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 | 811-02653 | |||||
BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Funds, Inc. | ||||||
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter) | ||||||
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. 240 Greenwich Street New York, New York 10286 | ||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) | ||||||
Deirdre Cunnane, Esq. 240 Greenwich Street New York, New York 10286 | ||||||
(Name and address of agent for service) | ||||||
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: | (212) 922-6400 | |||||
Date of fiscal year end:
| 08/31 | |||||
Date of reporting period: | 08/31/22
| |||||
FORM N-CSR
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund
ANNUAL REPORT August 31, 2022 |
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The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period covered and do not necessarily represent the views of BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. or any other person in the BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a fund in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any fund in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds. |
Not FDIC-Insured • Not Bank-Guaranteed • May Lose Value |
Contents
THE FUND
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Back Cover
DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)
For the period from September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2022, as provided by portfolio managers, Daniel Marques and Daniel Rabasco of Insight North America LLC, sub-adviser
Market and Fund Performance Overview
For the 12-month period ended August 31, 2022, BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund (the “fund”) achieved a total return of −9.52%.1 In comparison, the fund’s benchmark, the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”), produced a total return of −8.63%.2
Municipal bonds lost ground over the reporting period due to concerns about inflation and interest-rate hikes by the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”). The fund lagged the Index, primarily due to yield curve positioning and asset allocation.
The Fund’s Investment Approach
The fund seeks to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital.
To pursue this goal, the fund normally invests substantially all of its net assets in municipal bonds that provide income exempt from federal income tax. The fund invests at least 75% of its assets in municipal bonds rated A or higher or the unrated equivalent as determined by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. The fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in municipal bonds rated below A or the unrated equivalent as determined by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc., including bonds rated below-investment-grade quality (“high yield” or “junk” bonds). The dollar-weighted average maturity of the fund’s portfolio is not restricted, but normally exceeds 10 years.
We focus on identifying undervalued sectors and securities and minimize the use of interest-rate forecasting. The portfolio managers select municipal bonds for the fund’s portfolio by:
· Using fundamental credit analysis to estimate the relative value and attractiveness of various sectors and securities, and to exploit pricing inefficiencies in the municipal bond market.
· Actively trading among various sectors, such as pre-refunded, general obligation and revenue, based on their apparent relative values. The fund seeks to invest in several of these sectors.
Markets Hindered by Inflation and Rising Rates
Fixed-income markets posted a negative performance during the reporting period as interest rates rose significantly driven primarily by investor worries about rising inflation, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and tightening monetary policy.
Early in the reporting period, the municipal bond market continued to benefit from policies put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including both direct and indirect support from the federal government for state and local governments and agencies and authorities. This federal support, the economic recovery and stronger balance sheets and liquidity for individuals produced significant inflows into municipal bond mutual funds.
The fiscal health of issuers was also supported by an economy that was strong early in the reporting period. During much of the pandemic, real estate and income tax collections failed
2
to decline as much as predicted, and progressive tax regimes proved beneficial because higher-earning, white-collar workers were largely able to work from home. Strong stock market returns also boosted revenues from capital gains taxes.
Later in the reporting period, however, a number of headwinds emerged. As oil prices rose, inflation measures reached multi-decade highs. This raised the possibility that higher prices would slow consumer spending and the broader economy.
In addition, the Fed began to act on the signals it sent late in 2021 that it would be raising the federal funds rate. In March 2022, the Fed raised the federal funds rate by 25 basis points (bps) and followed that up in May 2022, with an increase of 50 bps. In June and July, rates were again raised, this time by 75 bps each time, bringing the federal funds target rate to between 2.25% and 2.50%. The Fed also announced that its quantitative tightening program, in which it begins to reduce its bond holdings, would begin in June 2022.
Fears that the economy could slow were realized when the first-quarter GDP figures were released in April 2022 showing the economy declined somewhat. A still-strong labor market, however, suggested that the economy could rebound. Second-quarter data, however, showed that the economy shrank again, making for two consecutive quarters of decline, a rough indicator of recession. Inflation readings remained very high, greatly exceeding the Fed’s target of 2.00% and pointed to the strong possibility of additional rate hikes through the rest of 2022.
The persistence of higher-than-expected inflation, combined with measures from the Fed to combat it, led to higher interest rates and investors reacted by redeeming shares from municipal bond mutual funds, especially in the second half of the reporting period. The need for fund managers to meet redemptions only added to the downward momentum. In addition, the latter part of the period was characterized by volatility stemming from these headwinds as well as from the war in Ukraine.
While headwinds prevailed over much of the period, and outflows have been substantial, credit fundamentals in the municipal market remained strong. In addition, turmoil has resulted in more attractive valuations in many segments of the market, creating the potential for outperformance in the future.
Yield Curve Positioning and Asset Allocation Hindered Performance
The fund lagged the Index during the reporting period, primarily due to yield curve positioning and asset allocation decisions. The fund’s holdings of longer bonds were a primary detractor as rising interest rates took a greater toll on longer maturities. An overweight position in callable bonds in particular was detrimental. An overweight to revenue bonds also detracted from relative returns, especially in the prepaid gas segment. The fund did not make use of derivatives during the period.
On a more positive note, the fund’s short duration relative to the Index was beneficial. An overweight position in public power revenue bonds also contributed positively. Security selection was generally helpful as well, with positions in the health care, industrial development, transportation and airports segments adding to relative performance.
3
DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited) (continued)
Positioned for a Flatter Municipal Bond Curve
We are maintaining a barbell yield curve positioning in the fund. An overweight positioning in short-dated bonds for liquidity and reinvestment opportunities, along with an allocation to longer maturities with higher coupons, could improve performance potential. We anticipate that longer bonds will perform well since the municipal bond curve is likely to flatten following the inversion of the Treasury yield curve. We will also target fund duration relatively neutral versus the Index. In addition, since yield spreads have widened, we are looking for opportunities particularly among A and BBB rated securities, focusing on those with strong fundamentals.
September 15, 2022
1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Share price, yield and investment return fluctuate such that upon redemption, fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Income may be subject to state and local taxes, and some income may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) for certain investors. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable.
2 Source: Lipper Inc. — The Bloomberg U.S. Municipal Bond Index covers the USD-denominated, long-term, tax-exempt bond market. Investors cannot invest directly in any index.
Bonds are subject generally to interest-rate, credit, liquidity and market risks, to varying degrees, all of which are more fully described in the fund’s prospectus. Generally, all other factors being equal, bond prices are inversely related to interest-rate changes, and rate increases can cause price declines. High yield bond funds involve increased credit and liquidity risk compared with higher-quality bond funds. Below-investment-grade bonds are considered speculative as to the continuing ability of an issuer to make interest payments and repay principal.
Auction-rate securities include preferred shares of closed-end funds, long-term debt issued by municipalities and many other taxable and tax-exempt issuers. The dividend rates on these securities generally reset through bank-managed auctions periodically, including periods ranging from 7 days to 35 days.
Recent market risks include pandemic risks related to COVID-19. The effects of COVID-19 have contributed to increased volatility in global markets and will likely affect certain countries, companies, industries and market sectors more dramatically than others. To the extent the fund may overweight its investments in certain countries, companies, industries or market sectors, such positions will increase the fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those countries, companies, industries or sectors.
4
FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund with a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”).
† Source: Lipper Inc.
Past performance is not predictive of future performance.
The above graph compares a hypothetical $10,000 investment made in BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund on 8/31/12 to a hypothetical investment of $10,000 made in the Index on that date. All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.
The fund invests primarily in municipal securities and its performance shown in the line graph takes into account fees and expenses. The Index covers the U.S. dollar-denominated long-term tax-exempt bond market. Unlike a mutual fund, the Index is not subject to charges, fees and other expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. Further information relating to fund performance, including expense reimbursements, if applicable, is contained in the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus and elsewhere in this report.
Average Annual Total Returns as of 8/31/2022 | |||
| 1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund | -9.52% | 1.01% | 2.11% |
Bloomberg U.S.Municipal Bond Index | -8.63% | 1.28% | 2.25% |
The performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Share price and investment return fluctuate and an investor’s shares may be worth more or less than original cost upon redemption. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Go to www.im.bnymellon.com for the fund’s most recent month-end returns.
The fund’s performance shown in the graph and table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
5
UNDERSTANDING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES (Unaudited)
As a mutual fund investor, you pay ongoing expenses, such as management fees and other expenses. Using the information below, you can estimate how these expenses affect your investment and compare them with the expenses of other funds. You also may pay one-time transaction expenses, including sales charges (loads) and redemption fees, which are not shown in this section and would have resulted in higher total expenses. For more information, see your fund’s prospectus or talk to your financial adviser.
Review your fund’s expenses
The table below shows the expenses you would have paid on a $1,000 investment in BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund from March 1, 2022 to August 31, 2022. It also shows how much a $1,000 investment would be worth at the close of the period, assuming actual returns and expenses.
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment |
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Assume actual returns for the six months ended August 31, 2022 |
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Expenses paid per $1,000† | $3.56 |
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Ending value (after expenses) | $935.80 |
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COMPARING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES WITH THOSE OF OTHER FUNDS (Unaudited)
Using the SEC’s method to compare expenses
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has established guidelines to help investors assess fund expenses. Per these guidelines, the table below shows your fund’s expenses based on a $1,000 investment, assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return. You can use this information to compare the ongoing expenses (but not transaction expenses or total cost) of investing in the fund with those of other funds. All mutual fund shareholder reports will provide this information to help you make this comparison. Please note that you cannot use this information to estimate your actual ending account balance and expenses paid during the period.
