Factors considered by pricing services in evaluating an investment include the yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. Some pricing services provide a single price evaluation reflecting the bid-side of the market for an investment (a “bid” evaluation). Other pricing services offer both bid evaluations and price evaluations indicative of a price between the prices bid and asked for the investment (a “mid” evaluation). The Fund normally uses bid evaluations for any U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. The Fund normally uses mid evaluations for any other types of fixed-income securities and any OTC derivative contracts. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the fair value of the investment is determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). Also includes securities valued at amortized cost.
Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of October 31, 2019, in valuing the Fund's assets carried at fair value:
Valuation Inputs | | | | |
| Level 1— Quoted Prices | Level 2— Other Significant Observable Inputs | Level 3— Significant Unobservable Inputs | Total |
Debt Securities: | | | | |
Mortgage-Backed Securities | $— | $265,300,985 | $— | $265,300,985 |
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations | — | 58,037,025 | — | 58,037,025 |
U.S. Treasury | — | 4,048,735 | — | 4,048,735 |
Investment Company | 16,745,887 | — | — | 16,745,887 |
TOTAL SECURITIES | $16,745,887 | $327,386,745 | $— | $344,132,632 |
Other Financial Instruments1 | | | | |
Assets | $179,200 | $— | $— | $179,200 |
Liabilities | — | — | — | — |
TOTAL OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS | $179,200 | $— | $— | $179,200 |
1 | Other financial instruments are futures contracts. |
The following acronyms are used throughout this portfolio:
LIBOR | —London Interbank Offered Rate |
REMIC | —Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit |