OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number: 3235-0570
Expires: January 31, 2017
Estimated average burden
hours per response.....20.6
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 811-08657
Pioneer Equity Income Fund
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
(Address of principal executive offices) (ZIP code)
Terrence J. Cullen, Pioneer Investment Management, Inc.,
60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (617) 742-7825
Date of fiscal year end: October 31
Date of reporting period: November 1, 2013 through October 31, 2014
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with
the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of
any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may
use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review,
inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR,
and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not
required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR
unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget
("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the
information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the
burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information
under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss. 3507.
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
Pioneer Equity
Income Fund
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Report | October 31, 2014
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ticker Symbols:
Class A PEQIX
Class B PBEQX*
Class C PCEQX
Class K PEQKX
Class R PQIRX
Class Y PYEQX
Class Z PEZQX
*NOTE: Class B shares converted to Class A shares on November 10, 2014.
[LOGO] PIONEER
Investments(R)
visit us: us.pioneerinvestments.com
Table of Contents
President's Letter 2
Portfolio Management Discussion 4
Portfolio Summary 9
Prices and Distributions 10
Performance Update 11
Comparing Ongoing Fund Expenses 18
Schedule of Investments 20
Financial Statements 27
Notes to Financial Statements 38
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 47
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement 49
Trustees, Officers and Service Providers 54
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 1
President's Letter
Dear Shareowner,
As we move into the final months of 2014, we remain confident that U.S. economic
growth remains self-sustaining despite weakness in foreign economies, and that
the expansion will continue until the economy reaches full employment.
Unemployment has ticked down below 6% and the number of job openings is at the
highest level since 2000, while the number of people filing initial unemployment
claims has fallen to the lowest level in fourteen years. Wage growth, while
still low, is outpacing inflation, consumer debt burdens are modest and lower
gasoline prices are freeing up discretionary spending power.
The global economic picture is less rosy, however, as the conflict between
Russia and the Ukraine is exacting a toll on the European economy, Japan is
still working through the impact of its large tax increase, and the growth of
China's investment-driven economy has been slowing. There are also geopolitical
and other threats to the outlook, such as the Ebola virus outbreak and the
advance of ISIS in key areas of the Middle East. On balance, though, we expect
the global economy to continue to grow over the remainder of 2014 and in 2015.
While our economic outlook is generally constructive and we believe
opportunities remain for prudent investors to earn attractive returns, markets
are likely to continue to be volatile, a scenario that offers the potential for
rewards, but for increased risks as well.
Since 1928, Pioneer's investment professionals have worked on behalf of our
shareholders, incorporating proprietary research to find attractive investment
opportunities and prudent risk management to construct portfolios.
We continue to advocate the benefits of adhering to a disciplined investment
strategy and encourage you to work with your financial advisor to develop and
implement an overall investment plan that addresses both your short- and
long-term goals.
2 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
On August 11, 2014, I joined Pioneer as the new President and CEO of Pioneer
Investment Management USA, Inc. In my role, I will focus on preserving many of
the rich qualities of our history, while meeting the challenges and capitalizing
on the opportunities presented by an ever-changing world.
We greatly appreciate your trust in us in the past and look forward to
continuing to serve you in the future.
Sincerely,
/s/ Lisa M. Jones
Lisa M. Jones
President and CEO
Pioneer Investment Management USA, Inc.
Any information in this shareowner report regarding market or economic trends or
the factors influencing the Fund's historical or future performance are
statements of opinion as of the date of this report. These statements should not
be relied upon for any other purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of
future results, and there is no guarantee that market forecasts discussed will
be realized.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 3
Portfolio Management Discussion | 10/31/14
In the following interview, John Carey, Executive Vice President and Head of
U.S. Core Value at Pioneer Investments, discusses the investment environment
during the 12-month period ended October 31, 2014, and Pioneer Equity Income
Fund's performance during the period. Mr. Carey is responsible for the
day-to-day management of Pioneer Equity Income Fund.
Q How would you describe the market for equities during the 12-month
period ended October 31, 2014, particularly for the types of equities
deemed appropriate for the Fund?
A The stock market rose during the 12-month period ended October 31, 2014.
On a total-return basis, which includes reinvested dividends, the Standard
& Poor's 500 Index advanced by 17.24%, and the Fund's benchmark, the
Russell 1000 Value Index (the Russell Index), gained 16.46%. The market did
slip back, or "correct," several times during the period, most notably in
January 2014 and in September and the first half of October 2014, but each
time the market reversed direction and climbed right back up. Investors'
concerns during the period centered around geopolitical events and the
health of world economies, interest rates, commodities prices, and the
spread of the Ebola virus. Throughout, however, corporate earnings reports
were better than anticipated, and the United States economy, despite an
unexplained but apparently weather-related decline in the first calendar
quarter of 2014, continued growing, with significant declines in the
unemployment rate as employers added workers. The stock market ended the
period on a strong note.
Growth stocks did somewhat better than value stocks over the 12-month
period, with a total return of 17.11% for the Russell 1000 Growth Index,
versus the aforementioned gain of 16.46% for the Russell Index. Investors
who worried about the sustainability of the economic recovery and the
problems overseas appeared to favor companies with faster earnings growth.
When interest rates did not rise as expected with the "tapering" of the
Federal Reserve System's (the Fed's) "quantitative easing" program - but
instead fell - investors also bid up the prices of utility stocks and
real-estate-investment trusts (REITs). More cyclical and
commodity-price-dependent companies, especially in the industrials, energy,
and materials sectors, saw their share prices bounce around and in some
cases decline. Since the Fund focuses on investing in dividend-paying
stocks, its portfolio included holdings from both
4 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
the industries and sectors that fared well, particularly utilities and
REITs, and the areas that lagged, as many cyclical stocks, especially those
in more mature industries, offer above-average dividend yields.
Q How did the Fund perform during the 12-month period ended October 31,
2014?
A Pioneer Equity Income Fund's Class A shares returned 12.33% at net asset
value during the 12-month period ended October 31, 2014, while the Fund's
benchmark, the Russell Index, returned 16.46%. During the same period, the
average return of the 473 mutual funds in Lipper's Equity Income Funds
category was 12.58%, and the average return of the 1,275 mutual funds in
Morningstar's Large Value Funds category was 13.60%.
Q Could you please talk in more detail about the Fund's performance during
the 12-month period ended October 31, 2014? Please discuss the
underperformance of the Fund relative to its benchmark, the Russell Index.
A The bulk of the Fund's benchmark-relative underperformance was
attributable to investments in four sectors: information technology,
industrials, health care, and financials. In information technology, the
Fund's investments in semiconductor manufacturers, particularly Xilinx and
Microchip Technology, which we had emphasized due to their reasonable
valuations and attractive dividends, did poorly as order patterns slowed.
The portfolio's industrials holdings, most notably pump manufacturer
Gorman-Rupp, lagged due to disappointing capital spending, though we remain
confident that capital spending will improve as the economic cycle
lengthens. In health care, the Fund made fairly successful investments in
most areas, but the performance deficit in the sector resulted from not
being invested in the best-performing industry within health care,
health-care providers and services. We had not invested in that area
because of uncertainty as to how the companies, mainly hospital chains and
health-care insurers, would fare under the Affordable Care Act. In the
short term, at least, the companies appeared to prosper, and our avoidance
of the stocks proved costly to the Fund's relative performance. Finally,
within financials, the Fund was likewise lightly represented in the
strong-performing diversified financials group. We had emphasized regional
banks and insurance companies in the portfolio due to corporate earnings
profiles we felt better able to understand, and the more substantial
dividends offered by firms in those industries.
On the positive side, the Fund was correctly underweight the weak-performing
energy and telecommunications-services sectors. The portfolio also included
some outstanding individual stock performers, including Hillshire Brands,
which received a premium take-out offer; Dr. Pepper
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 5
Snapple, a relatively small player in the soft-drink and beverage industry
that nonetheless excelled by comparison with its larger rivals Coca-Cola
and Pepsi; and Becton Dickinson and Smith & Nephew in the health care
equipment and supplies area, as both companies saw growing demand for their
products with increased hospital utilization.
Q Could you highlight some of the changes you made to the Fund's portfolio
during the 12-month period ended October 31, 2014?
A We were active investors during the period, adding about 30 positions to
the portfolio and selling about 33. Positioning the portfolio for the
resurgence in North American rail transport, we took new positions in
Canadian National Railway and CSX. PACCAR, the heavy-truck builder, gave
the portfolio exposure to the strong growth in truck traffic as well. The
continuing recovery in housing led us to purchase stakes in Whirlpool, the
appliance manufacturer; and Wolseley, distributor of heating and plumbing
supplies and other building materials. The generally good outlook for real
estate also prompted us to add several REITs: Chesapeake Lodging Trust,
Camden Property Trust, and Kimco Realty. ExxonMobil, Frank's International,
and Kinder Morgan were new portfolio entries in energy; MeadWestvaco, in
packaging and paper; Macy's, Nordstrom, and Foot Locker, in retailing;
State Street and Prudential Financial, in financials; and GlaxoSmithKline
and Roche, in pharmaceuticals. Readers of the following paragraph will
note other new names as well.
A significant amount of our selling during the period occurred in the
energy and materials sectors, as well as in information technology. We
judged that the fortunes for many of the resources companies were waning as
the so-called "super cycle" for commodities appeared to be coming to an
end. Among the positions we liquidated were those in Seadrill,
ConocoPhillips, Chevron, LyondellBasell, BHP Billiton, Freeport McMoRan
Copper & Gold, and Rio Tinto. In information technology, we sold Fund
positions in several companies whose prospects appeared to us to have
dimmed, including Xilinx and Maxim Integrated Products in semiconductors,
and Anixter. One sale in technology, though, was of a very successful Fund
holding, Molex, which was acquired by another company during the period at
a substantial premium to our purchase price. Other portfolio sales, across
a variety of sectors and industries, were of stocks we felt had reached
fair value or that no longer held for us the investment appeal of other
stocks we wished to buy.
The overall effects of the purchasing and selling during the period, along
with, of course, the ongoing price changes of the securities in the
portfolio, were increases in the Fund's weightings in financials, health
care, and industrials; decreases in the weightings in energy, information
technology,
6 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
materials, and telecommunications services; and only modest changes in the
weightings in the remaining sectors, including consumer discretionary and
consumer staples.
Q Did the Fund hold any derivatives during the 12-month period ended
October 31, 2014?
A No, the Fund had no exposure to derivatives during the period.
Q The Fund typically places an emphasis on dividend-paying* stocks. Would
you describe the environment for dividends as positive or negative during
the 12-month period ended October 31, 2014?
A We continue to see strong emphasis on dividends by companies in the U.S.
The slower economic situation in Europe may mean that dividends there may
not grow as fast in the near term, but many European companies continue to
pay dividends at attractive rates. On the whole, the low-interest-rate
environment prevailing throughout much of the developed world appears to be
inclining investors to give strong consideration to stocks as sources of
income. Demand for dividend-paying stocks, we think, will continue as long
as interest rates remain low.
Q With the domestic economic recovery gaining more traction during most of
2014, the Fed finally ended its quantitative easing ("QE") bond-purchasing
program toward the end of the 12-month period, while deferring, for now,
any action on interest rates. Given that backdrop, what is your outlook on
the U. S. economy and the equity markets heading into 2015?
A As we write, the world is watching oil prices, interest rates, growth
rates in Europe and China, and a host of geopolitical hot spots. While
there may be new points of focus for investors over the coming 12 months,
we expect that the current concerns will be with us for a while. Corporate
earnings in the U.S., propelled by robust profit margins and, increasingly,
sales growth, remain at attractive levels, and stock valuations, while
certainly higher than they were several years ago, are still at an average
to perhaps slightly-above-average level, providing a potentially
reasonable entry point for patient, long-term investors. We would note that
some of the aforementioned concerns are interrelated. For instance, the
sluggish economic situation in Europe is related in part to the aggressions
of Russia towards the Ukraine and the resulting sanctions and trade
disruptions; and the slower economic growth in China has most likely
contributed to the weakening price of oil and other commodities.
* Dividends are not guaranteed.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 7
What will be the repercussions of world events in the U.S.? So far, the
U.S. economy has managed to keep growing, but in a global economy and
increasingly interdependent world we think that sustained growth in the
U.S. will require improvement in Europe and Asia, and Latin America, too.
Perhaps our economy can help fuel growth elsewhere, and that is one of the
"bull cases," but we shall be encouraged by any resolution of current
geopolitical issues and by positive steps taken by other countries to
better their economic performance. In the meantime, our emphasis will be on
investing the Fund in companies with sound finances, capable and committed
managements, compelling industry positions, and positive long-term earnings
potential.
Thank you for your support.
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments on pages 20-26 for a full listing of
Fund securities.
Investing in foreign and/or emerging markets securities involves risks relating
to interest rates, currency exchange rates, economic, and political conditions.
The portfolio invests in REIT securities, the value of which can fall for a
variety of reasons, such as declines in rental income, fluctuating interest
rates, poor property management, environmental liabilities, uninsured damage,
increased competition, or changes in real estate tax laws.
At times, the Fund's investments may represent industries or industry sectors
that are interrelated or have common risks, making it more susceptible to any
economic, political, or regulatory developments or other risks affecting those
industries and sectors.
These risks may increase share price volatility.
Before investing, consider the product's investment objectives, risks, charges
and expenses. Contact your advisor or Pioneer Investments for a prospectus or
summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.
Any information in this shareholder report regarding market or economic trends
or the factors influencing the Fund's historical or future performance are
statements of opinion as of the date of this report. These statements should not
be relied upon for any other purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of
future results, and there is no guarantee that market forecasts discussed will
be realized.