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment |
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Assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return for the six months ended August 31, 2022 |
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Expenses paid per $1,000† | $3.72 |
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Ending value (after expenses) | $1,021.53 |
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† | Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .73%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
6
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS
August 31, 2022
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Bonds and Notes - .3% | |||||||||
Collateralized Municipal-Backed Securities - .3% | |||||||||
Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. 2019-2 | 3.63 | 5/20/2033 | 3,326,531 | 3,217,578 | |||||
| |||||||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% | |||||||||
Alabama - 6.2% | |||||||||
Alabama Public School & College Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 4.00 | 11/1/2036 | 6,000,000 | 6,183,241 | |||||
Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority, Special Tax Bonds, Ser. B | 5.00 | 7/1/2043 | 7,500,000 | 7,839,581 | |||||
Black Belt Energy Gas District, Revenue Bonds (Project No. 4) Ser. A1 | 4.00 | 12/1/2025 | 1,190,000 | a | 1,202,496 | ||||
Black Belt Energy Gas District, Revenue Bonds (Project No. 5) Ser. A1 | 4.00 | 10/1/2026 | 1,000,000 | a | 1,007,370 | ||||
Black Belt Energy Gas District, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B1, 1 Month LIBOR x.67 +.90% | 2.49 | 12/1/2023 | 3,000,000 | a,b | 2,977,229 | ||||
Jefferson County, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 9/15/2035 | 2,500,000 | 2,696,476 | |||||
Jefferson County, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. C | 6.60 | 10/1/2042 | 20,000,000 | c | 20,364,900 | ||||
The Lower Alabama Gas District, Revenue Bonds (Gas Project) | 4.00 | 12/1/2025 | 5,000,000 | a | 5,049,335 | ||||
The Lower Alabama Gas District, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 5.00 | 9/1/2028 | 3,300,000 | 3,513,515 | |||||
The Southeast Alabama Gas Supply District, Revenue Bonds (Project No. 2) Ser. A | 4.00 | 6/1/2024 | 7,960,000 | a | 8,024,845 | ||||
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 4.00 | 10/1/2035 | 4,005,000 | 4,034,610 | |||||
62,893,598 | |||||||||
Arizona - 2.2% | |||||||||
Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Equitable School Revolving Fund Obligated Group) Ser. A | 4.00 | 11/1/2037 | 4,885,000 | 4,764,095 |
7
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
Arizona - 2.2% (continued) | |||||||||
Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Equitable School Revolving Fund Obligated Group) Ser. A | 5.00 | 11/1/2044 | 1,975,000 | 2,066,505 | |||||
Glendale Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Sun Health Services Obligated Group) Ser. A | 5.00 | 11/15/2054 | 4,000,000 | 4,144,763 | |||||
Glendale Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Sun Health Services Obligated Group) Ser. A | 5.00 | 11/15/2048 | 1,500,000 | 1,556,660 | |||||
La Paz County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Harmony Public Schools) Ser. A | 5.00 | 2/15/2046 | 1,500,000 | d | 1,503,218 | ||||
Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Banner Health Obligated Group) Ser. A | 5.00 | 1/1/2041 | 2,500,000 | 2,635,443 | |||||
Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Banner Health Obligated Group) | 5.00 | 1/1/2031 | 1,750,000 | 1,889,678 | |||||
Maricopa County Special Health Care District, GO, Ser. D | 4.00 | 7/1/2035 | 1,375,000 | 1,424,537 | |||||
Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp., Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 4.00 | 7/1/2044 | 2,000,000 | 1,876,039 | |||||
21,860,938 | |||||||||
California - 6.0% | |||||||||
California, GO | 5.00 | 10/1/2030 | 1,000,000 | 1,137,974 | |||||
California, GO, Refunding | 5.00 | 4/1/2042 | 3,600,000 | 4,032,405 | |||||
California, GO, Refunding | 5.00 | 4/1/2033 | 5,900,000 | 6,678,490 | |||||
California, GO, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) | 5.25 | 8/1/2032 | 5,500,000 | 6,681,176 | |||||
California County Tobacco Securitization Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 6/1/2034 | 5,295,000 | 5,321,620 | |||||
California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Sutter Health Obligated Group) Ser. B | 5.00 | 11/15/2046 | 4,000,000 | 4,186,057 | |||||
California Housing Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Ser. 2021-1 | 3.50 | 11/20/2035 | 2,938,289 | 2,738,800 |
8
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
California - 6.0% (continued) | |||||||||
California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Loma Linda University Medical Center Obligated Group) | 5.25 | 12/1/2048 | 1,800,000 | d | 1,807,570 | ||||
Jefferson Union High School District, COP (Teacher & Staff Housing Project) (Insured; Build America Mutual) | 4.00 | 8/1/2050 | 3,255,000 | 2,982,020 | |||||
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 4.00 | 7/1/2051 | 6,650,000 | 6,072,577 | |||||
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 4.00 | 7/1/2046 | 2,780,000 | 2,585,307 | |||||
San Francisco City & County Airport Commission, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (San Francisco International Airport) Ser. B | 5.00 | 5/1/2041 | 12,500,000 | 12,932,407 | |||||
San Francisco City & County Airport Commission, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. E | 5.00 | 5/1/2050 | 3,500,000 | 3,625,394 | |||||
60,781,797 | |||||||||
Colorado - 4.2% | |||||||||
Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Covenant Retirement Communities & Services Obligated Group) | 5.00 | 12/1/2048 | 6,000,000 | 6,114,647 | |||||
Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (AdventHealth Obligated Group) | 5.00 | 11/19/2026 | 5,000,000 | a | 5,463,723 | ||||
Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (CommonSpirit Health Obligated Group) Ser. A | 5.00 | 8/1/2044 | 3,500,000 | 3,620,469 | |||||
Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Intermountain Healthcare Obligated Group) Ser. A | 4.00 | 5/15/2052 | 4,245,000 | 4,009,722 | |||||
Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 4.00 | 1/1/2036 | 5,000,000 | 5,016,482 | |||||
Denver City & County Airport System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 12/1/2031 | 2,000,000 | 2,151,222 | |||||
Denver City & County Airport System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 12/1/2048 | 5,000,000 | 5,161,209 | |||||
Denver City & County School District No. 1, GO (Insured; State Aid Withholding) Ser. A | 5.50 | 12/1/2041 | 1,550,000 | 1,728,153 |
9
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
Colorado - 4.2% (continued) | |||||||||
Denver Convention Center Hotel Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 12/1/2036 | 1,315,000 | 1,344,747 | |||||
Denver Convention Center Hotel Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 12/1/2027 | 3,860,000 | 4,089,899 | |||||
Dominion Water & Sanitation District, Revenue Bonds | 5.75 | 12/1/2036 | 3,500,000 | 3,574,586 | |||||
Dominion Water & Sanitation District, Revenue Bonds | 6.00 | 12/1/2046 | 412,000 | 420,880 | |||||
42,695,739 | |||||||||
Connecticut - .9% | |||||||||
Connecticut, GO, Ser. C | 5.00 | 6/15/2035 | 1,000,000 | 1,098,848 | |||||
Connecticut, GO, Ser. C | 5.00 | 6/15/2034 | 1,020,000 | 1,124,999 | |||||
Connecticut, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 5.00 | 5/1/2034 | 3,000,000 | 3,401,548 | |||||
Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Fairfield University) Ser. T | 4.00 | 7/1/2055 | 1,845,000 | 1,641,405 | |||||
Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. C1 | 3.25 | 5/15/2044 | 2,015,000 | 1,989,194 | |||||
9,255,994 | |||||||||
District of Columbia - 1.1% | |||||||||
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 10/1/2035 | 2,000,000 | 2,121,341 | |||||
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 10/1/2038 | 4,000,000 | 4,198,114 | |||||
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 10/1/2035 | 2,000,000 | 2,103,060 | |||||
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 10/1/2031 | 1,500,000 | 1,675,848 | |||||
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B | 4.00 | 10/1/2049 | 1,000,000 | 901,491 | |||||
10,999,854 | |||||||||
Florida - 6.5% | |||||||||
Broward County Airport System, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 10/1/2047 | 5,000,000 | 5,136,764 | |||||
Broward County School District, COP, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 7/1/2027 | 4,900,000 | 5,431,786 |
10
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
Florida - 6.5% (continued) | |||||||||
Central Florida Expressway Authority, Revenue Bonds (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. D | 5.00 | 7/1/2035 | 3,500,000 | 3,963,805 | |||||
Central Florida Expressway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 7/1/2038 | 2,500,000 | 2,674,207 | |||||
Escambia County, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 10/1/2046 | 5,000,000 | 5,389,410 | |||||
Florida Department of Management Services, COP, Ser. A | 5.00 | 11/1/2030 | 2,000,000 | 2,310,511 | |||||
Gainesville Utilities System, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 5.00 | 10/1/2037 | 2,000,000 | 2,162,780 | |||||
Jacksonville, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Brooks Rehabilitation Project) | 4.00 | 11/1/2045 | 3,000,000 | 2,732,595 | |||||
Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency, Tax Allocation Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 2/1/2035 | 1,500,000 | 1,545,620 | |||||
Miami Beach Stormwater, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 9/1/2047 | 1,000,000 | 1,001,039 | |||||
Miami-Dade County Water & Sewer System, Revenue Bonds | 4.00 | 10/1/2051 | 5,000,000 | 4,706,133 | |||||
Orlando Utilities Commission, Revenue Bonds (Series 2018 Project) Ser. A | 5.00 | 10/1/2038 | 3,000,000 | 3,273,092 | |||||
Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (ACTS Retirement-Life Communities Obligated Group) | 5.00 | 11/15/2045 | 11,500,000 | 11,971,603 | |||||
Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Baptist Health South Florida Obligated Group) | 4.00 | 8/15/2049 | 4,760,000 | 4,487,891 | |||||
Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Baptist Health South Florida Obligated Group) | 5.00 | 8/15/2039 | 1,000,000 | 1,062,287 | |||||
Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Baptist Health South Florida Obligated Group) | 5.00 | 8/15/2038 | 1,200,000 | 1,277,310 | |||||
Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 4.00 | 7/1/2035 | 5,875,000 | 6,018,557 | |||||
65,145,390 | |||||||||
Georgia - 3.1% | |||||||||
Atlanta Airport Passenger Facility Charge, Revenue Bonds, Ser. C | 5.00 | 7/1/2036 | 8,555,000 | 9,392,036 |
11
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
Georgia - 3.1% (continued) | |||||||||
Georgia Municipal Electric Authority, Revenue Bonds (Plant Vogtle Units 3&4 Project) | 5.00 | 1/1/2039 | 1,000,000 | 1,046,420 | |||||
Georgia Municipal Electric Authority, Revenue Bonds (Plant Vogtle Units 3&4 Project) Ser. A | 5.00 | 7/1/2052 | 2,865,000 | 2,979,187 | |||||
Georgia Municipal Electric Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Project No. 1) Ser. A | 5.00 | 1/1/2028 | 8,400,000 | 8,999,536 | |||||
Main Street Natural Gas Inc., Revenue Bonds, Ser. C | 4.00 | 9/1/2026 | 9,000,000 | a | 9,028,581 | ||||
31,445,760 | |||||||||
Hawaii - .6% | |||||||||
Hawaii Airports System, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 5.00 | 7/1/2043 | 5,000,000 | 5,176,567 | |||||
Honolulu City & County, GO, Ser. C | 4.00 | 7/1/2041 | 1,000,000 | 1,003,664 | |||||
6,180,231 | |||||||||
Idaho - .8% | |||||||||
Power County Industrial Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (FMC Corp. Project) | 6.45 | 8/1/2032 | 7,625,000 | 7,652,397 | |||||
Illinois - 9.8% | |||||||||
Chicago Board of Education, GO, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A | 5.00 | 12/1/2035 | 1,000,000 | 1,051,098 | |||||
Chicago Board of Education, GO, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A | 5.00 | 12/1/2034 | 1,000,000 | 1,053,133 | |||||
Chicago Board of Education, GO, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. C | 5.00 | 12/1/2030 | 1,500,000 | 1,604,213 | |||||
Chicago Board of Education, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 4/1/2042 | 2,500,000 | 2,581,299 | |||||
Chicago II Waterworks, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 11/1/2028 | 7,200,000 | 7,633,644 | |||||
Chicago II Waterworks, Revenue Bonds (Second Lien Project) | 5.00 | 11/1/2027 | 2,695,000 | 2,800,451 | |||||
Chicago O'Hare International Airport | 5.00 | 1/1/2039 | 6,530,000 | 7,172,878 | |||||
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 1/1/2029 | 6,185,000 | 6,415,308 | |||||
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 1/1/2048 | 3,500,000 | 3,567,675 | |||||
Chicago Park District, GO, Refunding, Ser. B | 5.00 | 1/1/2027 | 3,000,000 | 3,074,833 |
12
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
Illinois - 9.8% (continued) | |||||||||
Chicago Transit Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 12/1/2055 | 2,500,000 | 2,642,379 | |||||
Chicago Transit Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 12/1/2052 | 3,750,000 | 4,000,443 | |||||
Cook County II, GO, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 11/15/2026 | 1,500,000 | 1,633,167 | |||||
Cook County II, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 11/15/2036 | 7,000,000 | 7,586,349 | |||||
Cook County II, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 11/15/2031 | 2,250,000 | 2,534,472 | |||||
Illinois, Revenue Bonds (Insured; Build America Mutual) Ser. A | 5.00 | 6/15/2032 | 4,325,000 | 4,718,230 | |||||
Illinois Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign Project) | 5.00 | 10/1/2044 | 1,100,000 | 1,189,309 | |||||
Illinois Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (OSF Healthcare System Obligated Group) Ser. A | 5.00 | 11/15/2045 | 2,500,000 | 2,561,550 | |||||
Illinois Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The University of Chicago) Ser. A | 4.00 | 4/1/2050 | 7,970,000 | 7,365,638 | |||||
Illinois Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 6.00 | 7/1/2043 | 3,250,000 | 3,328,956 | |||||
Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 2/1/2032 | 5,000,000 | 5,309,072 | |||||
Illinois Toll Highway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 5.00 | 1/1/2041 | 4,500,000 | 4,867,424 | |||||
Illinois Toll Highway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 5.00 | 1/1/2036 | 1,500,000 | 1,588,630 | |||||
Northern Illinois University, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Build America Mutual) Ser. B | 4.00 | 4/1/2036 | 650,000 | 630,405 | |||||
Railsplitter Tobacco Settlement Authority, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 6/1/2026 | 4,290,000 | 4,621,210 | |||||
Sales Tax Securitization Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Build America Mutual) Ser. A | 4.00 | 1/1/2040 | 6,175,000 | 5,978,727 | |||||
Sales Tax Securitization Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 1/1/2033 | 1,500,000 | 1,693,342 | |||||
99,203,835 | |||||||||
Indiana - .6% | |||||||||
Indiana Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (CWA Authority Project) | 4.00 | 10/1/2035 | 1,000,000 | 1,015,422 |
13
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
Indiana - .6% (continued) | |||||||||
Indiana Municipal Power Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 1/1/2037 | 2,500,000 | 2,658,665 | |||||
Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A1 | 5.00 | 1/1/2026 | 2,000,000 | 2,117,993 | |||||
5,792,080 | |||||||||
Iowa - 1.0% | |||||||||
Iowa Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC) Ser. A | 3.00 | 1/1/2047 | 3,365,000 | 3,289,239 | |||||
Iowa Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Iowa Fertilizer Co. Project) | 5.00 | 12/1/2050 | 2,500,000 | 2,533,849 | |||||
Iowa Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Unitypoint Health) Ser. E | 5.00 | 8/15/2032 | 2,500,000 | 2,631,462 | |||||
Iowa Tobacco Settlement Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B1 | 4.00 | 6/1/2049 | 945,000 | 895,829 | |||||
PEFA Inc., Revenue Bonds (Gas Project) | 5.00 | 9/1/2026 | 1,000,000 | a | 1,045,146 | ||||
10,395,525 | |||||||||
Kentucky - 2.9% | |||||||||
Kentucky Public Energy Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 4.00 | 4/1/2024 | 2,780,000 | 2,805,937 | |||||
Kentucky Public Energy Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 4.00 | 4/1/2024 | 1,040,000 | a | 1,048,019 | ||||
Kentucky Public Energy Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 4.00 | 6/1/2026 | 4,500,000 | a | 4,533,550 | ||||
Kentucky Public Energy Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A1 | 4.00 | 8/1/2030 | 1,235,000 | a | 1,225,601 | ||||
Kentucky Public Energy Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 4.00 | 1/1/2025 | 19,625,000 | a | 19,797,054 | ||||
29,410,161 | |||||||||
Louisiana - 2.8% | |||||||||
Lafayette Utilities, Revenue Bonds (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) | 5.00 | 11/1/2044 | 1,500,000 | 1,642,322 | |||||
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System Obligated Group) Ser. A | 5.00 | 7/1/2047 | 4,250,000 | 4,355,423 |
14
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
Louisiana - 2.8% (continued) | |||||||||
New Orleans Aviation Board, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Consolidated Rental Car Project) (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) | 5.00 | 1/1/2037 | 1,750,000 | 1,881,084 | |||||
New Orleans Aviation Board, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 5.00 | 1/1/2045 | 5,000,000 | 5,088,888 | |||||
New Orleans Aviation Board, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 5.00 | 1/1/2040 | 7,825,000 | 8,000,401 | |||||
St. John the Baptist Parish, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Marathon Oil Corp.) | 2.20 | 7/1/2026 | 1,000,000 | a | 950,796 | ||||
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.25 | 5/15/2035 | 6,140,000 | 6,303,117 | |||||
28,222,031 | |||||||||
Maryland - 1.3% | |||||||||
Maryland Economic Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (Green Bond) (Purple Line Transit Partners) Ser. B | 5.25 | 6/30/2052 | 4,100,000 | 4,357,476 | |||||
Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (MedStar Health Obligated Group) | 5.00 | 8/15/2038 | 4,000,000 | 4,119,685 | |||||
Maryland Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 6/1/2029 | 4,360,000 | 4,763,580 | |||||
13,240,741 | |||||||||
Massachusetts - .7% | |||||||||
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 7/1/2044 | 1,000,000 | 1,039,151 | |||||
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 5.00 | 7/1/2029 | 1,450,000 | 1,592,633 | |||||
Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund Metropolitan Highway System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 1/1/2034 | 4,000,000 | 4,434,912 | |||||
7,066,696 | |||||||||
Michigan - 4.3% | |||||||||
Great Lakes Water Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 5.00 | 7/1/2046 | 10,000,000 | 10,495,980 | |||||
Karegnondi Water Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 11/1/2045 | 4,690,000 | 4,918,037 | |||||
Lansing Board of Water & Light, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 2.00 | 7/1/2026 | 2,500,000 | a | 2,369,801 |
15
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
Michigan - 4.3% (continued) | |||||||||
Michigan Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 11/15/2034 | 2,965,000 | 3,078,844 | |||||
Michigan Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Beaumont-Spectrum) | 5.00 | 4/15/2038 | 7,135,000 | 7,860,525 | |||||
Michigan Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Trinity Health Credit Obligated Group) Ser. A | 5.00 | 12/1/2042 | 1,000,000 | 1,062,297 | |||||
Michigan Housing Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 3.50 | 12/1/2050 | 1,310,000 | 1,304,281 | |||||
Michigan Strategic Fund, Revenue Bonds (AMT-I-75 Improvement Project) | 5.00 | 6/30/2048 | 7,000,000 | 6,847,713 | |||||
Wayne County Airport Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. D | 5.00 | 12/1/2045 | 5,000,000 | 5,232,948 | |||||
43,170,426 | |||||||||
Missouri - 1.0% | |||||||||
St. Louis County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Friendship Village St. Louis Obligated Group) | 5.00 | 9/1/2048 | 2,250,000 | 2,043,433 | |||||
