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: | 811-07410 |
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter: | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
Address of principal executive offices: | 1900 Market Street, Suite 200 |
Philadelphia, PA 19103 | |
Name and address of agent for service: | Sharon Ferrari |
abrdn Inc. | |
1900 Market Street Suite 200 | |
Philadelphia, PA 19103 | |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: | 1-800-522-5465 |
Date of fiscal year end: | September 30 |
Date of reporting period: | September 30, 2023 |
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
NAV2,3 | -11.01% |
Market Price2 | -17.48% |
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index4 | -4.05% |
NAV | Closing Market Price | Premium(+)/ Discount(-) | |
9/30/2023 | $10.26 | $8.61 | -16.08% |
3/31/2023 | $11.79 | $10.67 | -9.50% |
1 | Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate and shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. NAV return data include investment management fees, custodial charges and administrative fees (such as Trustee and legal fees) and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions. |
2 | Assuming the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. |
3 | The Fund’s total return is based on the reported net asset value (“NAV”) for each financial reporting period end and may differ from what is reported on the Financial Highlights due to financial statement rounding or adjustments. |
4 | The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index consists of the long-term investment grade tax exempt bonds. You cannot invest directly in an index. |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 1 |
• | Visit: https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter |
• | Email: Investor.Relations@abrdn.com; or |
• | Call: 1-800-522-5465 (toll free in the U.S.). |
Christian Pittard
President
2 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
1 | The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index tracks the performance of investment-grade, tax-exempt bonds with a maturity of at least one year. Indexes are unmanaged and have been provided for comparison purposes only. No fees or expenses are reflected. You cannot invest directly in an index. |
2 | Net asset value (NAV) is a key measure of the value of a company, fund, or trust - the total value of assets less liabilities, divided by the number of shares. |
3 | Leverage usually refers to a fund being exposed by more than 100% of its net asset value to assets or markets; typically resulting from the use of debt or derivatives. |
4 | Coupon is the interest rate stated on a bond when it is issued. Typically, coupons are paid semi-annually. |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 3 |
5 | Duration is an estimate of bond price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. The higher the duration, the greater the change (i.e., higher risk) in relation to interest-rate movements. |
6 | Overweight is when a portfolio is holding an excess amount of a particular security (or sector or region) compared to the security’s weight in the benchmark portfolio. |
7 | Barbell is a fixed income portfolio strategy where half of the holdings are short-term bonds, and the other half are long-term bonds. It gets its name because the investment strategy looks like a barbell with bonds heavily weighted at both ends of the maturity timeline. |
8 | S&P Global Ratings’ credit ratings express the agency’s opinion about the ability and willingness of an issuer, such as a corporation or state or city government, to meet its financial obligations in full and on time. Typically, ratings are expressed as letter grades that range, for example, from AAA to D to communicate the agency’s opinion of relative level of credit risk. Ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories. |
4 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
6 Months | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Net Asset Value (NAV) | -11.01% | -3.84% | -6.30% | -1.65% | 2.44% |
Market Price | -17.48% | -17.08% | -7.07% | -2.12% | 1.76% |
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index | -4.05% | 2.66% | -2.30% | 1.05% | 2.29% |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 5 |
Credit Rating | As a percentage of total investments |
AAA | 3.1% |
AA | 38.5% |
A | 17.6% |
BBB | 13.7% |
BB | 2.5% |
B | 0.2% |
Below B | 0.5% |
Non-Rated | 23.9% |
100.0% |
(1) | Generally, the credit ratings range from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). Where bonds held in the Fund are rated by multiple rating agencies (Moody’s, Fitch and S&P), the Higher of the ratings is used. This may not be consistent with data from the benchmark provider. Quality distribution represents ratings of the underlying securities held within the Fund, and not ratings of the Fund itself. |
Sector Exposure | As a percentage of total investments |
Hospital | 14.7% |
Sale & Excise Tax | 9.9% |
Higher Education | 6.3% |
Continuing Care Retirement Communities | 5.7% |
Appropriations | 5.3% |
Nuclear Power | 4.8% |
Tobacco Master Securities | 4.7% |
Charter School | 4.6% |
Others | 44.0% |
100.0% |
6 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
States | As a percentage of net assets |
Puerto Rico | 25.3% |
New York | 19.8% |
California | 15.4% |
Illinois | 15.0% |
Colorado | 14.9% |
Texas | 13.2% |
Minnesota | 11.4% |
Georgia | 8.4% |
Florida | 6.3% |
Ohio | 6.2% |
Oregon | 5.9% |
Pennsylvania | 4.7% |
Arizona | 3.8% |
Idaho | 3.8% |
New Jersey | 3.5% |
Guam | 3.1% |
Alabama | 2.9% |
Mississippi | 2.4% |
Wisconsin | 2.2% |
Washington | 2.0% |
Other, less than 2% each | 6.3% |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets | (76.5%) |
100.0% |
Top Ten Holdings | As a percentage of net assets |
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Filing Corporate Sales Tax Revenue Restructured Bonds Cofina A-1, Series A-1 07/01/2051 | 9.8% |
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Filing Corporate Sales Tax Revenue Restructured Bonds Cofina A-1, Series A-1 07/01/2053 | 6.0% |
Gdb Debt Recovery Authority Gdb Debt Recovery Authority Bonds (Taxable) 08/20/2040 | 5.0% |
City of Austin, Texas Airport System Revenue Bonds, Series 2022 (AMT) 11/15/2052 | 3.9% |
Municipal Electric Authority Bonds (Plant Vogtle Units 3&4 Project M), 2019A, (BAM-TCRS), Series A 01/01/2056 | 3.9% |
New York Liberty Development Corp Liberty Revenue Reference Bonds (4 World Trade Center Llc), 2021A Green Bond, (BAM-TCRS), Series A 11/15/2046 | 3.8% |
Irvine Facilities Financing Authority (Gateway Preserve Land Acquisition Project) Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2023A, Series A 05/01/2053 | 3.7% |
Hillsborough County Industrial Development Authority Hospital Revenue Bonds (Tampa General Hospital Project), Series 2020A, Series A 08/01/2055 | 3.7% |
State of California Various Purpose General Obligation Bonds 10/01/2050 | 3.7% |
Illinois Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Series 2022A (Northshore - Edward-Elmhurst Health Credit Group), Series A 08/15/2051 | 3.4% |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 7 |
Principal Amount | Value | ||
MUNICIPAL BONDS —176.5% | |||
ALABAMA—2.9% | |||
The Black Belt Energy Gas District Gas Project Revenue Refunding Bonds 2023 Series D-1 (Fixed Rate), Series D-1, 5.50%, 06/01/2049 | $ | 570,000 | $ 581,322 |
The Public Educational Building Authority Of Jacksonville (Jacksonville State University Foundation) Higher Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds (Jsu Foundation Project), Series 2023-A, (AGM), Series A, 5.25%, 08/01/2053 | 3,000,000 | 3,056,281 | |
Total Alabama | 3,637,603 | ||
ARIZONA—3.8% | |||
Arizona Industrial Development Authority Economic Development Revenue Bonds, Tax-Exempt Series 2020A (Legacy Cares, Inc. Project), Series A, 7.75%, 07/01/2050(a)(b) | 725,000 | 43,500 | |
Arizona Industrial Development Authority Education Facility Revenue Bonds (Leman Academy Of Excellence Projects) Series 2022A, Series A, 4.50%, 07/01/2054 | 1,115,000 | 892,414 | |
Arizona Industrial Development Authority Senior Living Revenue Bonds (Great Lakes Senior Living Communities Llc Project) Series 2021, Series D-2, 7.75%, 01/01/2054(a) | 50,000 | 24,785 | |
Arizona Industrial Development Authority Senior Living Revenue Bonds, Great Lakes Senior Living Communities Llc Project, Second Tier, Series 2019B, Series B, 5.00%, 01/01/2049 | 70,000 | 35,249 | |
Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement And Power District, Arizona Salt River Project Electric System Revenue Bonds, 2023 Series A, Series A, 5.00%, 01/01/2050 | 3,000,000 | 3,091,220 | |
The Industrial Development Authority Of The County Of Maricopa Hospital Revenue Bonds (Honorhealth) Series 2021A, Series A, 3.00%, 09/01/2051 | 1,000,000 | 657,657 | |
Total Arizona | 4,744,825 | ||
CALIFORNIA—15.4% | |||
California Health Facilities Financing Authority Kaiser Permanente Revenue Bonds Series 2017A Consisting Of Subseries 2017A-2, Series A-2, 5.00%, 11/01/2047 | 1,000,000 | 1,039,753 | |
City And County of San Francisco Special Tax District No. 2020-1 (Mission Rock Facilities And Services) Development Special Tax Bonds, Series 2021B (Federally Taxable), Series B, 5.25%, 09/01/2049(a) | 550,000 | 382,711 | |
City of South San Francisco Community Facilities District No. 2021-01 (Public Facilities And Services) Special Tax Bonds (Oyster Point), Series 2022, 4.00%, 09/01/2044 | 1,000,000 | 817,763 |
Principal Amount | Value | ||
Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed Bonds Series 2021B-2 (Subordinate) Capital Appreciation Bonds, Series B, 0.00%, 06/01/2066 | $ | 40,820,000 | $ 3,531,546 |
Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed Bonds, Series 2022A-1 (Senior), Series A-1, 5.00%, 06/01/2051 | 1,500,000 | 1,523,001 | |
Inland Empire Tobacco Securitization Auth Calif Tob Settlement Rev Tobacco Bds 2007E, 0.00%, 06/01/2057(a) | 3,900,000 | 238,974 | |
Inland Empire Tobacco Securitization Auth Calif Tob Settlement Rev Tobacco Bonds 2007F, 0.00%, 06/01/2057(a) | 2,500,000 | 125,027 | |
Irvine Facilities Financing Authority (Gateway Preserve Land Acquisition Project) Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2023A, Series A, 4.25%, 05/01/2053 | 5,000,000 | 4,663,019 | |
State of California Various Purpose General Obligation Bonds | |||
3.00%, 03/01/2046 | 2,000,000 | 1,504,505 | |
4.00%, 10/01/2050 | 5,000,000 | 4,597,739 | |
