Delaware Investments Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. (Fund) is organized as a Maryland corporation and is a diversified closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Fund’s shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol DDF.
The investment objective of the Fund is to seek high current income. Capital appreciation is a secondary objective.
The following accounting policies are in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and are consistently followed by the Fund.
Subject to seeking best execution, the Fund may direct certain security trades to brokers who have agreed to rebate a portion of the related brokerage commission to the Fund in cash. In general, best execution refers to many factors, including the price paid or received for a security, the commission charged, the promptness and reliability of execution, the confidentiality and placement accorded the order, and other factors affecting the overall benefit obtained by the Fund on the transaction. DMC, as defined below, and its affiliates have previously and may in the future act as an investment advisor to mutual funds or separate accounts affiliated with the administrator of the commission recapture program described above. In addition, affiliates of the administrator act as consultants in helping institutional clients choose investment advisors and may also participate in other types of business and provide other services in the investment management industry. There were no commission rebates for the period ended May 31, 2009.
The Fund receives earnings credits from its custodian when positive cash balances are maintained, which are used to offset custody fees. The expense paid under this arrangement is included in custodian fees on the statement of operations with the corresponding expense offset shown as “expense paid indirectly.”
2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements and Other Transactions with Affiliates
In accordance with the terms of its investment management agreement, the Fund pays Delaware Management Company (DMC), a series of Delaware Management Business Trust and the investment manager, an annual fee of 0.55%, (calculated daily) of the adjusted average weekly net assets of the Fund. For purposes of the calculation of investment management fees, adjusted average weekly net assets excludes the line of credit liability.
Delaware Service Company, Inc. (DSC), an affiliate of DMC, provides fund accounting and financial administration oversight services to the Fund. For these services, the Fund pays DSC fees based on the aggregate daily net assets of the Delaware Investments® Family of Funds at the following annual rate: 0.0050% of the first $30 billion; and 0.0045% of the next $10 billion; 0.0040% of the next $10 billion; and 0.0025% of aggregate average daily net assets in excess of $50 billion. The fees payable to DSC under the service agreement described above are allocated among all Funds in the Delaware Investments Family of Funds on a relative net asset value basis. For the six months ended May 31, 2009, the Fund was charged $1,805 for these services.
At May 31, 2009, the Fund had liabilities payable to affiliates as follows:
| Investment management fee payable to DMC | $ | 35,130 |
| Fees and expenses payable to DSC | | 326 |
| Other expenses payable to DMC and affiliates* | | 1,393 |
*DMC, as part of its administrative services, pays operating expenses on behalf of the Fund and is reimbursed on a periodic basis. Such expenses include items such as printing of shareholder reports, fees for audit, legal and tax services, stock exchange fees, custodian fees and Directors’ fees.
As provided in the investment management agreement, the Fund bears the cost of certain legal and tax services, including internal legal and tax services provided to the Fund by DMC and/or its affiliates’ employees. For the six months ended May 31, 2009, the Fund was charged $2,807 for internal legal and tax services provided by DMC and/or its affiliates’ employees.
Directors’ fees include expenses accrued by the Fund for each Director’s retainer and meeting fees. Certain officers of DMC and DSC are officers and/or directors of the Fund. These officers and directors are paid no compensation by the Fund.
During the six months ended May 31, 2009, Kristen E. Bartholdson was appointed co-portfolio manager of the Fund. Ms. Bartholdson serves as co-manager with D. Tysen Nutt Jr., Anthony A. Lombardi, Roger A. Vogel Jr., Nikhil Lalvani, Nashira S. Wynn, Thomas H. Chow, Roger A. Early, Kevin P. Loome, Babak Zenouzi, and Damon J. Andres. Ms. Bartholdson works with Mr. Nutt, Mr. Lombardi, Mr. Vogel, Ms. Wynn, and Mr. Lalvani on the Fund’s large cap value sleeve.
3. Investments
For the six months ended May 31, 2009, the Fund made purchases of $20,370,692 and sales of $19,693,136 of investment securities other than short-term investments.
