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: 811-02145
LORD ABBETT BOND-DEBENTURE FUND, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)
90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302-3973
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Randolph A. Stuzin, Esq.
Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Member, Chief Legal Officer of Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302-3973
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (888) 522-2388
Date of fiscal year end: 12/31
Date of reporting period: 12/31/2023
Item 1: | Report(s) to Shareholders. |
LORD ABBETT
ANNUAL REPORT
Lord Abbett
Bond Debenture Fund
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
Table of Contents
Lord Abbett Bond Debenture Fund
Annual Report
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
From left to right: Evelyn E. Guernsey, Independent Chair of the Lord Abbett Funds and Douglas B. Sieg, Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Lord Abbett Funds. | | Dear Shareholders: We are pleased to provide you with this overview of the performance of Lord Abbett Bond Debenture Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. On this page and the following pages, we discuss the major factors that influenced fiscal year performance. For detailed and timely information about the Fund, please visit our website at www.lordabbett.com, where you can also access quarterly commentaries that provide updates on the Fund’s performance and other portfolio related updates. Thank you for investing in Lord Abbett mutual funds. We value the trust that you place in us and look forward to serving your investment needs in the years to come. Best regards, Douglas B. Sieg Director, President and Chief Executive Officer |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund returned 6.85%, reflecting performance at the net asset value (NAV) of Class A shares with all distributions reinvested, compared to its benchmark, the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index,* which returned 5.53% over the same period.
Markets had to endure through a number of countervailing forces over the trailing 12 months, leading to periods of volatility and a wide dispersion of returns. On the positive side, market expectations of a soft landing in the U.S. economy were backed
by falling inflation data, a tight labor market, a resilient consumer, and optimism regarding the potential impacts of artificial intelligence. While there were concerns corporate earnings could deteriorate, aggregate earnings results were better than expected as cost-cutting measures, strength in services sectors, and supply chain improvements generally benefitted companies.1
Amid these positive trends, investors had concerns about aggressive U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) monetary policy and fear of a potential policy mistake leading to a
1
recession. Investor sentiment was also negatively impacted by an underwhelming China recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and rising energy prices. In addition, markets had to grapple with the ripple effects of the turmoil in the banking sector, which led to regulatory shutdowns and interventions by the Fed, FDIC, and U.S. Treasury.1
The dovish pivot by the Fed in December hinted at a potential policy easing, contributing to the market’s positive momentum and a fall in bond yields. A combination of additional factors also contributed to this positive market environment: a decline in core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation, favorable Treasury refunding announcements, strong consumer resilience, and stable earnings expectations. These elements, along with a shift in market sentiment and positioning, buoyed by seasonality and increased corporate buybacks, culminated in a bullish sentiment across the equity markets.1
While there was significant rate volatility throughout the year, the 2-year Treasury yield1 moved lower from 4.42% to 4.25%, while the 10-year Treasury yield1 ended the year unchanged at 3.88%. Against this backdrop, the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index* returned 5.53%, while high yield bonds2 outperformed investment grade corporate bonds3 (13.55% vs 8.52%, respectively), partially due to the higher yield and lower duration of the high yield market.
The Fund takes a flexible, multi-sector approach, which emphasizes credit sensitive sectors of the market, compared to its benchmark, which is largely comprised of U.S. Treasuries and government-related securities. Notably, the Fund’s allocation to high yield credit ultimately contributed to relative performance. This allocation outperformed the index due to a combination of tighter spreads and higher carry earned over the period. This is in contrast to the benchmark, where performance is primarily interest rate driven and offers lower yields compared to high yield credit. The Fund’s overweight to and security selection within investment grade credit also contributed to relative performance, led by the allocation to BBB credit which outperformed higher rated tiers given the greater sensitivity to movement in credit spreads. Security selection within Sovereigns was also a contributor to relative performance. The Fund was overweight countries in the Latin America region that outperformed.
Several allocations detracted from relative performance over the period, one of which was U.S. equities. While equity markets were generally positive as measured by the S&P 500, the Fund held positions in growth companies that came under pressure amid higher interest rates. Security selection with commercial mortgage-backed securities also detracted from relative performance. These were positions that underperformed due primarily to idiosyncratic reasons. Selection within agency MBS also dragged on relative
2
performance. The Fund favored shorter duration MBS heading into the latter half of the period, which underperformed longer duration MBS given the rally in bond yields during the fourth quarter.
The Fund’s portfolio is actively managed and, therefore, its holdings and the weightings of a particular issuer or particular sector as a percentage of portfolio assets are subject to change. Sectors may include many industries.
*
The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an index of U.S dollar-denominated, investment-grade U.S. government and corporate securities, and mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. Indexes are unmanaged, do not reflect the deduction of fees or expenses, and an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
1
Factset.
2
As represented by the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index as of 12/31/2023.
3
As represented by the Bloomberg US Corp Investment Grade Index as of 12/31/2023.
Unless otherwise specified, indexes reflect total return, with all dividends reinvested. Indexes are unmanaged, do not reflect the deduction of fees or expenses, and are not available for direct investment.
Important Performance and Other Information
Performance data quoted in the following pages reflect past performance and are no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that shares, on any given day or when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month end by calling Lord Abbett at 888-522-2388 or referring to www.lordabbett.com.
Except where noted, comparative Fund performance does not account for the deduction of sales charges and would be different if sales charges were included. The Fund offers classes of shares with distinct pricing options. For a full description of the differences in pricing alternatives, please see the Fund’s prospectus.
During certain periods shown, expense waivers and reimbursements were in place. Without such expense waivers and reimbursements, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.
The annual commentary above discusses the views of the Fund’s management and various portfolio holdings of the Fund as of December 31, 2023. These views and portfolio holdings may have changed after this date. Information provided in the commentary is not a recommendation to buy or sell securities. Because the Fund’s portfolio is actively managed and may change significantly, the Fund may no longer own the securities described above or may have otherwise changed its position in the securities. For more recent information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings, please visit www.lordabbett.com.
A Note about Risk: See Notes to Financial Statements for a discussion of investment risks. For a more detailed discussion of the risks associated with the Fund, please see the Fund’s prospectus.
Mutual funds are not insured by the FDIC, are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, banks, and are subject to investment risks including possible loss of principal amount invested.
3
Investment Comparison
Below is a comparison of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares with the same investment in the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The performance of other classes will be greater than or less than the performance shown in the graph below due to different sales loads and expenses applicable to such classes. The graph and performance table below do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. During certain periods, expenses of the Fund have been waived or reimbursed by Lord Abbett; without such waiver or reimbursement of expenses, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Average Annual Total Returns at Maximum Applicable
Sales Charge for the Periods Ended December 31, 2023
| | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | | Life of Class | |
Class A3 | | 4.46% | | 2.82% | | 3.36% | | – | |
Class C4 | | 5.19% | | 2.63% | | 2.95% | | – | |
Class F5 | | 6.96% | | 3.41% | | 3.70% | | – | |
Class F36 | | 7.02% | | 3.56% | | – | | 3.04% | |
Class I5 | | 7.08% | | 3.51% | | 3.80% | | – | |
Class P5 | | 6.56% | | 3.02% | | 3.43% | | – | |
Class R25 | | 6.43% | | 2.87% | | 3.20% | | – | |
Class R35 | | 6.54% | | 3.00% | | 3.30% | | – | |
Class R47 | | 6.80% | | 3.23% | | – | | 3.30% | |
Class R57 | | 7.07% | | 3.51% | | – | | 3.58% | |
Class R67 | | 7.17% | | 3.56% | | – | | 3.63% | |
1
Reflects the deduction of the maximum initial sales charge of 2.25%.
2
Performance of each unmanaged index does not reflect any fees or expenses. The performance of each index is not necessarily representative of the Fund’s performance.
3
Total return, which is the percentage change in net asset value, after deduction of the maximum initial sales charge of 2.25% applicable to Class A shares, with all dividends and distributions reinvested for the periods shown ended December 31, 2023 is calculated using the SEC-required uniform method to compute such return.
4
The 1% CDSC for Class C shares normally applies before the first anniversary of the purchase date. Performance for other periods is at net asset value.
5
Performance is at net asset value.
6
Commenced operations and performance for the Class began on April 4, 2017. Performance is at net asset value.
7
Commenced operations and performance for the Class began on June 30, 2015. Performance is at net asset value.
4
Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments (these charges vary among the share classes); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees (these charges vary among the share classes); and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023).
Actual Expenses
For each class of the Fund, the first line of the table on the following page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading titled “Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/23 – 12/31/23” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
For each class of the Fund, the second line of the table on the following page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
5
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| | Beginning Account Value | | Ending Account Value | | Expenses Paid During Period† |
| | 7/1/23 | | 12/31/23 | | 7/1/23 - 12/31/23 |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,048.50 | | | $ | 4.13 | |
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,021.17 | | | $ | 4.08 | |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,045.20 | | | $ | 7.32 | |
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,018.05 | | | $ | 7.22 | |
Class F | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,049.10 | | | $ | 3.62 | |
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,021.68 | | | $ | 3.57 | |
Class F3 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,048.70 | | | $ | 2.53 | |
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,022.74 | | | $ | 2.50 | |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,048.20 | | | $ | 3.10 | |
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,022.18 | | | $ | 3.06 | |
Class P | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,045.30 | | | $ | 5.41 | |
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,019.91 | | | $ | 5.35 | |
Class R2 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,044.90 | | | $ | 6.19 | |
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,019.16 | | | $ | 6.11 | |
Class R3 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,047.00 | | | $ | 5.68 | |
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,019.66 | | | $ | 5.60 | |
Class R4 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,046.80 | | | $ | 4.39 | |
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,020.92 | | | $ | 4.33 | |
Class R5 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,048.10 | | | $ | 3.10 | |
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,022.18 | | | $ | 3.06 | |
Class R6 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,048.70 | | | $ | 2.53 | |
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,022.74 | | | $ | 2.50 | |
| |
† | For each class of the Fund, net expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for such class (0.80% for Class A, 1.42% for Class C, 0.70% for Class F, 0.49% for Class F3, 0.60% for Class I, 1.05% for Class P, 1.20% for Class R2, 1.10% for Class R3, 0.85% for Class R4, 0.60% for Class R5 and 0.49% for Class R6) multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect one-half year period). |
6
Portfolio Holdings Presented by Sector
December 31, 2023
Sector* | | %** |
Asset-Backed Securities | | 4.17 | % |
Basic Materials | | 3.88 | % |
Communications | | 5.41 | % |
Consumer Discretionary | | 0.89 | % |
Consumer Staples | | 0.24 | % |
Consumer Cyclical | | 11.42 | % |
Consumer Non-Cyclical | | 8.23 | % |
Diversified | | 0.10 | % |
Energy | | 13.40 | % |
Financials | | 10.54 | % |
Foreign Government | | 4.65 | % |
Health Care | | 0.10 | % |
Industrials | | 8.80 | % |
Information Technology | | 1.35 | % |
Mortgage-Backed Securities | | 4.72 | % |
Municipal | | 0.33 | % |
Real Estate | | 0.33 | % |
Technology | | 4.22 | % |
U.S. Government | | 11.99 | % |
Utilities | | 4.80 | % |
Repurchase Agreements | | 0.39 | % |
Money Market Funds(a) | | 0.04 | % |
Time Deposits(a) | | 0.00 | % |
Total | | 100.00 | % |
| |
* | A sector may comprise several industries. |
** | Represents percent of total investments, which excludes derivatives. |
(a) | Securities were purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
7
Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 111.29% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES 4.66% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Automobiles 1.23% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Carvana Auto Receivables Trust Series NP1 2020-N1AClass E† | | 5.20% | | 7/15/2027 | | $ | 5,750,000 | | | $ | 5,607,979 | |
Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust Series 2023-3A Class A† | | 6.39% | | 8/15/2033 | | | 18,635,000 | | | | 18,910,599 | |
Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust Series 2023-5A Class B | | 6.58% | | 4/17/2028 | | | 34,855,000 | | | | 35,321,795 | |
Flagship Credit Auto Trust Series 2023-1 Class B† | | 5.05% | | 1/18/2028 | | | 8,575,000 | | | | 8,492,296 | |
Flagship Credit Auto Trust Series 2023-1 Class C† | | 5.43% | | 5/15/2029 | | | 9,487,000 | | | | 9,356,536 | |
Ford Credit Auto Lease Trust Series 2023-A Class B | | 5.29% | | 6/15/2026 | | | 22,610,000 | | | | 22,531,331 | |
Ford Credit Auto Lease Trust Series 2023-A Class C | | 5.54% | | 12/15/2026 | | | 26,790,000 | | | | 26,629,718 | |
Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust Series 2023-1 Class C | | 5.09% | | 5/15/2030 | | | 33,530,000 | | | | 33,286,502 | |
Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust Series 2023-3 Class C | | 5.77% | | 11/15/2030 | | | 37,765,000 | | | | 38,284,420 | |
Westlake Automobile Receivables Trust Series 2021-1AClass F† | | 3.91% | | 9/15/2027 | | | 58,047,000 | | | | 56,505,968 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 254,927,144 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Credit Card 0.12% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Genesis Sales Finance Master Trust Series 2021-AA Class A† | | 1.20% | | 12/21/2026 | | | 24,892,000 | | | | 23,817,957 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other 3.27% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Affirm Asset Securitization Trust Series 2023-A Class 1A† | | 6.61% | | 1/18/2028 | | | 62,405,000 | | | | 62,786,969 | |
Affirm Asset Securitization Trust Series 2023-B Class A† | | 6.82% | | 9/15/2028 | | | 32,960,000 | | | | 33,474,572 | |
AGL CLO Ltd. Series 2023-28A Class D† | | 10.153% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.85% | )# | 1/21/2037 | | | 15,220,000 | | | | 15,296,100 | |
Arbor Realty Commercial Real Estate Notes Ltd. Series 2022-FL2 Class A† | | 7.212% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.85% | )# | 5/15/2037 | | | 28,620,000 | | | | 28,255,619 | |
Avant Loans Funding Trust Series 2021-REV1 Class A† | | 1.21% | | 7/15/2030 | | | 7,965,824 | | | | 7,909,612 | |
Ballyrock CLO Ltd. Series 2019-1A Class A1R† | | 6.686% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.29% | )# | 7/15/2032 | | | 9,300,000 | | | | 9,278,173 | |
Ballyrock CLO Ltd. Series 2022-20A Class BR† | | 7.994% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.60% | )# | 7/15/2034 | | | 9,050,000 | | | | 9,087,940 | |
| |
8 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Other (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ballyrock CLO Ltd. Series 2023-25A Class C† | | 10.024% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.70% | )# | 1/25/2036 | | $ | 9,980,000 | | | $ | 9,979,378 | |
Carlyle U.S. CLO Ltd. Series 2023-4A Class C† | | 8.174% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.80% | )# | 10/25/2036 | | | 9,510,000 | | | | 9,542,112 | |
Carlyle U.S. CLO Ltd. Series 2023-5A Class D† | | 10.46% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 5.10% | )# | 1/27/2036 | | | 9,980,000 | | | | 9,979,330 | |
CIFC Funding Ltd. Series 2023-3A Class A†(a) | | – | (b) | 1/20/2037 | | | 46,830,000 | | | | 46,830,000 | |
CIFC Funding Ltd. Series 2023-3A Class D†(a) | | – | (b) | 1/20/2037 | | | 14,490,000 | | | | 14,490,000 | |
Dryden 113 CLO Ltd. Series 2022-113A Class CR† | | 8.116% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.70% | )# | 10/20/2035 | | | 10,710,000 | | | | 10,755,752 | |
Elmwood CLO Ltd. Series 2023-2A Class A† | | 7.194% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.80% | )# | 4/16/2036 | | | 40,000,000 | | | | 40,122,748 | |
Elmwood CLO VII Ltd. Series 2020-4A Class CR† | | 8.124% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.70% | )# | 1/17/2034 | | | 9,120,000 | | | | 9,167,413 | |
Flatiron CLO 18 Ltd. Series 2018-1A Class A† | | 6.614% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.21% | )# | 4/17/2031 | | | 19,197,360 | | | | 19,202,613 | |
GoldenTree Loan Management U.S. CLO Ltd. Series 2022-16A Class DR† | | 10.107% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.75% | )# | 1/20/2034 | | | 13,780,000 | | | | 13,848,900 | |
Gracie Point International Funding Series 2023-1A Class A† | | 7.174% (90 day USD SOFR Average + 1.95% | )# | 9/1/2026 | | | 38,418,114 | | | | 38,376,822 | |
Halcyon Loan Advisors Funding Ltd. Series 2017-2AClass A2† | | 7.364% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.96% | )# | 1/17/2030 | | | 9,070,145 | | | | 9,084,305 | |
Hardee’s Funding LLC Series 2018-1A Class A2II† | | 4.959% | | 6/20/2048 | | | 18,124,761 | | | | 17,416,717 | |
Invesco U.S. CLO Ltd. Series 2023-4A Class D† | | 10.61% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 5.25% | )# | 1/18/2037 | | | 13,070,000 | | | | 13,061,390 | |
Madison Park Funding XIII Ltd. Series 2014-13AClass AR2† | | 6.608% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.21% | )# | 4/19/2030 | | | 11,782,357 | | | | 11,775,718 | |
Magnetite XXXIX Ltd. Series 2023-39A Class C† | | 7.935% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.55% | )# | 10/25/2033 | | | 18,320,000 | | | | 18,403,483 | |
MF1 LLC Series 2022-FL9 Class A† | | 7.506% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.15% | )# | 6/19/2037 | | | 53,135,000 | | | | 53,073,335 | |
Oaktree CLO Ltd. Series 2022-2a Class DR†(a) | | – | (b) | 7/15/2033 | | | 7,130,000 | | | | 7,130,000 | |
OCP CLO Ltd. Series 2016-12A Class AR2† | | 6.665% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.27% | )# | 4/18/2033 | | | 20,000,000 | | | | 19,867,963 | |
OHA Credit Funding 16 Ltd. Series 2023-16A Class C† | | 8.006% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.65% | )# | 10/20/2036 | | | 25,450,000 | | | | 25,550,992 | |
| | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 9 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Other (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Palmer Square CLO Ltd. Series 2023-4A Class C† | | 8.013% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.60% | )# | 10/20/2033 | | $ | 15,940,000 | | | $ | 15,989,797 | |
SEB Funding LLC Series 2021-1A Class A2† | | 4.969% | | 1/30/2052 | | | 38,369,835 | | | | 35,623,575 | |
Sixth Street CLO XXIII Ltd. Series 2023-23A Class C† | | 8.072% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.70% | )# | 10/23/2036 | | | 9,510,000 | | | | 9,542,304 | |
Sunrun Demeter Issuer LLC Series 2021-2A Class A† | | 2.27% | | 1/30/2057 | | | 26,305,174 | | | | 22,297,412 | |
Valley Stream Park CLO Ltd. Series 2022-1A Class CR† | | 8.066% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.65% | )# | 10/20/2034 | | | 7,725,000 | | | | 7,761,283 | |
Voya CLO Ltd. Series 2014-1 Class AAR2† | | 6.647% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.25% | )# | 4/18/2031 | | | 24,442,205 | | | | 24,423,874 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 679,386,201 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Rec Vehicle Loan 0.04% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Octane Receivables Trust Series 2022-2A Class A† | | 5.11% | | 2/22/2028 | | | 8,621,278 | | | | 8,563,687 | |
Total Asset-Backed Securities (cost $972,522,043) | | | | | | | | | | 966,694,989 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
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COMMON STOCKS 6.25% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Automobile Components 0.04% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Chassix Holdings, Inc. | | | | | | | 1,771,844 | | | | 7,530,339 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Banks 0.58% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BankUnited, Inc. | | | | | | | 741,838 | | | | 24,057,807 | |
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. Class A | | | | | | | 34,828 | | | | 49,419,887 | |
Zions Bancorp NA | | | | | | | 1,071,707 | | | | 47,015,786 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 120,493,480 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Broadline Retail 0.31% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
PDD Holdings, Inc. ADR* | | | | | | | 435,823 | | | | 63,765,263 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Building Products 0.11% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trane Technologies PLC (Ireland)(c) | | | | | | | 94,204 | | | | 22,976,356 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital Markets 0.75% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ARES Management Corp. Class A | | | | | | | 495,462 | | | | 58,920,341 | |
Blackstone, Inc. | | | | | | | 161,906 | | | | 21,196,734 | |
Blue Owl Capital, Inc. | | | | | | | 1,541,675 | | | | 22,970,957 | |
| |
10 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Shares | | | Fair Value | |
Capital Markets (continued) | | | | | | | | |
CME Group, Inc. | | | 94,613 | | | $ | 19,925,498 | |
Tradeweb Markets, Inc. Class A | | | 354,408 | | | | 32,208,599 | |
Total | | | | | | | 155,222,129 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Communications Equipment 0.21% | | | | | | | | |
Arista Networks, Inc.* | | | 189,513 | | | | 44,632,207 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 0.20% | | | | | | | | |
Casey’s General Stores, Inc. | | | 76,416 | | | | 20,994,532 | |
Target Corp. | | | 148,731 | | | | 21,182,269 | |
Total | | | | | | | 42,176,801 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Electric: Utilities 0.10% | | | | | | | | |
Talen Energy Supply LLC* | | | 322,592 | | | | 20,645,888 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Electrical Equipment 0.10% | | | | | | | | |
Vertiv Holdings Co. Class A | | | 428,322 | | | | 20,572,306 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Electric-Generation 0.00% | | | | | | | | |
Frontera Generation Holdings LLC | | | 125,994 | | | | 9,135 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Entertainment 0.16% | | | | | | | | |
Spotify Technology SA (Sweden)*(c) | | | 174,816 | | | | 32,849,675 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Ground Transportation 0.10% | | | | | | | | |
Uber Technologies, Inc.* | | | 335,489 | | | | 20,656,058 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Health Care Providers & Services 0.11% | | | | | | | | |
Molina Healthcare, Inc.* | | | 62,573 | | | | 22,608,251 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.10% | | | | | | | | |
Domino’s Pizza, Inc. | | | 51,780 | | | | 21,345,269 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 0.06% | | | | | | | | |
Talen Energy Corp.* | | | 198,593 | | | | 12,709,952 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Industrial REITS 0.11% | | | | | | | | |
Goodman Group(d) | | | 1,336,693 | | | | 23,013,655 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Information Technology Services 0.30% | | | | | | | | |
Gartner, Inc.* | | | 46,130 | | | | 20,809,704 | |
Snowflake, Inc. Class A* | | | 206,888 | | | | 41,170,712 | |
Total | | | | | | | 61,980,416 | |
| | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 11 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Shares | | | Fair Value | |
Insurance 0.10% | | | | | | | | |
Progressive Corp. | | | 127,259 | | | $ | 20,269,813 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Interactive Media & Services 0.11% | | | | | | | | |
Meta Platforms, Inc. Class A* | | | 63,643 | | | | 22,527,076 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Machinery 0.18% | | | | | | | | |
PACCAR, Inc. | | | 372,786 | | | | 36,402,553 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Miscellaneous Financials 0.03% | | | | | | | | |
Utex Industries | | | 113,840 | | | | 6,602,720 | (e) |
| | | | | | | | |
Office REITS 0.16% | | | | | | | | |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | | | 262,162 | | | | 33,234,277 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.09% | | | | | | | | |