Tobacco Securitization Authority Southern California Tobacco Settlement Revenue San Diego County Turbo 6/1/32 Al 25.7Yrs 2006C 2Nd Sub Cabs , 0.00%, 06/01/2046 | 3,235,000 | 539,625 | |
Tobacco Securitization Authority Southern California Tobacco Settlement Revenue San Diego County Turbo 6/1/35 Al 27.6Yrs 2006D 3Rd Sub Cabs , 0.00%, 06/01/2046 | 3,015,000 | 417,815 | |
Total California | 19,381,478 | ||
COLORADO—14.9% | |||
(Aspen Ridge School Project) Colorado Educational And Cultural Facilities Authority Charter School Revenue Bonds Series 2015A, 5.25%, 07/01/2046(a) | 500,000 | 452,021 | |
550 Acoma, Inc., Colorado Certificates Of Participation (Denver Health And Hospital Authority Project), Series 2018, 4.00%, 12/01/2038 | 500,000 | 422,939 | |
Beacon Point Metropolitan District In The City Of Aurora In Arapahoe County, Colorado General Obligation Refunding Bonds, (AGM), 5.00%, 12/01/2030 | 600,000 | 609,353 | |
City And County of Denver, Colorado Airport System Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series 2018A (Amt), Series A, 5.00%, 12/01/2048 | 1,000,000 | 995,279 | |
Colorado Educational And Cultural Facilities Authority Charter School Refunding And Improvement Revenue Bonds(University Lab School Project), 5.00%, 12/15/2045(a) | 500,000 | 465,924 |
8 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
Principal Amount | Value | ||
MUNICIPAL BONDS (continued) | |||
COLORADO (continued) | |||
Colorado Educational And Cultural Facilities Authority Charter School Revenue Bonds Atlas Preparatory School Project A Charter School Chartered Through Harrison School District No 2 Series 2015, (Pre-refunded @ $100.000000, 04/01/2025), 5.25%, 04/01/2045(a) | $ | 700,000 | $ 712,669 |
Colorado Educational And Cultural Facilities Authority Independent School Revenue Refunding Bonds (Vail Mountain School Project) Series 2016 | |||
(MORAL OBLG), 5.00%, 08/15/2034 | 1,000,000 | 1,005,492 | |
4.00%, 05/01/2046 | 25,000 | 19,169 | |
5.13%, 11/01/2049 | 765,000 | 666,567 | |
Colorado Health Facilities Authority - Advent Health Hospital Revenue Bonds, Series 2021A (Adventhealth Obligated Group) | |||
Series A, 4.00%, 11/15/2050 | 500,000 | 419,431 | |
Series A, 3.00%, 11/15/2051 | 2,000,000 | 1,329,911 | |
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Health Care Facilities Revenue Bonds (American Baptist Homes Of The Midwest Obligated Group), Series 2013, 8.00%, 08/01/2043 | 1,660,000 | 1,610,094 | |
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Hospital Revenue Bonds, Series 2018A (Adventist Health System/Sunbelt Obligated Group), Series A, 5.00%, 11/15/2048 | 1,000,000 | 1,001,789 | |
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Improvement And Refunding Revenue Bonds (Bethesda Project) Series 2018A-1, Series A-1, 5.00%, 09/15/2048 | 750,000 | 628,963 | |
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds (Aberdeen Ridge) Series 2021A, Series A, 5.00%, 05/15/2049 | 500,000 | 337,594 | |
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds (Commonspirit Health) Series 2019A-2, Series A-2, 5.00%, 08/01/2044 | 290,000 | 281,995 | |
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series 2019A (Sanford), Series A, 5.00%, 11/01/2044 | 1,465,000 | 1,419,026 | |
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding And Improvement Bonds, Series 2015A Tax-Exempt (Sunny Vista Living Center Project), Series A, 6.25%, 12/01/2050(a) | 505,000 | 324,214 | |
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2015A (Covenant Retirement Communities, Inc.), Series A, 5.00%, 12/01/2035 | 1,000,000 | 968,674 | |
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Senior Living Revenue Bonds (Capella Of Grand Junction Project), Series 2019, 5.00%, 12/01/2054(a) | 525,000 | 323,004 | |
Fountain Urban Renewal Authority, Colorado Tax Increment Revenue Refunding And Improvement Bonds (South Academy Highlands Project) Series 2015A, Series A, 5.50%, 11/01/2044 | 655,000 | 588,662 |
Principal Amount | Value | ||
Jefferson County School District No. R-1, Co G.O. Refunding Bonds, Series 2010, (ST AID WITHHLDG), 5.25%, 12/15/2024 | $ | 750,000 | $ 761,605 |
Public Authority For Colorado Energy Pur Natural Gas Revenue Bonds 2008 | |||
6.25%, 11/15/2028 | 865,000 | 905,259 | |
6.50%, 11/15/2038 | 2,250,000 | 2,545,233 | |
Total Colorado | 18,794,867 | ||
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA—0.5% | |||
District of Columbia Revenue Bonds (Two Rivers Public Charter School Inc. Issue), Series 2020, 5.00%, 06/01/2050 | 760,000 | 624,535 | |
FLORIDA—6.3% | |||
Capital Projects Finance Authority Student Housing Revenue Bonds (Provident Group - Continuum Properties Project) Senior Series 2023A-1 (Tax-Exempt), Series A-1, 5.00%, 11/01/2058 | 1,000,000 | 921,149 | |
Escambia County Health Facilities Authority Health Care Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series 2020A (Baptist Health Care Corporation Obligated Group), Series A, 4.00%, 08/15/2050 | 1,150,000 | 894,313 | |
Hillsborough County Industrial Development Authority Hospital Revenue Bonds (Tampa General Hospital Project), Series 2020A, Series A, 3.50%, 08/01/2055 | 6,875,000 | 4,607,507 | |
Miami-Dade County Special Obligation Sub Bonds 2009, (BAM-TCRS), 0.00%, 10/01/2037 | 3,000,000 | 1,509,914 | |
Total Florida | 7,932,883 | ||
GEORGIA—8.4% | |||
Municipal Electric Authority Bonds (Plant Vogtle Units 3&4 Project M ), Series 2019A, Series A, 4.00%, 01/01/2059 | 4,000,000 | 3,234,570 | |
Municipal Electric Authority Bonds (Plant Vogtle Units 3&4 Project M), 2019A | |||
(BAM-TCRS), Series A, 5.00%, 01/01/2056 | 5,000,000 | 4,939,226 | |
(BAM-TCRS), Series A, 5.00%, 01/01/2063 | 2,500,000 | 2,467,398 | |
Total Georgia | 10,641,194 | ||
GUAM—3.1% | |||
Guam Waterworks Authority Water And Wastewater System Revenue Refunding Bonds Series 2017, 5.00%, 07/01/2037 | 3,000,000 | 2,955,065 | |
Port Authority of Guam Port Revenue Bonds, 2018 Series A (Governmental/Non-Amt), Series A, 5.00%, 07/01/2048 | 1,050,000 | 998,054 | |
Total Guam | 3,953,119 | ||
IDAHO—3.8% | |||
Idaho Health Facilities Authority (St. Luke'S Health System Project) Revenue Bonds, Series 2021A, Series A, 3.00%, 03/01/2051 | 4,630,000 | 2,959,143 |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 9 |
Principal Amount | Value | ||
MUNICIPAL BONDS (continued) | |||
IDAHO (continued) | |||
Idaho Housing And Finance Association Grant And Revenue Anticipation Bonds Federal Highway Trust Fund 2021 Series A, Series A, 4.00%, 07/15/2039 | $ | 1,000,000 | $ 898,092 |
Idaho Housing And Finance Association Nonprofit Facilities Refunding Revenue Bonds (Sage International School Of Boise Project) Series 2020A, (SCH BD GTY), Series A, 4.00%, 05/01/2050 | 1,055,000 | 861,694 | |
Total Idaho | 4,718,929 | ||
ILLINOIS—15.0% | |||
Board of Education of The City of Chicago Dedicated Capital Improvement Tax Bonds Series 2017, 5.00%, 04/01/2046 | 905,000 | 856,029 | |
Board of Education of The City of Chicago Dedicated Capital Improvement Tax Bonds, Series 2023, 5.00%, 04/01/2045 | 585,000 | 577,451 | |
Board of Education of The City of Chicago Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds (Dedicated Revenues), Series 2018D , Series D, 5.00%, 12/01/2046 | 3,000,000 | 2,713,731 | |
Chicago Ill Board Ed Dedicated Cap Impt Tax Bonds 2023, (BAM-TCRS), 5.75%, 04/01/2048 | 4,000,000 | 4,216,914 | |
Illinois Finance Authority Lease Revenue Bonds (Provident Group–Sccil Properties Llc – University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Project) Series 2023A (Learning Facility) | |||
Series A, 5.00%, 10/01/2048 | 1,000,000 | 1,012,335 | |
Series A, 5.25%, 10/01/2053 | 500,000 | 514,634 | |
Illinois Finance Authority Revenue Bonds, Series 2022A (Northshore - Edward-Elmhurst Health Credit Group), Series A, 5.00%, 08/15/2051 | 4,355,000 | 4,250,025 | |
Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Auth Ill Rev Bds Mccormick Place Expansion Project A, (AGM-CR), Series A, 0.00%, 12/15/2052 | 4,625,000 | 985,113 | |
Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Auth Ill Rev Ref Bds Mccormick Place Expansion Project 2017 B, (BAM-TCRS), Series B, 0.00%, 12/15/2054(c) | 5,000,000 | 949,372 | |
The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Toll Highway Senior Revenue Bonds, 2023 Series A, Series A, 5.00%, 01/01/2042 | 2,700,000 | 2,780,968 | |
Total Illinois | 18,856,572 | ||
INDIANA—0.0% | |||
Town of Shoals Exempt Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series 2013 (National Gypsum Company Project), 7.25%, 11/01/2043 | 25,000 | 25,028 | |
MASSACHUSETTS—1.2% | |||
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Revenue Bonds Simmons University Issue, Series N (2023) | |||
Series N, 5.25%, 10/01/2039 | 580,000 | 564,755 | |
Series N, 5.00%, 10/01/2043 | 1,075,000 | 987,066 | |
Total Massachusetts | 1,551,821 |
Principal Amount | Value | ||
MINNESOTA—11.4% | |||
Beacon Point Metropolitan District In The City Of Aurora In Arapahoe County, Colorado General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series A, 5.50%, 12/01/2048 | $ | 500,000 | $ 386,138 |
City of Anoka, Minnesota Health Care And Housing Facility Revenue Bonds (The Homestead At Anoka, Inc. Project) Series 2014, 5.38%, 11/01/2034 | 610,000 | 559,980 | |
City of Apple Valley, Minnesota Senior Living Revenue Bonds (Minnesota Senior Living Llc Project) Fourth Tier Series 2016D | |||
Series D, 7.00%, 01/01/2037 | 685,000 | 471,741 | |
Series D, 7.25%, 01/01/2052 | 1,035,000 | 644,646 | |
City of Apple Valley, Minnesota Senior Living Revenue Bonds (Minnesota Senior Living Llc Project) Second Tier Series 2016B, Series B, 5.00%, 01/01/2047 | 715,000 | 411,037 | |
City of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota Charter School Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds (Prairie Seeds Academy Project), Series 2015A | |||
Series A, 5.00%, 03/01/2034 | 925,000 | 844,709 | |
Series A, 5.00%, 03/01/2039 | 170,000 | 148,094 | |
City of Crookston, Minnesota Health Care Facilities Revenue Bonds (Riverview Health Project), Series 2019, 5.00%, 05/01/2051 | 1,390,000 | 965,561 | |
City of Deephaven, Minnesota Housing And Healthcare Facility Revenue Bonds (St. Therese Senior Living Project), Series 2013A | |||
Series A, 5.00%, 04/01/2038 | 280,000 | 233,772 | |
Series A, 5.00%, 04/01/2040 | 270,000 | 220,626 | |
City of Hayward, Minnesota Health Care Facilities Revenue Bonds (American Baptist Homes Of The Midwest Obligated Group) Series 2014, 5.75%, 02/01/2044 | 500,000 | 396,268 | |
City Of Maple Grove, Minnesota Health Care Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds (Maple Grove Hospital Corporation) Series 2017, 4.00%, 05/01/2037 | 1,000,000 | 867,360 | |