At May 31, 2009, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes has been estimated since final tax characteristics cannot be determined until fiscal year end. At May 31, 2009, the cost of investments was $99,545,376. At May 31, 2009, net unrealized depreciation was $16,124,261, of which $2,852,160 related to unrealized appreciation of investments and $18,976,421 related to unrealized depreciation of investments.
The Fund applies Financial Accounting Standard No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (FAS 157). FAS 157 defines fair value as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available under the circumstances. The Fund’s investment in its entirety is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
Level 1 – Inputs are quoted prices in active markets
Level 2 – Inputs are observable, directly or indirectly
Level 3 – Inputs are unobservable and reflect assumptions on the part of the reporting entity
(continues) 17
Notes to financial statements
Delaware Investments® Dividend and Income Fund, Inc.
3. Investments (continued)
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund investments by the FAS 157 fair value hierarchy levels as of May 31, 2009:
| | Securities |
| Level 1 | $ | 39,048,986 |
| Level 2 | | 44,076,662 |
| Level 3 | | 295,467 |
| Total | $ | 83,421,115 |
The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:
| | Securities |
| Balance as of 11/30/08 | $ | 901,382 | |
| Net realized loss | | (295,207 | ) |
| Net change in unrealized | | 447,348 | |
| appreciation/depreciation | | | |
| Net purchases, sales, and settlements | | (758,056 | ) |
| Balance as of 5/31/09 | $ | 295,467 | |
| |
| Net change in unrealized appreciation/ | | | |
| depreciation from investments still | | | |
| held as of 5/31/09 | $ | 210,836 | |
4. Dividend and Distribution Information
Income and long-term capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Additionally, distributions from net gains on foreign currency transactions and net short-term gains on sales of investment securities are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the six months ended May 31, 2009 and the year ended November 30, 2008 was as follows:
| | Six Months | | Year |
| | Ended | | Ended |
| | 5/31/09* | | 11/30/08 |
| | (Unaudited) | | | |
| Ordinary income | $ | 3,651,392 | | $ | 5,710,800 |
| Return of capital | | — | | | 4,120,447 |
| Total | $ | 3,651,392 | | $ | 9,831,247 |
*Tax information for the six months ended May 31, 2009 is an estimate and the tax character of dividends and distributions may be redesignated at fiscal year end.
5. Components of Net Assets on a Tax Basis
The components of net assets are estimated since final tax characteristics cannot be determined until fiscal year end. As of May 31, 2009, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follows:
| Shares of beneficial interest | $ | 101,608,382 | |
| Realized losses 12/1/08 – 5/31/09 | | (10,975,741 | ) |
| Capital loss carryforwards as of 11/30/08 | | (16,270,335 | ) |
| Unrealized depreciation of investments | | (16,124,261 | ) |
| Other temporary differences | | (150,949 | ) |
| Net assets | $ | 58,087,096 | |
The differences between book basis and tax basis components of net assets are primarily attributable to tax deferral of losses on wash sales, contingent payment debt instruments, tax treatment of partnership income and market discount and premium on debt instruments.
For financial reporting purposes, capital accounts are adjusted to reflect the tax character of permanent book/tax differences. Reclassifications are primarily due to tax treatment of dividends and distributions and CDS contracts. Results of operations and net assets were not affected by these reclassifications. For the six months ended May 31, 2009, the Fund recorded an estimate of these differences since the final tax characteristics cannot be determined until fiscal year end.
| Undistributed net investment income | $ | 1,525,843 | |
| Accumulated net realized loss | | 92,988 | |
| Paid-in capital | | (1,618,831 | ) |
For federal income tax purposes, capital loss carryforwards of $16,270,335 may be carried forward and applied against future capital gains. Such capital loss carryforwards expire in 2016.
For the six months ended May 31, 2009, the Fund had capital losses of $10,975,824, which may increase the capital loss carryforwards.
6. Capital Stock
Shares obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan are purchased by the Fund’s transfer agent, BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, in the open market. There were no shares issued under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan for the six months ended May 31, 2009 and the year ended November 30, 2008.
On May 21, 2009, the Fund’s Board approved a tender offer for shares of the Fund’s common stock. The tender offer authorized the Fund to purchase up to 5% of its issued and outstanding shares at a price equal to the Fund’s net asset value at the close of business on the NYSE on June 29, 2009, the first business day following the expiration of the offer. The tender offer commenced on June 1, 2009 and expired on June 26, 2009.
