Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^
(Unaudited) January 31, 2020
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | VALUE | |
| | | | |
Loan Assignments(a) 8.6% | |
Building & Development 0.4% | | |
$ | 984,679 | | | Forterra Finance, LLC, Term Loan B, (1M USD LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.65%, due 10/25/2023 | | $ | 962,031 | |
Cable & Satellite Television 0.4% | | | | |
| 1,015,231 | | | Altice France S.A., Term Loan B13, (1M USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 5.68%, due 8/14/2026 | | | 1,013,332 | |
Chemicals & Plastics 0.4% | | | | |
| | | | Solenis Holdings LLC | | | | |
| 698,763 | | | First Lien Term Loan, (3M USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 5.91%, due 6/26/2025 | | | 693,306 | (b)(c) |
| 390,000 | | | Second Lien Term Loan, (3M USD LIBOR + 8.50%), due 6/26/2026 | | | 371,475 | (b)(c) |
| | | | | | | 1,064,781 | |
Containers & Glass Products 0.2% | | | | |
| 557,848 | | | BWAY Holding Company, Term Loan B, (3M USD LIBOR + 3.25%), 5.08%, due 4/3/2024 | | | 553,201 | |
Cosmetics - Toiletries 0.2% | | | | |
| 407,573 | | | Sunshine Luxembourg VII SARL, Term Loan B1, (3M USD LIBOR + 4.25%), 6.19%, due 10/1/2026 | | | 409,044 | |
Diversified Insurance 0.3% | | | | |
| 861,277 | | | Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc., Term Loan B, (1M USD LIBOR + 3.25%), 4.90%, due 12/31/2025 | | | 860,966 | |
Health Care 0.6% | | | | |
| 807,598 | | | Team Health Holdings, Inc., First Lien Term Loan, (1M USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.40%, due 2/6/2024 | | | 644,060 | |
| | | | Tivity Health Inc. | | | | |
| 214,500 | | | Term Loan A, (1M USD LIBOR + 4.25%), 5.90%, due 3/8/2024 | | | 214,500 | |
| 682,048 | | | Term Loan B, (1M USD LIBOR + 5.25%), 6.90%, due 3/6/2026 | | | 682,048 | |
| | | | | | | 1,540,608 | |
Industrial Equipment 0.3% | | | | |
| 693,263 | | | Granite Holdings US Acquisition Co., Term Loan B, (3M USD LIBOR + 5.25%), 7.21%, due 9/30/2026 | | | 692,396 | (d) |
Leisure Goods - Activities - Movies 1.3% | | | | |
| 3,115,349 | | | SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc., Term Loan B5, (1M USD LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.65%, due 3/31/2024 | | | 3,118,465 | |
Oil & Gas 1.3% | | | | |
| 1,320,690 | | | BCP Raptor, LLC, Term Loan B, (1M USD LIBOR + 4.25%), 5.90%, due 6/24/2024 | | | 1,204,469 | �� |
| 1,351,656 | | | Brazos Delaware II, LLC, Term Loan B, (1M USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 5.66%, due 5/21/2025 | | | 1,161,073 | |
| 900,475 | | | Lower Cadence Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, (1M USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 5.65%, due 5/22/2026 | | | 877,405 | |
| | | | | | | 3,242,947 | |
Retailers (except food & drug) 1.7% | | | | |
| 1,938,811 | | | Bass Pro Group, LLC, Term Loan B, (1M USD LIBOR + 5.00%), 6.65%, due 9/25/2024 | | | 1,929,932 | |
| 2,442,823 | | | Staples, Inc., Term Loan, (1M USD LIBOR + 5.00%), 6.78%, due 4/16/2026 | | | 2,396,409 | |
| | | | | | | 4,326,341 | |
Telecommunications 1.0% | | | | |
| 1,835,587 | | | Frontier Communications Corp., Term Loan B1, (1M USD LIBOR + 3.75%), 5.40%, due 6/15/2024 | | | 1,850,877 | |
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
Schedule of Investments High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^
(Unaudited) January 31, 2020
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | VALUE | |
| | | |
$ | 555,000 | | | Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., Term Loan B3, (6M USD LIBOR + 3.75%), 5.68%, due 11/27/2023 | | $ | 552,575 | |
| | | | | | | 2,403,452 | |
Utilities 0.5% | | | | |
| 1,209,010 | | | Granite Generation LLC, Term Loan B, (3M USD LIBOR + 3.75%), 5.44%, due 11/9/2026 | | | 1,208,502 | (e) |
| | | | Total Loan Assignments (Cost $21,615,569) | | | 21,396,066 | |
Corporate Bonds 138.8% | | | | |
Advertising 1.2% | | | | |
| 1,490,000 | | | Nielsen Co. Luxembourg S.a.r.l., 5.00%, due 2/1/2025 | | | 1,516,254 | (f) |
| 1,585,000 | | | Nielsen Finance LLC/Nielsen Finance Co., 5.00%, due 4/15/2022 | | | 1,592,925 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 3,109,179 | |
Aerospace & Defense 4.5% | | | | |
| | | | Bombardier, Inc. | | | | |
| 1,035,000 | | | 8.75%, due 12/1/2021 | | | 1,107,450 | (f) |
| 560,000 | | | 5.75%, due 3/15/2022 | | | 558,600 | (f) |
| 280,000 | | | 6.00%, due 10/15/2022 | | | 274,400 | (f) |
| 360,000 | | | 7.88%, due 4/15/2027 | | | 341,082 | (f) |
| | | | TransDigm, Inc. | | | | |
| 1,950,000 | | | 6.25%, due 3/15/2026 | | | 2,103,075 | (f) |
| 1,690,000 | | | 6.38%, due 6/15/2026 | | | 1,780,838 | |
| 2,710,000 | | | 7.50%, due 3/15/2027 | | | 2,967,450 | |
| 2,050,000 | | | 5.50%, due 11/15/2027 | | | 2,062,607 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 11,195,502 | |
Auto Parts & Equipment 0.4% | | | | |
| | | | Panther BF Aggregator 2 L.P./Panther Finance Co., Inc. | | | | |
| 350,000 | | | 6.25%, due 5/15/2026 | | | 375,411 | (f) |
| 500,000 | | | 8.50%, due 5/15/2027 | | | 537,500 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 912,911 | |
Automakers 0.1% | | | | |
| 295,000 | | | Dealer Tire LLC/DT Issuer LLC, 8.00%, due 2/1/2028 | | | 298,688 | (f)(g) |
Brokerage 1.0% | | | | |
| 2,375,000 | | | LPL Holdings, Inc., 5.75%, due 9/15/2025 | | | 2,475,938 | (f) |
Building & Construction 0.9% | | | | |