MEG Energy Corp.*(d) | | | 1,076,222 | | | | 19,225,067 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Personal Care Products 0.06% | | | | | | | | |
Gibson Brands Private Equity | | | 106,902 | | | | 12,560,985 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Professional Services 0.30% | | | | | | | | |
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. | | | 323,804 | | | | 41,417,769 | |
Leidos Holdings, Inc. | | | 200,666 | | | | 21,720,088 | |
Total | | | | | | | 63,137,857 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.27% | | | | | | | | |
Broadcom, Inc. | | | 22,129 | | | | 24,701,496 | |
KLA Corp. | | | 53,481 | | | | 31,088,505 | |
Total | | | | | | | 55,790,001 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Software 0.73% | | | | | | | | |
Adobe, Inc.* | | | 35,518 | | | | 21,190,039 | |
Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc. Class A* | | | 80,478 | | | | 20,547,643 | |
Palantir Technologies, Inc. Class A* | | | 1,616,848 | | | | 27,761,280 | |
ServiceNow, Inc.* | | | 32,971 | | | | 23,293,682 | |
Synopsys, Inc.* | | | 112,885 | | | | 58,125,615 | |
Total | | | | | | | 150,918,259 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Specialized REITS 0.10% | | | | | | | | |
Equinix, Inc. | | | 25,419 | | | | 20,472,208 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Specialty Retail 0.02% | | | | | | | | |
Claire’s Holdings LLC | | | 15,164 | | | | 4,043,830 | |
| |
12 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | | | | | Shares | | | Fair Value | |
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 0.53% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Birkenstock Holding PLC (United Kingdom)*(c)(q) | | | | | | | 527,048 | | | $ | 25,683,049 | |
Cie Financiere Richemont SA Class A(d) | | | | | | | 150,201 | | | | 20,746,373 | |
Deckers Outdoor Corp.* | | | | | | | 30,121 | | | | 20,133,780 | |
Hermes International SCA(d) | | | | | | | 10,176 | | | | 21,629,237 | |
Moncler SpA(d) | | | | | | | 367,185 | | | | 22,607,340 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 110,799,779 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trading Companies & Distributors 0.22% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United Rentals, Inc. | | | | | | | 36,475 | | | | 20,915,495 | |
Watsco, Inc. | | | | | | | 58,007 | | | | 24,854,259 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 45,769,754 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transportation Infrastructure 0.01% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ACBL Holdings Corp. | | | | | | | 44,897 | | | | 1,908,122 | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $1,179,838,313) | | | | | | | | | | | 1,296,849,481 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | | Principal Amount | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CORPORATE BONDS 72.42% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Advertising 0.07% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.† | | 7.75% | | 4/15/2028 | | $ | 1,962,000 | | | | 1,693,509 | |
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.† | | 9.00% | | 9/15/2028 | | | 12,069,000 | | | | 12,602,329 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 14,295,838 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Aerospace/Defense 1.99% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Boeing Co. | | 5.15% | | 5/1/2030 | | | 21,720,000 | | | | 22,123,457 | |
Boeing Co. | | 5.805% | | 5/1/2050 | | | 42,883,000 | | | | 44,437,575 | |
Bombardier, Inc. (Canada)†(c) | | 6.00% | | 2/15/2028 | | | 20,954,000 | | | | 20,440,218 | |
Bombardier, Inc. (Canada)†(c) | | 7.125% | | 6/15/2026 | | | 24,117,000 | | | | 24,026,347 | |
Bombardier, Inc. (Canada)†(c) | | 7.50% | | 2/1/2029 | | | 34,016,000 | | | | 34,609,171 | |
HEICO Corp. | | 5.35% | | 8/1/2033 | | | 13,525,000 | | | | 13,855,206 | |
RTX Corp. | | 5.15% | | 2/27/2033 | | | 21,028,000 | | | | 21,440,315 | |
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. | | 4.60% | | 6/15/2028 | | | 15,375,000 | | | | 13,616,919 | |
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.† | | 9.375% | | 11/30/2029 | | | 19,860,000 | | | | 21,757,107 | |
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.† | | 9.75% | | 11/15/2030 | | | 23,677,000 | | | | 25,481,756 | |
TransDigm, Inc. | | 4.625% | | 1/15/2029 | | | 58,913,000 | | | | 55,348,763 | |
TransDigm, Inc. | | 5.50% | | 11/15/2027 | | | 77,736,000 | | | | 76,225,006 | |
Triumph Group, Inc.† | | 9.00% | | 3/15/2028 | | | 37,365,000 | | | | 39,778,592 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 413,140,432 | |
| | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 13 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Agriculture 0.68% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BAT Capital Corp. | | 7.75% | | 10/19/2032 | | $ | 20,427,000 | | | $ | 23,081,360 | |
Imperial Brands Finance PLC (United Kingdom)†(c) | | 6.125% | | 7/27/2027 | | | 31,330,000 | | | | 32,191,752 | |
JT International Financial Services BV (Netherlands)†(c) | | 6.875% | | 10/24/2032 | | | 12,475,000 | | | | 13,952,132 | |
Viterra Finance BV (Netherlands)†(c) | | 2.00% | | 4/21/2026 | | | 24,125,000 | | | | 22,410,050 | |
Viterra Finance BV (Netherlands)†(c) | | 3.20% | | 4/21/2031 | | | 27,334,000 | | | | 23,578,694 | |
Viterra Finance BV (Netherlands)†(c) | | 5.25% | | 4/21/2032 | | | 27,102,000 | | | | 26,424,883 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 141,638,871 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Airlines 2.44% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Air Canada (Canada)†(c) | | 3.875% | | 8/15/2026 | | | 44,809,000 | | | | 42,838,291 | |
Alaska Airlines Pass-Through Trust† | | 4.80% | | 2/15/2029 | | | 26,608,615 | | | | 25,894,685 | |
American Airlines Pass-Through Trust | | 3.00% | | 4/15/2030 | | | 11,811,198 | | | | 10,675,134 | |
American Airlines, Inc.† | | 7.25% | | 2/15/2028 | | | 16,554,000 | | | | 16,758,359 | |
American Airlines, Inc.† | | 8.50% | | 5/15/2029 | | | 22,273,000 | | | | 23,534,186 | |
American Airlines, Inc./AAdvantage Loyalty IP Ltd.† | | 5.75% | | 4/20/2029 | | | 122,306,103 | | | | 119,359,431 | |
Azul Secured Finance LLP† | | 11.93% | | 8/28/2028 | | | 24,643,000 | | | | 25,515,929 | |
British Airways Pass-Through Trust (United Kingdom)†(c) | | 3.30% | | 6/15/2034 | | | 13,006,442 | | | | 11,588,495 | |
British Airways Pass-Through Trust (United Kingdom)†(c) | | 4.25% | | 5/15/2034 | | | 9,711,675 | | | | 9,067,062 | |
Delta Air Lines, Inc./SkyMiles IP Ltd.† | | 4.75% | | 10/20/2028 | | | 34,083,000 | | | | 33,539,521 | |
Hawaiian Brand Intellectual Property Ltd./HawaiianMiles Loyalty Ltd.† | | 5.75% | | 1/20/2026 | | | 48,588,300 | | | | 45,817,142 | |
JetBlue Pass-Through Trust | | 2.95% | | 11/15/2029 | | | 10,914,100 | | | | 9,381,075 | |
JetBlue Pass-Through Trust | | 8.00% | | 11/15/2027 | | | 6,319,775 | | | | 6,370,644 | |
Mileage Plus Holdings LLC/Mileage Plus Intellectual Property Assets Ltd.† | | 6.50% | | 6/20/2027 | | | 18,208,400 | | | | 18,273,386 | |
United Airlines Pass-Through Trust | | 5.80% | | 7/15/2037 | | | 24,046,000 | | | | 24,479,016 | |
United Airlines Pass-Through Trust Series 2020-1 Class A | | 5.875% | | 4/15/2029 | | | 36,427,750 | | | | 36,922,978 | |
United Airlines, Inc.† | | 4.625% | | 4/15/2029 | | | 24,271,000 | | | | 22,724,462 | |
VistaJet Malta Finance PLC/Vista Management Holding, Inc. (Malta)†(c) | | 9.50% | | 6/1/2028 | | | 28,391,000 | | | | 24,062,434 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 506,802,230 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Auto Manufacturers 0.38% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allison Transmission, Inc.† | | 3.75% | | 1/30/2031 | | | 37,678,000 | | | | 33,330,324 | |
Aston Martin Capital Holdings Ltd. (Jersey)†(c) | | 10.50% | | 11/30/2025 | | | 22,950,000 | | | | 23,189,828 | |
Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC (United Kingdom)†(c) | | 5.875% | | 1/15/2028 | | | 23,500,000 | | | | 23,220,310 | |
NM Holdings Co. LLC(f) | | Zero Coupon | | 11/30/2024 | | | 10,000,000 | | | | 0 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 79,740,462 | |
| |
14 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Auto Parts & Equipment 0.36% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adient Global Holdings Ltd.† | | 7.00% | | 4/15/2028 | | $ | 15,501,000 | | | $ | 16,032,095 | |
Clarios Global LP/Clarios U.S. Finance Co.† | | 6.75% | | 5/15/2028 | | | 19,552,000 | | | | 19,959,464 | |
ZF North America Capital, Inc.† | | 6.875% | | 4/14/2028 | | | 21,422,000 | | | | 22,212,343 | |
ZF North America Capital, Inc.† | | 7.125% | | 4/14/2030 | | | 15,278,000 | | | | 16,301,000 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 74,504,902 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Banks 4.83% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ABN AMRO Bank NV (Netherlands)†(c) | | 3.324% (5 yr. CMT + 1.90% | )# | 3/13/2037 | | | 34,400,000 | | | | 27,498,408 | |
Alfa Bank AO Via Alfa Bond Issuance PLC (Ireland)(c) | | 5.50% (5 yr. CMT + 4.55% | # ) | 10/26/2031 | | | 51,057,000 | | | | 1 | (e) |
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (Australia)†(c) | | 6.742% | | 12/8/2032 | | | 49,324,000 | | | | 52,779,875 | |
Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM (Israel)(c) | | 7.129% (5 yr. CMT + 3.47% | )# | 7/18/2033 | | | 32,860,000 | | | | 32,354,613 | |
Bank of Ireland Group PLC (Ireland)†(c) | | 2.029% (1 yr. CMT + 1.10% | )# | 9/30/2027 | | | 22,014,000 | | | | 20,100,842 | |
Bank of Ireland Group PLC (Ireland)†(c) | | 6.253% (1 yr. CMT + 2.65% | )# | 9/16/2026 | | | 28,190,000 | | | | 28,521,595 | |
Bank OZK | | 2.75% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.09% | )# | 10/1/2031 | | | 39,957,000 | | | | 32,563,012 | |
BankUnited, Inc. | | 4.875% | | 11/17/2025 | | | 24,108,000 | | | | 23,529,875 | |
BBVA Bancomer SA† | | 8.45% (5 yr. CMT + 4.66% | )# | 6/29/2038 | | | 22,233,000 | | | | 23,725,168 | |
BNP Paribas SA (France)†(c) | | 5.894% (SOFR + 1.87% | )# | 12/5/2034 | | | 22,387,000 | | | | 23,405,930 | |
CaixaBank SA (Spain)†(c) | | 6.208% (SOFR + 2.70% | )# | 1/18/2029 | | | 54,842,000 | | | | 55,988,509 | |
Danske Bank AS (Denmark)†(c) | | 4.298% (1 yr. CMT + 1.75% | )# | 4/1/2028 | | | 22,215,000 | | | | 21,544,669 | |
Danske Bank AS (Denmark)†(c) | | 6.466% (1 yr. CMT + 2.10% | )# | 1/9/2026 | | | 28,192,000 | | | | 28,406,550 | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | 6.72% (SOFR + 3.18% | )# | 1/18/2029 | | | 42,171,000 | | | | 44,186,496 | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | 7.079% (SOFR + 3.65% | )# | 2/10/2034 | | | 54,127,000 | | | | 55,689,339 | |
Fifth Third Bancorp | | 6.339% (SOFR + 2.34% | )# | 7/27/2029 | | | 16,837,000 | | | | 17,537,244 | |
First Republic Bank | | 4.375% | | 8/1/2046 | | | 20,817,000 | | | | 1,301,062 | |
First Republic Bank | | 4.625% | | 2/13/2047 | | | 15,410,000 | | | | 886,075 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 15 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Banks (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
First-Citizens Bank & Trust Co. | | 6.125% | | 3/9/2028 | | $ | 50,320,000 | | | $ | 51,244,820 | |
Home BancShares, Inc. | | 3.125% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.82% | )# | 1/30/2032 | | | 22,552,000 | | | | 17,408,118 | |
KeyBank NA | | 5.85% | | 11/15/2027 | | | 16,351,000 | | | | 16,350,907 | |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC (United Kingdom)(c) | | 5.871% (1 yr. CMT + 1.70% | )# | 3/6/2029 | | | 20,198,000 | | | | 20,708,050 | |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC (United Kingdom)(c) | | 6.949% (SOFR + 1.56% | )# | 8/7/2027 | | | 29,301,000 | | | | 29,353,233 | |
M&T Bank Corp. | | 7.413% (SOFR + 2.80% | )# | 10/30/2029 | | | 13,512,000 | | | | 14,545,178 | |
Macquarie Bank Ltd. (United Kingdom)(c) | | 6.125% (5 yr. USD Swap + 3.70% | )# | – | (g) | | 4,553,000 | | | | 4,233,320 | |
Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. | | 4.70% | | 1/27/2028 | | | 22,259,000 | | | | 21,639,222 | |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (Japan)(c) | | 8.20% (5 yr. CMT + 3.29% | )# | – | (g) | | 13,125,000 | | | | 14,273,346 | |
NatWest Group PLC (United Kingdom)(c) | | 7.472% (1 yr. CMT + 2.85% | )# | 11/10/2026 | | | 37,004,000 | | | | 38,327,370 | |
Norinchukin Bank (Japan)†(c) | | 5.43% | | 3/9/2028 | | | 15,835,000 | | | | 16,169,900 | |
Standard Chartered PLC (United Kingdom)†(c) | | 7.767% (1 yr. CMT + 3.45% | )# | 11/16/2028 | | | 46,462,000 | | | | 50,210,115 | |
SVB Financial Group(h) | | 4.25% (5 yr. CMT + 3.07% | ) | – | (g) | | 78,029,000 | | | | 775,608 | |
UBS Group AG (Switzerland)†(c) | | 3.869% (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.41% | )# | 1/12/2029 | | | 69,530,000 | | | | 65,607,412 | |
UBS Group AG (Switzerland)†(c) | | 9.25% (5 yr. CMT + 4.75% | )# | – | (g) | | 24,151,000 | | | | 26,113,921 | |
UBS Group AG (Switzerland)†(c) | | 9.25% (5 yr. CMT + 4.76% | )# | – | (g) | | 13,301,000 | | | | 14,774,285 | |
UniCredit SpA (Italy)†(c) | | 7.296% (5 yr. USD ICE Swap + 4.91% | )# | 4/2/2034 | | | 45,208,000 | | | | 46,535,610 | |
Webster Financial Corp. | | 4.10% | | 3/25/2029 | | | 34,898,000 | | | | 32,105,423 | |
Western Alliance Bancorp | | 3.00% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.25% | )# | 6/15/2031 | | | 36,659,000 | | | | 31,984,977 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 1,002,380,078 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beverages 0.46% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bacardi Ltd.† | | 2.75% | | 7/15/2026 | | | 21,038,000 | | | | 19,831,319 | |
Bacardi Ltd.† | | 4.70% | | 5/15/2028 | | | 20,884,000 | | | | 20,481,078 | |
Bacardi Ltd./Bacardi-Martini BV† | | 5.25% | | 1/15/2029 | | | 18,031,000 | | | | 18,022,881 | |
Becle SAB de CV (Mexico)†(c) | | 2.50% | | 10/14/2031 | | | 18,025,000 | | | | 14,520,670 | |
Central American Bottling Corp./CBC Bottling Holdco SL/Beliv Holdco SL (Guatemala)†(c) | | 5.25% | | 4/27/2029 | | | 22,947,000 | | | | 21,573,368 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 94,429,316 | |
| |
16 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Building Materials 1.19% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Builders FirstSource, Inc.† | | 4.25% | | 2/1/2032 | | $ | 22,175,000 | | | $ | 20,034,789 | |
Builders FirstSource, Inc.† | | 6.375% | | 6/15/2032 | | | 21,666,000 | | | | 22,147,743 | |
Carrier Global Corp.† | | 5.90% | | 3/15/2034 | | | 7,415,000 | | | | 8,023,064 | |
Carrier Global Corp.† | | 6.20% | | 3/15/2054 | | | 7,894,000 | | | | 9,134,689 | |
Emerald Debt Merger Sub LLC† | | 6.625% | | 12/15/2030 | | | 56,012,000 | | | | 57,278,991 | |
Griffon Corp. | | 5.75% | | 3/1/2028 | | | 16,769,000 | | | | 16,497,091 | |
Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete LLC† | | 6.00% | | 11/1/2028 | | | 27,426,000 | | | | 27,043,254 | |
Standard Industries, Inc.† | | 4.375% | | 7/15/2030 | | | 27,103,000 | | | | 24,923,463 | |
Summit Materials LLC/Summit Materials Finance Corp.† | | 7.25% | | 1/15/2031 | | | 15,400,000 | | | | 16,236,667 | |
Trane Technologies Financing Ltd. (Ireland)(c) | | 5.25% | | 3/3/2033 | | | 22,499,000 | | | | 23,309,242 | |
Vulcan Materials Co. | | 4.50% | | 6/15/2047 | | | 24,390,000 | | | | 21,948,247 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 246,577,240 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Chemicals 1.79% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Albemarle Corp. | | 4.65% | | 6/1/2027 | | | 20,424,000 | | | | 20,067,955 | |
Ashland, Inc.† | | 3.375% | | 9/1/2031 | | | 27,085,000 | | | | 23,393,932 | |
Cabot Corp. | | 5.00% | | 6/30/2032 | | | 32,395,000 | | | | 31,942,509 | |
Celanese U.S. Holdings LLC | | 6.165% | | 7/15/2027 | | | 49,285,000 | | | | 50,562,460 | |
CF Industries, Inc.† | | 4.50% | | 12/1/2026 | | | 23,720,000 | | | | 23,212,913 | |
Ingevity Corp.† | | 3.875% | | 11/1/2028 | | | 24,342,000 | | | | 21,829,233 | |
OCI NV (Netherlands)†(c) | | 6.70% | | 3/16/2033 | | | 22,392,000 | | | | 22,889,438 | |
OCP SA (Malaysia)†(c) | | 3.75% | | 6/23/2031 | | | 43,718,000 | | | | 37,698,031 | |
Olin Corp. | | 5.00% | | 2/1/2030 | | | 22,985,000 | | | | 21,954,812 | |
Olin Corp. | | 5.125% | | 9/15/2027 | | | 10,819,000 | | | | 10,500,341 | |
Olympus Water U.S. Holding Corp.† | | 9.75% | | 11/15/2028 | | | 22,116,000 | | | | 23,501,413 | |
SCIH Salt Holdings, Inc.† | | 4.875% | | 5/1/2028 | | | 35,587,000 | | | | 33,329,231 | |
SCIH Salt Holdings, Inc.† | | 6.625% | | 5/1/2029 | | | 29,857,000 | | | | 27,903,513 | |
SK Invictus Intermediate II SARL (Luxembourg)†(c) | | 5.00% | | 10/30/2029 | | | 25,699,000 | | | | 22,322,151 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 371,107,932 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Coal 0.37% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
SunCoke Energy, Inc.† | | 4.875% | | 6/30/2029 | | | 24,865,000 | | | | 22,404,178 | |
Teck Resources Ltd. (Canada)(c) | | 3.90% | | 7/15/2030 | | | 39,750,000 | | | | 36,919,850 | |
Warrior Met Coal, Inc.† | | 7.875% | | 12/1/2028 | | | 17,451,000 | | | | 17,387,460 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 76,711,488 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 17 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Commercial Services 1.58% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd. (India)(c) | | 4.00% | | 7/30/2027 | | $ | 15,278,000 | | | $ | 13,621,177 | |
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd. (India)(c) | | 4.20% | | 8/4/2027 | | | 10,187,000 | | | | 9,161,577 | |
Allied Universal Holdco LLC/Allied Universal Finance Corp.† | | 6.625% | | 7/15/2026 | | | 13,541,000 | | | | 13,482,623 | |
Allied Universal Holdco LLC/Allied Universal Finance Corp./Atlas Luxco 4 Sarl (Luxembourg)†(c) | | 4.625% | | 6/1/2028 | | | 24,282,000 | | | | 22,102,359 | |
AMN Healthcare, Inc.† | | 4.625% | | 10/1/2027 | | | 17,092,000 | | | | 16,189,542 | |
Ashtead Capital, Inc.† | | 5.50% | | 8/11/2032 | | | 23,570,000 | | | | 23,304,701 | |
Ashtead Capital, Inc.† | | 5.55% | | 5/30/2033 | | | 17,598,000 | | | | 17,429,018 | |
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc.† | | 5.75% | | 7/15/2027 | | | 27,982,000 | | | | 27,160,015 | |
Brink’s Co.† | | 4.625% | | 10/15/2027 | | | 15,353,000 | | | | 14,649,693 | |
Garda World Security Corp. (Canada)†(c) | | 7.75% | | 2/15/2028 | | | 14,444,000 | | | | 14,958,629 | |
Gartner, Inc.† | | 3.625% | | 6/15/2029 | | | 34,280,000 | | | | 30,977,928 | |
GXO Logistics, Inc. | | 2.65% | | 7/15/2031 | | | 25,082,000 | | | | 20,600,994 | |
Herc Holdings, Inc.† | | 5.50% | | 7/15/2027 | | | 14,165,000 | | | | 13,997,456 | |
Hertz Corp. | | Zero Coupon | | 10/15/2024 | | | 16,775,000 | | | | 419,375 | |
Hertz Corp.† | | Zero Coupon | | 1/15/2028 | | | 33,436,000 | | | | 3,009,240 | |
ITR Concession Co. LLC† | | 5.183% | | 7/15/2035 | | | 12,438,000 | | | | 11,246,288 | |
NESCO Holdings II, Inc.† | | 5.50% | | 4/15/2029 | | | 23,478,000 | | | | 21,731,120 | |
Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc.† | | 3.375% | | 8/31/2027 | | | 24,250,000 | | | | 22,499,635 | |
United Rentals North America, Inc. | | 4.875% | | 1/15/2028 | | | 32,768,000 | | | | 32,014,660 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 328,556,030 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Computers 1.15% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. | | 5.95% | | 8/4/2033 | | | 22,536,000 | | | | 23,835,110 | |
Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc. | | 3.00% | | 2/15/2029 | | | 102,227,000 | | | | 92,498,230 | |
Fortinet, Inc. | | 2.20% | | 3/15/2031 | | | 17,352,000 | | | | 14,535,456 | |
McAfee Corp.† | | 7.375% | | 2/15/2030 | | | 26,054,000 | | | | 23,828,637 | |
NCR Atleos Corp.† | | 9.50% | | 4/1/2029 | | | 21,129,000 | | | | 22,467,962 | |
NCR Voyix Corp.† | | 5.125% | | 4/15/2029 | | | 22,314,000 | | | | 21,236,714 | |
NetApp, Inc. | | 2.70% | | 6/22/2030 | | | 10,143,000 | | | | 8,962,928 | |
Seagate HDD Cayman (Cayman Islands)†(c) | | 8.25% | | 12/15/2029 | | | 20,761,000 | | | | 22,406,558 | |
Seagate HDD Cayman (Cayman Islands)†(c) | | 8.50% | | 7/15/2031 | | | 9,019,000 | | | | 9,793,994 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 239,565,589 | |
18 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Distribution/Wholesale 0.89% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc.† | | 4.00% | | 1/15/2028 | | $ | 24,375,000 | | | $ | 23,093,289 | |
Ferguson Finance PLC (United Kingdom)†(c) | | 3.25% | | 6/2/2030 | | | 28,537,000 | | | | 25,552,374 | |
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.† | | 3.875% | | 12/15/2028 | | | 29,182,000 | | | | 26,556,218 | |
LKQ Corp. | | 6.25% | | 6/15/2033 | | | 27,041,000 | | | | 28,280,215 | |
Mitsubishi Corp. (Japan)†(c) | | 5.00% | | 7/5/2028 | | | 21,130,000 | | | | 21,423,832 | |
Ritchie Bros Holdings, Inc.† | | 6.75% | | 3/15/2028 | | | 9,887,000 | | | | 10,191,741 | |
Ritchie Bros Holdings, Inc.��� | | 7.75% | | 3/15/2031 | | | 21,911,000 | | | | 23,386,925 | |
Windsor Holdings III LLC† | | 8.50% | | 6/15/2030 | | | 25,292,000 | | | | 26,462,463 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 184,947,057 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diversified Financial Services 2.01% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AG Issuer LLC† | | 6.25% | | 3/1/2028 | | | 24,003,000 | | | | 23,886,199 | |
Aircastle Ltd.† | | 6.50% | | 7/18/2028 | | | 22,558,000 | | | | 23,029,356 | |
Ally Financial, Inc. | | 6.70% | | 2/14/2033 | | | 44,941,000 | | | | 45,040,641 | |
Apollo Global Management, Inc. | | 6.375% | | 11/15/2033 | | | 22,518,000 | | | | 24,270,793 | |
Ares Management Corp. | | 6.375% | | 11/10/2028 | | | 22,294,000 | | | | 23,389,588 | |
Avolon Holdings Funding Ltd. (Ireland)†(c) | | 4.25% | | 4/15/2026 | | | 34,177,000 | | | | 33,033,651 | |
Azul Secured Finance LLP† | | 11.50% | | 5/28/2029 | | | 38,391,638 | | | | 32,584,964 | |
Coinbase Global, Inc.† | | 3.375% | | 10/1/2028 | | | 25,402,000 | | | | 21,462,625 | |
Global Aircraft Leasing Co. Ltd. (Cayman Islands)†(c) | | 6.50% | | 9/15/2024 | | | 26,870,334 | | | | 24,770,298 | |
Hellas Telecommunications Luxembourg II SCA (Luxembourg)†(c)(h) | | 6.054% (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 5.75% | ) | 1/15/2015 | | | 15,000,000 | | | | – | (e)(i) |
Jane Street Group/JSG Finance, Inc.† | | 4.50% | | 11/15/2029 | | | 18,510,000 | | | | 17,281,638 | |
LPL Holdings, Inc.† | | 4.00% | | 3/15/2029 | | | 21,679,000 | | | | 20,086,821 | |
Navient Corp. | | 5.50% | | 3/15/2029 | | | 27,371,000 | | | | 25,270,749 | |
Navient Corp. | | 6.75% | | 6/15/2026 | | | 21,670,000 | | | | 22,044,089 | |
Neuberger Berman Group LLC/Neuberger Berman Finance Corp.† | | 4.875% | | 4/15/2045 | | | 25,846,000 | | | | 21,430,080 | |
PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.† | | 7.875% | | 12/15/2029 | | | 22,745,000 | | | | 23,445,592 | |
Synchrony Financial | | 7.25% | | 2/2/2033 | | | 35,946,000 | | | | 35,698,111 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 416,725,195 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electric 4.65% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ausgrid Finance Pty. Ltd. (Australia)†(c) | | 4.35% | | 8/1/2028 | | | 26,506,000 | | | | 25,605,659 | |
Calpine Corp.† | | 3.75% | | 3/1/2031 | | | 15,454,000 | | | | 13,572,502 | |
Calpine Corp.† | | 4.50% | | 2/15/2028 | | | 23,379,000 | | | | 22,251,541 | |
Calpine Corp.† | | 4.625% | | 2/1/2029 | | | 74,359,000 | | | | 69,138,730 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 19 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Electric (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Calpine Corp.† | | 5.125% | | 3/15/2028 | | $ | 27,994,000 | | | $ | 26,857,539 | |
Clearway Energy Operating LLC† | | 4.75% | | 3/15/2028 | | | 30,207,000 | | | | 29,125,103 | |
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co.† | | 3.50% | | 4/1/2028 | | | 21,815,000 | | | | 20,447,886 | |
Constellation Energy Generation LLC | | 5.60% | | 6/15/2042 | | | 21,992,000 | | | | 22,010,637 | |
Constellation Energy Generation LLC | | 5.80% | | 3/1/2033 | | | 32,152,000 | | | | 33,818,257 | |
Constellation Energy Generation LLC | | 6.25% | | 10/1/2039 | | | 42,389,000 | | | | 45,441,133 | |
Constellation Energy Generation LLC | | 6.50% | | 10/1/2053 | | | 15,050,000 | | | | 17,002,657 | |
FirstEnergy Corp. | | 4.15% | | 7/15/2027 | | | 50,315,000 | | | | 48,424,640 | |
Indianapolis Power & Light Co.† | | 5.65% | | 12/1/2032 | | | 16,371,000 | | | | 16,965,944 | |
ITC Holdings Corp.† | | 4.95% | | 9/22/2027 | | | 22,504,000 | | | | 22,641,458 | |
Minejesa Capital BV (Netherlands)†(c) | | 4.625% | | 8/10/2030 | | | 30,528,000 | | | | 29,039,760 | |
Minejesa Capital BV (Netherlands)(c) | | 5.625% | | 8/10/2037 | | | 3,192,000 | | | | 2,804,619 | |
NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP† | | 3.875% | | 10/15/2026 | | | 46,264,000 | | | | 44,083,814 | |
NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP† | | 4.50% | | 9/15/2027 | | | 35,216,000 | | | | 33,922,636 | |
NRG Energy, Inc. | | 5.75% | | 1/15/2028 | | | 5,474,000 | | | | 5,457,305 | |
NRG Energy, Inc.† | | 7.00% | | 3/15/2033 | | | 15,995,000 | | | | 16,924,789 | |
NRG Energy, Inc.† | | 10.25% (5 yr. CMT + 5.92% | )# | – | (g) | | 28,282,000 | | | | 29,472,135 | |
NSG Holdings LLC/NSG Holdings, Inc.† | | 7.75% | | 12/15/2025 | | | 1,131,520 | | | | 1,126,298 | |
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. | | 6.15% | | 1/15/2033 | | | 41,986,000 | | | | 43,566,696 | |
Palomino Funding Trust I† | | 7.233% | | 5/17/2028 | | | 44,964,000 | | | | 47,408,402 | |
Pattern Energy Operations LP/Pattern Energy Operations, Inc.† | | 4.50% | | 8/15/2028 | | | 26,956,000 | | | | 25,517,750 | |
PG&E Corp. | | 5.00% | | 7/1/2028 | | | 21,334,000 | | | | 20,770,915 | |
PG&E Corp. | | 5.25% | | 7/1/2030 | | | 22,743,000 | | | | 21,962,585 | |
Pike Corp.† | | 5.50% | | 9/1/2028 | | | 25,272,000 | | | | 24,107,214 | |
Pike Corp.† | | 8.625% | | 1/31/2031 | | | 15,092,000 | | | | 15,878,157 | |
Puget Energy, Inc. | | 4.10% | | 6/15/2030 | | | 26,045,000 | | | | 23,905,855 | |
Talen Energy Supply LLC† | | 8.625% | | 6/1/2030 | | | 24,852,000 | | | | 26,424,569 | |
Vistra Corp.† | | 7.00% (5 yr. CMT + 5.74% | )# | – | (g) | | 21,649,000 | | | | 21,353,924 | |
Vistra Operations Co. LLC† | | 4.375% | | 5/1/2029 | | | 77,332,000 | | | | 72,275,941 | |
Vistra Operations Co. LLC† | | 5.125% | | 5/13/2025 | | | 45,015,000 | | | | 44,605,368 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 963,912,418 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electronics 0.26% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Imola Merger Corp.† | | 4.75% | | 5/15/2029 | | | 18,106,000 | | | | 17,225,120 | |
Trimble, Inc. | | 6.10% | | 3/15/2033 | | | 34,118,000 | | | | 36,532,093 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 53,757,213 | |
20 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Energy-Alternate Sources 0.48% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
TerraForm Power Operating LLC† | | 4.75% | | 1/15/2030 | | $ | 23,420,000 | | | $ | 21,806,479 | |
TerraForm Power Operating LLC† | | 5.00% | | 1/31/2028 | | | 23,969,000 | | | | 23,302,987 | |
Topaz Solar Farms LLC† | | 5.75% | | 9/30/2039 | | | 54,225,159 | | | | 53,988,737 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 99,098,203 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Engineering & Construction 0.96% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen SA (Panama)†(c) | | 5.125% | | 8/11/2061 | | | 53,645,000 | | | | 40,916,383 | |