City Of Maple Grove, Minnesota Health Care Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds (North Memorial Health Care), Series 2015, 5.00%, 09/01/2030 | 865,000 | 871,277 | |
City Of Maple Plain, Minnesota Senior Housing And Healthcare Revenue Bonds (Haven Homes, Inc. Project) Series 2019, 5.00%, 07/01/2054 | 1,500,000 | 1,135,053 | |
City of Minneapolis Health Care System Revenue Bonds, Series 2015A (Fairview Health Services) | |||
Series A, 5.00%, 11/15/2033 | 500,000 | 503,486 | |
Series A, 5.00%, 11/15/2034 | 500,000 | 503,091 | |
City of Minneapolis, Minnesota Senior Housing And Healthcare Revenue Bonds (Ecumen-Abiitan Mill City Project), Series 2015 | |||
5.00%, 11/01/2035 | 220,000 | 193,338 | |
5.25%, 11/01/2045 | 850,000 | 710,643 |
10 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
Principal Amount | Value | ||
MUNICIPAL BONDS (continued) | |||
MINNESOTA (continued) | |||
City of Otsego, Minnesota Charter School Lease Revenue Bonds (Kaleidoscope Charter School Project), Series 2014A, Series A, 5.00%, 09/01/2034 | $ | 230,000 | $ 211,939 |
City of Rochester Health Care And Housing Facility Revenue Bonds (The Homestead At Rochester In Project), Series 2013A, Series A, 6.88%, 12/01/2048 | 1,220,000 | 1,149,831 | |
City of Shakopee Health Care Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds (St. Francis Regional Medical Center) Series 2014, 4.00%, 09/01/2031 | 205,000 | 191,987 | |
Housing And Redevelopment Authority Of The City Of Saint Paul, Minnesota Charter School Lease Revenue Bonds (Great River School Project) Series 2017A, Series A, 5.50%, 07/01/2038(a) | 240,000 | 234,065 | |
Housing And Redevelopment Authority Of The City Of Saint Paul, Minnesota Charter School Lease Revenue Bonds (Twin Cities Academy Project), Series 2015A, Series A, 5.30%, 07/01/2045 | 630,000 | 561,351 | |
Housing And Redevelopment Authority Of The City Of Saint Paul, Minnesota Health Care Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds (Healthpartners Obligated Group), Series 2015A Tax-Exempt, Series A, 5.00%, 07/01/2030 | 1,000,000 | 1,008,248 | |
Housing And Redevelopment Authority Of The City Of Saint Paul, Minnesota Hospital Facility Revenue Bonds (Healtheast Care System Project) Series 2015A | |||
(Pre-refunded @ $100.000000, 11/15/2025), Series A, 5.00%, 11/15/2029 | 395,000 | 403,378 | |
(Pre-refunded @ $100.000000, 11/15/2025), Series A, 5.00%, 11/15/2030 | 290,000 | 296,151 | |
The City of Saint Cloud, Minnesota Charter School Lease Revenue Bonds (Stride Academy Project), Series 2016A, Series A, 5.00%, 04/01/2046 | 375,000 | 263,545 | |
Total Minnesota | 14,387,315 | ||
MISSISSIPPI—2.4% | |||
Mississippi Business Finance Corporation Tax Exempt Variable Rate Demand Revenue Bonds Psl-North America Llc Project Series 2007A, Series A, 5.27%, 11/01/2032 | 2,985,000 | 2,985,000 | |
MISSOURI—1.1% | |||
Missouri State Health & Education Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds (Mercy Health 2020), (BAM-TCRS), 4.00%, 06/01/2053 | 1,630,000 | 1,382,966 | |
NEW HAMPSHIRE—0.9% | |||
National Finance Authority, New Hampshire Revenue Bonds (Presbyterian Senior Living Project), Series 2023A, Series A, 5.25%, 07/01/2048 | 1,250,000 | 1,177,341 |
Principal Amount | Value | ||
NEW JERSEY—3.5% | |||
New Jersey State Transitional Trust Fund Authority Program Bonds 2020 Aa, (BAM-TCRS), Series AA, 4.00%, 06/15/2050 | $ | 2,210,000 | $ 1,959,933 |
South Jersey Transportation Authority N J Transportation System Revenue Bonds 2020A, (BAM-TCRS), Series A, 5.00%, 11/01/2045 | 2,455,000 | 2,491,956 | |
Total New Jersey | 4,451,889 | ||
NEW YORK—19.8% | |||
Dormitory Authority of The State of New York Montefiore Obligated Group Revenue Bonds Series 2020A, (AGM), Series A, 3.00%, 09/01/2050 | 5,600,000 | 3,622,688 | |
Dormitory Authority of The State of New York, New York State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds (General Purpose), Series 2021E Bidding Group 5 Bonds, Series E, 3.00%, 03/15/2050 | 2,500,000 | 1,678,601 | |
New York City Housing Development Corporation Multi-Family Housing Revenue Bonds, 2023 Series A-1 (Sustainable Development Bonds) | |||
Series A, 4.85%, 11/01/2053 | 500,000 | 475,954 | |
Series A, 5.00%, 05/01/2063 | 2,000,000 | 1,908,451 | |
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Subordinate Bonds Fiscal 2024 Series A Subseries A-1 Tax-Exempt Bonds, Series A, 5.00%, 05/01/2047 | 2,000,000 | 2,036,250 | |
New York Liberty Development Corp Liberty Revenue Reference Bonds (4 World Trade Center Llc), 2021A Green Bond, (BAM-TCRS), Series A, 2.88%, 11/15/2046 | 7,000,000 | 4,753,662 | |
New York State Thruway Authority New York State Personal Income Tax Revenue Green Bonds, Series 2022C (Climate Bond Certified) | |||
(SONYMA), Series 250, 4.90%, 10/01/2053 | 3,500,000 | 3,405,353 | |
Series C, 5.00%, 03/15/2055 | 4,000,000 | 4,032,488 | |
The City of New York General Obligation Bonds, Fiscal 2023 Series B, Tax-Exempt Subseries B-1 , Series B-1, 5.25%, 10/01/2047 | 1,500,000 | 1,558,649 | |
Westchester County Local Development Corporation Pace University Revenue Bonds, Series 2014A , Series A, 5.00%, 05/01/2034 | 1,500,000 | 1,500,767 | |
Total New York | 24,972,863 | ||
OHIO—6.2% | |||
American Municipal Power, Inc. Prairie State Energy Campus Project Revenue Bonds, Refunding Series 2021A, Series A, 4.00%, 02/15/2036 | 2,500,000 | 2,360,530 |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 11 |
Principal Amount | Value | ||
MUNICIPAL BONDS (continued) | |||
OHIO (continued) | |||
Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed Refunding Bonds, Series 2020 Senior Bonds Series 2020B-2 Class 2 Senior Current Interest Bonds, Series B-2, 5.00%, 06/01/2055 | $ | 4,615,000 | $ 3,975,404 |
County of Cuyahoga, Ohio Ohio Hospital Revenue Bonds, Series 2017 (The Metrohealth System), 5.50%, 02/15/2057 | 1,000,000 | 932,729 | |
State of Ohio Hospital (University Hospitals Health System, Inc.) Revenue Bonds, Series 2015C (Term Floaters), VRDN, Series C, 4.45%, 01/15/2045(d) | 600,000 | 600,000 | |
Total Ohio | 7,868,663 | ||
OREGON—5.9% | |||
City of Portland, Oregon Second Lien Sewer System Revenue And Refunding Bonds, 2023 Series A | |||
Series A, 5.00%, 12/01/2042 | 2,195,000 | 2,307,585 | |
Series A, 5.00%, 12/01/2047 | 3,000,000 | 3,111,149 | |
The Hospital Facility Authority of Union County, Oregon Revenue Bonds (Grande Ronde Hospital Project), Series 2022 | |||
5.00%, 07/01/2039 | 1,665,000 | 1,580,804 | |
5.00%, 07/01/2047 | 500,000 | 441,068 | |
Total Oregon | 7,440,606 | ||
PENNSYLVANIA—4.7% | |||
Huntingdon County General Authority (Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania) Revenue Bonds (Aicup Financing Program - Juniata College Project) Series 2021 Tt3, Series T, 5.00%, 10/01/2051 | 2,500,000 | 2,143,322 | |
Montgomery County Higher Education And Health Authority Thomas Jefferson University Revenue Bonds, Series 2022B, Series B, 5.00%, 05/01/2057 | 3,515,000 | 3,331,018 | |
The City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania General Obligation Bonds, Series 2021A (Tax-Exempt), Series A, 4.00%, 05/01/2042 | 500,000 | 443,587 | |
Total Pennsylvania | 5,917,927 | ||
PUERTO RICO—25.3% | |||
Gdb Debt Recovery Authority Gdb Debt Recovery Authority Bonds (Taxable), 7.50%, 08/20/2040 | 7,863,271 | 6,349,591 | |
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Government Restructured Bonds 2022 A-1 | |||
Series A1, 4.00%, 07/01/2037 | 99,821 | 83,793 | |
Series A1, 4.00%, 07/01/2046 | 2,340,000 | 1,804,094 | |
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Highways & Transportation Authority Restructured Toll Revenue Bonds 2022 A, Series A, 5.00%, 07/01/2062 | 1,250,000 | 1,193,750 |
Principal Amount | Value | ||
Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Educational, Medical And Environmental Control Facilities Financing Authority (Hospital Auxilio Mutuo Obligated Group Project) Hospital Revenue And Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2021, 5.00%, 07/01/2035 | $ | 360,000 | $ 369,364 |
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Filing Corporate Sales Tax Revenue Restructured Bonds Cofina A-1 | |||
Series A-1, 0.00%, 07/01/2051 | 66,455,000 | 12,311,467 | |
Series A-1, 4.75%, 07/01/2053 | 8,500,000 | 7,514,524 | |
Series A-1, 5.00%, 07/01/2058 | 2,510,000 | 2,270,504 | |
Total Puerto Rico | 31,897,087 | ||
SOUTH CAROLINA—1.7% | |||
Clemson University, South Carolina Higher Education Revenue Bonds, Series 2023A (Byrnes Hall Project), Series A, 4.00%, 05/01/2049 | 2,500,000 | 2,161,089 | |
TEXAS—13.2% | |||
Board of Regents of The University of Texas System Revenue Financing System Bonds, Series 2019B, Series B, 5.00%, 08/15/2049 | 1,000,000 | 1,028,156 | |
City of Austin, Texas Airport System Revenue Bonds, Series 2022 (AMT), 5.00%, 11/15/2052 | 5,000,000 | 4,956,610 | |
Clifton Higher Education Finance Corporation Education Revenue Bonds (Yes Prep Public Schools Inc.) Series 2023, (PSF-GTD), 4.25%, 04/01/2048 | 2,000,000 | 1,753,237 | |
Klein Independent School District, Texas Unlimited Tax Schoolhouse Bonds, Series 2023 (Permanent School Fund Guarantee Program), (PSF-GTD), 4.00%, 08/01/2043 | 2,000,000 | 1,804,055 | |
London Independent School District, Texas Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2022 (The Permanent School Fund Guarantee Program), (PSF-GTD), 4.00%, 08/15/2052 | 2,500,000 | 2,187,235 | |
New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation Senior Living Revenue Bonds (Cardinal Bay, Inc. – Village On The Park/Carriage Inn Project) Second Tier Series 2016B , Series B, 4.75%, 07/01/2051 | 160,000 | 80,000 | |
New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation Senior Living Revenue Bonds (Cardinal Bay, Inc. – Village On The Park/Carriage Inn Project) Series 2016A-1 , Series A, 5.00%, 07/01/2051 | 135,000 | 92,475 | |
Port of Corpus Christi Authority, Nueces County, Texas Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds (Flint Hills Resources, Lp Project), Series 2007, AMT, VRDN, Series F, 5.05%, 01/01/2032(a)(d) | 200,000 | 200,000 |
12 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
Principal Amount | Value | ||
MUNICIPAL BONDS (continued) | |||
TEXAS (continued) | |||
Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corporation Senior Lien Revenue Bonds (Blueridge Transportation Group, Llc Sh 288 Toll Lanes Project) Series 2016 (Tax-Exempt), 5.00%, 12/31/2055 | $ | 955,000 | $ 887,741 |
Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corporation Senior Lien Revenue Bonds (Nte Mobility Partners Segments 3 Llc Segment 3C Project) Series 2019 (Tax-Exempt) (Tx), 5.00%, 06/30/2058 | 3,785,000 | 3,605,251 | |
Total Texas | 16,594,760 | ||
VIRGINIA—0.9% | |||
Economic Development Authority Of Henrico County, Virginia Residential Care Facility Revenue Bonds (Westminster Canterbury Richmond) Series 2022A, Series A, 5.00%, 10/01/2052 | 1,200,000 | 1,110,770 | |
WASHINGTON—2.0% | |||
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds (Gonzaga University) 2022, 4.00%, 04/01/2047 | 3,000,000 | 2,450,703 | |
WISCONSIN—2.2% | |||
Public Finance Authority Educational Revenue Bonds (Piedmont Community Charter School) Series 2019, 5.00%, 06/15/2049 | 500,000 | 434,964 | |
Public Finance Authority Limited Obligation Pilot Revenue Bonds (American Dream @ Meadowlands Project) Series 2017, 7.00%, 12/01/2050(a) | 380,000 | 338,111 |
Principal Amount | Value | ||
Public Finance Authority, Wisconsin Hotel Revenue Bonds (Grand Hyatt San Antonio Hotel Acquisition Project) Senior Lien Series 2022A, Series A, 5.00%, 02/01/2062 | $ | 1,475,000 | $ 1,266,910 |
Wisconsin Health And Educational Facilities Authority Senior Living Revenue Bonds (Covenant Communities, Inc. Project) Second Tier Series 2018B , Series B, 5.00%, 07/01/2053 | 1,000,000 | 680,309 | |
Total Wisconsin | 2,720,294 | ||
Total Municipal Bonds | 222,382,127 | ||
Total Investments (Cost $245,050,796)—176.5% | 222,382,127 | ||
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets—(76.5%) | (96,371,713) | ||
Net Assets—100.0% | $126,010,414 |
(a) | Denotes a security issued under Regulation S or Rule 144A. |
(b) | Security is in default. |
(c) | Sinkable security. |
(d) | Variable rate security. The Fund has the right to sell the security back to the issuer for the unpaid principal amount plus interest accrued upon a short notice period. The rate shown is the effective interest rate as of September 30, 2023 and resets periodically. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description. |
AMT | Alternative Minimum Tax |
VRDN | Variable Rate Demand Note |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 13 |
Assets | |
Investments, at value (cost $245,050,796) | $ 222,382,127 |
Interest and dividends receivable | 2,966,588 |
Due from Investment Manager | 248,995 |
Prepaid expenses in connection with preferred shares (Note 6) | 10,180 |
Total assets | 225,607,890 |
Liabilities | |
Liquidation value of preferred shares (Note 6) | 99,000,000 |
Due to custodian | 288,533 |
Trustee fees payable | 53,784 |
Fund accounting fees payable | 30,000 |
Investor relations fees payable (Note 3) | 16,166 |
Administration fees payable (Note 3) | 15,360 |
Other accrued expenses | 193,633 |
Total liabilities | 99,597,476 |
Net Assets | $126,010,414 |
Composition of Net Assets | |
Common stock (par value $0.001 per share) (Note 5) | $ 12,278 |
Paid-in capital in excess of par | 180,187,892 |
Distributable accumulated loss | (54,189,756) |
Net Assets | $126,010,414 |
Net asset value per share based on 12,278,003 shares issued and outstanding | $10.26 |
14 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
For the Period From April 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023 | For the Year Ended March 31, 2023(a) | |
Net Investment Income | ||
Investment Income: | ||
Interest and amortization of discount and premium and other income | $ 5,878,594 | $ 15,196,022 |
Total investment income | 5,878,594 | 15,196,022 |
Expenses: | ||
Investment management fee (Note 3) | 481,910 | 1,442,951 |
Legal fees and expenses | 159,322 | 479,366 |
Independent auditors’ fees and expenses | 85,000 | 68,824 |
Reports to shareholders and proxy solicitation | 65,000 | 58,619 |
Administration fee (Note 3) | 63,766 | 108,003 |
Trustees' fees and expenses | 55,381 | 14,965 |
Transfer agent’s fees and expenses | 34,078 | 540,712 |
Investor relations fees and expenses (Note 3) | 19,178 | — |
Custodian’s fees and expenses | 9,714 | 28,369 |
Expenses related to preferred shares | 7,820 | — |
Registration fees | — | 152 |
Miscellaneous | 68,133 | 398,177 |
Total operating expenses, excluding dividend expense | 1,049,302 | 3,140,138 |
Dividend expense on preferred shares (Note 6) | 2,199,754 | 3,396,207 |
Total operating expenses before reimbursed/waived expenses | 3,249,056 | 6,536,345 |
Less: Investor relations fee waiver (Note 3) | (3,012) | — |
Expenses waived (Note 3) | (325,793) | — |
Net expenses | 2,920,251 | 6,536,345 |
Net Investment Income | 2,958,343 | 8,659,677 |
Net Realized/Unrealized Gain/(Loss) from Investments and Foreign Currency Related Transactions: | ||
Net realized gain/(loss) from: | ||
Investment transactions | (4,724,472) | (24,543,349) |
(4,724,472) | (24,543,349) | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on: | ||
Investments | (14,222,498) | (10,657,292) |
(14,222,498) | (10,657,292) | |
Net realized and unrealized loss from investments | (18,946,970) | (35,200,641) |
Change in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | $(15,988,627) | $(26,540,964) |
(a) | Audited by a different independent registered public accounting firm. |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 15 |
For the Period From April 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023 | For the Year Ended March 31, 2023(a) | For the Year Ended March 31, 2022(a) | |
Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets: | |||
Operations: | |||
Net investment income | $2,958,343 | $8,659,677 | $3,356,556 |
Net realized loss from investments | (4,724,472) | (24,543,349) | (2,015,982) |
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments | (14,222,498) | (10,657,292) | (15,173,054) |
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations | (15,988,627) | (26,540,964) | (13,832,480) |
Distributions to Shareholders From: | |||
Distributable earnings | (2,701,161) | (8,622,394) | (4,399,567) |
Return of capital | – | (1,132,057) | – |
Net decrease in net assets from distributions | (2,701,161) | (9,754,451) | (4,399,567) |
Proceeds from shares issued from the reorganization (Note 10) | – | – | 235,755,536 |
Cost of Shares Redeemed | – | (103,710,362) | – |
Change in net assets from capital transactions | – | (103,710,362) | 235,755,536 |
Change in net assets | (18,689,788) | (140,005,777) | 217,523,489 |
Net Assets: | |||
Beginning of year | 144,700,202 | 284,705,979 | 67,182,490 |
End of year | $126,010,414 | $144,700,202 | $284,705,979 |
(a) | Audited by a different independent registered public accounting firm. |
16 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
For the Period From April 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023 | For the Year Ended March 31, 2023(a) | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | $ (15,988,627) | $ (26,540,964) |
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
Investments purchased | (155,735,606) | (320,626,391) |
Investments sold and principal repayments | 164,378,897 | 452,829,335 |
Decrease in short-term investments, excluding foreign government | – | 4,932,418 |
Net amortization/accretion of premium (discount) | (316,874) | 712,368 |
Decrease in receivable for investments sold | – | 22,064,142 |
(Increase)/decrease in interest and dividends receivable | (8,646) | 2,085,177 |
(Increase) in receivable from Investment Manager | (248,995) | – |
Decrease in other assets | 2,148 | 400,848 |
Decrease in offering cost for preferred shareholders | 166,364 | 22,121 |
Decrease in prepaid expenses | – | 43,740 |
Decrease in payable for investments purchased | (7,912,098) | (25,826,655) |
Decrease in accrued investment management fees payable | (94,443) | (50,473) |
Increase/(decrease) in payable for Trustees' fees | 49,300 | (1,418) |
Increase/(decrease) in payable for accounting expenses | 18,900 | (1,349) |
Increase/(decrease) in payable for administration expenses | (7,676) | 23,036 |
Increase/(decrease) in payable for reports to shareholders and proxy solicitation | 51,947 | (145) |
Increase/(decrease) in payable for audit and tax fees | 76,416 | (44,046) |
Decrease in payable for legal fees | (5,554) | (13,380) |
Increase/(decrease) in other accrued expenses | (159,013) | 233,136 |
Net change in unrealized depreciation of investments | 14,222,498 | 10,657,292 |
Net realized loss on investments transactions | 4,724,472 | 24,543,349 |
Total Cash flows from operating activities | 3,213,410 | 145,442,171 |
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
Increase/(decrease) in payable to custodian | $ (512,249) | $ 800,782 |
Repurchase of preferred stock at liquidation value | – | (36,000,000) |
Distributions paid to shareholders | (2,701,161) | (9,754,451) |
Cost of shares redeemed | – | (103,710,362) |
Net cash used in financing activities | (3,213,410) | (148,664,031) |
Net change in cash | – | (3,221,860) |
Unrestricted and restricted cash and foreign currency, beginning of year | – | 3,221,860 |
Unrestricted and restricted cash and foreign currency, end of year | $– | $– |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||
Cash paid for dividend expense on borrowing | 2,199,754 | 3,396,207 |
(a) | Audited by a different independent registered public accounting firm. |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 17 |
For the Period From April 1, 2023 to September 30, | For the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, | |||||
2023 (a) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE(b): | ||||||
Net asset value per common share, beginning of year | $11.79 | $13.59 | $14.84 | $13.71 | $14.44 | $14.34 |
Net investment income(c) | 0.24 | 0.47 | 0.51 | 0.58 | 0.54 | 0.59 |
Net realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on investments | (1.55) | (1.73) | (1.12) | 1.12 | (0.57) | 0.11 |
Total from investment operations applicable to common shareholders | (1.31) | (1.26) | (0.61) | 1.70 | (0.03) | 0.70 |
Distributions to common shareholders from: | ||||||
Net investment income | (0.22) | (0.48) | (0.54) | (0.51) | (0.55) | (0.60) |
Net realized gains | – | – | (0.10) | (0.06) | (0.15) | – |
Return of capital | – | (0.06) | – | – | – | – |
Total distributions | (0.22) | (0.54) | (0.64) | (0.57) | (0.70) | (0.60) |
Net asset value per common share, end of year | $10.26 | $11.79 | $13.59 | $14.84 | $13.71 | $14.44 |
Market price, end of year | $8.61 | $10.67 | $12.65 | $13.12 | $12.24 | $12.69 |
Total Investment Return Based on(d): | ||||||
Market price | (17.48%) | (11.51%) | 0.92% | 12.11% | 1.35% | 5.56% |
Net asset value | (11.01%) | (9.25%) | (4.15%) | 13.20% | (0.24%) | 5.71% |
