Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2024, and the related statements of operations, cash flows and changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for the year 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 at December 31, 2024, the results of its operations, its cash flows, the changes in its net assets and its financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The statement of changes in net assets for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the four year period then ended, were audited by another independent registered public accounting firm whose report, dated February 26, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on that statement of changes in net assets and those financial highlights.
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 audit. 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 audit 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 audit, 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 audit 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 December 31, 2024, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers and others; when replies were not received from brokers and others, we performed other auditing procedures. Our audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of one or more UBS investment companies since 1978.
New York, New York
February 24, 2025
38
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Board Approval of Advisory Agreement (unaudited)
In approving the renewal of the current investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) for the Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”), including all of the directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Independent Directors”), at a special Microsoft Teams meeting held on November 6, 2024 where the Board discussed information and materials previously provided to them in connection with the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, and at an
in-person
meeting held on November 11 and 12, 2024, considered the following factors:
Investment Advisory Fee Rates and Expenses
The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate of 0.50% (the “Contractual Advisory Fee”) for the Fund in light of the extent and quality of the advisory services provided by UBS Asset Management (Americas) LLC (“UBS AM (Americas)”), the Fund’s investment adviser. The Board noted that UBS AM (Americas) had contractually agreed to base its current investment advisory fee on an average weekly base amount which, with respect to each quarter, is the average of the lesser of (i) the stock price (market value) of the Fund’s outstanding shares and (ii) the Fund’s net assets, in each case determined as of the last trading day for each week during that quarter. The Board also noted that the Fund does not pay UBS AM (Americas) an advisory fee on the Fund’s leveraged assets. The Board noted that effective May 1, 2024, Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC (“Credit Suisse”), the Fund’s previous investment adviser, merged into UBS AM (Americas) LLC, with UBS AM (Americas) as the surviving entity, and UBS AM (Americas) became the investment adviser to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Additionally, the Board received and considered information comparing the Fund’s Contractual Advisory Fee and overall expenses with those of funds in both the relevant expense group (“Expense Group”) and universe of funds (“Expense Universe”) provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data. The Board was provided with a description of the methodology used to arrive at the funds included in the Expense Group and the Expense Universe. Each fund in the Expense Group and Expense Universe was placed in one of five quintiles for each relevant comparison period, with the first quintile including the funds with the lowest relative expenses and the fifth quintile including funds with the highest relative expenses during the period. The Board noted that, with respect to the Fund’s fees and expenses compared to its peers as presented in a report provided by Broadridge, the Fund’s Contractual Advisory Fee ranked in the first quintile relative to its Expense Group, and the Fund’s actual advisory fees (including and excluding leveraged assets) and total expenses fees (including and excluding leveraged assets) ranked in the first quintile relative to its Expense Group and Expense Universe.
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services under the Advisory Agreement
The Board received and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by UBS AM (Americas) under the Advisory Agreement. The Board also noted information received at regular meetings throughout the year related to the services rendered by UBS AM (Americas) which, in addition to the portfolio management and investment advisory services set forth in the Advisory Agreement, included credit analysis and research; supervising the
operations of the Fund’s
non-advisory
functions, which include accounting, administration, custody, transfer agent and other applicable third party service providers; overseeing and facilitating audits; overseeing the Fund’s credit facility; and supervising and/or preparing applicable Fund filings, disclosures and shareholder reports. The Board noted that the extensive investment advisory services provided by UBS AM (Americas) included broad supervisory responsibility and oversight over other service providers to the Fund. The Board also considered UBS AM (Americas)’s compliance program with
39
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Board Approval of Advisory Agreement (unaudited) (continued)
respect to the Fund. The Board noted that UBS AM (Americas) reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis. The Board reviewed background information about UBS AM (Americas) including its Form ADV Part 2 – Disclosure Brochure and Brochure Supplement. The Board considered the background and experience of UBS AM (Americas)’s senior management and the expertise of, and the amount of attention given to the Fund by, senior personnel of UBS AM (Americas). In addition, the Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the
portfolio management of the Fund and the extent of the resources devoted to research and analysis of actual and potential investments, as well as the resources provided to them. The Board evaluated the ability of UBS AM (Americas), based on its resources, reputation and other attributes, to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory, and supervisory personnel. The Board also received and considered information about the nature, extent and quality of services and fee rates offered to other UBS AM (Americas) clients for comparable services. The Board acknowledged UBS AM (Americas)’s representation that the services provided to the Fund are more extensive than the services provided in connection with other types of accounts, such as separate accounts, offered by UBS AM (Americas) and the services are also more extensive from those offered and provided to a
sub-advised
fund. The Board also considered that the services provided by UBS AM (Americas) have expanded over time as a result of regulatory and other developments.
