SEC Form N-CSRS filed by Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund Inc.
Ticker Symbol: MAV |
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Head of the Americas, President and CEO of US
Amundi Asset Management US, Inc.
November 2023
Q |
How did the Fund perform during the six-month period ended September 30, 2023? |
A |
Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc. returned -11.38% at net asset value (NAV) and -16.30% at market price during the six-month period ended September 30, 2023. During the same six-month period, the Fund’s benchmarks, the Bloomberg US Municipal High Yield Bond Index and the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index, returned -2.66% and -4.05% at NAV, respectively. The Bloomberg US Municipal High Yield Bond Index is an unmanaged measure of the performance of lower-rated municipal bonds, while the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged measure of the performance of investment-grade municipal bonds. Unlike the Fund, the two indices do not use leverage. While the use of leverage increases investment opportunity, it also increases investment risk. |
During the same six-month period, the average return at NAV of the 30 closed end funds in Morningstar’s Closed End High Yield Municipal category (which may or may not be leveraged) was -6.79%, and the average return at market price of the closed-end funds within the same Morningstar category was -10.67%. | |
The shares of the Fund were selling at a 17.2% discount to NAV on September 30, 2023. Comparatively, the shares of the Fund were selling at a 12.4% discount to NAV on March 31, 2023. | |
On September 30, 2023, the standardized 30-day SEC yield of the Fund’s shares was 7.21%.*. |
* | 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 |
Q |
How would you describe the investment environment in the high-yield municipal bond market during the six-month period ended September 30, 2023? |
A |
High-yield municipal bonds generated a negative return during the six-month period, reflecting the market’s shifting expectations for US Federal Reserve System (Fed) monetary policy. In the early part of the calendar year, investors were anticipating that the Fed would soon shift to a neutral policy and possibly even begin to cut interest rates at some point in 2023. More recently, however, the combination of persistently high inflation, better-than-expected economic growth, and hawkish comments from Fed officials have caused investors to start factoring in a “higher for longer” approach on interest rates by the US central bank. Expectations for the first Fed interest-rate cut moved further into the future as a result, and by the end of the period, investors appeared to be anticipating that the Fed wouldn’t begin easing monetary policy until late 2024. The municipal bond market also experienced difficulties driven by concerns about the need for increased US Treasury issuance to fund the nation’s growing debt, which pushed government bond yields higher and pressured returns across the rest of the fixed-income markets. While high-yield municipal bonds were adversely affected by this trend, they still managed to outperform investment-grade tax-exempt issues, due to high-yield municipals' lower degree of interest-rate sensitivity. |
Q |
What factors affected the Fund’s performance relative to the Bloomberg municipal bond indices during the six-month period ended September 30, 2023? |
A |
The use of leverage, which tends to augment income but also amplifies the effect of price movements, was a key detractor from the Fund’s benchmark-relative performance over the six-month period, as the high-yield municipal bond market experienced a downturn. Unlike the Fund, the two benchmark indices do not use leverage. |
The Fund’s holdings of taxable municipal bonds contributed positively to benchmark-relative performance during the period, as did the portfolio’s underweight to state general obligation |
debt. On the other hand, allocations to the hospital and transportation sectors detracted from the Fund’s benchmark-relative returns. | |
At the individual security level, portfolio exposures to District of Columbia Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation revenue bonds and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York) revenue bonds were the leading positive contributors to benchmark-relative performance. Conversely, revenue bonds issued by Oroville, California, and the Arkansas State Development Financing Authority were the largest detractors from the Fund’s benchmark-relative results. | |
With regard to the Fund’s exposure to tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) bonds, we have found the bonds to be attractive investments, not only for their potential to enhance performance, but also for the benefits received by the settling states that have issued tobacco bonds since the establishment of the MSA between the settling states and the tobacco-related companies several years ago. Those benefits have included: substantial funding for the advancement of public health; the implementation of important tobacco-related public health measures; and funding towards establishment of a national foundation dedicated to significantly reducing the use of tobacco products among youths. | |
Q |
Did the Fund’s distributions** to shareholders change during the six-month period ended September 30, 2023? |
A |
The Fund’s monthly distribution rate decreased from $0.345 to $0.300 per share in May 2023, and remained at that level through July 31, 2023. The Fund’s monthly distribution rate then declined again, to $0.2750 in August and September 2023. The decrease in the Fund’s monthly distribution rate over the period was due to an increase in the cost of the leverage incurred by the Fund, which reduced the amount of funds available for distribution, as detailed below. 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, and these reserves may be |
** |
Distributions are not guaranteed. |