Ratio to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders/Supplementary Data: | ||||||
Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of year (000 omitted) | $126,010 | $144,700 | $284,706 | $67,182 | $62,085 | $65,399 |
Average net assets applicable to common shareholders (000 omitted)(e) | $141,600 | $– | $– | $– | $– | $– |
Net operating expenses, net of fee waivers | 4.11%(f) | 2.89% | 1.57% | 1.66% | 2.27% | 2.31% |
Net operating expenses, excluding fee waivers | 4.58%(f) | 2.89% | 1.57% | 1.66% | 2.27% | 2.31% |
Net operating expenses, net of fee waivers, excluding dividend expense | 1.01%(f) | 1.39% | 1.04% | 1.02% | 1.11% | 1.05% |
Net Investment income(g) | 4.17%(f) | 3.83% | 3.45% | 4.03% | 3.69% | 4.19% |
Portfolio turnover | 65% | 94% | 75% | 19% | 33% | 16% |
Total leverage (preferred stock) outstanding (000 omitted)(h) | $99,000 | $99,000 | $135,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 |
Net asset coverage per share of preferred shares, end of period(h) | $227,283 | $246,162 | $310,893 | $323,942 | $306,949 | $317,996 |
Liquidation value per share of preferred shares(h) | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
(a) | Beginning with the period ended September 30, 2023, the Fund’s financial statements were audited by KPMG LLP. Previous years were audited by a different independent registered public accounting firm. |
(b) | Based on average shares outstanding.See Notes to Financial Statements. |
18 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
(c) | Net investment income is reduced by dividends paid to preferred shareholders from net investment income of $0.18, $0.28, $0.08, $0.08, $0.17, and $0.18 per share for the period ended Septebmer 30, 2023 and for the years ended March 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. |
(d) | Total investment return based on market value is calculated assuming that shares of the Fund’s common stock were purchased at the closing market price as of the beginning of the period, dividends, capital gains and other distributions were reinvested as provided for in the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan and then sold at the closing market price per share on the last day of the period. The computation does not reflect any sales commission investors may incur in purchasing or selling shares of the Fund. The total investment return based on the net asset value is similarly computed except that the Fund’s net asset value is substituted for the closing market value. |
(e) | Average net assets applicable to common shareholders were not shown for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. |
(f) | Annualized. |
(g) | The annualized ratio of net investment income excluding dividend expense to average net assets for the period ended September 30, 2023 was 6.80%. The ratio of net investment income excluding dividend expense to average net assets for the years ended March 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019 were 5.33%, 3.98%, 4.67%, 4.84%, and 5.45%, respectively. |
(h) | In March 2012, the Fund issued a series of 300 variable rate preferred shares, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share (Series 2017 Shares). The Series 2017 Shares were redeemed on February 2, 2016 and replaced with Series 2021 Shares, which were the same amount and value as the Fund’s Series 2017 Shares. On April 25, 2019, the Fund redeemed the Series 2021 Shares, and replaced them with Series 2049 Muni-MultiMode Preferred Shares (Series 2049), which have the same amount and value as the Series 2021 Shares. When the Fund acquired Delaware Investments Colorado Municipal Income Fund, Inc. and Delaware Investments Minnesota Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. on February 11, 2022, it also acquired the Series 2049 preferred shares used as leverage by those funds, which are reflected in the value of preferred shares outstanding in the table above. 36,000,000 were redeemed to Fund the tender offer on December 16, 2022. |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 19 |
September 30, 2023
20 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
September 30, 2023
Security Type | Standard Inputs |
Debt and other fixed-income securities | Reported trade data, broker-dealer price quotations, benchmark yields, issuer spreads on comparable securities, credit quality, yield, and maturity. |
Investments, at Value | Level 1 – Quoted Prices | Level 2 – Other Significant Observable Inputs | Level 3 – Significant Unobservable Inputs | Total |
Assets | ||||
Investments in Securities | ||||
Municipal Bonds | $– | $222,382,127 | $– | $222,382,127 |
Total Investments | $– | $222,382,127 | $– | $222,382,127 |
Total Investment Assets | $– | $222,382,127 | $– | $222,382,127 |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 21 |
September 30, 2023
Amount Period End 2023 (Expires 09/30/26) | $325,793 | |
Total* | $325,793 |
* | Amounts reported are due to expire throughout the respective 3-year expiration period presented above. |
22 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
September 30, 2023
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 23 |
September 30, 2023
24 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
September 30, 2023
Tax Cost of Securities | Unrealized Appreciation | Unrealized Depreciation | Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
$245,587,287 | $91,498 | $(23,296,658) | $(23,205,160) |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 25 |
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2022 | |
Distributions paid from: | |||
Ordinary Income | $- | $53,547 | $576 |
Net long-term capital gains | - | - | 452,412 |
Tax Exempt Distributions | 2,701,161 | 8,568,847 | 3,946,579 |
Return of Capital | - | 1,132,057 | - |
Total tax character of distributions | $2,701,161 | $9,754,451 | $4,399,567 |
Undistributed Ordinary Income | $- |
Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | - |
Total undistributed earnings | $216,801 |
Capital loss carryforward | $(31,177,844)* |
Other currency gains | - |
Other Temporary Differences | (23,553) |
Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) | (23,205,160)** |
Total accumulated earnings/(losses) – net | $(54,189,756) |
* | On September 30, 2023, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of $(31,177,844) which will be available to offset like amounts of any future taxable gains. The Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses for an unlimited period, and capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. The breakdown of capital loss carryforwards are as follows: |
Amounts | Expires |
$18,239,931 | Unlimited (Short—Term) |
12,937,913 | Unlimited (Long—Term) |
26 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
September 30, 2023
Acquired Fund Net Assets | Acquired Fund Shares Outstanding | Shares Converted to Acquiring Fund | Acquiring Fund Net Assets | Conversion Ratio | ||
Delaware Investments Colorado Municipal Income Fund, Inc. | Delaware Investments National Municipal Income Fund | |||||
Common shares | $71,680,609 | 4,837,100 | 4,995,164 | $64,997,119 | 1.0327 |
Acquired Fund Net Assets | Acquired Fund Shares Outstanding | Shares Converted to Acquiring Fund | Acquiring Fund Net Assets | Conversion Ratio | ||
Delaware Investments Minnesota Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. | Delaware Investments National Municipal Income Fund | |||||
Common shares | $164,074,927 | 11,504,975 | 11,433,793 | $64,997,119 | 0.9938 |
Net investment income | $10,353,883 |
Net realized loss on investments | (2,024,210) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (22,051,855) |
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations | $(13,722,182) |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 27 |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund:
November 29, 2023
28 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 29 |
• | Issuer is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosures in the filing; |
• | Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and |
• | Issuer may not assert staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder; Issuer represents that Issuer and its agents and assigns will not assert staff consultation with the Issuer regarding the independence of KPMG LLP in regard to certain impermissible non-audit services provided to affiliates of Issuer as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States. |
30 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
Votes For | Votes Against/ Withheld | |
Stephen Bird (common & preferred) | 9,703,200 | 453,671 |
Todd Reit (common & preferred) | 9.668,099 | 488,772 |
Nancy Yao Maasbach (preferred only) | 990 | - |
C. William Maher (preferred only) | 990 | - |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 31 |
32 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 33 |
34 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 35 |
36 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 37 |
38 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 39 |
1. | make investments that will result in the concentration (as that term may be defined in the 1940 Act, any rule or order thereunder, or SEC staff interpretation thereof) of its investments in the securities of issuers primarily engaged in the same industry, provided that this restriction does not limit the Fund from investing in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or in tax-exempt securities or certificates of deposit; |
2. | borrow money or issue senior securities, except as the 1940 Act, any rule or order thereunder, or SEC staff interpretation thereof, may permit; |
3. | underwrite the securities of other issuers, except that the Fund may engage in transactions involving the acquisition, disposition or resale of its portfolio securities, under circumstances where it may be considered to be an underwriter under the Securities Act; |
4. | purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments and provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund from investing in issuers which invest, deal or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein, or investing in securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein; |
5. | purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments and provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving futures contracts and options thereon or investing in securities that are secured by physical commodities; and |