8 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Portfolio Summary | 10/31/14
Portfolio Diversification
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(As a percentage of total investment portfolio)
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A PIE CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL]
U.S. Common Stocks 88.9%
International Common Stocks 8.2%
Depository Receipts for International Stocks 2.9%
Sector Distribution
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(As a percentage of equity holdings)
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A PIE CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL]
Financials 20.1%
Consumer Staples 15.0%
Health Care 13.5%
Utilities 10.7%
Industrials 10.0%
Materials 9.6%
Consumer Discretionary 7.9%
Information Technology 7.0%
Energy 4.7%
Telecommunication Services 1.5%
10 Largest Holdings
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(As a percentage of equity holdings)*
1. The Valspar Corp. 3.93%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. The Gorman-Rupp Co. 3.04
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. The Chubb Corp. 2.23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Wells Fargo & Co. 2.21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. US Bancorp/MN 2.16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Becton Dickinson and Co. 2.01
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Merck & Co., Inc. 1.93
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Cedar Fair LP 1.92
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Alliant Energy Corp. 1.83
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Mondelez International, Inc. 1.81
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This list excludes temporary cash investments and derivative instruments. The
portfolio is actively managed, and current holdings may be different. The
holdings listed should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any
security listed.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 9
Prices and Distributions | 10/31/14
Net Asset Value per Share
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class 10/31/14 10/31/13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A $36.47 $34.35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B* $36.24 $34.13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C $36.03 $33.94
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
K $36.52 $34.38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R $36.88 $34.71
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Y $36.77 $34.62
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Z $36.53 $34.38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions per Share: 11/1/13-10/31/14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net
Investment Short-Term Long-Term
Class Income Capital Gains Capital Gains
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A $0.8034 $-- $1.1477
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B* $0.3965 $-- $1.1477
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C $0.5479 $-- $1.1477
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
K $0.9416 $-- $1.1477
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R $0.6741 $-- $1.1477
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Y $0.9139 $-- $1.1477
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Z $0.8542 $-- $1.1477
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Russell 1000 Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance
of large-cap U.S. value stocks. Index returns are calculated monthly, assume
reinvestment of dividends and, unlike Fund returns, do not reflect any fees,
expenses or sales charges. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
The index defined here pertains to the "Value of $10,000 Investment" and "Value
of $5 Million Investment" charts on pages 11-17.
*NOTE: Class B shares converted to Class A shares on November 10, 2014.
10 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Performance Update | 10/31/14 Class A Shares
Investment Returns
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The mountain chart on the right shows the change in value of a $10,000
investment made in Class A shares of Pioneer Equity Income Fund at public
offering price during the periods shown, compared to that of the Russell 1000
Value Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
(As of October 31, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Public Russell
Asset Offering 1000
Value Price Value
Period (NAV) (POP) Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Years 7.85% 7.22% 7.90%
5 Years 15.95 14.59 16.49
1 Year 12.33 5.86 16.46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense Ratio
(Per prospectus dated March 1, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.13%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A MOUNTAIN CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL]
Value of $10,000 Investment
Pioneer Equity Russell 1000
Income Fund Value Index
10/31/2004 $ 10,000 $ 10,000
10/31/2005 $ 10,450 $ 11,186
10/31/2006 $ 12,709 $ 13,587
10/31/2007 $ 14,007 $ 15,059
10/31/2008 $ 9,806 $ 9,517
10/31/2009 $ 9,580 $ 9,973
10/31/2010 $ 11,531 $ 11,539
10/31/2011 $ 12,830 $ 12,250
10/31/2012 $ 14,124 $ 14,319
10/31/2013 $ 17,871 $ 18,370
10/31/2014 $ 20,075 $ 21,393
Call 1-800-225-6292 or visit us.pioneerinvestments.com for the most recent
month-end performance results. Current performance may be lower or higher than
the performance data quoted.
The performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee
of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
NAV results represent the percent change in net asset value per share. Returns
would have been lower had sales charges been reflected. POP returns reflect
deduction of maximum 5.75% sales charge. All results are historical and assume
the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Other share classes are
available for which performance and expenses will differ.
Performance results reflect any applicable expense waivers in effect during the
periods shown. Without such waivers Fund performance would be lower. Waivers
may not be in effect for all funds. Certain fee waivers are contractual through
a specified period. Otherwise, fee waivers can be rescinded at any time. See
the prospectus and financial statements for more information.
The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of fees and taxes
that a shareowner would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund
shares.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 11
Performance Update | 10/31/14 Class B Shares*
Investment Returns
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The mountain chart on the right shows the change in value of a $10,000
investment made in Class B shares of Pioneer Equity Income Fund during the
periods shown, compared to that of the Russell 1000 Value Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
(As of October 31, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell
1000
If If Value
Period Held Redeemed Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Years 6.80% 6.80% 7.90%
5 Years 14.71 14.71 16.49
1 Year 11.09 7.09 16.46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense Ratio
(Per prospectus dated March 1, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.25%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A MOUNTAIN CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL]
Value of $10,000 Investment
Pioneer Equity Russell 1000
Income Fund Value Index
10/31/2004 $ 10,000 $ 10,000
10/31/2005 $ 10,989 $ 11,186
10/31/2006 $ 13,248 $ 13,587
10/31/2007 $ 14,481 $ 15,059
10/31/2008 $ 10,052 $ 9,517
10/31/2009 $ 9,724 $ 9,973
10/31/2010 $ 11,595 $ 11,539
10/31/2011 $ 12,767 $ 12,250
10/31/2012 $ 13,895 $ 14,319
10/31/2013 $ 17,388 $ 18,370
10/31/2014 $ 19,317 $ 21,393
Call 1-800-225-6292 or visit us.pioneerinvestments.com for the most recent
month-end performance results. Current performance may be lower or higher than
the performance data quoted.
The performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee
of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
"If Held" results represent the percent change in net asset value per share.
Returns would have been lower had sales charges been reflected. "If Redeemed"
returns reflect the deduction of applicable contingent deferred sales charge
(CDSC). The maximum CDSC for Class B shares is 4% and declines over five years.
For more complete information, please see the prospectus.
All results are historical and assume the reinvestment of dividends and capital
gains. Other share classes are available for which performance and expenses will
differ.
Performance results reflect any applicable expense waivers in effect during the
periods shown. Without such waivers Fund performance would be lower. Waivers may
not be in effect for all funds. Certain fee waivers are contractual through a
specified period. Otherwise, fee waivers can be rescinded at any time. See the
prospectus and financial statements for more information.
The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a
shareowner would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
*NOTE: Class B shares converted to Class A shares on November 10, 2014.
12 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Performance Update | 10/31/14 Class C Shares
Investment Returns
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The mountain chart on the right shows the change in value of a $10,000
investment made in Class C shares of Pioneer Equity Income Fund during the
periods shown, compared to that of the Russell 1000 Value Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
(As of October 31, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell
1000
If If Value
Period Held Redeemed Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Years 7.04% 7.04% 7.90%
5 Years 15.10 15.10 16.49
1 Year 11.57 11.57 16.46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense Ratio
(Per prospectus dated March 1, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.87%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A MOUNTAIN CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL]
Value of $10,000 Investment
Pioneer Equity Russell 1000
Income Fund Value Index
10/31/2004 $ 10,000 $ 10,000
10/31/2005 $ 10,998 $ 11,186
10/31/2006 $ 13,270 $ 13,587
10/31/2007 $ 14,513 $ 15,059
10/31/2008 $ 10,083 $ 9,517
10/31/2009 $ 9,770 $ 9,973
10/31/2010 $ 11,671 $ 11,539
10/31/2011 $ 12,890 $ 12,250
10/31/2012 $ 14,084 $ 14,319
10/31/2013 $ 17,690 $ 18,370
10/31/2014 $ 19,738 $ 21,393
Call 1-800-225-6292 or visit us.pioneerinvestments.com for the most recent
month-end performance results. Current performance may be lower or higher than
the performance data quoted.
The performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee
of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Class C shares held for less than one year are also subject to a 1% contingent
deferred sales charge (CDSC). "If Held" results represent the percent change in
net asset value per share. Returns would have been lower had sales charges been
reflected. All results are historical and assume the reinvestment of dividends
and capital gains. Other share classes are available for which performance and
expenses will differ.
Performance results reflect any applicable expense waivers in effect during the
periods shown. Without such waivers Fund performance would be lower. Waivers
may not be in effect for all funds. Certain fee waivers are contractual through
a specified period. Otherwise, fee waivers can be rescinded at any time. See the
prospectus and financial statements for more information.
The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of fees and taxes
that a shareowner would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund
shares.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 13
Performance Update | 10/31/14 Class K Shares
Investment Returns
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The mountain chart on the right shows the change in value of a $10,000
investment made in Class K shares of Pioneer Equity Income Fund during the
periods shown, compared to that of the Russell 1000 Value Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
(As of October 31, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell
1000
If If Value
Period Held Redeemed Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Years 7.94% 7.94% 7.90%
5 Years 16.13 16.13 16.49
1 Year 12.82 12.82 16.46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense Ratio
(Per prospectus dated March 1, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.69%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A MOUNTAIN CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL]
Value of $10,000 Investment
Pioneer Equity Russell 1000
Income Fund Value Index
10/31/2004 $ 10,000 $ 10,000
10/31/2005 $ 11,087 $ 11,186
10/31/2006 $ 13,483 $ 13,587
10/31/2007 $ 14,861 $ 15,059
10/31/2008 $ 10,404 $ 9,517
10/31/2009 $ 10,164 $ 9,973
10/31/2010 $ 12,234 $ 11,539
10/31/2011 $ 13,612 $ 12,250
10/31/2012 $ 14,985 $ 14,319
10/31/2013 $ 19,030 $ 18,370
10/31/2014 $ 21,471 $ 21,393
Call 1-800-225-6292 or visit us.pioneerinvestments.com for the most recent
month-end performance results. Current performance may be lower or higher than
the performance data quoted.
The performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee
of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
The performance shown for Class K shares for the period prior to the
commencement of operations of Class K shares on December 20, 2012, is the net
asset value performance of the Fund's Class A shares, which has not been
restated to reflect any differences in expenses, including Rule 12b-1 fees
applicable to Class A shares. Since fees for Class A shares generally are higher
than those of Class K shares, the performance of Class K shares prior to their
inception on December 20, 2012, would have been higher than the performance
shown. For the period beginning December 20, 2012, the actual performance of
Class K shares is reflected. Class K shares are not subject to sales charges and
are available for limited groups of eligible investors, including institutional
investors. All results are historical and assume the reinvestment of dividends
and capital gains.
Performance results reflect any applicable expense waivers in effect during the
periods shown. Without such waivers Fund performance would be lower. Waivers may
not be in effect for all funds. Certain fee waivers are contractual through a
specified period. Otherwise, fee waivers can be rescinded at any time. See the
prospectus and financial statements for more information.
The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of fees and taxes
that a shareowner would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund
shares.
14 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Performance Update | 10/31/14 Class R Shares
Investment Returns
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The mountain chart on the right shows the change in value of a $10,000
investment made in Class R shares of Pioneer Equity Income Fund during the
periods shown, compared to that of the Russell 1000 Value Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
(As of October 31, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell
1000
If If Value
Period Held Redeemed Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Years 7.59% 7.59% 7.90%
5 Years 15.60 15.60 16.49
1 Year 11.95 11.95 16.46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense Ratio
(Per prospectus dated March 1, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.44%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A MOUNTAIN CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL]
Value of $10,000 Investment
Pioneer Equity Russell 1000
Income Fund Value Index
10/31/2004 $ 10,000 $ 10,000
10/31/2005 $ 11,064 $ 11,186
10/31/2006 $ 13,432 $ 13,587
10/31/2007 $ 14,788 $ 15,059
10/31/2008 $ 10,332 $ 9,517
10/31/2009 $ 10,074 $ 9,973
10/31/2010 $ 12,091 $ 11,539
10/31/2011 $ 13,416 $ 12,250
10/31/2012 $ 14,725 $ 14,319
10/31/2013 $ 18,573 $ 18,370
10/31/2014 $ 20,792 $ 21,393
Call 1-800-225-6292 or visit us.pioneerinvestments.com for the most recent
month-end performance results. Current performance may be lower or higher than
the performance data quoted.
The performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee
of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Class R shares are not subject to sales charges and are available for limited
groups of eligible investors, including institutional investors. All results are
historical and assume the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Other
share classes are available for which performance and expenses will differ.
Performance results reflect any applicable expense waivers in effect during the
periods shown. Without such waivers Fund performance would be lower. Waivers may
not be in effect for all funds. Certain fee waivers are contractual through a
specified period. Otherwise, fee waivers can be rescinded at any time. See the
prospectus and financial statements for more information.
The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of fees and taxes
that a shareowner would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund
shares.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 15
Performance Update | 10/31/14 Class Y Shares
Investment Returns
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The mountain chart on the right shows the change in value of a $5 million
investment made in Class Y shares of Pioneer Equity Income Fund during the
periods shown, compared to that of the Russell 1000 Value Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
(As of October 31, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell
1000
If If Value
Period Held Redeemed Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Years 8.28% 8.28% 7.90%
5 Years 16.39 16.39 16.49
1 Year 12.67 12.67 16.46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense Ratio
(Per prospectus dated March 1, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.79%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A MOUNTAIN CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL]
Value of $5 Million Investment
Pioneer Equity Russell 1000
Income Fund Value Index
10/31/2004 $ 5,000,000 $ 5,000,000
10/31/2005 $ 5,565,463 $ 5,593,246
10/31/2006 $ 6,795,185 $ 6,793,384
10/31/2007 $ 7,519,179 $ 7,529,373
10/31/2008 $ 5,284,932 $ 4,758,732
10/31/2009 $ 5,187,340 $ 4,986,427
10/31/2010 $ 6,275,629 $ 5,769,614
10/31/2011 $ 7,011,966 $ 6,125,056
10/31/2012 $ 7,745,873 $ 7,159,618
10/31/2013 $ 9,835,292 $ 9,185,003
10/31/2014 $ 11,081,921 $ 10,696,634
Call 1-800-225-6292 or visit us.pioneerinvestments.com for the most recent
month-end performance results. Current performance may be lower or higher than
the performance data quoted.
The performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee
of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Class Y shares are not subject to sales charges and are available for limited
groups of eligible investors, including institutional investors. All results are
historical and assume the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Other
share classes are available for which performance and expenses will differ.
Performance results reflect any applicable expense waivers in effect during the
periods shown. Without such waivers Fund performance would be lower. Waivers may
not be in effect for all funds. Certain fee waivers are contractual through a
specified period. Otherwise, fee waivers can be rescinded at any time. See the
prospectus and financial statements for more information.
The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of fees and taxes
that a shareowner would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund
shares.