depleted over time. A decrease in distributions may have a negative effect on the market value of the Fund's shares. | |
Q |
Did the level of leverage in the Fund change during the six-month period September 30, 2023? |
A |
On September 30, 2023, 41.9% of the Fund’s total managed assets were financed by leverage obtained through the issuance of Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, compared with 38.4% of the Fund’s total managed assets financed by leverage at the start of the period on April 1, 2023. The increase in the percentage of the Fund’s total managed assets financed by leverage during the six-month period was the result of a decrease in the value of the Fund’s total assets. The interest rate on the Fund's leverage increased by 61 basis points during the period from March 31, 2023 to September 30, 2023. |
Q |
Did the Fund have any exposure to derivative securities during the six-month period ended September 30, 2023? |
A |
No, the Fund had no exposure to derivatives during the six-month period. |
Q |
What were some notable aspects of the Fund’s positioning as of September 30, 2023? |
A |
We have continued to prefer investments in hospital-related issues, since the sector has historically had very low default rates. The revenue received by hospitals has remained diverse, coming from a combination of Medicare, Medicaid, private insurers, and self-payors. The Fund is also overweight to tobacco MSA bonds, due in part to the fact that the sector has never experienced a default. Tobacco bond revenues have provided funding for cancer treatment and research facilities, drug prevention and treatment, and others similar programs to state and local governments that signed the tobacco MSA. |
In addition, the Fund is underweight to bonds issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The territory’s geographic position makes it vulnerable to hurricane risks, and the local economy’s dependence on tourism means Puerto Rico bonds are potentially more susceptible to a global economic slowdown than bonds of other issuers. As noted earlier, the Fund is underweight |
to state general obligation issues, which have tended to be sensitive to political considerations, as certain state governments may have lower flexibility to raise taxes due to constituents’ preferences, thus limiting their ability to increase revenues. Likewise, governing bodies may be less likely to make the necessary cuts to popular programs. | |
As investment-grade municipal bond prices decreased throughout the six-month period, we increased the Fund’s exposure to that area of the market in an effort to capture what we saw as very attractive valuations. We funded the move by reducing the portfolio’s allocation to high-yield municipal bonds. | |
Q |
What is your investment outlook? |
A |
We anticipate that the shifting interest-rate outlook will continue to impact near-term market performance, given the data-dependent nature of Fed policy. However, slowing consumer spending and decelerating activity in the housing market may indicate that the Fed is moving closer to the point at which it can conclude its monetary tightening cycle. If this turns out to be the case, we believe investors may turn their attention to the positive fundamental traits of the high-yield municipal market, including its low default rate and the continued decline in new-issue supply. We are also encouraged by the opportunities afforded by the compelling yields in the investment-grade municipal bond space. |
As is always the case, headline news events have had a minimal effect on our day-to-day approach to managing the portfolio. Our goal is to invest the Fund in what we believe are fundamentally sound credits with attractive yields, while maintaining an appropriate level of portfolio diversification***. We also seek to avoid experiencing defaults in the portfolio through our emphasis on fundamental research. We believe this steady, long-term approach remains the most effective way to identify opportunities and to help minimize the risk associated with investing in the high-yield municipal market. |
*** |
Diversification does not assure a profit nor protect against loss. |
(As a percentage of total investments)* | ||
1. | Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Green Bond, 5.45%, 9/1/52 | 4.91% |
2. | Puerto Rico Commonwealth Aqueduct & Sewer Authority, Series A, 5.00%, 7/1/47 (144A) | 4.67 |
3. | Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, Senior Class 2, Series B-2, 5.00%, 6/1/55 | 4.14 |
4. | Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, WGBH Educational Foundation, Series A, 5.75%, 1/1/42 (AMBAC Insured) | 2.83 |
5. | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Restructured Series A-1, 5.00%, 7/1/58 | 2.81 |
6. | California County Tobacco Securitization Agency, Capital Appreciation, Stanislaus County, Subordinated, Series A, 6/1/46 | 2.72 |
7. | California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Series A, 5.25%, 12/1/56 (144A) | 2.67 |
8. | Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Series B-1, 5.00%, 6/1/47 | 2.65 |
9. | Medford Hospital Facilities Authority, Asante Project, Series A, 4.00%, 8/15/45 (AGM Insured) | 2.60 |
10. | Dominion Water & Sanitation District, 5.875%, 12/1/52 | 2.24 |
* | Excludes short-term investments and all derivative contracts except for options purchased. The Fund is actively managed, and current holdings may be different. The holdings listed should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any securities. |
9/30/23 |
3/31/23 | |
Market Value | $ |
$8.23 |
Discount | ( |
(12.35)% |
9/30/23 |
3/31/23 | |
Net Asset Value | $ |
$9.39 |
Net Investment Income |
Short-Term Capital Gains |
Long-Term Capital Gains | |
4/1/23 – 9/30/23 | $0.1795 | $— | $— |
9/30/23 |
3/31/23 | |
30-Day SEC Yield | 7.21% | 3.28% |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
UNAFFILIATED ISSUERS — 169.6% |
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Municipal Bonds — 167.7% of Net Assets(a) |
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Arizona — 1.5% |