In connection with the tender offer, the Fund purchased 496,792 shares of capital stock at a total cost of $2,916,169. The tender offer was oversubscribed and all tenders of shares were subject to pro-ration (at a ratio of approximately 0.879434237) in accordance with the terms of the tender offer.
On May 22, 2008, the Fund’s Board approved a tender offer for shares of the Fund’s common stock. The tender offer authorized the Fund to purchase up to 5% of its issued and outstanding shares at a price equal to the Fund’s net asset value at the close of business on the NYSE on June 30, 2008, the first business day following the expiration of the offer. The tender offer commenced on May 30, 2008 and expired on June 27, 2008. In connection with the tender offer, the Fund purchased 522,939 shares of capital stock at a total cost of $5,004,526.
The Fund did not repurchase shares under the Share Repurchase Program during the six months ended May 31, 2009, and year ended November 30, 2008.
18
7. Line of Credit
For the six months ended May 31, 2009, the Fund borrowed money pursuant to a $44,000,000 Credit Agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon) that expires on November 16, 2009. Depending on market conditions, the amount borrowed by the Fund pursuant to the Credit Agreement may be reduced or possibly increased in the future.
At May 31, 2009, the par value of loans outstanding was $20,225,000 at a variable interest rate of 1.09%. During the six months ended May 31, 2009, the average daily balance of loans outstanding was $20,225,000 at a weighted average interest rate of approximately 1.07%. Interest on borrowing is based on a variable short-term rate plus an applicable margin. The commitment fee is computed at a rate of 0.10% per annum on the unused balance. The loan is collateralized by the Fund’s portfolio.
8. Swap Contracts
The Fund may enter into interest rate swap contracts, index swap contracts and CDS contracts in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The Fund may use interest rate swaps to adjust the Fund’s sensitivity to interest rates or to hedge against changes in interest rates. Index swaps may be used to gain exposure to markets that the Fund invests in, such as the corporate bond market. The Fund may also use index swaps as a substitute for futures or options contracts if such contracts are not directly available to the Fund on favorable terms. The Fund may enter into CDS contracts in order to hedge against a credit event, to enhance total return or to gain exposure to certain securities or markets.
Interest Rate Swaps. An interest rate swap involves payments received by the Fund from another party based on a variable or floating interest rate, in return for making payments based on a fixed interest rate. An interest rate swap can also work in reverse with the Fund receiving payments based on a fixed interest rate and making payments based on a variable or floating interest rate. Interest rate swaps may be used to adjust the Fund’s sensitivity to interest rates or to hedge against changes in interest rates. Periodic payments on such contracts are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swap contracts. Upon periodic payment/receipt or termination of the contract, such amounts are recorded as realized gains or losses on swap contracts. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the discounted net value of the cash flows to be received from/paid to the counterparty over the interest rate swap contract’s remaining life, to the extent that the amount is positive. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.
Index Swaps. Index swaps involve commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent the total return of the security, instrument or basket of instruments underlying the transaction exceeds the offsetting interest obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from the counterparty. To the extent the total return of the security, instrument or basket of instruments underlying the transaction falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Fund will make a payment to the counterparty. The change in value of swap contracts outstanding, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation daily. A realized gain or loss is recorded on maturity or termination of the swap contract. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the discounted net value of the cash flows to be received from/paid to the counterparty over the index swap contract’s remaining life, to the extent that the amount is positive. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.
Credit Default Swaps. A CDS contract is a risk-transfer instrument through which one party (purchaser of protection) transfers to another party (seller of protection) the financial risk of a credit event (as defined in the CDS agreement), as it relates to a particular reference security or basket of securities (such as an index). In exchange for the protection offered by the seller of protection, the purchaser of protection agrees to pay the seller of protection a periodic amount at a stated rate that is applied to the notional amount of the CDS contract. In addition, an upfront payment may be made or received by the Fund in connection with an unwinding or assignment of a CDS contract. Upon the occurrence of a credit event, the seller of protection would pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of the referenced security (or basket of securities) to the counterparty.