The Board received and considered performance results of the Fund over the previous year ended August 31, 2024 as well as over the
two-,
three-, four-, five- and
ten-year
periods ended August 31, 2024, along with comparisons both to the relevant performance group (“Performance Group”) and universe of funds (“Performance Universe”) for the Fund for the same time periods provided in the Broadridge report. The Board was provided with a description of the methodology used to arrive at the funds included in the Performance Group and the Performance Universe. Each fund in the Performance Universe was placed in one of five quintiles for each relevant comparison period, with the first quintile including the best performing funds and the fifth quintile including the worst performing funds during the period. The Board noted that, with respect to the Fund’s performance compared to its peers as presented in the Broadridge report, the Fund’s performance ranked in the first quintile relative to its Performance Universe for the
two-,
three-, four-, five-, and
ten-year
periods reported, and the Fund’s performance ranked in the third quintile relative to its Performance Universe for the
one-year
period reported. The Board considered that the Fund has continued to trade relatively well, at a small premium to net asset value, based on Lipper data provided by UBS AM (Americas) reflecting the Fund’s historical share price and net asset value. The Board also considered the investment performance of the Fund relative to its stated objectives.
Investment Adviser Profitability
The Board received and considered a profitability analysis of Credit Suisse, as the investment adviser to the Fund prior to May 1, 2024, based on the fees payable under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, as well as other relationships between the Fund on the one hand and Credit Suisse affiliates on the other. The Board deliberations also reflected, in the context of Credit Suisse’s profitability, Credit Suisse’s methodology for allocating costs to the Fund, recognizing that cost allocation methodologies are inherently subjective. The Board also received net profitability information for the other funds in the Credit Suisse family of funds, which include both
open-end
and
closed-end
funds. The Board also reviewed Credit Suisse’s profit margin as reflected in the profitability analysis, as well as reviewing profitability in light of appropriate court cases and the services
40
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Board Approval of Advisory Agreement (unaudited) (continued)
rendered to the Fund. The Board noted that UBS AM (Americas)’s profitability with respect to the Credit Suisse family of funds was expected to be in line with that of Credit Suisse.
The Board considered information regarding whether there have been economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund, whether the Fund has appropriately benefited from any economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale for the Fund. The Board considered that, if the Fund’s asset levels grow, further economies of scale potentially could be realized (although this is not guaranteed). The Board noted the current advisory fee structure and the fact that the Fund does not pay advisory fees on the Fund’s leveraged assets. Additionally, the Board noted the Fund has an effective shelf registration statement that permits it to conduct an
offering, whereby the Fund may issue additional shares when the Fund’s shares are trading at a premium to its net asset value, and that between November 17, 2021 and September 30, 2024, the Fund sold and issued approximately 2,366,214 new shares for a net increase in assets of approximately $7,247,852. The Board received information regarding UBS AM (Americas)’s profitability in connection with providing advisory services to the Fund, including UBS AM (Americas)’s costs in providing the services.
Other Benefits to UBS AM (Americas)
The Board considered other benefits received by UBS AM (Americas) and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund. Such benefits include, among others, benefits potentially derived from an increase in UBS AM (Americas)’s businesses and its reputation as a result of its relationship with the Fund (such as the ability to market its advisory services to other clients and investors including separate account or third party
sub-advised
mandates or other financial products offered by UBS AM (Americas) and its affiliates).
The Board considered the standards UBS AM (Americas) applied in seeking best execution and UBS AM (Americas)’s policies and practices regarding soft dollars and reviewed UBS AM (Americas)’s method for allocating portfolio investment opportunities among its advisory clients.
