UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act File Number: 811-21820
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund
(Exact Name of registrant as Specified in Charter)
Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Maureen A. Gemma
Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(Name and Address of Agent for Services)
(617) 482-8260
(registrant’s Telephone Number)
April 30
Date of Fiscal Year End
April 30, 2009
Date of Reporting Period
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders
IMPORTANT NOTICES REGARDING PRIVACY,
DELIVERY OF SHAREHOLDER DOCUMENTS,
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS AND PROXY VOTING
Privacy. The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each of the financial institutions identified below has in effect the following policy (“Privacy Policy”) with respect to nonpublic personal information about its customers:
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| • | Only such information received from you, through application forms or otherwise, and information about your Eaton Vance fund transactions will be collected. This may include information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account balances and transactions. |
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| • | None of such information about you (or former customers) will be disclosed to anyone, except as permitted by law (which includes disclosure to employees necessary to service your account). In the normal course of servicing a customer’s account, Eaton Vance may share information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various required services such as transfer agents, custodians and broker/dealers. |
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| • | Policies and procedures (including physical, electronic and procedural safeguards) are in place that are designed to protect the confidentiality of such information. |
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| • | We reserve the right to change our Privacy Policy at any time upon proper notification to you. Customers may want to review our Policy periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com. |
Our pledge of privacy applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Boston Management and Research, and Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.
In addition, our Privacy Policy only applies to those Eaton Vance customers who are individuals and who have a direct relationship with us. If a customer’s account (i.e., fund shares) is held in the name of a third-party financial adviser/broker-dealer, it is likely that only such adviser’s privacy policies apply to the customer. This notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures.
For more information about Eaton Vance’s Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-262-1122.
Delivery of Shareholder Documents. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders.
Eaton Vance, or your financial adviser, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial adviser, otherwise.
If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial adviser.
Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial adviser.
Portfolio Holdings. Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio (if applicable) will file a schedule of its portfolio holdings on Form N-Q with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-Q will be available on the Eaton Vance website www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Form N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. (call 1-800-732-0330 for information on the operation of the public reference room).
Proxy Voting. From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12 month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122. This description is also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE
Economic and Market Conditions
• | | Credit markets experienced unprecedented volatility during the year ending April 30, 2009. The subprime crisis of 2007 expanded in 2008 to include nearly all credit instruments, which, in turn, caused the world economy to slip into recession. September 2008 brought a series of events that rattled the financial markets: the government bailouts of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, the rescue of American International Group, and a litany of unprecedented steps by the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve to stabilize the credit markets. The 12-month period was a rollercoaster for the credit sectors of the bond market, with poor performance in the first eight months offset by a recovery in the final four months. U.S. Treasuries generally benefited from the flight to quality, turning in positive returns. For the year ending April 30, 2009, the total returns for the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index, the Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Index and the Barclays Capital U.S. Intermediate Government Bond Index were - -13.43%, -14.69% and 6.65%, respectively. |
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• | | In the high-yield and bank loan markets, there was little doubt that a recession would bring higher default rates, but it was difficult to reconcile trading levels with market fundamentals during November and December of 2008. A range of data and criteria used to monitor creditworthiness suggested that overall credit quality appeared to be in line with previous downturns. High-yield bonds and bank loans traded far below levels consistent with default and recovery expectations, reflecting a full-scale breakdown in the credit markets. |
Scott H. Page, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Payson F. Swaffield, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Michael W. Weilheimer, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Andrew N. Sveen, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
• | | During the final four months of the period, the market for bank loans staged a significant turnaround, and cash was put to work in a sector with no active sellers and a new issue market that remained largely closed. As a result, loan prices jumped. Other positive developments included spread tightening and robust debt issuance in the investment-grade debt market and improvements in short-term financing and other liquidity measures as government stimulus programs began to take hold. The high-yield market also benefited from the narrowing of spreads and a more optimistic outlook. Within the high-yield universe, higher-credit-quality bonds outperformed lower-credit-quality bonds, and shorter-maturity issues outperformed those with longer maturities. |
Management Discussion
• | | The Fund is a closed-end fund and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EOE.” The Fund’s investment objective is to provide a high level of current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. |
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund
Total Return Performance 4/30/08 – 4/30/09
| | | | | | | | |
NYSE Symbol | | | | | | EOE |
|
At Net Asset Value (NAV)1 | | | | | | | -51.30 | % |
At Share Price1 | | | | | | | -55.62 | |
S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index2 | | | | | | | -13.43 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Premium/(Discount) to NAV (4/30/09) | | | | | | | -12.85 | % |
Total Distributions per common share | | | | | | $ | 1.33 | |
Distribution Rate3 | | At NAV | | | 13.66 | % |
| | At Share Price | | | 15.67 | % |
Please refer to page 3 for additional performance information.
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1 | | Performance results reflect the effects of leverage. |
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2 | | It is not possible to invest directly in an Index. The Index’s total return reflects changes in value of the loans constituting the Index and accrual of interest and does not reflect the commissions or expenses that would have been incurred if an investor individually purchased or sold the loans represented in the Index. Unlike the Fund, the Index’s return does not reflect the effect of leverage. |
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3 | | The Distribution Rate is based on the Fund’s most recent monthly distribution per share (annualized) divided by the Fund’s NAV or share price at the end of the period. The Fund’s monthly distributions may be comprised of ordinary income, net realized capital gains and return of capital. |
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or share price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. The Fund’s performance at share price will differ from its results at NAV. Although share price performance generally reflects investment results over time, during shorter periods, returns at share price can also be affected by factors such as changing perceptions about the Fund, market conditions, fluctuations in supply and demand for the Fund’s shares, or changes in Fund distributions. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, the Fund’s current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. Absent an expense waiver by the investment adviser, the returns would be lower. For performance as of the most recent month end, please refer to www.eatonvance.com.
Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.
1
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE
• | | The Fund’s loan investments are very well diversified, with 107 borrowers and no single investment representing more than 2.1% of the total investments. The Fund is also broadly diversified by industry, as none constituted more than 7.2% of total investments as of April 30, 2009. A diversified approach should help the Fund mitigate risk in an increasing default environment. Management can shift allocations among loans and bonds. The Fund remained more heavily weighted toward first and second lien secured loans, which, in management’s view, may fare better in an increasing default environment. |
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• | | As a result of the previously discussed market dislocation, the market value of the Fund’s investments continued to decline significantly during the year ending April 30, 2009, resulting in poor total returns of -55.62% at share price and -51.30% at NAV. The Fund’s total return at NAV trailed the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index (the Index)1 as a result of leverage on the Fund, which accentuated the negative returns during the extreme part of the credit crunch that took place in the latter part of 2008. In addition, the Fund held a higher concentration of second lien bank loans compared to the Index, which detracted from relative performance. During the year, however, the Fund continued to provide a high level of current income. |
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• | | The performance of the Fund’s high-yield bond investments was hurt by a lower allocation in BB-rated bonds relative to the Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Index, as BB-rated issues outperformed in the difficult market environment. Additionally, the Fund lost ground as a result of not owning GMAC bonds when the government made GMAC a bank holding company instead of letting it go bankrupt. During the high-yield market’s recovery in 2009, however, the Fund’s emphasis on B-rated bonds benefited performance. These companies made it through the tumultuous environment virtually intact with credit profiles that did not deteriorate to the extent initially expected. The Fund also invested in higher-quality, investment-grade securities as well as in companies that have been able to access the capital markets and issue new securities in the new issue market. Technology, utilities and cable/satellite were among the Fund’s top-performing high-yield bond sectors, all of which outperformed due to strong security selection compared to the Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Index. Underweight positions in the paper, banking and automotive sectors detracted from performance within the high-yield portion of the Fund. |
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• | | As of April 30, 2009, the Fund had outstanding leverage of approximately 37.7% of its total assets. The Fund’s leverage consists of Auction Preferred Shares (APS) issued by the Fund.2 Use of leverage creates an opportunity for income, but at the same time creates special risks (including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of common shares). |
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• | | On May 22, 2009, after the end of the reporting period, the Fund redeemed a portion of its APS, representing 763 shares and $19,075,000 in liquidation preferences, to reduce the amount of the Fund’s leverage. |
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1 | | It is not possible to invest directly in an Index. The Index’s total return reflects changes in value of the loans constituting the Index and accrual of interest and does not reflect the commissions or expenses that would have been incurred if an investor individually purchased or sold the loans represented in the Index. Unlike the Fund, the Index’s return does not reflect the effect of leverage. |
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2 | | In the event of a rise in long-term interest rates, the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio could decline, which would reduce the asset coverage for its Auction Preferred Shares. APS percentage represents the liquidation value of the Fund’s APS outstanding at 4/30/09 as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets applicable to common shares plus APS. |
The views expressed throughout this report are those of the portfolio managers and are current only through the end of the period of the report as stated on the cover. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and the investment adviser disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a fund are based on many factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. Fund information provided in the report may not be representative of the Fund’s current or future investments and may change due to active management.
2
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
FUND PERFORMANCE
Fund Performance1
| | | | |
New York Stock Exchange Symbol (NYSE) | | EOE |
|
Average Annual Total Returns (by share price, NYSE) | | | | |
One Year | | | -55.62 | % |
Life of Fund (5/31/06) | | | -26.68 | |
| | | | |
Average Annual Total Returns (at net asset value) | | | | |
One Year | | | -51.30 | % |
Life of Fund (5/31/06) | | | -23.14 | |
| | |
1 | | Performance results reflect the effects of leverage. |
Portfolio Composition
Top Ten Holdings2
By total investments
| | | | |
RadNet Management, Inc. | | | 2.0 | % |
TriMas Corp. | | | 1.9 | |
Infor Enterprise Solutions Holdings | | | 1.8 | |
Murray Energy Corp. | | | 1.4 | |
MultiPlan, Inc. (corporate bond) | | | 1.4 | |
INEOS Group | | | 1.4 | |
Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. (corporate bond) | | | 1.3 | |
Niagara Corp. | | | 1.2 | |
American Media Operations, Inc. | | | 1.2 | |
Panolam Industries Holdings, Inc. | | | 1.2 | |
| | |
2 | | Reflects the Fund’s investments as of 4/30/09. Holdings are shown as a percentage of the Fund’s total investments. |
Top Five Industries3
By total investments
| | | | |
Healthcare | | | 7.2 | % |
Publishing | | | 7.1 | |
Business Equipment and Services | | | 4.1 | |
Leisure Goods/Activities/Movies | | | 3.7 | |
Industrial Equipment | | | 3.6 | |
| | |
3 | | Reflects the Fund’s investments as of 4/30/09. Industries are shown as a percentage of the Fund’s total investments. |
Credit Quality Ratings for
Total Loan Investments4
By total loan investments
| | | | |
Ba | | | 7.3 | % |
B | | | 26.1 | |
Caa | | | 31.4 | |
Defaulted | | | 15.4 | |
Non-Rated5 | | | 19.8 | |
| | |
4 | | Credit Quality ratings are those provided by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc., a nationally recognized bond rating service. Reflects the Fund’s total loan investments as of 4/30/09. Although the investment adviser considers ratings when making investment decisions, it performs its own credit and investment analysis and does not rely primarily on the ratings assigned by the rating services. Credit quality can change from time to time, and recently issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular security or the issuer’s current financial condition. |
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5 | | Certain loans in which the Fund invests are not rated by a rating agency. In management’s opinion, such securities are comparable to securities rated by a rating agency in the categories listed above. |
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or share price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. The Fund’s performance at share price will differ from its results at NAV. Although share price performance generally reflects investment results over time, during shorter periods, returns at share price can also be affected by factors such as changing perceptions about the Fund, market conditions, fluctuations in supply and demand for the Fund’s shares, or changes in Fund distributions. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, the Fund’s current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. Absent an expense waiver by the investment adviser, the returns would be lower. For performance as of the most recent month end, please refer to www.eatonvance.com.