During the six months ended May 31, 2009, the Fund entered into CDS contracts as a purchaser of protection. Periodic payments on such contracts are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized losses (gains) on swap contracts. Upon payment, such amounts are recorded as realized losses (gains) on swap contracts. Upfront payments made or received in connection with CDS contracts are amortized over the expected life of the CDS contracts as unrealized losses (gains) on swap contracts. The change in value of CDS contracts is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation daily. A realized gain or loss is recorded upon a credit event (as defined in the CDS agreement) or the maturity or termination of the agreement. For the six months ended May 31, 2009, the Fund did not enter into any CDS contracts as a seller of protection. There were no outstanding swap contracts at May 31, 2009.
CDS may involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the referenced obligation directly. CDS are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk, either as the seller of protection or the buyer of protection, is the fair value of the contract. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.
Swaps Generally. Because there is no organized market for swap contracts, the value of open swaps may differ from that which would be realized in the event the Fund terminated its position in the agreement. Risks of entering into these contracts include the potential inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contracts. This type of risk is generally limited to the amount of favorable movement in the value of the underlying security, instrument or basket of instruments, if any, at the day of default. Risks also arise from potential losses from adverse market movements and such losses could exceed the unrealized amounts shown on the statements of net assets.
(continues) 19
Notes to financial statements
Delaware Investments® Dividend and Income Fund, Inc.
9. Securities Lending
The Fund, along with other funds in the Delaware Investments® Family of Funds, may lend its securities pursuant to a security lending agreement (Lending Agreement) with BNY Mellon. With respect to each loan, if the aggregate market value of securities collateral held plus cash collateral received on any business day is less than the aggregate market value of the securities which are the subject of such loan, the borrower will be notified to provide additional collateral not less than the applicable collateral requirements. Cash collateral received is generally invested in the Mellon GSL DBT II Collateral Fund (Collective Trust) established by BNY Mellon for the purpose of investment on behalf of clients participating in its securities lending programs. The Collective Trust may invest in fixed income securities, with a weighted average maturity not to exceed 90 days, rated in one of the top three tiers by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (S&P) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) or repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities. The Collective Trust seeks to maintain a net asset value per unit of $1.00, but there can be no assurance that it will always be able to do so. At May 31, 2009, the Collective Trust held only cash and assets with a maturity of one business day or less (Cash/Overnight Assets). The Fund may incur investment losses as a result of investing securities lending collateral in the Collective Trust. This could occur if an investment in the Collective Trust defaulted or if it were necessary to liquidate assets in the Collective Trust to meet returns on outstanding security loans at a time when the Collective Trust’s net asset value per unit was less than $1.00. Under those circumstances, the Fund may not receive an amount from the Collective Trust that is equal in amount to the collateral the Fund would be required to return to the borrower of the securities and the Fund would be required to make up for this shortfall. Effective April 20, 2009, BNY Mellon transferred the assets of the Collective Trust other than the Cash/Overnight Assets to the BNY Mellon SL DBT II Liquidating Fund (Liquidating Fund), effectively bifurcating the collateral investment pool. The Fund’s exposure to the Liquidating Fund is expected to decrease as the Liquidating Fund’s assets mature or are sold. In October 2008, BNY Mellon transferred certain distressed securities from the Collective Trust into the Mellon GSL Reinvestment Trust II. The Fund can also accept U.S. government securities and letters of credit (non-cash collateral) in connection with securities loans. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the lending agent, realization and/or retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings. In the event the borrower fails to return loaned securities and the collateral received is insufficient to cover the value of the loaned securities and provided such collateral shortfall is not the result of investment losses, the lending agent has agreed to pay the amount of the shortfall to the Fund, or at the discretion of the lending agent, replace the loaned securities. The Fund continues to record dividends or interest, as applicable, on the securities loaned and is subject to change in value of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan. The Fund has the right under the Lending Agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. With respect to security loans collateralized by non-cash collateral, the Fund receives loan premiums paid by the borrower. With respect to security loans collateralized by cash collateral, the earnings from the collateral investments are shared among the Fund, the security lending agent and the borrower. The Fund records security lending income net of allocations to the security lending agent and the borrower.
