shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amounts of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These book/tax differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends and distributions, which exceed earnings and profits for tax purposes, are reported as a tax return of capital.
The tax character of distributions paid during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 was as follows:
As of December 31, 2011, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward of $145,799,985 set to expire in 2017.
In accordance with the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund will carryforward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 (“post-enactment losses”) indefinitely. Post-enactment losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term and be utilized before any pre-enactment losses.
As of June 30, 2012, the aggregate unrealized security gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable to the tax treatment of wash sales, premium amortization and certain securities.
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2012 were as follows:
There were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government securities for the six months ended June 30, 2012.
The Fund’s officers and the two Directors who are associated with Lord Abbett do not receive any compensation from the Fund for serving in such capacities. Independent Directors’ fees are allocated among all Lord Abbett-sponsored funds based on the net assets of each fund. There is an equity-based plan available to all Independent Directors under which Independent Directors must
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)(continued)
defer receipt of a portion of, and may elect to defer receipt of an additional portion of Directors’ fees. The deferred amounts are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in the funds. Such amounts and earnings accrued thereon are included in Directors’ fees on the Statement of Operations and in Directors’ fees payable on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and are not deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes until such amounts are paid.
The Fund has entered into an arrangement with its transfer agent and custodian, whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fund’s expenses.
On April 2, 2012, the Fund and certain other funds managed by Lord Abbett (the “participating funds”) entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility (“Facility”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company (“SSB”), to be used for temporary or emergency purposes as an additional source of liquidity to fund redemptions of investor shares. The Facility is renewed annually under terms that depend on market conditions at the time of the renewal. The amounts available under the Facility are (i) the lesser of either $250,000,000 or 33.33% of total assets per participating fund and (ii) $350,000,000 in the aggregate for all participating funds. The annual fee to maintain the Facility is .09% of the amount available under the Facility. Each participating fund pays its pro rata share based on the net assets of each participating fund. This amount is included in Other expenses on the Fund’s Statement of Operations. Any borrowings under this Facility will bear interest at current market rates as set forth in the credit agreement. As of June 30, 2012, there were no loans outstanding pursuant to this Facility.
For the period February 3, 2011 through April 1, 2012, the Fund and certain other funds managed by Lord Abbett had an amount of $200,000,000 available under a Facility from SSB with an annual fee to maintain the Facility of .125% of the amount available under the Facility.
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9. | CUSTODIAN AND ACCOUNTING AGENT | |
SSB is the Fund’s custodian and accounting agent. SSB performs custodial, accounting and recordkeeping functions relating to portfolio transactions and calculating the Fund’s NAV.
The Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with investing in debt securities. The value of an investment will change as interest rates fluctuate and in response to market movements. When interest rates rise, the prices of debt securities are likely to decline; when rates fall, such prices tend to rise. Longer-term debt securities are usually more sensitive to interest rate changes. There is also the risk that an issuer of a debt security will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest to the Fund, a risk that is greater with high yield securities (sometimes called “lower-rated bonds” or “junk bonds”), in which the Fund may substantially invest. Some issuers, particularly of high yield securities, may default as to principal and/or interest payments after the Fund purchases its securities. A default, or concerns in the market about an increase in risk of default, may result in losses to the Fund. High yield bonds are subject to greater price fluctuations, as well as additional risks.
The mortgage-related securities in which the Fund may invest may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults. These changes can affect the value, income and/or liquidity of such positions. When
52
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)(continued)
interest rates are declining, the value of these securities with prepayment features may not increase as much as other fixed income securities. Early principal repayment may deprive the Fund of income payments above current market rates. The prepayment rate also will affect the price and volatility of a mortgage-related security. In addition, while securities of government sponsored enterprises are guaranteed with respect to the timely payment of interest and principal by the particular enterprise involved, they are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. In addition, the Fund may invest in non-agency asset backed and mortgage related securities, which are issued by private institutions, not by government-sponsored enterprises.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in equity securities, the value of which fluctuates in response to movements in the equity securities market in general and to the changing prospects of individual companies in which the Fund invests.