| 1,245,000 | | | Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc., 5.75%, due 1/15/2028 | | | 1,363,275 | (f) |
| 775,000 | | | Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc./Taylor Morrison Holdings II, Inc., 5.63%, due 3/1/2024 | | | 837,000 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 2,200,275 | |
Building Materials 4.3% | | | | |
| 2,775,000 | | | Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., 4.88%, due 11/1/2025 | | | 2,760,292 | (f) |
| 1,005,000 | | | CD&R Waterworks Merger Sub LLC, 6.13%, due 8/15/2025 | | | 1,032,507 | (f) |
| | | | Jeld-Wen, Inc. | | | | |
| 600,000 | | | 4.63%, due 12/15/2025 | | | 612,000 | (f) |
| 2,605,000 | | | 4.88%, due 12/15/2027 | | | 2,696,175 | (f) |
| | | | Masonite Int'l Corp. | | | | |
| 540,000 | | | 5.75%, due 9/15/2026 | | | 572,400 | (f) |
| 2,940,000 | | | 5.38%, due 2/1/2028 | | | 3,094,497 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 10,767,871 | |
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^
(Unaudited) January 31, 2020
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | VALUE | |
| | | | |
Cable & Satellite Television 8.2% | | | | |
| | | | CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. | | | | |
$ | 1,210,000 | | | 5.25%, due 9/30/2022 | | $ | 1,222,330 | |
| 2,945,000 | | | 5.75%, due 2/15/2026 | | | 3,090,306 | (f) |
| 2,595,000 | | | 5.00%, due 2/1/2028 | | | 2,717,977 | (f) |
| | | | CSC Holdings LLC | | | | |
| 200,000 | | | 5.38%, due 7/15/2023 | | | 204,260 | (f) |
| 890,000 | | | 6.63%, due 10/15/2025 | | | 939,618 | (f) |
| 1,490,000 | | | 5.50%, due 5/15/2026 | | | 1,561,080 | (f) |
| 785,000 | | | 5.50%, due 4/15/2027 | | | 833,081 | (f) |
| 560,000 | | | 7.50%, due 4/1/2028 | | | 637,112 | (f) |
| 705,000 | | | 6.50%, due 2/1/2029 | | | 787,838 | (f) |
| 2,660,000 | | | 5.75%, due 1/15/2030 | | | 2,859,553 | (f) |
| | | | DISH DBS Corp. | | | | |
| 1,245,000 | | | 5.88%, due 11/15/2024 | | | 1,259,853 | |
| 780,000 | | | 7.75%, due 7/1/2026 | | | 819,000 | |
| 1,575,000 | | | Radiate Holdco LLC/Radiate Finance, Inc., 6.63%, due 2/15/2025 | | | 1,590,750 | (f) |
| 1,945,000 | | | Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC, 5.50%, due 8/15/2026 | | | 2,039,858 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 20,562,616 | |
Chemicals 2.3% | | | | |
| 950,000 | | | Alpha 3 BV/Alpha U.S. Bidco, Inc., 6.25%, due 2/1/2025 | | | 970,187 | (f) |
| 1,195,000 | | | CF Industries, Inc., 5.38%, due 3/15/2044 | | | 1,344,136 | |
| 2,055,000 | | | Starfruit Finco BV/Starfruit U.S. Holdco LLC, 8.00%, due 10/1/2026 | | | 2,132,062 | (f) |
| 185,000 | | | Tronox Finance PLC, 5.75%, due 10/1/2025 | | | 182,688 | (f) |
| 1,260,000 | | | Tronox, Inc., 6.50%, due 4/15/2026 | | | 1,253,700 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 5,882,773 | |
Consumer - Commercial Lease Financing 1.0% | | | | |
| 1,365,000 | | | AerCap Global Aviation Trust, 6.50%, due 6/15/2045 | | | 1,518,562 | (f)(h) |
| 995,000 | | | Global Aircraft Leasing Co. Ltd., 6.50% Cash/7.25% PIK, due 9/15/2024 | | | 1,017,935 | (f)(i) |
| | | | | | | 2,536,497 | |
Diversified Capital Goods 0.3% | | | | |
| 785,000 | | | Resideo Funding, Inc., 6.13%, due 11/1/2026 | | | 771,223 | (f) |
Electric - Generation 5.8% | | | | |
| | | | Calpine Corp. | | | | |
| 3,915,000 | | | 5.75%, due 1/15/2025 | | | 4,024,698 | (j) |
| 1,205,000 | | | 5.13%, due 3/15/2028 | | | 1,198,975 | (f) |
| | | | NRG Energy, Inc. | | | | |
| 1,595,000 | | | 7.25%, due 5/15/2026 | | | 1,726,620 | |
| 2,210,000 | | | 6.63%, due 1/15/2027 | | | 2,375,750 | |
| | | | Vistra Operations Co. LLC | | | | |
| 1,185,000 | | | 5.63%, due 2/15/2027 | | | 1,232,400 | (f) |
| 3,860,000 | | | 5.00%, due 7/31/2027 | | | 3,961,518 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 14,519,961 | |
Electric - Integrated 1.9% | | | | |
| | | | Talen Energy Supply LLC | | | | |
| 1,150,000 | | | 10.50%, due 1/15/2026 | | | 1,020,027 | (f) |
| 1,415,000 | | | 7.25%, due 5/15/2027 | | | 1,450,375 | (f) |
| 2,220,000 | | | 6.63%, due 1/15/2028 | | | 2,220,000 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 4,690,402 | |
Electronics 1.7% | | | | |
| 3,015,000 | | | Amkor Technology, Inc., 6.63%, due 9/15/2027 | | | 3,275,044 | (f) |
| | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^
(Unaudited) January 31, 2020
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | VALUE | |
| | | | |
$ | 756,000 | | | Nokia Oyj, 6.63%, due 5/15/2039 | | $ | 918,540 | |
| | | | | | | 4,193,584 | |
Energy - Exploration & Production 6.4% | | | | |
| 2,280,000 | | | Ascent Resources Utica Holdings LLC/ARU Finance Corp., 7.00%, due 11/1/2026 | | | 1,618,800 | (f) |
| 620,000 | | | Bruin E&P Partners LLC, 8.88%, due 8/1/2023 | | | 406,100 | (f) |
| 1,815,000 | | | Centennial Resource Production LLC, 6.88%, due 4/1/2027 | | | 1,795,716 | (f) |
| 2,230,000 | | | CrownRock L.P./CrownRock Finance, Inc., 5.63%, due 10/15/2025 | | | 2,249,780 | (f) |
| 1,475,000 | | | Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc., 5.63%, due 2/1/2026 | | | 722,750 | (f) |
| | | | Hilcorp Energy I L.P./Hilcorp Finance Co. | | | | |
| 590,000 | | | 5.75%, due 10/1/2025 | | | 533,460 | (f) |
| 570,000 | | | 6.25%, due 11/1/2028 | | | 507,300 | (f) |
| 2,315,000 | | | Matador Resources Co., 5.88%, due 9/15/2026 | | | 2,265,922 | |
| 1,670,000 | | | PDC Energy, Inc., 5.75%, due 5/15/2026 | | | 1,611,968 | |
| | | | Range Resources Corp. | | | | |