Other Factors and Broader Review
As discussed above, the Board reviewed detailed materials received from UBS AM (Americas) as part of the annual approval process. The Board also reviews and assesses the quality of the services that the Fund receives throughout the year and reviews reports of UBS AM (Americas) at least quarterly, which include, among other things, detailed portfolio and market reviews, detailed fund performance reports, and UBS AM (Americas)’s compliance procedures.
In selecting UBS AM (Americas), and approving the renewal of the Advisory Agreement and the investment advisory fee under such agreement, the Board concluded that:
| | • | | The Contractual Advisory Fee, reviewed along with information provided by Broadridge for the funds in the Fund’s Expense Group and Expense Universe, was reasonable in relation to the services provided by UBS AM (Americas). |
| | • | | The Board was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment advisory services provided to the Fund by UBS AM (Americas) and that, based on dialogue with management and counsel, the services provided by UBS AM (Americas) under the Advisory Agreement are typical of, and consistent with, those provided to similar mutual funds by other investment advisers. |
41
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Board Approval of Advisory Agreement (unaudited) (continued)
| | • | | In light of the costs of providing investment advisory and other services to the Fund and UBS AM (Americas)’s ongoing commitment to the Fund and willingness to base the fee on an average weekly base amount which, with respect to each quarter, is the average of the lesser of (i) the stock price (market value) of the Fund’s outstanding shares and (ii) the Fund’s net assets, in each case determined as of the last trading day for each week during that quarter, UBS AM (Americas)’s net profitability based on fees payable under the Advisory Agreement, as well as other ancillary benefits that UBS AM (Americas) and its affiliates received, were considered reasonable. |
| | • | | In light of the information received and considered by the Board, the Fund’s current fee structure was considered reasonable. |
No single factor reviewed by the Board was identified by the Board as the principal factor in determining whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. The Independent Directors were advised by separate independent legal counsel throughout the process.
42
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
December 31, 2024
The following information is a summary of certain changes since that occurred since the close of the period covered by the previously transmitted annual shareholder report. This information may not reflect all of the changes that have occurred since you purchased the Fund.
During the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, there were no material changes in the Fund’s investment objective or policies that have not been approved by shareholders or in the principal risk factors associated with investment in the Fund.
Investment Objective and Policies
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide current income consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund’s investment portfolio will not be managed for capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is a fundamental policy and cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. As used herein, a “majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities” means the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its objectives.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 75% of its total assets in fixed income securities, such as bonds, convertible securities and preferred stocks. The Fund’s investments in fixed income securities are not subject to any rating quality limitation. The Fund primarily invests in high yield fixed income securities that are in the lower rating categories of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), a division of S&P Global Inc., or another nationally recognized ratings service (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”). Lower-rated securities generally provide yields superior to those of more highly-rated securities, but involve greater risks and are speculative in nature. See “Risk Factors — Lower-Rated Securities.” The Fund may also invest in securities rated single A or higher by Moody’s or S&P and unrated corporate fixed income securities.
Differing yields on fixed income securities of the same maturity are a function of several factors. Higher yields are generally available from securities in the lower rating categories of recognized rating agencies, i.e., Baa or lower by Moody’s or BBB or lower by S&P. Securities ratings are based largely on the issuer’s historical financial information and the rating agencies’ investment analysis at the time of rating. Consequently, the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition, which may be better or worse than the rating would indicate. Although UBS AM considers security ratings when making investment decisions for high yield securities, it performs its own investment analysis and does not rely principally on the ratings assigned by the rating services. UBS AM’s analysis may include consideration of the issuer’s experience and managerial strength, changing financial condition, borrowing requirements or debt maturity schedules, and its responsiveness to changes in business conditions and interest rates. It also considers relative values based on anticipated cash flow, interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage and earnings prospects.
UBS AM bases its investment decisions in high yield securities on the results of issuer and security-specific credit analysis. UBS AM evaluates each issuer’s rating, cash flow, financial structure and business risk. UBS AM takes into account, among other things, the issuer’s financial resources, its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, its operating history, the quality of the issuer’s management and regulatory matters. UBS AM evaluates the covenants of each security and pursues a strategy of broad issuer and industry diversification.
43
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2024
The Fund currently utilizes and in the future expects to continue to utilize leverage through borrowings, including the issuance of debt securities, or through other transactions, such as reverse repurchase agreements, which have the effect of leverage. The Fund currently is leveraged through borrowings from a credit facility with SSB. The Fund may use leverage up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount obtained through leverage). There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to accurately predict when the use of leverage will be beneficial. Use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased income and capital appreciation for shareholders but, at the same time, creates special risks, and there can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.
The Fund may also invest in debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, or by agencies or instrumentalities established or sponsored by the U.S. government, including mortgage-backed securities. Depending on market conditions, the Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities are collateralized by mortgages or interests in mortgages and may be issued by government or
non-government
entities. Mortgage-backed securities issued by government entities typically provide a monthly payment consisting of interest and principal payments, and additional payments will be made out of unscheduled payments of principal.
Non-government
issued mortgage-backed securities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but may be subject to greater price fluctuations. To the extent that the Fund invests in the mortgage market, UBS AM will evaluate relevant economic, environmental and security-specific variables such as housing starts, coupon and age trends.
The Fund may invest in loans and loan participations (collectively, “Loans”), including senior secured floating Loans (“Senior Loans”), “second lien” secured floating rate Loans (“Second Lien Loans”), and other types of secured Loans with fixed and variable interest rates.
UBS AM may take full advantage of the entire range of maturities of fixed income securities and may adjust the average maturity of the investments held in the Fund’s portfolio from time to time, depending on its assessment of relative yields of securities of different maturities and its expectations of future changes in interest rates. It is expected that the average weighted maturity of the Fund’s investment portfolio will be 4 to 10 years.
The Fund invests in debt obligations and other fixed income securities denominated in U.S. dollars,
non-U.S.
currencies or composite currencies, including:
| | • | | debt obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign national, provincial, state, municipal or other governments with taxing authority or by their agencies or instrumentalities; |
| | • | | debt obligations of supranational entities; |
| | • | | debt obligations of the U.S. government issued in non-dollar denominated securities; and |
| | • | | dollar and non-dollar denominated debt obligations and other fixed income securities of foreign and U.S. corporate issuers. |
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in the securities of issuers located in emerging markets. The Fund has a fundamental policy not to invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar.
In making investments in foreign and emerging market securities, UBS AM considers the relative growth and inflation rates of different countries. UBS AM considers expected changes in foreign currency exchange rates, including the prospects for central bank intervention, in determining the anticipated returns of securities
44
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2024
denominated in foreign currencies. UBS AM further evaluates, among other things, foreign yield curves and regulatory and political factors, including the fiscal and monetary policies of such countries.
In the past, during periods of falling U.S. exchange rates, yields available from securities denominated in foreign currencies have often been higher, in U.S. dollar terms, than those of securities denominated in U.S. dollars. UBS AM considers expected changes in foreign currency exchange rates in determining the anticipated returns of securities denominated in foreign currencies. The obligations of foreign governmental entities, including supranational issuers, have various kinds of government support. Obligations of foreign governmental entities include obligations issued or guaranteed by national, provincial, state or other governments with taxing power or by their agencies. These obligations may or may not be supported by the full faith and credit of a foreign government.
The Fund may invest in credit default swap agreements. The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements either as a buyer or a seller. The Fund may buy a credit default swap to attempt to mitigate the risk of default or credit quality deterioration in one or more individual holdings or in a segment of the fixed income securities market. The Fund may sell a credit default swap in an attempt to gain exposure to an underlying issuer’s credit quality characteristics without investing directly in that issuer. The “buyer” in a credit default swap is obligated to pay the “seller” an upfront payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement, provided that no credit event on an underlying reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value, or “par value,” of the reference obligation in exchange for the reference obligation. As a result of counterparty risk, certain credit default swap agreements may involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly. There is no limit on the Fund’s ability to enter into credit default swap agreements.
This section contains a discussion of the general risks of investing in the Fund. The net asset value and market price of, and dividends paid on, the Fund’s common shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) will fluctuate with and be affected by, among other things, the risks more fully described below. As with any fund, there can be no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective or that the Fund’s performance will be positive for any period of time.
Investment and Market Risk.
An investment in the Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest. Your investment in Shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund.
The value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, and these fluctuations are likely to have a greater impact on the value of the Shares during periods in which the Fund utilizes a leveraged capital structure. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests will affect the value of the Shares. Your Shares at any point in time may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
Lower-Rated Securities Risk.