3
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
| | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Floating-Rate Interests — 87.8%(1) |
|
Principal
| | | | | | | | |
Amount* | | | Borrower/Tranche Description | | Value | | | |
|
|
|
Aerospace and Defense — 1.0% |
|
Avio Holding Spa |
EUR | 700,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.22%, Maturing June 13, 2015 | | $ | 347,314 | | | |
DAE Aviation Holdings, Inc. |
| 100,532 | | | Term Loan, 4.39%, Maturing July 31, 2014 | | | 59,314 | | | |
| 98,853 | | | Term Loan, 4.79%, Maturing July 31, 2014 | | | 58,323 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 464,951 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Air Transport — 0.3% |
|
Delta Air Lines, Inc. |
| 270,188 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 3.74%, Maturing April 30, 2014 | | $ | 139,709 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 139,709 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Automotive — 4.6% |
|
Dayco Products, LLC |
| 988,178 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 0.00%, Maturing December 31, 2011(2) | | $ | 22,851 | | | |
Delphi Corp. |
| 907,572 | | | DIP Loan, 0.00%, Maturing June 30, 2009(2) | | | 154,287 | | | |
| 92,430 | | | DIP Loan, 10.50%, Maturing June 30, 2009 | | | 15,713 | | | |
Federal-Mogul Corp. |
| 306,892 | | | Term Loan, 2.43%, Maturing December 27, 2014 | | | 175,440 | | | |
| 237,594 | | | Term Loan, 2.39%, Maturing December 27, 2015 | | | 135,825 | | | |
HLI Operating Co., Inc. |
EUR | 21,818 | | | Term Loan, 9.50%, Maturing May 30, 2014 | | | 11,403 | | | |
EUR | 370,618 | | | Term Loan, 9.50%, Maturing May 30, 2014 | | | 193,694 | | | |
Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc. |
| 189,695 | | | Term Loan, 4.33%, Maturing January 12, 2012 | | | 79,198 | | | |
TriMas Corp. |
| 281,250 | | | Term Loan, 2.75%, Maturing August 2, 2011 | | | 241,172 | | | |
| 1,188,281 | | | Term Loan, 3.09%, Maturing August 2, 2013 | | | 1,018,951 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 2,048,534 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Beverage and Tobacco — 1.4% |
|
Culligan International Co. |
EUR | 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.25%, Maturing May 31, 2013 | | $ | 256,351 | | | |
Liberator Midco Ltd. |
GBP | 377,481 | | | Term Loan, 8.85%, Maturing October 27, 2016(3) | | | 370,422 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 626,773 | | | |
|
|
|
Building and Development — 4.2% |
|
Hovstone Holdings, LLC |
| 441,176 | | | Term Loan, 5.50%, Maturing July 1, 2009(4) | | $ | 177,485 | | | |
LNR Property Corp. |
| 880,000 | | | Term Loan, 4.00%, Maturing July 3, 2011 | | | 469,920 | | | |
Metroflag BP, LLC |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 0.00%, Maturing July 2, 2009(2) | | | 75,000 | | | |
Panolam Industries Holdings, Inc. |
| 1,350,698 | | | Term Loan, 5.00%, Maturing September 30, 2012 | | | 776,651 | | | |
Re/Max International, Inc. |
| 456,309 | | | Term Loan, 8.61%, Maturing December 17, 2012 | | | 321,698 | | | |
Shea Capital I, LLC |
| 4,299 | | | Term Loan, 4.50%, Maturing October 27, 2011 | | | 2,902 | | | |
United Subcontractors, Inc. |
| 1,016,033 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 11.69%, Maturing June 27, 2013(3)(4) | | | 67,058 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 1,890,714 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Business Equipment and Services — 5.2% |
|
Mitchell International, Inc. |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.50%, Maturing March 28, 2015 | | $ | 602,500 | | | |
N.E.W. Holdings I, LLC |
| 944,361 | | | Term Loan, 3.47%, Maturing May 22, 2014 | | | 658,692 | | | |
Sabre, Inc. |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan, 3.07%, Maturing September 30, 2014 | | | 556,750 | | | |
Sitel (Client Logic) |
| 227,665 | | | Term Loan, 6.42%, Maturing January 29, 2014 | | | 142,291 | | | |
TDS Investor Corp. |
| 89,222 | | | Term Loan, 3.47%, Maturing August 23, 2013 | | | 60,200 | | | |
| 444,663 | | | Term Loan, 3.47%, Maturing August 23, 2013 | | | 300,024 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 2,320,457 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Cable and Satellite Television — 0.4% |
|
ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG |
EUR | 336,798 | | | Term Loan, 4.59%, Maturing March 2, 2015 | | $ | 72,413 | | | |
EUR | 336,798 | | | Term Loan, 4.84%, Maturing March 2, 2016 | | | 72,413 | | | |
EUR | 477,734 | | | Term Loan, 9.21%, Maturing March 2, 2017(3) | | | 24,606 | | | |
EUR | 452,132 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.96%, Maturing September 2, 2016 | | | 27,518 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 196,950 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Chemicals and Plastics — 2.7% |
|
AZ Chem US, Inc. |
| 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.93%, Maturing February 28, 2014 | | $ | 275,000 | | | |
See notes to financial statements4
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
| | | | | | | | | | |
Principal
| | | | | | | | |
Amount* | | | Borrower/Tranche Description | | Value | | | |
|
|
Chemicals and Plastics (continued) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Foamex, L.P. |
| 750,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 0.00%, Maturing February 12, 2014(2) | | $ | 28,125 | | | |
INEOS Group |
EUR | 74,341 | | | Term Loan, 6.21%, Maturing December 14, 2011 | | | 53,688 | | | |
EUR | 420,557 | | | Term Loan, 6.21%, Maturing December 14, 2011 | | | 303,723 | | | |
EUR | 74,341 | | | Term Loan, 6.71%, Maturing December 14, 2011 | | | 53,688 | | | |
EUR | 420,557 | | | Term Loan, 6.71%, Maturing December 14, 2011 | | | 303,723 | | | |
EUR | 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 7.71%, Maturing December 14, 2012 | | | 194,330 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 1,212,277 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Conglomerates — 1.6% |
|
Doncasters (Dunde HoldCo 4 Ltd.) |
GBP | 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.48%, Maturing November 15, 2016 | | $ | 323,608 | | | |
RGIS Holdings, LLC |
| 316,071 | | | Term Loan, 3.45%, Maturing April 30, 2014 | | | 236,527 | | | |
| 15,804 | | | Term Loan, 3.72%, Maturing April 30, 2014 | | | 11,826 | | | |
Vertrue, Inc. |
| 193,465 | | | Term Loan, 4.22%, Maturing August 16, 2014 | | | 144,131 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 716,092 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Containers and Glass Products — 1.1% |
|
Consolidated Container Co. |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.93%, Maturing September 28, 2014 | | $ | 415,000 | | | |
Tegrant Holding Corp. |
| 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.72%, Maturing March 8, 2015 | | | 80,000 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 495,000 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Cosmetics/Toiletries — 1.8% |
|
American Safety Razor Co. |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.68%, Maturing July 31, 2014 | | $ | 672,500 | | | |
KIK Custom Products, Inc. |
| 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.44%, Maturing November 30, 2014 | | | 114,166 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 786,666 | | | |
|
|
|
Drugs — 1.3% |
|
Graceway Pharmaceuticals, LLC |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan, 6.93%, Maturing May 3, 2013 | | $ | 321,667 | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan, 8.68%, Maturing November 3, 2013 | | | 250,000 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 571,667 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Ecological Services and Equipment — 2.5% |
|
Cory Environmental Holdings |
GBP | 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 8.06%, Maturing September 30, 2014 | | $ | 462,296 | | | |
Kemble Water Structure, Ltd. |
GBP | 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.63%, Maturing October 13, 2013 | | | 484,487 | | | |
Synagro Technologies, Inc. |
| 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.21%, Maturing October 2, 2014 | | | 187,500 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 1,134,283 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Electronics/Electrical — 3.3% |
|
Aspect Software, Inc. |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 8.31%, Maturing July 11, 2013 | | $ | 260,000 | | | |
Infor Enterprise Solutions Holdings |
| 264,784 | | | Term Loan, 3.18%, Maturing July 28, 2012 | | | 180,053 | | | |
| 336,812 | | | Term Loan, 4.18%, Maturing July 28, 2012 | | | 242,505 | | | |
| 645,556 | | | Term Loan, 4.18%, Maturing July 28, 2012 | | | 464,800 | | | |
| 366,667 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.68%, Maturing March 2, 2014 | | | 120,083 | | | |
| 633,333 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.68%, Maturing March 2, 2014 | | | 218,500 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 1,485,941 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Farming/Agriculture — 3.2% |
|
BF Bolthouse HoldCo, LLC |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.93%, Maturing December 16, 2013 | | $ | 715,000 | | | |
Central Garden & Pet Co. |
| 911,512 | | | Term Loan, 1.94%, Maturing February 28, 2014 | | | 721,234 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 1,436,234 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Financial Intermediaries — 2.4% |
|
Citco III, Ltd. |
| 476,137 | | | Term Loan, 3.58%, Maturing June 30, 2014 | | $ | 264,256 | | | |
E.A. Viner International Co. |
| 452,440 | | | Term Loan, 5.72%, Maturing July 31, 2013 | | | 282,775 | | | |
See notes to financial statements5
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
| | | | | | | | | | |
Principal
| | | | | | | | |
Amount* | | | Borrower/Tranche Description | | Value | | | |
|
|
Financial Intermediaries (continued) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
RJO Holdings Corp. (RJ O’Brien) |
| 1,427,322 | | | Term Loan, 3.47%, Maturing July 31, 2014 | | $ | 535,246 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 1,082,277 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Food Products — 1.0% |
|
Provimi Group SA |
EUR | 24,182 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.22%, Maturing June 28, 2015 | | $ | 11,198 | | | |
| 282,126 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 4.63%, Maturing December 28, 2016(5) | | | 98,744 | | | |
EUR | 697,446 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.22%, Maturing December 28, 2016(5) | | | 322,977 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 432,919 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Food Service — 2.7% |
|
OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC |
| 71,087 | | | Term Loan, 4.50%, Maturing May 9, 2013 | | $ | 50,383 | | | |
| 840,054 | | | Term Loan, 2.75%, Maturing May 9, 2014 | | | 595,388 | | | |
QCE Finance, LLC |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.98%, Maturing November 5, 2013 | | | 340,000 | | | |
Selecta |
EUR | 741,246 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 7.04%, Maturing December 28, 2015 | | | 232,926 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 1,218,697 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Food/Drug Retailers — 0.5% |
|
General Nutrition Centers, Inc. |
| 243,933 | | | Term Loan, 3.15%, Maturing September 16, 2013 | | $ | 206,733 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 206,733 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Healthcare — 8.1% |
|
Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc. |
| 248,125 | | | Term Loan, 7.50%, Maturing May 15, 2015 | | $ | 211,733 | | | |
Concentra, Inc. |
| 1,019,275 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 7.47%, Maturing June 25, 2015(3) | | | 509,638 | | | |
Dako EQT Project Delphi |
| 750,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 4.96%, Maturing December 12, 2016 | | | 281,250 | | | |
Fenwal, Inc. |
| 750,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.51%, Maturing August 28, 2014 | | | 431,250 | | | |
Physiotherapy Associates, Inc. |
| 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 12.00%, Maturing June 27, 2014 | | | 125,000 | | | |
RadNet Management, Inc. |
| 2,000,000 | | | Term Loan, 10.27%, Maturing November 15, 2013 | | | 1,350,000 | | | |
Viant Holdings, Inc. |
| 963,922 | | | Term Loan, 3.47%, Maturing June 25, 2014 | | | 727,761 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 3,636,632 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Home Furnishings — 2.2% |
|
Hunter Fan Co. |
| 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 7.20%, Maturing April 16, 2014 | | $ | 91,250 | | | |
National Bedding Co., LLC |
| 1,500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.46%, Maturing August 31, 2012 | | | 534,000 | | | |
Oreck Corp. |
| 973,388 | | | Term Loan, 0.00%, Maturing February 2, 2012(2)(4) | | | 316,351 | | | |
Simmons Co. |
| 1,047,019 | | | Term Loan, 8.22%, Maturing February 15, 2012(3) | | | 23,733 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 965,334 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Industrial Equipment — 5.1% |
|
CEVA Group PLC U.S. |
| 879,079 | | | Term Loan, 3.44%, Maturing January 4, 2014 | | $ | 446,133 | | | |
| 105,263 | | | Term Loan, 4.22%, Maturing January 4, 2014 | | | 53,421 | | | |
EPD Holdings (Goodyear Engineering Products) |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.22%, Maturing July 13, 2015 | | | 178,750 | | | |
Generac Acquisition Corp. |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.50%, Maturing April 7, 2014 | | | 298,750 | | | |
John Maneely Co. |
| 848,783 | | | Term Loan, 4.11%, Maturing December 8, 2013 | | | 616,429 | | | |
Sequa Corp. |
| 397,522 | | | Term Loan, 3.74%, Maturing November 30, 2014 | | | 252,426 | | | |
TFS Acquisition Corp. |
| 975,000 | | | Term Loan, 4.72%, Maturing August 11, 2013 | | | 450,937 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 2,296,846 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Insurance — 0.3% |
|
AmWINS Group, Inc. |
| 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.79%, Maturing June 8, 2014 | | $ | 127,500 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 127,500 | | | |
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements6
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
| | | | | | | | | | |
Principal
| | | | | | | | |
Amount* | | | Borrower/Tranche Description | | Value | | | |
|
|
|
Leisure Goods/Activities/Movies — 5.2% |
|
AMF Bowling Worldwide, Inc. |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 7.54%, Maturing December 8, 2013 | | $ | 150,000 | | | |
Bombardier Recreational Products |
| 911,392 | | | Term Loan, 3.95%, Maturing June 28, 2013 | | | 464,810 | | | |
Butterfly Wendel US, Inc. |
| 239,830 | | | Term Loan, 3.24%, Maturing June 22, 2013 | | | 146,596 | | | |
| 239,908 | | | Term Loan, 2.74%, Maturing June 22, 2014 | | | 146,644 | | | |
Deluxe Entertainment Services |
| 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 7.22%, Maturing November 11, 2013 | | | 250,000 | | | |
Revolution Studios Distribution Co., LLC |
| 367,807 | | | Term Loan, 4.18%, Maturing December 21, 2014 | | | 299,763 | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 7.43%, Maturing June 21, 2015 | | | 300,000 | | | |
Southwest Sports Group, LLC |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan, 5.75%, Maturing December 22, 2010 | | | 582,500 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 2,340,313 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Lodging and Casinos — 0.5% |
|
Herbst Gaming, Inc. |
| 987,437 | | | Term Loan, 0.00%, Maturing December 2, 2011(2) | | $ | 218,882 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 218,882 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Nonferrous Metals/Minerals — 2.2% |
|
Euramax International, Inc. |
| 1,005,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 0.00%, Maturing June 28, 2013(2) | | $ | 45,225 | | | |
Murray Energy Corp. |
| 1,133,584 | | | Term Loan - Third Lien, 12.94%, Maturing August 9, 2011 | | | 940,875 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 986,100 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Oil and Gas — 1.3% |
|
Dresser, Inc. |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.99%, Maturing May 4, 2015 | | $ | 557,500 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 557,500 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Publishing — 9.1% |
|
American Media Operations, Inc. |
| 1,457,903 | | | Term Loan, 10.00%, Maturing January 31, 2013 | | $ | 806,403 | | | |
GateHouse Media Operating, Inc. |
| 728,261 | | | Term Loan, 2.44%, Maturing August 28, 2014 | | | 184,146 | | | |
| 271,739 | | | Term Loan, 2.47%, Maturing August 28, 2014 | | | 68,711 | | | |
Hanley-Wood, LLC |
| 985,712 | | | Term Loan, 2.71%, Maturing March 8, 2014 | | | 315,736 | | | |
Idearc, Inc. |
| 965,847 | | | Term Loan, 0.00%, Maturing November 17, 2014(2) | | | 380,034 | | | |
Laureate Education, Inc. |
| 50,859 | | | Term Loan, 4.34%, Maturing August 17, 2014 | | | 37,737 | | | |