The Missouri Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (CoxHealth Obligated Group) Ser. A | 5.00 | 11/15/2029 | 3,770,000 | 3,998,406 | |||||
The Missouri Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (CoxHealth Obligated Group) Ser. A | 5.00 | 11/15/2030 | 3,725,000 | 3,941,630 | |||||
9,983,469 | |||||||||
Nebraska - .3% | |||||||||
Public Power Generation Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 1/1/2041 | 3,050,000 | 3,266,301 | |||||
Nevada - 2.1% | |||||||||
Clark County Department of Aviation, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 7/1/2040 | 14,000,000 | 14,644,907 | |||||
Clark County School District, GO, Ser. A | 5.00 | 6/15/2039 | 2,500,000 | 2,769,903 | |||||
Reno, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Reno Transportation Rail Access Project) | 5.00 | 6/1/2048 | 1,000,000 | 1,034,450 | |||||
Reno, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Reno Transportation Rail Access Project) Ser. C | 0.00 | 7/1/2058 | 19,000,000 | d,e | 2,544,718 | ||||
20,993,978 |
16
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
New Jersey - 2.7% | |||||||||
New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. XX | 5.25 | 6/15/2027 | 5,000,000 | 5,291,851 | |||||
New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 6/15/2032 | 1,250,000 | 1,345,295 | |||||
New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. BB | 5.00 | 6/15/2044 | 1,000,000 | 1,036,469 | |||||
New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. D | 5.00 | 1/1/2028 | 1,000,000 | 1,084,881 | |||||
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 6/1/2046 | 10,490,000 | 10,838,136 | |||||
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 6/1/2037 | 5,000,000 | 5,294,005 | |||||
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.25 | 6/1/2046 | 1,860,000 | 1,947,078 | |||||
26,837,715 | |||||||||
New Mexico - .3% | |||||||||
New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (Insured; GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC) Ser. C | 3.00 | 1/1/2052 | 3,185,000 | 3,109,792 | |||||
New York - 7.8% | |||||||||
Long Island Power Authority, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 9/1/2034 | 1,000,000 | 1,091,254 | |||||
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Green Bond) Ser. C1 | 5.00 | 11/15/2031 | 4,170,000 | 4,419,246 | |||||
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. D | 5.00 | 11/15/2030 | 1,000,000 | 1,052,145 | |||||
New York City, GO, Refunding, Ser. A1 | 4.00 | 8/1/2034 | 2,525,000 | 2,575,092 | |||||
New York City, GO, Ser. C | 4.00 | 8/1/2040 | 3,000,000 | 2,933,038 | |||||
New York City, GO, Ser. D1 | 4.00 | 3/1/2050 | 3,710,000 | 3,513,955 | |||||
New York City, GO, Ser. D1 | 4.00 | 3/1/2041 | 4,000,000 | 3,904,203 | |||||
New York City, GO, Ser. F1 | 4.00 | 3/1/2047 | 1,400,000 | 1,338,950 | |||||
New York City Industrial Development Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Queens Baseball Stadium Project) (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A | 5.00 | 1/1/2027 | 1,000,000 | 1,077,280 | |||||
New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. DD1 | 4.00 | 6/15/2050 | 3,500,000 | 3,328,664 |
17
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
New York - 7.8% (continued) | |||||||||
New York City Transitional Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds | 4.00 | 5/1/2036 | 7,780,000 | 7,786,306 | |||||
New York Liberty Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Class 1-3 World Trade Center Project) | 5.00 | 11/15/2044 | 7,500,000 | d | 7,255,287 | ||||
New York Liberty Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Goldman Sachs Headquarters) | 5.25 | 10/1/2035 | 1,000,000 | 1,118,822 | |||||
New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds (New York University) (Insured; National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.) Ser. A | 5.75 | 7/1/2027 | 3,390,000 | 3,692,113 | |||||
New York State Thruway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. B | 4.00 | 1/1/2045 | 3,655,000 | 3,473,707 | |||||
New York State Thruway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A1 | 4.00 | 3/15/2036 | 2,915,000 | 2,928,873 | |||||
New York State Urban Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (State of New York Personal Income Tax) | 4.00 | 3/15/2042 | 2,250,000 | 2,157,824 | |||||
New York Transportation Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (JFK International Air Terminal) | 5.00 | 12/1/2040 | 3,000,000 | 3,121,643 | |||||
New York Transportation Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (LaGuardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment Project) Ser. A | 5.25 | 1/1/2050 | 6,500,000 | 6,682,976 | |||||
Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. C | 5.25 | 5/15/2052 | 2,500,000 | 2,767,510 | |||||
Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. C2 | 5.00 | 11/15/2042 | 3,500,000 | 3,785,224 | |||||
Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 5.00 | 11/15/2049 | 1,000,000 | 1,063,342 | |||||
Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. C3 | 3.00 | 5/15/2051 | 10,000,000 | 7,578,592 | |||||
78,646,046 |
18
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
North Carolina - .8% | |||||||||
North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Revenue Bonds (Caromont Health Obligated Group) Ser. B | 5.00 | 2/1/2026 | 2,250,000 | a | 2,409,997 | ||||
North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Revenue Bonds (Twin Lakes Community) Ser. A | 5.00 | 1/1/2049 | 3,000,000 | 3,042,035 | |||||
North Carolina Turnpike Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) | 5.00 | 1/1/2039 | 2,000,000 | 2,117,358 | |||||
7,569,390 | |||||||||
Ohio - .9% | |||||||||
Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A2 | 4.00 | 6/1/2048 | 7,500,000 | 6,722,357 | |||||
Cuyahoga County, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The MetroHealth System) | 5.25 | 2/15/2047 | 2,500,000 | 2,574,569 | |||||
9,296,926 | |||||||||
Oregon - .6% | |||||||||
Medford Hospital Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Asante Project) Ser. A | 5.00 | 8/15/2045 | 1,500,000 | 1,579,480 | |||||
Portland, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 3.00 | 3/1/2036 | 5,040,000 | 4,573,691 | |||||
6,153,171 | |||||||||
Pennsylvania - 8.1% | |||||||||
Allegheny County Hospital Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (UPMC Obligated Group) Ser. A | 4.00 | 7/15/2035 | 2,000,000 | 1,997,572 | |||||
Berks County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The Highlands at Wyomissing Obligated Group) | 5.00 | 5/15/2048 | 1,000,000 | 1,010,356 | |||||
Commonwealth Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 6/1/2035 | 3,500,000 | 3,773,423 | |||||
Commonwealth Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 6/1/2031 | 1,250,000 | 1,366,796 | |||||
Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. C, 1 Month MUNIPSA +.53% | 2.03 | 9/1/2023 | 11,000,000 | a,b | 10,991,940 | ||||
Lancaster County Hospital Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The University of Pennsylvania Health System Obligated Group) | 5.00 | 8/15/2042 | 5,240,000 | 5,472,133 |
19
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
Pennsylvania - 8.1% (continued) | |||||||||
Luzerne County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Pennsylvania-American Water) | 2.45 | 12/3/2029 | 2,500,000 | a | 2,323,391 | ||||
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B | 4.00 | 12/1/2042 | 5,500,000 | 5,413,941 | |||||
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B | 5.00 | 6/1/2028 | 1,000,000 | 1,080,592 | |||||
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 5.00 | 12/1/2034 | 2,160,000 | 2,290,668 | |||||
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Oil Franchise, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 12/1/2046 | 6,250,000 | 6,723,347 | |||||
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Oil Franchise, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 5.25 | 12/1/2048 | 16,855,000 | 17,996,132 | |||||
Philadelphia Gas Works Co., Revenue Bonds (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A | 4.00 | 8/1/2045 | 1,500,000 | 1,399,703 | |||||
The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B | 5.00 | 4/15/2024 | 1,000,000 | 1,036,349 | |||||
The Philadelphia School District, GO (Insured; State Aid Withholding) Ser. A | 5.00 | 9/1/2044 | 7,500,000 | 7,890,129 | |||||
The Philadelphia School District, GO (Insured; State Aid Withholding) Ser. B | 5.00 | 9/1/2043 | 5,280,000 | 5,556,920 | |||||
The Philadelphia School District, GO, Refunding (Insured; State Aid Withholding) Ser. F | 5.00 | 9/1/2027 | 4,990,000 | 5,413,113 | |||||
The Philadelphia School District, GO, Refunding (Insured; State Aid Withholding) Ser. F | 5.00 | 9/1/2026 | 10,000 | f | 10,967 | ||||
81,747,472 | |||||||||
South Carolina - 3.2% | |||||||||
Piedmont Municipal Power Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B | 4.00 | 1/1/2034 | 3,180,000 | 3,192,224 | |||||
South Carolina Ports Authority, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 7/1/2038 | 1,600,000 | 1,678,859 | |||||
South Carolina Ports Authority, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 7/1/2037 | 2,965,000 | 3,117,894 | |||||
South Carolina Public Service Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Santee Cooper) | 5.13 | 12/1/2043 | 16,000,000 | 16,183,278 | |||||
South Carolina Public Service Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Santee Cooper) Ser. A | 4.00 | 12/1/2055 | 5,500,000 | 4,955,587 |
20
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
South Carolina - 3.2% (continued) | |||||||||
South Carolina Public Service Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 4.00 | 12/1/2042 | 3,000,000 | 2,776,751 | |||||
31,904,593 | |||||||||
South Dakota - .8% | |||||||||
South Dakota Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Avera Health Obligated Group) | 5.00 | 7/1/2044 | 5,000,000 | 5,116,784 | |||||
South Dakota Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Sanford Obligated Group) | 5.00 | 11/1/2035 | 3,000,000 | 3,126,053 | |||||
8,242,837 | |||||||||
Tennessee - 1.1% | |||||||||
Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facilities Board, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Lipscomb University Project) | 5.00 | 10/1/2037 | 1,000,000 | 1,031,427 | |||||