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1,325,000 | Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Series A, 5.00%, 7/15/39 | $ 1,220,723 | ||||
1,970,000 | Industrial Development Authority of the City of Phoenix, 3rd & Indian School Assisted Living Project, 5.40%, 10/1/36 | 1,651,490 | ||||
Total Arizona |
$2,872,213 | |||||
Arkansas — 9.0% |
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1,500,000 | Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Big River Steel Project, 4.75%, 9/1/49 (144A) | $ 1,388,370 | ||||
17,500,000 | Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Green Bond, 5.45%, 9/1/52 | 16,185,050 | ||||
Total Arkansas |
$17,573,420 | |||||
California — 23.8% |
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2,500,000 | Bay Area Toll Authority, Series F-2, 2.60%, 4/1/56 | $ 1,463,525 | ||||
38,610,000(b) | California County Tobacco Securitization Agency, Capital Appreciation, Stanislaus County, Subordinated, Series A, 6/1/46 | 8,975,281 | ||||
5,000,000 | California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Cedars-Sinai Health System, Series A, 3.00%, 8/15/51 | 3,451,700 | ||||
1,500,000 | California Municipal Finance Authority, Series A, 5.25%, 11/1/52 (AGM Insured) | 1,555,155 | ||||
1,875,000 | California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Lancer Plaza Project, 5.875%, 11/1/43 | 1,876,969 | ||||
2,000,000 | California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Loma Linda University Medical Center, 5.50%, 12/1/58 (144A) | 1,927,480 | ||||
1,700,000 | California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Series A, 5.00%, 12/1/41 (144A) | 1,575,118 | ||||
5,915,000 | California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Series A, 5.00%, 12/1/46 (144A) | 5,461,556 | ||||
9,465,000 | California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Series A, 5.25%, 12/1/56 (144A) | 8,811,536 | ||||
2,300,000 | City of Oroville, Oroville Hospital, 5.25%, 4/1/34 | 1,351,595 | ||||
3,500,000 | City of Oroville, Oroville Hospital, 5.25%, 4/1/39 | 2,042,075 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
California — (continued) |
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5,500,000 | City of Oroville, Oroville Hospital, 5.25%, 4/1/49 | $ 3,189,945 | ||||
8,000,000 | City of Oroville, Oroville Hospital, 5.25%, 4/1/54 | 4,645,040 | ||||
Total California |
$46,326,975 | |||||
Colorado — 5.8% |
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1,000,000 | Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority, 4.375%, 12/1/52 | $ 723,950 | ||||
500,000 | Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Series A, 4.00%, 8/1/37 | 449,980 | ||||
1,000,000 | Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Series A, 4.00%, 8/1/44 | 846,260 | ||||
1,000,000 | Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Series A, 4.00%, 8/1/49 | 831,600 | ||||
1,150,000(c) | Cottonwood Highlands Metropolitan District No. 1, Series A, 5.00%, 12/1/49 | 983,687 | ||||
8,250,000 | Dominion Water & Sanitation District, 5.875%, 12/1/52 | 7,400,002 | ||||
Total Colorado |
$11,235,479 | |||||
Connecticut — 1.1% |
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2,035,000 | Mohegan Tribal Finance Authority, 7.00%, 2/1/45 (144A) | $ 2,037,686 | ||||
Total Connecticut |
$2,037,686 | |||||
Delaware — 0.5% |
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450,000 | Delaware State Economic Development Authority, Aspira of Delaware Charter, 3.00%, 6/1/32 | $ 363,794 | ||||
700,000 | Delaware State Economic Development Authority, Aspira of Delaware Charter, 4.00%, 6/1/42 | 525,560 | ||||
Total Delaware |
$889,354 | |||||
District of Columbia — 3.5% |
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6,630,000 | District of Columbia Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Asset-Backed, 6.75%, 5/15/40 | $ 6,747,815 | ||||
Total District of Columbia |
$6,747,815 | |||||
Florida — 3.1% |
||||||
2,500,000 | County of Hillsborough, 3.00%, 8/1/46 | $ 1,741,725 | ||||
550,000 | County of Lake, Imagine South Lake, Charter School Project, 5.00%, 1/15/39 (144A) | 526,537 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Florida — (continued) |
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825,000 | County of Lake, Imagine South Lake, Charter School Project, 5.00%, 1/15/49 (144A) | $ 709,426 | ||||
4,300,000 | State of Florida Department of Transportation Turnpike System Revenue, Series B, 2.00%, 7/1/37 | 3,004,281 | ||||
Total Florida |
$5,981,969 | |||||
Idaho — 1.0% |
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2,000,000 | Power County Industrial Development Corp., FMC Corp. Project, 6.45%, 8/1/32 | $ 2,004,660 | ||||
Total Idaho |
$2,004,660 | |||||
Illinois — 6.9% |
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3,760,000(c) | Chicago Board of Education, Series A, 5.00%, 12/1/47 | $ 3,460,930 | ||||
1,000,000(c) | Chicago Board of Education, Series A, 7.00%, 12/1/46 (144A) | 1,041,690 | ||||
1,200,000(c) | Chicago Board of Education, Series D, 5.00%, 12/1/46 | 1,082,496 | ||||
2,000,000(c) | Chicago Board of Education, Series H, 5.00%, 12/1/46 | 1,811,560 | ||||
2,000,000(c) | City of Chicago, Series B-R, 5.50%, 1/1/34 | 2,005,120 | ||||
140,903(b) | Illinois Finance Authority, Cabs Clare Oaks Project, Series B-1, 11/15/52 | 9,863 | ||||
223,202(d)(e) | Illinois Finance Authority, Clare Oaks Project, Series A-3, 4.00%, 11/15/52 | 145,081 | ||||
920,000 | Illinois Housing Development Authority, Series B, 2.15%, 10/1/41 (GNMA FNMA FHLMC COLL Insured) | 631,939 | ||||
3,000,000 | Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, McCormick Place Expansion, 4.00%, 6/15/50 | 2,383,350 | ||||
1,015,000(d) | Southwestern Illinois Development Authority, Village of Sauget Project, 5.625%, 11/1/26 | 761,250 | ||||
Total Illinois |
$13,333,279 | |||||
Indiana — 0.5% |
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1,000,000 | Indiana Finance Authority, Multipurpose Educational Facilities, Avondale Meadows Academy Project, 5.125%, 7/1/37 | $ 951,530 | ||||
Total Indiana |
$951,530 | |||||
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Iowa — 4.1% |
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6,900,000 | Iowa Finance Authority, Alcoa Inc. Projects, 4.75%, 8/1/42 | $ 6,204,549 | ||||
2,055,000 | Iowa Tobacco Settlement Authority, Series A-2, 4.00%, 6/1/49 | 1,756,429 | ||||
Total Iowa |
$7,960,978 | |||||
Maine — 0.8% |
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2,000,000 | Maine Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Series A, 4.00%, 7/1/50 | $ 1,642,540 | ||||
Total Maine |
$1,642,540 | |||||
Maryland — 1.9% |
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1,900,000 | Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, City Neighbors, Series A, 6.75%, 7/1/44 | $ 1,903,629 | ||||
2,700,000 | Maryland State Transportation Authority, Series A, 3.00%, 7/1/47 | 1,856,574 | ||||
Total Maryland |
$3,760,203 | |||||
Massachusetts — 9.2% |
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1,000,000(c) | Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Series C, 3.00%, 3/1/49 | $ 702,730 | ||||
3,500,000 | Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Lowell General Hospital, Series G, 5.00%, 7/1/44 | 3,087,035 | ||||
8,000,000 | Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, WGBH Educational Foundation, Series A, 5.75%, 1/1/42 (AMBAC Insured) | 9,336,640 | ||||
1,315,000 | Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, Series A-1, 4.20%, 12/1/52 | 1,108,098 | ||||
2,790,000(c) | Town of Arlington, 2.00%, 9/15/40 | 1,782,922 | ||||
950,000(c) | Town of Plymouth, 2.00%, 5/1/34 | 739,508 | ||||
2,160,000(c) | Town of Rockland, 2.20%, 8/1/50 | 1,205,928 | ||||
Total Massachusetts |
$17,962,861 | |||||
Michigan — 1.0% |
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1,985,000 | David Ellis Academy-West, 5.25%, 6/1/45 | $ 1,679,866 | ||||
305,000 | Michigan Public Educational Facilities Authority, Crescent Academy, 7.00%, 10/1/36 | 305,961 | ||||
Total Michigan |
$1,985,827 | |||||
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Minnesota — 1.2% |
||||||
1,000,000 | City of Ham Lake, DaVinci Academy, Series A, 5.00%, 7/1/47 | $ 839,340 | ||||
1,740,000 | City of Rochester, Health Care Facilities, Mayo Clinic, 4.00%, 11/15/48 | 1,516,010 | ||||
Total Minnesota |
$2,355,350 | |||||
Montana — 0.3% |
||||||
2,445,000(d)(e) | City of Hardin, Tax Allocation, Rocky Mountain Power, Inc., Project, 6.25%, 9/1/31 | $ 537,900 | ||||
1,000,000(d) | Two Rivers Authority, 7.375%, 11/1/27 | 50,000 | ||||
Total Montana |
$587,900 | |||||
New Hampshire — 0.5% |
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1,375,000 | New Hampshire Health and Education Facilities Authority Act, Catholic Medical Centre, 3.75%, 7/1/40 | $ 1,013,787 | ||||
Total New Hampshire |
$1,013,787 | |||||
New Jersey — 0.4% |
||||||
1,000,000 | New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Marion P. Thomas Charter School, Inc., Project, Series A, 5.375%, 10/1/50 (144A) | $ 822,410 | ||||
Total New Jersey |
$822,410 | |||||
New York — 10.4% |
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3,000,000 | Erie Tobacco Asset Securitization Corp., Asset-Backed, Series A, 5.00%, 6/1/45 | $ 2,734,980 | ||||
2,000,000 | Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Green Bond, Series C-1, 5.25%, 11/15/55 | 1,999,880 | ||||
5,000,000 | Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Green Bond, Series D-2, 4.00%, 11/15/48 | 4,166,200 | ||||
2,530,000 | New York Counties Tobacco Trust IV, Settlement pass through, Series A, 5.00%, 6/1/45 | 2,239,050 | ||||
3,240,000 | New York Counties Tobacco Trust VI, Series 2B, 5.00%, 6/1/45 | 2,948,173 | ||||
4,685,000 | New York State Housing Finance Agency, Sustainability Bond, Series G, 2.73%, 11/1/51 (SONYMA Insured) | 2,614,839 | ||||
2,000,000 | TSASC, Inc., Series B, 5.00%, 6/1/48 | 1,729,320 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
New York — (continued) |
||||||
1,199,828 | Westchester County Healthcare Corp., Series A, 5.00%, 11/1/44 | $ 1,052,417 | ||||
1,000,000 | Westchester County Local Development Corp., Purchase Senior Learning Community, Inc. Project, 4.50%, 7/1/56 (144A) | 660,450 | ||||
Total New York |
$20,145,309 | |||||
North Carolina — 1.6% |
||||||
500,000 | City of Charlotte Airport Revenue, Series A, 5.00%, 7/1/42 | $ 506,875 | ||||
500,000 | City of Charlotte Water & Sewer System Revenue, 2.00%, 7/1/41 | 312,995 | ||||
1,000,000 | City of Charlotte Water & Sewer System Revenue, 2.00%, 7/1/42 | 610,000 | ||||
2,500,000(c) | County of Mecklenburg, 2.00%, 3/1/41 | 1,581,700 | ||||
Total North Carolina |
$3,011,570 | |||||
Ohio — 8.7% |
||||||
15,855,000 | Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, Senior Class 2, Series B-2, 5.00%, 6/1/55 | $ 13,657,497 | ||||
1,500,000 | County of Muskingum, Genesis Healthcare System Project , 5.00%, 2/15/44 | 1,302,435 | ||||
2,000,000 | State of Ohio, 5.00%, 12/31/39 | 1,906,440 | ||||
Total Ohio |
$16,866,372 | |||||
Oregon — 4.4% |
||||||
10,000,000 | Medford Hospital Facilities Authority, Asante Project, Series A, 4.00%, 8/15/45 (AGM Insured) | $ 8,586,800 | ||||
Total Oregon |
$8,586,800 | |||||
Pennsylvania — 10.3% |
||||||
1,000,000 | Chester County Industrial Development Authority, Collegium Charter School, Series A, 5.25%, 10/15/47 | $ 843,980 | ||||
6,665,000 | Montgomery County Higher Education and Health Authority, Thomas Jefferson University, 4.00%, 9/1/49 | 5,350,995 | ||||
4,585,000 | Montgomery County Higher Education and Health Authority, Thomas Jefferson University, Series B, 5.00%, 5/1/52 | 4,392,017 | ||||
2,710,000 | Montgomery County Higher Education and Health Authority, Thomas Jefferson University, Series B, 5.00%, 5/1/57 | 2,569,026 | ||||
6,000,000 | Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority, 4.00%, 8/15/49 | 5,089,500 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Pennsylvania — (continued) |
||||||
500,000 | Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, 5.50%, 6/1/49 (144A) | $ 499,255 | ||||