| 339,842 | | | Term Loan, 4.34%, Maturing August 17, 2014 | | | 252,163 | | | |
Local Insight Regatta Holdings, Inc. |
| 480,877 | | | Term Loan, 7.75%, Maturing April 23, 2015 | | | 225,411 | | | |
Mediannuaire Holding |
EUR | 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.91%, Maturing April 10, 2016 | | | 146,368 | | | |
Merrill Communications, LLC |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 7.76%, Maturing November 15, 2013 | | | 275,000 | | | |
Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC |
| 944,102 | | | Term Loan, 0.00%, Maturing June 29, 2013(2) | | | 232,879 | | | |
Source Interlink Companies, Inc. |
| 496,222 | | | Term Loan, 0.00%, Maturing August 1, 2014(2) | | | 198,488 | | | |
Star Tribune Co. (The) |
| 246,875 | | | Term Loan, 0.00%, Maturing March 5, 2014(2) | | | 33,740 | | | |
| 750,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 0.00%, Maturing March 5, 2014(2) | | | 16,969 | | | |
Tribune Co. |
| 769,750 | | | Term Loan, 0.00%, Maturing August 17, 2009(2) | | | 224,767 | | | |
| 1,036,888 | | | Term Loan, 0.00%, Maturing May 17, 2014(2) | | | 267,431 | | | |
Xsys, Inc. |
EUR | 1,500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 7.29%, Maturing September 27, 2015 | | | 396,930 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 4,062,913 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Radio and Television — 1.9% |
|
CMP Susquehanna Corp. |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan, 2.73%, Maturing May 5, 2011(5) | | $ | 340,000 | | | |
NEP II, Inc. |
| 146,998 | | | Term Loan, 2.69%, Maturing February 16, 2014 | | | 125,683 | | | |
Young Broadcasting, Inc. |
| 987,212 | | | Term Loan, 4.75%, Maturing November 3, 2012 | | | 387,481 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 853,164 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Retailers (Except Food and Drug) — 1.2% |
|
Educate, Inc. |
| 500,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.47%, Maturing June 14, 2014 | | $ | 287,500 | | | |
Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. |
| 265,950 | | | Term Loan, 3.97%, Maturing July 25, 2014 | | | 97,958 | | | |
See notes to financial statements7
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
| | | | | | | | | | |
Principal
| | | | | | | | |
Amount* | | | Borrower/Tranche Description | | Value | | | |
|
|
Retailers (Except Food and Drug) (continued) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Oriental Trading Co., Inc. |
| 750,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.43%, Maturing January 31, 2013 | | $ | 162,188 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 547,646 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Steel — 1.9% |
|
Niagara Corp. |
| 1,476,212 | | | Term Loan, 5.60%, Maturing June 29, 2014 | | $ | 830,369 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 830,369 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Surface Transport — 1.5% |
|
Gainey Corp. |
| 1,400,663 | | | Term Loan, 0.00%, Maturing April 20, 2012(2) | | $ | 159,676 | | | |
Swift Transportation Co., Inc. |
| 500,000 | | | Term Loan, 3.45%, Maturing May 10, 2012 | | | 280,000 | | | |
| 389,837 | | | Term Loan, 3.81%, Maturing May 10, 2014 | | | 239,506 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 679,182 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Telecommunications — 3.5% |
|
BCM Luxembourg, Ltd. |
EUR | 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.22%, Maturing March 31, 2016 | | $ | 536,957 | | | |
IPC Systems, Inc. |
| 1,000,000 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 6.50%, Maturing May 31, 2015 | | | 196,667 | | | |
Palm, Inc. |
| 985,000 | | | Term Loan, 3.94%, Maturing April 24, 2014 | | | 627,938 | | | |
Trilogy International Partners |
| 500,000 | | | Term Loan, 4.72%, Maturing June 29, 2012 | | | 212,500 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 1,574,062 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Utilities — 2.6% |
|
AEI Finance Holding, LLC |
| 116,022 | | | Term Loan, 3.44%, Maturing March 30, 2012 | | $ | 75,415 | | | |
| 817,768 | | | Term Loan, 4.22%, Maturing March 30, 2014 | | | 531,549 | | | |
Electricinvest Holding Co. |
GBP | 300,000 | | | Term Loan, 5.40%, Maturing December 21, 2012 | | | 291,136 | | | |
EUR | 297,885 | | | Term Loan - Second Lien, 5.50%, Maturing December 21, 2012 | | | 258,813 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 1,156,913 | | | |
|
|
| | |
Total Senior Floating-Rate Interests | | |
(identified cost $91,770,986) | | $ | 39,300,230 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate Bonds & Notes — 23.0% |
|
Principal
| | | | | | | | |
Amount
| | | | | | | | |
(000’s omitted) | | | Security | | Value | | | |
|
|
|
Aerospace and Defense — 0.1% |
|
Alion Science and Technologies Corp. |
$ | 60 | | | 10.25%, 2/1/15 | | $ | 15,000 | | | |
Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition |
| 65 | | | 9.75%, 4/1/17 | | | 16,250 | | | |
Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc., Sr. Notes |
| 45 | | | 8.00%, 7/15/11 | | | 18,563 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 49,813 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Automotive — 0.1% |
|
Allison Transmission, Inc. |
$ | 70 | | | 11.00%, 11/1/15(6) | | $ | 42,350 | | | |
Tenneco, Inc., Sr. Notes |
| 30 | | | 8.125%, 11/15/15 | | | 12,150 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 54,500 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Broadcast Radio and Television — 0.3% |
|
Warner Music Group, Sr. Sub. Notes |
$ | 60 | | | 7.375%, 4/15/14 | | $ | 45,000 | | | |
XM Satellite Radio Holdings, Inc., Sr. Notes |
| 125 | | | 13.00%, 8/1/13 | | | 81,875 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 126,875 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Brokers, Dealers and Investment Houses — 0.1% |
|
Nuveen Investments, Inc., Sr. Notes |
$ | 80 | | | 10.50%, 11/15/15(6) | | $ | 40,800 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 40,800 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Building and Development — 0.2% |
|
Interline Brands, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes |
$ | 40 | | | 8.125%, 6/15/14 | | $ | 38,400 | | | |
Panolam Industries International, Sr. Sub. Notes |
| 175 | | | 10.75%, 10/1/13(2) | | | 9,625 | | | |
Texas Industries Inc., Sr. Notes |
| 75 | | | 7.25%, 7/15/13(6) | | | 61,313 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 109,338 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Business Equipment and Services — 1.0% |
|
Affinion Group, Inc. |
$ | 35 | | | 11.50%, 10/15/15 | | $ | 25,375 | | | |
See notes to financial statements8
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
| | | | | | | | | | |
Principal
| | | | | | | | |
Amount
| | | | | | | | |
(000’s omitted) | | | Security | | Value | | | |
|
|
Business Equipment and Services (continued) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
MediMedia USA, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes |
$ | 100 | | | 11.375%, 11/15/14(6) | | $ | 65,500 | | | |
Rental Service Corp. |
| 140 | | | 9.50%, 12/1/14 | | | 90,650 | | | |
Ticketmaster, Sr. Notes |
| 110 | | | 10.75%, 7/28/16(6) | | | 75,625 | | | |
Travelport, LLC |
| 25 | | | 9.875%, 9/1/14 | | | 12,375 | | | |
West Corp. |
| 190 | | | 9.50%, 10/15/14 | | | 165,775 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 435,300 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Cable and Satellite Television — 0.3% |
|
Cablevision Systems Corp., Sr. Notes, Series B |
$ | 30 | | | 8.00%, 4/15/12 | | $ | 30,000 | | | |
MCC Iowa LLC, Sr. Notes |
| 75 | | | 8.50%, 10/15/15 | | | 70,875 | | | |
National Cable PLC |
| 20 | | | 8.75%, 4/15/14 | | | 19,900 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 120,775 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Chemicals and Plastics — 0.1% |
|
INEOS Group Holdings PLC, Sr. Sub. Notes |
$ | 155 | | | 8.50%, 2/15/16(6) | | $ | 24,025 | | | |
Reichhold Industries, Inc., Sr. Notes |
| 225 | | | 9.00%, 8/15/14(6) | | | 41,625 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 65,650 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Clothing/Textiles — 1.3% |
|
Oxford Industries, Inc., Sr. Notes |
$ | 635 | | | 8.875%, 6/1/11 | | $ | 530,225 | | | |
Perry Ellis International, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes |
| 105 | | | 8.875%, 9/15/13 | | | 71,925 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 602,150 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Conglomerates — 0.2% |
|
RBS Global & Rexnord Corp. |
$ | 70 | | | 11.75%, 8/1/16 | | $ | 42,350 | | | |
| 75 | | | 8.875%, 9/1/16 | | | 53,625 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 95,975 | | | |
|
|
|
Containers and Glass Products — 0.4% |
|
Intertape Polymer US, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes |
$ | 20 | | | 8.50%, 8/1/14 | | $ | 8,200 | | | |
Pliant Corp. |
| 243 | | | 11.625%, 6/15/09(2)(3) | | | 87,278 | | | |
Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc., Sr. Notes |
| 190 | | | 8.00%, 3/15/17(2) | | | 41,800 | | | |
Solo Cup Co. |
| 15 | | | 8.50%, 2/15/14 | | | 12,675 | | | |
Stone Container Corp., Sr. Notes |
| 30 | | | 8.375%, 7/1/12(2) | | | 6,450 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 156,403 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Ecological Services and Equipment — 0.0% |
|
Waste Services, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes |
$ | 25 | | | 9.50%, 4/15/14 | | $ | 21,875 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 21,875 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Electronics/ Electrical — 0.2% |
|
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Sr. Notes |
$ | 135 | | | 7.75%, 11/1/12 | | $ | 77,625 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 77,625 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Equipment Leasing — 0.4% |
|
Hertz Corp. |
$ | 130 | | | 8.875%, 1/1/14 | | $ | 101,400 | | | |
| 80 | | | 10.50%, 1/1/16 | | | 57,200 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 158,600 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Financial Intermediaries — 0.2% |
|
General Motors Acceptance Corp., Variable Rate |
$ | 75 | | | 2.488%, 5/15/09 | | $ | 74,156 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 74,156 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Food Products — 0.0% |
|
ASG Consolidated, LLC/ASG Finance, Inc., Sr. Disc. Notes |
$ | 10 | | | 11.50%, 11/1/11 | | $ | 8,600 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 8,600 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Food Service — 0.2% |
|
Aramark Services, Inc. |
$ | 55 | | | 8.50%, 2/1/15 | | $ | 52,800 | | | |
See notes to financial statements9
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
| | | | | | | | | | |
Principal
| | | | | | | | |
Amount
| | | | | | | | |
(000’s omitted) | | | Security | | Value | | | |
|
|
Food Service (continued) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
El Pollo Loco, Inc. |
$ | 55 | | | 11.75%, 11/15/13 | | $ | 42,625 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 95,425 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Food/Drug Retailers — 0.9% |
|
General Nutrition Center, Sr. Notes, Variable Rate |
$ | 335 | | | 6.404%, 3/15/14(3) | | $ | 256,275 | | | |
General Nutrition Center, Sr. Sub. Notes |
| 180 | | | 10.75%, 3/15/15 | | | 144,000 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 400,275 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Forest Products — 1.0% |
|
Jefferson Smurfit Corp., Sr. Notes |
$ | 50 | | | 8.25%, 10/1/12(2) | | $ | 10,750 | | | |
| 30 | | | 7.50%, 6/1/13(2) | | | 5,850 | | | |
NewPage Corp. |
| 720 | | | 10.00%, 5/1/12 | | | 342,000 | | | |
| 185 | | | 12.00%, 5/1/13 | | | 50,875 | | | |
Verso Paper Holdings, LLC/Verso Paper, Inc. |
| 130 | | | 11.375%, 8/1/16 | | | 31,200 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 440,675 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Healthcare — 2.7% |
|
Accellent, Inc. |
$ | 45 | | | 10.50%, 12/1/13 | | $ | 34,200 | | | |
AMR HoldCo, Inc./EmCare HoldCo, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes |
| 15 | | | 10.00%, 2/15/15 | | | 15,300 | | | |
DJO Finance, LLC/DJO Finance Corp. |
| 115 | | | 10.875%, 11/15/14 | | | 88,550 | | | |
MultiPlan, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes |
| 1,035 | | | 10.375%, 4/15/16(6) | | | 915,975 | | | |
National Mentor Holdings, Inc. |
| 135 | | | 11.25%, 7/1/14 | | | 119,475 | | | |
US Oncology, Inc. |
| 30 | | | 9.00%, 8/15/12 | | | 29,700 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 1,203,200 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Industrial Equipment — 0.2% |
|
ESCO Corp., Sr. Notes |
$ | 65 | | | 8.625%, 12/15/13(6) | | $ | 52,975 | | | |
ESCO Corp., Sr. Notes, Variable Rate |
| 65 | | | 5.195%, 12/15/13(6) | | | 43,875 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 96,850 | | | |
|
|
|
Insurance — 0.3% |
|
Alliant Holdings I, Inc. |
$ | 70 | | | 11.00%, 5/1/15(6) | | $ | 48,650 | | | |
Hub International Holdings, Inc. |
| 75 | | | 9.00%, 12/15/14(6) | | | 52,500 | | | |
U.S.I. Holdings Corp., Sr. Notes, Variable Rate |
| 60 | | | 5.113%, 11/15/14(6) | | | 29,100 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 130,250 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Leisure Goods/Activities/Movies — 0.3% |
|
Bombardier, Inc. |
$ | 65 | | | 8.00%, 11/15/14(6) | | $ | 57,200 | | | |
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Sr. Notes |
| 55 | | | 7.00%, 6/15/13 | | | 42,900 | | | |
| 20 | | | 6.875%, 12/1/13 | | | 15,000 | | | |
| 15 | | | 7.25%, 6/15/16 | | | 10,050 | | | |
| 30 | | | 7.25%, 3/15/18 | | | 19,200 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 144,350 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Lodging and Casinos — 3.7% |
|
Buffalo Thunder Development Authority |
$ | 220 | | | 9.375%, 12/15/14(6) | | $ | 24,200 | | | |
CCM Merger, Inc. |
| 95 | | | 8.00%, 8/1/13(6) | | | 42,750 | | | |
Fontainebleau Las Vegas Casino, LLC |
| 310 | | | 11.00%, 6/15/15(6) | | | 12,400 | | | |
Host Hotels and Resorts, LP, Sr. Notes |
| 145 | | | 6.75%, 6/1/16 | | | 127,238 | | | |
Indianapolis Downs, LLC & Capital Corp., Sr. Notes |
| 105 | | | 11.00%, 11/1/12(6) | | | 59,325 | | | |
Inn of the Mountain Gods, Sr. Notes |
| 40 | | | 12.00%, 11/15/10 | | | 8,600 | | | |
MGM Mirage, Inc. |
| 15 | | | 7.50%, 6/1/16 | | | 8,475 | | | |
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Sr. Sub. Notes |
| 55 | | | 8.00%, 4/1/12 | | | 36,025 | | | |
| 110 | | | 7.125%, 8/15/14 | | | 67,650 | | | |
| 1,125 | | | 6.875%, 2/15/15 | | | 570,937 | | | |
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes |
| 10 | | | 8.25%, 3/15/12 | | | 9,800 | | | |
| 95 | | | 7.50%, 6/15/15 | | | 79,325 | | | |
Pokagon Gaming Authority, Sr. Notes |
| 56 | | | 10.375%, 6/15/14(6) | | | 52,080 | | | |
Scientific Games Corp. |
| 30 | | | 7.875%, 6/15/16(6) | | | 27,450 | | | |
See notes to financial statements10
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
| | | | | | | | | | |
Principal
| | | | | | | | |
Amount
| | | | | | | | |
(000’s omitted) | | | Security | | Value | | | |
|
|
Lodging and Casinos (continued) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Variable Rate |
$ | 80 | | | 3.82%, 3/15/14(6) | | $ | 53,200 | | | |
Tunica-Biloxi Gaming Authority, Sr. Notes |
| 160 | | | 9.00%, 11/15/15(6) | | | 138,400 | | | |
Waterford Gaming, LLC, Sr. Notes |
| 190 | | | 8.625%, 9/15/14(6) | | | 152,409 | | | |
Wynn Las Vegas, LLC |
| 230 | | | 6.625%, 12/1/14 | | | 195,500 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 1,665,764 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Nonferrous Metals/Minerals — 0.7% |
|
FMG Finance PTY, Ltd. |
$ | 345 | | | 10.625%, 9/1/16(6) | | $ | 303,600 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 303,600 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Oil and Gas — 2.3% |
|
Allis-Chalmers Energy, Inc., Sr. Notes |
$ | 810 | | | 9.00%, 1/15/14 | | $ | 405,000 | | | |
Cimarex Energy Co., Sr. Notes |
| 55 | | | 7.125%, 5/1/17 | | | 48,950 | | | |
Clayton Williams Energy, Inc. |
| 40 | | | 7.75%, 8/1/13 | | | 27,600 | | | |
Compton Pet Finance Corp. |
| 90 | | | 7.625%, 12/1/13 | | | 34,875 | | | |
Denbury Resources, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes |
| 25 | | | 7.50%, 12/15/15 | | | 23,625 | | | |
Forbes Energy Services, Sr. Notes |
| 170 | | | 11.00%, 2/15/15 | | | 117,300 | | | |
OPTI Canada, Inc., Sr. Notes |
| 65 | | | 7.875%, 12/15/14 | | | 35,262 | | | |
| 75 | | | 8.25%, 12/15/14 | | | 41,625 | | | |
Petroleum Development Corp., Sr. Notes |
| 65 | | | 12.00%, 2/15/18 | | | 44,200 | | | |
Quicksilver Resources, Inc. |
| 160 | | | 7.125%, 4/1/16 | | | 100,800 | | | |
SemGroup, L.P., Sr. Notes |
| 145 | | | 8.75%, 11/15/15(2)(6) | | | 5,438 | | | |
SESI, LLC, Sr. Notes |
| 30 | | | 6.875%, 6/1/14 | | | 26,400 | | | |
Stewart & Stevenson, LLC, Sr. Notes |
| 180 | | | 10.00%, 7/15/14 | | | 136,800 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 1,047,875 | | | |
|
|
|
Publishing — 1.5% |
|
Dex Media West/Finance, Series B |