Brand Industrial Services, Inc.† | | 10.375% | | 8/1/2030 | | | 18,077,000 | | | | 19,139,566 | |
Fluor Corp. | | 4.25% | | 9/15/2028 | | | 42,965,000 | | | | 40,646,851 | |
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. | | 5.90% | | 3/1/2033 | | | 27,604,000 | | | | 28,207,198 | |
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. | | 6.35% | | 8/18/2028 | | | 19,835,000 | | | | 20,734,490 | |
MasTec, Inc.† | | 4.50% | | 8/15/2028 | | | 23,035,000 | | | | 21,660,175 | |
TAV Havalimanlari Holding AS (Turkey)†(c) | | 8.50% | | 12/7/2028 | | | 20,581,000 | | | | 21,090,380 | |
TopBuild Corp.† | | 4.125% | | 2/15/2032 | | | 8,500,000 | | | | 7,573,349 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 199,968,392 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Entertainment 2.05% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.† | | 10.00% | | 6/15/2026 | | | 25,427,858 | | | | 21,966,749 | |
Boyne USA, Inc.† | | 4.75% | | 5/15/2029 | | | 23,563,000 | | | | 22,183,495 | |
Caesars Entertainment, Inc.† | | 4.625% | | 10/15/2029 | | | 38,882,000 | | | | 35,119,645 | |
Caesars Entertainment, Inc.† | | 7.00% | | 2/15/2030 | | | 30,300,000 | | | | 31,089,678 | |
Churchill Downs, Inc.† | | 4.75% | | 1/15/2028 | | | 36,115,000 | | | | 34,635,036 | |
Churchill Downs, Inc.† | | 5.50% | | 4/1/2027 | | | 34,952,000 | | | | 34,612,085 | |
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.† | | 3.75% | | 1/15/2028 | | | 34,770,000 | | | | 32,513,168 | |
Merlin Entertainments Ltd. (United Kingdom)†(c) | | 5.75% | | 6/15/2026 | | | 26,904,000 | | | | 26,649,476 | |
Midwest Gaming Borrower LLC/Midwest Gaming Finance Corp.† | | 4.875% | | 5/1/2029 | | | 44,276,000 | | | | 41,225,605 | |
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority† | | 8.00% | | 2/1/2026 | | | 42,170,000 | | | | 39,827,035 | |
Resorts World Las Vegas LLC/RWLV Capital, Inc.† | | 4.625% | | 4/16/2029 | | | 42,245,000 | | | | 36,866,578 | |
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc.† | | 5.25% | | 8/15/2029 | | | 47,179,000 | | | | 44,158,887 | |
WMG Acquisition Corp.† | | 3.75% | | 12/1/2029 | | | 27,478,000 | | | | 25,051,021 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 425,898,458 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Environmental Control 0.26% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Madison IAQ LLC† | | 4.125% | | 6/30/2028 | | | 32,278,000 | | | | 29,377,512 | |
Madison IAQ LLC† | | 5.875% | | 6/30/2029 | | | 26,967,000 | | | | 23,793,353 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 53,170,865 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 21 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Food 1.44% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Albertsons Cos., Inc./Safeway, Inc./New Albertsons LP/Albertsons LLC† | | 3.50% | | 3/15/2029 | | $ | 48,449,000 | | | $ | 44,047,505 | |
Bellis Acquisition Co. PLC(d) | | 3.25% | | 2/16/2026 | | GBP | 27,281,000 | | | | 32,355,426 | |
Chobani LLC/Chobani Finance Corp., Inc.† | | 4.625% | | 11/15/2028 | | $ | 16,808,000 | | | | 15,732,282 | |
J M Smucker Co. | | 6.20% | | 11/15/2033 | | | 22,542,000 | | | | 24,598,305 | |
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.† | | 4.125% | | 1/31/2030 | | | 24,243,000 | | | | 22,372,660 | |
McCormick & Co., Inc. | | 4.95% | | 4/15/2033 | | | 25,143,000 | | | | 25,254,226 | |
Performance Food Group, Inc.† | | 4.25% | | 8/1/2029 | | | 13,541,000 | | | | 12,433,521 | |
Post Holdings, Inc.† | | 4.50% | | 9/15/2031 | | | 24,430,000 | | | | 21,926,445 | |
Post Holdings, Inc.† | | 4.625% | | 4/15/2030 | | | 45,332,000 | | | | 41,746,144 | |
Post Holdings, Inc.† | | 5.50% | | 12/15/2029 | | | 9,028,000 | | | | 8,708,525 | |
Smithfield Foods, Inc.† | | 5.20% | | 4/1/2029 | | | 28,037,000 | | | | 26,874,366 | |
U.S. Foods, Inc.† | | 4.75% | | 2/15/2029 | | | 24,298,000 | | | | 23,095,351 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 299,144,756 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gas 0.22% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Brooklyn Union Gas Co.† | | 3.407% | | 3/10/2026 | | | 22,726,000 | | | | 21,698,474 | |
Southwest Gas Corp. | | 4.05% | | 3/15/2032 | | | 26,234,000 | | | | 24,600,201 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 46,298,675 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Hand/Machine Tools 0.32% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Regal Rexnord Corp.† | | 6.40% | | 4/15/2033 | | | 63,120,000 | | | | 65,839,454 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Health Care-Products 0.67% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Alcon Finance Corp.† | | 2.60% | | 5/27/2030 | | | 25,587,000 | | | | 22,190,862 | |
Bausch & Lomb Escrow Corp. (Canada)†(c) | | 8.375% | | 10/1/2028 | | | 20,761,000 | | | | 21,927,560 | |
Boston Scientific Corp. | | 6.50% | | 11/15/2035 | | | 13,056,000 | | | | 14,767,089 | |
GE HealthCare Technologies, Inc. | | 6.377% | | 11/22/2052 | | | 12,938,000 | | | | 15,040,878 | |
Medline Borrower LP† | | 3.875% | | 4/1/2029 | | | 45,158,000 | | | | 40,883,985 | |
Medline Borrower LP† | | 5.25% | | 10/1/2029 | | | 25,194,000 | | | | 23,781,030 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 138,591,404 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Health Care-Services 3.59% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc.† | | 3.125% | | 2/15/2029 | | | 59,583,000 | | | | 52,209,604 | |
Centene Corp. | | 4.625% | | 12/15/2029 | | | 36,428,000 | | | | 34,970,239 | |
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.† | | 3.75% | | 3/15/2029 | | | 26,607,000 | | | | 24,394,792 | |
CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.† | | 4.75% | | 2/15/2031 | | | 103,117,000 | | | | 81,204,638 | |
CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.† | | 5.25% | | 5/15/2030 | | | 22,394,000 | | | | 18,760,047 | |
CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.† | | 6.875% | | 4/15/2029 | | | 16,253,000 | | | | 10,506,204 | |
DaVita, Inc.† | | 4.625% | | 6/1/2030 | | | 40,252,000 | | | | 35,175,208 | |
22 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | | Principal Amount | | | | Fair Value | |
Health Care-Services (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
HCA, Inc. | | 3.50% | | 9/1/2030 | | $ | 24,212,000 | | | $ | 21,955,317 | |
HCA, Inc. | | 5.50% | | 6/1/2033 | | | 22,533,000 | | | | 22,896,317 | |
HCA, Inc. | | 7.69% | | 6/15/2025 | | | 12,671,000 | | | | 13,098,159 | |
Heartland Dental LLC/Heartland Dental Finance Corp.† | | 8.50% | | 5/1/2026 | | | 23,386,000 | | | | 23,154,946 | |
IQVIA, Inc.† | | 6.25% | | 2/1/2029 | | | 14,232,000 | | | | 14,875,244 | |
LifePoint Health, Inc.† | | 9.875% | | 8/15/2030 | | | 22,545,000 | | | | 22,811,948 | |
LifePoint Health, Inc.† | | 11.00% | | 10/15/2030 | | | 25,695,000 | | | | 27,092,859 | |
Molina Healthcare, Inc.† | | 3.875% | | 11/15/2030 | | | 41,142,000 | | | | 37,029,092 | |
Molina Healthcare, Inc.† | | 3.875% | | 5/15/2032 | | | 40,412,000 | | | | 35,356,612 | |
Montefiore Obligated Group | | 5.246% | | 11/1/2048 | | | 42,910,000 | | | | 32,619,207 | |
RegionalCare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc./LifePoint Health, Inc.† | | 9.75% | | 12/1/2026 | | | 11,747,000 | | | | 11,667,183 | |
Select Medical Corp.† | | 6.25% | | 8/15/2026 | | | 20,064,000 | | | | 20,177,241 | |
Star Parent, Inc.† | | 9.00% | | 10/1/2030 | | | 36,595,000 | | | | 38,611,494 | |
Tenet Healthcare Corp. | | 4.25% | | 6/1/2029 | | | 23,435,000 | | | | 21,843,478 | |
Tenet Healthcare Corp. | | 4.375% | | 1/15/2030 | | | 27,941,000 | | | | 25,924,202 | |
Tenet Healthcare Corp. | | 6.125% | | 10/1/2028 | | | 68,563,000 | | | | 68,429,302 | |
Tenet Healthcare Corp. | | 6.125% | | 6/15/2030 | | | 24,534,000 | | | | 24,836,676 | |
Tenet Healthcare Corp.† | | 6.75% | | 5/15/2031 | | | 25,561,000 | | | | 26,156,571 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 745,756,580 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Holding Companies-Diversified 0.11% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Benteler International AG (Austria)†(c) | | 10.50% | | 5/15/2028 | | | 21,318,000 | | | | 22,473,969 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Home Builders 0.23% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
PulteGroup, Inc. | | 6.375% | | 5/15/2033 | | | 23,447,000 | | | | 25,643,685 | |
Toll Brothers Finance Corp. | | 4.35% | | 2/15/2028 | | | 22,468,000 | | | | 21,975,801 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 47,619,486 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Home Furnishings 0.09% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Leggett & Platt, Inc. | | 4.40% | | 3/15/2029 | | | 19,665,000 | | | | 19,033,176 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance 1.54% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Alliant Holdings Intermediate LLC/Alliant Holdings Co-Issuer† | | 6.75% | | 10/15/2027 | | | 29,808,000 | | | | 29,733,480 | |
Alliant Holdings Intermediate LLC/Alliant Holdings Co-Issuer† | | 6.75% | | 4/15/2028 | | | 52,893,000 | | | | 54,144,184 | |
Arch Capital Finance LLC | | 4.011% | | 12/15/2026 | | | 20,230,000 | | | | 19,660,948 | |
Arthur J Gallagher & Co. | | 6.75% | | 2/15/2054 | | | 13,542,000 | | | | 15,840,350 | |
Athene Holding Ltd. | | 5.875% | | 1/15/2034 | | | 34,626,000 | | | | 34,981,841 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 23 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Insurance (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AXIS Specialty Finance PLC (United Kingdom)(c) | | 5.15% | | 4/1/2045 | | $ | 20,919,000 | | | $ | 18,574,183 | |
Brown & Brown, Inc. | | 2.375% | | 3/15/2031 | | | 26,299,000 | | | | 21,579,447 | |
HUB International Ltd.† | | 7.25% | | 6/15/2030 | | | 31,554,000 | | | | 33,349,580 | |
Jones Deslauriers Insurance Management, Inc. (Canada)†(c) | | 8.50% | | 3/15/2030 | | | 10,819,000 | | | | 11,375,043 | |
PartnerRe Finance B LLC | | 3.70% | | 7/2/2029 | | | 19,224,000 | | | | 18,216,242 | |
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. | | 5.75% | | 6/5/2033 | | | 32,586,000 | | | | 32,885,285 | |
Selective Insurance Group, Inc. | | 5.375% | | 3/1/2049 | | | 10,049,000 | | | | 9,671,769 | |
Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. | | 8.00% | | 11/30/2039 | | | 15,659,000 | | | | 20,307,851 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 320,320,203 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Internet 0.44% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EquipmentShare.com, Inc.† | | 9.00% | | 5/15/2028 | | | 35,000,000 | | | | 36,053,500 | |
Gen Digital, Inc.† | | 6.75% | | 9/30/2027 | | | 22,453,000 | | | | 22,856,121 | |
Go Daddy Operating Co. LLC/GD Finance Co., Inc.† | | 5.25% | | 12/1/2027 | | | 11,283,000 | | | | 11,066,628 | |
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China)†(c) | | 3.925% | | 1/19/2038 | | | 24,722,000 | | | | 21,043,188 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 91,019,437 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment Companies 0.17% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ARES Capital Corp. | | 7.00% | | 1/15/2027 | | | 34,688,000 | | | | 35,699,870 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Iron-Steel 0.74% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ArcelorMittal SA (Luxembourg)(c) | | 6.55% | | 11/29/2027 | | | 32,288,000 | | | | 33,928,372 | |
Baffinland Iron Mines Corp./Baffinland Iron Mines LP (Canada)†(c) | | 8.75% | | 7/15/2026 | | | 21,555,000 | | | | 20,201,558 | |
Commercial Metals Co. | | 4.375% | | 3/15/2032 | | | 15,677,000 | | | | 14,090,967 | |
Mineral Resources Ltd. (Australia)†(c) | | 8.50% | | 5/1/2030 | | | 36,051,000 | | | | 37,627,912 | |
Steel Dynamics, Inc. | | 3.45% | | 4/15/2030 | | | 24,560,000 | | | | 22,686,219 | |
U.S. Steel Corp. | | 6.875% | | 3/1/2029 | | | 24,139,000 | | | | 24,724,588 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 153,259,616 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Leisure Time 2.03% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Carnival Corp.† | | 4.00% | | 8/1/2028 | | | 47,988,000 | | | | 44,646,255 | |
Carnival Corp.† | | 5.75% | | 3/1/2027 | | | 49,676,000 | | | | 48,492,891 | |
Carnival Corp.† | | 6.00% | | 5/1/2029 | | | 22,550,000 | | | | 21,714,985 | |
Carnival Holdings Bermuda Ltd.† | | 10.375% | | 5/1/2028 | | | 23,092,000 | | | | 25,151,668 | |
NCL Corp. Ltd.† | | 5.875% | | 3/15/2026 | | | 34,273,000 | | | | 33,513,944 | |
NCL Corp. Ltd.† | | 5.875% | | 2/15/2027 | | | 36,990,000 | | | | 36,693,799 | |
NCL Corp. Ltd.† | | 8.375% | | 2/1/2028 | | | 12,109,000 | | | | 12,829,728 | |
Polaris, Inc. | | 6.95% | | 3/15/2029 | | | 44,484,000 | | | | 47,361,891 | |
24 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Leisure Time (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.† | | 5.50% | | 8/31/2026 | | $ | 23,950,000 | | | $ | 23,729,013 | |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.† | | 7.25% | | 1/15/2030 | | | 56,436,000 | | | | 58,975,902 | |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.† | | 9.25% | | 1/15/2029 | | | 35,068,000 | | | | 37,742,917 | |
Viking Cruises Ltd.† | | 5.875% | | 9/15/2027 | | | 27,088,000 | | | | 26,163,622 | |
Viking Ocean Cruises Ship VII Ltd.† | | 5.625% | | 2/15/2029 | | | 4,600,000 | | | | 4,488,956 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 421,505,571 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lodging 1.66% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Genting New York LLC/GENNY Capital, Inc.† | | 3.30% | | 2/15/2026 | | | 27,745,000 | | | | 25,286,194 | |
Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.† | | 3.75% | | 5/1/2029 | | | 25,286,000 | | | | 23,469,656 | |
Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc. | | 4.875% | | 1/15/2030 | | | 47,543,000 | | | | 46,125,596 | |
Las Vegas Sands Corp. | | 3.50% | | 8/18/2026 | | | 35,861,000 | | | | 34,206,434 | |
Marriott International, Inc. | | 3.50% | | 10/15/2032 | | | 23,858,000 | | | | 21,282,708 | |
MGM China Holdings Ltd. (Macau)†(c) | | 5.875% | | 5/15/2026 | | | 23,450,000 | | | | 22,974,854 | |
Sands China Ltd. (Macau)(c) | | 3.10% | | 3/8/2029 | | | 57,502,000 | | | | 50,184,359 | |
Sands China Ltd. (Macau)(c) | | 4.625% | | 6/18/2030 | | | 35,200,000 | | | | 32,075,366 | |
Sands China Ltd. (Macau)(c) | | 5.65% | | 8/8/2028 | | | 25,193,000 | | | | 24,998,346 | |
Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp.† | | 5.25% | | 5/15/2027 | | | 43,134,000 | | | | 42,009,212 | |
Wynn Macau Ltd. (Macau)†(c) | | 5.50% | | 10/1/2027 | | | 23,813,000 | | | | 22,515,599 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 345,128,324 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Machinery: Construction & Mining 0.08% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Vertiv Group Corp.† | | 4.125% | | 11/15/2028 | | | 18,160,000 | | | | 17,049,414 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Machinery-Diversified 0.79% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Chart Industries, Inc.† | | 7.50% | | 1/1/2030 | | | 26,440,000 | | | | 27,669,381 | |
nVent Finance Sarl (Luxembourg)(c) | | 5.65% | | 5/15/2033 | | | 36,050,000 | | | | 36,658,132 | |
nVent Finance SARL (Luxembourg)(c) | | 2.75% | | 11/15/2031 | | | 20,244,000 | | | | 16,592,055 | |
SPX FLOW, Inc.† | | 8.75% | | 4/1/2030 | | | 17,647,000 | | | | 17,667,294 | |
TK Elevator U.S. Newco, Inc.† | | 5.25% | | 7/15/2027 | | | 46,174,000 | | | | 45,390,749 | |
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp. | | 3.45% | | 11/15/2026 | | | 20,980,000 | | | | 20,080,879 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 164,058,490 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Media 2.94% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AMC Networks, Inc. | | 4.25% | | 2/15/2029 | | | 18,738,000 | | | | 14,315,957 | |
Cable One, Inc.† | | 4.00% | | 11/15/2030 | | | 26,482,000 | | | | 21,473,809 | |
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.† | | 4.50% | | 8/15/2030 | | | 30,808,000 | | | | 27,814,054 | |
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.† | | 5.00% | | 2/1/2028 | | | 34,678,000 | | | | 33,206,356 | |
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.† | | 5.375% | | 6/1/2029 | | | 64,924,000 | | | | 61,287,042 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 25 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Media (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.† | | 6.375% | | 9/1/2029 | | $ | 32,585,000 | | | $ | 32,177,450 | |
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.† | | 7.375% | | 3/1/2031 | | | 41,519,000 | | | | 42,639,556 | |
DISH Network Corp.† | | 11.75% | | 11/15/2027 | | | 115,385,000 | | | | 120,539,479 | |
FactSet Research Systems, Inc. | | 3.45% | | 3/1/2032 | | | 23,698,000 | | | | 21,241,899 | |
Gray Escrow II, Inc.† | | 5.375% | | 11/15/2031 | | | 29,785,000 | | | | 22,505,495 | |
LCPR Senior Secured Financing DAC (Ireland)†(c) | | 6.75% | | 10/15/2027 | | | 22,575,000 | | | | 22,133,997 | |
News Corp.† | | 3.875% | | 5/15/2029 | | | 21,928,000 | | | | 20,184,170 | |
Nexstar Media, Inc.† | | 4.75% | | 11/1/2028 | | | 25,187,000 | | | | 23,229,597 | |
Nexstar Media, Inc.† | | 5.625% | | 7/15/2027 | | | 23,466,000 | | | | 22,710,062 | |
Univision Communications, Inc.† | | 4.50% | | 5/1/2029 | | | 40,601,000 | | | | 36,272,231 | |
UPC Broadband Finco BV (Netherlands)†(c) | | 4.875% | | 7/15/2031 | | | 53,571,000 | | | | 47,213,194 | |
VZ Secured Financing BV (Netherlands)†(c) | | 5.00% | | 1/15/2032 | | | 49,172,000 | | | | 42,039,429 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 610,983,777 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Metal Fabricate-Hardware 0.21% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Roller Bearing Co. of America, Inc.† | | 4.375% | | 10/15/2029 | | | 46,574,000 | | | | 43,159,196 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mining 1.71% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Anglo American Capital PLC (United Kingdom)†(c) | | 5.625% | | 4/1/2030 | | | 22,140,000 | | | | 22,496,531 | |
FMG Resources August 2006 Pty. Ltd. (Australia)†(c) | | 4.375% | | 4/1/2031 | | | 76,481,000 | | | | 70,063,770 | |
FMG Resources August 2006 Pty. Ltd. (Australia)†(c) | | 6.125% | | 4/15/2032 | | | 28,083,000 | | | | 28,324,345 | |
Freeport Indonesia PT (Indonesia)(c) | | 6.20% | | 4/14/2052 | | | 17,767,000 | | | | 17,655,956 | |
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. | | 5.40% | | 11/14/2034 | | | 34,970,000 | | | | 35,251,369 | |
Glencore Funding LLC† | | 2.50% | | 9/1/2030 | | | 24,268,000 | | | | 20,839,736 | |
Hecla Mining Co. | | 7.25% | | 2/15/2028 | | | 25,372,000 | | | | 25,517,869 | |
Kaiser Aluminum Corp.† | | 4.50% | | 6/1/2031 | | | 29,297,000 | | | | 25,301,543 | |
Kinross Gold Corp. (Canada)†(c) | | 6.25% | | 7/15/2033 | | | 36,065,000 | | | | 37,834,050 | |
Mirabela Nickel Ltd. | | Zero Coupon | | 9/10/2044 | | | 185,297 | | | | – | (e) |
Novelis Corp.† | | 4.75% | | 1/30/2030 | | | 36,313,000 | | | | 34,208,789 | |
WE Soda Investments Holding PLC (United Kingdom)†(c) | | 9.50% | | 10/6/2028 | | | 35,318,000 | | | | 36,547,066 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 354,041,024 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Miscellaneous Manufacturing 0.11% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Hillenbrand, Inc. | | 3.75% | | 3/1/2031 | | | 25,244,000 | | | | 21,884,565 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Oil & Gas 10.07% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Antero Resources Corp.† | | 5.375% | | 3/1/2030 | | | 97,896,000 | | | | 93,945,955 | |
Apache Corp. | | 4.25% | | 1/15/2030 | | | 22,054,000 | | | | 20,631,872 | |
Apache Corp. | | 4.75% | | 4/15/2043 | | | 46,044,000 | | | | 36,308,540 | |
26 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Oil & Gas (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Apache Corp. | | 5.10% | | 9/1/2040 | | $ | 49,056,000 | | | $ | 42,108,444 | |
Baytex Energy Corp. (Canada)†(c) | | 8.50% | | 4/30/2030 | | | 22,755,000 | | | | 23,568,946 | |
Borr IHC Ltd./Borr Finance LLC† | | 10.00% | | 11/15/2028 | | | 27,320,000 | | | | 28,549,400 | |
Callon Petroleum Co. | | 6.375% | | 7/1/2026 | | | 39,452,000 | | | | 39,380,667 | |
Callon Petroleum Co.† | | 8.00% | | 8/1/2028 | | | 35,641,000 | | | | 36,439,109 | |
Cenovus Energy, Inc. (Canada)(c) | | 3.75% | | 2/15/2052 | | | 15,891,000 | | | | 11,719,296 | |
Cenovus Energy, Inc. (Canada)(c) | | 5.40% | | 6/15/2047 | | | 71,382,000 | | | | 67,550,051 | |
Chesapeake Energy Corp.† | | 6.75% | | 4/15/2029 | | | 42,762,000 | | | | 43,205,570 | |
CITGO Petroleum Corp.† | | 7.00% | | 6/15/2025 | | | 22,960,000 | | | | 22,942,259 | |
CITGO Petroleum Corp.† | | 8.375% | | 1/15/2029 | | | 28,033,000 | | | | 28,850,162 | |
Civitas Resources, Inc.† | | 8.625% | | 11/1/2030 | | | 19,449,000 | | | | 20,646,417 | |
Civitas Resources, Inc.† | | 8.75% | | 7/1/2031 | | | 26,928,000 | | | | 28,699,782 | |
CNX Resources Corp.† | | 7.25% | | 3/14/2027 | | | 20,959,000 | | | | 21,183,387 | |
Comstock Resources, Inc.† | | 6.75% | | 3/1/2029 | | | 36,417,000 | | | | 33,349,676 | |
Continental Resources, Inc. | | 4.375% | | 1/15/2028 | | | 33,808,000 | | | | 32,760,745 | |
Continental Resources, Inc.† | | 5.75% | | 1/15/2031 | | | 33,154,000 | | | | 33,026,566 | |
Crescent Energy Finance LLC† | | 7.25% | | 5/1/2026 | | | 37,074,000 | | | | 37,340,574 | |
Crescent Energy Finance LLC† | | 9.25% | | 2/15/2028 | | | 20,444,000 | | | | 21,227,721 | |
Diamond Foreign Asset Co./Diamond Finance LLC (Cayman Islands)†(c) | | 8.50% | | 10/1/2030 | | | 20,793,000 | | | | 21,280,533 | |
Diamondback Energy, Inc. | | 3.50% | | 12/1/2029 | | | 22,379,000 | | | | 20,798,679 | |
Ecopetrol SA (Colombia)(c) | | 5.875% | | 5/28/2045 | | | 59,957,000 | | | | 47,426,880 | |
Encino Acquisition Partners Holdings LLC† | | 8.50% | | 5/1/2028 | | | 33,746,000 | | | | 33,275,918 | |
Endeavor Energy Resources LP/EER Finance, Inc.† | | 5.75% | | 1/30/2028 | | | 56,642,000 | | | | 56,730,857 | |
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | | 2.90% | | 9/29/2031 | | | 26,951,000 | | | | 22,673,587 | |
Kosmos Energy Ltd.† | | 7.75% | | 5/1/2027 | | | 43,319,000 | | | | 40,405,032 | |
Matador Resources Co. | | 5.875% | | 9/15/2026 | | | 20,308,000 | | | | 20,157,179 | |
Matador Resources Co.† | | 6.875% | | 4/15/2028 | | | 43,709,000 | | | | 44,377,557 | |
MC Brazil Downstream Trading SARL (Luxembourg)†(c) | | 7.25% | | 6/30/2031 | | | 41,976,868 | | | | 32,949,323 | |
MEG Energy Corp. (Canada)†(c) | | 5.875% | | 2/1/2029 | | | 57,133,000 | | | | 55,576,246 | |
Murphy Oil Corp. | | 5.875% | | 12/1/2027 | | | 10,907,000 | | | | 10,861,569 | |
Murphy Oil Corp. | | 6.375% | | 7/15/2028 | | | 17,033,000 | | | | 17,127,073 | |
Nabors Industries, Inc.† | | 7.375% | | 5/15/2027 | | | 22,606,000 | | | | 22,170,683 | |
Noble Finance II LLC† | | 8.00% | | 4/15/2030 | | | 19,533,000 | | | | 20,341,627 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | 6.125% | | 1/1/2031 | | | 24,401,000 | | | | 25,362,578 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | 6.625% | | 9/1/2030 | | | 19,846,000 | | | | 21,130,632 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | 7.50% | | 5/1/2031 | | | 18,501,000 | | | | 20,769,963 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 27 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Oil & Gas (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | 8.875% | | 7/15/2030 | | $ | 17,825,000 | | | $ | 20,879,563 | |
OGX Austria GmbH (Brazil)†(c)(h) | | 8.50% | | 6/1/2018 | | | 20,000,000 | | | | 400 | |
OQ SAOC (Oman)†(c) | | 5.125% | | 5/6/2028 | | | 35,991,000 | | | | 35,657,975 | |
Ovintiv, Inc. | | 6.50% | | 2/1/2038 | | | 35,442,000 | | | | 36,622,841 | |
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. | | 5.15% | | 11/15/2029 | | | 29,814,000 | | | | 28,471,132 | |
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. | | 7.15% | | 10/1/2033 | | | 23,666,000 | | | | 25,094,880 | |
Permian Resources Operating LLC† | | 5.375% | | 1/15/2026 | | | 20,285,000 | | | | 20,032,821 | |
Permian Resources Operating LLC† | | 6.875% | | 4/1/2027 | | | 19,848,000 | | | | 19,856,130 | |
Petroleos Mexicanos (Mexico)(c) | | 5.35% | | 2/12/2028 | | | 30,987,000 | | | | 26,902,244 | |
Petroleos Mexicanos (Mexico)(c) | | 10.00% | | 2/7/2033 | | | 42,742,000 | | | | 42,963,489 | |
Precision Drilling Corp. (Canada)†(c) | | 6.875% | | 1/15/2029 | | | 25,184,000 | | | | 24,313,011 | |
Range Resources Corp.† | | 4.75% | | 2/15/2030 | | | 54,135,000 | | | | 50,101,672 | |
Rockcliff Energy II LLC† | | 5.50% | | 10/15/2029 | | | 26,449,000 | | | | 25,032,743 | |
Seadrill Finance Ltd.† | | 8.375% | | 8/1/2030 | | | 21,159,000 | | | | 22,093,487 | |
SM Energy Co. | | 6.625% | | 1/15/2027 | | | 87,786,000 | | | | 87,378,877 | |
SM Energy Co. | | 6.75% | | 9/15/2026 | | | 10,060,000 | | | | 10,042,704 | |
Southwestern Energy Co. | | 5.375% | | 2/1/2029 | | | 25,852,000 | | | | 25,253,617 | |
Southwestern Energy Co. | | 5.375% | | 3/15/2030 | | | 35,900,000 | | | | 35,097,538 | |
Suncor Energy, Inc. (Canada)(c) | | 7.15% | | 2/1/2032 | | | 28,398,000 | | | | 31,706,595 | |
Texaco Capital, Inc. | | 8.625% | | 11/15/2031 | | | 10,933,000 | | | | 13,753,085 | |
Transocean, Inc.† | | 8.75% | | 2/15/2030 | | | 57,494,000 | | | | 60,113,167 | |
Vermilion Energy, Inc. (Canada)†(c) | | 6.875% | | 5/1/2030 | | | 20,774,000 | | | | 19,970,946 | |
Viper Energy, Inc.† | | 5.375% | | 11/1/2027 | | | 37,638,000 | | | | 37,000,304 | |
Viper Energy, Inc.† | | 7.375% | | 11/1/2031 | | | 15,232,000 | | | | 15,782,332 | |
Vital Energy, Inc.† | | 7.75% | | 7/31/2029 | | | 35,741,000 | | | | 34,210,517 | |
Vital Energy, Inc. | | 9.75% | | 10/15/2030 | | | 11,987,000 | | | | 12,435,625 | |
Vital Energy, Inc. | | 10.125% | | 1/15/2028 | | | 69,305,000 | | | | 71,267,302 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 2,088,886,052 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Oil & Gas Services 0.52% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Oceaneering International, Inc. | | 6.00% | | 2/1/2028 | | | 38,139,000 | | | | 37,010,467 | |
USA Compression Partners LP/USA Compression Finance Corp. | | 6.875% | | 9/1/2027 | | | 27,040,000 | | | | 26,749,104 | |
Weatherford International Ltd.† | | 8.625% | | 4/30/2030 | | | 41,472,000 | | | | 43,336,747 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 107,096,318 | |
28 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Packaging & Containers 1.08% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance USA LLC/Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance PLC† | | 3.25% | | 9/1/2028 | | $ | 10,909,000 | | | $ | 9,556,048 | |
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc. (Ireland)†(c) | | 4.125% | | 8/15/2026 | | | 22,644,000 | | | | 20,681,784 | |
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc. (Ireland)†(c) | | 5.25% | | 8/15/2027 | | | 12,393,000 | | | | 9,642,246 | |
Ball Corp. | | 6.875% | | 3/15/2028 | | | 21,490,000 | | | | 22,340,295 | |
LABL, Inc.† | | 6.75% | | 7/15/2026 | | | 19,868,000 | | | | 19,342,078 | |
LABL, Inc.† | | 10.50% | | 7/15/2027 | | | 8,001,000 | | | | 7,682,367 | |
Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co.† | | 7.875% | | 8/15/2026 | | | 38,298,000 | | | | 39,009,615 | |
Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co.† | | 9.25% | | 4/15/2027 | | | 22,571,000 | | | | 22,179,165 | |
Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc.† | | 7.25% | | 5/15/2031 | | | 21,876,000 | | | | 22,207,203 | |
Pactiv Evergreen Group Issuer, Inc./Pactiv Evergreen Group Issuer LLC† | | 4.00% | | 10/15/2027 | | | 5,307,000 | | | | 4,965,362 | |