1,000,000 | Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, Global Leadership Academy Charter School Project, Series A, 5.00%, 11/15/50 | 809,770 | ||||
470,000 | Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc., Project, Series A, 6.625%, 6/1/50 | 427,042 | ||||
Total Pennsylvania |
$19,981,585 | |||||
Puerto Rico — 22.1% |
||||||
2,375,679(c) | Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Restructured Series A-1, 4.00%, 7/1/37 | $ 1,996,164 | ||||
5,021,480(c) | Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Restructured Series A-1, 4.00%, 7/1/41 | 4,039,178 | ||||
6,810,000(c) | Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Restructured Series A-1, 4.00%, 7/1/46 | 5,271,689 | ||||
2,000,000 | Puerto Rico Commonwealth Aqueduct & Sewer Authority, Series A, 5.00%, 7/1/37 (144A) | 1,924,640 | ||||
16,250,000 | Puerto Rico Commonwealth Aqueduct & Sewer Authority, Series A, 5.00%, 7/1/47 (144A) | 15,385,175 | ||||
1,000,000 | Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Series AAA, 5.25%, 7/1/24 | 250,000 | ||||
3,000,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Restructured Series A-1, 4.75%, 7/1/53 | 2,652,180 | ||||
10,255,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Restructured Series A-1, 5.00%, 7/1/58 | 9,250,831 | ||||
2,500,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Restructured Series A-2, 4.784%, 7/1/58 | 2,182,100 | ||||
Total Puerto Rico |
$42,951,957 | |||||
Rhode Island — 0.1% |
||||||
1,355,000(d) | Central Falls Detention Facility Corp., 7.25%, 7/15/35 | $ 243,900 | ||||
Total Rhode Island |
$243,900 | |||||
South Carolina — 2.6% |
||||||
4,400,000(f) | Tobacco Settlement Revenue Management Authority, Series B, 6.375%, 5/15/30 | $ 5,104,264 | ||||
Total South Carolina |
$5,104,264 | |||||
South Dakota — 1.8% |
||||||
4,000,000 | South Dakota Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Sanford Health, Series B, 4.00%, 11/1/44 | $ 3,479,640 | ||||
Total South Dakota |
$3,479,640 | |||||
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Texas — 15.4% |
||||||
500,000 | Arlington Higher Education Finance Corp., 5.45%, 3/1/49 (144A) | $ 499,515 | ||||
1,000,000 | Arlington Higher Education Finance Corp., Universal Academy, Series A, 7.00%, 3/1/34 | 1,004,510 | ||||
1,500,000 | Arlington Higher Education Finance Corp., Universal Academy, Series A, 7.125%, 3/1/44 | 1,370,145 | ||||
5,300,000 | Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, Senior Lien, Series D, 3.00%, 1/1/46 | 3,557,678 | ||||
7,345,000 | City of Houston Airport System Revenue, 4.00%, 7/15/41 | 6,145,121 | ||||
1,000,000 | City of Houston Airport System Revenue, Series A, 4.00%, 7/1/41 | 836,700 | ||||
5,000,000(e) | Greater Texas Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., 9.00%, 2/1/50 (144A) | 4,278,700 | ||||
6,960,000(d) | Sanger Industrial Development Corp., Texas Pellets Project, Series B, 8.00%, 7/1/38 | 1,713,900 | ||||
949,209 | Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs, Series 2020-HOLL, 2.30%, 7/1/37 (FNMA HUD SECT 8 Insured) | 721,798 | ||||
1,000,000(e) | Texas Midwest Public Facility Corp., Secure Treatment Facility Project, Restructured, 12/1/30 | 673,450 | ||||
3,365,000 | Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp., NTE Mobility Partners LLC, 7.00%, 12/31/38 | 3,372,066 | ||||
6,000,000 | Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp., Segment 3C Project, 5.00%, 6/30/58 | 5,724,300 | ||||
Total Texas |
$29,897,883 | |||||
Virginia — 13.4% |
||||||
2,035,000 | Lynchburg Economic Development Authority, 3.00%, 1/1/51 | $ 1,301,444 | ||||
9,550,000 | Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Series B-1, 5.00%, 6/1/47 | 8,727,554 | ||||
2,000,000 | Virginia College Building Authority, Public Higher Education Financing Program, Series C, 3.00%, 9/1/51 (ST INTERCEPT Insured) | 1,357,280 | ||||
10,000(g) | Virginia Public Building Authority, Series A, 4.00%, 8/1/40 | 10,270 | ||||
990,000 | Virginia Public Building Authority, Series A, 4.00%, 8/1/40 | 919,075 | ||||
1,000,000 | Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Senior Lien, 5.00%, 12/31/47 | 965,620 | ||||
1,000,000 | Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Senior Lien 95 Express Lanes LLC Project, 4.00%, 1/1/48 | 827,800 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Virginia — (continued) |
||||||
5,500,000 | Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Transform 66-P3 Project, 5.00%, 12/31/49 | $ 5,265,480 | ||||
2,500,000 | Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Transform 66-P3 Project, 5.00%, 12/31/52 | 2,322,775 | ||||
4,600,000 | Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Transform 66-P3 Project, 5.00%, 12/31/56 | 4,339,410 | ||||
Total Virginia |
$26,036,708 | |||||
Wisconsin — 0.8% |
||||||
750,000 | Public Finance Authority, Roseman University Health Sciences Project, 5.875%, 4/1/45 | $ 726,630 | ||||
1,000,000 | Public Finance Authority, SearStone CCRC Project, Series A, 5.00%, 6/1/37 (144A) | 877,260 | ||||
Total Wisconsin |
$1,603,890 | |||||
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $364,955,369) |
$325,956,114 | |||||
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations — 1.9% of Net Assets |
||||||
3,750,000(b) | U.S. Treasury Bills, 10/5/23 | $ 3,748,353 | ||||
Total U.S. Government and Agency Obligations (Cost $3,747,801) |
$ 3,748,353 | |||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN UNAFFILIATED ISSUERS — 169.6% (Cost $368,703,170) |
$ 329,704,467 | |||||
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — (69.6)% |
$(135,287,971) | |||||
net assets applicable to common stockholders — 100.0% |
$194,416,496 | |||||
AGM | Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. |
AMBAC | Ambac Assurance Corporation. |
FHLMC | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. |
FNMA | Federal National Mortgage Association. |
FNMA HUD SECT 8 | Federal National Mortgage Association U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8. |
GNMA | Government National Mortgage Association. |