$ | 45 | | | 9.875%, 8/15/13(2) | | $ | 12,937 | | | |
Harland Clarke Holdings |
| 20 | | | 9.50%, 5/15/15 | | | 12,100 | | | |
Laureate Education, Inc. |
| 50 | | | 10.00%, 8/15/15(6) | | | 37,750 | | | |
| 477 | | | 10.25%, 8/15/15(3)(6) | | | 299,474 | | | |
Local Insight Regatta Holdings, Inc. |
| 60 | | | 11.00%, 12/1/17 | | | 14,700 | | | |
Nielsen Finance, LLC |
| 285 | | | 10.00%, 8/1/14 | | | 269,325 | | | |
| 35 | | | 12.50%, (0.00% until 2011), 8/1/16 | | | 19,425 | | | |
Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. (The), Sr. Sub. Notes |
| 205 | | | 9.00%, 2/15/17 | | | 12,556 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 678,267 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Rail Industries — 0.1% |
|
American Railcar Industry, Sr. Notes |
$ | 80 | | | 7.50%, 3/1/14 | | $ | 62,800 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 62,800 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Retailers (Except Food and Drug) — 2.8% |
|
Amscan Holdings, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes |
$ | 225 | | | 8.75%, 5/1/14 | | $ | 181,125 | | | |
Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. |
| 927 | | | 9.00%, 10/15/15 | | | 514,518 | | | |
| 585 | | | 10.375%, 10/15/15 | | | 324,675 | | | |
Yankee Acquisition Corp., Series B |
| 347 | | | 8.50%, 2/15/15 | | | 246,370 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 1,266,688 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Steel — 0.3% |
|
RathGibson, Inc., Sr. Notes |
$ | 10 | | | 11.25%, 2/15/14 | | $ | 2,500 | | | |
Steel Dynamics, Inc., Sr. Notes |
| 140 | | | 7.375%, 11/1/12 | | | 125,650 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 128,150 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Surface Transport — 0.2% |
|
CEVA Group, PLC, Sr. Notes |
$ | 135 | | | 10.00%, 9/1/14(6) | | $ | 67,500 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 67,500 | | | |
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements11
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
| | | | | | | | | | |
Principal
| | | | | | | | |
Amount
| | | | | | | | |
(000’s omitted) | | | Security | | Value | | | |
|
|
|
Telecommunications — 0.7% |
|
Digicel Group, Ltd., Sr. Notes |
$ | 110 | | | 9.25%, 9/1/12(6) | | $ | 103,950 | | | |
| 30 | | | 9.125%, 1/15/15(6) | | | 20,550 | | | |
Nortel Networks, Ltd. |
| 65 | | | 10.75%, 7/15/16(2) | | | 17,550 | | | |
| 205 | | | 10.75%, 7/15/16(2)(6) | | | 55,350 | | | |
Windstream Corp., Sr. Notes |
| 95 | | | 8.125%, 8/1/13 | | | 95,000 | | | |
| 30 | | | 8.625%, 8/1/16 | | | 30,000 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 322,400 | | | |
|
|
|
|
Utilities — 0.1% |
|
AES Corp. |
$ | 35 | | | 8.00%, 10/15/17 | | $ | 32,200 | | | |
Edison Mission Energy, Sr. Notes |
| 15 | | | 7.50%, 6/15/13 | | | 12,825 | | | |
Reliant Energy, Inc., Sr. Notes |
| 10 | | | 7.625%, 6/15/14 | | | 9,075 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | 54,100 | | | |
|
|
| | |
Total Corporate Bonds & Notes | | |
(identified cost $16,365,276) | | $ | 10,306,604 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Asset-Backed Securities — 0.1% |
|
Principal
| | | | | | | | |
Amount
| | | | | | | | |
(000’s omitted) | | | Security | | Value | | | |
|
|
$ | 2,000 | | | Comstock Funding Ltd., Series 2006-1A, Class D, 5.511%, 5/30/20(6)(7) | | $ | 40,000 | | | |
|
|
| | |
Total Asset-Backed Securities | | |
(identified cost $1,446,064) | | $ | 40,000 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Preferred Stocks — 0.1% |
|
Units | | | Security | | Value | | | |
|
|
|
Lodging and Casinos — 0.1% |
|
| 210 | | | Fontainebleau Resorts LLC(3)(4)(8) | | $ | 19,910 | | | |
|
|
| | |
Total Preferred Stocks | | |
(identified cost $210,460) | | $ | 19,910 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Miscellaneous — 0.0% |
|
Shares | | | Security | | Value | | | |
|
|
|
Cable and Satellite Television — 0.0% |
|
| 300,000 | | | Adelphia, Inc., Escrow Certificate(9) | | $ | 5,625 | | | |
| 290,298 | | | Adelphia Recovery Trust(9) | | | 3,629 | | | |
|
|
| | |
Total Miscellaneous | | |
(identified cost $299,250) | | $ | 9,254 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Short-Term Investments — 38.3% |
|
Interest/
| | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount
| | | | | | | | |
(000’s Omitted) | | | Description | | Value | | | |
|
|
$ | 15,403 | | | Cash Management Portfolio, 0.13%(10) | | $ | 15,403,369 | | | |
| 1,730 | | | State Street Bank and Trust Euro Time Deposit, 0.01%, 5/1/09 | | | 1,729,876 | | | |
|
|
| | |
Total Short-Term Investments | | |
(identified cost $17,133,245) | | $ | 17,133,245 | | | |
|
|
| | |
Total Investments — 149.3% | | |
(identified cost $127,225,281) | | $ | 66,809,243 | | | |
|
|
|
| | | | | | |
Less Unfunded Loan Commitments — (1.4)% | | $ | (652,407 | ) | | |
|
|
| | |
Net Investments — 147.9% | | |
(identified cost $126,572,874) | | $ | 66,156,836 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 12.6% | | $ | 5,672,872 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
Auction Preferred Shares Plus Cumulative Unpaid Dividends — (60.5)% | | $ | (27,084,595 | ) | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares — 100.0% | | $ | 44,745,113 | | | |
|
|
Industry and sector classifications included in the Portfolio of Investments are unaudited.
DIP - Debtor in Possession
SPA - Standby Bond Purchase Agreement
EUR - Euro
GBP - British Pound Sterling
* In U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
See notes to financial statements12
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
| | |
(1) | | Senior floating-rate interests (Senior Loans) often require prepayments from excess cash flows or permit the borrowers to repay at their election. The degree to which borrowers repay, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual remaining maturity may be substantially less than the stated maturities shown. However, Senior Loans will have an expected average life of approximately two to four years. The stated interest rate represents the weighted average interest rate of all contracts within the senior loan facility. Senior Loans typically have rates of interest which are redetermined either daily, monthly, quarterly or semi-annually by reference to a base lending rate, plus a premium. These base rates are primarily the London-Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and secondarily, the prime rate offered by one or more major United States banks (the “Prime Rate”) and the certificate of deposit (“CD”) rate or other base lending rates used by commercial lenders. |
|
(2) | | Defaulted security. Currently the issuer is in default with respect to interest payments. |
|
(3) | | Represents a payment-in-kind security which may pay all or a portion of interest/dividends in additional par/shares. |
|
(4) | | Security valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees. |
|
(5) | | Unfunded or partially unfunded loan commitments. See Note 1G for description. |
|
(6) | | Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At April 30, 2009, the aggregate value of these securities is $3,047,339 or 6.8% of the Fund’s net assets applicable to common shares. |
|
(7) | | Variable rate security. The stated interest rate represents the rate in effect at April 30, 2009. |
|
(8) | | Restricted security. See Note 8. |
|
(9) | | Non-income producing security. |
|
(10) | | Affiliated investment company available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of April 30, 2009. |
See notes to financial statements13
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| | | | | | |
As of April 30, 2009 | | | | | |
|
Assets |
|
Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $111,169,505) | | $ | 50,753,467 | | | |
Affiliated investment, at value (identified cost, $15,403,369) | | | 15,403,369 | | | |
Foreign currency, at value (identified cost, $1,379,433) | | | 1,377,910 | | | |
Receivable for investments sold | | | 3,498,212 | | | |
Interest and dividends receivable | | | 1,322,612 | | | |
Interest receivable from affiliated investment | | | 583 | | | |
Receivable for closed interest rate floors | | | 115,365 | | | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 14,750 | | | |
|
|
Total assets | | $ | 72,486,268 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|
Liabilities |
|
Due to custodian | | $ | 435,083 | | | |
Payable for investments purchased | | | 21,604 | | | |
Payable for open forward foreign currency exchange contracts | | | 48,234 | | | |
Payable to affiliates: | | | | | | |
Investment adviser fee | | | 27,162 | | | |
Trustees’ fees | | | 311 | | | |
Accrued expenses | | | 124,166 | | | |
|
|
Total liabilities | | $ | 656,560 | | | |
|
|
Auction preferred shares (1,083 shares outstanding) at liquidation value plus cumulative unpaid dividends | | $ | 27,084,595 | | | |
|
|
Net assets applicable to common shares | | $ | 44,745,113 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|
Sources of Net Assets |
|
Common shares, $0.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized, 7,274,487 shares issued and outstanding | | $ | 72,745 | | | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 148,082,965 | | | |
Accumulated net realized loss | | | (39,791,473 | ) | | |
Accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income | | | (3,209,790 | ) | | |
Net unrealized depreciation | | | (60,409,334 | ) | | |
|
|
Net assets applicable to common shares | | $ | 44,745,113 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|
Net Asset Value Per Common Share |
|
($44,745,113 ¸ 7,274,487 common shares issued and outstanding) | | $ | 6.15 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
For the Year Ended
| | | | | |
April 30, 2009 | | | | | |
|
Investment Income |
|
Interest | | $ | 13,764,113 | | | |
Dividends | | | 82,242 | | | |
Interest income allocated from affiliated investment | | | 57,749 | | | |
Expenses allocated from affiliated investment | | | (18,424 | ) | | |
|
|
Total investment income | | $ | 13,885,680 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
|
Expenses |
|
Investment adviser fee | | $ | 946,153 | | | |
Trustees’ fees and expenses | | | 2,540 | | | |
Custodian fee | | | 119,346 | | | |
Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees | | | 21,752 | | | |
Legal and accounting services | | | 172,966 | | | |
Printing and postage | | | 69,760 | | | |
Interest expense and fees | | | 1,529,166 | | | |
Preferred shares service fee | | | 70,153 | | | |
Miscellaneous | | | 99,676 | | | |
|
|
Total expenses | | $ | 3,031,512 | | | |
|
|
Deduct — | | | | | | |
Reduction of investment adviser fee | | $ | 257,051 | | | |
Reduction of custodian fee | | | 116 | | | |
|
|
Total expense reductions | | $ | 257,167 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
Net expenses | | $ | 2,774,345 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 11,111,335 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
|
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) |
|
Net realized gain (loss) — | | | | | | |
Investment transactions | | $ | (30,863,220 | ) | | |
Interest rate floors | | | 63,958 | | | |
Foreign currency and forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions | | | 4,456,386 | | | |
Extinguishment of debt | | | (433,400 | ) | | |
|
|
Net realized loss | | $ | (26,776,276 | ) | | |
|
|
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) — | | | | | | |
Investments | | $ | (36,272,969 | ) | | |
Interest rate floors | | | (974,403 | ) | | |
Foreign currency and forward foreign currency exchange contracts | | | (123,284 | ) | | |
|
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | $ | (37,370,656 | ) | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized loss | | $ | (64,146,932 | ) | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
Distributions to preferred shareholders | | | | | | |
|
|
From net investment income | | $ | (873,750 | ) | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
Net decrease in net assets from operations | | $ | (53,909,347 | ) | | |
|
|
See notes to financial statements14
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | | | | | | | | | |
Increase (Decrease)
| | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | |
in Net Assets | | April 30, 2009 | | | April 30, 2008 | | | |
|
From operations — | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 11,111,335 | | | $ | 18,401,520 | | | |
Net realized loss from investment transactions, interest rate floors, foreign currency and forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions, and extinguishment of debt | | | (26,776,276 | ) | | | (3,632,196 | ) | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments, interest rate floors, and foreign currency and forward foreign currency exchange contracts | | | (37,370,656 | ) | | | (28,515,367 | ) | | |
Distributions to preferred shareholders — From net investment income | | | (873,750 | ) | | | (4,288,579 | ) | | |
|
|
Net decrease in net assets from operations | | $ | (53,909,347 | ) | | $ | (18,034,622 | ) | | |
|
|
Distributions to common shareholders — | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | $ | (9,065,595 | ) | | $ | (14,300,086 | ) | | |
Tax return of capital | | | (591,173 | ) | | | — | | | |
|
|
Total distributions to common shareholders | | $ | (9,656,768 | ) | | $ | (14,300,086 | ) | | |
|
|
Capital share transactions — | | | | | | | | | | |
Reinvestment of distributions to common shareholders | | $ | 121,930 | | | $ | 1,518,607 | | | |
|
|
Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions | | $ | 121,930 | | | $ | 1,518,607 | | | |
|
|
Net decrease in net assets | | $ | (63,444,185 | ) | | $ | (30,816,101 | ) | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares |
|
At beginning of year | | $ | 108,189,298 | | | $ | 139,005,399 | | | |
|
|
At end of year | | $ | 44,745,113 | | | $ | 108,189,298 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
Accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income included in net assets applicable to common shares |
|
At end of year | | $ | (3,209,790 | ) | | $ | (889,183 | ) | | |
|
|
Statement of Cash Flows
| | | | | | |
Cash Flows From
| | Year Ended
| | | |
Operating Activities | | April 30, 2009 | | | |
|
Net decrease in net assets from operations | | $ | (53,909,347 | ) | | |
Distributions to preferred shareholders | | | 873,750 | | | |
|
|
Net decrease in net assets from operations excluding distributions to preferred shareholders | | | (53,035,597 | ) | | |
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | | | | |
Investments purchased | | | (25,065,007 | ) | | |
Investments sold and principal repayments | | | 90,959,246 | | | |
Increase in short-term investments, net | | | (13,392,169 | ) | | |
Net accretion/amortization of premium (discount) | | | (645,680 | ) | | |
Amortization of structuring fees on notes payable | | | 103,603 | | | |
Decrease in interest receivable and dividends | | | 1,515,577 | | | |
Decrease in interest receivable from affiliated investment | | | 10,360 | | | |
Decrease in payable for investments purchased | | | (283,258 | ) | | |
Increase in receivable for investments sold | | | (3,452,131 | ) | | |
Decrease in receivable for closed interest rate floors | | | 1,056,934 | | | |
Decrease in receivable for open forward foreign currency contracts | | | 118,140 | | | |
Decrease in prepaid expenses | | | 38,410 | | | |
Decrease in payable to affiliate for investment adviser fee | | | (58,752 | ) | | |
Increase in payable for open forward foreign currency contracts | | | 48,234 | | | |
Decrease in payable to affiliate for Trustees’ fees | | | (1,481 | ) | | |
Decrease in unfunded loan commitments | | | (1,259,318 | ) | | |
Decrease in accrued expenses | | | (42,041 | ) | | |
Net realized loss on extinguishment of debt | | | 433,400 | | | |
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments | | | 36,272,969 | | | |
Net realized (gain) loss on investments | | | 30,863,220 | | | |
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 64,184,659 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|
Cash Flows From Financing Activities |
|
Cash distributions paid to common shareholders, net of reinvestments | | $ | (9,534,838 | ) | | |
Liquidation of auction preferred shares | | | (54,175,000 | ) | | |
Distributions to preferred shareholders | | | (922,599 | ) | | |
Proceeds from notes payable | | | 54,175,000 | | | |
Repayment of notes payable | | | (54,175,000 | ) | | |
Increase in due to custodian | | | 435,083 | | | |
|
|
Net cash used in financing activities | | $ | (64,197,354 | ) | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
Net decrease in cash | | $ | (12,695 | ) | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
Cash at beginning of period(1) | | $ | 1,390,605 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
Cash at end of period(1) | | $ | 1,377,910 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
|
Reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | $ | 121,930 | | | |
Cash paid for interest and fees on borrowings | | | 1,425,563 | | | |
|
|
(1) Balance includes foreign currencies, at value.
See notes to financial statements15
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
Financial Highlights
Selected data for a common share outstanding during the periods stated
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended April 30, | | | | | | |
| | | | | Period Ended
| | | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | April 30, 2007(1) | | | |
|
Net asset value — Beginning of period (Common shares) | | $ | 14.910 | | | $ | 19.380 | | | $ | 19.100 | (2) | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Income (loss) from operations |
|
Net investment income(3) | | $ | 1.530 | | | $ | 2.548 | | | $ | 2.057 | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | (8.840 | ) | | | (4.444 | ) | | | 0.449 | | | |
Distributions to preferred shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income(3) | | | (0.120 | ) | | | (0.594 | ) | | | (0.435 | ) | | |
|
|
Total income (loss) from operations | | $ | (7.430 | ) | | $ | (2.490 | ) | | $ | 2.071 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Less distributions to common shareholders |
|
From net investment income | | $ | (1.249 | ) | | $ | (1.980 | ) | | $ | (1.598 | ) | | |
Tax return of capital | | | (0.081 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | |
|
|
Total distributions to common shareholders | | $ | (1.330 | ) | | $ | (1.980 | ) | | $ | (1.598 | ) | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Preferred and common shares offering costs charged to paid-in capital(3) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (0.078 | ) | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Preferred shares underwriting discounts(3) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (0.115 | ) | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value — End of period (Common shares) | | $ | 6.150 | | | $ | 14.910 | | | $ | 19.380 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Market Value — End of period (Common shares) | | $ | 5.360 | | | $ | 14.250 | | | $ | 20.920 | | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investment Return on Net Asset Value(4) | | | (51.30 | )% | | | (13.57 | )% | | | 10.23 | %(5)(12) | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investment Return on Market Value(4) | | | (55.62 | )% | | | (23.42 | )% | | | 18.99 | %(5)(12) | | |
|
|
See notes to financial statements16
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
Financial Highlights
Selected data for a common share outstanding during the periods stated
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended April 30, | | | | | | |
| | | | | Period Ended
| | | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | April 30, 2007(1) | | | |
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
Net assets applicable to common shares, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $ | 44,745 | | | $ | 108,189 | | | $ | 139,005 | | | |
Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets applicable to common shares):(6) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before custodian fee reduction excluding interest and fees(7) | | | 1.75 | % | | | 1.57 | % | | | 1.40 | %(8) | | |
Interest and fee expense(9) | | | 2.11 | % | | | — | | | | — | | | |
Total expenses | | | 3.86 | % | | | 1.57 | % | | | 1.40 | %(8) | | |
Net investment income | | | 15.35 | % | | | 14.69 | % | | | 11.72 | %(8) | | |
Portfolio Turnover | | | 21 | % | | | 56 | % | | | 68 | %(12) | | |
|
|
The ratios reported above are based on net assets applicable solely to common shares. The ratios based on net assets, including amounts related to preferred shares, are as follows: |
Ratios (As a percentage of average daily net assets applicable to common shares and preferred shares):(6) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before custodian fee reduction excluding interest and fees(7) | | | 1.27 | % | | | 0.95 | % | | | 0.88 | %(8) | | |
Interest and fee expense(9) | | | 1.54 | % | | | — | | | | — | | | |
Total expenses | | | 2.81 | % | | | 0.95 | % | | | 0.88 | %(8) | | |
Net investment income | | | 11.17 | % | | | 8.91 | % | | | 7.32 | %(8) | | |
|
|
Senior Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total preferred shares outstanding | | | 1,083 | | | | 3,250 | | | | 3,250 | | | |
Asset coverage per preferred share(10) | | $ | 66,325 | | | $ | 58,307 | | | $ | 67,786 | | | |
Involuntary liquidation preference per preferred share(11) | | $ | 25,000 | | | $ | 25,000 | | | $ | 25,000 | | | |
Approximate market value per preferred share(11) | | $ | 25,000 | | | $ | 25,000 | | | $ | 25,000 | | | |
|
|
| | |
(1) | | For the period from the start of business, May 30, 2006, to April 30, 2007. |
|
(2) | | Net asset value at beginning of period reflects the deduction of the sales load of $0.90 per share paid by the shareholder from the $20.00 offering price. |
|
(3) | | Computed using average common shares outstanding. |
|
(4) | | Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or market value with all distributions reinvested. |
|
(5) | | Total investment return on net asset value is calculated assuming a purchase at the offering price of $20.00 less the sales load of $0.90 per share paid by the shareholder on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of the period reported. Total investment return on market value is calculated assuming a purchase at the offering price of $20.00 less the sales load of $0.90 per share paid by the shareholder on the first day and a sale at the current market price on the last day of the period reported with all distributions reinvested. |
|
(6) | | Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders. |
|
(7) | | Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. |
|
(8) | | Annualized. |
|
(9) | | Interest and fee expense relates to the notes payable incurred to partially redeem the Fund’s APS (see Note 11). |
|
(10) | | Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including the preferred shares) from the Fund’s total assets, and dividing the result by the number of preferred shares outstanding. |
|
(11) | | Plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. |
|
(12) | | Not annualized. |
See notes to financial statements17
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1 Significant Accounting Policies
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund (the Fund) is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income. The Fund, as a secondary objective, also seeks capital appreciation.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
A Investment Valuation — Interests in senior floating-rate loans (Senior Loans) for which reliable market quotations are readily available are valued generally at the average mean of bid and ask quotations obtained from an independent pricing service. Other Senior Loans are valued at fair value by the investment adviser under procedures approved by the Trustees. In fair valuing a Senior Loan, the investment adviser utilizes one or more of the valuation techniques described in (i) through (iii) below to assess the likelihood that the borrower will make a full repayment of the loan underlying such Senior Loan relative to yields on other Senior Loans issued by companies of comparable credit quality. If the investment adviser believes that there is a reasonable likelihood of full repayment, the investment adviser will determine fair value using a matrix pricing approach that considers the yield on the Senior Loan. If the investment adviser believes there is not a reasonable likelihood of full repayment, the investment adviser will determine fair value using analyses that include, but are not limited to: (i) a comparison of the value of the borrower’s outstanding equity and debt to that of comparable public companies; (ii) a discounted cash flow analysis; or (iii) when the investment adviser believes it is likely that a borrower will be liquidated or sold, an analysis of the terms of such liquidation or sale. In certain cases, the investment adviser will use a combination of analytical methods to determine fair value, such as when only a portion of a borrower’s assets are likely to be sold. In conducting its assessment and analyses for purposes of determining fair value of a Senior Loan, the investment adviser will use its discretion and judgment in considering and appraising relevant factors. Fair value determinations are made by the portfolio managers of the Fund based on information available to such managers. The portfolio managers of other funds managed by the investment adviser that invest in Senior Loans may not possess the same information about a Senior Loan borrower as the portfolio managers of the Fund. At times, the fair value of a Senior Loan determined by the portfolio managers of other funds managed by the investment adviser that invest in Senior Loans may vary from the fair value of the same Senior Loan determined by the portfolio managers of the Fund. The fair value of each Senior Loan is periodically reviewed and approved by the investment adviser’s Valuation Committee and by the Trustees based upon procedures approved by the Trustees. Junior Loans are valued in the same manner as Senior Loans.
Debt obligations, including listed securities and securities for which quotations are readily available, will normally be valued on the basis of reported trades or market quotations provided by independent pricing services, when in the services’ judgment, these prices are representative of the securities’ market values. For debt securities where market quotations are not readily available, the pricing services will use various techniques that consider factors including, but not limited to, prices or yields of securities with similar characteristics, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, as well as industry and economic events. Short-term debt securities with a remaining maturity of sixty days or less are generally valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. If short-term debt securities are acquired with a remaining maturity of more than sixty days, they will be valued by a pricing service. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices therefore on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and asked prices or, in the case of preferred equity securities that are not listed or traded in the over-the-counter market, by an independent pricing service. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are generally valued using forward exchange rates supplied by a pricing vendor. Interest rate swaps and floors are normally valued using valuations provided by pricing vendors. Such vendor valuations are based on the present value of fixed and projected floating rate cash flows over the term of the swap contract. Future cash flows are discounted to their present value using swap quotations provided by electronic data services or by broker/dealers. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by an independent quotation service. The independent service uses a proprietary model to determine the exchange rate. Inputs to the model include reported trades and implied bid/ask spreads. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Fund in a manner that most fairly reflects the security’s value, or the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each
18
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
such determination is based on a consideration of all relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker-dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s financial condition, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.
The Fund may invest in Cash Management Portfolio (Cash Management), an affiliated investment company managed by Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of Eaton Vance Management (EVM). Cash Management values its investment securities utilizing the amortized cost valuation technique permitted by Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, pursuant to which Cash Management must comply with certain conditions. This technique involves initially valuing a portfolio security at its cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium. If amortized cost is determined not to approximate fair value, Cash Management may value its investment securities based on available market quotations provided by a pricing service.
B Investment Transactions — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.
C Income — Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount. Fees associated with loan amendments are recognized immediately. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities.
D Federal Taxes — The Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.
At April 30, 2009, the Fund, for federal income tax purposes, had a capital loss carryforward of $29,535,416 which will reduce its taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investment transactions, if any, to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code, and thus will reduce the amount of distributions to shareholders, which would otherwise be necessary to relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income or excise tax. Such capital loss carryforward will expire on April 30, 2016 ($833,774) and April 30, 2017 ($28,701,642).
Additionally, at April 30, 2009, the Fund had a net currency loss of $3,182,743 and a net capital loss of $10,128,221 attributable to foreign currency and security transactions, respectively, incurred after October 31, 2008. These losses are treated as arising on the first day of the Fund’s taxable year ending April 30, 2010.
As of April 30, 2009, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. Each of the Fund’s federal tax returns filed since the start of business on May 30, 2006 to April 30, 2009 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
E Expense Reduction — State Street Bank and Trust Company (SSBT) serves as custodian of the Fund. Pursuant to the custodian agreement, SSBT receives a fee reduced by credits, which are determined based on the average daily cash balance the Fund maintains with SSBT. All credit balances, if any, used to reduce the Fund’s custodian fees are reported as a reduction of expenses in the Statement of Operations.
F Foreign Currency Translation — Investment valuations, other assets, and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of foreign investment securities and income and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates in effect on the respective dates of such transactions. Recognized gains or losses on investment transactions attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. That portion of unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.
G Unfunded Loan Commitments — The Fund may enter into certain credit agreements all or a portion of which may be unfunded. The Fund is obligated to fund these commitments at the borrower’s discretion. The commitments are disclosed in the accompanying Portfolio of Investments.
H Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
19
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
I Indemnifications — Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund, and shareholders are indemnified against personal liability for the obligations of the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.
J Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts — The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a fixed price on a future date. The Fund may enter into forward contracts for hedging purposes as well as non-hedging purposes. The forward foreign currency exchange contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any gains or losses are recorded as unrealized until such time as the contracts have been closed or offset by another contract with the same broker for the same settlement date and currency. Risks may arise upon entering these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.
K Interest Rate Floors — The Fund may enter into interest rate floors to enhance return or to hedge against fluctuations in interest rates. Interest rate floors are similar to interest rate swaps, except that one party agrees to pay a fee, while the other party agrees to make payments to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified rate or “floor”. Transaction fees paid by the Fund are recognized as assets and amortized over the life of the interest rate floor. Changes in the value of the interest rate floor are recognized as unrealized gains and losses.
L Statement of Cash Flows — The cash amount shown in the Statement of Cash Flows of the Fund is the amount included in the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities and represents the cash on hand at its custodian and does not include any short-term investments.
2 Auction Preferred Shares
The Fund issued Auction Preferred Shares (APS) on August 11, 2006 in a public offering. The underwriting discount and other offering costs incurred in connection with the offering were recorded as a reduction of the paid-in capital of the common shares. Dividends on the APS, which accrue daily, are cumulative at rates which are reset every seven days by an auction, unless a special dividend period has been set. If the APS auctions do not successfully clear, the dividend payment rate over the next period for the APS holders is set at a specified maximum applicable rate until such time as the APS auctions are successful. Auctions have not cleared since February 13, 2008 and the rate since that date has been the maximum applicable rate (see Note 3). The maximum applicable rate on the APS is the greater of 1) 150% of LIBOR on the date of the auction or 2) LIBOR on the date of the auction plus 1.50%.
During the year ended April 30, 2009, the Fund made a partial redemption of its APS at a liquidation price of $25,000 per share, the financing for which was provided by a committed financing arrangement (see Note 11). The number of APS redeemed and redemption amount (excluding the final dividend payment) during the year ended April 30, 2009 and the number of APS issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2009 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | |
APS Redeemed
| | | | | | | | |
During the
| | Redemption
| | | APS Issued and
| | | |
Period | | Amount | | | Outstanding | | | |
|
2,167 | | $ | 54,175,000 | | | | 1,083 | | | |
The APS are redeemable at the option of the Fund at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, on any dividend payment date. The APS are also subject to mandatory redemption at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if the Fund is in default for an extended period on its asset maintenance requirements with respect to the APS. If the dividends on the APS remain unpaid in an amount equal to two full years’ dividends, the holders of the APS as a class have the right to elect a majority of the Board of Trustees. In general, the holders of the APS and the common shares have equal voting rights of one vote per share, except that the holders of the APS, as a separate class, have the right to elect at least two members of the Board of Trustees. The APS have a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. The Fund is required to maintain certain asset coverage with respect to the APS as defined in the Fund’s By-Laws and the 1940 Act. The Fund pays an annual fee equivalent to 0.15% (0.25% prior to March 2009) of the liquidation value of the APS to broker-dealers as a service fee if the auctions are unsuccessful; otherwise, the annual fee is 0.25%.