Tennergy Corp., Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 4.00 | 9/1/2028 | 1,000,000 | a | 998,260 | ||||
Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. 3A | 3.50 | 7/1/2050 | 870,000 | 866,240 | |||||
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B | 5.00 | 7/1/2049 | 8,000,000 | 8,238,347 | |||||
11,134,274 | |||||||||
Texas - 6.1% | |||||||||
Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. E | 5.00 | 1/1/2045 | 3,000,000 | 3,157,888 | |||||
Central Texas Turnpike System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. C | 5.00 | 8/15/2031 | 5,000,000 | 5,177,212 | |||||
Clifton Higher Education Finance Corp., Revenue Bonds (IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOL) (Insured; Permanent School Fund Guaranteed) Ser. T | 4.00 | 8/15/2050 | 2,500,000 | 2,297,553 | |||||
Corpus Christi Utility System, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 7/15/2040 | 5,000,000 | 5,225,001 | |||||
Corpus Christi Utility System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 4.00 | 7/15/2036 | 1,500,000 | 1,526,639 | |||||
Garland Electric Utility System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 3/1/2044 | 3,000,000 | 3,238,469 | |||||
Love Field Airport Modernization Corp., Revenue Bonds (Southwest Airlines Co. Project) | 5.00 | 11/1/2028 | 3,450,000 | 3,460,409 |
21
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
Texas - 6.1% (continued) | |||||||||
Lower Colorado River Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 5/15/2039 | 4,000,000 | 4,050,471 | |||||
Lower Colorado River Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (LCRA Transmission Services Corp.) | 5.00 | 5/15/2046 | 3,750,000 | 3,963,535 | |||||
Lower Colorado River Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (LCRA Transmission Services Corp.) Ser. A | 4.00 | 5/15/2049 | 1,500,000 | 1,347,737 | |||||
Lubbock Electric Light & Power System, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 4/15/2048 | 5,000,000 | 5,331,365 | |||||
North Texas Tollway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 1/1/2048 | 1,750,000 | 1,832,930 | |||||
North Texas Tollway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A | 5.00 | 1/1/2039 | 14,250,000 | 15,004,840 | |||||
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Baylor Scott & White Health Obligated Group) Ser. A | 5.00 | 11/15/2045 | 2,500,000 | 2,596,552 | |||||
West Harris County Regional Water Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 4.00 | 12/15/2049 | 3,850,000 | 3,601,667 | |||||
61,812,268 | |||||||||
U.S. Related - .5% | |||||||||
Puerto Rico Highway & Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Corp.) Ser. L | 5.25 | 7/1/2041 | 4,900,000 | 4,914,633 | |||||
Utah - .6% | |||||||||
Salt Lake City, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 5.00 | 7/1/2037 | 4,500,000 | 4,675,874 | |||||
Utah Charter School Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 10/15/2048 | 1,200,000 | 1,280,057 | |||||
5,955,931 | |||||||||
Virginia - .5% | |||||||||
Danville Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Danville Regional Medical Center) (Insured; American Municipal Bond Assurance Corp.) | 5.25 | 10/1/2028 | 875,000 | 916,069 | |||||
Virginia College Building Authority, Revenue Bonds | 4.00 | 2/1/2036 | 2,000,000 | 2,037,278 |
22
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
Virginia - .5% (continued) | |||||||||
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 12/31/2047 | 2,500,000 | 2,591,204 | |||||
5,544,551 | |||||||||
Washington - 3.7% | |||||||||
Energy Northwest, Revenue Bonds, Refunding | 5.00 | 7/1/2040 | 2,500,000 | 2,770,442 | |||||
Grant County Public Utility District No. 2, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. 2017-O | 5.00 | 1/1/2047 | 3,400,000 | 3,647,147 | |||||
Port of Seattle, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 4/1/2044 | 5,000,000 | 5,214,236 | |||||
Washington, GO, Refunding, Ser R | 4.00 | 7/1/2036 | 4,500,000 | 4,646,640 | |||||
Washington, GO, Ser. A1 | 5.00 | 8/1/2035 | 1,000,000 | 1,060,950 | |||||
Washington Convention Center Public Facilities District, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 7/1/2048 | 5,440,000 | 5,546,271 | |||||
Washington Convention Center Public Facilities District, Revenue Bonds | 5.00 | 7/1/2043 | 6,560,000 | 6,723,645 | |||||
Washington Health Care Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Providence Health & Services) Ser. A | 5.00 | 10/1/2042 | 6,375,000 | 6,382,463 | |||||
Washington Housing Finance Commission, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A1 | 3.50 | 12/20/2035 | 982,122 | 895,988 | |||||
36,887,782 | |||||||||
Wisconsin - 3.8% | |||||||||
Public Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (KU Campus Development Corporation Project) | 5.00 | 3/1/2046 | 5,000,000 | 5,231,224 | |||||
Public Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Renown Regional Medical Center) Ser. A | 5.00 | 6/1/2040 | 6,000,000 | 6,168,457 | |||||
Public Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (WakeMed Hospital Obligated Group) Ser. A | 5.00 | 10/1/2044 | 3,890,000 | 4,029,559 | |||||
Public Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A | 5.00 | 10/1/2052 | 1,500,000 | 1,572,189 | |||||
Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2017-XF2418), (Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Ascension Health Alliance Senior Credit Group)) Recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 5.00 | 6.35 | 11/15/2043 | 10,000,000 | d,g,h | 10,296,699 |
23
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Description | Coupon | Maturity Date | Principal Amount ($) |
| Value ($) | ||||
Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.9% (continued) | |||||||||
Wisconsin - 3.8% (continued) | |||||||||
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Obligated Group) | 4.00 | 8/15/2050 | 4,000,000 | 3,760,332 | |||||
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (ProHealth Care Obligated Group) | 5.00 | 8/15/2039 | 6,100,000 | 6,262,347 | |||||
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Rogers Memorial Hospital Obligated Group) Ser. A | 5.00 | 7/1/2049 | 1,500,000 | 1,529,061 | |||||
38,849,868 | |||||||||
Total Long-Term Municipal Investments | 1,008,264,190 | ||||||||
Total Investments (cost $1,056,438,846) | 100.2% | 1,011,481,768 | |||||||
Liabilities, Less Cash and Receivables | (0.2%) | (1,867,016) | |||||||
Net Assets | 100.0% | 1,009,614,752 |
a These securities have a put feature; the date shown represents the put date and the bond holder can take a specific action to retain the bond after the put date.
b Variable rate security—interest rate resets periodically and rate shown is the interest rate in effect at period end. Security description also includes the reference rate and spread if published and available.
c Zero coupon until a specified date at which time the stated coupon rate becomes effective until maturity.
d Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At August 31, 2022, these securities were valued at $23,407,492 or 2.32% of net assets.
e Security issued with a zero coupon. Income is recognized through the accretion of discount.
f These securities are prerefunded; the date shown represents the prerefunded date. Bonds which are prerefunded are collateralized by U.S. Government securities which are held in escrow and are used to pay principal and interest on the municipal issue and to retire the bonds in full at the earliest refunding date.
g The Variable Rate shall be determined by the Remarketing Agent in its sole discretion based on prevailing market conditions and may, but need not, be established by reference to one or more financial indices.
h Collateral for floating rate borrowings. The coupon rate given represents the current interest rate for the inverse floating rate security.
24
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited) † | Value (%) |
General | 15.2 |
Airport | 13.9 |
Medical | 13.4 |
Transportation | 12.9 |
Power | 6.7 |
Water | 6.5 |
Education | 5.9 |
General Obligation | 4.9 |
Tobacco Settlement | 4.7 |
Nursing Homes | 3.6 |
Development | 2.9 |
School District | 2.7 |
Utilities | 2.6 |
Facilities | 1.4 |
Single Family Housing | 1.0 |
Special Tax | .8 |
Multifamily Housing | .7 |
Bond Bank | .2 |
Student Loan | .2 |
Prerefunded | .0 |
100.2 |
† Based on net assets.
See notes to financial statements.
25
Summary of Abbreviations (Unaudited) | |||
ABAG | Association of Bay Area Governments | AGC | ACE Guaranty Corporation |
AGIC | Asset Guaranty Insurance Company | AMBAC | American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation |
BAN | Bond Anticipation Notes | BSBY | Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index |
CIFG | CDC Ixis Financial Guaranty | COP | Certificate of Participation |
CP | Commercial Paper | DRIVERS | Derivative Inverse Tax-Exempt Receipts |
EFFR | Effective Federal Funds Rate | FGIC | Financial Guaranty Insurance Company |
FHA | Federal Housing Administration | FHLB | Federal Home Loan Bank |
FHLMC | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation | FNMA | Federal National Mortgage Association |
GAN | Grant Anticipation Notes | GIC | Guaranteed Investment Contract |
GNMA | Government National Mortgage Association | GO | General Obligation |
IDC | Industrial Development Corporation | LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate |
LOC | Letter of Credit | LR | Lease Revenue |
NAN | Note Anticipation Notes | MFHR | Multi-Family Housing Revenue |
MFMR | Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue | MUNIPSA | Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index Yield |
OBFR | Overnight Bank Funding Rate | PILOT | Payment in Lieu of Taxes |
PRIME | Prime Lending Rate | PUTTERS | Puttable Tax-Exempt Receipts |
RAC | Revenue Anticipation Certificates | RAN | Revenue Anticipation Notes |
RIB | Residual Interest Bonds | SFHR | Single Family Housing Revenue |
SFMR | Single Family Mortgage Revenue | SOFR | Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
TAN | Tax Anticipation Notes | TRAN | Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes |
U.S. T-BILL | U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield | XLCA | XL Capital Assurance |
See notes to financial statements.
26
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
August 31, 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cost |
| Value |
|
Assets ($): |
|
|
|
| ||
Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments | 1,056,438,846 |
| 1,011,481,768 |
| ||
Cash |
|
|
|
| 1,074,096 |
|
Interest receivable |
| 11,105,202 |
| |||
Receivable for shares of Common Stock subscribed |
| 16,175 |
| |||
Prepaid expenses |
|
|
|
| 24,713 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1,023,701,954 |
|
Liabilities ($): |
|
|
|
| ||
Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates—Note 3(b) |
| 638,719 |
| |||
Payable for investment securities purchased |
| 7,172,878 |
| |||
Payable for inverse floater notes issued—Note 4 |
| 5,000,000 |
| |||
Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed |
| 1,102,362 |
| |||
Interest and expense payable related to |
| 29,009 |
| |||
Directors’ fees and expenses payable |
| 18,723 |
| |||
Other accrued expenses |
|
|
|
| 125,511 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 14,087,202 |
|
Net Assets ($) |
|
| 1,009,614,752 |
| ||
Composition of Net Assets ($): |
|
|
|
| ||
Paid-in capital |
|
|
|
| 1,053,564,219 |
|
Total distributable earnings (loss) |
|
|
|
| (43,949,467) |
|
Net Assets ($) |
|
| 1,009,614,752 |
|
Shares Outstanding |
|
| ||
(600 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock authorized) | 94,344,140 |
| ||
Net Asset Value Per Share ($) |
| 10.70 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements. |
|
|
|
|
27
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended August 31, 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Income ($): |
|
|
|
| ||
Interest Income |
|
| 34,609,300 |
| ||
Expenses: |
|
|
|
| ||
Management fee—Note 3(a) |
|
| 6,685,721 |
| ||
Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(b) |
|
| 1,000,161 |
| ||
Professional fees |
|
| 112,420 |
| ||
Directors’ fees and expenses—Note 3(c) |
|
| 96,615 |
| ||
Interest and expense related to inverse |
|
| 55,697 |
| ||
Registration fees |
|
| 37,481 |
| ||
Prospectus and shareholders’ reports |
|
| 25,857 |
| ||
Custodian fees—Note 3(b) |
|
| 19,442 |
| ||
Chief Compliance Officer fees—Note 3(b) |
|
| 17,169 |
| ||
Loan commitment fees—Note 2 |
|
| 10,304 |
| ||
Miscellaneous |
|
| 52,501 |
| ||
Total Expenses |
|
| 8,113,368 |
| ||
Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 3(b) |
|
| (45) |
| ||
Net Expenses |
|
| 8,113,323 |
| ||
Net Investment Income |
|
| 26,495,977 |
| ||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($): |
|
| ||||
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | 423,204 |
| ||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | (137,937,257) |
| ||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments |
|
| (137,514,053) |
| ||
Net (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations |
| (111,018,076) |
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements. |
28
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
|
|
|
| Year Ended August 31, | |||||
|
|
|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| ||
Operations ($): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Net investment income |
|
| 26,495,977 |
|
|
| 28,906,565 |
| |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments |
| 423,204 |
|
|
| 8,054,661 |
| ||
Net change in unrealized appreciation |
| (137,937,257) |
|
|
| 16,879,163 |
| ||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | (111,018,076) |
|
|
| 53,840,389 |
| |||
Distributions ($): |
| ||||||||
Distributions to shareholders |
|
| (34,098,038) |
|
|
| (35,216,044) |
| |
Capital Stock Transactions ($): |
| ||||||||
Net proceeds from shares sold |
|
| 28,844,638 |
|
|
| 40,107,513 |
| |
Distributions reinvested |
|
| 27,486,154 |
|
|
| 28,038,232 |
| |
Cost of shares redeemed |
|
| (109,037,086) |
|
|
| (95,567,533) |
| |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | (52,706,294) |
|
|
| (27,421,788) |
| |||
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | (197,822,408) |
|
|
| (8,797,443) |
| |||
Net Assets ($): |
| ||||||||
Beginning of Period |
|
| 1,207,437,160 |
|
|
| 1,216,234,603 |
| |
End of Period |
|
| 1,009,614,752 |
|
|
| 1,207,437,160 |
| |
Capital Share Transactions (Shares): |
| ||||||||
Shares sold |
|
| 2,478,710 |
|
|
| 3,311,438 |
| |
Shares issued for distributions reinvested |
|
| 2,385,710 |
|
|
| 2,314,862 |
| |
Shares redeemed |
|
| (9,588,556) |
|
|
| (7,889,309) |
| |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | (4,724,136) |
|
|
| (2,263,009) |
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements. |
29
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following table describes the performance for the fiscal periods indicated. Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption at net asset value on the last day of the period. Net asset value total return includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.
Year Ended August 31, | |||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||
Per Share Data ($): | |||||||
Net asset value, | 12.19 | 12.00 | 12.16 | 11.56 | 11.85 | ||
Investment Operations: | |||||||
Net investment incomea | .27 | .29 | .31 | .32 | .34 | ||
Net realized and unrealized | (1.41) | .25 | (.07) | .63 | (.29) | ||
Total from Investment Operations | (1.14) | .54 | .24 | .95 | .05 | ||
Distributions: | |||||||
Dividends from | (.27) | (.29) | (.31) | (.33) | (.34) | ||
Dividends from net realized | (.08) | (.06) | (.09) | (.02) | (.00)b | ||
Total Distributions | (.35) | (.35) | (.40) | (.35) | (.34) | ||
Net asset value, end of period | 10.70 | 12.19 | 12.00 | 12.16 | 11.56 | ||
Total Return (%) | (9.52) | 4.57 | 2.05 | 8.35 | .52 | ||
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%): | |||||||
Ratio of total expenses | .73 | .72 | .72 | .73 | .72 | ||
Ratio of net expenses | .73 | .72 | .72 | .73 | .72 | ||
Ratio of interest and expense related to inverse floater notes issued | .00c | .00c | .01 | .01 | .01 | ||
Ratio of net investment | 2.38 | 2.38 | 2.60 | 2.78 | 2.90 | ||
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 14.58 | 9.11 | 19.23 | 14.49 | 31.21 | ||
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) | 1,009,615 | 1,207,437 | 1,216,235 | 1,279,132 | 1,283,287 |
a Based on average shares outstanding.
b Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
c Amount represents less than .01%.
See notes to financial statements.
30
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:
BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund (the “fund”) is the sole series of BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Funds, Inc. (the “Company”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified open-end management investment company. The fund’s investment objective is to seek to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax, to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital. BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. (the “Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon”), serves as the fund’s investment adviser. Insight North America LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as the fund’s sub-adviser. BNY Mellon Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, is the distributor of the fund’s shares, which are sold to the public without a sales charge.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) is the exclusive reference of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The fund is an investment company and applies the accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB ASC Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies. The fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. The fund does not anticipate recognizing any loss related to these arrangements.
(a) Portfolio valuation: The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).
Additionally, GAAP provides guidance on determining whether the volume and activity in a market has decreased significantly and whether
31
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
such a decrease in activity results in transactions that are not orderly. GAAP requires enhanced disclosures around valuation inputs and techniques used during annual and interim periods.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s investments relating to fair value measurements. These inputs are 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.).
Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. Valuation techniques used to value the fund’s investments are as follows:
On July 25, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved, effective September 8, 2022, the Adviser, as the fund’s valuation designee to make all fair value determinations with respect to the fund’s portfolio investments, subject to the Board’s oversight and adopted all other updates pursuant to Rule 2A-5.
Investments in municipal securities are valued each business day by an independent pricing service (the “Service”) approved by the Board. Investments for which quoted bid prices are readily available and are representative of the bid side of the market in the judgment of the Service are valued at the mean between the quoted bid prices (as obtained by the Service from dealers in such securities) and asked prices (as calculated by the Service based upon its evaluation of the market for such securities). Municipal investments (which constitute a majority of the portfolio securities) are carried at fair value as determined by the Service, based on methods which include consideration of the following: yields or prices of municipal securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions. The Service is engaged under the general oversight of the Board. All of the preceding securities are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
32
When market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available, or are determined not to accurately reflect fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the fund calculates its net asset value, the fund may value these investments at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Board. Certain factors may be considered when fair valuing investments such as: fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, an evaluation of the forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased and sold, and public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers. These securities are either categorized within Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the relevant inputs used.
For securities where observable inputs are limited, assumptions about market activity and risk are used and such securities are generally categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of August 31, 2022 in valuing the fund’s investments:
Level 1-Unadjusted Quoted Prices | Level 2- Other Significant Observable Inputs | Level 3-Significant Unobservable Inputs | Total | |||
Assets ($) | ||||||
Investments in Securities:† | ||||||
Collateralized Municipal-Backed Securities | - | 3,217,578 | - | 3,217,578 | ||
Municipal Securities | - | 1,008,264,190 | - | 1,008,264,190 | ||
Liabilities ($) | ||||||
Other Financial Instruments: | ||||||
Inverse Floater Notes†† | - | (5,000,000) | - | (5,000,000) |
† See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations, if any.
†† Certain of the fund’s liabilities are held at carrying amount, which approximates fair value for financial reporting purposes.
(b) Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Interest income, adjusted for accretion of discount and amortization of premium on investments, is earned from settlement date and recognized
33
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
on the accrual basis. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may be settled a month or more after the trade date.
(c) Risk: Certain events particular to the industries in which the fund’s investments conduct their operations, as well as general economic, political and public health conditions, may have a significant negative impact on the investee’s operations and profitability. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the fund. Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies world-wide. Recent examples include pandemic risks related to COVID-19 and aggressive measures taken world-wide in response by governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines of large populations, and by businesses, including changes to operations and reducing staff. The effects of COVID-19 have contributed to increased volatility in global markets and will likely affect certain countries, companies, industries and market sectors more dramatically than others. The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and any other outbreak of an infectious disease or other serious public health concern could have, a significant negative impact on economic and market conditions and could trigger a prolonged period of global economic slowdown. To the extent the fund may overweight its investments in certain countries, companies, industries or market sectors, such positions will increase the fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those countries, companies, industries or sectors.
(d) Dividends and distributions to shareholders: It is the policy of the fund to declare dividends daily from net investment income. Such dividends are paid monthly. Dividends from net realized capital gains, if any, are normally declared and paid annually, but the fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To the extent that net realized capital gains can be offset by capital loss carryovers, it is the policy of the fund not to distribute such gains. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
(e) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, which can distribute tax-
34
exempt dividends, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code, and to make distributions of income and net realized capital gain sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.
As of and during the period ended August 31, 2022, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended August 31, 2022, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.
Each tax year in the four-year period ended August 31, 2022 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.
At August 31, 2022, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed tax-exempt income $2,098,882 and unrealized depreciation $45,126,507. In addition, the fund had $921,842 of capital losses realized after October 31, 2021, which were deferred for tax purposes to the first day of the following fiscal year.
The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021 were as follows: tax-exempt income $26,427,377 and $28,857,535, ordinary income $19,781 and $151,761 and long-term capital gains $7,650,880 and $6,206,748, respectively.
(f) New accounting pronouncements: In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”), and in January 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope (“ASU 2021-01”), which provides optional, temporary relief with respect to the financial reporting of contracts subject to certain types of modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank offered rates as of the end of 2021. The temporary relief provided by ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is evaluating the impact of ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 on the fund’s investments, derivatives, debt and other contracts that will undergo reference rate-related modifications as a result of the reference rate reform. Management is also currently actively working with other financial institutions and counterparties to modify contracts as required by applicable regulation and within the regulatory deadlines.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:
The fund participates with other long-term open-end funds managed by the Adviser in a $823.5 million unsecured credit facility led by Citibank, N.A. (the “Citibank Credit Facility”) and a $300 million unsecured credit facility provided by BNY Mellon (the “BNYM Credit Facility”), each to be utilized primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the financing of redemptions (each, a “Facility”). The Citibank Credit Facility is available in two tranches: (i) Tranche A is in an amount equal to $688.5 million and is available to all long-term open-ended funds, including the fund, and (ii) Tranche B is an amount equal to $135 million and is available only to BNY Mellon Floating Rate Income Fund, a series of BNY Mellon Investment Funds IV, Inc. In connection therewith, the fund has agreed to pay its pro rata portion of commitment fees for Tranche A of the Citibank Credit Facility and the BNYM Credit Facility. Interest is charged to the fund based on rates determined pursuant to the terms of the respective Facility at the time of borrowing. During the period ended August 31, 2022, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.
NOTE 3—Management Fee, Sub-Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
(a) Pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Adviser, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .60% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. The Agreement provides that if in any fiscal year the aggregate expenses of the fund (excluding taxes, interest expense, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses) exceed 1½% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets, the fund may deduct from the payment to be made to the Adviser or the Adviser will bear, such excess expense. During the period ended August 31, 2022, there was no expense reimbursement pursuant to the Agreement.
Pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, the Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a monthly fee at an annual rate of .288% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets.
(b) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the fund reimburses the Distributor at an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets for certain allocated expenses of providing certain services. These services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. During the period ended August 31, 2022, the fund was charged $556,840 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
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The fund has arrangements with BNY Mellon Transfer, Inc., (the “Transfer Agent”) and The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”), both a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of the Adviser, whereby the fund may receive earnings credits when positive cash balances are maintained, which are used to offset transfer agency and custody fees. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes transfer agent net earnings credits, if any, as shareholder servicing costs and includes custody net earnings credits, if any, as an expense offset in the Statement of Operations.
The fund compensates the Transfer Agent, under a transfer agency agreement, for providing transfer agency and cash management services inclusive of earnings credits, if any, for the fund. The majority of Transfer Agent fees are comprised of amounts paid on a per account basis, while cash management fees are related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended August 31, 2022, the fund was charged $261,963 for transfer agency services, inclusive of earnings credit, if any. These fees are included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.
The fund compensates the Custodian, under a custody agreement, for providing custodial services for the fund. These fees are determined based on net assets, geographic region and transaction activity. During the period ended August 31, 2022, the fund was charged $19,442 pursuant to the custody agreement. These fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $45.
The fund compensates the Custodian, under a shareholder redemption draft processing agreement, for providing certain services related to the fund’s check writing privilege. During the period ended August 31, 2022, the fund was charged $14,207 pursuant to the agreement, which is included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.
During the period ended August 31, 2022, the fund was charged $17,169 for services performed by the Chief Compliance Officer and his staff. These fees are included in Chief Compliance Officer fees in the Statement of Operations.
The components of “Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: management fee of $524,180, Shareholder Services Plan fees $44,000, Custodian fees of $8,000, Chief Compliance Officer fees of $2,539 and Transfer Agent fees of $60,000.
(c) Each Board member also serves as a Board member of other funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds complex. Annual retainer fees and attendance fees are allocated to each fund based on net assets.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:
The aggregate amount of purchases and sales (including paydowns) of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended August 31, 2022, amounted to $161,353,389 and $202,306,240, respectively.
Inverse Floater Securities: The fund participates in secondary inverse floater structures in which fixed-rate, tax-exempt municipal bonds are transferred to a trust (the “Inverse Floater Trust”). The Inverse Floater Trust typically issues two variable rate securities that are collateralized by the cash flows of the fixed-rate, tax-exempt municipal bonds. One of these variable rate securities pays interest based on a short-term floating rate set by a remarketing agent at predetermined intervals (“Trust Certificates”). A residual interest tax-exempt security is also created by the Inverse Floater Trust, which is transferred to the fund, and is paid interest based on the remaining cash flows of the Inverse Floater Trust, after payment of interest on the other securities and various expenses of the Inverse Floater Trust. An Inverse Floater Trust may be collapsed without the consent of the fund due to certain termination events such as bankruptcy, default or other credit event.
The fund accounts for the transfer of bonds to the Inverse Floater Trust as secured borrowings, with the securities transferred remaining in the fund’s investments, and the Trust Certificates reflected as fund liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
The fund may invest in inverse floater securities on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. These securities are typically supported by a liquidity facility provided by a bank or other financial institution (the “Liquidity Provider”) that allows the holders of the Trust Certificates to tender their certificates in exchange for payment from the Liquidity Provider of par plus accrued interest on any business day prior to a termination event. When the fund invests in inverse floater securities on a non-recourse basis, the Liquidity Provider is required to make a payment under the liquidity facility due to a termination event to the holders of the Trust Certificates. When this occurs, the Liquidity Provider typically liquidates all or a portion of the municipal securities held in the Inverse Floater Trust. A liquidation shortfall occurs if the Trust Certificates exceed the proceeds of the sale of the bonds in the Inverse Floater Trust (“Liquidation Shortfall”). When a fund invests in inverse floater securities on a recourse basis, the fund typically enters into a reimbursement agreement with the Liquidity Provider where the fund is required to repay the Liquidity Provider the amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, a fund investing in a
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recourse inverse floater security bears the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall.
The average amount of borrowings outstanding under the inverse floater structure during the period ended August 31, 2022, was approximately $5,000,000, with a related weighted average annualized interest rate of 1.11%.
At August 31, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $1,051,608,275; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized depreciation on investments was $45,126,507, consisting of $6,397,446 gross unrealized appreciation and $51,523,953 gross unrealized depreciation.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund (the “Fund”) (the sole fund constituting BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Funds, Inc.), including the statement of investments, as of August 31, 2022, and 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 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (the sole fund constituting BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Funds, Inc.) at August 31, 2022, 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 its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements 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 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 the Fund’s 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, 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. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2022, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers and others; when replies were not received from brokers and others, we performed other audit procedures. 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds since at least 1957, but we are unable to determine the specific year.
New York, New York
October 24, 2022
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IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)
In accordance with federal tax law, the fund hereby reports all the dividends paid from investment income-net during its fiscal year ended August 31, 2022 as “exempt-interest dividends” (not generally subject to regular federal income tax), except $18,152 that is being designated as an ordinary income distribution for reporting purposes. The fund also hereby reports $.0782 per share as a long-term capital gain distribution paid on December 23, 2021. Where required by federal tax law rules, shareholders will receive notification of their portion of the fund’s taxable ordinary dividends (if any), capital gains distributions (if any) and tax-exempt dividends paid for the 2022 calendar year on Form 1099-DIV, which will be mailed in early 2023.
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LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (Unaudited)
Effective June 1, 2019, the fund adopted a liquidity risk management program (the “Liquidity Risk Management Program”) pursuant to the requirements of Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Rule 22e-4 requires registered open-end funds, including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds but not money market funds, to establish liquidity risk management programs in order to effectively manage fund liquidity and shareholder redemptions. The rule is designed to mitigate the risk that a fund could not meet redemption requests without significantly diluting the interests of remaining investors.
The rule requires the fund to assess, manage and review their liquidity risk at least annually considering applicable factors such as investment strategy and liquidity during normal and foreseeable stressed conditions, including whether the strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund and whether the fund has a relatively concentrated portfolio or large positions in particular issuers. The fund must also assess its use of borrowings and derivatives, short-term and long-term cash flow projections in normal and stressed conditions, holdings of cash and cash equivalents, and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources.
The rule also requires the fund to classify its investments as highly liquid, moderately liquid, less liquid or illiquid based on the number of days the fund expects it would take to liquidate the investment, and to review these classifications at least monthly or more often under certain conditions. The periods range from three or fewer business days for a highly liquid investment to greater than seven calendar days for settlement of a less liquid investment. Illiquid investments are those a fund does not expect to be able to sell or dispose of within seven calendar days without significantly changing the market value. The fund is prohibited from acquiring an investment if, after the acquisition, its holdings of illiquid assets will exceed 15% of its net assets. In addition, if a fund permits redemptions in-kind, the rule requires the fund to establish redemption in-kind policies and procedures governing how and when it will engage in such redemptions.
Pursuant to the rule’s requirements, the Liquidity Risk Management Program has been reviewed and approved by the Board. Furthermore, the Board has received a written report prepared by the Program’s Administrator that addresses the operation of the Program, assesses its adequacy and effectiveness and describes any material changes made to the Program.
Assessment of Program
In the opinion of the Program Administrator, the Program approved by the Board continues to be adequate for the fund and the Program has been implemented effectively. The Program Administrator has monitored the fund’s liquidity risk and the liquidity classification of the securities held by the fund and has determined that the Program is operating effectively.
During the period from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021, there were no material changes to the Program and no material liquidity events that impacted the fund. During the period, the fund held sufficient highly liquid assets to meet fund redemptions.
Under normal expected foreseeable fund redemption forecasts and foreseeable stressed fund redemption forecasts, the Program Administrator believes that the fund maintains sufficient highly liquid assets to meet expected fund redemptions.