At May 31, 2009, the value of the securities on loan was $5,594,698, for which the Fund received collateral, comprised of non-cash collateral valued at $80,937, and cash collateral of $5,763,423 Investments purchased with cash collateral are presented on the statement of net assets under the caption “Securities Lending Collateral.”
10. Credit and Market Risks
The Fund borrows through its line of credit for purposes of leveraging. Leveraging may result in higher degrees of volatility because the Fund’s net asset value could be subject to fluctuations in short-term interest rates and changes in market value of portfolio securities attributable to the leverage.
The Fund invests a portion of its assets in high yield fixed income securities, which carry ratings of BB or lower by S&P and/or Ba or lower by Moody’s. Investments in these higher yielding securities are generally accompanied by a greater degree of credit risk than higher rated securities. Additionally, lower rated securities may be more susceptible to adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than investment grade securities.
The Fund invests in REITs and is subject to some of the risks associated with that industry. If the Fund holds real estate directly as a result of defaults or receives rental income directly from real estate holdings, its tax status as a regulated investment company may be jeopardized. There were no direct real estate holdings during the six months ended May 31, 2009. The Fund’s REITs holdings are also affected by interest rate changes, particularly if the REITs it holds use floating rate debt to finance their ongoing operations.
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which may include securities with contractual restrictions on resale, securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other securities which may not be readily marketable. The relative illiquidity of these securities may impair the Fund from disposing of them in a timely manner and at a fair price when it is necessary or desirable to do so. While maintaining oversight, the Fund’s Board has delegated to DMC the day-to-day functions of determining whether individual securities are liquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid assets. Securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, which are determined to be liquid, are not subject to the 10% limit on investments in illiquid securities. Rule 144A and illiquid securities have been identified on the statement of net assets.
11. Contractual Obligations
The Fund enters into contracts in the normal course of business that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts. Management has reviewed the Fund’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.
20
Other Fund information
(Unaudited)
Delaware Investments® Dividend and Income Fund, Inc.
Board Consideration of Delaware Investments Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. Investment Advisory Agreement
At a meeting held on May 19–21, 2009 (the “Annual Meeting”), the Board of Directors (the “Board”), including a majority of disinterested or independent Directors, approved the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Delaware Investments Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). In making its decision, the Board considered information furnished specifically in connection with the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Delaware Management Company (“DMC”), which included materials provided by DMC and its affiliates (“Delaware Investments”) concerning, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund, the costs of such services to the Fund, economies of scale and the financial condition and profitability of Delaware Investments. Reference was made to information furnished at regular quarterly Board meetings, including reports detailing Fund performance, investment strategies and expenses, as well as information prepared specifically in connection with the renewal of the investment advisory and sub-advisory contracts. In addition, in connection with the Annual Meeting, reports were provided in February 2009 and included independent historical and comparative reports prepared by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”), an independent statistical compilation organization. The Lipper reports compared the Fund’s investment performance and expenses with those of other comparable mutual funds. The independent Directors reviewed and discussed the Lipper reports with counsel to the independent Directors. The Board requested and received information regarding Management’s policy with respect to advisory fee levels and its breakpoint philosophy; the structure of portfolio manager compensation; the investment manager’s profitability; and any constraints or limitations on the availability of securities in certain investment styles which had in the past year inhibited, or which were likely in the future to inhibit, DMC’s ability to invest fully in accordance with Fund policies.
In considering information relating to the approval of the Fund’s advisory agreement, the independent Directors received assistance and advice from and met separately with counsel to the independent Directors. Although the Directors gave attention to all information furnished, the following discussion identifies, under separate headings, the primary factors taken into account by the Board during its contract renewal considerations.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Service. The Board considered the services provided by Delaware Investments to the Fund and its shareholders. In reviewing the nature, extent and quality of services, the Board considered reports furnished to it throughout the year, which covered matters such as the relative performance of the Fund, compliance of portfolio managers with the investment policies, strategies and restrictions for the Fund, compliance by Management personnel with the Code of Ethics adopted throughout the Delaware Investments Family of Funds complex and adherence to fair value pricing procedures as established by the Board. The Board was pleased with the current staffing of the Fund’s investment advisor and the emphasis placed on research in the investment process. The board gave favorable consideration to DMC’s efforts to control expenditures while maintaining service levels committed to fund matters. The Board noted that Management finished upgrading investment accounting functions through outsourcing to improve the quality and lower the cost of delivering investment accounting services to the Fund. The Board was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the overall services provided by Delaware Investments.