Sealed Air Corp.† | | 6.875% | | 7/15/2033 | | | 22,562,000 | | | | 23,956,467 | |
Trivium Packaging Finance BV (Netherlands)†(c) | | 5.50% | | 8/15/2026 | | | 22,373,000 | | | | 21,973,729 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 223,536,359 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pharmaceuticals 0.35% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BellRing Brands, Inc.† | | 7.00% | | 3/15/2030 | | | 31,670,000 | | | | 32,803,311 | |
Perrigo Finance Unlimited Co. (Ireland)(c) | | 4.65% | | 6/15/2030 | | | 24,024,000 | | | | 21,882,952 | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV (Netherlands)(c) | | 3.15% | | 10/1/2026 | | | 18,678,000 | | | | 17,307,681 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 71,993,944 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pipelines 3.17% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline LLC (United Arab Emirates)†(c) | | 4.60% | | 11/2/2047 | | | 22,835,000 | | | | 21,025,874 | |
AI Candelaria Spain SA (Spain)†(c) | | 5.75% | | 6/15/2033 | | | 30,777,000 | | | | 23,896,494 | |
AI Candelaria Spain SA (Spain)†(c) | | 7.50% | | 12/15/2028 | | | 20,943,682 | | | | 19,869,062 | |
Cheniere Energy Partners LP | | 3.25% | | 1/31/2032 | | | 30,486,000 | | | | 26,012,387 | |
Colonial Enterprises, Inc.† | | 3.25% | | 5/15/2030 | | | 19,028,000 | | | | 17,301,078 | |
Columbia Pipelines Operating Co. LLC† | | 5.927% | | 8/15/2030 | | | 12,880,000 | | | | 13,328,126 | |
CQP Holdco LP/BIP-V Chinook Holdco LLC† | | 5.50% | | 6/15/2031 | | | 47,805,000 | | | | 45,367,394 | |
DT Midstream, Inc.† | | 4.30% | | 4/15/2032 | | | 27,064,000 | | | | 24,364,907 | |
EQM Midstream Partners LP† | | 6.50% | | 7/1/2027 | | | 30,292,000 | | | | 30,863,216 | |
Galaxy Pipeline Assets Bidco Ltd. (United Arab Emirates)†(c) | | 3.25% | | 9/30/2040 | | | 15,515,000 | | | | 12,199,528 | |
Greensaif Pipelines Bidco SARL (Luxembourg)†(c) | | 6.129% | | 2/23/2038 | | | 16,331,000 | | | | 17,053,949 | |
Hess Midstream Operations LP† | | 5.125% | | 6/15/2028 | | | 17,974,000 | | | | 17,357,890 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 29 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Pipelines (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Kinder Morgan, Inc. | | 5.20% | | 6/1/2033 | | $ | 20,771,000 | | | $ | 20,657,313 | |
Magellan Midstream Partners LP | | 3.95% | | 3/1/2050 | | | 15,796,000 | | | | 12,095,829 | |
NGPL PipeCo LLC† | | 3.25% | | 7/15/2031 | | | 24,487,000 | | | | 21,274,474 | |
NGPL PipeCo LLC† | | 4.875% | | 8/15/2027 | | | 24,928,000 | | | | 24,496,792 | |
Oleoducto Central SA (Colombia)(c) | | 4.00% | | 7/14/2027 | | | 16,478,000 | | | | 15,328,224 | |
ONEOK, Inc. | | 4.45% | | 9/1/2049 | | | 22,523,000 | | | | 18,937,379 | |
ONEOK, Inc. | | 6.05% | | 9/1/2033 | | | 31,558,000 | | | | 33,450,693 | |
Sabal Trail Transmission LLC† | | 4.246% | | 5/1/2028 | | | 16,996,000 | | | | 16,460,032 | |
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC† | | 3.875% | | 8/15/2029 | | | 26,406,000 | | | | 23,988,523 | |
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC† | | 6.25% | | 1/15/2030 | | | 22,579,000 | | | | 22,486,634 | |
Venture Global LNG, Inc.† | | 8.125% | | 6/1/2028 | | | 13,276,000 | | | | 13,419,474 | |
Venture Global LNG, Inc.† | | 8.375% | | 6/1/2031 | | | 23,884,000 | | | | 23,907,581 | |
Venture Global LNG, Inc.† | | 9.50% | | 2/1/2029 | | | 24,103,000 | | | | 25,520,063 | |
Western Midstream Operating LP | | 4.05% | | 2/1/2030 | | | 70,590,000 | | | | 66,095,556 | |
Western Midstream Operating LP | | 6.35% | | 1/15/2029 | | | 20,497,000 | | | | 21,420,082 | |
Williams Cos., Inc. | | 5.65% | | 3/15/2033 | | | 28,111,000 | | | | 29,383,567 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 657,562,121 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Real Estate 0.36% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cushman & Wakefield U.S. Borrower LLC† | | 6.75% | | 5/15/2028 | | | 8,330,000 | | | | 8,296,805 | |
Hunt Cos., Inc.† | | 5.25% | | 4/15/2029 | | | 39,175,000 | | | | 35,000,226 | |
Kennedy-Wilson, Inc. | | 4.75% | | 2/1/2030 | | | 20,705,000 | | | | 16,808,733 | |
Kennedy-Wilson, Inc. | | 5.00% | | 3/1/2031 | | | 18,208,000 | | | | 14,483,372 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 74,589,136 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REITS 1.37% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | | 3.00% | | 5/18/2051 | | | 3,157,000 | | | | 2,083,162 | |
EPR Properties | | 3.60% | | 11/15/2031 | | | 6,279,000 | | | | 5,213,561 | |
EPR Properties | | 3.75% | | 8/15/2029 | | | 4,447,000 | | | | 3,916,601 | |
GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc. | | 4.00% | | 1/15/2030 | | | 26,711,000 | | | | 24,400,779 | |
GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc. | | 4.00% | | 1/15/2031 | | | 19,738,000 | | | | 17,798,021 | |
GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc. | | 5.75% | | 6/1/2028 | | | 17,444,000 | | | | 17,614,602 | |
Goodman U.S. Finance Five LLC† | | 4.625% | | 5/4/2032 | | | 22,454,000 | | | | 20,925,152 | |
Rayonier LP | | 2.75% | | 5/17/2031 | | | 45,499,000 | | | | 38,000,373 | |
Retail Opportunity Investments Partnership LP | | 6.75% | | 10/15/2028 | | | 22,536,000 | | | | 23,699,286 | |
SBA Communications Corp. | | 3.875% | | 2/15/2027 | | | 36,095,000 | | | | 34,687,432 | |
Service Properties Trust | | 7.50% | | 9/15/2025 | | | 13,542,000 | | | | 13,703,935 | |
VICI Properties LP/VICI Note Co., Inc.† | | 4.625% | | 6/15/2025 | | | 22,094,000 | | | | 21,715,640 | |
VICI Properties LP/VICI Note Co., Inc.† | | 4.625% | | 12/1/2029 | | | 65,109,000 | | | | 61,414,685 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 285,173,229 | |
30 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Retail 2.20% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance, Inc. (Canada)†(c) | | 4.00% | | 10/15/2030 | | $ | 25,190,000 | | | $ | 22,623,870 | |
1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance, Inc. (Canada)†(c) | | 4.375% | | 1/15/2028 | | | 23,483,000 | | | | 22,449,513 | |
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | | 3.50% | | 3/15/2032 | | | 11,285,000 | | | | 9,343,897 | |
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | | 3.90% | | 4/15/2030 | | | 25,324,000 | | | | 22,731,027 | |
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.† | | 4.625% | | 11/15/2029 | | | 33,850,000 | | | | 31,369,499 | |
Bath & Body Works, Inc. | | 5.25% | | 2/1/2028 | | | 20,650,000 | | | | 20,443,514 | |
Bath & Body Works, Inc.† | | 6.625% | | 10/1/2030 | | | 17,059,000 | | | | 17,446,103 | |
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. | | 4.10% | | 1/15/2052 | | | 42,397,000 | | | | 30,282,249 | |
Gap, Inc.† | | 3.875% | | 10/1/2031 | | | 51,042,000 | | | | 42,107,282 | |
LBM Acquisition LLC† | | 6.25% | | 1/15/2029 | | | 23,913,000 | | | | 21,377,624 | |
Murphy Oil USA, Inc.† | | 3.75% | | 2/15/2031 | | | 23,657,000 | | | | 20,627,363 | |
Murphy Oil USA, Inc. | | 4.75% | | 9/15/2029 | | | 25,575,000 | | | | 24,260,445 | |
NMG Holding Co., Inc./Neiman Marcus Group LLC† | | 7.125% | | 4/1/2026 | | | 21,356,000 | | | | 20,539,171 | |
PetSmart, Inc./PetSmart Finance Corp.† | | 4.75% | | 2/15/2028 | | | 17,685,000 | | | | 16,686,226 | |
PetSmart, Inc./PetSmart Finance Corp.† | | 7.75% | | 2/15/2029 | | | 36,558,000 | | | | 35,594,620 | |
SRS Distribution, Inc.† | | 4.625% | | 7/1/2028 | | | 29,451,000 | | | | 27,972,881 | |
Stonegate Pub Co. Financing 2019 PLC(d) | | 8.25% | | 7/31/2025 | | GBP | 34,850,000 | | | | 43,536,236 | |
Tiffany & Co. | | 4.90% | | 10/1/2044 | | $ | 15,113,000 | | | | 14,390,803 | |
White Cap Buyer LLC† | | 6.875% | | 10/15/2028 | | | 13,707,000 | | | | 13,285,671 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 457,067,994 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Savings & Loans 0.00% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Washington Mutual Bank/Debt not acquired by JPMorgan(h) | | 6.875% | | 6/15/2011 | | | 22,500,000 | | | | – | (e)(i) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Semiconductors 0.70% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Entegris Escrow Corp.† | | 4.75% | | 4/15/2029 | | | 25,044,000 | | | | 24,156,411 | |
Marvell Technology, Inc. | | 5.95% | | 9/15/2033 | | | 21,787,000 | | | | 23,119,799 | |
ON Semiconductor Corp.† | | 3.875% | | 9/1/2028 | | | 48,204,000 | | | | 44,752,436 | |
Qorvo, Inc. | | 4.375% | | 10/15/2029 | | | 21,594,000 | | | | 20,511,277 | |
SK Hynix, Inc. (South Korea)(c) | | 6.50% | | 1/17/2033 | | | 31,457,000 | | | | 33,235,980 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 145,775,903 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shipbuilding 0.17% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. | | 4.20% | | 5/1/2030 | | | 37,450,000 | | | | 35,712,675 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Software 2.02% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AthenaHealth Group, Inc.† | | 6.50% | | 2/15/2030 | | | 37,901,000 | | | | 34,433,532 | |
Clarivate Science Holdings Corp.† | | 4.875% | | 7/1/2029 | | | 23,178,000 | | | | 21,772,813 | |
Cloud Software Group, Inc.† | | 6.50% | | 3/31/2029 | | | 41,497,000 | | | | 39,557,044 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 31 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Software (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cloud Software Group, Inc.† | | 9.00% | | 9/30/2029 | | $ | 68,784,000 | | | $ | 65,435,107 | |
Intuit, Inc. | | 5.50% | | 9/15/2053 | | | 20,897,000 | | | | 22,874,209 | |
MSCI, Inc.† | | 3.25% | | 8/15/2033 | | | 31,224,000 | | | | 26,134,391 | |
MSCI, Inc.† | | 3.875% | | 2/15/2031 | | | 66,243,000 | | | | 60,605,436 | |
MSCI, Inc.† | | 4.00% | | 11/15/2029 | | | 44,098,000 | | | | 41,498,762 | |
PTC, Inc.† | | 4.00% | | 2/15/2028 | | | 20,054,000 | | | | 19,022,523 | |
ROBLOX Corp.† | | 3.875% | | 5/1/2030 | | | 25,180,000 | | | | 22,479,067 | |
Roper Technologies, Inc. | | 1.75% | | 2/15/2031 | | | 24,609,000 | | | | 20,282,253 | |
Twilio, Inc. | | 3.625% | | 3/15/2029 | | | 14,538,000 | | | | 13,278,669 | |
Twilio, Inc. | | 3.875% | | 3/15/2031 | | | 13,736,000 | | | | 12,259,586 | |
Workday, Inc. | | 3.80% | | 4/1/2032 | | | 20,288,000 | | | | 18,903,241 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 418,536,633 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Telecommunications 2.06% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Altice France SA (France)†(c) | | 5.50% | | 10/15/2029 | | | 27,368,000 | | | | 21,494,400 | |
Altice France SA (France)†(c) | | 8.125% | | 2/1/2027 | | | 45,191,000 | | | | 41,695,268 | |
Connect Finco SARL/Connect U.S. Finco LLC (Luxembourg)†(c) | | 6.75% | | 10/1/2026 | | | 27,239,000 | | | | 27,099,667 | |
Frontier Communications Holdings LLC† | | 5.875% | | 10/15/2027 | | | 47,940,000 | | | | 46,354,682 | |
Frontier Communications Holdings LLC† | | 6.75% | | 5/1/2029 | | | 23,827,000 | | | | 21,331,072 | |
Frontier Communications Holdings LLC† | | 8.75% | | 5/15/2030 | | | 45,349,000 | | | | 46,687,188 | |
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp. | | 5.25% | | 8/1/2026 | | | 20,825,000 | | | | 18,346,578 | |
Lumen Technologies, Inc.† | | 4.00% | | 2/15/2027 | | | 34,777,000 | | | | 22,476,723 | |
NTT Finance Corp. (Japan)†(c) | | 4.372% | | 7/27/2027 | | | 19,947,000 | | | | 19,772,972 | |
Sprint Capital Corp. | | 6.875% | | 11/15/2028 | | | 66,369,000 | | | | 71,958,332 | |
Vmed O2 U.K. Financing I PLC (United Kingdom)†(c) | | 4.25% | | 1/31/2031 | | | 79,166,000 | | | | 69,229,052 | |
Vmed O2 U.K. Financing I PLC (United Kingdom)†(c) | | 4.75% | | 7/15/2031 | | | 24,505,000 | | | | 21,904,554 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 428,350,488 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transportation 0.24% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Central Japan Railway Co. (Japan)†(c) | | 4.25% | | 11/24/2045 | | | 18,040,000 | | | | 15,723,320 | |
Rand Parent LLC† | | 8.50% | | 2/15/2030 | | | 15,325,000 | | | | 14,672,624 | |
XPO, Inc.† | | 7.125% | | 2/1/2032 | | | 18,350,000 | | | | 18,950,173 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 49,346,117 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trucking & Leasing 0.17% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fortress Transportation & Infrastructure Investors LLC† | | 5.50% | | 5/1/2028 | | | 35,638,000 | | | | 34,300,274 | |
Total Corporate Bonds (cost $15,273,910,807) | | | | | | | | | | | 15,027,722,439 | |
32 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
FLOATING RATE LOANS(j) 3.65% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Aerospace/Defense 0.23% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Alloy Finco Ltd. 2020 USD Term Loan B2 (Jersey)(c) | | 12.062% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 6.50% | ) | 12/6/2024 | | $ | 8,102,769 | | | $ | 7,973,125 | |
Alloy Finco Ltd. USD Holdco PIK Term Loan 13.50% (Jersey)(c) | | 0.50% | | 3/6/2025 | | | 18,477,541 | | | | 17,014,674 | |
Bleriot U.S. Bidco, Inc. 2023 Term Loan B | | 9.61% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.00% | ) | 10/31/2028 | | | 22,470,586 | | | | 22,588,893 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 47,576,692 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Automotive 0.11% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DexKo Global, Inc. 2021 USD Term Loan B | | 9.36% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.75% | ) | 10/4/2028 | | | 23,247,178 | | | | 23,160,001 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beverages 0.11% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sunshine Investments BV 2022 USD Term Loan (Netherlands)(c) | | 9.63% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.25% | ) | 7/12/2029 | | | 22,201,588 | | | | 22,246,657 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Building Materials 0.09% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CP Atlas Buyer, Inc. 2021 Term Loan B | | 9.206% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.75% | ) | 11/23/2027 | | | 17,942,863 | | | | 17,697,943 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Chemicals 0.10% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Iris Holding, Inc. Term Loan | | 10.233% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.75% | ) | 6/28/2028 | | | 22,120,989 | | | | 20,496,534 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Commercial Services 0.11% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mavis Tire Express Services Corp. 2021 Term Loan B | | 9.47% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.00% | ) | 5/4/2028 | | | 22,457,108 | | | | 22,527,287 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Construction & Engineering 0.10% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Brand Industrial Services, Inc. 2023 Term Loan B | | 10.877% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 5.50% | ) | 8/1/2030 | | | 21,235,488 | | | | 21,161,589 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diversified Capital Goods 0.13% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CeramTec AcquiCo GmbH 2022 EUR Term Loan B(d) | | 7.455% (3 mo. EURIBOR + 3.50% | ) | 3/16/2029 | | EUR | 25,074,401 | | | | 27,538,609 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electric 0.00% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Helix Gen Funding LLC 2023 Term Loan | | 10.098% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.75% | ) | 12/31/2027 | | | 7,479 | | | | 7,510 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 33 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Electric: Generation 0.34% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Astoria Energy LLC 2020 Term Loan B | | 8.97% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.50% | ) | 12/10/2027 | | $ | 43,163,679 | | | $ | 43,337,413 | |
EFS Cogen Holdings I LLC 2020 Term Loan B | | 9.11% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.50% | ) | 10/1/2027 | | | 23,753,059 | | | | 23,751,634 | |
Frontera Generation Holdings LLC 2021 2nd Lien Term Loan | | – | (b) | 7/28/2028 | | | 1,720,948 | | | | 890,590 | |
Frontera Generation Holdings LLC 2021 Term Loan | | – | (b) | 7/28/2026 | | | 1,773,053 | | | | 1,861,705 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 69,841,342 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Entertainment 0.03% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Vue International Bidco PLC 2023 EUR PIK Term Loan 6.50%(d) | | 6.13% (6 mo. EURIBOR + 2.00% | ) | 12/31/2027 | | EUR | 14,355,593 | | | | 5,522,979 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gas Distribution 0.11% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Freeport LNG Investments LLLP Term Loan B | | 9.177% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.50% | ) | 12/21/2028 | | $ | 22,504,934 | | | | 22,527,102 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Health Care Products 0.21% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bausch & Lomb Corp. Term Loan (Canada)(c) | | 8.71% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.25% | ) | 5/10/2027 | | | 44,781,937 | | | | 44,418,307 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Healthcare 0.21% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Athenahealth Group, Inc. 2022 Term Loan B | | 8.606% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.25% | ) | 2/15/2029 | | | 21,078,216 | | | | 21,014,981 | |
eResearchTechnology, Inc. 2020 1st Lien Term Loan | | 9.97% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.50% | ) | 2/4/2027 | | | 22,478,449 | | | | 22,483,731 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 43,498,712 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Information Technology 0.22% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cloud Software Group, Inc. 2022 USD Term Loan B | | 9.948% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.50% | ) | 3/30/2029 | | | 23,250,003 | | | | 22,769,077 | |
Proofpoint, Inc. 1st Lien Term Loan | | 8.72% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.25% | ) | 8/31/2028 | | | 22,477,878 | | | | 22,516,090 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 45,285,167 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance 0.04% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
USI, Inc. 2023 Acquisition Term Loan | | 8.598% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.25% | ) | 9/27/2030 | | | 9,014,740 | | | | 9,040,071 | |
34 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Machinery: Diversified 0.26% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CPM Holdings, Inc. 2023 Term Loan | | 9.843% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.50% | ) | 9/28/2028 | | $ | 7,793,000 | | | $ | 7,828,731 | |
LSF12 Badger Bidco LLC Term Loan B | | 11.356% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 6.00% | ) | 8/30/2030 | | | 22,539,246 | | | | 22,525,158 | |
SPX Flow, Inc. 2022 Term Loan | | 9.956% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.50% | ) | 4/5/2029 | | | 22,593,694 | | | | 22,697,286 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 53,051,175 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Media 0.16% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Virgin Media Bristol LLC 2023 USD Term Loan Y | | 8.79% (6 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.25% | ) | 3/31/2031 | | | 33,226,000 | | | | 33,163,701 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Metal Fabricate/Hardware 0.10% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Tank Holding Corp. 2022 Term Loan | | 11.206% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 5.75% | ) | 3/31/2028 | | | 21,932,996 | | | | 21,055,676 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Oil & Gas 0.17% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Par Petroleum LLC 2023 Term Loan B | | 9.738% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.25% | ) | 2/28/2030 | | | 14,281,495 | | | | 14,306,488 | |
Parkway Generation LLC Term Loan B | | 10.395% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.75% | ) | 2/18/2029 | | | 19,884,869 | | | | 19,171,101 | |
Parkway Generation LLC Term Loan C | | 10.395% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.75% | ) | 2/18/2029 | | | 2,634,861 | | | | 2,540,282 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 36,017,871 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Personal & Household Products 0.00% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FGI Operating Co. LLC Exit Term Loan | | – | (b) | 5/16/2024 | | | 807,005 | | | | 101,279 | (k) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Real Estate 0.02% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cushman & Wakefield U.S. Borrower LLC 2023 Term Loan B | 9.356% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.00% | ) | 1/31/2030 | | | 5,165,004 | | | | 5,171,460 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Retail 0.17% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restoration Hardware, Inc. Term Loan B | | 7.97% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.50% | ) | 10/20/2028 | | | 35,955,652 | | | | 35,074,739 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Software 0.41% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Applied Systems, Inc. 2022 Extended 1st Lien Term Loan | | 9.848% (3 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.25% | ) | 9/18/2026 | | | 22,501,908 | | | | 22,632,306 | |
Banff Merger Sub Inc 2023 USD Term Loan | | – | (b) | 12/2/2028 | | | 22,014,955 | | | | 22,014,955 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 35 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Software (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Project Alpha Intermediate Holding, Inc. 2023 1st Lien Term Loan B | | 10.106% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.75% | ) | 10/28/2030 | | $ | 35,591,000 | | | $ | 35,854,196 | |
Quartz Acquireco LLC Term Loan B | | 8.856% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.50% | ) | 6/28/2030 | | | 4,507,216 | | | | 4,526,935 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 85,028,392 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Software/Services 0.22% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Peraton Corp. Term Loan B | | 9.206% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.75% | ) | 2/1/2028 | | | 44,942,782 | | | | 45,111,318 | |
Total Floating Rate Loans (cost $761,630,695) | | | | | | | | | | | 756,322,113 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS 5.20% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Angola 0.25% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Angola Government International Bonds(c) | | 9.375% | | 5/8/2048 | | | 63,270,000 | | | | 52,816,404 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Argentina 0.22% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Argentina Republic Government International Bonds(c) | | 0.75% | (l) | 7/9/2030 | | | 112,506,166 | | | | 45,396,994 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Brazil 0.20% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional(d) | | 10.00% | | 1/1/2029 | | BRL | 214,000,000 | | | | 41,849,851 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cayman Islands 0.10% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ivory Coast Government International Bonds(c) | 6.125% | | 6/15/2033 | | $ | 22,567,000 | | | | 20,821,668 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Colombia 0.17% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Colombia Government International Bonds(c) | | 8.00% | | 4/20/2033 | | | 31,633,000 | | | | 34,559,848 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Costa Rica 0.28% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Costa Rica Government International Bonds†(c) | | 7.158% | | 3/12/2045 | | | 54,766,000 | | | | 58,271,024 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dominican Republic 0.44% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dominican Republic International Bonds†(c) | | 6.00% | | 2/22/2033 | | | 93,178,000 | | | | 92,129,747 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ecuador 0.14% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ecuador Government International Bonds†(c) | | 6.00% | (l) | 7/31/2030 | | | 61,961,479 | | | | 28,955,150 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Egypt 0.06% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Egypt Government International Bonds(c) | | 8.50% | | 1/31/2047 | | | 4,553,000 | | | | 2,845,352 | |
Egypt Government International Bonds(c) | | 8.50% | | 1/31/2047 | | | 14,569,000 | | | | 9,104,751 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 11,950,103 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
El Salvador 0.35% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
El Salvador Government International Bonds(c) | | 8.625% | | 2/28/2029 | | | 80,692,000 | | | | 72,622,800 | |
36 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
Gabon 0.12% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gabon Government International Bonds(c) | | 6.95% | | 6/16/2025 | | $ | 8,745,000 | | | $ | 8,362,931 | |
Gabon Government International Bonds(c) | | 6.95% | | 6/16/2025 | | | 18,379,000 | | | | 17,576,021 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 25,938,952 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Jordan 0.20% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Jordan Government International Bonds†(c) | | 7.50% | | 1/13/2029 | | | 40,699,000 | | | | 41,320,514 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Kenya 0.10% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Republic of Kenya Government International Bonds(c) | | 7.00% | | 5/22/2027 | | | 19,700,000 | | | | 18,531,298 | |
Republic of Kenya Government International Bonds(c) | | 7.25% | | 2/28/2028 | | | 2,795,000 | | | | 2,563,051 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 21,094,349 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mexico 0.35% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mexico Bonos(d) | | 7.50% | | 5/26/2033 | | MXN | 1,367,800,000 | | | | 73,012,698 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Nigeria 0.30% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Nigeria Government International Bonds(c) | | 7.143% | | 2/23/2030 | | $ | 58,674,000 | | | | 53,015,480 | |
Nigeria Government International Bonds(c) | | 7.625% | | 11/28/2047 | | | 11,054,000 | | | | 8,798,818 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 61,814,298 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senegal 0.37% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senegal Government International Bonds†(c) | | 6.25% | | 5/23/2033 | | | 85,313,000 | | | | 76,459,217 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Serbia 0.21% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Serbia International Bonds†(c) | | 6.25% | | 5/26/2028 | | | 42,356,000 | | | | 43,442,220 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
South Africa 0.24% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Republic of South Africa Government International Bonds(c) | | 4.30% | | 10/12/2028 | | | 54,117,000 | | | | 50,737,935 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sri Lanka 0.12% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sri Lanka Government International Bonds†(c)(h) | | 5.875% | | 7/25/2022 | | | 45,243,000 | | | | 23,956,168 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Turkey 0.77% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality†(c) | | 10.50% | | 12/6/2028 | | | 20,592,000 | | | | 21,904,740 | |