| 1,045,000 | | | 5.00%, due 3/15/2023 | | | 898,700 | |
| 1,080,000 | | | 4.88%, due 5/15/2025 | | | 839,700 | |
| 760,000 | | | SM Energy Co., 6.63%, due 1/15/2027 | | | 687,800 | |
| 1,785,000 | | | WPX Energy, Inc., 5.75%, due 6/1/2026 | | | 1,869,787 | |
| | | | | | | 16,007,783 | |
Food - Wholesale 1.7% | | | | |
| 1,760,000 | | | Performance Food Group, Inc., 5.50%, due 10/15/2027 | | | 1,852,400 | (f) |
| | | | Post Holdings, Inc. | | | | |
| 1,045,000 | | | 5.50%, due 3/1/2025 | | | 1,082,442 | (f) |
| 530,000 | | | 5.75%, due 3/1/2027 | | | 559,150 | (f) |
| 615,000 | | | 5.63%, due 1/15/2028 | | | 650,363 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 4,144,355 | |
Forestry & Paper 0.5% | | | | |
| 1,165,000 | | | Enviva Partners L.P./Enviva Partners Finance Corp., 6.50%, due 1/15/2026 | | | 1,242,787 | (f) |
Gaming 3.6% | | | | |
| 1,160,000 | | | Boyd Gaming Corp., 6.38%, due 4/1/2026 | | | 1,233,370 | |
| 1,190,000 | | | Caesars Resort Collection LLC/CRC Finco, Inc., 5.25%, due 10/15/2025 | | | 1,207,731 | (f) |
| 368,000 | | | Everi Payments, Inc., 7.50%, due 12/15/2025 | | | 392,840 | (f) |
| | | | Scientific Games Int'l, Inc. | | | | |
| 1,620,000 | | | 7.00%, due 5/15/2028 | | | 1,708,087 | (f) |
| 1,165,000 | | | 7.25%, due 11/15/2029 | | | 1,249,463 | (f) |
| 255,000 | | | Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc., 6.75%, due 6/1/2027 | | | 269,025 | (f) |
| 2,735,000 | | | Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp., 5.50%, due 3/1/2025 | | | 2,851,237 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 8,911,753 | |
Gas Distribution 8.0% | |
| 1,185,000 | | | Antero Midstream Partners L.P./Antero Midstream Finance Corp., 5.38%, due 9/15/2024 | | | 1,049,317 | |
| | | | Buckeye Partners L.P. | | | | |
| 1,680,000 | | | 3.95%, due 12/1/2026 | | | 1,667,011 | |
| 3,285,000 | | | 4.13%, due 12/1/2027 | | | 3,242,304 | |
| 605,000 | | | 5.85%, due 11/15/2043 | | | 563,221 | |
| 10,000 | | | Cheniere Energy Partners L.P., 5.25%, due 10/1/2025 | | | 10,300 | |
| 1,215,000 | | | DCP Midstream LLC, 5.85%, due 5/21/2043 | | | 1,139,062 | (f)(h) |
| 715,000 | | | DCP Midstream Operating L.P., 5.60%, due 4/1/2044 | | | 695,337 | |
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^
(Unaudited) January 31, 2020
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | VALUE | |
| | | |
| | | | Genesis Energy L.P./Genesis Energy Finance Corp. | | | | |
$ | 165,000 | | | 6.50%, due 10/1/2025 | | $ | 161,700 | |
| 285,000 | | | 6.25%, due 5/15/2026 | | | 272,141 | |
| 625,000 | | | Global Partners L.P./GLP Finance Corp., 7.00%, due 8/1/2027 | | | 670,313 | (f) |
| | | | NuStar Logistics L.P. | | | | |
| 460,000 | | | 6.00%, due 6/1/2026 | | | 484,012 | |
| 570,000 | | | 5.63%, due 4/28/2027 | | | 587,100 | |
| | | | Summit Midstream Holdings LLC/Summit Midstream Finance Corp. | | | | |
| 260,000 | | | 5.50%, due 8/15/2022 | | | 228,638 | |
| 3,065,000 | | | 5.75%, due 4/15/2025 | | | 2,357,506 | |
| 1,355,000 | | | Tallgrass Energy Partners L.P./Tallgrass Energy Finance Corp., 5.50%, due 1/15/2028 | | | 1,355,000 | (f) |
| | | | Targa Resources Partners L.P./Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp. | | | | |
| 600,000 | | | 4.25%, due 11/15/2023 | | | 604,998 | |
| 844,000 | | | 6.75%, due 3/15/2024 | | | 871,362 | |
| 685,000 | | | 5.13%, due 2/1/2025 | | | 705,550 | |
| 176,000 | | | 5.38%, due 2/1/2027 | | | 182,600 | |
| 515,000 | | | 6.50%, due 7/15/2027 | | | 561,350 | |
| 2,420,000 | | | 5.50%, due 3/1/2030 | | | 2,495,867 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 19,904,689 | |
Health Facilities 4.3% | | | | |
| | | | CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc. | | | | |
| 420,000 | | | 8.13%, due 6/30/2024 | | | 377,366 | (f) |
| 545,000 | | | 6.63%, due 2/15/2025 | | | 550,548 | (f)(g) |
| 2,040,000 | | | Columbia/HCA Corp., 7.50%, due 11/15/2095 | | | 2,509,200 | |
| 1,215,000 | | | MEDNAX, Inc., 6.25%, due 1/15/2027 | | | 1,237,781 | (f) |
| 1,920,000 | | | Select Medical Corp., 6.25%, due 8/15/2026 | | | 2,071,354 | (f) |
| | | | Tenet Healthcare Corp. | | | | |
| 1,705,000 | | | 8.13%, due 4/1/2022 | | | 1,862,781 | |
| 1,610,000 | | | 6.75%, due 6/15/2023 | | | 1,750,875 | |
| 450,000 | | | THC Escrow Corp., 7.00%, due 8/1/2025 | | | 466,123 | |
| | | | | | | 10,826,028 | |
Health Services 3.2% | | | | |
| 1,875,000 | | | Eagle Holding Co. II LLC, 7.75% Cash/8.50% PIK, due 5/15/2022 | | | 1,893,750 | (f)(i) |
| 1,465,000 | | | Envision Healthcare Corp., 8.75%, due 10/15/2026 | | | 883,395 | (f) |
| | | | Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc./Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics SA | | | | |
| 598,000 | | | 6.63%, due 5/15/2022 | | | 595,757 | (f) |
| 1,190,000 | | | 7.25%, due 2/1/2028 | | | 1,210,980 | (f) |
| 435,000 | | | Team Health Holdings, Inc., 6.38%, due 2/1/2025 | | | 255,575 | (f) |
| 720,000 | | | Vizient, Inc., 6.25%, due 5/15/2027 | | | 776,092 | (f) |
| 2,475,000 | | | West Street Merger Sub, Inc., 6.38%, due 9/1/2025 | | | 2,437,875 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 8,053,424 | |
Insurance Brokerage 4.6% | | | | |
| 945,000 | | | Alliant Holdings Intermediate LLC/Alliant Holdings Co-Issuer, 6.75%, due 10/15/2027 | | | 994,613 | (f) |
| 405,000 | | | AmWINS Group, Inc., 7.75%, due 7/1/2026 | | | 442,120 | (f) |