6. | make loans, provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund from purchasing debt obligations, entering into repurchase agreements, loaning its assets to broker/dealers or institutional investors and investing in loans, including assignments and participation interests. |
Assumed annual returns on the Fund's portfolio (net of expenses) | (10)% | (5)% | 0% | 5% | 10% |
Corresponding return of shareholder | (21.8%) | (12.9%) | (4.0%) | 13.9% | 5.0% |
40 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 41 |
42 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 43 |
Name, Address and Year of Birth | Position(s) Held with the Fund | Term of Office and Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | Number of Registered Investment Companies ("Registrants") consisting of Investment Portfolios ("Portfolios") in Fund Complex* Overseen by Board Members | Other Directorships Held by Board Member** |
Interested Board Members | |||||
Stephen Bird c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1967 | Trustee | Since 2023 | Mr. Bird joined the Board of abrdn plc in July 2020 as Chief Executive-Designate, and was formally appointed Chief Executive Officer in September 2020. Previously, Mr. Bird served as chief executive officer of global consumer banking at Citigroup from 2015, retiring from the role in November 2019. His responsibilities encompassed all consumer and commercial banking businesses in 19 countries, including retail banking and wealth management, credit cards, mortgages, and operations and technology supporting these businesses. Prior to this, Mr. Bird was chief executive for all of Citigroup’s Asia Pacific business lines across 17 markets in the region, including India and China. Mr. Bird joined Citigroup in 1998, and during his 21 years with the company he held a number of leadership roles in banking, operations and technology across its Asian and Latin American businesses. Before this, he held management positions in the UK at GE Capital – where he was director of UK operations from 1996 to 1998 – and at British Steel. | 10 Registrants consisting of 28 Portfolios | None. |
Independent Board Members | |||||
C. William Maher c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1961 | Preferred Share Trustee | Since 2023 | Mr. Maher is a Co-founder of Asymmetric Capital Management LLC from May 2018 to September 2020. Formerly Chief Executive Officer of Santa Barbara Tax Products Group from October 2014 to April 2016. | 3 Registrants consisting of 3 Portfolios | None. |
44 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
Name, Address and Year of Birth | Position(s) Held with the Fund | Term of Office and Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | Number of Registered Investment Companies ("Registrants") consisting of Investment Portfolios ("Portfolios") in Fund Complex* Overseen by Board Members | Other Directorships Held by Board Member** |
Todd Reit c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1968 | Chair of the Board; Trustee | Since 2023 | Mr. Reit is a a Managing Member of Cross Brook Partners LLC, a real estate investment and management company since 2017. Mr. Reit is also Director and Financial Officer of Shelter Our Soldiers, a charity to support military veterans, since 2016. Mr. Reit was formerly a Managing Director and Global Head of Asset Management Investment Banking for UBS AG, where he was responsible for overseeing all the bank’s asset management client relationships globally, including all corporate security transactions, mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Reit retired from UBS in 2017 after an over 25-year career at the company and its predecessor company, PaineWebber Incorporated (merged with UBS AG in 2000). | 5 Registrants consisting of 5 Portfolios | None. |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 45 |
Name, Address and Year of Birth | Position(s) Held with the Fund | Term of Office and Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | Number of Registered Investment Companies ("Registrants") consisting of Investment Portfolios ("Portfolios") in Fund Complex* Overseen by Board Members | Other Directorships Held by Board Member** |
Nancy Yao c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1972 | Preferred Share Trustee | Since 2023 | Ms. Yao is a strategic consultant. Ms. Yao was the President of the Museum of Chinese in America. She served as the executive director of the Yale-China Association and managing director of the corporate program at the Council on Foreign Relations. Prior to her work in non-profit, Ms. Yao launched the Asia coverage at the Center for Financial Research and Analysis, served as the inaugural director of policy research of Goldman Sachs’ Global Markets Institute, and was an investment banker at Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. Ms. Yao is a board member of the National Committee of U.S.-China Relations, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a lecturer on accounting and governance at Yale University. | 7 Registrants consisting of 7 Portfolios | None. |
* | As of the most recent fiscal period end, the Fund Complex has a total of 14 Registrants with each Board member serving on the Boards of the number of Registrants listed. Each Registrant in the Fund Complex has one Portfolio except for two Registrants that are open-end funds, abrdn Funds and abrdn ETFs, which each have multiple Portfolios. The Registrants in the Fund Complex are as follows: abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc., abrdn Global Income Fund, Inc., abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc., abrdn Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc., The India Fund, Inc., abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc., abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund, abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund, abrdn Global Premier Properties Fund, abrdn Total Dynamic Dividend Fund, abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund, abrdn National Municipal Income Fund, abrdn Funds (19 Portfolios), and abrdn ETFs (3 Portfolios). |
** | Current directorships (excluding Fund Complex) as of the most recent fiscal period end held in (1) any other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, (2) any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) or (3) any company subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. |
46 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
Name, Address and Year of Birth | Position(s) Held with the Fund | Term of Office* and Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
Joseph Andolina** c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1978 | Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President | Since 2023 | Currently, Chief Risk Officer – Americas for abrdn Inc. and serves as the Chief Compliance Officer for abrdn Inc. Prior to joining the Risk and Compliance Department, he was a member of abrdn Inc.'s Legal Department, where he served as US Counsel since 2012. |
Katherine Corey** c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1985 | Vice President | Since 2023 | Currently, Senior Legal Counsel, Product Governance US for abrdn Inc. Ms. Corey joined abrdn Inc. as U.S. Counsel in 2013. |
Sharon Ferrari** c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1977 | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Currently, Director, Product Management for abrdn Inc. Ms. Ferrari joined abrdn Inc. as a Senior Fund Administrator in 2008. | |
Katie Gebauer** c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1986 | Vice President | Since 2023 | Currently, Chief Compliance Officer—ETFs and serves as the Chief Compliance Officer for abrdn ETFs Advisors LLC. Ms. Gebauer joined abrdn Inc. in 2014. |
Alan Goodson** c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1974 | Vice President | Since 2023 | Currently, Executive Director, Product & Client Solutions—Americas for abrdn Inc., overseeing Product Management and Governance, Product Development and Client Solutions for registered and unregistered investment companies in the U.S., Brazil and Canada. Mr. Goodson is Director and Vice President of abrdn Inc. and joined abrdn Inc. in 2000. |
Heather Hasson** c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1982 | Vice President | Since 2023 | Currently, Senior Product Solutions and Implementation Manager, Product Governance US for abrdn Inc. Ms. Hasson joined the company in 2006. |
Robert Hepp** c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1986 | Vice President | Since 2023 | Currently, Senior Product Governance Manager – US for abrdn Inc. Mr. Hepp joined abrdn Inc. as a Senior Paralegal in 2016. |
Megan Kennedy** c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1974 | Vice President, Secretary | Since 2023 | Currently, Senior Director, Product Governance for abrdn Inc. Ms. Kennedy joined abrdn Inc. in 2005. |
Andrew Kim** c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1983 | Vice President | Since 2023 | Currently, Senior Product Governance Manager – US for abrdn Inc. Mr. Kim joined abrdn Inc. as a Product Manager in 2013. |
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | 47 |
Name, Address and Year of Birth | Position(s) Held with the Fund | Term of Office* and Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
Brian Kordeck** c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1978 | Vice President | Since 2023 | Currently, Senior Product Manager – US for abrdn Inc. Mr. Kordeck joined abrdn Inc. as a Senior Fund Administrator in 2013. |
Michael Marsico** c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1980 | Vice President | Since 2023 | Currently, Senior Product Manager – US for abrdn Inc. Mr. Marsico joined abrdn Inc. as a Fund Administrator in 2014. |
Christian Pittard** c/o abrdn Investments Limited 280 Bishopsgate London, EC2M 4AG Year of Birth: 1973 | President | Since 2023 | Currently, Director of Corporate Finance and Head of Listed Funds. Mr. Pittard joined abrdn from KPMG in 1999. |
Lucia Sitar** c\o abrdn Inc. 1900 Market Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Year of Birth: 1971 | Vice President | Since 2023 | Currently, Vice President and Head of Product Management and Governance for abrdn Inc. since 2020. Previously, Ms. Sitar was Managing U.S. Counsel for abrdn Inc. She joined abrdn Inc. as U.S. Counsel in July 2007. |
* | Officers hold their positions with the Fund until a successor has been duly elected and qualifies. Officers are elected annually at a meeting of the Fund Board. |