16 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Performance Update | 10/31/14 Class Z Shares
Investment Returns
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The mountain chart on the right shows the change in value of a $10,000
investment made in Class Z shares of Pioneer Equity Income Fund during the
periods shown, compared to that of the Russell 1000 Value Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
(As of October 31, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell
1000
If If Value
Period Held Redeemed Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Years 8.10% 8.10% 7.90%
5 Years 16.27 16.27 16.49
1 Year 12.58 12.58 16.46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense Ratio
(Per prospectus dated March 1, 2014)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.90%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A MOUNTAIN CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL]
Value of $10,000 Investment
Pioneer Equity Russell 1000
Income Fund Value Index
10/31/2004 $ 10,000 $ 10,000
10/31/2005 $ 11,087 $ 11,186
10/31/2006 $ 13,483 $ 13,587
10/31/2007 $ 14,883 $ 15,059
10/31/2008 $ 10,455 $ 9,517
10/31/2009 $ 10,259 $ 9,973
10/31/2010 $ 12,396 $ 11,539
10/31/2011 $ 13,842 $ 12,250
10/31/2012 $ 15,270 $ 14,319
10/31/2013 $ 19,363 $ 18,370
10/31/2014 $ 21,799 $ 21,393
Call 1-800-225-6292 or visit us.pioneerinvestments.com for the most recent
month-end performance results. Current performance may be lower or higher than
the performance data quoted.
The performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee
of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Performance shown for Class Z shares for periods prior to the inception of Class
Z shares on July 6, 2007, is the net asset value performance of the Fund's Class
A shares. The performance does not reflect differences in expenses, including
the Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to Class A shares. Since fees for Class A shares
are generally higher than those of Class Z shares, the performance for Class Z
shares prior to their inception on July 6, 2007, would have been higher than the
performance shown. For the period beginning July 6, 2007, the actual performance
of Class Z shares is reflected. Class Z shares are not subject to sales charges
and are available for limited groups of eligible investors. All results are
historical and assume the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Other
share classes are available for which performance and expenses will differ.
Performance results reflect any applicable expense waivers in effect during the
periods shown. Without such waivers Fund performance would be lower. Waivers may
not be in effect for all funds. Certain fee waivers are contractual through a
specified period. Otherwise, fee waivers can be rescinded at any time. See the
prospectus and financial statements for more information.
The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of fees and taxes
that a shareowner would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund
shares.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 17
Comparing Ongoing Fund Expenses
As a shareowner in the Fund, you incur two types of costs:
(1) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service
(12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses; and
(2) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments.
This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in
dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing
costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment
of $1,000 at the beginning of the Fund's latest six-month period and held
throughout the six months.
Using the Tables
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actual Expenses
The first table below provides information about actual account values and
actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, together with the
amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period as
follows:
(1) Divide your account value by $1,000
Example: an $8,600 account value (divided by) $1,000 = 8.6
(2) Multiply the result in (1) above by the corresponding share class's number
in the third row under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to
estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Expenses Paid on a $1,000 Investment in Pioneer Equity Income Fund
Based on actual returns from May 1, 2014, through October 31, 2014.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share Class A B C K R Y Z
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning Account $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00
Value on 5/1/14
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ending Account $1,047.85 $1,041.73 $1,044.27 $1,050.07 $1,045.97 $1,049.46 $1,048.62
Value (after
expenses) on
10/31/14
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses Paid $ 5.63 $ 11.42 $ 9.27 $ 3.57 $ 7.37 $ 4.08 $ 4.54
During Period*
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized net expense ratio of 1.09%,
2.22%, 1.80%, 0.69% 1.43%, 0.79%, and 0.88% for Class A, Class B, Class C,
Class K, Class R, Class Y and Class Z shares, respectively, multiplied by
the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to
reflect the one-half year period).
18 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and
hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed
rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual
return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate
the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the
Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5%
hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your
ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales
charges (loads) that are charged at the time of the transaction. Therefore, the
table below is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you
determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if
these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Expenses Paid on a $1,000 Investment in Pioneer Equity Income Fund
Based on a hypothetical 5% return per year before expenses, reflecting the
period from May 1, 2014, through October 31, 2014.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share Class A B C K R Y Z
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning Account $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00
Value on 5/1/14
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ending Account $1,019.71 $1,014.01 $1,016.13 $1,021.73 $1,018.00 $1,021.22 $1,020.77
Value (after
expenses) on
10/31/14
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses Paid $ 5.55 $ 11.27 $ 9.15 $ 3.52 $ 7.27 $ 4.02 $ 4.48
During Period*
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized net expense ratio of 1.09%,
2.22%, 1.80%, 0.69% 1.43%, 0.79%, and 0.88% for Class A, Class B, Class C,
Class K, Class R, Class Y and Class Z shares, respectively, multiplied by
the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to
reflect the one-half year period).
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 19
Schedule of Investments | 10/31/14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS -- 100.0%
ENERGY -- 4.8%
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services -- 0.1%
100,000 Frank's International NV* $ 1,723,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Integrated Oil & Gas -- 2.5%
254,888 Exxon Mobil Corp. $ 24,650,218
150,000 Occidental Petroleum Corp. 13,339,500
--------------
$ 37,989,718
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production -- 0.4%
153,340 Marathon Oil Corp. $ 5,428,236
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing -- 1.4%
224,000 Marathon Petroleum Corp.* $ 20,361,600
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation -- 0.4%
155,006 Kinder Morgan, Inc./DE $ 5,998,732
--------------
Total Energy $ 71,501,286
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MATERIALS -- 9.6%
Diversified Chemicals -- 1.6%
105,500 EI du Pont de Nemours & Co. $ 7,295,325
330,000 The Dow Chemical Co. 16,302,000
--------------
$ 23,597,325
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specialty Chemicals -- 5.1%
5,000 Givaudan SA $ 8,326,408
200,454 Johnson Matthey Plc 9,533,038
716,600 The Valspar Corp. 58,875,852
--------------
$ 76,735,298
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paper Packaging -- 1.5%
250,000 MeadWestvaco Corp. $ 11,042,500
267,500 Sonoco Products Co. 10,932,725
--------------
$ 21,975,225
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diversified Metals & Mining -- 1.4%
255,100 Compass Minerals International, Inc. $ 21,856,968
--------------
Total Materials $ 144,164,816
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL GOODS -- 6.3%
Construction & Engineering -- 0.2%
63,899 InterContinental Hotels Group Plc (A.D.R.) $ 2,428,801
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industrial Conglomerates -- 1.7%
959,984 General Electric Co. $ 24,777,187
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks -- 0.5%
119,061 PACCAR, Inc. $ 7,777,065
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industrial Machinery -- 3.0%
1,433,678 The Gorman-Rupp Co.+ $ 45,504,940
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
20 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trading Companies & Distributors -- 0.9%
200,000 Rexel SA $ 3,358,757
193,548 Wolseley Plc 10,266,201
--------------
$ 13,624,958
--------------
Total Capital Goods $ 94,112,951
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES -- 2.3%
Office Services & Supplies -- 0.8%
202,600 MSA Safety, Inc. $ 11,643,422
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diversified Support Services -- 1.2%
300,000 G&K Services, Inc. $ 18,921,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Human Resource & Employment Services -- 0.3%
100,000 Randstad Holding NV $ 4,406,098
--------------
Total Commercial Services & Supplies $ 34,970,520
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSPORTATION -- 1.4%
Railroads -- 1.4%
221,477 Canadian National Railway Co. $ 15,631,847
150,637 CSX Corp. 5,367,196
--------------
$ 20,999,043
--------------
Total Transportation $ 20,999,043
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSUMER DURABLES & APPAREL -- 1.7%
Household Appliances -- 1.7%
400,000 Electrolux AB $ 11,337,654
82,000 Whirlpool Corp. 14,108,100
--------------
$ 25,445,754
--------------
Total Consumer Durables & Apparel $ 25,445,754
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSUMER SERVICES -- 2.7%
Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines -- 0.8%
305,331 InterContinental Hotels Group Plc $ 11,566,756
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leisure Facilities -- 1.9%
607,087 Cedar Fair LP $ 28,690,932
--------------
Total Consumer Services $ 40,257,688
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEDIA -- 1.7%
Movies & Entertainment -- 0.7%
500,000 Regal Entertainment Group $ 11,075,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Publishing -- 1.0%
114,100 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (Class A) $ 6,662,299
150,000 Meredith Corp. 7,821,000
--------------
$ 14,483,299
--------------
Total Media $ 25,558,299
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 21
Schedule of Investments | 10/31/14 (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RETAILING -- 1.9%
Department Stores -- 1.6%
223,538 Macy's, Inc. $ 12,924,967
156,606 Nordstrom, Inc. 11,371,162
--------------
$ 24,296,129
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apparel Retail -- 0.3%
72,983 Foot Locker, Inc. $ 4,087,778
--------------
Total Retailing $ 28,383,907
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOD, BEVERAGE & TOBACCO -- 14.0%
Soft Drinks -- 2.9%
128,646 Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. $ 5,576,804
353,400 Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. 24,472,950
323,033 The Coca-Cola Co. 13,528,622
--------------
$ 43,578,376
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Packaged Foods & Meats -- 11.1%
443,300 Campbell Soup Co. $ 19,580,561
443,287 General Mills, Inc. 23,033,193
72,108 John B Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. 2,678,812
301,010 Kellogg Co. 19,252,600
450,600 Kraft Foods Group, Inc. 25,391,310
100,000 McCormick & Co., Inc. 7,072,000
769,000 Mondelez International, Inc. 27,114,940
503,396 Pinnacle Foods, Inc. 17,014,785
257,582 The Hershey Co. 24,704,690
--------------
$ 165,842,891
--------------
Total Food, Beverage & Tobacco $ 209,421,267
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOUSEHOLD & PERSONAL PRODUCTS -- 1.1%
Household Products -- 1.1%
167,210 The Clorox Co. $ 16,637,395
--------------
Total Household & Personal Products $ 16,637,395
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES -- 6.0%
Health Care Equipment -- 4.1%
298,900 Abbott Laboratories $ 13,029,051
234,100 Becton Dickinson and Co. 30,128,670
1,079,500 Smith & Nephew Plc 18,246,235
--------------
$ 61,403,956
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Care Distributors -- 1.9%
149,887 Cardinal Health, Inc. $ 11,763,132
509,300 Owens & Minor, Inc. 16,969,876
--------------
$ 28,733,008
--------------
Total Health Care Equipment & Services $ 90,136,964
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
22 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHARMACEUTICALS, BIOTECHNOLOGY &
LIFE SCIENCES -- 7.5%
Pharmaceuticals -- 7.5%
170,000 AstraZeneca Plc (A.D.R.) $ 12,399,800
259,300 Eli Lilly & Co. 17,199,369
345,501 GlaxoSmithKline Plc (A.D.R.) 15,716,840
123,513 Johnson & Johnson 13,312,231
498,405 Merck & Co., Inc. 28,877,586
75,000 Novartis AG (A.D.R.) 6,951,750
304,026 Pfizer, Inc. 9,105,579
100,000 Roche Holding AG (A.D.R.) 3,681,000
149,269 Zoetis, Inc. 5,546,836
--------------
$ 112,790,991
--------------
Total Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences $ 112,790,991
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANKS -- 10.8%
Diversified Banks -- 7.0%
861,564 Bank of America Corp. $ 14,784,438
267,000 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 24,368,324
758,700 US Bancorp/MN 32,320,620
622,400 Wells Fargo & Co. 33,043,216
--------------
$ 104,516,598
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regional Banks -- 2.2%
427,900 BB&T Corp. $ 16,208,852
185,800 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. 16,051,262
--------------
$ 32,260,114
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance -- 1.6%
1,028,800 New York Community Bancorp, Inc. $ 16,409,360
530,000 People's United Financial, Inc. 7,748,600
--------------
$ 24,157,960
--------------
Total Banks $ 160,934,672
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVERSIFIED FINANCIALS -- 2.3%
Asset Management & Custody Banks -- 2.0%
277,100 Federated Investors, Inc. (Class B) $ 8,664,917
65,000 Northern Trust Corp. 4,309,500
225,754 State Street Corp. 17,035,397
--------------
$ 30,009,814
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Banking & Brokerage -- 0.3%
139,257 Morgan Stanley Co. $ 4,867,032
--------------
Total Diversified Financials $ 34,876,846
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSURANCE -- 4.2%
Life & Health Insurance -- 0.5%
85,000 Prudential Financial, Inc. $ 7,525,900
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 23
Schedule of Investments | 10/31/14 (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property & Casualty Insurance -- 3.7%
335,587 The Chubb Corp. $ 33,343,924
223,272 The Travelers Companies, Inc. 22,505,818
--------------
$ 55,849,742
--------------
Total Insurance $ 63,375,642
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REAL ESTATE -- 2.9%
Hotel & Resort REIT -- 0.6%
293,416 Chesapeake Lodging Trust $ 9,694,465
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office REIT -- 0.4%
68,671 Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. $ 5,699,693
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Residential REIT -- 0.6%
122,333 Camden Property Trust $ 9,379,271
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retail REIT -- 0.6%
331,872 Kimco Realty Corp. $ 8,280,206
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specialized REIT -- 0.7%
320,071 CBS Outdoor Americas, Inc. $ 9,739,761
--------------
Total Real Estate $ 42,793,396
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOFTWARE & SERVICES -- 0.9%
Systems Software -- 0.9%
290,895 Microsoft Corp. $ 13,657,520
--------------
Total Software & Services $ 13,657,520
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT -- 0.8%
Computer Storage & Peripherals -- 0.5%
252,890 EMC Corp. $ 7,265,530
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals -- 0.3%
125,000 Hewlett-Packard Co. $ 4,485,000
--------------
Total Technology Hardware & Equipment $ 11,750,530
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT -- 5.4%
Semiconductor Equipment -- 0.3%
86,033 Cabot Microelectronics Corp.* $ 4,149,372
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Semiconductors -- 5.1%
159,684 Analog Devices, Inc. $ 7,923,520
651,769 Intel Corp. 22,166,664
303,300 Linear Technology Corp. 12,993,372
550,500 Microchip Technology, Inc. 23,732,055
500,000 NVIDIA Corp. 9,770,000
--------------
$ 76,585,611
--------------
Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment $ 80,734,983
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
24 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES -- 0.9%
Integrated Telecommunication Services -- 0.9%
2,400,000 Singapore Telecommunications, Ltd. $ 7,057,725
136,725 Verizon Communications, Inc. 6,870,431
--------------
$ 13,928,156
--------------
Total Telecommunication Services $ 13,928,156
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UTILITIES -- 10.8%
Electric Utilities -- 3.1%
287,150 American Electric Power Co., Inc. $ 16,752,331
119,900 NextEra Energy, Inc.* 12,016,378
200,000 Northeast Utilities 9,870,000
200,000 Westar Energy, Inc. 7,562,000
--------------
$ 46,200,709
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gas Utilities -- 3.5%
370,500 AGL Resources, Inc. $ 19,973,655
237,700 National Fuel Gas Co. 16,455,971
655,000 Questar Corp. 15,792,050
--------------
$ 52,221,676
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multi-Utilities -- 3.3%
442,569 Alliant Energy Corp. $ 27,399,447
498,500 Ameren Corp. 21,106,490
--------------
$ 48,505,937
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Water Utilities -- 0.9%
262,000 American Water Works Co., Inc. $ 13,982,940
--------------
Total Utilities $ 160,911,262
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $1,063,633,082) $1,497,343,888
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES -- 100.0%
(Cost $1,063,633,082) (a) $1,497,343,888
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER ASSETS & LIABILITIES -- 0.0% $ 193,334
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NET ASSETS -- 100.0% $1,497,537,222
=======================================================================================================
* Non-income producing security.