Investment Performance. The Board placed significant emphasis on the investment performance of the Fund in view of its importance to shareholders. Although the Board gave appropriate consideration to performance reports and discussions with portfolio managers at Board meetings throughout the year, the Board gave particular weight to the Lipper reports furnished for the Annual Meeting. The Lipper reports prepared for the Fund showed the investment performance of its shares in comparison to a group of similar funds as selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”). A fund with the highest performance ranked first, and a fund with the lowest ranked last. The highest/best performing 25% of funds in the Performance Universe make up the first quartile; the next 25%, the second quartile; the next 25%, the third quartile; and the lowest/worst performing 25% of funds in the Performance Universe make up the fourth quartile. Comparative annualized performance for the Fund was shown for the past one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2008. The Board’s objective is that the Fund’s performance for the periods considered be at or above the median of its Performance Universe. The following paragraph summarizes the performance results for the Fund and the Board’s view of such performance.
(continues) 21
Other Fund information
(Unaudited)
Delaware Investments® Dividend and Income Fund, Inc.
Board Consideration of Delaware Investments Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. Investment Advisory Agreement (continued)
The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all leveraged closed–end income and preferred stock funds as selected by Lipper. The Lipper report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the one-, three- and five-year periods was in the second quartile. The report further showed that the Fund’s total return for the ten-year period was in the third quartile. The Board was satisfied with performance.
Comparative Expenses. The Board considered expense comparison data for the Delaware Investments Family of Funds. Management provided the Board with information on pricing levels and fee structures for the Fund as of October 31, 2008 and, for comparative funds, information as of their respective fiscal year end occurring on or before August 31, 2008. The Board also focused on the comparative analysis of effective management fees and total expense ratios of the Fund versus effective management fees and expense ratios of a group of similar closed-end funds as selected by Lipper (the “Expense Group”). In reviewing comparative costs, the Fund’s contractual management fee and the actual management fee incurred by the Fund were compared with the contractual management fees (assuming all funds in the Expense Group were similar in size to the Fund) and actual management fees (as reported by each fund) within the Expense Group, taking into account any applicable breakpoints and fee waivers. The Fund’s total expenses were also compared with those of its Expense Group. The Board considered fees paid to Delaware Investments for non management services. The Board’s objective is to limit the Fund’s total expense ratio to be competitive with that of the Expense Group. The following paragraph summarizes the expense results for the Fund and the Board’s view of such expenses.
The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee and total expenses were in the quartile with the lowest expenses of its Expense Group. The Board was satisfied with the management fee and total expenses of the Fund in comparison to those of its Expense Group.
Management Profitability. The Board considered the level of profits, if any, realized by Delaware Investments in connection with the operation of the Fund. In this respect, the Board reviewed the Investment Management Profitability Analysis that addressed the overall profitability of Delaware Investments’ business in providing management and other services to each of the individual funds and the Delaware Investments Family of Funds as a whole. Specific attention was given to the methodology followed in allocating costs for the purpose of determining profitability. Management stated that the level of profits of Delaware Investments, to a certain extent, reflect recent operational cost savings and efficiencies initiated by Delaware Investments. The Board considered Delaware Investments’ efforts to improve services provided to fund shareholders and to meet additional regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from recent industry-wide Securities and Exchange Commission initiatives. The Board also considered the extent to which Delaware Investments might derive ancillary benefits from fund operations, including the potential for procuring additional business as a result of the prestige and visibility associated with its role as service provider to the Delaware Investments Family of Funds and the benefits from allocation of fund brokerage to improve trading efficiencies. The Board found that the management fees were reasonable in light of the services rendered and the profitability of Delaware Investments.