Turkiye Government International Bonds(c) | | 5.125% | | 2/17/2028 | | | 112,768,000 | | | | 107,709,115 | |
Turkiye Government International Bonds(c) | | 9.375% | | 3/14/2029 | | | 27,200,000 | | | | 30,146,304 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 159,760,159 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Uruguay 0.21% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Uruguay Government International Bonds(d) | | 9.75% | | 7/20/2033 | | UYU | 1,645,058,743 | | | | 42,627,911 | |
Total Foreign Government Obligations (cost $1,063,234,278) | | | | | | | | | | | 1,079,538,010 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 37 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
GOVERNMENT SPONSORED ENTERPRISES PASS-THROUGHS 13.40% |
Government National Mortgage Association(m) | | 3.00% | | TBA | | $ | 148,709,000 | | | $ | 134,755,541 | |
Government National Mortgage Association(m) | | 3.50% | | TBA | | | 65,450,000 | | | | 60,960,539 | |
Government National Mortgage Association(m) | | 4.00% | | TBA | | | 118,032,000 | | | | 112,750,405 | |
Government National Mortgage Association(m) | | 4.50% | | TBA | | | 117,633,000 | | | | 114,821,130 | |
Government National Mortgage Association(m) | | 5.00% | | TBA | | | 347,956,000 | | | | 345,639,330 | |
Government National Mortgage Association(m) | | 5.50% | | TBA | | | 177,570,000 | | | | 178,819,648 | |
Government National Mortgage Association(m) | | 6.00% | | TBA | | | 229,740,000 | | | | 233,553,445 | |
Government National Mortgage Association(m) | | 6.50% | | TBA | | | 294,372,000 | | | | 301,095,422 | |
Government National Mortgage Association(m) | | 7.00% | | TBA | | | 209,848,000 | | | | 215,635,593 | |
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security(m) | | 4.00% | | TBA | | | 115,028,000 | | | | 108,903,658 | |
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security(m) | | 4.50% | | TBA | | | 79,396,000 | | | | 77,017,222 | |
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security(m) | | 5.00% | | TBA | | | 26,639,000 | | | | 26,809,656 | |
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security(m) | | 5.50% | | TBA | | | 258,890,000 | | | | 260,794,458 | |
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security(m) | | 6.00% | | TBA | | | 295,522,000 | | | | 300,902,880 | |
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security(m) | | 6.50% | | TBA | | | 140,311,000 | | | | 143,780,407 | |
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security(m) | | 7.00% | | TBA | | | 159,805,000 | | | | 164,692,785 | |
Total Government Sponsored Enterprises Pass-Throughs (cost $2,766,810,549) | | | | | | | | | | | 2,780,932,119 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
MUNICIPAL BONDS 0.37% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Government 0.11% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foothill-Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency CA | | 4.094% | | 1/15/2049 | | | 26,814,000 | | | | 22,456,095 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Miscellaneous 0.18% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dallas Convention Center Hotel Development Corp. TX | | 7.088% | | 1/1/2042 | | | 17,645,000 | | | | 20,160,423 | |
New York City Industrial Development Agency NY† | | 11.00% | | 3/1/2029 | | | 15,138,000 | | | | 17,162,762 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 37,323,185 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Tax Revenue 0.08% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Memphis-Shelby County Industrial Development Board Tax Allocation TN(h) | | 7.00% | | 7/1/2045 | | | 22,085,000 | | | | 16,499,421 | (n) |
Total Municipal Bonds (cost $88,488,417) | | | | | | | | | | | 76,278,701 | |
38 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
NON-AGENCY COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES 5.28% | | | | | | | |
BBCMS Mortgage Trust Series 2019-BWAY Class A† | | 6.433% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.07% | )# | 11/15/2034 | | $ | 24,790,000 | | | $ | 19,456,863 | |
BHMS Mortgage Trust Series 2018-ATLS Class A† | | 6.909% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.55% | )# | 7/15/2035 | | | 59,340,000 | | | | 58,925,142 | |
BMO Mortgage Trust Series 2023-C5 Class A5 | | 5.765% | | 6/15/2056 | | | 14,190,000 | | | | 14,979,736 | |
BX Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2020-VIV4 Class A† | | 2.843% | | 3/9/2044 | | | 14,051,000 | | | | 12,042,550 | |
BX Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2021-VOLTClass A† | | 6.176% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 0.81% | )# | 9/15/2036 | | | 30,565,000 | | | | 29,812,389 | |
BX Trust Series 2021-ARIA Class A† | | 6.376% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.01% | )# | 10/15/2036 | | | 12,340,000 | | | | 12,075,734 | |
BX Trust Series 2022-PSB Class A† | | 7.813% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.45% | )# | 8/15/2039 | | | 21,020,169 | | | | 21,102,004 | |
CF Trust Series 2019-BOSS Class A1† | | 8.659% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.30% | )# | 12/15/2024 | | | 18,050,000 | | | | 17,331,854 | |
CIM Trust Series 2020-J1 Class A2† | | 2.50% | #(o) | 7/25/2050 | | | 8,614,866 | | | | 7,106,498 | |
CIM Trust Series 2021-J1 Class A1† | | 2.50% | #(o) | 3/25/2051 | | | 9,300,222 | | | | 7,683,435 | |
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. Series 2021-INV2 Class A3A† | | 2.50% | #(o) | 5/25/2051 | | | 42,964,731 | | | | 35,386,440 | |
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. Series 2022-INV1 Class A3B† | | 3.00% | #(o) | 11/27/2051 | | | 62,504,962 | | | | 53,766,593 | |
CS Master Trust Series 2021-BLUF Class A†(h) | | 9.65% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 4.29% | )# | 4/15/2023 | | | 19,335,000 | | | | 18,751,276 | (n) |
CSMC Trust Series 2021-BPNY Class A† | | 9.191% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.83% | )# | 8/15/2026 | | | 38,040,000 | | | | 33,676,333 | |
CSMC Trust Series 2021-BRIT Class A† | | 8.936% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 3.57% | )# | 5/15/2026 | | | 51,195,393 | | | | 46,428,656 | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. STACR REMICS Notes Series 2022-HQA2 Class M1B† | | 9.337% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 4.00% | )# | 7/25/2042 | | | 7,550,000 | | | | 7,931,473 | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. STACR REMICS Notes Series 2023-DNA2 Class M1A† | | 7.437% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 2.10% | )# | 4/25/2043 | | | 21,725,350 | | | | 22,081,248 | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. STACR REMICS Notes Series 2023-DNA2 Class M1B† | | 8.587% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 3.25% | )# | 4/25/2043 | | | 43,500,000 | | | | 45,394,503 | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. STACR REMICS Trust Series 2021-HQA3 Class M1† | | 6.187% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 0.85% | )# | 9/25/2041 | | | 11,863,073 | | | | 11,748,412 | |
| | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 39 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
NON-AGENCY COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued) | | | | | | | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. STACR REMICS Trust Series 2022-DNA2 Class M1B† | | 7.737% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 2.40% | )# | 2/25/2042 | | $ | 16,065,000 | | | $ | 16,284,213 | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. STACR REMICS Trust Series 2022-HQA3 Class M1A† | | 7.637% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 2.30% | )# | 8/25/2042 | | | 30,023,344 | | | | 30,543,955 | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. STACR REMICS Trust Series 2022-HQA3 Class M1B† | | 8.887% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 3.55% | )# | 8/25/2042 | | | 32,190,000 | | | | 33,354,692 | |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. STACR REMICS Trust Series 2023-HQA3 Class M2† | | 8.687% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 3.35% | )# | 11/25/2043 | | | 24,400,000 | | | | 24,990,512 | |
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities Series 2022-R01 Class 1B2† | | 11.337% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 6.00% | )# | 12/25/2041 | | | 25,930,000 | | | | 26,557,161 | |
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities Series 2023-R03 Class 2M2† | | 9.237% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 3.90% | )# | 4/25/2043 | | | 17,850,000 | | | | 19,142,713 | |
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities Series 2023-R06 Class 1M2† | | 8.037% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 2.70% | )# | 7/25/2043 | | | 9,700,000 | | | | 9,908,028 | |
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust Series 2019-R05 Class 1B1† | | 9.552% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 4.21% | )# | 7/25/2039 | | | 18,450,349 | | | | 19,164,374 | |
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust Series 2022-R02 Class 2M1† | | 6.537% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 1.20% | )# | 1/25/2042 | | | 12,276,891 | | | | 12,240,219 | |
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust Series 2022-R08 Class 1M1† | | 7.887% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 2.55% | )# | 7/25/2042 | | | 19,636,486 | | | | 20,151,531 | |
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust Series 2023-R01 Class 1M1† | | 7.737% (30 day USD SOFR Average + 2.40% | )# | 12/25/2042 | | | 44,051,160 | | | | 44,929,214 | |
| | |
40 | See Notes to Financial Statements. | |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Date | | Principal Amount | | | Fair Value | |
NON-AGENCY COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued) | | | | | | | |
Flagstar Mortgage Trust Series 2021-8INV Class A3† | | 2.50% | #(o) | 9/25/2051 | | $ | 10,522,462 | | | $ | 8,680,095 | |
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust Series 2021-PJ1 Class A2† | | 2.50% | #(o) | 6/25/2051 | | | 19,092,834 | | | | 15,702,340 | |
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust Series 2021-PJ5 Class A2† | | 2.50% | #(o) | 10/25/2051 | | | 6,938,952 | | | | 5,715,377 | |
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust Series 2021-RENT Class G† | | 11.176% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 5.81% | )# | 11/21/2035 | | | 593,847 | | | | 64,581 | |
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust Series 2021-RSMZ Class MZ† | | 14.977% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 9.61% | )# | 6/15/2026 | | | 69,790,000 | | | | 697,900 | (e) |
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust Series 2023-FUN Class A† | | 7.453% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.09% | )# | 3/15/2028 | | | 41,970,000 | | | | 41,895,994 | |
GS Mortgage-Backed Securities Corp. Trust Series 2021-PJ6 Class A8† | | 2.50% | #(o) | 11/25/2051 | | | 15,140,355 | | | | 13,223,487 | |
GS Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust Series 2021-PJ6 Class A2† | | 2.50% | #(o) | 11/25/2051 | | | 21,896,328 | | | | 18,088,694 | |
GS Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust Series 2021-PJ7 Class A2† | | 2.50% | #(o) | 1/25/2052 | | | 14,237,680 | | | | 11,727,090 | |
Hilton Orlando Trust Series 2018-ORL Class A† | | 6.429% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.07% | )# | 12/15/2034 | | | 13,143,000 | | | | 13,048,685 | |
HPLY Trust Series 2019-HIT Class A† | | 6.475% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.11% | )# | 11/15/2036 | | | 17,614,529 | | | | 17,509,587 | |
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust Series 2020-7 Class A3† | | 3.00% | #(o) | 1/25/2051 | | | 9,091,398 | | | | 7,830,357 | |
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust Series 2021-12 Class A3† | | 2.50% | #(o) | 2/25/2052 | | | 11,187,122 | | | | 9,200,519 | |
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust Series 2021-7 Class A3† | | 2.50% | #(o) | 11/25/2051 | | | 7,645,290 | | | | 6,290,622 | |
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust Series 2021-INV5 Class A2† | | 3.00% | #(o) | 12/25/2051 | | | 9,516,070 | | | | 7,883,740 | |
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust Series 2021-INV8 Class A2† | | 3.00% | #(o) | 5/25/2052 | | | 39,392,960 | | | | 33,781,728 | |
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust Series 2022-4 Class A2A† | | 3.00% | #(o) | 10/25/2052 | | | 17,307,562 | | | | 14,820,680 | |
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2021-BOLT Class D† | | 12.177% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 6.81% | )# | 8/15/2033 | | | 41,665,000 | | | | 24,107,448 | |
Life Mortgage Trust Series 2022-BMR2 Class A1† | | 6.657% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 1.30% | )# | 5/15/2039 | | | 37,340,000 | | | | 36,556,140 | |
SHOW Trust Series 2022-BIZ Class A† | | 8.342% (1 mo. USD Term SOFR + 2.98% | )# | 1/15/2027 | | | 81,900,000 | | | | 76,056,703 | |
Total Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $1,199,586,326) | | | | | | 1,095,829,518 | |
| | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 41 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Investments | | Dividend Rate | | | | Shares | | | Fair Value | |
PREFERRED STOCKS 0.06% | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Transportation Infrastructure | | | | | | | | | | |
ACBL Holdings Corp.(cost $5,126,725) | | Zero Coupon | | | | | 205,069 | | | $ | 13,329,485 | |
Total Long-Term Investments (cost $23,311,148,153) | | | | | | | | | | | 23,093,496,855 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Principal Amount | | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 0.48% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS 0.43% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Repurchase Agreement dated 12/29/2023, 2.800% due 1/2/2024 with Fixed Income Clearing Corp. collateralized by $89,069,600 of U.S. Treasury Note at 4.625% due 3/15/2026; value: $91,075,540; proceeds: $89,317,503 (cost $89,289,724) | | | | | | $ | 89,289,724 | | | | 89,289,724 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Shares | | | | | |
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 0.04% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fidelity Government Portfolio(p) (cost $8,494,492) | | | | | | | 8,494,492 | | | | 8,494,492 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TIME DEPOSITS 0.01% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CitiBank N.A.(p) (cost $943,832) | | | | | | | 943,832 | | | | 943,832 | |
Total Short-Term Investments (cost $98,728,048) | | | | | | | | | | | 98,728,048 | |
Total Investments in Securities 111.77% (cost $23,409,876,201) | | | | | | 23,192,224,903 | |
Other Assets and Liabilities – Net(r) (11.77)% | | | | | | | | | | | (2,442,314,534 | ) |
Net Assets 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 20,749,910,369 | |
BRL | Brazilian Real. |
EUR | Euro. |
GBP | British Pound. |
MXN | Mexican Peso. |
UYU | Uruguayan Peso. |
ADR | American Depositary Receipt. |
CMT | Constant Maturity Rate. |
CR | Custodian Receipt. |
EURIBOR | Euro Interbank Offered Rate. |
ICE | Intercontinental Exchange. |
LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate. |
PIK | Payment-in-kind. |
REMICS | Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits. |
REITS | Real Estate Investment Trusts. |
SOFR | Secured Overnight Financing Rate. |
STACR | Structured Agency Credit Risk. |
| | |
42 | See Notes to Financial Statements. | |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
† | Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and, unless registered under such Act or exempted from registration, may only be resold to qualified institutional buyers. At December 31, 2023, the total value of Rule 144A securities was $12,179,915,717, which represents 58.70% of net assets. |
# | Variable rate security. The interest rate represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2023. |
* | Non-income producing security. |
(a) | Securities purchased on a when-issued basis (See Note 2(n)). |
(b) | Interest Rate to be determined. |
(c) | Foreign security traded in U.S. dollars. |
(d) | Investment in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. |
(e) | Level 3 Investment as described in Note 2(r) in the Notes to Financials. Security fair valued by the Pricing Committee. |
(f) | Security has been deemed worthless. |
(g) | Security is perpetual in nature and has no stated maturity. |
(h) | Defaulted (non-income producing security). |
(i) | Amount is less than $1. |
(j) | Floating Rate Loans in which the Fund invests generally pay interest at rates which are periodically re-determined at a margin above the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) or the prime rate offered by major U.S. banks. The rate(s) shown is the rate(s) in effect at December 31, 2023. |
(k) | Level 3 Investment as described in Note 2(r) in the Notes to Financials. Floating Rate Loan fair valued by the Pricing Committee. |
(l) | Step Bond – Security with a predetermined schedule of interest rate changes. |
(m) | To-be-announced (“TBA”). Security purchased on a forward commitment basis with an approximate principal and maturity date. Actual principal and maturity will be determined upon settlement when the specific mortgage pools are assigned. |
(n) | Level 3 Investment as described in Note 2(r) in the Notes to Financials. Security valued utilizing third party pricing information without adjustment. Such valuations are based on unobservable inputs. A significant change in third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments. |
(o) | Interest rate is based on the weighted average interest rates of the underlying mortgages within the mortgage pool. |
(p) | Security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
(q) | All or a portion of this security is temporarily on loan to unaffiliated broker/dealers. |
(r) | Other Assets and Liabilities – Net include net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, futures contracts and swap contracts as follows: |
Centrally Cleared Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) Swap Contracts at December 31, 2023:
Swap Counterparty | | Payments to be Made By The Fund at Termination Date | | Payments to be Received By The Fund at Termination Date | | Termination Date | | Notional Amount | | Value/Unrealized Appreciation | |
Bank of America | | 2.544% | | CPI Urban Consumer NSA | | 3/2/2052 | | | $60,151,898 | | | $ | 223,743 | |
Bank of America | | 2.544% | | CPI Urban Consumer NSA | | 3/2/2052 | | | 29,848,102 | | | | 111,024 | (1) |
Total Unrealized Appreciation on Centrally Cleared CPI Swap Contracts | | | | | | | $ | 334,767 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Swap Counterparty | | Payments to be Made By The Fund at Termination Date | | Payments to be Received By The Fund at Termination Date | | Termination Date | | Notional Amount | | Value/Unrealized Depreciation | |
Bank of America | | 2.665% | | CPI Urban Consumer NSA | | 10/23/2028 | | | $200,000,000 | | | $ | (3,085,126 | ) |
Bank of America | | 2.665% | | CPI Urban Consumer NSA | | 5/12/2052 | | | 97,080,000 | | | | (3,608,532 | ) |
Bank of America | | 2.748% | | CPI Urban Consumer NSA | | 4/20/2052 | | | 128,000,000 | | | | (6,950,019 | ) |
Total Unrealized Depreciation on Centrally Cleared CPI Swap Contracts | | | | | | | $ | (13,643,677 | ) |
NSA | Non-seasonally adjusted |
(1) | Unrealized depreciation on Centrally Cleared CPI Swap Contract is $25,895, which includes upfront payment of $136,919. Upfront payments paid (received) by Central Clearing Party are presented net of amortization. |
| | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 43 |
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2023
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at December 31, 2023:
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts | | Transaction Type | | Counterparty | | Expiration Date | | Foreign Currency | | U.S. $ Cost on Origination Date | | | U.S. $ Current Value | | Unrealized Appreciation | |
Swiss franc | | Buy | | Morgan Stanley | | 2/22/2024 | | 2,828,000 | | | $3,283,509 | | | | $3,379,522 | | | $ | 96,013 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts | | Transaction Type | | Counterparty | | Expiration Date | | Foreign Currency | | U.S. $ Cost on Origination Date | | | U.S. $ Current Value | | Unrealized Depreciation | |
Australian dollar | | Sell | | Morgan Stanley | | 2/23/2024 | | 32,919,000 | | | $22,094,347 | | | | $22,468,238 | | | $ | (373,891 | ) |
British pound | | Sell | | State Street Bank and Trust | | 2/23/2024 | | 57,924,000 | | | 72,847,481 | | | | 73,852,669 | | | | (1,005,188 | ) |
Canadian dollar | | Sell | | Bank of America | | 2/9/2024 | | 27,500,000 | | | 20,067,280 | | | | 20,764,912 | | | | (697,632 | ) |
Euro | | Sell | | State Street Bank and Trust | | 2/28/2024 | | 66,863,000 | | | 72,423,661 | | | | 73,976,374 | | | | (1,552,713 | ) |
Swiss franc | | Sell | | Morgan Stanley | | 2/22/2024 | | 19,486,000 | | | 22,239,471 | | | | 23,286,198 | | | | (1,046,727 | ) |
Total Unrealized Depreciation on Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts | | | | | | | | | | $ | (4,676,151 | ) |
Futures Contracts at December 31, 2023:
Type | | Expiration | | Contracts | | Position | | Notional Amount | | | Notional Value | | Unrealized Appreciation | |
U.S. 10-Year Ultra Treasury Note | | March 2024 | | 1,431 | | Long | | $ | 164,611,464 | | | $ | 168,880,359 | | | $ | 4,268,895 | |
U.S. 2-Year Treasury Note | | March 2024 | | 2,391 | | Long | | | 487,301,956 | | | | 492,340,522 | | | | 5,038,566 | |
U.S. 5-Year Treasury Note | | March 2024 | | 3,947 | | Long | | | 428,778,327 | | | | 429,328,760 | | | | 550,433 | |
U.S. Ultra Treasury Bond | | March 2024 | | 1,484 | | Long | | | 195,308,329 | | | | 198,253,125 | | | | 2,944,796 | |
Total Unrealized Appreciation on Futures Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 12,802,690 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Type | | Expiration | | Contracts | | Position | | Notional Amount | | | Notional Value | | Unrealized Depreciation | |
U.S. 10-Year Treasury Note | | March 2024 | | 15,128 | | Short | | $ | (1,654,311,064 | ) | | $ | (1,707,809,375 | ) | | $ | (53,498,311 | ) |
U.S. Long Bond | | March 2024 | | 2,792 | | Short | | | (323,468,702 | ) | | | (348,825,500 | ) | | | (25,356,798 | ) |
Total Unrealized Depreciation on Futures Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (78,855,109 | ) |
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2023 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value(1):
Investment Type(2) | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Long-Term Investments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset-Backed Securities | | $ | – | | | $ | 966,694,989 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 966,694,989 | |
Common Stocks | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Automobile Components | | | – | | | | 7,530,339 | | | | – | | | | 7,530,339 | |
Electric-Generation | | | – | | | | 9,135 | | | | – | | | | 9,135 | |
Industrial REITS | | | – | | | | 23,013,655 | | | | – | | | | 23,013,655 | |
Miscellaneous Financials | | | – | | | | – | | | | 6,602,720 | | | | 6,602,720 | |
Personal Care Products | | | – | | | | 12,560,985 | | | | – | | | | 12,560,985 | |
Specialty Retail | | | – | | | | 4,043,830 | | | | – | | | | 4,043,830 | |
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods | | | 45,816,829 | | | | 64,982,950 | | | | – | | | | 110,799,779 | |
Transportation Infrastructure | | | – | | | | 1,908,122 | | | | – | | | | 1,908,122 | |
Remaining Industries | | | 1,130,380,916 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 1,130,380,916 | |
| | |
44 | See Notes to Financial Statements. | |
Schedule of Investments (concluded)
December 31, 2023
Investment Type(2) | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Corporate Bonds | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Banks | | $ | – | | | $ | 1,002,380,077 | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 1,002,380,078 | |
Diversified Financial Services | | | – | | | | 416,725,195 | | | | – | (3) | | | 416,725,195 | |
Mining | | | – | | | | 354,041,024 | | | | – | (4) | | | 354,041,024 | |
Savings & Loans | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | (3) | | | – | (3) |
Remaining Industries | | | – | | | | 13,254,576,142 | | | | – | | | | 13,254,576,142 | |
Floating Rate Loans | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Personal & Household Products | | | – | | | | – | | | | 101,279 | | | | 101,279 | |
Remaining Industries | | | – | | | | 756,220,834 | | | | – | | | | 756,220,834 | |
Foreign Government Obligations | | | – | | | | 1,079,538,010 | | | | – | | | | 1,079,538,010 | |
Government Sponsored Enterprises Pass-Throughs | | | – | | | | 2,780,932,119 | | | | – | | | | 2,780,932,119 | |
Municipal Bonds | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Tax Revenue | | | – | | | | – | | | | 16,499,421 | | | | 16,499,421 | |
Remaining Industries | | | – | | | | 59,779,280 | | | | – | | | | 59,779,280 | |
Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | – | | | | 1,076,380,342 | | | | 19,449,176 | | | | 1,095,829,518 | |
Preferred Stocks | | | – | | | | 13,329,485 | | | | – | | | | 13,329,485 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Repurchase Agreements | | | – | | | | 89,289,724 | | | | – | | | | 89,289,724 | |
Money Market Funds | | | 8,494,492 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 8,494,492 | |
Time Deposits | | | – | | | | 943,832 | | | | – | | | | 943,832 | |
Total | | $ | 1,184,692,237 | | | $ | 21,964,880,069 | | | $ | 42,652,597 | | | $ | 23,192,224,903 | |
Other Financial Instruments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Centrally Cleared CPI Swap Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets | | $ | – | | | $ | 334,767 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 334,767 | |
Liabilities | | | – | | | | (13,643,677 | ) | | | – | | | | (13,643,677 | ) |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets | | | – | | | | 96,013 | | | | – | | | | 96,013 | |
Liabilities | | | – | | | | (4,676,151 | ) | | | – | | | | (4,676,151 | ) |
Futures Contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets | | | 12,802,690 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 12,802,690 | |
Liabilities | | | (78,855,109 | ) | | | – | | | | – | | | | (78,855,109 | ) |
Total | | $ | (66,052,419 | ) | | $ | (17,889,048 | ) | | $ | – | | | $ | (83,941,467 | ) |
(1) | Refer to Note 2(r) for a description of fair value measurements and the three-tier hierarchy of inputs. |
(2) | See Schedule of Investments for fair values in each industry and identification of foreign issuers and/or geography. The table above is presented by Investment Type. Industries are presented within an Investment Type should such Investment Type include securities classified as two or more levels within the three-tier fair value hierarchy. When applicable, each Level 3 security is identified on the Schedule of Investments along with the valuation technique utilized. |
(3) | Amount less than $1. |
(4) | Includes securities with zero fair value. |
A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Fund has a material amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning or end of the period in relation to the Fund’s net assets. Management has determined not to provide a reconciliation as the balance of Level 3 investments was not considered to be material to the Fund’s net assets at the beginning or end of the year.