** | Each officer may hold officer position(s) in one or more other funds which are part of the Fund Complex. |
48 | abrdn National Municipal Income Fund |
C. William Maher
Todd Reit, Chair
Nancy Yao
1900 Market Street, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19103
1900 Market Street, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19103
One Congress Street, Suite 1
Boston, MA 02114-2016
P.O. Box 43006
Providence, RI 02940-3078
1601 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
1900 K Street N.W.
Washington D.C. 20006
1900 Market Street, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19103
1-800-522-5465
Investor.Relations@abrdn.com
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
(a) | As of September 30, 2023, abrdn National Municipal Income Fund (formerly, Delaware Investments National Municipal Income Fund) (the “Fund” or the “Registrant”) had 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, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Registrant or a third party (the “Code of Ethics”). |
(b) | Definitional. |
(c) | There have been no amendments, during the period covered by this report, to a provision of the Code of Ethics. |
(d) | During the period covered by this report, there were no waivers to the provisions of the Code of Ethics. |
(e) | Not applicable |
(f) | A copy of the Code of Ethics has been filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR. |
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The Registrant's Board of Trustees has determined that William Maher, a member of the Board of Trustees’ Audit and Valuation Committee, possesses the attributes, and has acquired such attributes through means, identified in instruction 2 of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” and has designated Mr. Maher as the Audit and Valuation Committee’s financial expert. Mr. Maher is considered to be an “independent” trustee, as such term is defined in paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
(a) – (d) Below is a table reflecting the fee information requested in Items 4(a) through (d):
Fiscal Year Ended | (a) Audit Fees1 | (b) Audit-Related Fees2 | (c) Tax Fees3 | (d) All Other Fees4 | ||||||||||||
September 30, 2023 | $ | 80,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Percentage approved pursuant to pre-approval exception5 | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % | ||||||||
March 31, 2023* | $ | 37,710 | $ | 0 | $ | 3,371 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Percentage approved pursuant to pre-approval exception5 | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % |
* Fees for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 were paid to the Registrants’s prior independent public accounting firm.
1 “Audit Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for professional services for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements and services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
2 “Audit Related Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements that are not reported under “Audit Fees”. These fees include offerings related to the Fund’s common shares.
3 “Tax Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for professional services for tax advice, tax compliance, and tax planning. These fees include: federal and state income tax returns, review of excise tax distribution calculations and federal excise tax return.
4 “All Other Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for products and services other than “Audit Fees”, “Audit-Related Fees” and “Tax Fees”.
5 Pre-approval exception under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. The pre-approval exception for services provided directly to the Fund waives the pre-approval requirement for services other than audit, review or attest services if: (A) the aggregate amount of all such services provided constitutes no more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid by the Fund to its accountant during the fiscal year in which the services are provided; (B) the Fund did not recognize the services as non-audit services at the time of the engagement; and (C) the services are promptly brought to the Audit Committee’s attention, and the Committee (or its delegate) approves the services before the audit is completed.
(e)(1) | The Registrant’s Audit and Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) has adopted a Charter that provides that the Committee shall annually select, retain or terminate, and recommend to the Independent Trustees for their ratification, the selection, retention or termination, the Registrant’s independent auditor and, in connection therewith, to evaluate the terms of the engagement (including compensation of the independent auditor) and the qualifications and independence of the independent auditor, including whether the independent auditor provides any consulting, auditing or tax services to the Registrant’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”) or any sub-adviser, and to receive the independent auditor’s specific representations as to their independence, delineating all relationships between the independent auditor and the Registrant, consistent with the PCAOB Rule 3526 or any other applicable auditing standard. PCAOB Rule 3526 requires that, at least annually, the auditor: (1) disclose to the Committee in writing all relationships between the auditor and its related entities and the Registrant and its related entities that in the auditor’s professional judgment may reasonably be thought to bear on independence; (2) confirm in the letter that, in its professional judgment, it is independent of the Registrant within the meaning of the Securities Acts administered by the SEC; and (3) discuss the auditor’s independence with the audit committee. The Committee is responsible for actively engaging in a dialogue with the independent auditor with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the independent auditor and for taking, or recommending that the full Board take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of the independent auditor. The Committee Charter also provides that the Committee shall review in advance, and consider approval of, any and all proposals by Management or the Adviser that the Registrant, the Adviser or their affiliated persons, employ the independent auditor to render “permissible non-audit services” to the Registrant and to consider whether such services are consistent with the independent auditor’s independence. The Committee may delegate to one or more of its members (“Delegates”) authority to pre-approve permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Registrant. Any pre-approval determination of a Delegate shall be presented to the full Committee at its next meeting. The Committee shall communicate any pre-approval made by it or a Delegate to the Adviser, who will ensure that the appropriate disclosure is made in the Registrant’s periodic reports required by Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and other documents as required under the federal securities laws. |
(e)(2) | None of the services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item involved a waiver of the pre-approval requirement by the Audit Committee pursuant to Rule 2-01 (c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X. |
(f) | Not applicable. |
(g) | Non-Audit Fees |
The following table shows the amount of fees that KPMG LLP billed during the Fund’s last two fiscal years for non-audit services to the Registrant, and to the Adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund (“Affiliated Fund Service Provider”): |
Fiscal Year Ended | Total Non-Audit Fees Billed to Fund | Total Non-Audit Fees billed to Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers (engagements related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund) | Total Non-Audit Fees billed to Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers (all other engagements) | Total | ||||||||||||
September 30, 2023 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,171,994 | $ | 1,171,994 | ||||||||
March 31, 2023 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 |
“Non-Audit Fees billed to Fund” for both fiscal years represent “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” billed to Fund in their respective amounts from the previous table.
(h) | Not applicable. |
(i) | Not applicable. |
(j) | Not applicable. |
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
(a) | The Registrant has a separately-designated standing Audit and Valuation Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)). |
As of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, the Audit Committee members were:
Willam Maher
Nancy Yao Maasbach
Todd Reit
(b) | Not applicable. |
Item 6. Schedule of Investments.
(a) | Included as part of the Report to Shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR. |
(b) | Not applicable. |
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Pursuant to the Registrant's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures, the Registrant has delegated responsibility for its proxy voting to its Adviser, provided that the Registrant's Board of Trustees has the opportunity to periodically review the Adviser's proxy voting policies and material amendments thereto.
The proxy voting policies of the Registrant are included herewith as Exhibit (c) and policies of the Adviser are included as Exhibit (d).
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
(a)(1) PORTFOLIO MANAGER BIOGRAPHIES
As of the date of filing this report, the individuals listed below have primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of their respective sleeves of the Fund’s portfolio. Messrs. Duitz, Byrne and Reynolds are jointly and primarily responsible for the Fund’s public infrastructure investments, and Mr. Purington is primarily responsible for the Fund’s private/direct infrastructure investments.
Individual & Position | Past Business Experience
|
Miguel Laranjeiro | Miguel Laranjeiro is an Investment Director within the Municipals team at abrdn where he is responsible for asset allocation and investment managment decisions for the abrdn Ultra Short Municipal Income Fund, abrdn Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund and abrdn Intermediate Municipal Income Fund at abrdn. Miguel experience includes municipal credit analysis in the high yield sector as well as high grade tax backed sectors. Miguel joined the company in 2018 from Alpine Woods Capital Investors where he was focused on credit analysis in the Public Finance sector for Alpine's two municipal funds, Alpine Ultra Short Municipal Income Fund (ATOIX) and Alpine High Yield Managed Duration Fund (AHYMX). Previously, Miguel worked for Thomson Reuters as a an analyst focused primarily on Fundamentals Analysis in the Emerging Markets sectors. |
Jonathan Mondillo | Jonathan Mondillo is Head of US Fixed Income at abrdn. He is responsible for overseeing all public and private markets fixed income teams in the region, which include IG Credit, HY Credit, Municipals, and USPP. He is further responsible for five municipal bond and infrastructure debt funds that invest in both investment grade and high yield credits. Jonathan joined the firm in 2018 from Alpine Woods Capital Investors, LLC, when two mutual funds he managed were acquired by abrdn. Prior to that, Jonathan worked for Fidelity Capital Markets. Jonathan graduated with a B.S. in Finance from Bentley University. |
(a)(2) OTHER ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY PORTFOLIO MANAGERS.
The following chart summarizes information regarding other accounts for which each portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities. Accounts are grouped into the following three categories: (1) registered investment companies; (2) other pooled investment vehicles; and (3) other accounts. To the extent that any of these accounts pay advisory fees that are based on account performance (“performance-based fees”), information on those accounts is provided separately. The figures in the chart below for the category of “registered investment companies” include the Fund. The “Other Accounts Managed” represents the accounts managed by the teams of which the portfolio manager is a member. The information in the table below is as of September 30, 2023.
Name of Portfolio Manager | Type of Accounts | Other Accounts Managed | Total Assets ($M) | Number of Accounts Managed for Which Advisory Fee is Based on Performance | Total Assets for Which Advisory Fee is Based on Performance ($M) | |||||||||||||
Jonathan Mondillo1 | Registered Investment Companies | 4 | $ | 1,025.10 | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||||||
Pooled Investment Vehicles | 1 | $ | 70.06 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Other Accounts | 5 | $ | 1,417.29 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Miguel Laranjeiro 1 | Registered Investment Companies | 4 | $ | 1,025.10 | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||||||
Pooled Investment Vehicles | 1 | $ | 70.06 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Other Accounts | 5 | $ | 1,417.29 | 0 | $ | 0 |
1 Includes accounts managed by the US Municipals Team and US Investment Grade Fixed Income Team, of which the portfolio manager is a member.