(A.D.R.) American Depositary Receipts.
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust.
+ Investment held by the Fund representing 5% or more of the
outstanding voting stock of such company.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 25
Schedule of Investments | 10/31/14 (continued)
(a) At October 31, 2014, the net unrealized appreciation on investments
based on cost for federal income tax purposes of $1,048,844,584 was
as follows:
Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which
there is an excess of value over tax cost $ 460,983,915
Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which
there is an excess of tax cost over value (12,484,611)
--------------
Net unrealized appreciation $ 448,499,304
==============
Purchases and sales of securities (excluding temporary cash investments) for the
year ended October 31, 2014 aggregated $429,690,195 and $539,260,369,
respectively.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments.
These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.
Level 1 -- quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2 -- other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for
similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk,
etc.) See Notes to Financial Statements -- Note 1A.
Level 3 -- significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own
assumptions in determining fair value of investments) See Notes
to Financial Statements -- Note 1A.
Generally, equity securities are categorized as Level 1, fixed income securities
and senior loans as Level 2 and securities valued using fair value methods
(other than prices supplied by independent pricing services or broker-dealers)
as Level 3.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2014, in valuing
the Fund's investments:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stocks $1,497,343,888 $-- $-- $1,497,343,888
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $1,497,343,888 $-- $-- $1,497,343,888
==========================================================================================
During the year ended October 31, 2014, there were no transfers between Levels
1, 2 and 3.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
26 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 10/31/14
ASSETS:
Investment in securities of unaffiliated issuers, at value
(cost $1,056,306,740) $1,451,838,948
Investment in securities of affiliated issuers, at value (cost $7,326,342) 45,504,940
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investments in securities, at value (cost $1,063,633,082) $1,497,343,888
Cash 2,603,229
Foreign currency (cost $455,002) 431,192
Receivables --
Investment securities sold 9,230,639
Fund shares sold 1,660,724
Dividends 2,304,482
Other 23,191
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $1,513,597,345
=============================================================================================
LIABILITIES:
Payables --
Investment securities purchased $ 13,503,516
Fund shares repurchased 1,947,953
Due to affiliates 529,568
Trustee fees 4,570
Accrued expenses 74,516
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities $ 16,060,123
=============================================================================================
NET ASSETS:
Paid-in capital $ 914,938,478
Undistributed net investment income 20,841,002
Accumulated net realized gain on investments 128,149,170
Net unrealized appreciation on investments 433,710,806
Net unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts and
other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies (102,234)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total net assets $1,497,537,222
=============================================================================================
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE:
(No par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
Class A (based on $769,869,319/21,108,492 shares) $ 36.47
Class B (based on $10,297,769/284,163 shares) $ 36.24
Class C (based on $115,762,010/3,213,380 shares) $ 36.03
Class K (based on $10,849,187/297,115 shares) $ 36.52
Class R (based on $79,042,423/2,143,161 shares) $ 36.88
Class Y (based on $510,415,855/13,881,959 shares) $ 36.77
Class Z (based on $1,300,659/35,608 shares) $ 36.53
MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE:
Class A ($36.47 (divided by) 94.25%) $ 38.69
=============================================================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 27
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended 10/31/14
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends (including income from affiliated issuers of
$516,124 and net of foreign tax withheld of $253,242) $ 54,906,435
Interest 563
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investment income $ 54,906,998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES:
Management fees $ 9,049,733
Transfer agent fees and expenses
Class A 485,694
Class B 49,620
Class C 47,841
Class K 222
Class R 4,402
Class Y 3,968
Class Z 1,129
Distribution fees
Class A 2,000,746
Class B 119,064
Class C 1,108,620
Class R 417,975
Shareholder communications expense 1,894,652
Administrative reimbursement 477,023
Custodian fees 36,039
Registration fees 140,602
Professional fees 93,030
Printing expense 38,862
Fees and expenses of nonaffiliated Trustees 58,218
Miscellaneous 104,356
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses $ 16,131,796
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income $ 38,775,202
==================================================================================================
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS:
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Investments $ 128,282,771
Forward foreign currency contracts and other assets
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies (96,000) $128,186,771
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments $ 8,864,771
Forward foreign currency contracts and other assets
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies (113,062) $ 8,751,709
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain on investments and foreign currency transactions $136,938,480
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $175,713,682
==================================================================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
28 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended Year Ended
10/31/14 10/31/13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income $ 38,775,202 $ 31,994,737
Net realized gain on investments and foreign
currency transactions 128,186,771 104,250,839
Change in net unrealized appreciation on investments
and foreign currency transactions 8,751,709 177,491,319
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $ 175,713,682 $ 313,736,895
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREOWNERS:
Net investment income:
Class A ($0.80 and $0.89 per share, respectively) $ (18,352,204) $ (21,599,528)
Class B ($0.40 and $0.53 per share, respectively) (135,583) (276,158)
Class C ($0.55 and $0.67 per share, respectively) (1,761,651) (1,907,977)
Class K ($0.94 and $0.58 per share, respectively) (97,088) (604)
Class R ($0.67 and $0.79 per share, respectively) (1,598,587) (2,064,799)
Class Y ($0.91 and $1.00 per share, respectively) (12,885,265) (12,526,595)
Class Z ($0.85 and $0.95 per share, respectively) (52,341) (75,793)
Net realized gain:
Class A ($1.15 and $0.00 per share, respectively) $ (26,460,393) $ --
Class B ($1.15 and $0.00 per share, respectively) (449,286) --
Class C ($1.15 and $0.00 per share, respectively) (3,553,217) --
Class K ($1.15 and $0.00 per share, respectively) (3,933) --
Class R ($1.15 and $0.00 per share, respectively) (2,944,529) --
Class Y ($1.15 and $0.00 per share, respectively) (15,774,041) --
Class Z ($1.15 and $0.00 per share, respectively) (94,442) --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions to shareowners $ (84,162,560) $ (38,451,454)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FROM FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
Net proceeds from sale or exchange of shares $ 309,566,344 $ 364,605,306
Reinvestment of distributions 74,758,846 33,710,949
Cost of shares repurchased (460,644,848) (368,582,013)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
Fund share transactions $ (76,319,658) $ 29,734,242
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets $ 15,231,464 $ 305,019,683
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of year 1,482,305,758 1,177,286,075
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of year $1,497,537,222 $ 1,482,305,758
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Undistributed net investment income $ 20,841,002 $ 17,077,953
==================================================================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 29
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'14 Shares '14 Amount '13 Shares '13 Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A
Shares sold 3,386,585 $ 118,220,828 5,532,427 $ 169,199,449
Reinvestment of distributions 1,259,648 43,052,042 686,669 20,628,412
Less shares repurchased (7,588,919) (265,225,868) (6,463,743) (198,413,459)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease (2,942,686) $ (103,952,998) (244,647) $ (8,585,598)
==================================================================================================
Class B
Shares sold or exchanged 11,816 $ 402,086 29,611 $ 899,348
Reinvestment of distributions 16,387 551,481 8,981 261,420
Less shares repurchased (147,775) (5,102,064) (215,827) (6,589,536)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease (119,572) $ (4,148,497) (177,235) $ (5,428,768)
==================================================================================================
Class C
Shares sold 557,786 $ 19,152,401 888,119 $ 27,428,798
Reinvestment of distributions 110,592 3,720,045 45,013 1,329,232
Less shares repurchased (545,471) (18,857,316) (636,045) (19,429,355)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase 122,907 $ 4,015,130 297,087 $ 9,328,675
==================================================================================================
Class K*
Shares sold 321,601 $ 11,597,482 3,409 $ 110,538
Reinvestment of distributions 2,819 100,616 12 399
Less shares repurchased (30,712) (1,095,715) (14) (440)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase 293,708 $ 10,602,383 3,407 $ 110,497
==================================================================================================
Class R
Shares sold 365,050 $ 12,872,885 461,884 $ 14,577,627
Reinvestment of distributions 129,561 4,463,805 67,038 2,025,420
Less shares repurchased (829,085) (29,056,585) (868,818) (26,998,223)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease (334,474) $ (11,719,895) (339,896) $ (10,395,176)
==================================================================================================
Class Y
Shares sold 4,181,507 $ 146,976,992 4,883,671 $ 150,372,803
Reinvestment of distributions 658,068 22,725,568 308,981 9,390,594
Less shares repurchased (3,914,688) (139,019,101) (3,686,500) (114,975,277)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase 924,887 $ 30,683,459 1,506,152 $ 44,788,120
==================================================================================================
Class Z
Shares sold 9,802 $ 343,670 63,513 $ 2,016,743
Reinvestment of distributions 4,268 145,289 2,517 75,472
Less shares repurchased (65,295) (2,288,199) (70,444) (2,175,723)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease (51,225) $ (1,799,240) (4,414) $ (83,508)
==================================================================================================
* Class K shares were first publicly offered on December 20, 2012.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
30 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Financial Highlights
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Year Year Year Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended
10/31/14 10/31/13 10/31/12 10/31/11 10/31/10
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 34.35 $ 27.96 $ 26.19 $ 23.92 $ 20.24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.96 $ 0.75 $ 1.05 $ 0.48 $ 0.46
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 3.11 6.53 1.56 2.20 3.63
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations $ 4.07 $ 7.28 $ 2.61 $ 2.68 $ 4.09
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution to shareowners:
Net investment income $ (0.80) $ (0.89) $ (0.84) $ (0.41) $ (0.40)
Net realized gain (1.15) -- -- -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions $ (1.95) $ (0.89) $ (0.84) $ (0.41) $ (0.40)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $ 2.12 $ 6.39 $ 1.77 $ 2.27 $ 3.69
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 36.47 $ 34.35 $ 27.96 $ 26.19 $ 23.92
=====================================================================================================================
Total return* 12.33% 26.52% 10.09% 11.26% 20.36%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 1.09% 1.10% 1.14% 1.15% 1.19%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 2.56% 2.39% 3.86% 1.78% 1.93%
Portfolio turnover rate 29% 26% 49% 24% 15%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $ 769,869 $826,039 $679,254 $630,087 $606,693
=====================================================================================================================
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of all distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 31
Financial Highlights (continued)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Year Year Year Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended
10/31/14 10/31/13 10/31/12 10/31/11 10/31/10
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 34.13 $ 27.77 $ 26.02 $ 23.77 $ 20.10
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.90 $ 0.58 $ 0.97 $ 0.43 $ 0.38
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 2.76 6.31 1.31 1.97 3.47
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations $ 3.66 $ 6.89 $ 2.28 $ 2.40 $ 3.85
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution to shareowners:
Net investment income $ (0.40) $ (0.53) $ (0.53) $ (0.15) $ (0.18)
Net realized gain (1.15) -- -- -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions $ (1.55) $ (0.53) $ (0.53) $ (0.15) $ (0.18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $ 2.11 $ 6.36 $ 1.75 $ 2.25 $ 3.67
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 36.24 $ 34.13 $ 27.77 $ 26.02 $ 23.77
=====================================================================================================================
Total return* 11.09% 25.14% 8.83% 10.12% 19.23%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 2.22% 2.22% 2.24% 2.17% 2.17%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 1.47% 1.33% 2.81% 0.78% 0.98%
Portfolio turnover rate 29% 26% 49% 24% 15%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $10,298 $13,779 $16,136 $21,744 $32,604
=====================================================================================================================
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of all distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
32 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Year Year Year Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended
10/31/14 10/31/13 10/31/12 10/31/11 10/31/10
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 33.94 $ 27.64 $ 25.91 $ 23.66 $ 20.01
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.62 $ 0.47 $ 0.84 $ 0.27 $ 0.32
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 3.17 6.50 1.54 2.20 3.55
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations $ 3.79 $ 6.97 $ 2.38 $ 2.47 $ 3.87
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution to shareowners:
Net investment income $ (0.55) $ (0.67) $ (0.65) $ (0.22) $ (0.22)
Net realized gain (1.15) -- -- -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions $ (1.70) $ (0.67) $ (0.65) $ (0.22) $ (0.22)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $ 2.09 $ 6.30 $ 1.73 $ 2.25 $ 3.65
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 36.03 $ 33.94 $ 27.64 $ 25.91 $ 23.66
=====================================================================================================================
Total return* 11.57% 25.61% 9.26% 10.45% 19.46%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 1.80% 1.84% 1.86% 1.91% 1.96%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 1.83% 1.62% 3.13% 1.02% 1.17%
Portfolio turnover rate 29% 26% 49% 24% 15%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $115,762 $104,890 $77,219 $70,683 $66,536
=====================================================================================================================
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of all distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 33
Financial Highlights (continued)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ended 12/20/12 (a)
10/31/14 to 10/31/13
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class K
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 34.38 $ 28.30
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.96 $ 0.03
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 3.27 6.63
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations $ 4.23 $ 6.66
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution to shareowners:
Net investment income $ (0.94) $ (0.58)
Net realized gain (1.15) --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions $ (2.09) $ (0.58)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $ 2.14 $ 6.08
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 36.52 $ 34.38
================================================================================================
Total return* 12.82% 23.72%(b)
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 0.69% 0.66%**
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 2.24% 1.84%**
Portfolio turnover rate 29% 26%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $10,849 $ 117
================================================================================================
(a) Class K shares were first publicly offered on December 20, 2012.
(b) Not Annualized.