SONYMA | State of New York Mortgage Agency. |
ST INTERCEPT | State Aid Intercept. |
(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 September 30, 2023, the value of these securities amounted to $48,426,804, or 24.9% of net assets applicable to common stockholders. |
(a) | Consists of Revenue Bonds unless otherwise indicated. |
(b) | Security issued with a zero coupon. Income is recognized through accretion of discount. |
(c) | Represents a General Obligation Bond. |
(d) | Security is in default. |
(e) | The interest rate is subject to change periodically. The interest rate and/or reference index and spread shown at September 30, 2023. |
(f) | Escrow to maturity. |
(g) | Pre-refunded bonds have been collateralized by U.S. Treasury or U.S. Government Agency securities which are held in escrow to pay interest and principal on the tax exempt issue and to retire the bonds in full at the earliest refunding date. |
Revenue Bonds: |
|
Health Revenue | 24.3% |
Tobacco Revenue | 16.6 |
Development Revenue | 15.7 |
Transportation Revenue | 12.7 |
Water Revenue | 7.8 |
Education Revenue | 7.0 |
Other Revenue | 5.9 |
General Revenue | 1.2 |
Facilities Revenue | 0.3 |
Power Revenue | 0.1 |
91.6% | |
General Obligation Bonds: |
8.4% |
100.0% |
Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there is an excess of value over tax cost | $5,836,071 |
Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which there is an excess of tax cost over value | (44,430,425) |
Net unrealized depreciation | $(38,594,354) |
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 | |
Municipal Bonds | $— | $325,956,114 | $— | $325,956,114 |
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations | — | 3,748,353 | — | 3,748,353 |
Total Investments in Securities |
$— |
$329,704,467 |
$— |
$329,704,467 |
Other Financial Instruments |
||||
Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (a) |
$— | $(140,000,000) | $— | $(140,000,000) |
Total Other Financial Instruments |
$— |
$(140,000,000) |
$— |
$(140,000,000) |
(a) | The Fund may hold liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. |
ASSETS: |
|
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $368,703,170) | $329,704,467 |
Receivables — | |
Interest | 4,954,051 |
Other assets | 8,172 |
Total assets |
$334,666,690 |
LIABILITIES: |
|
Overdraft due to custodian | $129,296 |
Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares* | 140,000,000 |
Payables — | |
Directors' fees | 198 |
Management fees | 22,003 |
Administrative expenses | 32,694 |
Accrued expenses | 66,003 |
Total liabilities |
$140,250,194 |
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS: |
|
Paid-in capital | $284,214,601 |
Distributable earnings (loss) | (89,798,105) |
Net assets |
$194,416,496 |
NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE: |
|
No par value | |
Based on $194,416,496/23,914,439 common shares | $8.13 |
INVESTMENT INCOME: |
||
Interest from unaffiliated issuers | $8,972,047 | |
Total Investment Income | $8,972,047 | |
EXPENSES: |
||
Management fees | $1,075,818 | |
Administrative expenses | 49,930 | |
Transfer agent fees | 10,072 | |
Stockholder communications expense | 31,563 | |
Custodian fees | 1,665 | |
Professional fees | 195,163 | |
Printing expense | 6,486 | |
Officers' and Directors' fees | 8,700 | |
Interest expense | 3,814,365 | |
Miscellaneous | 50,349 | |
Total expenses | $5,244,111 | |
Net investment income | $3,727,936 | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS: |
||
Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||
Reimbursement by the Adviser | $78,397 | |
Investments in unaffiliated issuers | (7,095,564) | $(7,017,167) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | ||
Investments in unaffiliated issuers | $(22,546,421) | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | $(29,563,588) | |
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations | $(25,835,652) |
Six Months Ended 9/30/23 (unaudited) |
Year Ended 3/31/23 | |
FROM OPERATIONS: |
||
Net investment income (loss) | $3,727,936 | $9,793,580 |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | (7,017,167) | (17,881,409) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | (22,546,421) | (12,624,865) |
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations | $(25,835,652) |
$(20,712,694) |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO STOCKHOLDERS: |
||
($0.18 and $0.42 per share, respectively) | $(4,292,642) | $(10,115,452) |
Tax return of capital |
||
($— and $0.07 per share, respectively) | $— | $(1,674,366) |
Total distributions to stockholders | $(4,292,642) | $(11,789,818) |
Net decrease in net assets applicable to common stockholders |
$(30,128,294) |
$(32,502,512) |
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS: |
||
Beginning of period | $224,544,790 | $257,047,302 |
End of period | $194,416,496 |
$224,544,790 |
Six Months Ended 9/30/23 Common Shares (unaudited) |
Six Months Ended 9/30/23 Amount (unaudited) |
Year Ended 3/31/23 Common Shares |
Year Ended 3/31/23 Amount | |
FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS |
||||
Common Shares sold | — | $— | — | $— |
Reinvestment of distributions | — | — | — | — |
Less Common Shares repurchased | — | — | — | — |
Net increase | — | $— | — | $— |
Cash Flows From Operating Activities |
|
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations | $(25,835,652) |
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash from operating activities: |
|
Purchases of investment securities | $(36,465,896) |
Proceeds from disposition and maturity of investment securities | 40,645,534 |
Net purchases of short term investments | (3,726,913) |
Net accretion and amortization of discount/premium on investment securities | (489,451) |
Reimbursement by the Adviser | (78,397) |
Net realized loss on investments in unaffiliated issuers | 7,095,564 |
Change in unrealized depreciation on investments in unaffiliated issuers | 22,546,421 |
Decrease in interest receivable | 283,216 |
Decrease in distributions paid in advance | 825,048 |
Increase in other assets | (8,035) |