Economies of Scale. As a closed-end fund, the Fund does not issue shares on a continuous basis. Fund assets increase only to the extent that the values of the underlying securities in the Fund increase. Accordingly, the Board determined that the Fund was not likely to experience significant economies of scale due to asset growth and, therefore, a fee schedule with breakpoints to pass the benefit of economies of scale on to shareholders was not likely to provide the intended effect.
22
About the organization
This semiannual report is for the information of Delaware Investments® Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. shareholders. The figures in this report represent past results that are not a guarantee of future results. The return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 that the Fund may, from time to time, purchase shares of its Common Stock on the open market at market prices. Your Fund’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program in 1994 that authorizes the Fund to purchase up to 10% of its outstanding shares on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
Board of Directors Patrick P. Coyne
Chairman, President,
and Chief Executive Officer
Delaware Investments Family of Funds
Philadelphia, PA Thomas L. Bennett†
Private Investor
Rosemont, PA John A. Fry†
President
Franklin & Marshall College
Lancaster, PA Anthony D. Knerr
Founder and Managing Director
Anthony Knerr & Associates
New York, NY Lucinda S. Landreth
Former Chief Investment Officer
Assurant Inc.
Philadelphia, PA Ann R. Leven
Consultant
ARL Associates
New York, NY Thomas F. Madison†
President and Chief Executive Officer
MLM Partners Inc.
Minneapolis, MN Janet L. Yeomans
Vice President and Treasurer
3M Corporation
St. Paul, MN J. Richard Zecher
Founder
Investor Analytics
Scottsdale, AZ †Audit committee member | | Affiliated officers David F. Connor
Vice President, Deputy General Counsel,
and Secretary
Delaware Investments Family of Funds
Philadelphia, PA Daniel V. Geatens
Vice President and Treasurer
Delaware Investments Family of Funds
Philadelphia, PA David P. O’Connor
Senior Vice President, General Counsel,
and Chief Legal Officer
Delaware Investments Family of Funds
Philadelphia, PA Richard Salus
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Delaware Investments Family of Funds
Philadelphia, PA The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q, as well as a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities is available without charge (i) upon request, by calling 800 523-1918; (ii) on the Fund’s Web site at http://www.delawareinvestments.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800 SEC-0330. Information (if any) regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recently disclosed 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (i) through the Fund’s Web site at http://www.delawareinvestments.com; and (ii) on the Commission’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov. | | Contact information Investment manager
Delaware Management Company
a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust
Philadelphia, PA Principal office of the Fund
2005 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7057 Independent registered public
accounting firm
Ernst & Young LLP
2001 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103 Registrar and stock transfer
agent
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
480 Washington Blvd.
Jersey City, NJ 07310
800 851-9677 For securities dealers
and financial institutions
representatives
800 362-7500 Web site
www.delawareinvestments.com Delaware Investments is the marketing name of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Your reinvestment options
Delaware Investments Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. offers an automatic dividend reinvestment program. If you would like to reinvest dividends, and shares are registered in your name, contact BNY Mellon Shareowner Services at 800 851-9677. You will be asked to put your request in writing. If you have shares registered in “street” name, contact the broker/dealer holding the shares or your financial advisor. |
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Item 2. Code of Ethics
Not applicable.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert
Not applicable.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Not applicable.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments
(a) Included as part of report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
(b) Divestment of securities in accordance with Section 13(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Not applicable.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Not applicable.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures
The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of the filing of this report and have concluded that they are effective in providing reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant in its reports or statements filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by the report to stockholders included herein (i.e., the registrant’s second fiscal quarter) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits
| (a) | (1) Code of Ethics |
| |
| | | Not applicable. |
| |
| | (2) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT. |
| |
| | (3) Written solicitations to purchase securities pursuant to Rule 23c-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
| |
| | | Not applicable. |
| |
| (b) | Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.906CERT. |
| |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf, by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Name of Registrant: Delaware Investments® Dividend and Income Fund, Inc.
| PATRICK P. COYNE |
| By: | Patrick P. Coyne |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
| Date: | July 29, 2009 |
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.
| PATRICK P. COYNE |
| By: | Patrick P. Coyne |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
| Date: | July 29, 2009 |
| |
| |
| RICHARD SALUS |
| By: | Richard Salus |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
| Date: | July 29, 2009 |