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BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)
Independent Board Members
Joseph S. DiMartino (78)
Chairman of the Board (1995)
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:
· Director and Trustee of funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and certain other entities (as described in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information) (1995-Present)
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:
· CBIZ, Inc., a public company providing professional business services, products and solutions, Director (1997-Present)
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 94
———————
Joni Evans (80)
Board Member (2006)
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:
· www.wowOwow.com, an online community dedicated to women’s conversations and publications, Chief Executive Officer (2007-2019)
· Joni Evans Ltd. publishing, Principal (2006-2019)
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 17
———————
Joan Gulley (74)
Board Member (2017)
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:
· Nantucket Atheneum, public library, Chair (2018-June 2021) and Director (2015-June 2021)
· Orchard Island Club, golf and beach club, Governor (2016-Present)
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 40
———————
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BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
Alan H. Howard (62)
Board Member (2018)
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:
· Heathcote Advisors LLC, a financial advisory services firm, Managing Partner (2008-Present)
· Dynatech/MPX Holdings LLC, a global supplier and service provider of military aircraft parts, President (2012-2019); and Board Member of its two operating subsidiaries, Dynatech International LLC and Military Parts Exchange LLC (2012-2019), including Chief Executive Officer of an operating subsidiary, Dynatech International LLC (2013-2019)
· Rossoff & Co., an independent investment banking firm, Senior Advisor (2013-June 2021)
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:
· Movado Group, Inc., a public company that designs, sources, markets and distributes watches, Director (1997-Present)
· Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., a public company that provides contract drilling services, Director (March 2020-April 2021)
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 17
———————
Robin A. Melvin (58)
Board Member (1995)
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:
· Westover School, a private girls’ boarding school in Middlebury, Connecticut, Trustee (2019-Present)
· Mentor Illinois, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of mentoring services in Illinois. Co-Chair (2014–2020); Board Member, Mentor Illinois (2013-2020)
· JDRF, a non-profit juvenile diabetes research foundation, Board Member (June 2021-Present)
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:
· HPS Corporate Lending Fund, a closed-end management investment company regulated as a business development company, Trustee (August 2021-Present)
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 72
———————
Burton N. Wallack (71)
Board Member (2006)
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:
Wallack Management Company, a real estate management company, President and Co-owner (1987-Present)
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:
Mount Sinai Hospital Urology Board Member (2017-Present)
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 17
———————
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Benaree Pratt Wiley (76)
Board Member (2016)
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:
· The Wiley Group, a firm specializing in strategy and business development. Principal (2005-Present)
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:
· CBIZ, Inc., a public company providing professional business services, products and solutions, Director (2008-Present)
· Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Director (2004-2020)
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 61
———————
Gordon J. Davis (81)
Advisory Board Member (2021)
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:
· Venable LLP, a law firm Partner (2012-Present)
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:
· BNY Mellon Family of Funds (53 funds), Board Member (1995-August 2021)
No. of Portfolios for which Advisory Board Member Serves: 39
———————
The address of the Board Members and Officers is c/o BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc., 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286. Additional information about each Board Member is available in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information which can be obtained from the Adviser free of charge by calling this toll free number: 1-800-373-9387.
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OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited)
DAVID DIPETRILLO, President since January 2021.
Vice President and Director of the Adviser since February 2021; Head of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since January 2018; and Director of Product Strategy, BNY Mellon Investment Management from January 2016 to December 2017. He is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 108 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 44 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since 2005.
JAMES WINDELS, Treasurer since November 2001.
Vice President of the Adviser since September 2020; and Director–BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 56 investment companies (comprised of 129 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 63 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since April 1985.
PETER M. SULLIVAN, Chief Legal Officer since July 2021 and Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2019.
Chief Legal Officer of the Adviser and Associate General Counsel of BNY Mellon since July 2021; Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from December 2020 to July 2021; and Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from March 2009 to December 2020. He is an officer of 56 investment companies (comprised of 129 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 54 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since April 2004.
JAMES BITETTO, Vice President since August 2005 and Secretary since February 2018.
Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2019; Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from April 2014 to December 2019; and Secretary of the Adviser. He is an officer of 56 investment companies (comprised of 129 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since December 1996.
DEIRDRE CUNNANE, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2019.
Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2021, Counsel of BNY Mellon from August 2018 to December 2021; and Senior Regulatory Specialist at BNY Mellon Investment Management Services from February 2016 to August 2018. She is an officer of 56 investment companies (comprised of 129 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 32 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since August 2018.
SARAH S. KELLEHER, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since April 2014.
Vice President of BNY Mellon ETF Investment Adviser; LLC since February 2020; Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since September 2021; Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from December 2017 to September 2021; and Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon from March 2013 to December 2017. She is an officer of 56 investment companies (comprised of 129 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 46 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since March 2013.
JEFF PRUSNOFSKY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.
Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon. He is an officer of 56 investment companies (comprised of 129 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 57 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since October 1990.
AMANDA QUINN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2020.
Counsel of BNY Mellon since June 2019; Regulatory Administration Manager at BNY Mellon Investment Management Services from September 2018 to May 2019; and Senior Regulatory Specialist at BNY Mellon Investment Management Services from April 2015 to August 2018. She is an officer of 56 investment companies (comprised of 129 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 37 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since June 2019.
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NATALYA ZELENSKY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2017.
Chief Compliance Officer since August 2021 and Vice President since February 2020 of BNY Mellon ETF Investment Adviser, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer since August 2021 and Vice President and Assistant Secretary since February 2020 of BNY Mellon ETF Trust; Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from December 2019 to August 2021; Counsel of BNY Mellon from May 2016 to December 2019; and Assistant Secretary of the Adviser from April 2018 to August 2021. She is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 128 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 37 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since May 2016.
DANIEL GOLDSTEIN, Vice President since March 2022.
Vice President and Head of Product Development of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since January 2018; Co-Head of Product Management, Development & Oversight of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management from January 2010 to January 2018; and Senior Vice President, Development & Oversight of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since 2010. He is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 108 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 53 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since 1991.
JOSEPH MARTELLA, Vice President since March 2022.
Vice President and Head of Product Management of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since January 2018; Director of Product Research and Analytics of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management from January 2010 to January 2018; and Senior Vice President of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since 2010. He is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 108 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 45 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since 1999.
GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005.
Tax Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 56 investment companies (comprised of 129 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 54 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since April 1991.
ROBERT SALVIOLO, Assistant Treasurer since July 2007.
Senior Accounting Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 56 investment companies (comprised of 129 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 55 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since June 1989.
ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since December 2002.
Senior Accounting Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 56 investment companies (comprised of 129 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 55 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since November 1990.
JOSEPH W. CONNOLLY, Chief Compliance Officer since October 2004.
Chief Compliance Officer of the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust since 2004; and Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser from 2004 until June 2021. He is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 115 portfolios) managed by the Adviser. He is 65 years old.
CARIDAD M. CAROSELLA, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since January 2016.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust. She is an officer of 48 investment companies (comprised of 121 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 54 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since 1997.
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BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Adviser
BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Sub-Adviser
Insight North America LLC
200 Park Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10166
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Transfer Agent &
Dividend Disbursing Agent
BNY Mellon Transfer, Inc.
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Distributor
BNY Mellon Securities Corporation
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Ticker Symbol: | DRTAX |
Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-373-9387
Mail The BNY Mellon Family of Funds, 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
E-mail Send your request to info@bnymellon.com
Internet Information can be viewed online or downloaded at www.im.bnymellon.com
The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
A description of the policies and procedures that the fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the fund voted these proxies for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available at www.im.bnymellon.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-373-9387.
© 2022 BNY Mellon Securities Corporation |
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. There have been no amendments to, or waivers in connection with, the Code of Ethics during the period covered by this Report.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The Registrant's Board has determined that Alan Howard, a member of the Audit Committee of the Board, is an audit committee financial expert as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Mr. Howard is "independent" as defined by the SEC for purposes of audit committee financial expert determinations.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
(a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years (the "Reporting Periods") for professional services rendered by the Registrant's principal accountant (the "Auditor") for the audit of the Registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $35,494 in 2021and $36,204 in 2022.
(b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item 4 were $10,583 in 2021and $11,529 in 2022. These services consisted of one or more of the following: (i) agreed upon procedures related to compliance with Internal Revenue Code section 817(h), (ii) security counts required by Rule 17f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (iii) advisory services as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of Registrant transactions or events and (iv) advisory services to the accounting or disclosure treatment of the actual or potential impact to the Registrant of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Accounting Standards Boards or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies.
The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for non-audit assurance and related services by the Auditor to the Registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-investment adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant ("Service Affiliates"), that were reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit of the Service Affiliate, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee were $0 in 2021 and $0 in 2022.
(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning ("Tax Services") were $4,704 in 2021 and $3,342 in 2022. These services consisted of: (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments; (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held, and (iv) determination of Passive Foreign Investment Companies. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for Tax Services by the Auditor to Service Affiliates, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee were $0 in 2021 and $8,158 in 2022.
(d) All Other Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item, were $4,182 in 2021 and $8,787 in 2022. These services consisted of a review of the Registrant's anti-money laundering program.
The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for Non-Audit Services by the Auditor to Service Affiliates, other than the services reported in paragraphs (b) through (c) of this Item, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee, were $0 in 2021 and $0 in 2022.
(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. The Registrant's Audit Committee has established policies and procedures (the "Policy") for pre-approval (within specified fee limits) of the Auditor's engagements for non-audit services to the Registrant and Service Affiliates without specific case-by-case consideration. The pre-approved services in the Policy can include pre-approved audit services, pre-approved audit-related services, pre-approved tax services and pre-approved all other services. Pre-approval considerations include whether the proposed services are compatible with maintaining the Auditor's independence. Pre-approvals pursuant to the Policy are considered annually.
(e)(2) Note. None of the services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item 4 were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) None of the hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement to audit the registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees.
Non-Audit Fees. The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to the Registrant, and rendered to Service Affiliates, for the Reporting Periods were $2,692,122 in 2021 and $2,418,678 in 2022.
Auditor Independence. The Registrant's Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates, which were not pre-approved (not requiring pre-approval), is compatible with maintaining the Auditor's independence.
(i) | Not applicable. |
(j) Not applicable.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
(a) Not applicable.
Item 7. | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers. |
Not applicable
Item 10. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
There have been no material changes to the procedures applicable to Item 10.
Item 11. | Controls and Procedures. |
(a) The Registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers have concluded, based on their evaluation of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods and that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in the reports that it files or submits on Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) There were no changes to the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting 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. |
Not applicable.
Item 13. | Exhibits. |
(a)(1) Code of ethics referred to in Item 2.
(a)(3) Not applicable.
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.
BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Funds, Inc.
By: /s/ David J. DiPetrillo
David J. DiPetrillo
President (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: October 21, 2022
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/ David J. DiPetrillo
David J. DiPetrillo
President (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: October 21, 2022
By: /s/ James Windels
James Windels
Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
Date: October 21, 2022
EXHIBIT INDEX
(a)(1) Code of ethics referred to in Item 2.
(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. (EX-99.CERT)
(b) Certification of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. (EX-99.906CERT)