
The Directors noted that the completion of the Transaction would result in a long-term reciprocal distribution partnership between Amundi and Victory Capital, and that Victory Capital may benefit from Amundi’s ability to market the services of Victory Capital globally, including in an increase of the overall scale of Victory Capital. The Directors considered that the Transaction, if completed, would significantly increase Victory Capital’s assets under management and expand Victory Capital’s investment capabilities. The Directors considered that this increased size and diversification could facilitate Victory Capital’s continued investment in its business and products, which Victory Capital would be able to leverage across a broader base of assets. The Directors considered that Victory Capital and the Fund are expected to receive reciprocal intangible benefits from the relationship, including mutual brand recognition. The Directors concluded that any such benefits received by Victory Capital as a result of its relationship with the Fund were reasonable.
Conclusion
After consideration of the factors described above as well as other factors, the Directors, including the Independent Directors, concluded that the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund, including the fees payable thereunder, were fair and reasonable and voted to approve the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement.
ITEM 12. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. (Unaudited)
A closed-end management investment company that is filing an annual report on this Form N-CSR must, unless it invests exclusively in non-voting securities, describe the policies and procedures that it uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, including the procedures that the company uses when a vote presents a conflict between the interests of its shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the company’s investment adviser; principal underwriter; or any affiliated person (as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(3)) and the rules thereunder) of the company, its investment adviser, or its principal underwriter, on the other. Include any policies and procedures of the company’s investment adviser, or any other third party, that the company uses, or that are used on the company’s behalf, to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities.
H-12 PROXY VOTING
BACKGROUND AND RISKS
Voting rights associated with security ownership are closely related to the discretionary asset management services VCM provides to its clients. Therefore, VCM should be capable of accepting and exercising voting authority on behalf of clients with the same standard of care, skill, prudence, and diligence it is subject to when exercising its investment authority on behalf of clients. Further, in order to exercise voting authority on behalf of clients, VCM must comply with Rule 206(4)-6 of the Advisers Act (the “proxy rule”) and Rule 14Ad-1 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “proxy reporting rule”). The proxy rule requires VCM to adopt and implement written policies and procedures designed to ensure it votes securities in the best interest of clients including managing material conflicts of interest between VCM and its clients, to disclose to clients a summary of its proxy voting policies and procedures, how they may obtain a copy of these procedures, and information about how VCM voted their securities. The proxy reporting rule requires certain investment managers to report their proxy voting record annually on Form N-PX with respect to certain votes on executive compensation. Inability to accept and exercise voting authority on behalf of clients or failure to comply with the proxy rule or proxy reporting rule could result in violations of securities law, breach of fiduciary duty, client harm, or damage to VCM’s reputation.
POLICY
VCM will establish policies and procedures and retain resources necessary to ensure it is capable of exercising voting authority on behalf of clients according to the same standard of care with which it exercises investment authority. Because VCM will exercise voting authority, it will comply with the proxy rule and the proxy reporting rule and must vote securities in the best interest of clients.
For purposes of this policy, voting in the best interest of clients means using complete and accurate information to vote with the objective of increasing the long-term economic value of client assets. Similar to investment decision making, voting decisions are qualitative in nature and VCM will consider a variety of factors to arrive at vote decisions. Further a voting decision in the same security may be different between clients for the same reasons VCM clients are invested in different securities. For example, client agreements, investment strategies, or specific investment franchise views on ballot proposals may cause the same security to be voted in a different manner across VCM’s client base.
VCM will vote all securities over which it has authority, provided the client has voting rights and there is sufficient time and information available to make informed decisions. VCM will take reasonable steps to obtain appropriate and timely information.
In situations where voting may impact the ability to trade a security (e.g., shareblocking), VCM will not vote unless it determines that voting is in a client’s best interest.
For a copy of the guidelines (as defined below) please visit VCM’s website at https://investor.vcm.com/policies. To obtain information on specific proxies voted by VCM, clients may contact their VCM client manager or email an inquiry to [email protected].
VCM will create, maintain, and retain appropriate records related to voting client securities.