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of all distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
** Annualized.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
34 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Year Year Year Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended
10/31/14 10/31/13 10/31/12 10/31/11 10/31/10
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class R
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 34.71 $ 28.24 $ 26.45 $ 24.14 $ 20.43
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.88 $ 0.72 $ 1.03 $ 0.36 $ 0.44
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 3.11 6.54 1.52 2.28 3.62
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations $ 3.99 $ 7.26 $ 2.55 $ 2.64 $ 4.06
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution to shareowners:
Net investment income $ (0.67) $ (0.79) $ (0.76) $ (0.33) $ (0.35)
Net realized gain (1.15) -- -- -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions $ (1.82) $ (0.79) $ (0.76) $ (0.33) $ (0.35)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $ 2.17 $ 6.47 $ 1.79 $ 2.31 $ 3.71
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 36.88 $ 34.71 $ 28.24 $ 26.45 $ 24.14
=====================================================================================================================
Total return* 11.95% 26.13% 9.76% 10.96% 20.03%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 1.43% 1.41% 1.41% 1.48% 1.44%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 2.22% 2.09% 3.62% 1.46% 1.68%
Portfolio turnover rate 29% 26% 49% 24% 15%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $79,042 $85,986 $79,557 $78,159 $67,450
=====================================================================================================================
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of all distributions, and the complete redemption of
the investment at net asset value at the end of each period.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 35
Financial Highlights (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Year Year Year Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended
10/31/14 10/31/13 10/31/12 10/31/11 10/31/10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Y
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 34.62 $ 28.17 $ 26.38 $ 24.09 $ 20.37
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.98 $ 0.78 $ 1.05 $ 0.44 $ 0.49
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 3.23 6.67 1.67 2.37 3.74
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations $ 4.21 $ 7.45 $ 2.72 $ 2.81 $ 4.23
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution to shareowners:
Net investment income $ (0.91) $ (1.00) $ (0.93) $ (0.52) $ (0.51)
Net realized gain (1.15) -- -- -- --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions $ (2.06) $ (1.00) $ (0.93) $ (0.52) $ (0.51)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $ 2.15 $ 6.45 $ 1.79 $ 2.29 $ 3.72
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 36.77 $ 34.62 $ 28.17 $ 26.38 $ 24.09
======================================================================================================================
Total return* 12.67% 26.98% 10.47% 11.73% 20.98%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 0.79% 0.76% 0.77% 0.75% 0.72%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 2.85% 2.68% 4.20% 2.16% 2.38%
Portfolio turnover rate 29% 26% 49% 24% 15%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $510,416 $448,509 $322,567 $238,647 $148,995
======================================================================================================================
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of all distributions, and the complete redemption of
the investment at net asset value at the end of each period.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
36 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Year Year Year Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended
10/31/14 10/31/13 10/31/12 10/31/11 10/31/10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Z
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 34.38 $ 27.98 $ 26.21 $23.95 $20.27
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 1.54 $ 0.84 $ 0.93 $ 0.30 $ 0.38
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 2.61 6.51 1.74 2.48 3.80
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations $ 4.15 $ 7.35 $ 2.67 $ 2.78 $ 4.18
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution to shareowners:
Net investment income $ (0.85) $ (0.95) $ (0.90) $(0.52) $(0.50)
Net realized gain (1.15) -- -- -- --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions $ (2.00) $ (0.95) $ (0.90) $(0.52) $(0.50)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $ 2.15 $ 6.40 $ 1.77 $ 2.26 $ 3.68
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 36.53 $ 34.38 $ 27.98 $26.21 $23.95
======================================================================================================================
Total return* 12.58% 26.80% 10.31% 11.67% 20.84%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 0.88% 0.87% 0.87% 0.85% 0.81%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 2.94% 2.58% 3.98% 2.05% 2.25%
Portfolio turnover rate 29% 26% 49% 24% 15%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $ 1,301 $ 2,985 $ 2,553 $1,653 $ 505
======================================================================================================================
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of all distributions, and the complete redemption of
the investment at net asset value at the end of each period.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 37
Notes to Financial Statements | 10/31/14
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Pioneer Equity Income Fund (the Fund) is a Delaware statutory trust. The Fund is
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified, open-end
management investment company. The investment objective of the Fund is current
income and long-term growth of capital from a portfolio consisting primarily of
income producing equity securities of U.S. corporations.
During the year covered by this report, the Fund offered seven classes of shares
designated as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class K, Class R, Class Y and Class Z
shares. Class K shares were first publicly offered on December 20, 2012. The
Fund ceased to offer Class B shares on November 10, 2014. Class B shares were
converted to Class A shares as of the close of business on November 10, 2014.
Each class of shares represents an interest in the same portfolio of investments
of the Fund and has identical rights (based on relative net asset values) to
assets and liquidation proceeds. Share classes can bear different rates of
class-specific fees and expenses such as transfer agent and distribution fees.
Differences in class-specific fees and expenses will result in differences in
net investment income and, therefore, the payment of different dividends from
net investment income earned by each class. The Amended and Restated Declaration
of Trust of the Fund gives the Board the flexibility to specify either per-share
voting or dollar-weighted voting when submitting matters for shareholder
approval. Under per-share voting, each share of a class of the Fund is entitled
to one vote. Under dollar-weighted voting, a shareholder's voting power is
determined not by the number of shares owned, but by the dollar value of the
shares on the record date. Each share class has exclusive voting rights with
respect to matters affecting only that class, including with respect to the
distribution plan for that class. There is no distribution plan for Class K,
Class Y or Class Z shares.
The Fund's financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles that require the management of the Fund
to, among other things, make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of
income, expenses and gains and losses on investments during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund in the preparation of its financial statements, which are consistent with
those policies generally accepted in the investment company industry:
38 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
A. Security Valuation
Security transactions are recorded as of trade date. The net asset value of
the Fund is computed once daily, on each day the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) is open, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE. In
computing the net asset value, securities that have traded on an exchange
are valued at the last sale price on the principal exchange where they are
traded. Securities that have not traded on the date of valuation, or
securities for which sale prices are not available, generally are valued at
the mean between the last bid and asked prices. Shares of money market
mutual funds are valued at such funds' net asset value.
Trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at
various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities
used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined
as of such times.
Securities for which independent pricing services are unable to supply
prices or for which market prices and/or quotations are not readily
available or are considered to be unreliable are valued by a fair valuation
team comprised of certain personnel of Pioneer Investment Management, Inc.,
(PIM), the Fund's investment adviser, pursuant to procedures adopted by the
Fund's Board of Trustees. PIM's fair valuation team uses fair value methods
approved by the Valuation Committee of the Board of Trustees. PIM's fair
valuation team is responsible for monitoring developments that may impact
fair valued securities and for discussing and assessing fair values on an
ongoing basis, and at least quarterly, with the Valuation Committee of the
Board of Trustees.
Inputs used when applying fair value methods to value a security may
include credit ratings, the financial condition of the company, current
market conditions and comparable securities. The Fund may use fair value
methods if it is determined that a significant event has occurred after the
close of the exchange or market on which the security trades and prior to
the determination of the Fund's net asset value. Examples of a significant
event might include political or economic news, corporate restructurings,
natural disasters, terrorist activity or trading halts. Thus, the valuation
of the Fund's securities may differ significantly from exchange prices and
such differences could be material.
At October 31, 2014, there were no securities that were valued using fair
value methods (other than securities that were valued using prices supplied
by independent pricing services or broker-dealers).
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 39
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that certain
dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have
passed are recorded as soon as the Fund becomes aware of the ex-dividend
data in the exercise of reasonable diligence. Interest income, including
interest on income bearing cash accounts, is recorded on the accrual basis.
Dividend and interest income are reported net of unrecoverable foreign
taxes withheld at the applicable country rates.
Gains and losses on sales of investments are calculated on the identified
cost method for both financial reporting and federal income tax purposes.
B. Federal Income Taxes
It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal
Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute
all of its taxable income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its
shareowners. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. As of
October 31, 2014, the Fund did not accrue any interest or penalties with
respect to unrecognized tax positions, which, if applicable, would be
recorded as an income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. Tax
returns filed within the prior three years are subject to examination by
Federal and State tax authorities.
The amount and character of income and capital gain distributions to
shareowners are determined in accordance with federal income tax rules,
which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Distributions in excess of net investment income or net realized gains are
temporary overdistributions for financial statement purposes resulting from
differences in the recognition or classification of income or distributions
for financial statement and tax purposes. Capital accounts within the
financial statements are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to
reflect tax character, but are not adjusted for temporary differences. At
October 31, 2014, the Fund reclassified $129,434 to decrease undistributed
net investment income and $129,434 to increase accumulated net realized
gain on investments to reflect permanent book/tax differences. These
adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations.
The tax character of distributions during the years ended October 31, 2014
and October 31, 2013, were as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014 2013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions paid from:
Ordinary income $34,882,719 $38,451,454
Long-term capital gain 49,279,841 --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $84,162,560 $38,451,454
============================================================================
40 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
The following shows the components of distributable earnings on a federal
income tax basis at October 31, 2014:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributable earnings:
Undistributed ordinary income $ 5,889,102
Undistributed long term capital gain 128,312,572
Net unrealized appreciation 448,397,070
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $582,598,744
============================================================================
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized appreciation
is attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and tax basis
adjustments on Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) holdings and
partnerships.
C. Fund Shares
The Fund records sales and repurchases of its shares as of trade date.
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. (PFD), the principal underwriter for the
Fund and a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of UniCredit S.p.A.
(UniCredit), earned $81,925 in underwriting commissions on the sale of
Class A shares during the year ended October 31, 2014.
D. Class Allocations
Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses are
calculated at the Fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares
based on its respective percentage of adjusted net assets at the beginning
of the day.
Distribution fees are calculated based on the average daily net asset value
attributable to Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares of the Fund,
respectively (see Note 4). Class K, Class Y and Class Z shares do not pay
distribution fees. All expenses and fees paid to the transfer agent,
Pioneer Investment Management Shareholder Services, Inc. (PIMSS), for its
services are allocated among the classes of shares based on the number of
accounts in each class and the ratable allocation of related out-of-pocket
expenses (see Note 3).
Distributions to shareowners are recorded as of the ex-dividend date.
Distributions paid by the Fund with respect to each class of shares are
calculated in the same manner and at the same time, except that net
investment income dividends to Class A, Class B, Class C, Class K, Class R,
Class Y and Class Z shares can reflect different transfer agent and
distribution expense rates.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 41
E. Risks
At times, the Fund's investments may represent industries or industry
sectors that are interrelated or have common risks, making the Fund more
susceptible to any economic, political or regulatory developments or other
risks affecting those industries or sectors. The Fund's prospectus contains
unaudited information regarding the Fund's principal risks. Please refer to
that document when considering the Fund's principal risks.
F. Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts (contracts) for
the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a fixed price on a
future date. All contracts are marked to market daily at the applicable
exchange rates, and any resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation
is recorded in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund records realized
gains and losses at the time a contract is offset by entry into a closing
transaction or extinguished by delivery of the currency. Risks may arise
upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of
counterparties to meet the terms of the contract and from unanticipated
movements in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar
(see Note 8).
2. Management Agreement
PIM, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of UniCredit, manages the Fund's
portfolio. Management fees are calculated daily at the annual rate of 0.60% of
the Fund's average daily net assets up to $10 billion and 0.575% on assets over
$10 billion. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the effective management fee
(excluding waivers and/or assumption of expenses) was equivalent to 0.60% of the
Fund's average daily net assets.
In addition, under the management and administration agreements, certain other
services and costs, including accounting, regulatory reporting, and insurance
premiums, are paid by the Fund as administrative reimbursements. Included in
"Due to affiliates" reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities is
$50,224, in management fees, administrative costs and certain other
reimbursements payable to PIM at October 31, 2014.
3. Transfer Agent
PIMSS, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of UniCredit, provides substantially
all transfer agent and shareowner services to the Fund at negotiated rates.
In addition, the Fund reimburses PIMSS for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
PIMSS related to shareholder communications activities such as proxy and
statement mailings, outgoing phone calls and omnibus relationship contracts.
42 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
For the year ended October 31, 2014, such out-of-pocket expenses by class of
shares were as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Communications:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A $ 913,224
Class B 16,510
Class C 101,306
Class K 39
Class R 220,411
Class Y 639,556
Class Z 3,606
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $1,894,652
================================================================================
Included in "Due to affiliates" reflected on the Statement of Assets and
Liabilities is $458,824 in transfer agent fees and out-of-pocket reimbursements
payable to PIMSS at October 31, 2014.
4. Distribution and Service Plans
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 with respect to its Class A, Class B, Class C and
Class R shares. Pursuant to the Plan, the Fund pays PFD 0.25% of the average
daily net assets attributable to Class A shares as compensation for personal
services and/or account maintenance services or distribution services with
regard to Class A shares. Pursuant to the Plan, the Fund also pays PFD 1.00% of
the average daily net assets attributable to Class B and Class C shares. The fee
for Class B and Class C shares consists of a 0.25% service fee and a 0.75%
distribution fee paid as compensation for personal services and/or account
maintenance services or distribution services with regard to Class B and Class C
shares. Pursuant to the Plan, the Fund further pays PFD 0.50% of the average
daily net assets attributable to Class R shares for distribution services.
Included in "Due to affiliates" reflected on the Statement of Assets and
Liabilities is $20,520 in distribution fees payable to PFD at October 31, 2014.
The Fund also has adopted a separate service plan for Class R shares (Service
Plan). The Service Plan authorizes the Fund to pay securities dealers, plan
administrators or other service organizations that agree to provide certain
services to retirement plans or plan participants holding shares of the Fund a
service fee of up to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable
to Class R shares held by such plans.
In addition, redemptions of each class of shares (except Class K, Class R, Class
Y and Class Z shares) may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
(CDSC). A CDSC of 1.00% may be imposed on redemptions of certain net asset value
purchases of Class A shares within 12 months of purchase. Class B shares
redeemed within five years of purchase are subject to a CDSC at declining rates
beginning at 4.00%, based on the lower of cost or market value of shares being
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 43
redeemed. Redemptions of Class C shares within 12 months of purchase are subject
to a CDSC of 1.00%, based on the lower of cost or market value of shares being
redeemed. Shares purchased as part of an exchange remain subject to any CDSC
that applied to the original purchase of those shares. There is no CDSC for
Class K, Class R, Class Y or Class Z shares. Proceeds from the CDSCs are paid to
PFD. For the year ended October 31, 2014, CDSCs in the amount of $28,650 were
paid to PFD.