| 1,845,000 | | | AssuredPartners, Inc., 7.00%, due 8/15/2025 | | | 1,877,287 | (f) |
| 3,115,000 | | | GTCR AP Finance, Inc., 8.00%, due 5/15/2027 | | | 3,301,900 | (f) |
| 4,840,000 | | | HUB Int'l Ltd., 7.00%, due 5/1/2026 | | | 4,984,958 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 11,600,878 | |
Machinery 2.0% | | | | |
| | | | CFX Escrow Corp. | | | | |
| 440,000 | | | 6.00%, due 2/15/2024 | | | 463,241 | (f) |
| 480,000 | | | 6.38%, due 2/15/2026 | | | 515,400 | (f) |
| 435,000 | | | Granite U.S. Holdings Acquisition Co., 11.00%, due 10/1/2027 | | | 455,663 | (f) |
| 835,000 | | | Harsco Corp., 5.75%, due 7/31/2027 | | | 853,787 | (f) |
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^
(Unaudited) January 31, 2020
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | VALUE | |
| | | | |
$ | 2,525,000 | | | Terex Corp., 5.63%, due 2/1/2025 | | $ | 2,600,750 | (f)(j) |
| | | | | | | 4,888,841 | |
Managed Care 1.4% | | | | |
| 3,090,000 | | | MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, 7.13%, due 6/1/2024 | | | 2,993,036 | (f) |
| 555,000 | | | Polaris Intermediate Corp., 8.50% Cash/9.25% PIK, due 12/1/2022 | | | 517,815 | (f)(i) |
| | | | | | | 3,510,851 | |
Media Content 9.0% | | | | |
| 1,130,000 | | | Cumulus Media New Holdings, Inc., 6.75%, due 7/1/2026 | | | 1,187,912 | (f) |
| 1,555,000 | | | Gray Television, Inc., 7.00%, due 5/15/2027 | | | 1,693,084 | (f) |
| | | | iHeartCommunications, Inc. | | | | |
| 865,000 | | | 6.38%, due 5/1/2026 | | | 934,200 | |
| 1,485,000 | | | 8.38%, due 5/1/2027 | | | 1,614,923 | |
| 550,000 | | | 5.25%, due 8/15/2027 | | | 573,375 | (f) |
| | | | Netflix, Inc. | | | | |
| 970,000 | | | 5.88%, due 11/15/2028 | | | 1,092,365 | (j) |
| 3,225,000 | | | 6.38%, due 5/15/2029 | | | 3,757,125 | |
| 1,125,000 | | | 5.38%, due 11/15/2029 | | | 1,224,495 | (f) |
| 2,860,000 | | | Nexstar Escrow, Inc., 5.63%, due 7/15/2027 | | | 3,013,868 | (f) |
| | | | Sirius XM Radio, Inc. | | | | |
| 2,065,000 | | | 5.38%, due 7/15/2026 | | | 2,178,121 | (f) |
| 2,625,000 | | | 5.00%, due 8/1/2027 | | | 2,756,250 | (f) |
| 2,345,000 | | | 5.50%, due 7/1/2029 | | | 2,523,572 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 22,549,290 | |
Medical Products 0.5% | | | | |
| 1,135,000 | | | Avantor, Inc., 9.00%, due 10/1/2025 | | | 1,254,402 | (f) |
Metals - Mining Excluding Steel 5.0% | | | | |
| 786,000 | | | Constellium NV, 6.63%, due 3/1/2025 | | | 810,563 | (f) |
| 575,000 | | | First Quantum Minerals Ltd., 7.25%, due 4/1/2023 | | | 569,609 | (f) |
| | | | Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. | | | | |
| 1,460,000 | | | 3.55%, due 3/1/2022 | | | 1,476,425 | |
| 1,745,000 | | | 5.00%, due 9/1/2027 | | | 1,808,256 | |
| 290,000 | | | 5.25%, due 9/1/2029 | | | 307,400 | |
| 105,000 | | | 5.40%, due 11/14/2034 | | | 107,888 | |
| 1,235,000 | | | 5.45%, due 3/15/2043 | | | 1,259,700 | |
| 1,237,000 | | | Hudbay Minerals, Inc., 7.63%, due 1/15/2025 | | | 1,258,647 | (f) |
| | | | Novelis Corp. | | | | |
| 1,960,000 | | | 5.88%, due 9/30/2026 | | | 2,077,600 | (f) |
| 2,775,000 | | | 4.75%, due 1/30/2030 | | | 2,780,203 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 12,456,291 | |
Oil Field Equipment & Services 2.4% | | | | |
| 755,000 | | | Archrock Partners L.P./Archrock Partners Finance Corp., 6.25%, due 4/1/2028 | | | 776,706 | (f) |
| | | | Nabors Industries Ltd. | | | | |
| 720,000 | | | 7.25%, due 1/15/2026 | | | 720,900 | (f) |
| 395,000 | | | 7.50%, due 1/15/2028 | | | 391,050 | (f) |
| | | | Precision Drilling Corp. | | | | |
| 995,000 | | | 7.75%, due 12/15/2023 | | | 979,249 | |
| 1,815,000 | | | 5.25%, due 11/15/2024 | | | 1,620,650 | |
| 565,000 | | | Transocean, Inc., 8.00%, due 2/1/2027 | | | 525,902 | (f) |
| 787,500 | | | Transocean Phoenix 2 Ltd., 7.75%, due 10/15/2024 | | | 834,750 | (f) |
| 249,200 | | | Transocean Pontus Ltd., 6.13%, due 8/1/2025 | | | 256,676 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 6,105,883 | |
Packaging 2.5% | | | | |
| 1,459,000 | | | ARD Finance SA, 6.50% Cash/7.25% PIK, due 6/30/2027 | | | 1,504,594 | (f)(i) |
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^
(Unaudited) January 31, 2020
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | VALUE | |
| | | |
$ | 1,095,000 | | | Berry Global Escrow Corp., 5.63%, due 7/15/2027 | | $ | 1,162,069 | (f) |
| 555,000 | | | Berry Global, Inc., 4.50%, due 2/15/2026 | | | 562,631 | (f) |
| | | | BWAY Holding Co. | | | | |
| 545,000 | | | 5.50%, due 4/15/2024 | | | 561,606 | (f) |
| 1,240,000 | | | 7.25%, due 4/15/2025 | | | 1,233,800 | (f) |
| 1,190,000 | | | Trident TPI Holdings, Inc., 9.25%, due 8/1/2024 | | | 1,207,850 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 6,232,550 | |
Personal & Household Products 2.9% | | | | |
| | | | Energizer Holdings, Inc. | | | | |
| 2,955,000 | | | 6.38%, due 7/15/2026 | | | 3,147,222 | (f) |
| 2,265,000 | | | 7.75%, due 1/15/2027 | | | 2,497,276 | (f) |
| 360,000 | | | Energizer SpinCo, Inc., 5.50%, due 6/15/2025 | | | 371,700 | (f) |
| 1,140,000 | | | Spectrum Brands, Inc., 5.75%, due 7/15/2025 | | | 1,184,175 | |
| | | | | | | 7,200,373 | |
Pharmaceuticals 1.3% | | | | |
| 365,000 | | | Bausch Health Americas, Inc., 8.50%, due 1/31/2027 | | | 412,906 | (f) |
| 205,000 | | | Bausch Health Cos., Inc., 5.75%, due 8/15/2027 | | | 219,330 | (f) |
| 316,000 | | | Endo Ltd./Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco, Inc., 6.00%, due 7/15/2023 | | | 241,740 | (f) |