At any time, all or substantially all of the Fund’s portfolio may be invested in medium-grade or below investment grade fixed income securities (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) as determined by a nationally recognized rating service and in unrated securities of comparable quality. Lower-rated securities are regarded as being predominantly speculative as to the issuer’s ability to make payments of principal and interest. Investment in such securities involves substantial risk. Issuers of lower-rated securities may be highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. Therefore,
45
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2024
the risks associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally are greater than is the case with higher-rated securities. For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, issuers of lower-rated securities may be more likely to experience financial stress, especially if such issuers are highly leveraged. During periods of economic downturn, such issuers may not have sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. The issuer’s ability to service its debt obligations also may be adversely affected by specific issuer developments, the issuer’s inability to meet specific projected business forecasts or the unavailability of additional financing. The risk of loss due to default by the issuer is significantly greater for the holders of lower-rated securities because such securities may be unsecured and may be subordinate to other creditors of the issuer.
Credit risk is the risk that one or more of the Fund’s investments in debt securities or other instruments will decline in price, or fail to pay interest, liquidation value or principal when due, because the issuer of the obligation or the issuer of a reference security experiences an actual or perceived decline in its financial status. In addition to the credit risks associated with high yield securities, the Fund could also lose money if the issuer of other debt obligations, or the counterparty to a derivatives contract, repurchase agreement, loan of portfolio securities or other obligation, is, or is perceived to be, unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The downgrade of a security may further decrease its value.
Generally, when market interest rates rise, the prices of debt obligations fall, and vice versa. Interest rate risk is the risk that debt obligations and other instruments in the Fund’s portfolio will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the recent period of historically low rates. The prices of long-term debt obligations generally fluctuate more than prices of short-term debt obligations as interest rates change. During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of certain types of securities may be extended due to slower than expected payments. This may lock in a below market yield, increase the security’s duration and reduce the security’s value. The Fund’s use of leverage will tend to increase interest rate risk.
Investments in floating rate debt instruments, although generally less sensitive to interest rate changes than longer duration fixed rate instruments, may nevertheless decline in value in response to rising interest rates if, for example, the rates at which they pay interest do not rise as much, or as quickly, as market interest rates in general. Conversely, floating rate instruments will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. Inverse floating rate debt securities also may exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate debt obligation with similar credit quality. To the extent the Fund holds floating rate instruments, a decrease (or, in the case of inverse floating rate securities, an increase) in market interest rates will adversely affect the income received from such securities and the net asset value of the Fund’s common shares.
. The Fund currently leverages through borrowings from a credit facility. The use of leverage, which can be described as exposure to changes in price at a ratio greater than the amount of equity invested, through borrowings or other forms of market exposure, magnifies both the favorable and unfavorable effects of price movements in the investments made by the Fund. Insofar as the Fund continues to employ leverage in its investment operations, the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss than if it had not employed leverage.
Therefore, if the market value of the Fund’s investment portfolio declines, any leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to common shareholders than if the Fund were not leveraged. Such greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common shares.
46
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2024
The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Further, if at any time while the Fund has leverage outstanding it does not meet applicable asset coverage requirements, it may be required to suspend distributions to common shareholders until the requisite asset coverage is restored. Any such suspension might impair the ability of the Fund to meet the regulated investment company distribution requirements and to avoid Fund-level U.S. federal income and/or excise taxes.
Under Rule
18f-4
under the 1940 Act, among other things, the Fund must either use derivatives in a limited manner or comply with an outer limit on fund leverage risk based on
The Fund may invest in debt securities of
non-governmental
issuers. Like all debt securities, corporate debt securities generally represent an issuer’s obligation to repay to the investor (or lender) the amount borrowed plus interest over a specified time period. A typical corporate bond specifies a fixed date when the amount borrowed (principal) is due in full, known as the maturity date, and specifies dates when periodic interest (coupon) payments will be made over the life of the security.
Prices of corporate debt securities fluctuate and, in particular, are subject to several key risks including, but not limited to, interest rate risk, credit risk and prepayment risk. The market value of a corporate bond may be affected by the credit rating of the corporation, the corporation’s performance and perceptions of the corporation in the market place. There is a risk that the issuers of the corporate debt securities in which the Fund may invest may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument.