Increase in management fees payable | 4,089 |
Increase in directors' fees payable | 160 |
Increase in administrative expenses payable | 3,751 |
Decrease in accrued expenses payable | (102,476) |
Net cash from operating activities | $4,696,963 |
Cash Flows Used In Financing Activities: |
|
Increase in overdraft due to custodian | 129,296 |
Distributions to stockholders | (5,117,690) |
Net cash flows used in financing activities | $(4,988,394) |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH |
$(291,431) |
Cash: |
|
Beginning of period | $291,431 |
End of period | $— |
Cash Flow Information: |
|
Cash paid for interest | $3,814,365 |
Six Months Ended 9/30/23 (unaudited) |
Year Ended 3/31/23 |
Year Ended 3/31/22 |
Year Ended 3/31/21 |
Year Ended 3/31/20 |
Year Ended 3/31/19 | |
Per Share Operating Performance |
||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $9.39 | $10.75 | $12.16 | $11.77 | $11.68 | $11.59 |
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:(a) | ||||||
Net investment income (loss)(b) | $0.16 | $0.41 | $0.49 | $0.53 | $0.49 | $0.72 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (1.24) | (1.28) | (1.38) | 0.42 | 0.06 | 0.16 |
Distributions to preferred stockholders from: | ||||||
Net investment income(b) | — | — | — | — | — | (0.18) |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
$(1.08) |
$(0.87) |
$(0.89) |
$0.95 |
$0.55 |
$0.70 |
Distributions to stockholders: | ||||||
Net investment income and previously undistributed net investment income | $(0.18)* | $(0.42)* | $(0.52)* | $(0.56)* | $(0.46) | $(0.61) |
Tax return of capital | — | (0.07) | — | — | — | — |
Total distributions |
$(0.18) |
$(0.49) |
$(0.52) |
$(0.56) |
$(0.46) |
$(0.61) |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value |
$(1.26) |
$(1.36) |
$(1.41) |
$0.39 |
$0.09 |
$0.09 |
Net asset value, end of period | $8.13 | $9.39 | $10.75 | $12.16 | $11.77 | $11.68 |
Market value end of period | $6.73 | $8.23 | $9.83 | $11.82 | $10.18 | $10.76 |
Total return at net asset value(c) |
(11.38)%(d)(e) |
(7.42)% |
(7.54)% |
8.60% |
5.12% |
6.63% |
Total return at market value(c) |
(16.30)%(d)(e) |
(11.26)% |
(13.03)% |
22.05% |
(1.30)% |
6.20% |
Ratios to average net assets of stockholders: | ||||||
Total expenses plus interest expense(f)(g) | 4.80%(h) | 3.40% | 1.86% | 1.82% | 2.61% | 1.14% |
Net investment income before preferred share distributions | —%(h) | —% | —% | —% | —% | 6.28% |
Net investment income | 3.41%(h) | 4.29% | 4.02% | 4.33% | 4.14% | 4.69% |
Preferred share distributions | —%(h) | —% | —% | —% | —% | 1.58% |
Portfolio turnover rate | 10%(e) | 63% | 11% | 12% | 11% | 9% |
Net assets of common stockholders, end of period (in thousands) | $194,416 | $224,545 | $257,047 | $290,614 | $281,372 | $279,241 |
Preferred shares outstanding (in thousands)(i)(j)(k) | $140,000 | $140,000 | $180,000 | $180,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 |
Asset coverage per preferred share, end of period | $238,869 | $260,389 | $242,804 | $261,452 | $276,030 | $274,529 |
Average market value per preferred share(l) | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
Six Months Ended 9/30/23 (unaudited) |
Year Ended 3/31/23 |
Year Ended 3/31/22 |
Year Ended 3/31/21 |
Year Ended 3/31/20 |
Year Ended 3/31/19 | |
Liquidation value, including interest expense payable, per preferred share | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,172 | $100,004 |
* | The amount of distributions made to shareowners 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 shareowners during the period. A decrease in distributions may have a negative effect on the market value of the Fund’s shares. |
(a) | The per common share data presented above is based upon the average common shares outstanding for the periods presented. |
(b) | Beginning March 31, 2020, distribution payments to preferred shareowners are included as a component of net investment income. |
(c) | 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. |
(d) | For the period ended September 30, 2023, the Fund's total return includes a reimbursement by the Adviser (see Notes to the Financial Statements-Note 1.B). The impact on total return was less than 0.005%. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
(f) | Includes interest expense of 1.74%, 2.09%, 0.56%, 0.64%, 1.50% and —%, respectively. |
(g) | Prior to March 31, 2020, the expense ratios do not reflect the effect of distribution payments to preferred shareowners. |
(h) | Annualized. |
(i) | The Fund redeemed 200 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, on November 14, 2022. |
(j) | The Fund redeemed 200 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, on September 29, 2022. |
(k) | The Fund issued 200 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, on February 16, 2021. |
(l) | Market value is redemption value without an active market. |
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. | |
Securities 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 Adviser. The Adviser is designated as the valuation designee for the Fund pursuant to |
Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. The 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 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 |
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. | |
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. | |
During the period ended September 30, 2023, the Fund realized a loss of $78,397 due to an operational error. The Adviser voluntarily reimbursed the Fund for this loss, which is reflected on the Statement of Operations as Reimbursement by the Adviser. | |
C. |
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 September 30, 2023, 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 shareowners 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. | |
The tax character of current year distributions payable will be determined at the end of the current taxable year. The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended March 31, 2023 was as follows: |
2023 | |