5. Expense Offset Arrangements
The Fund has entered into certain expense offset arrangements with PIMSS which
may result in a reduction in the Fund's total expenses due to interest earned on
cash held by PIMSS. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the Fund's expenses
were not reduced under such arrangements.
6. Line of Credit Facility
The Fund, along with certain other funds in the Pioneer Family of Funds (the
Funds), participates in a committed, unsecured revolving line of credit
facility. Borrowings are used solely for temporary or emergency purposes. The
Fund may borrow up to the lesser of the amount available under the facility or
the limits set for borrowing by the Fund's prospectus and the 1940 Act. The
credit facility until February 12, 2014 was in the amount of $215 million. As of
February 12, 2014 the facility is in the amount of $240 million. Under such
facility, depending on the type of loan, interest on borrowings is payable at
the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 0.90% (0.85% as of February 12,
2014) on an annualized basis, or the Alternate Base Rate, which is the greater
of (a) the facility's administrative agent's daily announced prime rate on the
borrowing date, (b) 2% plus the Federal Funds Rate on the borrowing date and (c)
2% plus the overnight Euro dollar rate on the borrowing date. The Funds pay an
annual commitment fee to participate in the credit facility. The commitment fee
is allocated among participating Funds based on an allocation schedule set forth
in the credit agreement. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the Fund had no
borrowings under the credit facility.
44 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
7. Affiliated Companies
The Fund's investments in certain companies may exceed 5% of the outstanding
voting stock of those companies. Such companies are deemed affiliates of the
Fund for financial reporting purposes. The following summarizes transactions
with affiliates of the Fund for the year ended October 31, 2014:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning Corporate
Balance Purchases Sales Actions Ending Dividend
Affiliates (shares) (shares) (shares) (shares) (shares) Income Value
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Gorman-
Rupp Co. 1,146,943 286,735 -- -- 1,433,678 $516,124 $45,504,940
8. Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
During the year ended October 31, 2014, the Fund had entered into various
forward foreign currency contracts that obligate the Fund to deliver or take
delivery of currencies at specified future maturity dates. Alternatively, prior
to the settlement date of a forward foreign currency contract, the Fund may
close out such contract by entering into an offsetting contract. The average
value of contracts open during the year ended October 31, 2014 was $ 2,817,810.
There were no forward foreign currency contracts outstanding at October 31,
2014.
9. Change in Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Trustees of the Fund, with the approval and recommendation of the
Audit Committee, appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as the Fund's
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending October
31, 2014. Deloitte & Touche LLP replaces Ernst & Young LLP, which resigned as
the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, effective upon
completion of the audit of the Fund's financial statements for the fiscal year
ended October 31, 2013.
During the periods that Ernst & Young LLP served as the Fund's independent
registered public accounting firm, including the Fund's fiscal years ended
October 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, Ernst & Young LLP's reports on the
financial statements of the Fund have not contained an adverse opinion or
disclaimer of opinion and have not been qualified or modified as to
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 45
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. Further, there have been no
disagreements with Ernst & Young LLP on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure,
which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Ernst & Young LLP would have
caused Ernst & Young LLP to make reference to the subject matter of the
disagreement in connection with its report on the financial statements. In
addition, there have been no reportable events of the kind described in Item 304
(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
10. Conversion of Class B Shares
As of the close of business on November 10, 2014 (the "Conversion Date"), all
outstanding Class B shares of the Fund were converted to Class A
shares.
46 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees and Shareowners
of Pioneer Equity Income Fund:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the schedule of investments, of Pioneer Equity Income Fund (the "Fund") as of
October 31, 2014, and the related statements of operations and changes in net
assets, and the financial highlights for year then ended. These financial
statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and financial highlights based on our audit. The statement of changes
in net assets of the Fund for the year ended October 31, 2013, and the financial
highlights for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were
audited by other auditors. Those auditors expressed an unqualified opinion on
those financial statements and financial highlights in their report dated
December 23, 2013.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund
is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its
internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of
internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation
of securities owned as of October 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian
and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other
auditing procedures. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for
our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Pioneer Equity Income Fund as of October 31, 2014, and the results of its
operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the
year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 24, 2014
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 47
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (unaudited)
For the year ended October 31, 2014, certain dividends paid by the Fund may be
subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%, as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax
Relief Reconciliation Act (the Act) of 2003. The Fund intends to designate up to
the maximum amount of such dividends allowable under the Act, as taxed at a
maximum rate of 15%. Complete information will be computed and reported in
conjunction with your 2014 form 1099-DIV.
The qualifying percentage of the Fund's ordinary income dividends for the
purpose of the corporate dividends received deduction was 100%.
48 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. (PIM) serves as the investment adviser to
Pioneer Equity Income Fund (the Fund) pursuant to an investment advisory
agreement between PIM and the Fund. In order for PIM to remain the investment
adviser of the Fund, the Trustees of the Fund must determine annually whether to
renew the investment advisory agreement for the Fund.
The contract review process began in January 2014 as the Trustees of the Fund
agreed on, among other things, an overall approach and timeline for the process.
Contract review materials were provided to the Trustees in March 2014 and July
2014. Supplemental contract review materials were provided to the Trustees in
September 2014. In addition, the Trustees reviewed and discussed the Fund's
performance at regularly scheduled meetings throughout the year, and took into
account other information related to the Fund provided to the Trustees at
regularly scheduled meetings, in connection with the review of the Fund's
investment advisory agreement.
In March 2014, the Trustees, among other things, discussed the memorandum
provided by Fund counsel that summarized the legal standards and other
considerations that are relevant to the Trustees in their deliberations
regarding the renewal of the investment advisory agreement, and reviewed and
discussed the qualifications of the investment management teams, as well as the
level of investment by the Fund's portfolio managers in the Fund. In July 2014,
the Trustees, among other things, reviewed the Fund's management fee and total
expense ratios, the financial statements of PIM and its parent companies, the
profitability analyses provided by PIM, and possible economies of scale. The
Trustees also reviewed the profitability of the institutional business of PIM
and PIM's affiliate, Pioneer Institutional Asset Management, Inc. (together with
PIM, "Pioneer"), as compared to that of PIM's fund management business, and
considered the differences between the fees and expenses of the Fund and the
fees and expenses of Pioneer's institutional accounts, as well as the different
services provided by PIM to the Fund and by Pioneer to the institutional
accounts. The Trustees further considered contract review materials in September
2014.
At a meeting held on September 16, 2014, based on their evaluation of the
information provided by PIM and third parties, the Trustees of the Fund,
including the Independent Trustees voting separately, unanimously approved the
renewal of the investment advisory agreement for another year. In considering
the renewal of the investment advisory agreement, the Trustees considered
various factors that they determined were relevant, including the factors
described below. In all quintile rankings referred to throughout this
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 49
disclosure, first quintile is most favorable to the Fund's shareowners. The
Trustees did not identify any single factor as the controlling factor in
determining to approve the renewal of the agreement.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
The Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services that had
been provided by PIM to the Fund, taking into account the investment objective
and strategy of the Fund. The Trustees reviewed the terms of the investment
advisory agreement. The Trustees also reviewed PIM's investment approach for the
Fund and its research process. The Trustees considered the resources of PIM and
the personnel of PIM who provide investment management services to the Fund.
They also reviewed the amount of non-Fund assets managed by the portfolio
managers of the Fund. The Trustees considered the non-investment resources and
personnel of PIM involved in PIM's services to the Fund, including PIM's
compliance and legal resources and personnel. The Trustees noted the substantial
attention and high priority given by PIM's senior management to the Pioneer fund
complex.
The Trustees considered that PIM supervises and monitors the performance of the
Fund's service providers and provides the Fund with personnel (including Fund
officers) and other resources that are necessary for the Fund's business
management and operations. The Trustees also considered that, as administrator,
PIM is responsible for the administration of the Fund's business and other
affairs. The Trustees considered the fees paid to PIM for the provision of
administration services.
Based on these considerations, the Trustees concluded that the nature, extent
and quality of services that had been provided by PIM to the Fund were
satisfactory and consistent with the terms of the investment advisory agreement.
Performance of the Fund
In considering the Fund's performance, the Trustees regularly review and discuss
analysis and data prepared by PIM and information comparing the Fund's
performance with the performance of its peer group of funds as classified by
each of Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar) and Lipper, and with the performance of
the Fund's benchmark index. They also discuss the Fund's performance with PIM on
a regular basis. The Trustees confirmed that these regular reviews and
discussions were factored into the Trustees' deliberations concerning the
renewal of the advisory agreement. For purposes of their contract renewal
deliberations, the Trustees considered the discussions held throughout the year
regarding the Fund's performance and the performance results of the Fund over
various time periods, including the Fund's performance results for periods ended
June 30, 2014. The Trustees indicated that they were satisfied with PIM's
response to the Fund's performance issues.
50 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Management Fee and Expenses
The Trustees considered information showing the fees and expenses of the Fund in
comparison to the management fees and expense ratios of its peer group of funds
as classified by Morningstar and also to the expense ratios of a peer group of
funds selected on the basis of criteria determined by the Independent Trustees
for this purpose using data provided by Strategic Insight Mutual Fund Research
and Consulting, LLC (Strategic Insight), an independent third party.
The Trustees considered that the Fund's management fee for the twelve months
ended June 30, 2014 was in the second quintile relative to the management fees
paid by other funds in its Morningstar peer group for the comparable period. The
Trustees also considered the breakpoint in the management fee schedule and the
reduced fee rate above a certain asset level. The Trustees considered that the
expense ratio of the Fund's Class A shares for the twelve months ended June 30,
2014 was in the third quintile relative to its Morningstar peer group and in the
second quintile relative its Strategic Insight peer group, in each case for the
comparable period. The Trustees considered the impact of transfer agency,
sub-transfer agency, and other non-management fee expenses on the expense ratios
of the Fund. The Trustees noted that they separately review the Fund's transfer
agency, sub-transfer agency and intermediary arrangements.
The Trustees reviewed management fees charged by Pioneer to institutional and
other clients, including publicly offered European funds sponsored by affiliates
of Pioneer, unaffiliated U.S. registered investment companies (in a sub-advisory
capacity), and unaffiliated foreign and domestic separate accounts. The Trustees
also considered PIM's costs in providing services to the Fund and Pioneer's
costs in providing services to the other clients and considered the differences
in management fees and profit margins for Fund and non-Fund services. In
evaluating the fees associated with Pioneer's client accounts, the Trustees took
into account the respective demands, resources and complexity associated with
the Fund and client accounts. The Trustees noted that, in some instances, the
fee rates for those clients were lower than the management fee for the Fund and
considered that, under the investment advisory agreement with the Fund, PIM
performs additional services for the Fund that it does not provide to those
other clients or services that are broader in scope, including oversight of the
Fund's other service providers and activities related to compliance and the
extensive regulatory and tax regimes to which the Fund is subject. The Trustees
also considered the different entrepreneurial risks associated with PIM's
management of the Fund and Pioneer's management of the other client accounts.
The Trustees concluded that the management fee payable by the Fund to PIM was
reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by PIM
to the Fund.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 51
Profitability
The Trustees considered information provided by PIM regarding the profitability
of PIM with respect to the advisory services provided by PIM to the Fund,
including the methodology used by PIM in allocating certain of its costs to the
management of the Fund. The Trustees also considered PIM's profit margin in
connection with the overall operation of the Fund. They further reviewed the
financial results realized by PIM and its affiliates from non-fund businesses.
The Trustees considered PIM's profit margins with respect to the Fund in
comparison to the limited industry data available and noted that the
profitability of any adviser was affected by numerous factors, including its
organizational structure and method for allocating expenses. The Trustees
concluded that PIM's profitability with respect to the management of the Fund
was not unreasonable.
Economies of Scale
The Trustees considered PIM's views relating to economies of scale in connection
with the Pioneer Funds as fund assets grow and the extent to which any such
economies of scale are shared with funds and fund shareholders. The Trustees
noted the breakpoint in the management fee schedule. The Trustees recognize that
economies of scale are difficult to identify and quantify, and that, among other
factors that may be relevant, are the following: fee levels, expense
subsidization, investment by PIM in research and analytical capabilities and
PIM's commitment and resource allocation to the Fund. The Trustees noted that
profitability also may be an indicator of the availability of any economies of
scale, although profitability may vary for other reasons including reductions in
expenses. The Trustees concluded that economies of scale, if any, were being
appropriately shared with the Funds.
Other Benefits
The Trustees considered the other benefits to PIM from its relationship with the
Fund. The Trustees considered the character and amount of fees paid by the Fund,
other than under the investment advisory agreement, for services provided by PIM
and its affiliates. The Trustees further considered the revenues and
profitability of PIM's businesses other than the fund business. Pioneer is the
principal U.S. asset management business of Pioneer Global Asset Management, the
worldwide asset management business of UniCredit Group, which manages over $150
billion in assets (including the Funds). Pioneer and the Funds receive
reciprocal intangible benefits from the relationship, including mutual brand
recognition and, for the Funds, direct and indirect access to the resources of a
large global asset manager. The Trustees concluded that any such benefits
received by Pioneer as a result of its relationship with the Funds were
reasonable and their consideration of the advisory agreement between the Fund
and PIM and the fees thereunder were unaffected by Pioneer's possible receipt of
any such intangible benefits.
52 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Conclusion
After consideration of the factors described above as well as other factors, the
Trustees, including all of the Independent Trustees, concluded that the
investment advisory agreement between PIM and the Fund, including the fees
payable thereunder, was fair and reasonable and voted to approve the proposed
renewal of the investment advisory agreement for the Fund.
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 53
Trustees, Officers and Service Providers
Investment Adviser
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc.
Custodian and Sub-Administrator
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Principal Underwriter
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
Legal Counsel
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Shareowner Services and Transfer Agent
Pioneer Investment Management Shareholder Services, Inc.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Fund are available without charge,
upon request, by calling our toll free number (1-800-225-6292). Information
regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the
most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is publicly available to shareowners
at us.pioneerinvestments.com. This information is also available on the
Securities and Exchange Commission's web site at www.sec.gov.
Trustees and Officers
The Fund's Trustees and officers are listed below, together with their principal
occupations during at least the past five years. Trustees who are interested
persons of the Fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act are referred to as
Interested Trustees. Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund are
referred to as Independent Trustees. Each of the Trustees serves as a Trustee of
each of the 53 U.S. registered investment portfolios for which Pioneer serves as
investment adviser (the "Pioneer Funds"). The address for all Trustees and all
officers of the Fund is 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
The Statement of Additional Information of the Fund includes additional
information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request,
by calling 1-800-225-6292.