| | | | Valeant Pharmaceuticals Int'l, Inc. | | | | |
| 43,000 | | | 5.50%, due 3/1/2023 | | | 43,108 | (f) |
| 920,000 | | | 6.13%, due 4/15/2025 | | | 946,330 | (f) |
| 1,265,000 | | | 5.50%, due 11/1/2025 | | | 1,310,325 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 3,173,739 | |
Real Estate Development & Management 1.4% | | | | |
| | | | Realogy Group LLC/Realogy Co-Issuer Corp. | | | | |
| 1,715,000 | | | 4.88%, due 6/1/2023 | | | 1,702,138 | (f) |
| 1,695,000 | | | 9.38%, due 4/1/2027 | | | 1,758,308 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 3,460,446 | |
Real Estate Investment Trusts 0.7% | | | | |
| | | | MPT Operating Partnership L.P./MPT Finance Corp. | | | | |
| 1,175,000 | | | 6.38%, due 3/1/2024 | | | 1,212,929 | |
| 535,000 | | | 5.25%, due 8/1/2026 | | | 561,081 | |
| | | | | | | 1,774,010 | |
Recreation & Travel 2.5% | | | | |
| 1,545,000 | | | Cedar Fair L.P., 5.25%, due 7/15/2029 | | | 1,629,975 | (f) |
| 465,000 | | | Cedar Fair L.P./Canada's Wonderland Co./Magnum Management Corp., 5.38%, due 4/15/2027 | | | 492,484 | |
| 3,935,000 | | | Motion Bondco DAC, 6.63%, due 11/15/2027 | | | 4,180,937 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 6,303,396 | |
Restaurants 1.0% | | | | |
| 1,335,000 | | | 1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance, Inc., 5.00%, due 10/15/2025 | | | 1,375,971 | (f) |
| 1,185,000 | | | KFC Holding Co./Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC, 5.25%, due 6/1/2026 | | | 1,241,288 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 2,617,259 | |
Software - Services 4.2% | | | | |
| 115,000 | | | Granite Merger Sub 2, Inc., 11.00%, due 7/15/2027 | | | 126,500 | (f) |
| 1,180,000 | | | j2 Cloud Services LLC/j2 Global Co-Obligor, Inc., 6.00%, due 7/15/2025 | | | 1,244,900 | (f) |
| | | | Presidio Holdings, Inc. | | | | |
| 445,000 | | | 4.88%, due 2/1/2027 | | | 444,933 | (f) |
| 1,275,000 | | | 8.25%, due 2/1/2028 | | | 1,310,063 | (f) |
| 3,615,000 | | | Rackspace Hosting, Inc., 8.63%, due 11/15/2024 | | | 3,578,850 | (f) |
| 1,730,000 | | | Solera LLC/Solera Finance, Inc., 10.50%, due 3/1/2024 | | | 1,829,406 | (f) |
| 1,815,000 | | | SS&C Technologies, Inc., 5.50%, due 9/30/2027 | | | 1,919,907 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 10,454,559 | |
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^
(Unaudited) January 31, 2020
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | VALUE | |
| | | |
Specialty Retail 2.1% | | | | |
$ | 3,015,000 | | | L Brands, Inc., 5.25%, due 2/1/2028 | | $ | 2,992,387 | |
| | | | Penske Automotive Group, Inc. | | | | |
| 600,000 | | | 5.38%, due 12/1/2024 | | | 615,750 | |
| 1,695,000 | | | 5.50%, due 5/15/2026 | | | 1,754,410 | |
| | | | | | | 5,362,547 | |
Steel Producers - Products 0.7% | | | | |
| 1,699,000 | | | Big River Steel LLC/BRS Finance Corp., 7.25%, due 9/1/2025 | | | 1,784,307 | (f) |
Support - Services 18.0% | | | | |
| 2,410,000 | | | ADT Corp., 4.88%, due 7/15/2032 | | | 2,240,818 | (f) |
| | | | APX Group, Inc. | | | | |
| 235,000 | | | 7.88%, due 12/1/2022 | | | 239,994 | |
| 475,000 | | | 7.63%, due 9/1/2023 | | | 464,313 | |
| 1,020,000 | | | ASGN, Inc., 4.63%, due 5/15/2028 | | | 1,047,540 | (f) |
| | | | Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc. | | | | |
| 2,160,000 | | | 5.25%, due 3/15/2025 | | | 2,203,200 | (f) |
| 1,375,000 | | | 5.75%, due 7/15/2027 | | | 1,430,000 | (f) |
| 910,000 | | | frontdoor, Inc., 6.75%, due 8/15/2026 | | | 994,771 | (f) |
| 2,380,000 | | | Garda World Security Corp., 8.75%, due 5/15/2025 | | | 2,487,100 | (f) |
| 555,000 | | | GW B-CR Security Corp., 9.50%, due 11/1/2027 | | | 592,463 | (f) |
| | | | Hertz Corp. | | | | |
| 1,100,000 | | | 5.50%, due 10/15/2024 | | | 1,116,038 | (f) |
| 1,840,000 | | | 7.13%, due 8/1/2026 | | | 1,952,700 | (f) |
| 2,410,000 | | | 6.00%, due 1/15/2028 | | | 2,431,087 | (f) |
| 1,035,000 | | | IAA Spinco, Inc., 5.50%, due 6/15/2027 | | | 1,098,290 | (f) |
| 690,000 | | | Iron Mountain U.S. Holdings, Inc., 5.38%, due 6/1/2026 | | | 717,600 | (f) |
| | | | Iron Mountain, Inc. | | | | |
| 905,000 | | | 4.88%, due 9/15/2027 | | | 932,150 | (f) |
| 4,150,000 | | | 5.25%, due 3/15/2028 | | | 4,336,750 | (f) |
| 2,785,000 | | | 4.88%, due 9/15/2029 | | | 2,840,978 | (f) |
| 3,845,000 | | | KAR Auction Services, Inc., 5.13%, due 6/1/2025 | | | 3,944,316 | (f) |
| 700,000 | | | Korn/Ferry Int'l, 4.63%, due 12/15/2027 | | | 702,695 | (f) |
| | | | Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc. | | | | |
| 1,011,000 | | | 9.25%, due 5/15/2023 | | | 1,059,023 | (f) |
| 4,725,000 | | | 5.75%, due 4/15/2026 | | | 4,984,875 | (f) |
| 1,485,000 | | | 6.25%, due 1/15/2028 | | | 1,471,078 | (f) |
| | | | Staples, Inc. | | | | |
| 3,290,000 | | | 7.50%, due 4/15/2026 | | | 3,370,276 | (f) |
| 740,000 | | | 10.75%, due 4/15/2027 | | | 752,062 | (f) |
| 1,500,000 | | | Univar Solutions USA, Inc., 5.13%, due 12/1/2027 | | | 1,556,250 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 44,966,367 | |
Technology Hardware & Equipment 3.7% | | | | |
| | | | CommScope Finance LLC | | | | |
| 460,000 | | | 6.00%, due 3/1/2026 | | | 482,426 | (f) |
| 1,140,000 | | | 8.25%, due 3/1/2027 | | | 1,171,350 | (f) |
| | | | CommScope Technologies LLC | | | | |
| 2,053,000 | | | 6.00%, due 6/15/2025 | | | 1,959,342 | (f) |
| 2,190,000 | | | 5.00%, due 3/15/2027 | | | 1,987,425 | (f) |