Distributions paid from: |
|
Tax-exempt income | $14,529,823 |
Ordinary income | 361,454 |
Tax return of capital | 1,674,366 |
Total |
$16,565,643 |
2023 | |
Distributable earnings/(losses): |
|
Capital loss carryforward | $(42,796,830) |
Other book/tax temporary differences | (825,048) |
Net unrealized depreciation | (16,047,933) |
Total |
$(59,669,811) |
D. |
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 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. |
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 including Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, 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 have increased and may rise further. These circumstances could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund's investments and negatively impact the Fund's performance. | |
The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent variants on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, are not known. 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 tra ding p artners, 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 were to attempt unification of Taiwan by force, 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. | |
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest substantially all of its assets in municipal securities. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Issuers often depend on revenues from these projects to make principal and interest payments. The value of municipal securities can also be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory and political developments, tax law changes or other legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to down-grades or defaults during recessions or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession. To the extent the Fund invests significantly in a single state (including California and Massachusetts), city, territory (including Puerto Rico), or region, or in securities the payments on which are dependent upon a single project or source of revenues, or that relate to a sector or industry, including health care facilities, education, transportation, special revenues and pollution control, the Fund will be more susceptible to associated risks and developments. | |
The Fund invests in below investment grade (high yield) municipal securities. 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. | |
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. In recent years interest rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows. The U.S. Federal Reserve has raised certain interest rates, and interest rates may continue to go up. 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. | |
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 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 bro ker-deale rs, |
retirement platforms and other financial market participants over which neither the Fund nor the 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 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 valu e, impediments to trading, the inability of Fund shareowners to effect share purchases or sales or receive distributions, loss of or unauthorized access to private shareowner 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. |
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 six months ended September 30, 2023, the Fund had no restricted cash presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
9/30/23 |
3/31/23 | |
Shares outstanding at beginning of period | 23,914,439 | 23,914,439 |
Shares outstanding at end of period |
23,914,439 |
Period Ended 9/30/23 |
Year Ended 3/31/23 | |||
Shares |
Amount |
Shares |
Amount | |
VMTP Shares issued | — | $— | — | $— |
VMTP Shares redeemed | — | — | (400) | (40,000,000) |
Net decrease | — | $— | (400) | $(40,000,000) |
Nominee |
Votes For |
Votes Against |
Votes Abstained |
Diane Durnin* | 17,317,923 | 2,042,371 | 346,085 |
Benjamin M. Friedman* | 16,869,171 | 2,479,750 | 357,458 |
Kenneth J. Taubes* | 17,557,543 | 1,750,365 | 398,470 |
change of address, lost stock certificates,Transfer & Trust
stock transferOperations Center
6201 15th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Transfer & Trust
Wall Street Station
P.O. Box 922
New York, NY 10269-0560
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
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 10(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 12(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 10(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.
N/A
(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.
N/A
(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.
N/A
(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.
N/A
(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.
N/A
(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. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
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.
N/A
ITEM 8. 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.
N/A
.
ITEM 9. 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).
N/A
ITEM 10. 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 11. 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 12. 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 13. EXHIBITS.
(a) File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form. Letter or number the exhibits in the sequence indicated.
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 Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc.
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Lisa M. Jones
Lisa M. Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer
Date December 7, 2023
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/ Lisa M. Jones
Lisa M. Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer
Date December 7, 2023
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Anthony J. Koenig, Jr.
Anthony J. Koenig, Jr., Managing Director, Chief Operations Officer & Treasurer of the Funds
Date December 7, 2023
* | Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature. |