Investing in securities of foreign entities and securities denominated in foreign currencies involves certain risks not involved in domestic investments, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, future foreign political and economic developments, different legal and accounting systems and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions. Securities prices in different countries are subject to different economic, financial, political and social factors. Since the Fund may invest in securities denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in foreign currency exchange rates may affect the value of securities in the Fund and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments. Currencies of certain countries may be volatile and therefore may affect the value of securities denominated in such currencies. The Fund may, but is not obligated to, engage in certain transactions to hedge the currency-related risks of investing in
non-U.S.
dollar denominated securities. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment, economic, political or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Certain foreign investments also may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. These risks often are heightened for investments in smaller, emerging capital markets.
Emerging Market Securities Risk.
Investing in the securities of issuers located in emerging markets involves special considerations not typically associated with investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and other developed market issuers, including heightened risks of expropriation and/or nationalization, armed conflict, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on transfers of assets and market illiquidity, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, differences in regulatory and financial recordkeeping standards, difficulties in dividend withholding reclaims procedures, less publicly available financial and other information and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations.
47
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2024
The economies of individual emerging market countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, currency depreciation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Governments of many developing and emerging market countries have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In some cases, the government owns or controls many companies, including some of the largest in the country.
Accordingly, government actions could have a significant effect on economic conditions in an emerging market country and on market conditions, prices and yields of securities in the Fund’s portfolio. Moreover, the economies of emerging market countries generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.
Illiquid Securities Risk.
The Fund may invest in securities for which no readily available market exists or are otherwise considered illiquid. The Fund may not be able readily to dispose of such securities at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such securities if they were more widely traded and, as result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. There can be no assurance that a security or instrument that is deemed to be liquid when purchased will continue to be liquid for as long as it is held by the Fund. Regulatory changes have led to reduced liquidity in the marketplace, and the capacity of dealers to make markets in fixed income securities has been outpaced by the growth in the size of the fixed income markets. Liquidity risk may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or when investor redemptions from fixed income funds may be higher than normal, due to the increased supply in the market that would result from selling activity. Illiquid securities generally trade at a discount.
If interest rates fall, the principal on bonds and loans held by the Fund may be paid earlier than expected. If this happens, the proceeds from a prepaid security may be reinvested by the Fund in securities bearing lower interest rates, resulting in a possible decline in the Fund’s income and distributions to shareholders.
Preferred stocks are unique securities that combine some of the characteristics of both common stocks and bonds. Preferred stocks generally pay a fixed rate of return and are sold on the basis of current yield, like bonds. However, because they are equity securities, preferred stocks provide equity ownership of a company, and the income is paid in the form of dividends. Preferred stocks typically have a yield advantage over common stocks as well as comparably-rated fixed income investments. Preferred stocks are typically subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk.
The Fund may invest a substantial portion of its total assets in mortgage-backed securities. The value of mortgage-backed securities is subject to change due to shifts in the market’s perception of issuers, and regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the mortgage securities market as a whole. Foreclosures and prepayments, which occur when unscheduled or early payments are made on the underlying mortgages, may shorten the effective maturities on these securities. The Fund’s yield may be affected by reinvestment of prepayments at higher or lower rates than the original investment. Prepayments tend to increase
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Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2024
due to refinancing of mortgages as interest rates decline. In addition, like other debt securities, the values of mortgage-backed securities will generally fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates
The Fund’s investments in Senior Loans are expected to typically be below investment grade. These investments are considered speculative because of the credit risk of their issuers. Such companies are more likely to default on their payments of interest and principal owed to the Fund, and such defaults could reduce the Fund’s net asset value and income distributions. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher
non-payment
rate, and a debt obligation may lose significant value before a default occurs. Moreover, any specific collateral used to secure a loan may decline in value or become illiquid, which would adversely affect the loan’s value.