3 Distributions to Shareholders
The Fund intends to make monthly distributions of net investment income to common shareholders, after payment of any dividends on any outstanding APS. In addition, at least annually, the Fund intends to distribute
20
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains, (reduced by available capital loss carryforwards from prior years, if any). Distributions to common shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to preferred shareholders are recorded daily and are payable at the end of each dividend period. The dividend rate for the APS at April 30, 2009 was 1.83%. For the year ended April 30, 2009, the amount of dividends paid (including capital gains, if any) to APS shareholders was $873,750, representing an average APS dividend rate of 3.23% and dividend rate ranges of 1.74% to 7.15%.
Beginning February 13, 2008 and consistent with the patterns in the broader market for auction-rate securities, the Fund’s APS auctions were unsuccessful in clearing due to an imbalance of sell orders over bids to buy the APS. As a result, the dividend rates of the APS were reset to the maximum applicable rate. The rate above reflects such maximum dividend rate as of April 30, 2009.
The Fund distinguishes between distributions on a tax basis and a financial reporting basis. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits be reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.
The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended April 30, 2009 and April 30, 2008 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended April 30, |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | |
|
|
Distributions declared from: | | | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary income | | $ | 9,939,345 | | | $ | 18,588,665 | | | |
Return of capital | | | 591,173 | | | | — | | | |
During the year ended April 30, 2009, accumulated net realized loss was increased by $6,329,905, accumulated undistributed net investment income was decreased by $3,492,597, and paid-in capital was increased by $9,822,502 due to differences between book and tax accounting, primarily for mixed straddles, interest rate floor contracts, premium amortization and foreign currency gain (loss). These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Fund.
As of April 30, 2009, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | | | |
Capital loss carryforward and post October losses | | $ | (42,846,380 | ) | | |
Net unrealized depreciation | | $ | (60,564,217 | ) | | |
The differences between components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a tax basis and the amounts reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities are primarily due to premium amortization, defaulted bond interest, foreign currency losses and investments in partnerships.
4 Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
The investment adviser fee is earned by EVM as compensation for management and investment advisory services rendered to the Fund. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily gross assets and is payable monthly. Gross assets as referred to herein represent net assets plus obligations attributable to investment leverage. The portion of the adviser fee payable by Cash Management on the Fund’s investment of cash therein is credited against the Fund’s adviser fee. For the year ended April 30, 2009, the Fund’s adviser fee totaled $964,060 of which $17,907 was allocated from Cash Management and $946,153 was paid or accrued directly by the Fund. EVM also serves as administrator of the Fund, but receives no compensation.
In addition, EVM has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for fees and other expenses at an annual rate of 0.20% of the Fund’s average daily gross assets during the first five full years of the Fund’s operations, 0.15% of the Trust’s average daily gross assets in year six, 0.10% in year seven and 0.05% in year eight. Pursuant to this agreement, EVM waived $257,051 of its adviser fee for the year ended April 30, 2009.
EVM has further agreed to waive its adviser fee to the extent that the cost of the committed financing to partially redeem the APS is greater than the dividends and preferred shares service fee that would have been incurred had the APS not been redeemed, hereafter referred to as “incremental cost”. Such waiver was calculated as the lesser of 50% of the Fund’s adviser fee on assets attributable to the committed financing or the incremental cost and remained in effect until the committed financing was terminated (see Note 11). Pursuant to this agreement, no such waiver was required for the year ended April 30, 2009.
Except for Trustees of the Fund who are not members of EVM’s organization, officers and Trustees receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with EVM may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended April 30, 2009, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund are officers of EVM.
21
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
5 Purchases and Sales of Investments
Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations and including maturities and principal repayments on Senior Loans, aggregated $25,065,007 and $90,959,246, respectively, for the year ended April 30, 2009.
6 Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
Common shares issued pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan for the years ended April 30, 2009 and April 30, 2008 were 17,348 and 85,480, respectively.
7 Federal Income Tax Basis of Investments
The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Fund at April 30, 2009, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:
| | | | | | |
Aggregate cost | | $ | 126,727,765 | | | |
|
|
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 635,270 | | | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (61,206,199 | ) | | |
|
|
Net unrealized depreciation | | $ | (60,570,929 | ) | | |
|
|
8 Restricted Securities
At April 30, 2009, the Fund owned the following securities (representing less than 0.1% of net assets applicable to common shares) which were restricted as to public resale and not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (excluding Rule 144A securities). The Fund has various registration rights (exercisable under a variety of circumstances) with respect to these securities. The value of these securities is determined based on valuations provided by brokers when available, or if not available, they are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Date of
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description | | Acquisition | | | Units | | | Cost | | | Value | | | |
|
Preferred Stock |
|
Fontainebleau Resorts LLC | | | 6/1/07 | | | | 210 | | | $ | 210,460 | | | $ | 19,910 | | | |
|
|
Total Restricted Securities | | | | | | | | | | $ | 210,460 | | | $ | 19,910 | | | |
|
|
9 Financial Instruments
The Fund may trade in financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its investing activities. These financial instruments may include forward foreign currency exchange contracts and may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. The notional or contractual amounts of these instruments represent the investment the Fund has in particular classes of financial instruments and does not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. The measurement of the risks associated with these instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are considered.
A summary of obligations under these financial instruments at April 30, 2009 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
|
Sales |
|
| | | | | | Net Unrealized
| | | |
Settlement Date | | Deliver | | In Exchange For | | Depreciation | | | |
|
5/29/09 | | British Pound Sterling 1,293,419 | | United States Dollar 1,897,057 | | $ | (16,310 | ) | | |
5/29/09 | | Euro 2,716,663 | | United States Dollar 3,562,197 | | | (31,924 | ) | | |
|
|
| | | | | | $ | (48,234 | ) | | |
|
|
At April 30, 2009, the Fund had sufficient cash and/or securities to cover commitments under these contracts.
10 Overdraft Advances
Pursuant to the custodian agreement, SSBT may, in its discretion, advance funds to the Fund to make properly authorized payments. When such payments result in an overdraft, the Fund is obligated to repay SSBT at the current rate of interest charged by SSBT for secured loans (currently, a rate above the Federal Funds rate). This obligation is payable on demand to SSBT. SSBT has a lien on the Fund’s assets to the extent of any overdraft. At April 30, 2009, the Fund had payments due to SSBT pursuant to the foregoing arrangement of $435,083.
11 Revolving Credit and Security Agreement
Effective April 11, 2008, the Fund entered into a Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, as amended (the Agreement) with conduit lenders and a bank to borrow up to an initial limit of $54,175,000 for a period of five years, the proceeds of which were used to partially redeem the Fund’s APS (see Note 2). The Agreement provided for a renewable 364-day backstop financing arrangement, which ensured that alternate financing would continue to be available to the Fund should the conduits be unable to place their commercial paper. Interest was charged at a rate above the conduits’ commercial paper issuance rate. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Fund paid a monthly program fee of 1.25% per annum (0.60% per annum prior to October 31, 2008) on its outstanding borrowings to administer the facility and a monthly liquidity fee of 1.25% per annum (0.40% per annum prior to October 31, 2008) on the borrowing limit under the Agreement. The Fund also paid a structuring fee of $541,750, which was being amortized to interest expense over a period of five years. The
22
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
Agreement was terminated by the Fund on March 31, 2009. Unamortized structuring fees on the termination date of the Agreement of $433,400 were written off as a realized loss. For the period from May 2, 2008, the date of the initial draw on the Agreement, through March 31, 2009, the average borrowings under the Agreement and the average interest rate (annualized) were $30,601,418 and 3.05%, respectively.
12 Risks Associated with Foreign Investments
Investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States may involve significant risks not present in domestic investments. For example, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies, particularly those not subject to the disclosure and reporting requirements of the U.S. securities laws. Certain foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and standards of practice comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. Investments in foreign securities also involve the risk of possible adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitation on the removal of funds or other assets of the Fund, political or financial instability or diplomatic and other developments which could affect such investments. Foreign stock markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the United States, and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. In general, there is less overall governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets, broker-dealers and issuers than in the United States.
13 Concentration of Credit Risk
The Fund invests primarily in below investment grade floating-rate loans and floating-rate debt obligations, which are considered speculative because of the credit risk of their issuers. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to reduce the capacity of issuers of these securities to make principal and interest payments. Such companies are more likely to default on their payments of interest and principal owed than issuers of investment grade bonds. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a loan or other debt obligation may lose significant value before a default occurs. Lower rated investments also may be subject to greater price volatility than higher rated investments. Moreover, the specific collateral used to secure a loan may decline in value or become illiquid, which would adversely affect the loan’s value.
14 Fair Value Measurements
The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (FAS 157), “Fair Value Measurements”, effective May 1, 2008. FAS 157 established a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.
| | |
| • | Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
|
| • | Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
|
| • | Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
At April 30, 2009, the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Investments in
| | | Other Financial
| | | |
| | Valuation Inputs | | Securities | | | Instruments* | | | |
|
Level 1 | | Quoted Prices | | $ | 15,403,369 | | | $ | — | | | |
Level 2 | | Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | 50,172,663 | | | | (48,234 | ) | | |
Level 3 | | Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | 580,804 | | | | — | | | |
|
|
Total | | | | $ | 66,156,836 | | | $ | (48,234 | ) | | |
|
|
| | |
* | | Other financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:
| | | | | | |
| | Investments in
| | | |
| | Securities | | | |
|
Balance as of April 30, 2008 | | $ | 1,105,998 | | | |
Realized gains (losses) | | | 147 | | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | (935,697 | ) | | |
Net purchases (sales) | | | 26,486 | | | |
Accrued discount (premium) | | | 13,635 | | | |
Net transfer to (from) Level 3 | | | 370,235 | | | |
|
|
Balance as of April 30, 2009 | | $ | 580,804 | | | |
|
|
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held as of April 30, 2009* | | $ | (935,697 | ) | | |
|
|
| | |
* | | Amount is included in the related amount on investments in the Statement of Operations. |
23
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
15 Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement
In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (FAS 161), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities, including qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk related contingent features in derivative instruments. FAS 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Management is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of FAS 161 will have on the Fund’s financial statement disclosures.
16 Subsequent Events
On May 22, 2009, the Fund redeemed an additional 763 shares of its outstanding APS at a liquidation price of $25,000 per share.
In June 2009, the Trustees of the Fund approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the Agreement) whereby Eaton Vance Limited Duration Income Fund (the Acquiring Fund) would acquire substantially all the assets and assume substantially all the liabilities of the Fund in exchange for common shares of the Acquiring Fund and cash consideration equal to the aggregate liquidation value of the Fund’s APS. The proposed reorganization is subject to approval by the shareholders of the Fund.
24
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Trustees and Shareholders of
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”), including the portfolio of investments, as of April 30, 2009, and the related statement of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the period from the start of business, May 30, 2006 to April 30, 2007. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities and senior loans owned as of April 30, 2009, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers and selling or agent banks; where replies were not received from brokers and selling or agent banks, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the period from the start of business, May 30, 2006 to April 30, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
June 18, 2009
25
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)
The Form 1099-DIV you receive in January 2010 will show the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar 2009. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code regulations, shareholders must be notified within 60 days of the Fund’s fiscal year end regarding the status of qualified dividend income for individuals and the dividends received deduction for corporations.
Qualified Dividend Income. The Fund designates $82,242, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced tax rate of 15%.
Dividends Received Deduction. Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Fund’s dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Fund’s fiscal 2009 ordinary income dividends, 0.83% qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.
26
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund as of April 30, 2009
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS (Unaudited)
The Fund held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 27, 2009. The following action was taken by the shareholders:
Item 1: The election of Helen Frame Peters, Lynn A. Stout and Ralph F. Verni (APS) as Class III Trustees of the Fund for a three-year term expiring in 2012.
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Number of Shares | | | |
Nominee for Trustee
| | |
Elected by All Shareholders | | For | | | Withheld | | | |
|
|
Helen Frame Peters | | | 5,663,610 | | | | 174,383 | | | |
Lynn A. Stout | | | 5,659,249 | | | | 178,744 | | | |
Ralph F. Verni (APS) | | | 957 | | | | 13 | | | |
27
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Fund offers a dividend reinvestment plan (the Plan) pursuant to which shareholders automatically have dividends and capital gains distributions reinvested in common shares (the Shares) of the Fund unless they elect otherwise through their investment dealer. On the distribution payment date, if the net asset value per Share is equal to or less than the market price per Share plus estimated brokerage commissions then new Shares will be issued. The number of Shares shall be determined by the greater of the net asset value per Share or 95% of the market price. Otherwise, Shares generally will be purchased on the open market by the Plan Agent. Distributions subject to income tax (if any) are taxable whether or not shares are reinvested.
If your shares are in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you can ask the firm or nominee to participate in the Plan on your behalf. If the nominee does not offer the Plan, you will need to request that your shares be re-registered in your name with the Fund’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, or you will not be able to participate.
The Plan Agent’s service fee for handling distributions will be paid by the Fund. Each participant will be charged their pro rata share of brokerage commissions on all open-market purchases.
Plan participants may withdraw from the Plan at any time by writing to the Plan Agent at the address noted on the following page. If you withdraw, you will receive shares in your name for all Shares credited to your account under the Plan. If a participant elects by written notice to the Plan Agent to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of his or her Shares and remit the proceeds, the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct a $5.00 fee plus brokerage commissions from the proceeds.
If you wish to participate in the Plan and your shares are held in your own name, you may complete the form on the following page and deliver it to the Plan Agent.
Any inquiries regarding the Plan can be directed to the Plan Agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, at 1-866-439-6787.
28
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund
APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
This form is for shareholders who hold their common shares in their own names. If your common shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you should contact your nominee to see if it will participate in the Plan on your behalf. If you wish to participate in the Plan, but your brokerage firm, bank, or nominee is unable to participate on your behalf, you should request that your common shares be re-registered in your own name which will enable your participation in the Plan.
The following authorization and appointment is given with the understanding that I may terminate it at any time by terminating my participation in the Plan as provided in the terms and conditions of the Plan.
Please print exact name on account:
Shareholder signature Date
Shareholder signature Date
Please sign exactly as your common shares are registered. All persons whose names appear on the share certificate must sign.
YOU SHOULD NOT RETURN THIS FORM IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE YOUR DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. THIS IS NOT A PROXY.
This authorization form, when signed, should be mailed to the following address:
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund
c/o American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
P.O. Box 922
Wall Street Station
New York, NY 10269-0560
Number of Employees
The Fund is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified, closed-end management investment company and has no employees.