| 3,445,000 | | | Western Digital Corp., 4.75%, due 2/15/2026 | | | 3,677,538 | |
| | | | | | | 9,278,081 | |
Telecom - Satellite 1.4% | | | | |
| 1,140,000 | | | Connect Finco S.a.r.l./Connect U.S. Finco LLC, 6.75%, due 10/1/2026 | | | 1,206,975 | (f) |
| 2,530,000 | | | Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, 5.50%, due 8/1/2023 | | | 2,068,275 | |
| 625,000 | | | Intelsat Luxembourg SA, 8.13%, due 6/1/2023 | | | 253,125 | |
| | | | | | | 3,528,375 | |
Telecom - Wireless 2.9% | | | | |
| 280,000 | | | Sprint Capital Corp., 8.75%, due 3/15/2032 | | | 310,100 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^
(Unaudited) January 31, 2020
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | VALUE | |
| | | | |
| | | | Sprint Corp. | | | | |
$ | 1,300,000 | | | 7.88%, due 9/15/2023 | | $ | 1,381,107 | |
| 4,370,000 | | | 7.13%, due 6/15/2024 | | | 4,513,554 | |
| 975,000 | | | 7.63%, due 3/1/2026 | | | 1,017,559 | |
| | | | | | | 7,222,320 | |
Telecom - Wireline Integrated & Services 7.3% | | | | |
| | | | Altice France SA | | | | |
| 2,580,000 | | | 8.13%, due 2/1/2027 | | | 2,883,150 | (f) |
| 890,000 | | | 5.50%, due 1/15/2028 | | | 906,131 | (f) |
| | | | Altice Luxembourg SA | | | | |
| 200,000 | | | 7.63%, due 2/15/2025 | | | 207,940 | (f) |
| 355,000 | | | 10.50%, due 5/15/2027 | | | 410,487 | (f) |
| 4,225,000 | | | Frontier Communications Corp., 8.00%, due 4/1/2027 | | | 4,410,055 | (f) |
| 3,605,000 | | | Numericable-SFR SA, 7.38%, due 5/1/2026 | | | 3,834,999 | (f) |
| | | | Ypso Finance Bis SA | | | | |
| 1,745,000 | | | 6.00%, due 2/15/2028 | | | 1,745,088 | (f)(g)(k) |
| 735,000 | | | 6.00%, due 2/15/2028 | | | 726,731 | (f)(g) |
| | | | Zayo Group LLC/Zayo Capital, Inc. | | | | |
| 785,000 | | | 6.00%, due 4/1/2023 | | | 801,681 | |
| 665,000 | | | 6.38%, due 5/15/2025 | | | 679,630 | |
| 1,515,000 | | | 5.75%, due 1/15/2027 | | | 1,547,042 | (f) |
| | | | | | | 18,152,934 | |
| | | | Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $340,319,736) | | | 347,085,938 | |
NUMBER OF SHARES | | | | |
Short-Term Investments 1.4% | | | | |
Investment Companies 1.4% | | | | |
| 3,396,028 | | | State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund Premier Class, 1.52%(l) (Cost $3,396,028) | | | 3,396,028 | (j) |
| | | | Total Investments 148.8% (Cost $365,331,333) | | | 371,878,032 | |
| | | | Liabilities Less Other Assets (34.8)% | | | (86,881,623 | )(m) |
| | | | Liquidation Value of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares (14.0)% | | | (35,000,000 | ) |
| | | | Net Assets Applicable to Common Stockholders 100.0% | | $ | 249,996,409 | |
|
(a) | | Variable or floating rate security. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of January 31, 2020 and changes periodically. | |
(b) | | All or a portion of this security was purchased on a delayed delivery basis. | |
(c) | | All or a portion of this security had not settled as of January 31, 2020 and thus may not have an interest rate in effect. Interest rates do not take effect until settlement. | |
(d) | | Value determined using significant unobservable inputs. | |
(e) | | The stated interest rate represents the weighted average interest rate at January 31, 2020 of the underlying contracts within the Loan Assignment. Interest rates on the underlying contracts are primarily determined by reference to the indicated base lending rate and spread, which are indicated in the security description, and the reset period, which is generally weekly, monthly or quarterly. | |
(f) | | Securities were purchased under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or are otherwise restricted and, unless registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or exempted from registration, may only be sold to qualified institutional investors or may have other restrictions on resale. At January 31, 2020, these securities amounted to $259,227,777, which represents 103.7% of net assets applicable to common stockholders of the Fund. | |
(g) | | When-issued security. Total value of all such securities at January 31, 2020 amounted to $3,321,055, which represents 1.3% of net assets applicable to common stockholders of the Fund. | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^
(Unaudited) January 31, 2020
(h) | | Security issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a future date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end. |
(i) | | Payment-in-kind (PIK) security. |
(j) | | All or a portion of this security is segregated in connection with obligations for swap contracts, when-issued securities and/or delayed delivery securities with a total value of $8,869,877. |
(k) | | Security fair valued as of January 31, 2020 in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors. Total value of all such securities at January 31, 2020 amounted to $1,745,088, which represents 0.7% of net assets applicable to common stockholders of the Fund. |
(l) | | Represents 7-day effective yield as of January 31, 2020. |
(m) | | Includes the impact of the Fund's open positions in derivatives at January 31, 2020. |
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^
(Unaudited) (cont’d)
Derivative Instruments
Interest rate swap contracts ("interest rate swaps")
At January 31, 2020, the Fund had outstanding interest rate swaps as follows:
Centrally cleared interest rate swaps |