Like other debt instruments, Senior Loans are subject to the risk of
non-payment
of scheduled interest or principal. Such
non-payment
would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the investment and a potential decrease in the net asset value per share of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the liquidation of any collateral securing a loan would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of
non-payment
of scheduled interest or principal payments, or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. This is particularly the case where a senior loan is not backed by collateral or sufficient collateral at the time such senior loan is issued. In the event of bankruptcy of a borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of the collateral securing a senior loan. The collateral securing a senior loan may lose all or substantially all of its value in the event of bankruptcy of a borrower. Some Senior Loans are subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could subordinate such Senior Loans to presently existing or future indebtedness of the borrower or take other action detrimental to the holders of Senior Loans including, in certain circumstances, invalidating such Senior Loans or causing interest previously paid to be refunded to the borrower. If interest were required to be refunded, it could negatively affect the Fund’s performance.
Transactions in Senior Loans may settle on a delayed basis, resulting in the proceeds from the sale of Senior Loans not being readily available to make additional investments or to meet the Fund’s redemption obligations. To the extent the extended settlement process gives rise to short-term liquidity needs, the Fund may hold cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow from banks or other lenders.
Second Lien and Other Secured Loans Risk
. Second Lien Loans and other secured Loans are subject to the same risks associated with investment in Senior Loans and bonds rated below investment grade. However, because Second Lien Loans are second in right of payment to one or more Senior Loans of the related borrower, and other secured Loans rank lower in right of payment to Second Lien Loans, they are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and any property securing the Loan may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the more senior secured obligations of the borrower. This risk is generally higher for subordinated unsecured loans or debt, which are not backed by a security interest in any specific collateral. Second Lien Loans and other secured Loans are also expected to have greater price volatility than Senior Loans and may be less liquid. There is also a possibility that originators will not be able to sell participations in Second Lien Loans and other secured Loans, which would create greater credit risk exposure.
Conflict of Interest Risk.
Affiliates of UBS AM may act as underwriter, lead agent or administrative agent for loans and participate in the secondary market for loans. Because of limitations imposed by applicable law, the presence of Credit Suisse’s affiliates in the primary and secondary markets for loans may restrict the fund’s ability to acquire some loans or affect the timing or price of such acquisitions.
49
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2024
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as credit default swap agreements and interest rate futures and related options. The primary risk of derivatives is the same as the risk of the underlying asset, namely that the value of the underlying asset may increase or decrease. Adverse movements in the value of the underlying asset can expose the Fund to losses. In addition, risks in the use of derivatives include:
| | • | | an imperfect correlation between the price of derivatives and the movement of the securities prices, interest rates or currency exchange rates being hedged or replicated; |
| | • | | the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular derivative at any time; |
| | • | | the potential loss if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised; |
| | • | | the possible need to defer closing out certain positions to avoid adverse tax consequences, as well as the possibility that derivative transactions may result in acceleration of gain, deferral of losses or a change in the character of gain realized; |
| | • | | the risk that the financial intermediary “manufacturing” the derivative, being the most active market maker and offering the best price for repurchase, will not continue to create a credible market in the derivative; |
| | • | | because certain derivatives are “manufactured” by financial institutions, the risk that the Fund may develop a substantial exposure to financial institution counterparties; and |
| | • | | the risk that a full and complete appreciation of the complexity of derivatives and how future value is affected by various factors including changing interest rates, exchange rates and credit quality is not attained. |
There is no guarantee that derivatives will provide successful results and any success in their use depends on a variety of factors including the ability of UBS AM to predict correctly the direction of interest rates, securities prices, currency exchange rates and other factors.
Credit Default Swap Risk.
Credit default swap contracts, a type of derivative instrument, involve special risks and may result in losses to the Fund. Credit default swaps may in some cases be illiquid, and they increase credit risk since the Fund has exposure to both the issuer of the referenced obligation and the counterparty to the credit default swap. Swaps may be difficult to unwind or terminate. The swap market could be disrupted or limited as a result of recent legislation, and these changes could adversely affect the Fund.
The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative contracts purchased or sold by the Fund. Recently, several broker-dealers and other financial institutions have experienced extreme financial difficulty, sometimes resulting in bankruptcy of the institution. Although the Investment Adviser monitors the creditworthiness of the Fund’s counterparties, there can be no assurance that the Fund’s counterparties will not experience similar difficulties, possibly resulting in losses to the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt, or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.