Number of Shareholders
As of April 30, 2009, our records indicate that there are 21 registered shareholders and approximately 4,947 shareholders owning the Fund shares in street name, such as through brokers, banks, and financial intermediaries.
If you are a street name shareholder and wish to receive our reports directly, which contain important information about the Fund, please write or call:
Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
1-800-262-1122
New York Stock Exchange symbol
The New York Stock Exchange symbol is EOE.
29
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund
BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Overview of the Contract Review Process
The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), provides, in substance, that each investment advisory agreement between a fund and its investment adviser will continue in effect from year to year only if its continuance is approved at least annually by the fund’s board of trustees, including by a vote of a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the fund (“Independent Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such approval.
At a meeting of the Boards of Trustees (each a “Board”) of the Eaton Vance group of mutual funds (the “Eaton Vance Funds”) held on April 27, 2009, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of existing advisory and sub-advisory agreements for the Eaton Vance Funds for an additional one-year period. In voting its approval, the Board relied upon the affirmative recommendation of the Contract Review Committee of the Board (formerly the Special Committee), which is a committee comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees. Prior to making its recommendation, the Contract Review Committee reviewed information furnished for a series of meetings of the Contract Review Committee held in February, March and April 2009. Such information included, among other things, the following:
Information about Fees, Performance and Expenses
| | |
| • | An independent report comparing the advisory and related fees paid by each fund with fees paid by comparable funds; |
| • | An independent report comparing each fund’s total expense ratio and its components to comparable funds; |
| • | An independent report comparing the investment performance of each fund to the investment performance of comparable funds over various time periods; |
| • | Data regarding investment performance in comparison to relevant peer groups of funds and appropriate indices; |
| • | Comparative information concerning fees charged by each adviser for managing other mutual funds and institutional accounts using investment strategies and techniques similar to those used in managing the fund; |
| • | Profitability analyses for each adviser with respect to each fund; |
Information about Portfolio Management
| | |
| • | Descriptions of the investment management services provided to each fund, including the investment strategies and processes employed, and any changes in portfolio management processes and personnel; |
| • | Information concerning the allocation of brokerage and the benefits received by each adviser as a result of brokerage allocation, including information concerning the acquisition of research through “soft dollar” benefits received in connection with the funds’ brokerage, and the implementation of a soft dollar reimbursement program established with respect to the funds; |
| • | Data relating to portfolio turnover rates of each fund; |
| • | The procedures and processes used to determine the fair value of fund assets and actions taken to monitor and test the effectiveness of such procedures and processes; |
Information about each Adviser
| | |
| • | Reports detailing the financial results and condition of each adviser; |
| • | Descriptions of the qualifications, education and experience of the individual investment professionals whose responsibilities include portfolio management and investment research for the funds, and information relating to their compensation and responsibilities with respect to managing other mutual funds and investment accounts; |
| • | Copies of the Codes of Ethics of each adviser and its affiliates, together with information relating to compliance with and the administration of such codes; |
| • | Copies of or descriptions of each adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures; |
| • | Information concerning the resources devoted to compliance efforts undertaken by each adviser and its affiliates on behalf of the funds (including descriptions of various compliance programs) and their record of compliance with investment policies and restrictions, including policies with respect to market-timing, late trading and selective portfolio disclosure, and with policies on personal securities transactions; |
| • | Descriptions of the business continuity and disaster recovery plans of each adviser and its affiliates; |
Other Relevant Information
| | |
| • | Information concerning the nature, cost and character of the administrative and other non-investment management services provided by Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates; |
| • | Information concerning management of the relationship with the custodian, subcustodians and fund accountants by each adviser or the funds’ administrator; and |
| • | The terms of each advisory agreement. |
30
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund
BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT CONT’D
In addition to the information identified above, the Contract Review Committee considered information provided from time to time by each adviser throughout the year at meetings of the Board and its committees. Over the course of the twelve-month period ended April 30, 2009, the Board met eighteen times and the Contract Review Committee, the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee, the Portfolio Management Committee and the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee, each of which is a Committee comprised solely of Independent Trustees, met seven, five, six, six and six times, respectively. At such meetings, the Trustees received, among other things, presentations by the portfolio managers and other investment professionals of each adviser relating to the investment performance of each fund and the investment strategies used in pursuing the fund’s investment objective.
For funds that invest through one or more underlying portfolios, the Board considered similar information about the portfolio(s) when considering the approval of advisory agreements. In addition, in cases where the fund’s investment adviser has engaged a sub-adviser, the Board considered similar information about the sub-adviser when considering the approval of any sub-advisory agreement.
The Contract Review Committee was assisted throughout the contract review process by Goodwin Procter LLP, legal counsel for the Independent Trustees. The members of the Contract Review Committee relied upon the advice of such counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating each advisory and sub-advisory agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached with respect to each advisory and sub-advisory agreement were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all the information provided and not any single factor. Moreover, each member of the Contract Review Committee may have placed varying emphasis on particular factors in reaching conclusions with respect to each advisory and sub-advisory agreement.
Results of the Process
Based on its consideration of the foregoing, and such other information as it deemed relevant, including the factors and conclusions described below, the Contract Review Committee concluded that the continuance of the investment advisory agreement between Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) and Eaton Vance Management (the “Adviser”), including its fee structure, is in the interests of shareholders and, therefore, the Contract Review Committee recommended to the Board approval of the agreement. The Board accepted the recommendation of the Contract Review Committee as well as the factors considered and conclusions reached by the Contract Review Committee with respect to the agreement. Accordingly, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of the investment advisory agreement for the Fund.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
In considering whether to approve the investment advisory agreement of the Fund, the Board evaluated the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Adviser.
The Board considered the Adviser’s management capabilities and investment process with respect to the types of investments held by the Fund, including the education, experience and number of its investment professionals and other personnel who provide portfolio management, investment research, and similar services to the Fund. In particular, the Board evaluated the abilities and experience of such investment personnel in analyzing special considerations relevant to investing in senior secured floating-rate loans. Specifically, the Board noted the experience of the Adviser’s large group of bank loan investment professionals and other personnel who provide services to the Fund, including portfolio managers and analysts. The Board also took into account the resources dedicated to portfolio management and other services, including the compensation paid to recruit and retain investment personnel, and the time and attention devoted to the Fund by senior management.
The Board also reviewed the compliance programs of the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof. Among other matters, the Board considered compliance and reporting matters relating to personal trading by investment personnel, selective disclosure of portfolio holdings, late trading, frequent trading, portfolio valuation, business continuity and the allocation of investment opportunities. The Board also evaluated the responses of the Adviser and its affiliates to requests from regulatory authorities such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
The Board considered shareholder and other administrative services provided or managed by Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates, including transfer agency and accounting services. The Board evaluated the benefits to shareholders of investing in a fund that is a part of a large family of funds.
The Board considered the Adviser’s recommendations for Board action and other steps taken in response to the unprecedented dislocations experienced in the capital markets over recent periods, including sustained periods of high volatility, credit disruption and government intervention. In particular, the Board considered the Adviser’s efforts and expertise with respect to each of the following matters as they relate to the Fund and/or other funds within the Eaton Vance family of funds: (i) negotiating and maintaining the
31
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund
BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT CONT’D
availability of bank loan facilities and other sources of credit used for investment purposes or to satisfy liquidity needs; (ii) establishing the fair value of securities and other instruments held in investment portfolios during periods of market volatility and issuer-specific disruptions; and (iii) the ongoing monitoring of investment management processes and risk controls. In addition, the Board considered the Adviser’s actions with respect to the Auction Preferred Shares (“APS”) issued by the Fund, including the Adviser’s efforts to seek alternative forms of debt and other leverage that may over time reduce financing costs associated with APS and enable the Fund to restore liquidity for APS holders.
After consideration of the foregoing factors, among others, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Adviser, taken as a whole, are appropriate and consistent with the terms of the investment advisory agreement.
Fund Performance
The Board compared the Fund’s investment performance to a relevant universe of similarly managed funds identified by an independent data provider and appropriate benchmark indices. The Board reviewed comparative performance data for the one-year period ended September 30, 2008 for the Fund. In light of the Fund’s relatively brief operating history, the Board concluded that additional time was required to evaluate longer term performance of the Fund.
Management Fees and Expenses
The Board reviewed contractual investment advisory fee rates, including any administrative fee rates, payable by the Fund (referred to as “management fees”). As part of its review, the Board considered the management fees and the Fund’s total expense ratio for the year ended September 30, 2008, as compared to a group of similarly managed funds selected by an independent data provider. The Board considered the fact that the Adviser had waived fees and/or paid expenses for the Fund.
After reviewing the foregoing information, and in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser, the Board concluded that the management fees charged for advisory and related services and the Fund’s total expense ratio are reasonable.
Profitability
The Board reviewed the level of profits realized by the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof in providing investment advisory and administrative services to the Fund and to all Eaton Vance Funds as a group. The Board considered the level of profits realized with and without regard to revenue sharing or other payments by the Adviser and its affiliates to third parties in respect of distribution services. The Board also considered other direct or indirect benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates in connection with its relationship with the Fund.
The Board concluded that, in light of the foregoing factors and the nature, extent and quality of the services rendered, the profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates are reasonable.
Economies of Scale
In reviewing management fees and profitability, the Board also considered the extent to which the Adviser and its affiliates, on the one hand, and the Fund, on the other hand, can expect to realize benefits from economies of scale as the assets of the Fund increase. The Board acknowledged the difficulty in accurately measuring the benefits resulting from the economies of scale with respect to the management of any specific fund or group of funds. The Board also considered the fact that the Fund is not continuously offered and concluded that, in light of the level of the adviser’s profits with respect to the Fund, the implementation of breakpoints in the advisory fee schedule is not appropriate at this time. Based upon the foregoing, the Board concluded that the benefits from economies of scale are currently being shared equitably by the Adviser and its affiliates and the Fund.
32
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund
MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION
Fund Management. The Trustees of Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund (the Fund) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Fund’s affairs. The Trustees and officers of the Fund are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Trustees and officers of the Fund hold indefinite terms of office. The “Noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of EVM and BMR. EVD is the Fund’s principal underwriter and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Term of
| | | | Number of Portfolios
| | | |
| | Position(s)
| | Office and
| | | | in Fund Complex
| | | |
Name and
| | with the
| | Length of
| | Principal Occupation(s)
| | Overseen By
| | | |
Date of Birth | | Fund | | Service | | During Past Five Years | | Trustee(1) | | | Other Directorships Held |
|
|
|
Interested Trustees |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Thomas E. Faust Jr. 5/31/58 | | Class I Trustee and Vice President | | Until 2010. 3 years. Trustee since 2007 and Vice President since 2005. | | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or Officer of 175 registered investment companies and 4 private companies managed by EVM or BMR. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with EVM, BMR, EVD, EVC and EV, which are affiliates of the Fund. | | | 175 | | | Director of EVC |
|
Noninterested Trustees |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Benjamin C. Esty(A) 1/2/63 | | Class I Trustee | | Until 2010. 3 years. Since 2005. | | Roy and Elizabeth Simmons Professor of Business Administration, Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. | | | 175 | | | None |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allen R. Freedman 4/3/40 | | Class I Trustee | | Until 2010. 3 years. Since 2007. | | Former Chairman (2002-2004) and a Director (1983-2004) of Systems & Computer Technology Corp. (provider of software to higher education). Formerly, a Director of Loring Ward International (fund distributor) (2005-2007). Formerly, Chairman and a Director of Indus International, Inc. (provider of enterprise management software to the power generating industry) (2005-2007). | | | 175 | | | Director of Assurant, Inc. (insurance provider) and Stonemor Partners, L.P. (owner and operator of cemeteries) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
William H. Park 9/19/47 | | Class II Trustee | | Until 2011. 3 years. Since 2005. | | Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (since 2006). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). | | | 175 | | | None |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ronald A. Pearlman 7/10/40 | | Class II Trustee | | Until 2011. 3 years. Since 2005. | | Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center. | | | 175 | | | None |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Helen Frame Peters 3/22/48 | | Class III Trustee | | Until 2012. 3 years. Since 2008. | | Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Adjunct Professor of Finance, Peking University, Beijing, China (since 2005). | | | 175 | | | Director of Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (a bank for banks) and BJ’s Wholesale Clubs (wholesale club retailer); Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust (exchange traded funds) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Heidi L. Steiger 7/8/53 | | Class II Trustee | | Until 2011. 3 years. Since 2007. | | Managing Partner, Topridge Associates LLC (global wealth management firm) (since 2008); Senior Advisor (since 2008), President (2005-2008), Lowenhaupt Global Advisors, LLC (global wealth management firm). Formerly, President and Contributing Editor, Worth Magazine (2004-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Private Asset Management (and various other positions), Neuberger Berman (investment firm) (1986-2004). | | | 175 | | | Director of Nuclear Electric Insurance Ltd. (nuclear insurance provider) and Aviva USA (insurance provider) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lynn A. Stout 9/14/57 | | Class III Trustee | | Until 2012. 3 years. Since 2005. | | Paul Hastings Professor of Corporate and Securities Law (since 2006) and Professor of Law (2001-2006), University of California at Los Angeles School of Law. | | | 175 | | | None |
33
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund
MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION CONT’D
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Term of
| | | | Number of Portfolios
| | | |
| | Position(s)
| | Office and
| | | | in Fund Complex
| | | |
Name and
| | with the
| | Length of
| | Principal Occupation(s)
| | Overseen By
| | | |
Date of Birth | | Fund | | Service | | During Past Five Years | | Trustee(1) | | | Other Directorships Held |
|
|
Noninterested Trustees (continued) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ralph F. Verni(A) 1/26/43 | | Chairman of the Board and Class III Trustee | | Chairman of the Board since 2007. Trustee until 2012. 3 years. Trustee since 2005. | | Consultant and private investor. | | | 175 | | | None |
Principal Officers who are not Trustees
| | | | | | |
| | | | Term of
| | |
| | | | Office and
| | |
Name and
| | Position(s) with
| | Length of
| | Principal Occupation(s)
|
Date of Birth | | the Fund | | Service | | During Past Five Years |
|
|
| | | | | | |
Payson F. Swaffield 8/13/56 | | President | | Since 2007 | | Chief Income Investment Officer of EVC. Vice President of EVM and BMR. Officer of 5 registered investment companies managed by EVM or BMR. |
| | | | | | |
Scott H. Page 11/30/59 | | Vice President | | Since 2007 | | Vice President of EVM and BMR. Officer of 11 registered investment companies managed by EVM or BMR. |
| | | | | | |
Andrew N. Sveen 3/13/61 | | Vice President | | Since 2007 | | Vice President of EVM and BMR. Officer of 5 registered investment companies managed by EVM or BMR. |
| | | | | | |
Michael W. Weilheimer 2/11/61 | | Vice President | | Since 2005 | | Vice President of EVM and BMR. Officer of 25 registered investment companies managed by EVM or BMR. |
| | | | | | |
Barbara E. Campbell 6/19/57 | | Treasurer | | Since 2005 | | Vice President of EVM and BMR. Officer of 175 registered investment companies managed by EVM or BMR. |
| | | | | | |
Maureen A. Gemma 5/24/60 | | Secretary | | Secretary since 2007 and Chief Legal Officer since 2008 | | Vice President of EVM and BMR. Officer of 175 registered investment companies managed by EVM or BMR. |
| | | | | | |
Paul M. O’Neil 7/11/53 | | Chief Compliance Officer | | Since 2005 | | Vice President of EVM and BMR. Officer of 175 registered investment companies managed by EVM or BMR. |
| | |
(1) | | Includes both master and feeder funds in a master-feeder structure. |
|
(A) | | APS Trustee |
In accordance with Section 303A.12 (a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, the Fund’s Annual CEO Certification certifying as to compliance with NYSE’s Corporate Governance Listing Standards was submitted to the Exchange on March 3, 2009. The Fund has also filed its CEO and CFO certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with the SEC as an exhibit to its most recent Form N-CSR.