The Fund may invest in convertible securities, which have both equity and fixed income risk characteristics. Generally, convertible securities offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality and less potential for gains or capital appreciation in a rising equity securities market than equity securities. They tend to be more volatile than other fixed income securities and the market for convertible securities may be less liquid than markets for stocks or bonds. A significant portion of convertible securities have below investment grade credit ratings and are subject to increased credit and liquidity risks.
Due to the Fund’s exposure to foreign companies and ADRs, the Fund may experience increased market, liquidity, currency, political, information, and other risks.
The Fund is subject to the risks associated with derivatives, which may be different from and greater than the risks associated with directly investing in securities. Derivatives may be subject to risks such as liquidity risk, leveraging risk, interest rate risk, market risk, and credit risk. Illiquid securities may lower the Fund’s returns since the Fund may be unable to sell these securities at their desired time or price. Derivatives also may involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the value of the underlying asset, rate or index. Whether the Fund’s use of derivatives is successful will depend on, among other things, the Fund’s ability to correctly forecast market movements and other factors. If the Fund incorrectly forecasts these and other factors, the Fund’s performance could suffer.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in floating rate or adjustable rate senior loans, including bridge loans, novations, assignments, and participations, which are subject to increased credit and liquidity risks. Senior loans are business loans made to borrowers that may be U.S. or foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities.
These factors can affect the Fund’s performance.
53
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)(continued) |
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11. | SUMMARY OF CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS | |
Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2011 | |
| | | | | | | |
Class A Shares | | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 57,717,743 | | $ | 453,892,532 | | | 97,086,667 | | $ | 757,133,051 | |
Converted from Class B* | | | 4,436,922 | | | 34,971,315 | | | 20,884,767 | | | 164,674,901 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 15,474,439 | | | 122,021,928 | | | 29,625,896 | | | 231,514,709 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (62,686,473 | ) | | (492,636,498 | ) | | (143,676,633 | ) | | (1,122,936,580 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase | | | 14,942,631 | | $ | 118,249,277 | | | 3,920,697 | | $ | 30,386,081 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 383,087 | | $ | 3,022,260 | | | 1,000,755 | | $ | 7,878,556 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 801,144 | | | 6,341,679 | | | 2,210,804 | | | 17,405,478 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (2,751,401 | ) | | (21,723,973 | ) | | (11,556,155 | ) | | (91,321,896 | ) |
Converted to Class A* | | | (4,422,705 | ) | | (34,971,315 | ) | | (20,811,510 | ) | | (164,674,901 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Decrease | | | (5,989,875 | ) | $ | (47,331,349 | ) | | (29,156,106 | ) | $ | (230,712,763 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class C Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 23,400,555 | | $ | 184,503,557 | | | 34,334,037 | | $ | 268,754,112 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 4,806,743 | | | 37,989,624 | | | 8,783,332 | | | 68,753,292 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (16,933,047 | ) | | (133,493,259 | ) | | (47,505,908 | ) | | (372,750,593 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase (decrease) | | | 11,274,251 | | $ | 88,999,922 | | | (4,388,539 | ) | $ | (35,243,189 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class F Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 27,622,794 | | $ | 217,103,989 | | | 58,314,898 | | $ | 454,487,913 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 2,685,587 | | | 21,147,880 | | | 4,052,088 | | | 31,585,935 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (16,395,077 | ) | | (128,729,899 | ) | | (40,481,178 | ) | | (314,697,255 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase | | | 13,913,304 | | $ | 109,521,970 | | | 21,885,808 | | $ | 171,376,593 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 12,893,500 | | $ | 100,648,867 | | | 30,123,858 | | $ | 232,846,660 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 614,651 | | | 4,827,461 | | | 2,593,664 | | | 20,255,778 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (27,716,577 | ) | | (214,185,082 | ) | | (36,551,118 | ) | | (279,551,497 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Decrease | | | (14,208,426 | ) | $ | (108,708,754 | ) | | (3,833,596 | ) | $ | (26,449,059 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class P Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 1,016,707 | | $ | 8,136,534 | | | 2,637,317 | | $ | 21,147,848 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 410,498 | | | 3,305,748 | | | 1,009,250 | | | 8,066,008 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (1,956,242 | ) | | (15,664,492 | ) | | (7,568,696 | ) | | (59,073,983 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Decrease | | | (529,037 | ) | $ | (4,222,210 | ) | | (3,922,129 | ) | $ | (29,860,127 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R2 Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 160,058 | | $ | 1,257,334 | | | 95,147 | | $ | 751,686 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 1,653 | | | 13,039 | | | 3,199 | | | 24,989 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (77,119 | ) | | (605,441 | ) | | (42,941 | ) | | (335,935 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase | | | 84,592 | | $ | 664,932 | | | 55,405 | | $ | 440,740 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
54
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)(concluded)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended December 31, 2011 | |