LIST OF REQUIRED CONTROLS
• | Proxy Voting Committee (the “committee”) |
• | Client Investment Management Agreements (“IMAs”) |
• | Third-party proxy firm (“proxy firm”) |
• | M-19 Vendor Due Diligence and Oversight (“vendor oversight policy”) |
• | Proxy voting guidelines |
• | Annual committee guideline review |
• | Form ADV, Part 2A |
• | M-13 Record Retention and Destruction, Appendix A (“recordkeeping requirements”) |
CONTROL IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES
• | The committee will consist of members with experience related to the functional areas applicable to voting client securities including responsible investing, investment management, operations, and compliance. The committee is responsible for exercising VCM’s fiduciary responsibilities related to voting client securities including voting in the best interests of clients and identifying and managing conflicts of interest. The committee will be active, keep a charter, and maintain records that demonstrate adequate execution of its responsibilities. |
• | When a client enters into an advisory relationship with VCM, proxy voting roles and responsibilities between the client and VCM will be fully disclosed. Responsibilities delegated to VCM will be communicated to the committee and the committee will be responsible for implementing voting requirements in accordance with each IMA. |
• | In order to support its fiduciary duty related to voting client securities and comply with the proxy rule and proxy reporting rule, VCM will retain, and the committee will oversee a third-party proxy advisory firm (“proxy firm”) to provide both administrative and advisory services related to voting client securities. In relation to the proxy reporting rule, the proxy firm will provide draft filings in the appropriate format. The Business Owner of this policy is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the filing. The Compliance Owner is responsible for ensuring the report is filed in a timely manner and complies with the proxy reporting rule. Selection and ongoing oversight of the proxy firm will be conducted in accordance with the vendor oversight policy. The Sponsor, as defined in the vendor oversight policy, must be a member of the committee. Currently, VCM retains Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. as its proxy firm. |
• | The committee will adopt written proxy voting guidelines authored by the proxy firm (“guidelines”). These guidelines can be used as standing instructions on how the proxy firm must vote ballots provided that the committee must: |
• | Have the ability to customize the guidelines. |
• | Retain the ability to override the guidelines on individual ballot proposals at the client level. |
• | Review the guidelines at least annually, implement customizations based on this review, and submit a written memo to the compliance committee documenting the results of the annual review that includes the name of the proxy firm, links to the specific guidelines adopted, and a description of customizations made. |
• | Make the memo available to clients upon request. |
• | The purpose of the guidelines is 1) to benefit from the specialized expertise related to voting securities provided by the proxy firm and to provide an independent source to resolve conflicts of interest identified between VCM and its clients. For the first purpose, the committee will take into account the guidelines but will have ultimate responsibility for voting decisions. The committee will, in its discretion, rely on additional sources such as portfolio manager input to ensure the voting decisions it makes are in the best interest of specific clients. If the guidelines are silent on any pending ballot proposal, the committee will exercise its voting responsibility with due care and document the rationale for the vote decision. For the second purpose, if the committee identifies a conflict of interest between VCM and clients, the committee must vote in accordance with the guidelines unless the rationale for deviating from guidelines has unanimous consent from the committee and is put in writing, including an analysis of how the conflict of interest is eliminated, mitigated, or disclosed. |
• | The proxy firm will provide technology-based platform that provides operational controls over voting securities that include, at minimum, ballot reconciliation, casting complete ballots in a timely manner and in accordance with adopted written guidelines, ability to adjust or override a vote based on committee input, and reporting capabilities that support compliance with the proxy reporting rule and VCM’s need to oversee the proxy firm and report internally and externally. The committee is responsible for ensuring these controls are operating as intended though must, at minimum, develop reporting designed to ensure all eligible client accounts are properly set up and configured on the proxy firm’s platform and that the proxy firm is voting securities in accordance with the guidelines and this policy. Such reports should be reviewed by the committee at regular intervals and any exceptions should be referred to the LCR department. |
• | The disclosures required under the proxy rule will be contained in VCM’s Form ADV, Part 2A and will be delivered to clients at the time and frequency required by regulation. |
• | The committee will be familiar with the recordkeeping requirements related to voting client securities and will maintain records and ensure the proxy firm maintains records for the required periods. |
Compliance Policy Executive Summary | ||
Policy Name: | H-12 Proxy Voting Policy | |
Applicability: | Victory Capital Management Inc. (“VCM”) | |
Category: | Investments - General | |
Compliance Owner: | Chief Compliance Officer, VCM |
Business Owner: | Director of Responsible Business, VCM | |
Effective Date: | June 30, 2024 | |
Executive Summary: | Policy and procedures governing the voting of client securities |
ITEM 13. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
(a) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company that is filing an annual report on this Form N-CSR, provide the following information:
(1) State the name, title, and length of service of the person or persons employed by or associated with the registrant or an investment adviser of the registrant who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the registrant’s portfolio (“Portfolio Manager”). Also state each Portfolio Manager’s business experience during the past 5 years.