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 45 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2023
ASSETS: | | | |
Investments in securities, at fair value including $9,038,148 of securities loaned (cost $23,409,876,201) | | $ | 23,192,224,903 | |
Cash | | | 30,351 | |
Cash at brokers for forwards, swap contracts and TBA collateral | | | 29,845,000 | |
Deposits with brokers for futures collateral | | | 31,422,335 | |
Deposits with brokers for forwards and swap contracts collateral | | | 46,276,687 | |
Foreign cash, at value (cost $3,010,760) | | | 3,065,927 | |
Receivables: | | | | |
Investment securities sold | | | 2,887,836,182 | |
Interest and dividends | | | 289,120,059 | |
Capital shares sold | | | 123,743,547 | |
Variation margin for futures contracts | | | 398,412 | |
Securities lending income | | | 141,401 | |
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts | | | 96,013 | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | | | 174,787 | |
Total assets | | | 26,604,375,604 | |
LIABILITIES: | | | | |
Payables: | | | | |
Investment securities purchased | | | 5,635,391,199 | |
Capital shares reacquired | | | 56,806,145 | |
To brokers for forwards, swap contracts and TBA collateral | | | 29,845,000 | |
Collateral due to broker for securities lending | | | 9,438,324 | |
Management fee | | | 7,440,814 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 2,164,153 | |
12b-1 distribution plan | | | 1,864,353 | |
Variation margin for centrally cleared swap contracts agreements | | | 1,707,379 | |
Fund administration | | | 699,492 | |
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts | | | 4,676,151 | |
Distributions payable | | | 100,500,784 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 3,931,441 | |
Total liabilities | | | 5,854,465,235 | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 20,749,910,369 | |
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS: | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 24,264,753,469 | |
Total distributable earnings (loss) | | | (3,514,843,100 | ) |
Net Assets | | $ | 20,749,910,369 | |
46 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (concluded)
December 31, 2023
Net assets by class: | | | |
Class A Shares | | $ | 4,727,744,706 | |
Class C Shares | | $ | 695,474,332 | |
Class F Shares | | $ | 583,403,505 | |
Class F3 Shares | | $ | 4,988,157,934 | |
Class I Shares | | $ | 9,041,631,972 | |
Class P Shares | | $ | 8,284,407 | |
Class R2 Shares | | $ | 4,037,010 | |
Class R3 Shares | | $ | 189,931,398 | |
Class R4 Shares | | $ | 61,657,760 | |
Class R5 Shares | | $ | 25,659,037 | |
Class R6 Shares | | $ | 423,928,308 | |
Outstanding shares by class: | | | | |
Class A Shares (1.8 billion shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value) | | | 668,079,795 | |
Class C Shares (600 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value) | | | 98,018,904 | |
Class F Shares (2.25 billion shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value) | | | 82,574,494 | |
Class F3 Shares (3 billion shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value) | | | 708,221,761 | |
Class I Shares (3.9 billion shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value) | | | 1,284,916,802 | |
Class P Shares (160 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value) | | | 1,144,230 | |
Class R2 Shares (478 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value) | | | 570,404 | |
Class R3 Shares (478 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value) | | | 26,882,753 | |
Class R4 Shares (478 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value) | | | 8,709,651 | |
Class R5 Shares (478 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value) | | | 3,641,097 | |
Class R6 Shares (478 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value) | | | 60,193,438 | |
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Net assets divided by outstanding shares): | | | | |
Class A Shares-Net asset value | | | $7.08 | |
Class A Shares-Maximum offering price (Net asset value plus sales charge of 2.25%) | | | $7.24 | |
Class C Shares-Net asset value | | | $7.10 | |
Class F Shares-Net asset value | | | $7.07 | |
Class F3 Shares-Net asset value | | | $7.04 | |
Class I Shares-Net asset value | | | $7.04 | |
Class P Shares-Net asset value | | | $7.24 | |
Class R2 Shares-Net asset value | | | $7.08 | |
Class R3 Shares-Net asset value | | | $7.07 | |
Class R4 Shares-Net asset value | | | $7.08 | |
Class R5 Shares-Net asset value | | | $7.05 | |
Class R6 Shares-Net asset value | | | $7.04 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 47 |
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Investment income: | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $461,262) | | $ | 16,062,894 | |
Securities lending net income | | | 430,287 | |
Interest and other | | | 1,221,960,206 | |
Total investment income | | | 1,238,453,387 | |
Expenses: | | | | |
Management fee | | | 90,113,130 | |
12b-1 distribution plan–Class A | | | 9,715,458 | |
12b-1 distribution plan–Class C | | | 6,283,250 | |
12b-1 distribution plan–Class F | | | 1,041,201 | |
12b-1 distribution plan–Class P | | | 37,604 | |
12b-1 distribution plan–Class R2 | | | 23,526 | |
12b-1 distribution plan–Class R3 | | | 966,940 | |
12b-1 distribution plan–Class R4 | | | 155,068 | |
Shareholder servicing | | | 15,567,033 | |
Fund administration | | | 8,486,313 | |
Reports to shareholders | | | 1,864,221 | |
Registration | | | 699,628 | |
Professional | | | 615,440 | |
Directors’ fees | | | 613,448 | |
Custody | | | 305,038 | |
Interest paid from Interfund Lending (See Note 11) | | | 63,400 | |
Other | | | 1,116,218 | |
Gross expenses | | | 137,666,916 | |
Expense reductions (See Note 9) | | | (149,412 | ) |
Fees waived and expenses reimbursed (See Note 3) | | | (305,038 | ) |
Net expenses | | | 137,212,466 | |
Net investment income | | | 1,101,240,921 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss): | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | | | (1,178,507,732 | ) |
Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts | | | (174,551,181 | ) |
Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts | | | (11,472,984 | ) |
Net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts | | | (2,604,696 | ) |
Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions | | | 1,837,247 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | | | 1,731,494,088 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts | | | (78,697,634 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts | | | 3,635,364 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swap contracts | | | (11,532,729 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | | | 1,124,097 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | 280,723,840 | |
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | | $ | 1,381,964,761 | |
48 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 | | | For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |
Operations: | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | $ | 1,101,240,921 | | | | $ | 1,007,955,242 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swap contracts and foreign currency related transactions | | | | (1,365,299,346 | ) | | | | (1,687,267,901 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swap contracts, unfunded commitments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | | | | 1,646,023,186 | | | | | (2,825,997,121 | ) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | | 1,381,964,761 | | | | | (3,505,309,780 | ) |
Distributions to shareholders: | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | | (253,513,962 | ) | | | | (258,137,835 | ) |
Class C | | | | (35,009,444 | ) | | | | (39,217,051 | ) |
Class F | | | | (53,749,034 | ) | | | | (238,224,930 | ) |
Class F3 | | | | (263,944,080 | ) | | | | (234,107,585 | ) |
Class I | | | | (493,546,120 | ) | | | | (305,660,648 | ) |
Class P | | | | (415,300 | ) | | | | (424,907 | ) |
Class R2 | | | | (189,175 | ) | | | | (167,781 | ) |
Class R3 | | | | (9,513,535 | ) | | | | (9,453,761 | ) |
Class R4 | | | | (3,205,554 | ) | | | | (3,078,235 | ) |
Class R5 | | | | (1,360,657 | ) | | | | (1,244,588 | ) |
Class R6 | | | | (22,260,421 | ) | | | | (18,910,165 | ) |
Total distributions to shareholders | | | | (1,136,707,282 | ) | | | | (1,108,627,486 | ) |
Capital share transactions (See Note 16): | | | | | | | | | | |
Net proceeds from sales of shares | | | | 7,402,293,476 | | | | | 14,139,129,708 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | | 1,041,056,658 | | | | | 1,007,856,191 | |
Cost of shares reacquired | | | | (9,155,380,038 | ) | | | | (17,823,838,815 | ) |
Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions | | | | (712,029,904 | ) | | | | (2,676,852,916 | ) |
Net decrease in net assets | | | | (466,772,425 | ) | | | | (7,290,790,182 | ) |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | $ | 21,216,682,794 | | | | $ | 28,507,472,976 | |
End of year | | | $ | 20,749,910,369 | | | | $ | 21,216,682,794 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 49 |
Financial Highlights
| | | | Per Share Operating Performance: |
| | | | Investment Operations: | | Distributions to shareholders from: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Net asset value, beginning of period | | Net invest- ment income (loss)(a) | | Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | Total from invest- ment opera- tions | | Net investment income | | Net realized gain | | Total distri- butions |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
12/31/2023 | | | $6.98 | | | | $0.35 | | | | $ 0.11 | | | | $ 0.46 | | | | $(0.36 | ) | | | $ – | | | | $(0.36 | ) |
12/31/2022 | | | 8.37 | | | | 0.31 | | | | (1.37 | ) | | | (1.06 | ) | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.33 | ) |
12/31/2021 | | | 8.41 | | | | 0.27 | | | | – | | | | 0.27 | | | | (0.28 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.31 | ) |
12/31/2020 | | | 8.13 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.59 | | | | (0.31 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.31 | ) |
12/31/2019 | | | 7.47 | | | | 0.31 | | | | 0.68 | | | | 0.99 | | | | (0.33 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.33 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
12/31/2023 | | | 7.00 | | | | 0.31 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.42 | | | | (0.32 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.32 | ) |
12/31/2022 | | | 8.39 | | | | 0.26 | | | | (1.36 | ) | | | (1.10 | ) | | | (0.28 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.29 | ) |
12/31/2021 | | | 8.43 | | | | 0.22 | | | | – | | | | 0.22 | | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.26 | ) |
12/31/2020 | | | 8.16 | | | | 0.24 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.53 | | | | (0.26 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.26 | ) |
12/31/2019 | | | 7.49 | | | | 0.26 | | | | 0.69 | | | | 0.95 | | | | (0.28 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.28 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class F | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
12/31/2023 | | | 6.97 | | | | 0.35 | | | | 0.12 | | | | 0.47 | | | | (0.37 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.37 | ) |
12/31/2022 | | | 8.36 | | | | 0.31 | | | | (1.36 | ) | | | (1.05 | ) | | | (0.33 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.34 | ) |
12/31/2021 | | | 8.40 | | | | 0.28 | | | | – | | | | 0.28 | | | | (0.29 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.32 | ) |
12/31/2020 | | | 8.12 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.31 | | | | 0.60 | | | | (0.32 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.32 | ) |
12/31/2019 | | | 7.46 | | | | 0.32 | | | | 0.67 | | | | 0.99 | | | | (0.33 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.33 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class F3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
12/31/2023 | | | 6.95 | | | | 0.37 | | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.47 | | | | (0.38 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.38 | ) |
12/31/2022 | | | 8.33 | | | | 0.33 | | | | (1.36 | ) | | | (1.03 | ) | | | (0.34 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.35 | ) |
12/31/2021 | | | 8.37 | | | | 0.29 | | | | – | | | | 0.29 | | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.33 | ) |
12/31/2020 | | | 8.10 | | | | 0.31 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.60 | | | | (0.33 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.33 | ) |
12/31/2019 | | | 7.43 | | | | 0.33 | | | | 0.69 | | | | 1.02 | | | | (0.35 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.35 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
12/31/2023 | | | 6.94 | | | | 0.36 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.47 | | | | (0.37 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.37 | ) |
12/31/2022 | | | 8.32 | | | | 0.32 | | | | (1.35 | ) | | | (1.03 | ) | | | (0.34 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.35 | ) |
12/31/2021 | | | 8.36 | | | | 0.28 | | | | 0.01 | (c) | | | 0.29 | | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.33 | ) |
12/31/2020 | | | 8.09 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.59 | | | | (0.32 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.32 | ) |
12/31/2019 | | | 7.43 | | | | 0.32 | | | | 0.68 | | | | 1.00 | | | | (0.34 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.34 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class P | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
12/31/2023 | | | 7.14 | | | | 0.34 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.45 | | | | (0.35 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.35 | ) |
12/31/2022 | | | 8.56 | | | | 0.29 | | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (1.10 | ) | | | (0.31 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.32 | ) |
12/31/2021 | | | 8.60 | | | | 0.26 | | | | – | | | | 0.26 | | | | (0.27 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.30 | ) |
12/31/2020 | | | 8.32 | | | | 0.28 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.58 | | | | (0.30 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.30 | ) |
12/31/2019 | | | 7.64 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.69 | | | | 0.99 | | | | (0.31 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.31 | ) |
50 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
| | | | Ratios to Average Net Assets: | | Supplemental Data: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | Total return(b) (%) | | Total expenses after waivers and/or reim- bursements (%) | | Total expenses (%) | | Net investment income (loss) (%) | | Net assets, end of period (000) | | Portfolio turnover rate (%) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| $7.08 | | | | 6.85 | | | | 0.78 | | | | 0.78 | | | | 5.05 | | | $ | 4,727,745 | | | | 263 | |
| 6.98 | | | | (12.68 | ) | | | 0.77 | | | | 0.78 | | | | 4.12 | | | | 5,029,503 | | | | 181 | |
| 8.37 | | | | 3.26 | | | | 0.76 | | | | 0.76 | | | | 3.19 | | | | 6,750,572 | | | | 81 | |
| 8.41 | | | | 7.60 | | | | 0.78 | | | | 0.78 | | | | 3.65 | | | | 5,877,018 | | | | 109 | |
| 8.13 | | | | 13.37 | | | | 0.79 | | | | 0.79 | | | | 3.90 | | | | 5,246,570 | | | | 217 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7.10 | | | | 6.19 | | | | 1.41 | | | | 1.41 | | | | 4.42 | | | | 695,474 | | | | 263 | |
| 7.00 | | | | (13.21 | ) | | | 1.42 | | | | 1.42 | | | | 3.47 | | | | 833,154 | | | | 181 | |
| 8.39 | | | | 2.60 | | | | 1.40 | | | | 1.40 | | | | 2.55 | | | | 1,269,001 | | | | 81 | |
| 8.43 | | | | 6.77 | | | | 1.42 | | | | 1.42 | | | | 3.02 | | | | 1,197,178 | | | | 109 | |
| 8.16 | | | | 12.77 | | | | 1.42 | | | | 1.42 | | | | 3.28 | | | | 1,328,321 | | | | 217 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7.07 | | | | 6.96 | | | | 0.68 | | | | 0.68 | | | | 5.00 | | | | 583,404 | | | | 263 | |
| 6.97 | | | | (12.62 | ) | | | 0.67 | | | | 0.67 | | | | 4.04 | | | | 2,261,927 | | | | 181 | |
| 8.36 | | | | 3.48 | | | | 0.66 | | | | 0.66 | | | | 3.28 | | | | 11,596,041 | | | | 81 | |
| 8.40 | | | | 7.57 | | | | 0.68 | | | | 0.68 | | | | 3.73 | | | | 7,838,614 | | | | 109 | |
| 8.12 | | | | 13.64 | | | | 0.69 | | | | 0.69 | | | | 3.97 | | | | 5,743,483 | | | | 217 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7.04 | | | | 7.02 | | | | 0.50 | | | | 0.50 | | | | 5.36 | | | | 4,988,158 | | | | 263 | |
| 6.95 | | | | (12.40 | ) | | | 0.50 | | | | 0.50 | | | | 4.41 | | | | 4,616,783 | | | | 181 | |
| 8.33 | | | | 3.53 | | | | 0.49 | | | | 0.49 | | | | 3.44 | | | | 5,134,497 | | | | 81 | |
| 8.37 | | | | 7.77 | | | | 0.50 | | | | 0.50 | | | | 3.91 | | | | 2,989,747 | | | | 109 | |
| 8.10 | | | | 13.86 | | | | 0.52 | | | | 0.52 | | | | 4.14 | | | | 2,290,420 | | | | 217 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7.04 | | | | 7.08 | | | | 0.58 | | | | 0.58 | | | | 5.27 | | | | 9,041,632 | | | | 263 | |
| 6.94 | | | | (12.49 | ) | | | 0.58 | | | | 0.58 | | | | 4.44 | | | | 7,788,311 | | | | 181 | |
| 8.32 | | | | 3.46 | | | | 0.56 | | | | 0.56 | | | | 3.38 | | | | 2,962,943 | | | | 81 | |
| 8.36 | | | | 7.69 | | | | 0.58 | | | | 0.58 | | | | 3.84 | | | | 1,782,404 | | | | 109 | |
| 8.09 | | | | 13.80 | | | | 0.59 | | | | 0.59 | | | | 4.07 | | | | 1,401,118 | | | | 217 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7.24 | | | | 6.56 | | | | 1.03 | | | | 1.03 | | | | 4.80 | | | | 8,284 | | | | 263 | |
| 7.14 | | | | (12.89 | ) | | | 1.02 | | | | 1.03 | | | | 3.86 | | | | 8,699 | | | | 181 | |
| 8.56 | | | | 3.01 | | | | 1.01 | | | | 1.01 | | | | 2.95 | | | | 12,453 | | | | 81 | |
| 8.60 | | | | 7.25 | | | | 1.03 | | | | 1.03 | | | | 3.42 | | | | 14,104 | | | | 109 | |
| 8.32 | | | | 13.16 | | | | 1.04 | | | | 1.04 | | | | 3.67 | | | | 16,727 | | | | 217 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 51 |
Financial Highlights (concluded)
| | | | Per Share Operating Performance: |
| | | | Investment Operations: | | Distributions to shareholders from: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Net asset value, beginning of period | | Net invest- ment income (loss)(a) | | Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | Total from invest- ment opera- tions | | Net investment income | | Net realized gain | | Total distri- butions |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
12/31/2023 | | | $6.98 | | | | $0.32 | | | | $ 0.11 | | | | $ 0.43 | | | | $(0.33 | ) | | | $ – | | | | $(0.33 | ) |
12/31/2022 | | | 8.37 | | | | 0.28 | | | | (1.37 | ) | | | (1.09 | ) | | | (0.29 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.30 | ) |
12/31/2021 | | | 8.41 | | | | 0.24 | | | | – | | | | 0.24 | | | | (0.25 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.28 | ) |
12/31/2020 | | | 8.13 | | | | 0.26 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.56 | | | | (0.28 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.28 | ) |
12/31/2019 | | | 7.47 | | | | 0.28 | | | | 0.67 | | | | 0.95 | | | | (0.29 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.29 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
12/31/2023 | | | 6.97 | | | | 0.33 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.44 | | | | (0.34 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.34 | ) |
12/31/2022 | | | 8.36 | | | | 0.28 | | | | (1.36 | ) | | | (1.08 | ) | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.31 | ) |
12/31/2021 | | | 8.39 | | | | 0.25 | | | | 0.01 | (c) | | | 0.26 | | | | (0.26 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.29 | ) |
12/31/2020 | | | 8.12 | | | | 0.27 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.56 | | | | (0.29 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.29 | ) |
12/31/2019 | | | 7.46 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.67 | | | | 0.96 | | | | (0.30 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.30 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
12/31/2023 | | | 6.98 | | | | 0.35 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.46 | | | | (0.36 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.36 | ) |
12/31/2022 | | | 8.37 | | | | 0.30 | | | | (1.36 | ) | | | (1.06 | ) | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.33 | ) |
12/31/2021 | | | 8.41 | | | | 0.27 | | | | – | | | | 0.27 | | | | (0.28 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.31 | ) |
12/31/2020 | | | 8.14 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.58 | | | | (0.31 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.31 | ) |
12/31/2019 | | | 7.47 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.69 | | | | 0.99 | | | | (0.32 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.32 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R5 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
12/31/2023 | | | 6.95 | | | | 0.36 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.47 | | | | (0.37 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.37 | ) |
12/31/2022 | | | 8.33 | | | | 0.32 | | | | (1.35 | ) | | | (1.03 | ) | | | (0.34 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.35 | ) |
12/31/2021 | | | 8.37 | | | | 0.29 | | | | – | | | | 0.29 | | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.33 | ) |
12/31/2020 | | | 8.10 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.59 | | | | (0.32 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.32 | ) |
12/31/2019 | | | 7.43 | | | | 0.33 | | | | 0.68 | | | | 1.01 | | | | (0.34 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.34 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
12/31/2023 | | | 6.95 | | | | 0.37 | | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.47 | | | | (0.38 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.38 | ) |
12/31/2022 | | | 8.33 | | | | 0.33 | | | | (1.36 | ) | | | (1.03 | ) | | | (0.34 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.35 | ) |
12/31/2021 | | | 8.37 | | | | 0.29 | | | | – | | | | 0.29 | | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.33 | ) |
12/31/2020 | | | 8.09 | | | | 0.31 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.61 | | | | (0.33 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.33 | ) |
12/31/2019 | | | 7.43 | | | | 0.33 | | | | 0.68 | | | | 1.01 | | | | (0.35 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.35 | ) |
(a) | | Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period. |
(b) | | Total return for Classes A and C does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions. Total return for all other classes assumes the reinvestment of all distributions. |
(c) | | Realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share does not correlate to the aggregate of the net realized and unrealized gain(loss) in the Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the Fund’s portfolio. |
52 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
| | | | Ratios to Average Net Assets: | | Supplemental Data: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | Total return(b) (%) | | Total expenses after waivers and/or reim- bursements (%) | | Total expenses (%) | | Net investment income (loss) (%) | | Net assets, end of period (000) | | Portfolio turnover rate (%) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| $7.08 | | | | 6.43 | | | | 1.18 | | | | 1.18 | | | | 4.66 | | | $ | 4,037 | | | | 263 | |
| 6.98 | | | | (13.04 | ) | | | 1.18 | | | | 1.18 | | | | 3.73 | | | | 3,890 | | | | 181 | |
| 8.37 | | | | 2.85 | | | | 1.16 | | | | 1.16 | | | | 2.80 | | | | 4,700 | | | | 81 | |
| 8.41 | | | | 7.17 | | | | 1.18 | | | | 1.18 | | | | 3.28 | | | | 5,222 | | | | 109 | |
| 8.13 | | | | 12.93 | | | | 1.19 | | | | 1.19 | | | | 3.52 | | | | 6,688 | | | | 217 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7.07 | | | | 6.54 | | | | 1.08 | | | | 1.08 | | | | 4.75 | | | | 189,931 | | | | 263 | |
| 6.97 | | | | (12.97 | ) | | | 1.07 | | | | 1.08 | | | | 3.82 | | | | 200,096 | | | | 181 | |
| 8.36 | | | | 3.07 | | | | 1.06 | | | | 1.06 | | | | 2.90 | | | | 264,066 | | | | 81 | |
| 8.39 | | | | 7.16 | | | | 1.08 | | | | 1.08 | | | | 3.36 | | | | 232,103 | | | | 109 | |
| 8.12 | | | | 13.20 | | | | 1.09 | | | | 1.09 | | | | 3.60 | | | | 201,289 | | | | 217 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7.08 | | | | 6.80 | | | | 0.83 | | | | 0.83 | | | | 5.00 | | | | 61,658 | | | | 263 | |
| 6.98 | | | | (12.73 | ) | | | 0.82 | | | | 0.83 | | | | 4.09 | | | | 64,879 | | | | 181 | |
| 8.37 | | | | 3.21 | | | | 0.81 | | | | 0.81 | | | | 3.15 | | | | 74,934 | | | | 81 | |
| 8.41 | | | | 7.41 | | | | 0.83 | | | | 0.83 | | | | 3.61 | | | | 61,183 | | | | 109 | |
| 8.14 | | | | 13.46 | | | | 0.84 | | | | 0.84 | | | | 3.80 | | | | 48,229 | | | | 217 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7.05 | | | | 7.07 | | | | 0.58 | | | | 0.58 | | | | 5.27 | | | | 25,659 | | | | 263 | |
| 6.95 | | | | (12.47 | ) | | | 0.57 | | | | 0.58 | | | | 4.33 | | | | 24,622 | | | | 181 | |
| 8.33 | | | | 3.47 | | | | 0.56 | | | | 0.56 | | | | 3.39 | | | | 30,538 | | | | 81 | |
| 8.37 | | | | 7.70 | | | | 0.58 | | | | 0.58 | | | | 3.85 | | | | 22,722 | | | | 109 | |
| 8.10 | | | | 13.79 | | | | 0.59 | | | | 0.59 | | | | 4.13 | | | | 16,505 | | | | 217 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7.04 | | | | 7.17 | | | | 0.50 | | | | 0.50 | | | | 5.36 | | | | 423,928 | | | | 263 | |
| 6.95 | | | | (12.52 | ) | | | 0.50 | | | | 0.50 | | | | 4.42 | | | | 384,818 | | | | 181 | |
| 8.33 | | | | 3.53 | | | | 0.49 | | | | 0.49 | | | | 3.46 | | | | 407,728 | | | | 81 | |
| 8.37 | | | | 7.91 | | | | 0.50 | | | | 0.50 | | | | 3.92 | | | | 280,839 | | | | 109 | |
| 8.09 | | | | 13.73 | | | | 0.52 | | | | 0.52 | | | | 4.16 | | | | 186,784 | | | | 217 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | 53 |
Notes to Financial Statements
Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund was organized in 1970 and incorporated under Maryland law on January 23, 1976.