54 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Independent Trustees
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name, Age and Term of Office and Other Directorships
Position Held With the Fund Length of Service Principal Occupation Held by Trustee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas J. Perna (64) Trustee since 2006. Private investor (2004-2008 and Director, Broadridge
Chairman of the Board and Serves until a 2013-present); Chairman (2008 - 2013) and Financial Solutions, Inc.
Trustee successor trustee is Chief Executive Officer (2008 - 2012), (investor communications and
elected or earlier Quadriserv, Inc. (technology products for securities processing
retirement or removal. securities lending industry); and Senior provider for financial
Executive Vice President, The Bank of New services industry) (2009 -
York (financial and securities services) present); Director,
(1986 - 2004) Quadriserv, Inc. (2005 -
2013); and Commissioner, New
Jersey State Civil Service
Commission (2011 - present)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David R. Bock (70) Trustee since 2005. Managing Partner, Federal City Capital Director of Enterprise
Trustee Serves until a Advisors (corporate advisory services Community Investment, Inc.
successor trustee is company) (1997 - 2004 and 2008 - present); (privately-held affordable
elected or earlier Interim Chief Executive Officer, Oxford housing finance company)
retirement or removal. Analytica, Inc. (privately-held research and (1985 - 2010); Director of
consulting company) (2010); Executive Vice Oxford Analytica, Inc. (2008
President and Chief Financial Officer, - present); Director of The
I-trax, Inc. (publicly traded health care Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.
services company) (2004 - 2007); and (closed-end fund) (2010 -
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial present); and Director of New
Officer, Pedestal Inc. (internet-based York Mortgage Trust (publicly
mortgage trading company) (2000 - 2002) traded mortgage REIT) (2004 -
2009, 2012 - present)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benjamin M. Friedman (70) Trustee since 2008. William Joseph Maier Professor of Political Trustee, Mellon Institutional
Trustee Serves until a Economy, Harvard University (1972 - present) Funds Investment Trust and
successor trustee is Mellon Institutional Funds
elected or earlier Master Portfolio (oversaw 17
retirement or removal. portfolios in fund complex)
(1989-2008)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 55
Independent Trustees (continued)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name, Age and Term of Office and Other Directorships
Position Held With the Fund Length of Service Principal Occupation Held by Trustee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret B.W. Graham (67) Trustee since 1990. Founding Director, Vice President and None
Trustee Serves until a Corporate Secretary, The Winthrop Group,
successor trustee is Inc. (consulting firm) (1982 - present);
elected or earlier Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill
retirement or removal. University (1999 - present); and Manager of
Research Operations and Organizational
Learning, Xerox PARC, Xerox's advance
research center (1990-1994)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marguerite A. Piret (66) Trustee since 1990. President and Chief Executive Officer, Director of New America High
Trustee Serves until a Newbury, Piret & Company, Inc. (investment Income Fund, Inc. (closed-end
successor trustee is banking firm) (1981 - present) investment company) (2004 -
elected or earlier present); and member, Board
retirement or removal. of Governors, Investment
Company Institute (2000 -
2006)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fred J. Ricciardi (67)** Trustee since 2014. Consultant (investment company services) None
Trustee Serves until a (2012 - present); Executive Vice President,
successor trustee is BNY Mellon (financial and investment
elected or earlier company services) (1969 - 2012); Director,
retirement or removal. BNY International Financing Corp.
(financial services) (2002 - 2012); and
Director, Mellon Overseas Investment Corp.
(financial services) (2009 - 2012)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Interested Trustee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name, Age and Term of Office and Other Directorships
Position Held With the Fund Length of Service Principal Occupation Held by Trustee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kenneth J. Taubes (56)* Trustee since 2014. Director and Executive Vice President None
Trustee Serves until a (since 2008) and Chief Investment Officer,
successor trustee is U.S. (since 2010), of PIM-USA; Executive
elected or earlier Vice President of Pioneer (since 2008);
retirement or removal. Executive Vice President of Pioneer
Institutional Asset Management, Inc. (since
2009); Portfolio Manager of Pioneer (since
1999)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 57
Advisory Trustee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name, Age and Term of Office and Other Directorships
Position Held With the Fund Length of Service Principal Occupation Held by Trustee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lorraine H. Monchak (58)** Advisory Trustee since Chief Investment Officer, 1199 SEIU None
2014. National Benefit and Pension Funds (health
care workers union pension Funds) (2001 -
present); Vice President - International
Investments Group, American International
Group, Inc. (insurance company) (1993 -
2001); Vice President, Corporate Finance
and Treasury Group, Citibank, N.A. (1980 -
1986 and 1990 - 1993); Vice President -
Asset/Liability Management Group, Federal
Farm Funding Corp. (government-sponsored
Issuer of debt securities) (1988 - 1990);
Mortgage Strategies Group, Shearson Lehman
Hutton, Inc. (investment bank) (1987 -
1988); and Mortgage Securities Group,
Drexel Burnham Lambert, Ltd. (investment
bank) (1986 - 1987)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Mr. Taubes is an Interested Trustee because he is an officer or director of
the Fund's investment adviser and certain of its affiliates.
** Mr. Ricciardi became a Trustee and Ms. Monchak became a non-voting Advisory
Trustee on November 11, 2014.
58 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
Fund Officers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name, Age and Term of Office and Other Directorships
Position Held With the Fund Length of Service Principal Occupation Held by Officer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lisa M. Jones (52) Since 2014. Serves at Chair, Director, CEO and President of None
President and Chief Executive the discretion of the Pioneer Investment Management USA (since
Officer Board. September 2014); Chair, Director, CEO and
President of Pioneer Investment Management,
Inc. (since September 2014); Chair,
Director, CEO and President of Pioneer
Funds Distributor, Inc. (since September
2014); Chair, Director, CEO and President
of Pioneer Institutional Asset Management,
Inc. (since September 2014); and Chair,
Director, and CEO of Pioneer Investment
Management Shareholder Services, Inc.
(since September 2014); Managing Director,
Morgan Stanley Investment Management
(2010 - 2013); and Director of Institutional
Business, CEO of International, Eaton Vance
Management (2005 - 2010)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christopher J. Kelley (49) Since 2003. Serves at Vice President and Associate General None
Secretary and Chief Legal the discretion of the Counsel of Pioneer since January 2008;
Officer Board. Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of all of
the Pioneer Funds since June 2010;
Assistant Secretary of all of the Pioneer
Funds from September 2003 to May 2010; and
Vice President and Senior Counsel of
Pioneer from July 2002 to December 2007
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carol B. Hannigan (53) Since 2010. Serves at Fund Governance Director of Pioneer since None
Assistant Secretary the discretion of the December 2006 and Assistant Secretary of
Board. all the Pioneer Funds since June 2010;
Manager - Fund Governance of Pioneer from
December 2003 to November 2006; and Senior
Paralegal of Pioneer from January 2000 to
November 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas Reyes (52) Since 2010. Serves at Senior Counsel of Pioneer since May 2013 None
Assistant Secretary the discretion of the and Assistant Secretary of all the Pioneer
Board. Funds since June 2010; Counsel of Pioneer
from June 2007 to May 2013
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark E. Bradley (55) Since 2008. Serves at Vice President - Fund Treasury of Pioneer; None
Treasurer and Chief Financial the discretion of the Treasurer of all of the Pioneer Funds since
and Accounting Officer of the Board. March 2008; Deputy Treasurer of Pioneer
Fund from March 2004 to February 2008; and
Assistant Treasurer of all of the Pioneer
Funds from March 2004 to February 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luis I. Presutti (49) Since 2000. Serves at Director - Fund Treasury of Pioneer; and None
Assistant Treasurer the discretion of the Assistant Treasurer of all of the Pioneer
Board. Funds
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14 59
Fund Officers (continued)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name, Age and Term of Office and Other Directorships
Position Held With the Fund Length of Service Principal Occupation Held by Officer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gary Sullivan (56) Since 2002. Serves at Fund Accounting Manager - Fund Treasury of None
Assistant Treasurer the discretion of the Pioneer; and Assistant Treasurer of all of
Board. the Pioneer Funds
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David F. Johnson (35) Since 2009. Serves at Fund Administration Manager - Fund Treasury None
Assistant Treasurer the discretion of the of Pioneer since November 2008; Assistant
Board. Treasurer of all of the Pioneer Funds since
January 2009; and Client Service Manager -
Institutional Investor Services at State
Street Bank from March 2003 to March 2007
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jean M. Bradley (62) Since 2010. Serves at Chief Compliance Officer of Pioneer and of None
Chief Compliance Officer the discretion of the all the Pioneer Funds since March 2010;
Board. Director of Adviser and Portfolio
Compliance at Pioneer since October 2005;
and Senior Compliance Officer for Columbia
Management Advisers, Inc. from October 2003
to October 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kelly O'Donnell (43) Since 2006. Serves at Director - Transfer Agency Compliance of None
Anti-Money Laundering Officer the discretion of the Pioneer and Anti-Money Laundering Officer
Board. of all the Pioneer funds since 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60 Pioneer Equity Income Fund | Annual Report | 10/31/14
How to Contact Pioneer
We are pleased to offer a variety of convenient ways for you to contact us for
assistance or information.
Call us for:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Information, including existing accounts,
new accounts, prospectuses, applications
and service forms 1-800-225-6292
FactFone(SM) for automated fund yields, prices,
account information and transactions 1-800-225-4321
Retirement plans information 1-800-622-0176
Write to us:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIMSS, Inc.
P.O. Box 55014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5014
Our toll-free fax 1-800-225-4240
Our internet e-mail address ask.pioneer@pioneerinvestments.com
(for general questions about Pioneer only)
Visit our web site: us.pioneerinvestments.com
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
The Fund files a complete schedule of investments with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters for each fiscal year on
Form N-Q. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-Q by visiting the Commission's
web site at www.sec.gov. The filed form may also be viewed and copied at the
Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the
operations of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling
1-800-SEC-0330.
[LOGO] PIONEER
Investments(R)
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc.
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
us.pioneerinvestments.com
Securities offered through Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
Underwriter of Pioneer Mutual Funds, Member SIPC
(C) 2014 Pioneer Investments 19439-08-1214
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
(a) Disclose whether, as of the end of the period covered by the report, the
registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant's
principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting
officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of
whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party. If
the registrant has not adopted such a code of ethics, explain why it has not
done so.
The registrant has adopted, as of the end of the period covered by this report,
a code of ethics that applies to the registrant's principal executive officer,
principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller.
(b) For purposes of this Item, the term "code of ethics" means written standards
that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
(1) Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual
or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional
relationships;
(2) Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in
reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the
Commission and in other public communications made by the registrant;
(3) Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and
regulations;
(4) The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an
appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and
(5) Accountability for adherence to the code.
(c) The registrant must briefly describe the nature of any amendment, during the
period covered by the report, to a provision of its 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, and that relates to any element of the code of
ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of this Item. The registrant must
file a copy of any such amendment as an exhibit pursuant to Item 10(a), unless
the registrant has elected to satisfy paragraph (f) of this Item by posting its
code of ethics on its website pursuant to paragraph (f)(2) of this Item, or by
undertaking to provide its code of ethics to any person without charge, upon
request, pursuant to paragraph (f)(3) of this Item.
The registrant has made no amendments to the code of ethics during the period
covered by this report.
(d) If the registrant has, during the period covered by the report, granted a
waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics 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, that relates to one or more of the items set forth
in paragraph (b) of this Item, the registrant must briefly describe the nature
of the waiver, the name of the person to whom the waiver was granted, and the
date of the waiver.
Not applicable.
(e) If the registrant intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under
paragraph (c) or (d) of this Item regarding an amendment to, or a waiver from,
a provision of its 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 and that relates to any
element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of this
Item by posting such information on its Internet website, disclose the
registrant's Internet address and such intention.
Not applicable.
(f) The registrant must:
(1) File with the Commission, pursuant to Item 12(a)(1), a copy of
its 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,
as an exhibit to its annual
report on this Form N-CSR (see attachment);
(2) Post the text of such code of ethics on its Internet website and
disclose, in its most recent report on this Form N-CSR, its Internet
address and the fact that it has posted such code of ethics on its
Internet website; or
(3) Undertake in its most recent report on this Form N-CSR to provide to
any person without charge, upon request, a copy of such code of ethics
and explain the manner in which such request may be made.
See Item 10(2)
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
(a) (1) Disclose that the registrant's board of trustees has determined that
the registrant either:
(i) Has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit
committee; or
(ii) Does not have an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit
committee.
The registrant's Board of Trustees has determined that the registrant has at
least one audit committee financial expert.
(2) If the registrant provides the disclosure required by paragraph
(a)(1)(i) of this Item, it must disclose the name of the audit committee
financial expert and whether that person is "independent." In order to be
considered "independent" for purposes of this Item, a member of an audit
committee may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit
committee, the board of trustees, or any other board committee:
(i) Accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or other
compensatory fee from the issuer; or
(ii) Be an "interested person" of the investment company as defined in
Section 2(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(19)).
Ms. Marguerite A. Piret, an independent trustee, is such an audit committee
financial expert.
(3) If the registrant provides the disclosure required by paragraph (a)(1)
(ii) of this Item, it must explain why it does not have an audit committee
financial expert.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
(a) Disclose, under the caption AUDIT FEES, the aggregate fees billed for each
of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal
accountant for the audit of the registrant's annual financial statements or
services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with
statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.
Audit Fees
The audit services provided to the Fund were totaled
approximately $25,241 payable to Deloitte & Touche
LLP for the year ended October 31, 2014 and $31,686
were paid to the former auditor, Ernst & Young LLP
for the year ended October 31, 2013.
(b) Disclose, under the caption AUDIT-RELATED FEES, the aggregate fees billed in
each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the
principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit
of the registrant's financial statements and are not reported under
paragraph (a) of this Item. Registrants shall describe the nature of the
services comprising the fees disclosed under this category.
Audit-Related Fees and Other Fees
There were no audit related fees and other fees for
the Fund payable to Deloitte & Touche LLP for
the year ended October 31, 2014 and no audit related
fees and other fees were paid to the former auditor,
Ernst & Young LLP for the year ended October 31, 2013.
(c) Disclose, under the caption TAX FEES, the aggregate fees billed in each of
the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal
accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. Registrants shall
describe the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this
category.