Additional information about the portfolio managers
Other accounts managed by the portfolio managers
The table below indicates, for the portfolio managers of the fund, information about the accounts other than the fund over which the portfolio manager has day-to-day investment responsibility. All information on the number of accounts and total assets in the table is as of March 31, 2025. For purposes of the table, “Other Pooled Investment Vehicles” may include investment partnerships, undertakings for collective investments in transferable securities (“UCITS”) and other non-U.S. investment funds and group trusts, and “Other Accounts” may include separate accounts for institutions or individuals, insurance company general or separate accounts, pension funds and other similar institutional accounts but generally do not include the portfolio manager’s personal investment accounts or those which the manager may be deemed to own beneficially under the code of ethics. Certain funds and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager may have substantially similar investment strategies.
Name of |
Type of Account |
Number of Accounts Managed |
Total Assets Managed (000’s) |
Number of |
Assets | |||||||||
Andrew Feltus |
Other Registered Investment Companies |
6 | $ | 4,165,870 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
25 | $ | 6,460,302 | 13 | $3,790,788 | |||||||||
Other Accounts |
4 | $ | 1,160,188 | 1 | $863,763 | |||||||||
Matthew Shulkin |
Other Registered Investment Companies |
3 | $ | 602,187 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
21 | $ | 2,464,835 | 11 | $1,276,063 | |||||||||
Other Accounts |
2 | $ | 245,492 | N/A | N/A | |||||||||
Kenneth Monaghan |
Other Registered Investment Companies |
5 | $ | 1,822,621 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
23 | $ | 2,833,072 | 12 | $1,458,511 | |||||||||
Other Accounts |
3 | $ | 306,666 | N/A | N/A |
Potential conflicts of interest
When a portfolio manager is responsible for the management of more than one account, the potential arises for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The principal types of potential conflicts of interest that may arise are discussed below. For the reasons outlined below, Amundi US does not believe that any material conflicts are likely to arise out of a portfolio manager’s responsibility for the management of the fund as well as one or more other accounts. Although Amundi US has adopted procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to detect and prevent violations of the federal securities laws and to mitigate the potential for conflicts of interest to affect its portfolio management decisions, there can be no assurance that all conflicts will be identified or that all procedures will be effective in mitigating the potential for such risks. Generally, the risks of such conflicts of interest are increased to the extent that a portfolio manager has a financial incentive to favor one account over another. Amundi US has structured its compensation arrangements in a manner that is intended to limit such potential for conflicts of interest. See “Compensation of Portfolio Managers” below.
• | A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in allocating new investment opportunities that have limited supply, such as initial public offerings and private placements. If, for example, an initial public offering that was expected to appreciate in value significantly shortly after the offering was allocated to a single account, that account may be expected to have better investment performance than other accounts that did not receive an allocation of the initial public offering. Generally, investments for which there is limited availability are allocated based upon a range of factors including available cash and consistency with the accounts’ investment objectives and policies. This allocation methodology necessarily involves some subjective elements but is intended over time to treat each client in an equitable and fair manner. Generally, the investment opportunity is allocated among participating accounts on a pro rata basis. Although Amundi US believes that its practices are reasonably designed to treat each client in an equitable and fair manner, there may be instances where a fund may not participate, or may participate to a lesser degree than other clients, in the allocation of an investment opportunity. |
• | A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in the order in which trades for the accounts are placed. If a portfolio manager determines to purchase a security for more than one account in an aggregate amount that may influence the market price of the security, accounts that purchased or sold the security first may receive a more favorable price than accounts that made subsequent transactions. The less liquid the market for the security or the greater the percentage that the proposed aggregate purchases or sales represent of average daily trading volume, the greater the potential for accounts that make subsequent purchases or sales to receive a less favorable price. When a portfolio manager intends to trade the same security on the same day for more than one account, the trades typically are “bunched,” which means that the trades for the individual accounts are aggregated and each account receives the same price. There are some types of accounts as to which bunching may not be possible for contractual reasons (such as directed brokerage arrangements). Circumstances may also arise where the trader believes that bunching the orders may not result in the best possible price. Where those accounts or circumstances are involved, Amundi US will place the order in a manner intended to result in as favorable a price as possible for such client. |
• | A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager’s compensation is tied to the performance of that account to a greater degree than other accounts managed by the portfolio manager. If, for example, the portfolio manager receives a bonus based upon the performance of certain accounts relative to a benchmark while other accounts are disregarded for this purpose, the portfolio manager will have a financial incentive to seek to have the accounts that determine the portfolio manager’s bonus achieve the best possible performance to the possible detriment of other accounts. Similarly, if Amundi US receives a performance-based advisory fee, the portfolio manager may favor that account, whether or not the performance of that account directly determines the portfolio manager’s compensation. |
• | A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager has a beneficial interest in the account, in order to benefit a large client or to compensate a client that had poor returns. For example, if the portfolio manager held an interest in an investment partnership that was one of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager, the portfolio manager would have an economic incentive to favor the account in which the portfolio manager held an interest. |
• | If the different accounts have materially and potentially conflicting investment objectives or strategies, a conflict of interest could arise. For example, if a portfolio manager purchases a security for one account and sells the same security for another account, such trading pattern may disadvantage either the account that is long or short. In making portfolio manager assignments, Amundi US seeks to avoid such potentially conflicting situations. However, where a portfolio manager is responsible for accounts with differing investment objectives and policies, it is possible that the portfolio manager will conclude that it is in the best interest of one account to sell a portfolio security while another account continues to hold or increase the holding in such security. |
Compensation of portfolio managers
Amundi US has adopted a system of compensation for portfolio managers that seeks to align the financial interests of the portfolio managers with those of shareholders of the accounts (including Pioneer funds) the portfolio managers manage, as well as with the financial performance of Amundi US. The compensation program for all Amundi US portfolio managers includes a base salary (determined by the rank and tenure of the employee) and an annual bonus program, as well as customary benefits that are offered generally to all full-time employees. Base compensation is fixed and normally reevaluated on an annual basis. Amundi US seeks to set base compensation at market rates, taking into account the experience and responsibilities of the portfolio manager. The bonus plan is intended to provide a competitive level of annual bonus compensation that is tied to the portfolio manager achieving superior investment performance and align the interests of the investment professional with those of shareholders, as well as with the financial performance of Amundi US. Any bonus under the plan is completely discretionary, with a maximum annual bonus that may be in excess of base salary. The annual bonus is based upon a combination of the following factors:
• | Quantitative investment performance. The quantitative investment performance calculation is based on pre-tax investment performance of all of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager (which includes the fund and any other accounts managed by the portfolio manager) over a one-year period (20% weighting) and four-year period (80% weighting), measured for periods ending on December 31. The accounts, which include the fund, are ranked against a group of mutual funds with similar investment objectives and investment focus (60%) and a securities market index measuring the performance of the same type of securities in which the accounts invest (40%), which, in the case of the fund, is the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index. As a result of these two benchmarks, the performance of the portfolio manager for compensation purposes is measured against the criteria that are relevant to the portfolio manager’s competitive universe. |
• | Qualitative performance. The qualitative performance component with respect to all of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager includes objectives, such as effectiveness in the areas of teamwork, leadership, communications and marketing, that are mutually established and evaluated by each portfolio manager and management. |
• | Amundi US results and business line results. Amundi US’s financial performance, as well as the investment performance of its investment management group, affect a portfolio manager’s actual bonus by a leverage factor of plus or minus (+/–) a predetermined percentage. |
The quantitative and qualitative performance components comprise 80% and 20%, respectively, of the overall bonus calculation (on a pre-adjustment basis). A portion of the annual bonus is deferred for a specified period and may be invested in one or more Pioneer funds.