| | | | | | | |
Class R3 Shares | | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 1,882,542 | | $ | 14,812,227 | | | 2,786,978 | | $ | 21,688,294 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 199,556 | | | 1,570,900 | | | 303,444 | | | 2,362,940 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (989,460 | ) | | (7,770,089 | ) | | (1,367,048 | ) | | (10,754,223 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase | | | 1,092,638 | | $ | 8,613,038 | | | 1,723,374 | | $ | 13,297,011 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
* | Automatic conversion of Class B shares occurs on the 25th day of the month (or, if the 25th is not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the eighth anniversary of the day on which the purchase order was accepted. |
55
Householding
The Fund has adopted a policy that allows it to send only one copy of the Fund’s prospectus, proxy material, annual report and semiannual report to certain shareholders residing at the same “household.” This reduces Fund expenses, which benefits you and other shareholders. If you need additional copies or do not want your mailings to be “householded,” please call Lord Abbett at 888-522-2388 or send a written request with your name, the name of your fund or funds and your account number or numbers to Lord Abbett Family of Funds, P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121.
Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures and Records
A description of the policies and procedures that Lord Abbett uses to vote proxies related to the Fund’s portfolio securities, and information on how Lord Abbett voted the Fund’s proxies during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, (i) by calling 888-522-2388; (ii) on Lord Abbett’s Website at www.lordabbett.com; and (iii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Website at www.sec.gov.
Shareholder Reports and Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure
The Fund is required to file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for its first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q. Copies of the filings are available without charge, upon request on the SEC’s Website at www.sec.gov and may be available by calling Lord Abbett at 888-522-2388. You can also obtain copies of Form N-Q by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330).
56
![(LORD ABBETT LOGO)](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000930413-12-004957/c70242005_v1.jpg)
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![(GO PAPERLESS LOGO)](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000930413-12-004957/c70242004_v1.jpg)
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This report, when not used for the general information of shareholders of the Fund, is to be distributed only if preceded or accompanied by a current fund prospectus. | | |
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Lord Abbett mutual fund shares are distributed by LORD ABBETT DISTRIBUTOR LLC. | Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc. | LABD-3-0612 (08/12) |
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Item 2: | Code of Ethics. |
| Not applicable. |
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Item 3: | Audit Committee Financial Expert. |
| Not applicable. |
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Item 4: | Principal Accountant Fees and Services. |
| Not applicable. |
| |
Item 5: | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. |
| Not applicable. |
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Item 6: | Investments. |
| Not applicable. |
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Item 7: | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
| Not applicable. |
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Item 8: | Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
| Not applicable. |
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Item 9: | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. |
| Not applicable. |
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Item 10: | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
| Not applicable. |
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Item 11: | Controls and Procedures. |
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| (a) | Based on their evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed and effective to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to them by others within those entities. |
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| (b) | There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
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| (a)(1) | Amendments to Code of Ethics – Not applicable. |
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| (a)(2) | Certification of each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Registrant as required by Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is attached hereto as a part of EX-99.CERT. |
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| (a)(3) | Not applicable. |
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| (b) | Certification of each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Registrant as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is provided as a part of EX-99.906CERT. |
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.
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| LORD ABBETT BOND-DEBENTURE FUND, INC. |
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| By: | /s/ Robert S. Dow |
| | |
| | Robert S. Dow |
| | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman |
Date: August 21, 2012
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Joan A. Binstock |
| | |
| | Joan A. Binstock |
| | Chief Financial Officer and Vice President |
Date: August 21, 2012
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.
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| By: | /s/ Robert S. Dow |
| | |
| | Robert S. Dow |
| | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman |
Date: August 21, 2012
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Joan A. Binstock |
| | |
| | Joan A. Binstock |
| | Chief Financial Officer and Vice President |
Date: August 21, 2012