Clearinghouse | | Notional Amount | | Fund Receives/ Pays Floating Rate | | Floating Rate Index | | | Annual Fixed-Rate | | | | Frequency of Fund Receipt/ Payment | | | Maturity Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | | | | Accrued Net Interest Receivable/ (Payable) | | | | Value | |
CME | | USD 25,000,000 | | Receive | | 3M LIBOR | | | 1.14 | % | | | 3M/6M | | | 6/17/2021 | | $ | 116,610 | | | $ | 25,383 | | | $ | 141,993 | |
CME | | USD 20,000,000 | | Receive | | 3M LIBOR | | | 0.99 | % | | | 3M/6M | | | 6/29/2021 | | | 136,420 | | | | 18,824 | | | | 155,244 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 253,030 | | | $ | 44,207 | | | $ | 297,237 | |
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.^
(Unaudited)(cont’d)
The following is a summary, categorized by Level (see Notes to Schedule of Investments), of inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of January 31, 2020:
Asset Valuation Inputs | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3(b) | | | Total | |
Investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loan Assignments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Industrial Equipment | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 692,396 | | | $ | 692,396 | |
Other Loan Assignments(a) | | | — | | | | 20,703,670 | | | | — | | | | 20,703,670 | |
Total Loan Assignments | | | — | | | | 20,703,670 | | | | 692,396 | | | | 21,396,066 | |
Corporate Bonds(a) | | | — | | | | 347,085,938 | | | | — | | | | 347,085,938 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | — | | | | 3,396,028 | | | | — | | | | 3,396,028 | |
Total Investments | | $ | — | | | $ | 371,185,636 | | | $ | 692,396 | | | $ | 371,878,032 | |
(a) | The Schedule of Investments provides information on the industry or sector categorization for the portfolio. |
|
(b) | The following is a reconciliation between the beginning and ending balances of investments in which unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining value: |
(000’s omitted) | | Beginning balance, as
of 11/1/2019 | | | Accrued discounts/ (premiums) | | | Realized gain/(loss) | | | Change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) | | | Purchases | | | Sales | | | Transfers into Level 3 | | | Transfers out of Level 3 | | | Balance, as of 1/31/2020 | | | Net change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) from investments still held as of 1/31/2020 | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loan Assignments(c) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Industrial Equipment | | $ | 656,775 | | | $ | 510 | | | $ | 51 | | | $ | 36,797 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (1,737 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 692,396 | | | $ | 36,797 | |
Health Care | | | 682,048 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (682,048 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Total | | $ | 1,338,823 | | | $ | 510 | | | $ | 51 | | | $ | 36,797 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (1,737 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | (682,048 | ) | | $ | 692,396 | | | $ | 36,797 | |
| (c) | Securities categorized as Level 3 were valued using a single quotation obtained from a dealer. The Fund does not have access to unobservable inputs and therefore cannot disclose such inputs used in formulating such quotation. |
The following is a summary, categorized by Level (see Notes to Schedule of Investments), of inputs used to value the Fund's derivatives as of January 31, 2020:
Other Financial Instruments | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Swaps | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets | | $ | — | | | $ | 297,237 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 297,237 | |
Total | | $ | — | | | $ | 297,237 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 297,237 | |
| ^ | A balance indicated with a "-", reflects either a zero balance or an amount that rounds to less than 1. |
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
January 31, 2020
Notes to Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
(Unaudited)
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 820 “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASC 820”), all investments held by Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) are carried at the value that Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC ("Management") believes the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment under current market conditions. Various inputs, including the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability in the market, are considered in valuing the Fund's investments, some of which are discussed below. Significant Management judgment may be necessary to value investments in accordance with ASC 820.
ASC 820 established a three-tier hierarchy of inputs to create a classification of value measurements for disclosure purposes. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below.
| • | Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| • | Level 2 – other observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, amortized cost, etc.) |
| • | Level 3 – unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The inputs or methodology used for valuing an investment are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The value of the Fund’s investments in debt securities is determined by Management primarily by obtaining valuations from independent pricing services based on readily available bid quotations, or if quotations are not available, by methods which include various considerations based on security type (generally Level 2 inputs). In addition to the consideration of yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type, indications as to values from dealers, and general market conditions, the following is a description of other Level 2 inputs and related valuation techniques used by independent pricing services to value certain types of debt securities held by the Fund:
Corporate Bonds.Inputs used to value corporate debt securities generally include relative credit information, observed market movements, sector news, U.S. Treasury yield curve or relevant benchmark curve, and other market information, which may include benchmark yield curves, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, comparable securities, and reference data, such as market research publications, when available (“Other Market Information”).
High Yield Securities.Inputs used to value high yield securities generally include a number of observations of equity and credit default swap curves related to the issuer and Other Market Information.
The value of loan assignments is determined by Management primarily by obtaining valuations from independent pricing services based on broker quotes (generally Level 2 or Level 3 inputs depending on the number of quotes available).
The value of interest rate swaps is determined by Management primarily by obtaining valuations from independent pricing services based on references to the underlying rates including the local overnight index swap rate and the respective interbank offered forward rate to produce the daily price. The present value is calculated based off of expected cash flows based on swap parameters along with reference to the underlying yield curve and reference rate (generally Level 2 inputs).
Management has developed a process to periodically review information provided by independent pricing services for all types of securities.
Investments in non-exchange traded investment companies are valued using the respective fund’s daily calculated net asset value per share (Level 2 inputs).
For information on the Fund’s significant accounting policies, please refer to the Fund’s most recent stockholder reports.
Notes to Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
(Unaudited) (cont’d)
If a valuation is not available from an independent pricing service, or if Management has reason to believe that the valuation received does not represent the amount the Fund might reasonably expect to receive on a current sale in an orderly transaction, Management seeks to obtain quotations from brokers or dealers (generally considered Level 2 or Level 3 inputs depending on the number of quotes available). If such quotations are not readily available, the security is valued using methods the Fund’s Board of Directors has approved in the good-faith belief that the resulting valuation will reflect the fair value of the security. Numerous factors may be considered when determining the fair value of a security based on Level 2 or Level 3 inputs, including available analyst, media or other reports, securities within the same industry with recent highly correlated performance, trading in futures or American Depositary Receipts and whether the issuer of the security being fair valued has other securities outstanding.
Fair value prices are necessarily estimates, and there is no assurance that such a price will be at or close to the price at which the security is next quoted or next trades.
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820: ”Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”) (“ASU 2018-13”). ASU 2018-13 eliminates the requirement to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the timing of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 will require the disclosure of the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements and the changes in unrealized gains and losses for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 will also require that information is provided about the measurement uncertainty of Level 3 fair value measurements as of the reporting date. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 and allows for early adoption of either the entire standard or only the provisions that eliminate or modify the disclosure requirements. Management has elected to adopt early the provisions that eliminate the disclosure requirements. Management is still currently evaluating the impact of applying the rest of the guidance.
For information on the Fund’s significant accounting policies, please refer to the Fund’s most recent stockholder reports.
Notes to Schedule of InvestmentsHigh Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
(Unaudited) (cont’d)
Legend
Benchmarks |
LIBOR = London Interbank Offered Rate |
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Currency Abbreviations: |
USD = United States Dollar |
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Clearinghouses: |
CME = CME Group, Inc. |
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Index Periods/Payment Frequencies: |
1M = 1 Month |
3M = 3 Months |
6M = 6 Months |
For information on the Fund’s significant accounting policies, please refer to the Fund’s most recent stockholder reports.