Certain portfolio managers participate in other programs designed to reward and retain key contributors. Portfolio managers also may participate in a deferred compensation program, whereby deferred amounts are invested in one or more Pioneer funds or collective investment trusts or other unregistered funds with similar investment objectives, strategies and policies.
Share ownership by portfolio managers
The following table indicates as of March 31, 2025 the value, within the indicated range, of shares beneficially owned by the portfolio managers of the fund.
Name of Portfolio Manager |
Beneficial Ownership of the Fund* | |
Andrew Feltus |
C | |
Matthew Shulkin |
A | |
Kenneth Monaghan |
C |
* | Key to Dollar Ranges |
A. | None | |
B. | $1 – $10,000 | |
C. | $10,001 – $50,000 | |
D. | $50,001 – $100,000 | |
E. | $100,001 – $500,000 | |
F. | $500,001 – $1,000,000 | |
G. | Over $1,000,000 |
ITEM 14. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
(a) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, in the following tabular format, provide the information specified in paragraph (b) of this Item with respect to any purchase made by or on behalf of the registrant or any affiliated purchaser, as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10b-18(a)(3)), of shares or other units of any class of the registrant’s equity securities that is registered by the registrant pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 781).
During the period covered by this report, there were no purchases made by or on behalf of the registrant or any affiliated purchaser as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), of shares of the registrants equity securities that are registered by the registrant pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
ITEM 15. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Describe any material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-R(17 CFR 229.407)(as required by Item 22(b)(15)) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101), or this Item.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Directors since the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-R of Schedule 14(A) in its definitive proxy statement, or this item.
ITEM 16. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) Disclose the conclusions of the registrant’s principal executive and principal financials officers, or persons performing similar functions, regarding the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30(a)-3(b) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).
The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
(b) Disclose any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 17. DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
(a) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, provide the following dollar amounts of income and compensation related to the securities lending activities of the registrant during its most recent fiscal year:
N/A
(1) Gross income from securities lending activities;
N/A
(2) All fees and/or compensation for each of the following securities lending activities and related services: any share of revenue generated by the securities lending program paid to the securities lending agent(s) (revenue split); fees paid for cash collateral management services (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in the revenue split; administrative fees that are not included in the revenue split; fees for indemnification that are not included in the revenue split; rebates paid to borrowers; and any other fees relating to the securities lending program that are not included in the revenue split, including a description of those other fees;
N/A
(3) The aggregate fees/compensation disclosed pursuant to paragraph (2); and
N/A
(4) Net income from securities lending activities (i.e., the dollar amount in paragraph (1) minus the dollar amount in paragraph (3)).
If a fee for a service is included in the revenue split, state that the fee is included in the revenue split.
N/A
(b) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, describe the services provided to the registrant by the securities lending agent in the registrants most recent fiscal year.
N/A
Item 18. RECOVERY OF ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION.
N/A
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS.
(a) File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form. Letter or number the exhibits in the sequence indicated.
Filed herewith.
(3) Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
[See General Instruction F]
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc.
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Thomas Dusenberry
Thomas Dusenberry, President and Principal Executive Officer
Date July 21, 2025
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Thomas Dusenberry
Thomas Dusenberry, President and Principal Executive Officer
Date July 21, 2025
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Carol D. Trevino
Carol D. Trevino, Treasurer Principal Financial Officer
Date July 21, 2025
* | Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature. |