Unlike publicly traded common stock which trades on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for bond trading. Bonds generally trade on an
market which may be anywhere in the world where buyer and seller can settle on a price. Due to the lack of centralized information and
50
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2024
trading, the valuation of bonds may carry more risk than that of common stock. Uncertainties in the conditions of the financial market, unreliable reference data, lack of transparency and inconsistency of valuation models and processes may lead to inaccurate asset pricing. As a result, the Fund may be subject to the risk that when a security is sold in the market, the amount received by the Fund is less than the value of such security carried on the Fund’s books.
Market Price, Discount and Net Asset Value of Shares.
As with any stock, the price of the Fund’s Shares fluctuates with market conditions and other factors. Shares of the Fund, a
closed-end
investment company, may trade in the market at a discount from their net asset value.
Potential Yield Reduction.
An offering of Shares is expected to present the opportunity to invest in high yielding securities. This expectation is based on the current market environment for high yield debt securities, which could change in response to interest rate levels, general economic conditions, specific industry conditions and other factors. If the market environment for high yield debt securities changes in a manner that adversely affects the yield of such securities, the offering of Shares could cause the Fund to invest in securities that are lower yielding than those in which it is currently invested. In addition, even if the market for high yield debt securities continues to present attractive investment opportunities, there is no assurance that the Fund will be able to invest the proceeds of an offering of Shares in high yielding securities or that other potential benefits of the offering will be realized. An offering of Shares could reduce the Fund’s current dividend yield if the Fund is unable to invest the proceeds of the offering in securities that provide a yield at least equal to the current dividend yield.
. The market value of an instrument may fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. These fluctuations, which are often referred to as “volatility,” may cause an instrument to be worth less than it was worth at an earlier time. Market risk may affect a single issuer, industry, commodity, sector of the economy, or the market as a whole. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on a fund and its investments. Market risk is common to most investments — including stocks, bonds and commodities — and the mutual funds that invest in them. The performance of “value” stocks and “growth” stocks may rise or decline under varying market conditions — for example, value stocks may perform well under circumstances in which growth stocks in general have fallen.
Bonds and other fixed income securities generally involve less market risk than stocks and commodities. However, the risk of bonds can vary significantly depending upon factors such as the issuer’s creditworthiness and a bond’s maturity. The bonds of some companies may be riskier than the stocks of others.
An outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first detected in China in December 2019 developed into a global pandemic that has resulted in numerous disruptions in the market and has had significant economic impact leaving general concern and uncertainty. The
COVID-19
pandemic has affected, and other pandemics and epidemics that may arise in the future, could affect, the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. In addition, the effect of infectious diseases in developing or emerging market countries may be greater due to less established health care systems. Health crises caused by the
COVID-19
pandemic may exacerbate other
pre-existing
political, social and economic risks in certain countries. As a result, the extent to which the pandemic may negatively affect a fund’s performance or the duration of any potential business disruption is uncertain.
Anti-Takeover Provisions.
The Charter and
By-laws
contain provisions limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund. These provisions may be regarded as “anti-takeover” provisions. These
51
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2024
provisions could have the effect of depriving the shareholders of opportunities to sell their Shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction.
The following table sets forth information regarding the Fund’s outstanding senior securities as of the end of each of the Fund’s last ten fiscal years, as applicable.
| | | | |
| Year Ended 12/31 | | Aggregate Amount Outstanding | | Asset Coverage per $1,000 of |
| 2024 | | $57,000,000 | | $3,855 |
| 2023 | | $52,500,000 | | $3,974 |
| 2022 | | $60,500,000 | | $3,379 |
| 2021 | | $58,500,000 | | $4,070 |
| 2020 | | $56,500,000 | | $4,162 |
| 2019 | | $60,250,000 | | $4,021 |
| 2018 | | $70,750,000 | | $3,373 |
| 2017 | | $46,000,000 | | $5,075 |
| 2016 | | — | | — |
| 2015 | | — | | — |
| 2014 | | — | | — |
| 2013 | | — | | — |
| | 1 | Asset coverage means the ratio that the value of the Fund’s total assets (including amounts borrowed), minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all borrowings. |
Trading and Net Asset Value Information
The following table shows for the quarters indicated: (1) the high and low sale prices of the Fund’ shares of common stock (“Common Shares”) at the close of trading on the NYSE American; (2) the high and low NAV per Common Share; and (3) the high and low premium/(discount) to NAV at which the Fund’s Common Shares were trading at the close of trading (as a percentage of NAV).