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Adviser and its affiliates (collectively referred to herein as “abrdn”) serve as investment advisers for multiple clients, including the Registrant and other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act and private funds (such clients are also referred to below as “accounts”). The portfolio managers’ management of “other accounts” may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with their management of the Registrant’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Registrant. Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby the portfolio manager could favor one account over another. However, the Adviser believes that these risks are mitigated by the fact that: (i) accounts with like investment strategies managed by a particular portfolio manager are generally managed in a similar fashion, subject to exceptions to account for particular investment restrictions or policies applicable only to certain accounts, differences in cash flows and account sizes, and similar factors; and (ii) portfolio manager personal trading is monitored to avoid potential conflicts. In addition, the Adviser has adopted trade allocation procedures that require equitable allocation of trade orders for a particular security among participating accounts.
In some cases, another account managed by the same portfolio manager may compensate Aberdeen based on the performance-based fees with qualified clients. The existence of such a performance-based fee may create additional conflicts of interest for the portfolio manager in the allocation of management time, resources and investment opportunities.
Another potential conflict could include instances in which securities considered as investments for the Registrant also may be appropriate for other investment accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates. Whenever decisions are made to buy or sell securities for the Registrant and one or more of the other accounts simultaneously, the Adviser may aggregate the purchases and sales of the securities and will allocate the securities transactions in a manner that it believes to be equitable under the circumstances. As a result of the allocations, there may be instances where the Registrant will not participate in a transaction that is allocated among other accounts. While these aggregation and allocation policies could have a detrimental effect on the price or amount of the securities available to the Registrant from time to time, it is the opinion of the Adviser that the benefits from the policies outweigh any disadvantage that may arise from exposure to simultaneous transactions. The Registrant has adopted policies that are designed to eliminate or minimize conflicts of interest, although there is no guarantee that procedures adopted under such policies will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.
With respect to non-discretionary model delivery accounts (including UMA accounts) and discretionary SMA accounts, abrdn Inc. will utilize a third party service provider to deliver model portfolio recommendations and model changes to the Sponsors. abrdn Inc. seeks to treat clients fairly and equitably over time, by delivering model changes to our service provider and investment instructions for our other discretionary accounts to our trading desk, simultaneously or approximately at the same time. The service provider will then deliver the model changes to each Sponsor on a when-traded, randomized full rotation schedule. All Sponsors will be included in the rotation schedule, including SMA and UMA.
UMA Sponsors will be responsible for determining how and whether to implement the model portfolio or model changes and implementation of any client specific investment restrictions. The Sponsors are solely responsible for determining the suitability of the model portfolio for each model delivery client, executing trades and seeking best execution for such clients.
As it relates to SMA accounts, abrdn Inc. will be responsible for managing the account on the basis of each client’s financial situation and objectives, the day to day investment decisions, best execution, accepting or rejecting client specific investment restrictions and performance. The SMA Sponsors will collect suitability information and will provide a summary questionnaire for our review and approval or rejection. For dual contract SMAs, abrdn Inc. will collect a suitability assessment from the client, along with the Sponsor suitability assessment. Our third party service provider will monitor client specific investment restrictions on a day to day basis. For SMA accounts, model trades will be traded by the Sponsor or may be executed through a “step-out transaction,”- or traded away- from the client’s Sponsor if doing so is consistent with abrdn’s obligation to obtain best execution. When placing trades through Sponsor Firms (instead of stepping them out), we will generally aggregate orders where it is possible and in the client’s best interests. In the event we are not comfortable that a Sponsor can obtain best execution for a specific security and trading away is infeasible, we may exclude the security from the model.
Trading costs are not covered by the Wrap Program fee and may result in additional costs to the client. In some instances, step-out trades are executed without any additional commission, mark-up, or mark-down, but in many instances, the executing broker-dealer may impose a commission or a mark-up or mark-down on the trade. Typically, the executing broker will embed the added costs into the price of the trade execution, making it difficult to determine and disclose the exact added cost to clients. In this instance, these additional trading costs will be reflected in the price received for the security, not as a separate commission, on trade confirmations or on account statements. In determining best execution for SMA accounts, abrdn Inc. takes into consideration that the client will not pay additional trading costs or commission if executing with the Sponsor.
While UMA accounts are invested in the same strategies as and may perform similarly to SMA accounts, there are expected to be performance differences between them. There will be performance dispersions between UMAs and other types of accounts because abrdn does not have discretion over trading and there may be client specific restrictions for SMA accounts.
abrdn may have already commenced trading for its discretionary client accounts before the model delivery accounts have executed abrdn's recommendations. In this event, trades placed by the model delivery clients may be subject to price movements, particularly with large orders or where securities are thinly traded, that may result in model delivery clients receiving less favorable prices than our discretionary clients. abrdn has no discretion over transactions executed by model delivery clients and is unable to control the market impact of those transactions.
Timing delays or other operational factors associated with the implementation of trades may result in non-discretionary and model delivery clients receiving materially different prices relative to other client accounts. In addition, the constitution and weights of stocks within model portfolios may not always be exactly aligned with similar discretionary accounts. This may create performance dispersions within accounts with the same or similar investment mandate.
(a)(3)
DESCRIPTION OF COMPENSATION STRUCTURE
abrdn’s remuneration policies are designed to support its business strategy as a leading international asset manager. The objective is to attract, retain and reward talented individuals for the delivery of sustained, superior returns for abrdn’s clients and shareholders. abrdn operates in a highly competitive international employment market, and aims to maintain its strong track record of success in developing and retaining talent.
abrdn’s policy is to recognize corporate and individual achievements each year through an appropriate annual bonus scheme. The bonus is a single, fully discretionary variable pay award. The aggregate value of awards in any year is dependent on the group’s overall performance and profitability. Consideration is also given to the levels of bonuses paid in the market. Individual awards, which are payable to all members of staff, are determined by a rigorous assessment of achievement against defined objectives.
The variable pay award is composed of a mixture of cash and a deferred award, the portion of which varies based on the size of the award. Deferred awards are by default abrdn plc shares, with an option to put up to 50% of the deferred award into funds managed by abrdn. Overall compensation packages are designed to be competitive relative to the investment management industry.
Base Salary
abrdn’s policy is to pay a fair salary commensurate with the individual’s role, responsibilities and experience, and having regard to the market rates being offered for similar roles in the asset management sector and other comparable companies. Any increase is generally to reflect inflation and is applied in a manner consistent with other abrdn employees; any other increases must be justified by reference to promotion or changes in responsibilities.
Annual Bonus
The Remuneration Committee determines the key performance indicators that will be applied in considering the overall size of the bonus pool. In line with practices amongst other asset management companies, individual bonuses are not subject to an absolute cap. However, the aggregate size of the bonus pool is dependent on the group’s overall performance and profitability. Consideration is also given to the levels of bonuses paid in the market. Individual awards are determined by a rigorous assessment of achievement against defined objectives, and are reviewed and approved by the Remuneration Committee.
abrdn has a deferral policy which is intended to assist in the retention of talent and to create additional alignment of executives’ interests with abrdn’s sustained performance and, in respect of the deferral into funds managed by abrdn, to align the interest of portfolio managers with our clients.
Staff performance is reviewed formally at least once a year. The review process evaluates the various aspects that the individual has contributed to abrdn, and specifically, in the case of portfolio managers, to the relevant investment team. Discretionary bonuses are based on client service, asset growth and the performance of the respective portfolio manager. Overall participation in team meetings, generation of original research ideas and contribution to presenting the team externally are also evaluated.
In the calculation of a portfolio management team’s bonus, abrdn takes into consideration investment matters (which include the performance of funds, adherence to the company investment process, and quality of company meetings) as well as more subjective issues such as team participation and effectiveness at client presentations through key performance indicator scorecards. To the extent performance is factored in, such performance is not judged against any specific benchmark and is evaluated over the period of a year - January to December. The pre- or after-tax performance of an individual account is not considered in the determination of a portfolio manager’s discretionary bonus; rather the review process evaluates the overall performance of the team for all of the accounts the team manages.
Portfolio manager performance on investment matters is judged over all of the accounts the portfolio manager contributes to and is documented in the appraisal process. A combination of the team’s and individual’s performance is considered and evaluated.
Although performance is not a substantial portion of a portfolio manager’s compensation, abrdn also recognizes that fund performance can often be driven by factors outside one’s control, such as (irrational) markets, and as such pays attention to the effort by portfolio managers to ensure integrity of our core process by sticking to disciplines and processes set, regardless of momentum and ‘hot’ themes. Short-terming is thus discouraged and trading-oriented managers will thus find it difficult to thrive in the abrdn environment. Additionally, if any of the aforementioned undue risks were to be taken by a portfolio manager, such trend would be identified via abrdn’s dynamic compliance monitoring system.
In rendering investment management services, the Adviser may use the resources of additional investment adviser subsidiaries of abrdn plc. These affiliates have entered into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) pursuant to which investment professionals from each affiliate may render portfolio management, research or trading services to abrdn clients. Each investment professional who renders portfolio management, research or trading services under a MOU or personnel sharing arrangement (“Participating Affiliate”) must comply with the provisions of the Advisers Act, the 1940 Act, the Securities Act of 1933, the Exchange Act, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the laws of states or countries in which the Adviser does business or has clients. No remuneration is paid by the Fund with respect to the MOU/personnel sharing arrangements.
(a)(4)
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Registrant Beneficially Owned by the Portfolio Manager as of September 30, 2023 | ||
Miguel Laranjeiro | None | |
Jonathan Mondillo | None |
(b) Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
No such purchases were made by or on behalf of the Registrant during the period covered by the report.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
During the period ended September 30, 2023, there were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) | The Registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c)) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d15(b)). |
(b) | There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d))) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is 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) | |
(a)(2) | The certifications of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act are exhibits to this Form N -CSR. |
(a)(3) | Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons. Not applicable. |
(a)(4) | Change in Registrant’s independent public accountant. |
(b) | The certifications of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act are exhibits to this Form N-CSR. |
(c) | Proxy Voting Policy of Registrant |
(d) | Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of Adviser. |
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.
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund
By: | /s/ Christian Pittard | |
Christian Pittard, | ||
Principal Executive Officer of | ||
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | ||
Date: December 11, 2023 |
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/ Christian Pittard | |
Christian Pittard, | ||
Principal Executive Officer of | ||
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | ||
Date: December 11, 2023 |
By: | /s/ Sharon Ferrari | |
Sharon Ferrari, | ||
Principal Financial Officer of | ||
abrdn National Municipal Income Fund | ||
Date: December 11, 2023 |