34
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Investment Adviser and Administrator of Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund
Eaton Vance Management
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116
Transfer Agent
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane
Plaza Level
New York, NY 10038
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116-5022
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Item 2. Code of Ethics
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics applicable to its Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of such code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, by calling 1-800-262-1122.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert
The registrant’s Board has designated William H. Park, an independent trustee, as its audit committee financial expert. Mr. Park is a certified public accountant who is the Vice Chairman of Commercial Industrial Finance Corp (specialty finance company). Previously, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) and as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Asset Management Corporation (“UAM”) (a holding company owning institutional investment management firms).
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
(a) —(d)
The following table presents the aggregate fees billed to the registrant for the registrant’s fiscal years ended April 30, 2008 and April 30, 2009 by the Fund’s principal accountant for professional services rendered for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and fees billed for other services rendered by the principal accountant during such period.
| | | | | | | | |
Fiscal Years Ended | | 4/30/2008 | | | 4/30/2009 | |
|
Audit Fees | | $ | 74,500 | | | $ | 72,245 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Audit-Related Fees(1) | | $ | 4,120 | | | $ | 22,250 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Tax Fees(2) | | $ | 18,560 | | | $ | 23,060 | |
| | | | | | | | |
All Other Fees(3) | | $ | 101 | | | $ | 0 | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 97,281 | | | $ | 117,555 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | |
(1) | | Audit-related fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of financial statements and are not reported under the category of audit fees and specifically include fees for the performance of certain agreed-upon procedures relating to the registrant’s auction preferred shares. |
|
(2) | | Tax fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant relating to tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning and specifically include fees for tax return preparation. |
|
(3) | | All other fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant other than audit, audit-related, and tax services. |
(e)(1) The registrant’s audit committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the pre-approval of services provided by the registrant’s principal accountant (the “Pre-Approval Policies”). The Pre-Approval Policies establish a framework intended to assist the audit committee in the proper discharge of its pre-approval responsibilities. As a general matter, the Pre-Approval Policies (i) specify certain types of audit, audit-related, tax, and other services determined to be pre-approved by the audit committee; and (ii) delineate specific procedures governing the mechanics of the pre-approval process, including the approval and monitoring of audit and non-audit service fees. Unless a service is specifically pre-approved under the Pre-Approval Policies, it must be separately pre-approved by the audit committee.
The Pre-Approval Policies and the types of audit and non-audit services pre-approved therein must be reviewed and ratified by the registrant’s audit committee at least annually. The registrant’s audit committee maintains full responsibility for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the registrant’s principal accountant.
(e)(2) No services described in paragraphs (b)-(d) above were approved by the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to the “de minimis exception” set forth in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X.
(f) Not applicable.
(g) The following table presents (i) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed to the registrant by the registrant’s principal accountant for the registrant’s fiscal year ended April 30, 2008 and the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009; and (ii) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed for services rendered to the Eaton Vance organization for the registrant’s principal accountant for the same time periods, respectively.
| | | | | | | | |
Fiscal Years Ended | | 4/30/2008 | | 4/30/2009 |
|
Registrant | | $ | 22,680 | | | $ | 45,310 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Eaton Vance(1) | | $ | 319,338 | | | $ | 391,481 | |
| |
(1) | The Investment adviser to the registrant, as well as any of its affiliates that provide ongoing services to the registrant, are subsidiaries of Eaton Vance Corp. |
(h) The registrant’s audit committee has considered whether the provision by the registrant’s principal accountant of non-audit services to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed registrants
The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. William H. Park (Chair), Lynn A. Stout, Heidi L. Steiger and Ralph E. Verni are the members of the registrant’s audit committee.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments
Please see schedule of investments contained in the Report to Stockholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted a proxy voting policy and procedure (the “Fund Policy”), pursuant to which the Trustees have delegated proxy voting responsibility to the Fund’s investment adviser and adopted the investment adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures (the “Policies”) which are described below. The Trustees will review the Fund’s proxy voting records from time to time and will annually consider approving the Policies for the upcoming year. In the event that a conflict of interest arises between the Fund’s shareholders and the investment adviser, the administrator, or any of their affiliates or any affiliate of the Fund, the investment adviser will generally refrain from
voting the proxies related to the companies giving rise to such conflict until it consults with the Board’s Special Committee except as contemplated under the Fund Policy. The Board’s Special Committee will instruct the investment adviser on the appropriate course of action.
The Policies are designed to promote accountability of a company’s management to its shareholders and to align the interests of management with those shareholders. An independent proxy voting service (“Agent”), currently Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc., has been retained to assist in the voting of proxies through the provision of vote analysis, implementation and recordkeeping and disclosure services. The investment adviser will generally vote proxies through the Agent. The Agent is required to vote all proxies and/or refer then back to the investment adviser pursuant to the Policies. It is generally the policy of the investment adviser to vote in accordance with the recommendation of the Agent. The Agent shall refer to the investment adviser proxies relating to mergers and restructurings, and the disposition of assets, termination, liquidation and mergers contained in mutual fund proxies. The investment adviser will normally vote against anti-takeover measures and other proposals designed to limit the ability of shareholders to act on possible transactions, except in the case of closed-end management investment companies. The investment adviser generally supports management on social and environmental proposals. The investment adviser may abstain from voting from time to time where it determines that the costs associated with voting a proxy outweighs the benefits derived from exercising the right to vote or the economic effect on shareholders interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant.
In addition, the investment adviser will monitor situations that may result in a conflict of interest between the Fund’s shareholders and the investment adviser, the administrator, or any of their affiliates or any affiliate of the Fund by maintaining a list of significant existing and prospective corporate clients. The investment adviser’s personnel responsible for reviewing and voting proxies on behalf of the Fund will report any proxy received or expected to be received from a company included on that list to the personal of the investment adviser identified in the Policies. If such personnel expects to instruct the Agent to vote such proxies in a manner inconsistent with the guidelines of the Policies or the recommendation of the Agent, the personnel will consult with members of senior management of the investment adviser to determine if a material conflict of interests exists. If it is determined that a material conflict does exist, the investment adviser will seek instruction on how to vote from the Special Committee.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12 month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122, and (2) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Scott H. Page, Andrew N. Sveen, Payson F. Swaffield, Michael W. Weilheimer and other Eaton Vance Management (“EVM”) investment professionals comprise the investment team responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s investments as well as allocations of the Fund’s assets between common and preferred stocks. Messrs. Page, Sveen, Swaffield, and Weilheimer are the portfolio managers responsible for the day-to-day management of specific segments of the Fund’s investment portfolio.
Mr. Page has been an Eaton Vance portfolio manager since 1996 and is a Vice President of EVM and Boston Management and Research, an Eaton Vance subsidiary (“BMR”). He is head of Eaton Vance’s Bank Loan Investment Group. Mr. Sveen is a Vice President of EVM and BMR and a portfolio manager since 2007. Mr. Swaffield has been an Eaton Vance portfolio manager since 1996 and is a Vice President of EVM and BMR as well as Chief Income Investment Officer. Mr. Weilheimer has been an Eaton Vance portfolio manager since 1996 and is a Vice President of EVM and BMR. He is head of Eaton Vance’s Fixed Income High Yield Group. This information is provided as of the date of filing of this report.
The following tables show, as of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end, the number of accounts each portfolio manager managed in each of the listed categories and the total assets in the accounts managed within each category. The table also shows the number of accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account, if any, and the total assets in those accounts.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Number of | | |
| | Number | | | | | | Accounts | | Total Assets of |
| | of All | | Total Assets of | | Paying a | | Accounts Paying a |
| | Accounts | | All Accounts* | | Performance Fee | | Performance Fee* |
Scott H. Page | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Registered Investment Companies | | | 10 | (1) | | $ | 9,186.0 | | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | | | 4 | | | $ | 2,588.5 | | | | 4 | | | $ | 2,588.5 | |
Other Accounts | | | 5 | | | $ | 4,030.9 | | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
|
Payson F. Swaffield | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Registered Investment Companies | | | 3 | | | $ | 2,902.7 | | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
Other Accounts | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
|
Andrew N. Sveen | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Registered Investment Companies | | | 2 | | | $ | 884.4 | | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
Other Accounts | | | 1 | | | $ | 216.2 | | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
|
Michael W. Weilheimer(2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Registered Investment Companies | | | 6 | (1) | | $ | 4,780.5 | | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | | | 4 | | | $ | 614.4 | | | | 2 | | | $ | 73.4 | |
Other Accounts | | | 15 | | | $ | 469.9 | | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
| | |
* | | In millions of dollars. |
|
(1) | | Numbers provided include an investment company structured as a fund-of-funds which invests in funds in the Eaton Vance complex advised by other portfolio managers. |
|
(2) | | Certain of the funds that Mr. Weilheimer serves as portfolio manager may invest in underlying portfolios that he also serve as portfolio manager. |
The following table shows the dollar range of Fund shares beneficially owned by each portfolio manager as of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end.
| | | | |
| | Dollar Range of |
| | Equity Securities |
Portfolio Manager | | Owned in the Fund |
Scott H. Page | | $ | 10,001-$50,000 | |
Andrew N. Sveen | | $ | 10,001-$50,000 | |
Payson F. Swaffield | | $ | 10,001-$50,000 | |
Michael W. Weilheimer | | None |
Potential for Conflicts of Interest. It is possible that conflicts of interest may arise in connection with a portfolio manager’s management of a Fund’s investments on the one hand and the investments of other accounts for which the portfolio manager is responsible on the other. For example, a portfolio manager may have conflicts of interest in allocating management time, resources and investment opportunities among the Fund and other accounts he or she advises. In addition, due to differences in the investment strategies or restrictions between a Fund and the other accounts, a portfolio manager may take action with respect to another account that differs from the action taken with respect to the Fund. In some cases, another account managed by a portfolio manager may compensate the investment adviser or sub-adviser based on the performance of the securities held by that account. The existence of such a performance based fee may create additional conflicts of interest for the portfolio manager in the allocation of management time, resources and investment opportunities. Whenever conflicts of interest arise, the portfolio manager will endeavor to exercise his or her discretion in a manner that he or she believes is equitable to all interested persons. EVM and the sub-adviser have adopted several policies and procedures designed to address these potential conflicts including: a code of ethics; and policies which govern the investment adviser or sub-adviser’s trading practices, including among other things the aggregation and allocation of trades among clients, brokerage allocation, cross trades and best execution.
Compensation Structure for EVM
Compensation of EVM’s portfolio managers and other investment professionals has three primary components: (1) a base salary, (2) an annual cash bonus, and (3) annual stock-based compensation consisting of options to purchase shares of EVC’s nonvoting common stock andr restricted shares of EVC’s nonvoting common stock. EVM’s investment professionals also receive certain retirement, insurance and other benefits that are broadly available to EVM’s employees. Compensation of EVM’s investment professionals is reviewed primarily on an annual basis. Cash bonuses, stock-based compensation awards, and adjustments in base salary are typically paid or put into effect at or shortly after the October 31st fiscal year end of EVC.
Method to Determine Compensation. EVM compensates its portfolio managers based primarily on the scale and complexity of their portfolio responsibilities and the total return performance of managed funds and accounts versus appropriate peer groups or benchmarks. In addition to rankings within peer groups of funds on the basis of absolute performance, consideration may also be given to relative risk-adjusted performance. Risk-adjusted performance measures include, but are not limited to, the Sharpe Ratio. Performance is normally based on periods ending on the September 30th preceding fiscal year end. Fund performance is normally evaluated primarily versus peer groups of funds as determined by
Lipper Inc. and/or Morningstar, Inc. When a fund’s peer group as determined by Lipper or Morningstar is deemed by EVM’s management not to provide a fair comparison, performance may instead be evaluated primarily against a custom peer group. In evaluating the performance of a fund and its manager, primary emphasis is normally placed on three-year performance, with secondary consideration of performance over longer and shorter periods. For funds that are tax-managed or otherwise have an objective of after-tax returns, performance is measured net of taxes. For other funds, performance is evaluated on a pre-tax basis. For funds with an investment objective other than total return (such as current income), consideration will also be given to the fund’s success in achieving its objective. For managers responsible for multiple funds and accounts, investment performance is evaluated on an aggregate basis, based on averages or weighted averages among managed funds and accounts. Funds and accounts that have performance-based advisory fees are not accorded disproportionate weightings in measuring aggregate portfolio manager performance.
The compensation of portfolio managers with other job responsibilities (such as heading an investment group or providing analytical support to other portfolios) will include consideration of the scope of such responsibilities and the managers’ performance in meeting them.
EVM seeks to compensate portfolio managers commensurate with their responsibilities and performance, and competitive with other firms within the investment management industry. EVM participates in investment-industry compensation surveys and utilizes survey data as a factor in determining salary, bonus and stock-based compensation levels for portfolio managers and other investment professionals. Salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation are also influenced by the operating performance of EVM and its parent company. The overall annual cash bonus pool is based on a substantially fixed percentage of pre-bonus operating income. While the salaries of EVM’s portfolio managers are comparatively fixed, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may fluctuate significantly from year to year, based on changes in manager performance and other factors as described herein. For a high performing portfolio manager, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may represent a substantial portion of total compensation.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
No such purchases this period.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
No Material Changes.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures
(a) It is the conclusion of the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer that the effectiveness of the registrant’s current disclosure controls and procedures (such disclosure controls and procedures having been evaluated within 90 days of the date of this filing) provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been accumulated and communicated to
the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting during the second fiscal quarter of 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.
Item 12. Exhibits
| | |
(a)(1) | | Registrant’s Code of Ethics – Not applicable (please see Item 2). |
| | |
(a)(2)(i) | | Treasurer’s Section 302 certification. |
| | |
(a)(2)(ii) | | President’s Section 302 certification. |
| | |
(b) | | Combined Section 906 certification. |
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund
| | | | |
|
By: | | /s/ Payson F. Swaffield Payson F. Swaffield | | |
| | President | | |
Date: June 16, 2009
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| | | | |
|
By: | | /s/ Barbara E. Campbell Barbara E. Campbell | | |
| | Treasurer | | |
Date: June 16, 2009
| | | | |
|
By: | | /s/ Payson F. Swaffield Payson F. Swaffield | | |
| | President | | |
Date: June 16, 2009