Tax Fees
Fees for tax compliance services, primarily for tax
returns, totaled approximately $8,750 payable to
Deloitte & Touche LLP for the year ended October 31,
2014 and $8,131 were paid to the former auditor,
Ernst & Young LLP for the year ended October 31, 2013.
(d) Disclose, under the caption ALL OTHER FEES, the aggregate fees billed in
each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the
principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through
(c) of this Item. Registrants shall describe the nature of the services
comprising the fees disclosed under this category.
Audit-Related Fees and Other Fees
There were no audit related fees and other fees for
the Fund payable to Deloitte & Touche LLP for
the year ended October 31, 2014 and no audit related
fees and other fees were paid to the former auditor,
Ernst & Young LLP for the year ended October 31, 2013.
(e) (1) Disclose the audit committee's pre-approval policies and procedures
described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
PIONEER FUNDS
APPROVAL OF AUDIT, AUDIT-RELATED, TAX AND OTHER SERVICES
PROVIDED BY THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
SECTION I - POLICY PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY
The Pioneer Funds recognize the importance of maintaining the independence of
their outside auditors. Maintaining independence is a shared responsibility
involving Pioneer Investment Management, Inc ("PIM"), the audit committee and
the independent auditors.
The Funds recognize that a Fund's independent auditors: 1) possess knowledge of
the Funds, 2) are able to incorporate certain services into the scope of the
audit, thereby avoiding redundant work, cost and disruption of Fund personnel
and processes, and 3) have expertise that has value to the Funds. As a result,
there are situations where it is desirable to use the Fund's independent
auditors for services in addition to the annual audit and where the potential
for conflicts of interests are minimal. Consequently, this policy, which is
intended to comply with Rule 210.2-01(C)(7), sets forth guidelines and
procedures to be followed by the Funds when retaining the independent audit firm
to perform audit, audit-related tax and other services under those
circumstances, while also maintaining independence.
Approval of a service in accordance with this policy for a Fund shall also
constitute approval for any other Fund whose pre-approval is required pursuant
to Rule 210.2-01(c)(7)(ii).
In addition to the procedures set forth in this policy, any non-audit services
that may be provided consistently with Rule 210.2-01 may be approved by the
Audit Committee itself and any pre-approval that may be waived in accordance
with Rule 210.2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) is hereby waived.
Selection of a Fund's independent auditors and their compensation shall be
determined by the Audit Committee and shall not be subject to this policy.
SECTION II - POLICY
---------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
SERVICE SERVICE CATEGORY DESCRIPTION SPECIFIC PRE-APPROVED SERVICE SUBCATEGORIES
CATEGORY
---------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
I. AUDIT Services that are directly o Accounting research assistance
SERVICES related to performing the o SEC consultation, registration
independent audit of the Funds statements, and reporting
o Tax accrual related matters
o Implementation of new accounting
standards
o Compliance letters (e.g. rating agency
letters)
o Regulatory reviews and assistance
regarding financial matters
o Semi-annual reviews (if requested)
o Comfort letters for closed end
offerings
---------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
II. Services which are not o AICPA attest and agreed-upon procedures
AUDIT-RELATED prohibited under Rule o Technology control assessments
SERVICES 210.2-01(C)(4) (the "Rule") o Financial reporting control assessments
and are related extensions of o Enterprise security architecture
the audit services support the assessment
audit, or use the
knowledge/expertise gained
from the audit procedures as a
foundation to complete the
project. In most cases, if
the Audit-Related Services are
not performed by the Audit
firm, the scope of the Audit
Services would likely
increase. The Services are
typically well-defined and
governed by accounting
professional standards (AICPA,
SEC, etc.)
---------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY AUDIT COMMITTEE
REPORTING POLICY
------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
o "One-time" pre-approval o A summary of all such
for the audit period for all services and related fees
pre-approved specific service reported at each regularly
subcategories. Approval of the scheduled Audit Committee
independent auditors as meeting.
auditors for a Fund shall
constitute pre approval for
these services.
------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
o "One-time" pre-approval o A summary of all such
for the fund fiscal year within services and related fees
a specified dollar limit (including comparison to
for all pre-approved specified dollar limits)
specific service subcategories reported quarterly.
o Specific approval is
needed to exceed the
pre-approved dollar limit for
these services (see general
Audit Committee approval policy
below for details on obtaining
specific approvals)
o Specific approval is
needed to use the Fund's
auditors for Audit-Related
Services not denoted as
"pre-approved", or
to add a specific service
subcategory as "pre-approved"
------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
SECTION III - POLICY DETAIL, CONTINUED
----------------------- --------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
SERVICE CATEGORY SERVICE CATEGORY SPECIFIC PRE-APPROVED SERVICE SUBCATEGORIES
DESCRIPTION
----------------------- --------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
III. TAX SERVICES Services which are not o Tax planning and support
prohibited by the Rule, o Tax controversy assistance
if an officer of the Fund o Tax compliance, tax returns, excise
determines that using the tax returns and support
Fund's auditor to provide o Tax opinions
these services creates
significant synergy in
the form of efficiency,
minimized disruption, or
the ability to maintain a
desired level of
confidentiality.
----------------------- --------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
------------------------------------- -------------------------
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY AUDIT COMMITTEE
REPORTING POLICY
------------------------------------- -------------------------
------------------------------------- -------------------------
o "One-time" pre-approval o A summary of
for the fund fiscal year all such services and
within a specified dollar limit related fees
(including comparison
to specified dollar
limits) reported
quarterly.
o Specific approval is
needed to exceed the
pre-approved dollar limits for
these services (see general
Audit Committee approval policy
below for details on obtaining
specific approvals)
o Specific approval is
needed to use the Fund's
auditors for tax services not
denoted as pre-approved, or to add a specific
service subcategory as
"pre-approved"
------------------------------------- -------------------------
SECTION III - POLICY DETAIL, CONTINUED
----------------------- --------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
SERVICE CATEGORY SERVICE CATEGORY SPECIFIC PRE-APPROVED SERVICE SUBCATEGORIES
DESCRIPTION
----------------------- --------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
IV. OTHER SERVICES Services which are not o Business Risk Management support
prohibited by the Rule, o Other control and regulatory
A. SYNERGISTIC, if an officer of the Fund compliance projects
UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS determines that using the
Fund's auditor to provide
these services creates
significant synergy in
the form of efficiency,
minimized disruption,
the ability to maintain a
desired level of
confidentiality, or where
the Fund's auditors
posses unique or superior
qualifications to provide
these services, resulting
in superior value and
results for the Fund.
----------------------- --------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------- ------------------------
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY AUDIT COMMITTEE
REPORTING POLICY
------------------------------------- --------------------------
o "One-time" pre-approval o A summary of
for the fund fiscal year within all such services and
a specified dollar limit related fees
(including comparison
to specified dollar
limits) reported
quarterly.
o Specific approval is
needed to exceed the
pre-approved dollar limits for
these services (see general
Audit Committee approval policy
below for details on obtaining
specific approvals)
o Specific approval is
needed to use the Fund's
auditors for "Synergistic" or
"Unique Qualifications" Other
Services not denoted as
pre-approved to the left, or to
add a specific service
subcategory as "pre-approved"
------------------------------------- --------------------------
SECTION III - POLICY DETAIL, CONTINUED
----------------------- ------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
SERVICE CATEGORY SERVICE CATEGORY SPECIFIC PROHIBITED SERVICE SUBCATEGORIES
DESCRIPTION
----------------------- ------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
PROHIBITED SERVICES Services which result 1. Bookkeeping or other services
in the auditors losing related to the accounting records or
independence status financial statements of the audit
under the Rule. client*
2. Financial information systems design
and implementation*
3. Appraisal or valuation services,
fairness* opinions, or
contribution-in-kind reports
4. Actuarial services (i.e., setting
actuarial reserves versus actuarial
audit work)*
5. Internal audit outsourcing services*
6. Management functions or human
resources
7. Broker or dealer, investment
advisor, or investment banking services
8. Legal services and expert services
unrelated to the audit
9. Any other service that the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board
determines, by regulation, is
impermissible
----------------------- ------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY AUDIT COMMITTEE
REPORTING POLICY
------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
o These services are not to be o A summary of all
performed with the exception of the(*) services and related
services that may be permitted fees reported at each
if they would not be subject to audit regularly scheduled
procedures at the audit client (as Audit Committee meeting
defined in rule 2-01(f)(4)) level will serve as continual
the firm providing the service. confirmation that has
not provided any
restricted services.
------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY:
o For all projects, the officers of the Funds and the Fund's auditors will each
make an assessment to determine that any proposed projects will not impair
independence.
o Potential services will be classified into the four non-restricted service
categories and the "Approval of Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and Other
Services" Policy above will be applied. Any services outside the specific
pre-approved service subcategories set forth above must be specifically
approved by the Audit Committee.
o At least quarterly, the Audit Committee shall review a report summarizing the
services by service category, including fees, provided by the Audit firm as
set forth in the above policy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Disclose the percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b)
through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant
to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
Non-Audit Services
Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into
on or after May 6, 2003, the effective date of the new
SEC pre-approval rules, the Fund's audit committee is
required to pre-approve services to affiliates defined by
SEC rules to the extent that the services are determined
to have a direct impact on the operations or financial
reporting of the Fund. For the years ended October 31, 2014
and 2013, there were no services provided to an affiliate
that required the Fund's audit committee pre-approval.
(f) If greater than 50 percent, disclose the percentage of hours expended on the
principal accountants engagement to audit the registrant's financial statements
for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by
persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees.
N/A
(g) Disclose the aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrants accountant
for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrants
investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily
portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment
adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control
with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of
the last two fiscal years of the registrant.
The aggregate non-audit fees for the Fund were $8,750
payable to Deloitte & Touche LLP for the year ended
October 31, 2014 and $8,131 were paid to the former
auditor, Ernst & Young LLP for the year ended October 31,
2013.
(h) Disclose whether the registrants audit committee of the board of trustees
has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to
the registrants investment adviser (not including any subadviser whose role is
primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another
investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common
control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the
registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of
Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal
accountant's independence.
The Fund's audit committee of the Board of Trustees
has considered whether the provision of non-audit
services that were rendered to the Affiliates (as
defined) that were not pre-approved pursuant to
paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is
compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's
independence.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS
(a) If the registrant is a listed issuer as defined in Rule 10A-3
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10A-3), state whether
or not the registrant has a separately-designated standing
audit committee established in accordance with Section
3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)).
If the registrant has such a committee, however designated,
identify each committee member. If the entire board of directors
is acting as the registrant's audit committee as specified in
Section 3(a)(58)(B) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(B)),
so state.
N/A
(b) If applicable, provide the disclosure required by Rule 10A-3(d)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10A-3(d)) regarding an exemption
from the listing standards for audit committees.
N/A
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
File Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers
as of the close of the reporting period as set forth in 210.1212
of Regulation S-X [17 CFR 210.12-12], unless the schedule is
included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item
1 of this Form.
Included in Item 1
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR
CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
A closed-end management investment company that is filing an annual report on
this Form N-CSR must, unless it invests exclusively in non-voting securities,
describe the policies and procedures that it uses to determine how to vote
proxies relating to portfolio securities, including the procedures that the
company uses when a vote presents a conflict between the interests of its
shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the company's investment adviser;
principal underwriter; or any affiliated person (as defined in Section 2(a)(3)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(3)) and the rules
thereunder) of the company, its investment adviser, or its principal
underwriter, on the other. Include any policies and procedures of the company's
investment adviser, or any other third party, that the company uses, or that are
used on the company's behalf, to determine how to vote proxies relating to
portfolio securities.
Not applicable to open-end management investment companies.
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
(a) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company that
is filing an annual report on this Form N-CSR,provide the following
information:
(1) State the name, title, and length of service of the person or persons
employed by or associated with the registrant or an investment adviser
of the registrant who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management
of the registrant's portfolio ("Portfolio Manager"). Also state each Portfolio
Manager's business experience during the past 5 years.
Not applicable to open-end management investment companies.
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
(a) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company,
in the following tabular format, provide the information specified in
paragraph (b) of this Item with respect to any purchase made by or on
behalf of the registrant or any affiliated purchaser, as defined in
Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10b-18(a)(3)), of
shares or other units of any class of the registrant's equity securities
that is registered by the registrant pursuant to Section 12 of the
Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 781).
Not applicable to open-end management investment companies.
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Describe any material changes to the procedures by which shareholders
may recommend nominees to the registrant's board of directors, where
those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided
disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of
Regulation S-R(17 CFR 229.407)(as required by Item 22(b)(15))
of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101), or this Item.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the
shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant's board of
directors since the registrant last provided disclosure in response
to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-R of Schedule 14(A)
in its definitive proxy statement, or this item.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) Disclose the conclusions of the registrant's principal executive and
principal financials officers, or persons performing similar functions,
regarding the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Act (17 CFR
270.30a-3(c))) 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 270.30(a)-3(b) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).
The registrant's principal executive officer
and principal financial officer have
concluded that the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures are effective based
on the evaluation of these controls and
procedures as of a date within 90 days of the
filing date of this report.
(b) Disclose any change in the registrant's internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that
occured 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.
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 this
report that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, the
registrant's internal control over financial
reporting.
The registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial
officer, however, voluntarily are reporting the following information:
In August of 2006 the registrant's investment adviser
enhanced its internal procedures for reporting performance
information required to be included in prospectuses.
Those enhancements involved additional internal controls
over the appropriateness of performance data
generated for this purpose. Such enhancements were made
following an internal review which identified
prospectuses relating to certain classes of shares of
a limited number of registrants where, inadvertently,
performance information not reflecting the deduction of
applicable sales charges was included. Those prospectuses
were revised, and the revised prospectuses were distributed to
shareholders.
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.
(a) File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form. Letter or number the
exhibits in the sequence indicated.
(1) Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the
disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to
satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit.
(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal
financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act
(17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) , exactly as set forth below:
Filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
[See General Instruction F]
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.
(Registrant) Pioneer Equity Income Fund
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Lisa M. Jones
Lisa M. Jones, President & Chief Executive Officer
Date December 29, 2014
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 (Signature and Title)* /s/ Lisa M. Jones
Lisa M. Jones, President & Chief Executive Officer
Date December 29, 2014
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Mark Bradley
Mark Bradley, Treasurer & Chief Accounting & Financial Officer
Date December 29, 2014
* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.