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high current income and the opportunity for capital appreciation to produce a high total return. The Fund has eleven active classes of shares: Class A, C, F, F3, I, P, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6, each with different expenses and dividends. A front-end sales charge is normally added to the net asset value (“NAV”) for Class A shares. There is no front-end sales charge in the case of Class C, F, F3, I, P, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 shares, although there may be a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) in certain cases as follows: Class A shares purchased without a sales charge and redeemed before the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of the purchase falls (subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus); Class C shares redeemed before the first anniversary of purchase. Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares on the 25th day of the month (or, if the 25th day is not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the eighth anniversary of the month on which the purchase order was accepted, provided that the Fund or financial intermediary through which a shareholder purchased Class C shares has records verifying that the C shares have been held at least eight years. The Fund’s Class P shares are closed to substantially all new investors, with certain exceptions as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus.
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies.
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
(a) | Investment Valuation—Under procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), the Board has designated the determination of fair value of the Fund’s portfolio investments to Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”) as its valuation designee. Accordingly, Lord Abbett is responsible for, among other things, assessing and managing valuation risks, establishing, applying and testing fair value methodologies, and evaluating pricing services. Lord Abbett has formed a Pricing Committee that performs these responsibilities on behalf of Lord Abbett, administers the pricing and valuation of portfolio investments and ensures that prices utilized reasonably reflect fair value. Among other things, these procedures allow Lord Abbett, subject to Board oversight, to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities, and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value. |
| |
| Securities actively traded on any recognized U.S. or non-U.S. exchange or on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC are valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange or system on which they are principally traded. Events occurring after the close of trading on non-U.S. exchanges may result in adjustments to the valuation of foreign securities to reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. When valuing foreign equity securities that meet certain criteria, the Pricing Committee uses a third-party fair |
54
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
| valuation service that values such securities to reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other instruments that correlate to the fair-valued securities. Unlisted equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if no sale price is available, at the mean between the most recently quoted bid and ask prices. Exchange traded options and futures contracts are valued at the last quoted sale price in the market where they are principally traded. If no sale has occurred, the mean between the most recently quoted bid and ask prices is used. Fixed income securities are valued based on evaluated prices supplied by independent pricing services, which reflect broker/dealer supplied valuations and the independent pricing services’ own electronic data processing techniques. Floating rate loans are valued at the average of bid and ask quotations obtained from dealers in loans on the basis of prices supplied by independent pricing services. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued using daily forward exchange rates. Swaps, options and options on swaps (“swaptions”) are valued daily using independent pricing services or quotations from broker/dealers to the extent available. |
| |
| Securities for which prices are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined by the Pricing Committee. The Pricing Committee considers a number of factors, including observable and unobservable inputs, when arriving at fair value. The Pricing Committee may use observable inputs such as yield curves, broker quotes, observable trading activity, option adjusted spread models and other relevant information to determine the fair value of portfolio investments. The Board or a designated committee thereof periodically reviews reports that may include fair value determinations made by the Pricing Committee, related market activity, inputs and assumptions, and retrospective comparison of prices of subsequent purchases and sales transactions to fair value determinations made by the Pricing Committee. |
| |
| Short-term securities with 60 days or less remaining to maturity are valued using the amortized cost method, which approximates fair value. Investments in open-end money market mutual funds are valued at their NAV as of the close of each business day. |
| |
(b) | Security Transactions—Security transactions are recorded as of the date that the securities are purchased or sold (trade date). Realized gains and losses on sales of portfolio securities are calculated using the identified-cost method. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets at the beginning of the day. |
| |
(c) | Investment Income—Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis as earned. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized using the effective interest method and are included in Interest and other, if applicable, in the Statement of Operations. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. Investment income is allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets at the beginning of the day. |
| |
(d) | Income Taxes—It is the policy of the Fund to meet the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Therefore, no income tax provision is required. |
| |
| The Fund files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on the Fund’s filed U.S. federal tax returns remains open for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 through December 31, 2023. |
55
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
| The statutes of limitations on the Fund’s state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the Fund’s jurisdiction. |
| |
(e) | Expenses—Expenses, excluding class-specific expenses, are allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets at the beginning of the day. In addition, Class F3 and R6 bear only their class specific shareholder expenses. Class A, C, F, P, R2, R3 and R4 shares bear their class-specific share of all expenses and fees related to the Fund’s 12b-1 Distribution Plan. |
| |
(f) | Foreign Transactions—The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars and transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded in the Fund’s records at the rate prevailing when earned or recorded. Asset and liability accounts that are denominated in foreign currencies are adjusted daily to reflect current exchange rates and any unrealized gain (loss), if applicable, is included in Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies in the Fund’s Statement of Operations. The resultant exchange gains and losses upon settlement of such transactions, if applicable, are included in Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions in the Fund’s Statement of Operations. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the changes in market prices of the securities. |
| |
| The Fund uses foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts’ terms. |
| |
(g) | Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts—The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order to reduce exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign portfolio holdings, or gain or reduce exposure to foreign currency solely for investment purposes. A forward foreign currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated rate. The contracts are valued daily at forward exchange rates and any unrealized gain (loss), if applicable, is included in Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Fund’s Statement of Operations. The gain (loss) arising from the difference between the U.S. dollar cost of the original contract and the value of the forward foreign currency in U.S. dollars upon closing of such contracts is included, if applicable, in Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Fund’s Statement of Operations. |
| |
(h) | Futures Contracts—The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts to enhance returns, to attempt to economically hedge some of its investment risk, or as a substitute position in lieu of holding the underlying asset on which the instrument is based. At the time of entering into a futures transaction, an investor is required to deposit and maintain a specified amount of cash or eligible securities called “initial margin.” Subsequent payments made or received by the Fund called “variation margin” are made on a daily basis as the market price of the futures contract fluctuates. The Fund will record an unrealized gain (loss) based on the amount of variation margin. When a contract is closed, a realized gain (loss) is recorded equal to the difference between the opening and closing value of the contract. |
| |
(i) | Credit Default Swap Contracts—The Fund may enter into credit default swap contracts in order to hedge credit risk or for speculation purposes. As a seller of a credit default swap contract (“seller of protection”), the Fund is required to pay the notional amount or other |
56
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
agreed-upon value of a referenced debt obligation to the counterparty in the event of a default by or other credit event involving the referenced issuer, obligation or index. In return, the Fund receives from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract.
As a purchaser of a credit default swap contract (“buyer of protection”), the Fund would receive the notional amount or other agreed upon value of a referenced debt obligation from the counterparty in the event of default by or other credit event involving the referenced issuer, obligation or index. In return, the Fund makes periodic payments to the counterparty over the term of the contracts, provided no event of default has occurred.
These credit default swap contracts may have as a reference obligation corporate or sovereign issuers or credit indexes. These credit indexes are comprised of a basket of securities representing a particular sector of the market.
Credit default swap contracts are fair valued based upon quotations from counterparties, brokers or market-makers and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. For a credit default swap contract sold by the Fund, payment of the agreed-upon amount made by the Fund in the event of default of the referenced debt obligation is recorded as the cost of the referenced debt obligation purchased/received. For a credit default swap contract purchased by the Fund, the agreed-upon amount received by the Fund in the event of default of the referenced debt obligation is recorded as proceeds from sale/delivery of the referenced debt obligation and the resulting gain or loss realized on the referenced debt obligation is recorded as such by the Fund.
Any upfront payments made or received upon entering a credit default swap contract would be amortized or accreted over the life of the swap contract and recorded as realized gains or losses. Collateral, in the form of cash or securities, may be required to be held in segregated accounts with the custodian bank or broker in accordance with the swap contract agreement. The value and credit rating of each credit default swap contract where the Fund is the seller of protection, are both measures of the current payment/performance risk of the swap contract. As the value of the swap contract changes as a positive or negative percentage of the total notional amount, the payment/performance risk may decrease or increase, respectively. The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Fund as a seller of protection could be required to make under a credit default swap contract agreement would be an amount equal to the notional amount of the agreement. These potential amounts would be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront payments received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection credit default swap contract agreements entered into by the Fund for the same referenced entity or entities.
Entering into credit default swap contracts involves credit and market risk. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates, and that Lord Abbett does not correctly predict the creditworthiness of the issuers of the reference obligation on which the credit default swap contract is based. For the centrally cleared credit default swap contracts, there was minimal counterparty risk to the Fund, since such credit default swap contracts entered into were traded through a central clearinghouse, which guarantees against default.
57
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
(j) | Inflation-Linked Derivatives—The Fund may invest in inflation-linked derivatives, such as Consumer Price Index Swap Contract Agreements (“CPI swap contracts”). A CPI swap contract is a contract in which one party agrees to pay a fixed rate in exchange for a variable rate, which is the rate of change in the CPI during the life of the contract. Payments are based on a notional amount of principal. The Fund will normally enter into CPI swap contracts on a zero coupon basis, meaning that the floating rate will be based on the cumulative CPI during the life of the contract, and the fixed rate will compound until the swap contract’s maturity date, at which point the payments are netted. The swap contracts are valued daily and any unrealized gain (loss) is included in the Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swap contracts in the Fund’s Statement of Operations. A liquidation payment received or made at the termination or maturity of the swap contract is recorded in realized gain (loss) and is included in Net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts in the Fund’s Statement of Operations. Daily changes in valuation of centrally cleared CPI swap contracts, if any, are recorded as a receivable or payable for the change in value as appropriate (“variation margin”) on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. For the centrally cleared CPI swap contracts, there was minimal counterparty risk to the Fund, since such CPI swap contracts entered into were traded through a central clearinghouse, which guarantees against default. |
| |
(k) | Options—The Fund may purchase and write exchange-listed and over-the-counter put or call options on securities, stock indices, currencies and other financial instruments for hedging purposes, to enhance portfolio returns and reduce overall volatility. |
| |
| When a fund writes (sells) an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option written. When an option expires, the fund realizes a gain on the option to the extent of the premium received. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or closed are added to or offset against the proceeds or amount paid on the transaction to determine the realized gain or loss. If a put option on a security is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the security purchased by the Fund. If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds of the security sold to determine the realized gain or loss. The Fund, as writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the underlying investment. Other risks include the possibility of an illiquid options market or the inability of the counterparties to fulfill their obligations under the contracts. Net realized and net change in unrealized gains and losses on purchased options are included in Net realized and Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments in the Fund’s Statement of Operations. |
| |
| Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expire are treated as realized losses. Premiums paid for purchasing options which are exercised or closed are added to the amounts paid or offset against the proceeds on the underlying investment transaction to determine the realized gain or loss when the underlying transaction is executed. The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. |
58
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
(l) | Repurchase Agreements—The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with respect to securities. A repurchase agreement is a transaction in which a fund acquires a security and simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller (a bank or securities dealer) at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon date. The Fund requires at all times that the repurchase agreement be collateralized by cash, or by securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies, its instrumentalities, or U.S. Government sponsored enterprises having a value equal to, or in excess of, the value of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). If the seller of the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying securities at a time when the fair value of these securities has declined, the Fund may incur a loss upon disposition of the securities. |
| |
(m) | Mortgage Dollar Rolls—The Fund may enter into mortgage dollar rolls in which the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar (same type, coupon and maturity) but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund loses the right to receive principal (including prepayments of principal) and interest paid on the securities sold. |
| |
(n) | When-Issued, Forward Transactions or To-Be-Announced (“TBA”) Transactions—The Fund may purchase portfolio securities on a when-issued or forward basis. When-issued, forward transactions or TBA transactions involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase securities, with payment and delivery (“settlement”) to take place in the future, in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield at the time of entering into the transaction. During the period between purchase and settlement, the fair value of the securities will fluctuate and assets consisting of cash and/or marketable securities (normally short-term U.S. Government or U.S. Government sponsored enterprise securities) marked to market daily in an amount sufficient to make payment at settlement will be segregated at the Fund’s custodian in order to pay for the commitment. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, it will record the transaction and reflect the liability for the purchase and fair value of the security in determining its NAV. The Fund, generally, has the ability to close out a purchase obligation on or before the settlement date rather than take delivery of the security. Under no circumstances will settlement for such securities take place more than 120 days after the purchase date. |
| |
(o) | Reverse Repurchase Agreements—The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a fund sells a security to a securities dealer or bank for cash and also agrees to repurchase the same security later at a set price. Reverse repurchase agreements expose the Fund to credit risk (that is, the risk that the counterparty will fail to resell the security to the Fund). Engaging in reverse repurchase agreements also may involve the use of leverage, in that the Fund may reinvest the cash it receives in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities to be repurchased by the Fund may decline below the repurchase price. |
| |
| For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund did not enter into reverse repurchase agreements. |
| |
(p) | Floating Rate Loans—The Fund may invest in floating rate loans, which usually take the form of loan participations and assignments. Loan participations and assignments are agreements to make money available to U.S. or foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities (the “Borrower”) in a specified amount, at a specified rate and within a specified time. A loan is |
59
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
| typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign bank, insurance company or other financial institution (the “Agent”) for a group of loan investors (“Loan Investors”). The Agent typically administers and enforces the loan on behalf of the other Loan Investors in the syndicate and may hold any collateral on behalf of the Loan Investors. Such loan participations and assignments are typically senior, secured and collateralized in nature. The Fund records an investment when the Borrower withdraws money and records interest as earned. These loans pay interest at rates which are periodically reset by reference to a base lending rate plus a spread. These base lending rates are generally the prime rate offered by a designated U.S. bank or Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). |
| |
| The loans in which the Fund invests may be subject to some restrictions on resale. For example, the Fund may be contractually obligated to receive approval from the Agent and/or Borrower prior to the sale of these investments. The Fund generally has no right to enforce compliance with the terms of the loan agreement with the Borrower. As a result, the Fund assumes the credit risk of the Borrower, the selling participant and any other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the Borrower (“Intermediate Participants”). In the event that the Borrower, selling participant or Intermediate Participants become insolvent or enter into bankruptcy, the Fund may incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment or may suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. |
| |
| Unfunded commitments represent the remaining obligation of the Fund to the Borrower. At any point in time, up to the maturity date of the issue, the Borrower may demand the unfunded portion. Until demanded by the Borrower, unfunded commitments are not recognized as an asset on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Unrealized appreciation/depreciation on unfunded commitments presented, if any, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities represents mark to market of the unfunded portion of the Fund’s floating rate notes. |
| |
| As of December 31, 2023, the Fund did not have any unfunded loan commitments. |
| |
(q) | Total Return Swap Contracts—The Fund may enter into total return swap contract agreements to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning such security or investing directly in that market. The Fund may agree to make payments that are the equivalent of interest in exchange for the right to receive payments equivalent to any appreciation in the value of an underlying security, index or other asset, as well as receive payments equivalent to any distributions made on that asset, over the term of the swap contract. If the value of the asset underlying a total return swap contract declines over the term of the swap contract, the Fund also may be required to pay an amount equal to that decline in value to its counterparty. |
| |
(r) | Fair Value Measurements—Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. A three-tier hierarchy is used to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk - for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value (such as a pricing model) and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions |
60
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
| market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level of inputs that is significant to the fair value measurement, and is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below: |
| |
| • | Level 1 – | unadjusted 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.); and |
| | | |
| • | Level 3 – | significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). |
| |
| A summary of inputs used in valuing the Fund’s investments and other financial instruments as of December 31, 2023 and, if applicable, Level 3 rollforwards for the fiscal year then ended is included in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments. |
| |
| Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the three-tier hierarchy. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. |
3. | MANAGEMENT FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES |
Management Fee
The Fund has a management agreement with Lord Abbett, pursuant to which Lord Abbett provides the Fund with investment management services and executive and other personnel, provides office space and pays for ordinary and necessary office and clerical expenses relating to research and statistical work and supervision of the Fund’s investment portfolio. The management fee is accrued daily and payable monthly.
The management fee is based on the Fund’s average daily net assets at the following annual rate:
First $500 million | | | .50 | % |
Next $9.5 billion | | | .45 | % |
Over $10 billion | | | .40 | % |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the effective management fee was at an annualized rate of .42% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
In addition, Lord Abbett provides certain administrative services to the Fund pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement in return for a fee at an annual rate of .04% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The fund administration fee is accrued daily and payable monthly. Lord Abbett voluntarily waived $305,038 of fund administration fees during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
12b-1 Distribution Plan
The Fund has adopted a distribution plan with respect to Class A, C, F, P, R2, R3 and R4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, which provides for the payment of ongoing distribution and service fees to Lord Abbett Distributor LLC (the “Distributor”), an affiliate of Lord Abbett. The distribution and service fees are accrued daily and payable monthly.
61
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
The following annual rates have been authorized by the Board pursuant to the plan:
Fees* | Class A | | Class C(1) | | Class F(2) | | Class P | | Class R2 | | Class R3 | | Class R4 |
Service | .15% | | .25% | | – | | .25% | | .25% | | .25% | | .25% |
Distribution | .05% | | .75% | | .10% | | .20% | | .35% | | .25% | | – |
| |
* | The Fund may designate a portion of the aggregate fees as attributable to service activities for purposes of calculating Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. sales charge limitations. |
(1) | The Rule 12b-1 fee the Fund pays on Class C shares is a blended rate based on 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares held for less than one year and .80% (.25% service, .55% distribution) of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares held for one year or more. All Class C shareholders of the Fund will bear 12b-1 fees at the same rate. |
(2) | The Class F shares 12b-1 fee may be designated as a service fee in limited circumstances as described in the Fund’s prospectus. |
Class F3, Class I, Class R5 and Class R6 shares do not have a distribution plan.
Commissions
The Distributor received the following commissions on sales of shares of the Fund, after concessions were paid to authorized dealers, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:
Distributor Commissions | | Dealers’ Concessions |
$255,045 | | $2,585,563 |
Distributor received CDSCs of $53,457 and $34,734 for Class A and Class C shares, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
4. | DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION |
Dividends are paid from net investment income, if any. Capital gain distributions are paid from taxable net realized gains from investments transactions, reduced by allowable capital loss carryforwards, if any. The capital loss carryforward amount, if any, is available to offset future net capital gains. Dividends and distributions to 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 U.S. GAAP. 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 was as follows:
Fund | | Tax-Exempt Income | | | Ordinary Income | | | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | | | Return of Capital | | | Total Distributions Paid |
Bond Debenture Fund | | $ | – | | | | $1,136,707,282 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | | $1,136,707,282 |
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 was as follows:
Fund | | Tax-Exempt Income | | | Ordinary Income | | | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | | | Return of Capital | | | Total Distributions Paid |
Bond Debenture Fund | | $ | – | | | | $1,108,627,486 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | | $1,108,627,486 |
62
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
As of December 31, 2023, the components of distributable earnings (loss) on a tax basis were as follows:
Fund | | Undistributed Tax-Exempt Income | | | Undistributed Ordinary Income | | | Undistributed Net Long-Term Capital Gains | | | Accumulated Capital and Other Losses | | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | | | Temporary Differences | | | Total Distributable Earnings (Loss) | |
Bond Debenture Fund | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | | $(3,206,409,072 | ) | | | $(292,644,370 | ) | | | $(15,789,658 | ) | | | $(3,514,843,100 | ) |
Net capital losses recognized by the Fund may be carried forward indefinitely and retain their character as short-term and/or long-term losses. Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward are as follows:
Fund | | Short-Term Losses | | | Long-Term Losses | | | Net Capital Losses | |
Bond Debenture Fund | | | $(1,830,713,816 | ) | | | $(1,375,695,256 | ) | | | $(3,206,409,072 | ) |
As of December 31, 2023, the tax cost of investments and the breakdown of unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for the Fund are shown below. The difference between book-basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable to the tax treatment of certain securities, amortization of premium, other financial instruments and wash sales.
Fund | | Tax Cost of Investments | | | Gross Unrealized Appreciation | | | Gross Unrealized Depreciation | | | Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
Bond Debenture Fund | | | $23,400,857,178 | | | | $594,623,408 | | | | $(887,334,069 | ) | | | $(292,710,661 | ) |
Permanent items identified, as shown below, have been reclassified among the components of net assets based on their tax treatment. The permanent differences are primarily attributable to the tax treatment of redemptions-in-kind.
Fund | | Total Distributable Earnings (Loss) | | | Paid-in Capital | |
Bond Debenture Fund | | | $228,755 | | | | $(228,755 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
5. | PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS |
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:
U.S. Government Purchases* | | | Non-U.S. Government Purchases | | | U.S. Government Sales* | | | Non-U.S. Government Sales | |
| $44,741,391,889 | | | | $16,950,246,874 | | | | $43,640,579,871 | | | | $16,904,973,375 | |
| |
* | Includes U.S. Government sponsored enterprises securities. |
The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities (“cross-trade”) from and to other Lord Abbett funds or client accounts pursuant to procedures approved by the Board in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the “Rule”). Each cross-trade is executed at a fair market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund engaged in cross-trades purchases of $60,265.
6. | DISCLOSURES ABOUT DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES |
The Fund entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (as described in Note 2(g)). A forward foreign currency exchange contract reduces the Fund’s exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will deliver (or settle in cash) and increases its exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will receive (or settle in cash)
63
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
for the duration of the contract. The Fund’s use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts involves the risk that Lord Abbett will not accurately predict currency movements, and the Fund’s returns could be reduced as a result. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in the case of hedged positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. The Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts and deposits with brokers as collateral.
The Fund entered into U.S. Treasury and equity futures contracts during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (as described in note 2(h)) to economically hedge against changes in interest rates. The Fund bears the risk of interest rates moving unexpectedly, in which case the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and realize a loss. There is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since futures are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees futures against default.
The Fund entered into credit default swap contracts during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (as described in Note 2(i)) for investment purposes, to economically hedge credit risk or for speculative purposes. Credit default swap contracts involve the exchange of a fixed rate premium for protection against the loss in value of an underlying security within the index in the event of a defined credit event, such as payment default or bankruptcy. Under a credit default swap contract, one party acts as a guarantor by receiving the fixed periodic payment in exchange for the commitment to purchase the underlying security at par if the defined credit event occurs. Upon the occurrence of a defined credit event, the difference between the value of the reference obligation and the swap contract’s notional amount is recorded as realized gain or loss on swap contracts in the Statements of Operations. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty risk, either as the protection seller or as the protection buyer, is the fair value of the contract. For the centrally cleared credit default swap contracts, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since these credit default swap contracts are traded through a central clearinghouse. As a counterparty to all centrally cleared credit default swap contracts, the clearinghouse guarantees credit default swap contracts against default.
The Fund entered into CPI swap contracts during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (as described in Note 2(j)) to speculate the rate of inflation in the U.S. economy. The Fund’s use of CPI swap involves the risk that Lord Abbett will not accurately predict expectations of inflation or interest rates, and the Fund’s returns could be reduced as a result. The Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is unrealized appreciation on CPI swap contracts. For the centrally cleared CPI swap contracts, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since these CPI swap contracts are traded through a central clearinghouse. As a counterparty to all centrally cleared swap contracts, the clearinghouse guarantees CPI swap contracts against default.
The Fund entered into options on equities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (as described in Note 2(k)) to obtain exposure to an issuer (the Reference Entity). The Fund’s use of swaptions and options involves the risk that Lord Abbett will not accurately predict expectations of market value of the Reference Entity, and the Fund’s returns could be reduced as a result. The Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the notional value of the contract.
64
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
As of December 31, 2023, the Fund had the following derivatives at fair value, grouped into appropriate risk categories that illustrate the Fund’s use of derivative instruments:
Asset Derivatives | | Interest Rate Contracts | | | Foreign Currency Contracts | | | Inflation Linked Contracts | |
Centrally Cleared CPI Swap Contracts(1) | | | – | | | | – | | | $ | 334,767 | |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(2) | | | – | | | $ | 96,013 | | | | – | |
Futures Contracts(3) | | $ | 12,802,690 | | | | – | | | | – | |
Liability Derivatives | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Centrally Cleared CPI Swap Contracts(1) | | | – | | | | – | | | $ | 13,643,677 | |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(4) | | | – | | | $ | 4,676,151 | | | | – | |
Futures Contracts(3) | | $ | 78,855,109 | | | | – | | | | – | |
(1) | Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation/depreciation of centrally cleared swap contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
(2) | Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts. |
(3) | Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
(4) | Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts. |
Transactions in derivative investments during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:
| | Equity Contracts | | | Inflation Linked/ Interest Rate Contracts | | | Foreign Currency Contracts | | | Credit Contracts | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CPI/Interest Rate Swap Contracts(1) | | | – | | | $ | (2,567,985 | ) | | | – | | | | – | |
Credit Default Swaps Contracts(1) | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | | | $ | (36,711 | ) |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(2) | | | – | | | | – | | | $ | (11,472,984 | ) | | | – | |
Futures Contracts(3) | | $ | (49,999,818 | ) | | $ | (124,551,363 | ) | | | – | | | | – | |
Purchased Options(4) | | $ | (1,249,958 | ) | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CPI/Interest Rate Swap Contracts(5) | | | – | | | $ | (5,507,136 | ) | | | – | | | | – | |
Credit Default Swap Contracts(5) | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | | | $ | (6,025,593 | ) |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(6) | | | – | | | | – | | | $ | 3,635,364 | | | | – | |
Futures Contracts(7) | | $ | (78,697,634 | ) | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | |
Average Number of Contracts/Notional Amounts* | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CPI/Interest Rate Swap Contracts(8) | | | – | | | $ | 428,599,538 | | | | – | | | | – | |
Credit Default Swap Contracts(8) | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | | | $ | 120,903,144 | |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(8) | | | – | | | | – | | | $ | 448,260,044 | | | | – | |
Futures Contracts(9) | | | 286 | | | | 37,681 | | | | – | | | | – | |
Purchased Options(8) | | $ | 133,654 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | |
* | Calculated based on the number of contracts or notional amounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. |
(1) | Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts. |
65
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
(2) | Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts. |
(3) | Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts. |
(4) | Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) on investments. |
(5) | Statement of Operations location: Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swap contracts. |
(6) | Statement of Operations location: Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts. |
(7) | Statement of Operations location: Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. |
(8) | Amount represents notional amounts in U.S. dollars. |
(9) | Amount represents number of contracts. |
7. | DISCLOSURES ABOUT OFFSETTING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
The Financial Accounting Standards Board requires disclosures intended to help better assess the effect or potential effect of offsetting arrangements on a fund’s financial position. The following tables illustrate gross and net information about recognized assets and liabilities eligible for offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities; and disclose such amounts subject to an enforceable master netting agreement or similar agreement, by the counterparty. A master netting agreement is an agreement between a fund and a counterparty which provides for the net settlement of amounts owed under all contracts traded under that agreement, as well as cash collateral, through a single payment by one party to the other in the event of default on or termination of any one contract. The Fund’s accounting policy with respect to balance sheet offsetting is that, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the master netting agreement does not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the Fund and the applicable counterparty:
Description | | Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets | | | Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | | Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts | | $ | 96,013 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 96,013 |
Repurchase Agreements | | | 89,289,724 | | | | – | | | | 89,289,724 |
Total | | $ | 89,385,737 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 89,385,737 |
| | Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | | Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | | |
Counterparty | | | | Financial Instruments | | | Cash Collateral Received(a) | | | Securities Collateral Received(a) | | | Net Amount(b) |
Morgan Stanley | | $ | 96,013 | | | $ | (96,013 | ) | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | – |
Fixed Income Clearing Corp. | | | 89,289,724 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | (89,289,724 | ) | | | – |
Total | | $ | 89,385,737 | | | $ | (96,013 | ) | | $ | – | | | $ | (89,289,724 | ) | | $ | – |
Description | | Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities | | | Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | | Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts | | $ | 4,676,151 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 4,676,151 |
Total | | $ | 4,676,151 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 4,676,151 |
66
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
| | Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilitties | | | Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | | |
Counterparty | | | | Financial Instruments | | | Cash Collateral Pledged(a) | | | Securities Collateral Pledged(a) | | | Net Amount(c) |
Bank of America | | $ | 697,632 | | | $ | – | | | $ | (610,000 | ) | | $ | – | | | $ | 87,632 |
Morgan Stanley | | | 1,420,618 | | | | (96,013 | ) | | | (1,324,605 | ) | | | – | | | | – |
State Street Bank and Trust | | | 2,557,901 | | | | – | | | | (2,557,901 | ) | | | – | | | | – |
Total | | $ | 4,676,151 | | | $ | (96,013 | ) | | $ | (4,492,506 | ) | | $ | – | | | $ | 87,632 |
(a) | Collateral disclosed is limited to an amount not to exceed 100% of the net amount of assets (liabilities) presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, for each respective counterparty. |
(b) | Net amount represents the amount owed to the Fund by the counterparty as of December 31, 2023. |
(c) | Net amount represents the amount owed by the Fund to the counterparty as of December 31, 2023. |
8. | DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION |
The Fund’s officers and one Director, 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 may elect to defer receipt of a portion of Directors’ fees. The deferred amounts are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in the Fund. Such amounts and earnings accrued thereon are included in Directors’ fees in the Statement of Operations and in Directors’ fees payable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and are not deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes until such amounts are paid.
The Fund had entered into an arrangement with its prior transfer agent and its custodian, whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fund’s expenses. The arrangement with the Fund’s prior transfer agent was discontinued effective March 6, 2023.
For the period ended August 2, 2023, the Fund and certain other funds managed by Lord Abbett (collectively, the “Participating Funds”) were party to a syndicated line of credit facility with various lenders for $1.625 billion (the “Syndicated Facility”) under which State Street Bank and Trust Company (“SSB”) participated as a lender and as agent for the lenders. The Participating Funds were subject to graduated borrowing limits of one-third of fund net assets (if fund net assets are less than $750 million), $250 million, $300 million, $700 million, or $1 billion, based on past borrowings and likelihood of future borrowings, among other factors.
Effective August 3, 2023, the Participating Funds renewed the Syndicated Facility for $1.6 billion. The Participating Funds remain subject to the same borrowing limits as were in place prior to the renewal.
For the period ended August 2, 2023, the Participating Funds were also party to an additional uncommitted line of credit facility with SSB for $330 million (the “Bilateral Facility”). Under the Bilateral Facility, the Participating Funds were subject to graduated borrowing limits of one-third of fund net assets (if fund net assets are less than $750 million), or $250 million based on past borrowings and likelihood of future borrowings, among other factors.
67
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
Effective August 3, 2023, the Participating Funds renewed the Bilateral Facility in the same amount. The Participating Funds remain subject to the same borrowing limits as were in place prior to the renewal.
These credit facilities are to be used for temporary or emergency purposes as additional sources of liquidity to satisfy redemptions.
The Fund utilized the Bilateral Facility multiple dates from January 18, 2023 through February 14, 2023 with an average borrowing amount of $29,250,000. The average interest rate during the period was 5.77% and the total interest paid amounted to $52,375. The Fund utilized the Syndicated Facility multiple dates from February 16, 2023 through October 25, 2023 with an average borrowing amount of $61,714,286. The average interest rate during the period was 5.83% and total interest paid amounted to $66,521.
11. | INTERFUND LENDING PROGRAM |
Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC exemptive order”) certain registered open-end management investment companies managed by Lord Abbett, including the Fund, participate in a joint lending and borrowing program (the “Interfund Lending Program”). The SEC exemptive order allows the funds that participate in the Interfund Lending Program to borrow money from and lend money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes subject to the limitations and conditions.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund participated as a borrower in the Interfund Lending Program. For the period in which the loan was outstanding, the average amount borrowed, interest rate and interest expense were as follows:
Average Amount Borrowed | | Average Interest Rate | | Interest Expense* |
$31,768,210 | | 4.55% | | $63,400 |
* | Statement of Operations location: Interest paid from Interfund Lending. |
12. | 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.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, a shareholder of the Fund redeemed its Fund shares in exchange for portfolio securities “redemption in kind.” As a result of the redemption in-kind, the Fund realized a net gain of $74,279.
14. | SECURITIES LENDING AGREEMENT |
The Fund has established a securities lending agreement with Citibank, N.A. for the lending of securities to qualified brokers in exchange for securities or cash collateral equal to at least the market value of securities loaned, plus interest, if applicable. Cash collateral is invested in an approved money market fund. In accordance with the Fund’s securities lending agreement, the market value of securities on loan is determined each day at the close of business and any additional collateral required to cover the value of securities on loan is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. As with other extensions of credit, the Fund may experience a delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss should the borrower of the securities breach its agreement
68
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
with the Fund or the borrower becomes insolvent at a time when the collateral is insufficient to cover the cost of repurchasing securities on loan. Any income earned from securities lending is included in Securities lending net income in the Fund’s Statement of Operations.
The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value equal to at least 100% of the market value of the securities loaned. The collateral must be marked-to-market daily to cover increases in the market value of the securities loaned (or potentially a decline in the value of the collateral). In general, the risk of borrower default will be borne by Citibank, N.A.; the Fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to the investment of the cash collateral. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive income on loaned securities while receiving a portion of any securities lending fees and earning returns on the cash amounts which may be reinvested for the purchase of investments in securities.
As of December 31, 2023, the market value of securities loaned and collateral received for the Fund were as follows:
Market Value of Securities Loaned | | Collateral Received(1) |
$9,038,148 | | $9,438,324 |
| | |
(1) | Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Collateral due to broker for securities lending. |
The Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with investing in debt securities and to the changing prospects of individual companies and/or sectors in which the Fund invests. 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 securities are subject to greater price fluctuations, as well as additional risks. The market for below investment grade securities may be less liquid, which may make such securities more difficult to sell at an acceptable price, especially during periods of financial distress, increased market volatility, or significant market decline.
Certain instruments in which the Fund may invest have historically relied upon LIBOR. As of June 30, 2023, the administrator of LIBOR ceased publication of U.S. dollar LIBOR settings. The LIBOR transition could have adverse impacts on newly issued financial instruments and existing financial instruments which referenced LIBOR and lead to significant short-term and long-term uncertainty and market instability.
The Fund is subject to the risk of investing in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies and instrumentalities (such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”)). Unlike Ginnie Mae securities, securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government-related organizations such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and no assurance can be given that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies and instrumentalities if not required to
69
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
do so by law. Consequently, the Fund may be required to look principally to the agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation.
The mortgage-related and asset-backed 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 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. Alternatively, rising interest rates may cause prepayments to occur at a slower-than-expected rate, extending the duration of a security and typically reducing its value. The payment rate will thus affect the price and volatility of a mortgage-related security. 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 markets in general, the changing prospects of individual companies in which the Fund invests, or an individual company’s financial condition.
The Fund may invest in convertible securities, which have both equity and fixed income risk characteristics, including market, credit, liquidity, and interest rate risks. 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 the 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 investment exposure to foreign companies and American Depositary Receipts, the Fund may experience increased market, industry and sector, liquidity, currency, political, information, and other risks. The securities of foreign companies also may be subject to inadequate exchange control regulations, the imposition of economic sanctions or other government restrictions, higher transaction and other costs, and delays in settlement to the extent they are traded on non-U.S. exchanges or markets.
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. Losses may also arise from the failure of a derivative counterparty to meet its contractual obligations. If the Fund incorrectly forecasts these and other factors, the Fund’s performance could suffer. The Fund’s use of derivatives could result in a loss exceeding the amount of the Fund’s investment in these instruments.
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. The senior loans in which the Fund
70
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
invests may consist primarily of senior loans that are rated below investment grade or, if unrated, deemed by Lord Abbett to be equivalent to below investment grade securities. Below investment grade senior loans, as in the case of high-yield debt securities, or junk bonds, are usually more credit sensitive than interest rate sensitive, although the value of these instruments may be impacted by broader interest rate swings in the overall fixed income market. Below investment grade senior loans may be affected by interest rate swings in the overall fixed income market. In addition, senior loans may be subject to structural subordination.
Geopolitical and other events (e.g., wars, terrorism, natural disasters, epidemics or pandemics) may disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets, thereby decreasing the value of the Fund’s investments. Market disruptions can also prevent the Fund from implementing its investment strategies and achieving its investment objective.
In March 2023, the shut-down of certain financial institutions raised economic concerns over disruption in the U.S. banking system. There can be no certainty that the actions taken by the U.S. government to strengthen public confidence in the U.S. banking system will be effective in mitigating the effects of financial institution failures on the economy and restoring public confidence in the U.S. banking system.
The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and the effects of other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics, or pandemics, may be short term or may continue for an extended period of time. For example, a global pandemic or other widespread health crises could negatively affect the global economy, the economies of individual countries, and the financial performance of individual issuers, sectors, industries, asset classes, and markets in significant and unforeseen ways. Health crises caused by outbreaks of disease may also exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The foregoing could disrupt the operations of the Fund and its service providers, adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments, and negatively impact the Fund’s performance and your investment in the Fund.
16. | SUMMARY OF CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS |
Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:
| | Year Ended December 31, 2023 | | | Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |
Class A Shares | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Shares sold* | | | 88,668,343 | | | $ | 617,671,332 | | | | 112,273,459 | | | $ | 835,445,794 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 33,921,856 | | | | 235,296,394 | | | | 32,561,070 | | | | 238,963,556 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (175,181,430 | ) | | | (1,213,804,594 | ) | | | (230,736,320 | ) | | | (1,709,281,439 | ) |
Decrease | | | (52,591,231 | ) | | $ | (360,836,868 | ) | | | (85,901,791 | ) | | $ | (634,872,089 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class C Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 13,162,206 | | | $ | 91,803,611 | | | | 14,547,706 | | | $ | 108,731,793 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 4,589,450 | | | | 31,920,856 | | | | 4,823,284 | | | | 35,533,707 | |
Shares reacquired* | | | (38,798,577 | ) | | | (269,218,570 | ) | | | (51,532,400 | ) | | | (381,857,274 | ) |
Decrease | | | (21,046,921 | ) | | $ | (145,494,103 | ) | | | (32,161,410 | ) | | $ | (237,591,774 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class F Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 34,372,993 | | | $ | 241,843,516 | | | | 248,809,736 | | | $ | 1,924,166,616 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 7,600,256 | | | | 52,909,410 | | | | 28,717,547 | | | | 214,590,580 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (283,990,803 | ) | | | (1,990,647,402 | ) | | | (1,340,625,715 | ) | | | (10,139,949,853 | ) |
Decrease | | | (242,017,554 | ) | | $ | (1,695,894,476 | ) | | | (1,063,098,432 | ) | | $ | (8,001,192,657 | ) |
71
Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)
| | Year Ended December 31, 2023 | | | Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |
Class F3 Shares | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Shares sold | | | 175,321,611 | | | $ | 1,211,699,022 | | | | 193,673,629 | | | $ | 1,451,330,618 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 38,212,736 | | | | 263,714,647 | | | | 32,093,814 | | | | 234,056,963 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (169,979,686 | ) | | | (1,169,783,105 | ) | | | (177,462,384 | ) | | | (1,300,771,878 | ) |
Increase | | | 43,554,661 | | | $ | 305,630,564 | | | | 48,305,059 | | | $ | 384,615,703 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 730,483,655 | | | $ | 5,077,362,432 | | | | 1,310,585,022 | | | $ | 9,719,443,588 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 61,550,130 | | | | 424,262,763 | | | | 35,427,500 | | | | 255,189,794 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (629,413,921 | ) | | | (4,334,164,739 | ) | | | (579,698,917 | ) | | | (4,190,446,761 | ) |
Increase | | | 162,619,864 | | | $ | 1,167,460,456 | | | | 766,313,605 | | | $ | 5,784,186,621 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class P Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 205,169 | | | $ | 1,458,425 | | | | 104,479 | | | $ | 774,156 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 58,033 | | | | 411,884 | | | | 56,172 | | | | 422,125 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (337,348 | ) | | | (2,402,833 | ) | | | (396,574 | ) | | | (3,035,362 | ) |
Decrease | | | (74,146 | ) | | $ | (532,524 | ) | | | (235,923 | ) | | $ | (1,839,081 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R2 Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 86,555 | | | $ | 600,136 | | | | 135,663 | | | $ | 1,002,069 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 25,288 | | | | 175,443 | | | | 21,153 | | | | 154,949 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (98,757 | ) | | | (683,184 | ) | | | (160,999 | ) | | | (1,210,149 | ) |
Increase (decrease) | | | 13,086 | | | $ | 92,395 | | | | (4,183 | ) | | $ | (53,131 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R3 Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 2,337,692 | | | $ | 16,223,241 | | | | 2,589,959 | | | $ | 19,586,616 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 1,372,307 | | | | 9,502,921 | | | | 1,289,838 | | | | 9,448,649 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (5,545,631 | ) | | | (38,214,097 | ) | | | (6,764,197 | ) | | | (50,276,249 | ) |
Decrease | | | (1,835,632 | ) | | $ | (12,487,935 | ) | | | (2,884,400 | ) | | $ | (21,240,984 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R4 Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 2,105,965 | | | $ | 14,615,500 | | | | 3,112,186 | | | $ | 23,363,759 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 332,063 | | | | 2,304,374 | | | | 295,478 | | | | 2,165,249 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (3,021,614 | ) | | | (20,931,905 | ) | | | (3,064,900 | ) | | | (22,849,391 | ) |
Increase (decrease) | | | (583,586 | ) | | $ | (4,012,031 | ) | | | 342,764 | | | $ | 2,679,617 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R5 Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 1,024,981 | | | $ | 7,081,721 | | | | 582,194 | | | $ | 4,388,339 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 192,419 | | | | 1,328,719 | | | | 166,682 | | | | 1,217,124 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (1,119,580 | ) | | | (7,729,107 | ) | | | (870,052 | ) | | | (6,574,520 | ) |
Increase (decrease) | | | 97,820 | | | $ | 681,333 | | | | (121,176 | ) | | $ | (969,057 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R6 Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 17,668,140 | | | $ | 121,934,540 | | | | 17,919,035 | | | $ | 134,763,645 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 2,787,208 | | | | 19,229,247 | | | | 2,211,435 | | | | 16,113,495 | |
Shares reacquired | | | (15,667,760 | ) | | | (107,800,502 | ) | | | (13,674,897 | ) | | | (101,453,224 | ) |
Increase | | | 4,787,588 | | | $ | 33,363,285 | | | | 6,455,573 | | | $ | 49,423,916 | |
* | Includes automated conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares. |
72
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2023, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2023, and the results of its operations 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 five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting 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.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian or counterparties; when replies were not received, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
February 26, 2024
We have served as the auditor of one or more Lord Abbett Family of Funds’ investment companies since 1932.
73
Basic Information About Management
The Board is responsible for the management of the business and affairs of the Fund in accordance with the laws of the state of organization. The Board elects officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fund and who execute policies authorized by the Board. The Board also approves an investment adviser to the Fund and continues to monitor the cost and quality of the services the investment adviser provides, and annually considers whether to renew the contract with the investment adviser. Generally, each Board member holds office until his/her successor is elected and qualified or until his/her earlier resignation or removal, as provided in the Fund’s organizational documents.
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”), a Delaware limited liability company, is the Fund’s investment adviser. Designated Lord Abbett personnel are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Independent Board Members
The following Independent Board Members also are board members of each of the 15 investment companies in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds, which consist of 64 investment portfolios.
Name, Address and Year of Birth | | Current Position and Length of Service with the Fund | | Principal Occupation and Other Directorships During the Past Five Years |
Evelyn E. Guernsey Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1955) | | Board member since 2011; Board Member Chair (since 2024) Vice Chair (2023) | | Principal Occupation: None. Other Directorships: None.
|
Kathleen M. Lutito Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1963) | | Board member since 2017 | | Principal Occupation: President and Chief Investment Officer of CenturyLink Investment Management Company (since 2006). Other Directorships: None.
|
James M. McTaggart Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1947) | | Board member since 2012 | | Principal Occupation: Owner of McTaggart LLC (since 2011). Other Directorships: None. |
Charles O. Prince Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1950) | | Board member since 2019 | | Principal Occupation: None. Formerly Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Citigroup, Inc. (Retired 2007). Other Directorships: Previously served as Director of Johnson & Johnson (2005–2022); Director of Xerox Corporation (2007–2018). |
Karla M. Rabusch Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1959) | | Board member since 2017 | | Principal Occupation: President and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (2003–2017); President of Wells Fargo Funds (2003–2016). Other Directorships: None. |
74
Basic Information About Management (continued)
Name, Address and Year of Birth | | Current Position and Length of Service with the Fund | | Principal Occupation and Other Directorships During the Past Five Years |
Lorin Patrick Taylor Radtke Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1968) | | Board member since 2021 | | Principal Occupation: Partner and Co-Founder of M Seven 8 Partners LLC, a venture capital firm (since 2016). Formerly Partner, Goldman Sachs (1992–2016). Other Directorships: Currently serves as Director of Assured Guaranty (since 2021); Virtual Combine (since 2018). Previously served as Director of SummerMoon Coffee (2022); Mariposa Family Learning (2021-2022). |
Leah Song Richardson Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1966) | | Board member since 2021 | | Principal Occupation: President of Colorado College (since 2021). Formerly Dean at University of California, Irvine - School of Law (2017- 2021); Professor of Law at University of California, Irvine (2014-2017). Other Directorships: None. |
Mark A. Schmid Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1959) | | Board member since 2016 | | Principal Occupation: Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the University of Chicago (2009–2021). Other Directorships: Currently serves as Director of Underwriters Laboratories Research Institute (since 2022). |
James L.L. Tullis Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1947) | | Board member since 2006 | | Principal Occupation: Chair of Tullis Health Investors - FL LLC (since 2019, CEO from 2012-2018); Formerly CEO of Tullis-Dickerson and Co. Inc., a venture capital management firm (1990-2016). Other Directorships: Currently serves as Chair of Crane Co. (since 2020, Director since 1998), Director of Crane NXT, Co. (since 2023), Director of Alphatec Spine (since 2018). Previously served as Director of Exagen Inc. (2019-2023); Director of electroCore, Inc. (2018-2020). |
Interested Board Members
Mr. Sieg is affiliated with Lord Abbett and is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the Act. Mr. Sieg is a board member of each of the 15 investment companies in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds, which consist of 64 investment portfolios. Mr. Sieg is an officer of the Lord Abbett Family of Funds.
75
Basic Information About Management (continued)
Name, Address and Year of Birth | | Current Position and Length of Service with the Fund | | Principal Occupation and Other Directorships During the Past Five Years |
Douglas B. Sieg Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1969) | | Board member since 2016 | | Principal Occupation: Managing Partner of Lord Abbett (since 2018). Formerly Head of Client Services, joined Lord Abbett in 1994. Other Directorships: None. |
Officers
None of the officers listed below have received compensation from the Fund. All of the officers of the Fund also may be officers of the other Lord Abbett Funds and maintain offices at 90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302. Unless otherwise indicated, the position(s) and title(s) listed under the “Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years” column indicate each officer’s position(s) and title(s) with Lord Abbett. Each officer serves for an indefinite term (i.e., until his or her death, resignation, retirement, or removal).
Name and Year of Birth | | Current Position with the Fund | | Length of Service of Current Position | | Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years |
Douglas B. Sieg (1969) | | President and Chief Executive Officer | | Elected as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2018 | | Managing Partner of Lord Abbett (since 2018) and was formerly Head of Client Services, joined Lord Abbett in 1994. |
Jackson C. Chan (1964) | | AML Compliance Officer | | Elected in 2018 | | Deputy Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Regulatory Affairs, joined Lord Abbett in 2014. |
Nicholas D. Emguschowa (1986) | | Data Protection Officer | | Elected in 2022 | | Assistant General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2018 and was formerly Associate at Shearman & Sterling (2014-2018). |
Brooke A. Fapohunda (1975) | | Vice President, Secretary, Chief Legal Officer | | Elected in 2023 | | Partner and Senior Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2006. |
Michael J. Hebert (1976) | | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | | Elected as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in 2021 | | Head of Global Fund Finance, joined Lord Abbett in 2021 and was formerly Vice President at Eaton Vance Management (EVM) (2014-2021) and Calvert Research & Management (CRM) (2016-2021), and Assistant Treasurer of registered investment companies managed, advised or administered by EVM and CRM during such years. |
76
Basic Information About Management (concluded)
Name and Year of Birth | | Current Position with the Fund | | Length of Service of Current Position | | Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years |
Parker J. Milender (1989) | | Vice President and Assistant Secretary | | Elected in 2023 | | Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2021 and was formerly an Associate at Milbank LLP (2017-2021). |
Mary Ann Picciotto (1973) | | Chief Compliance Officer | | Elected in 2023 | | Managing Director and Global Chief Compliance Officer, joined Lord Abbett in 2023 and was formerly Vice President and Head of Global Compliance at T. Rowe Price(2019-2023) and Senior Vice President, Head of Compliance at OppenheimerFunds, Inc.(2014-2019). |
Matthew A. Press (1987) | | Vice President and Assistant Secretary | | Elected in 2023 | | Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2022 and was formerly an Associate at Clifford Chance US LLP (2014-2022). |
Randolph A. Stuzin (1963) | | Vice President and Assistant Secretary | | Elected in 2023 | | Partner and Chief Legal Officer, joined Lord Abbett in 2023 and was formerly Partner and General Counsel at King Street Capital Management(2014 -2023). |
Victoria Zozulya (1983) | | Vice President and Assistant Secretary | | Elected in 2022 | | Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2022 and was formerly Senior Director and Counsel at Equitable (2018-2022) and Assistant General Counsel at Neuberger Berman (2014-2018). |
Please call 888-522-2388 for a copy of the statement of additional information, which contains further information about the Fund’s Board members. It is available free upon request.
77
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 (or related notice of internet availability of 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 Funds Service Center, P.O. Box 534489, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4489 (regular mail) or 500 Ross Street 154-0520, Attention: 534489, Pittsburgh, PA 15262 (overnight mail).
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 as an attachment to Form N-PORT. 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.
Tax Information (unaudited)
For foreign shareholders, the percentage below reflects the portion of net investment income distributions that represent interest-related dividends:
Fund Name | | | Interest-related dividends | |
Bond Debenture Fund | | | 100% | |
78
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. | | | |
Lord Abbett mutual fund shares are distributed by LORD ABBETT DISTRIBUTOR LLC. | | Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc. | LABD-2 (2/24) |
| (a) | In accordance with applicable requirements, the Registrant adopted a Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics on June 19, 2003 that applies to the principal executive officer and senior financial officers of the Registrant (“Code of Ethics”). The Code of Ethics was in effect during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Period”). |
| (c) | The Registrant has not amended the Code of Ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the Period. |
| (d) | The Registrant has not granted any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the Period. |
| (f) | See Item 13(a)(1) concerning the filing of the Code of Ethics. |
Item 3: | Audit Committee Financial Expert. |
| | The Registrant’s board of directors has determined that each of the following independent directors who are members of the audit committee is an audit committee financial expert: Evelyn E. Guernsey and Karla M. Rabusch. Each of these persons is independent within the meaning of the Form N-CSR. |
Item 4: | Principal Accountant Fees and Services. |
| | In response to sections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of Item 4, the aggregate fees billed to the Registrant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 by the Registrant’s principal accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and their respective affiliates (collectively, “Deloitte”) were as follows: |
| | Fiscal year ended: | |
| | 2023 | | 2022 | |
Audit Fees {a} | | $82,000 | | $77,000 | |
Audit-Related Fees | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | |
Total audit and audit-related fees | | 82,000 | | 77,000 | |
| | | | | |
Tax Fees | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | |
All Other Fees {b} | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | |
Total Fees | | $82,000 | | $77,000 | |
| {a} | Consists of fees for audits of the Registrant’s annual financial statements. |
| {b} | Fees for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 consist of fees for services related to the recovery of excess dividend withholding taxes in certain jurisdictions. |
(e) (1) | Pursuant to Rule 2-01(c) (7) of Regulation S-X, the Registrant’s Audit Committee has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures. Such policies and procedures generally provide that the Audit Committee must pre-approve: |
| · | any audit, audit-related, tax, and other services to be provided to the Lord Abbett Funds, including the Registrant, and |
| · | any audit-related, tax, and other services to be provided to the Registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to one or more Funds comprising the Registrant if the engagement relates directly to operations and financial reporting of a Fund, by the independent auditor to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditor’s independence. |
The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its Chair, subject to a fee limit of $10,000 per event, and not to exceed $25,000 annually. The Chair will report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Unless a type of service to be provided by the independent auditor has received general pre-approval, it must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
(e) (2) | The Registrant’s Audit Committee has approved 100% of the services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item 4, no amount was approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. |
| (g) | The aggregate non-audit fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to the Registrant are shown above in the response to Item 4 (a), (b), (c) and (d) as “All Other Fees”. |
The aggregate non-audit fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”), for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were:
| | Fiscal year ended: | |
| | 2023 | | 2022 | |
All Other Fees {a} | | $230,000 | | $270,000 | |
{a} | Consist of fees for Independent Services Auditors’ Report on Controls Placed in Operation and Tests of Operating Effectiveness related to Lord Abbett’s Asset Management Services (“SOC-1 Report”). |
The aggregate non-audit fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to entities under the common control of Lord Abbett for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were:
| | Fiscal year ended: | |
| | 2023 | | 2022 | |
All Other Fees | | $ - 0 - | | $ - 0 - | |
| (h) | The Registrant’s Audit Committee has considered the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant, that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01 (c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X and has determined that the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining Deloitte’s independence. |
Item 5: | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. |
| | The Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Reports to Shareholders under Item 1. |
Item 7: | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Item 8: | Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Item 9: | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. |
Item 10: | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
Item 11: | Controls and Procedures. |
| (a) | The principal executive officer and principal financial & accounting officer have concluded as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, 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), that the design of such procedures is effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. |
| (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 period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Item 12: | Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
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.
LORD ABBETT BOND-DEBENTURE FUND, INC. |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Douglas B. Sieg |
| | Douglas B. Sieg |
| | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: February 27, 2024
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/ Douglas B. Sieg |
| | Douglas B. Sieg |
| | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: February 27, 2024
| By: | /s/ Michael J. Hebert |
| | Michael J. Hebert |
| | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
Date: February 27, 2024